From: ron@eatdust.uswest.com (Ron Schweikert)
Newsgroups: alt.magic
Subject: Torn/restored newspaper -- also, "how does DC do the tricks"
Date: 8 Sep 92 14:31:08 GMT
Organization: U S WEST Communications -- Information Technologies
Originator: ron@eatdust

Good morning all (well, at least it's morning *here*) :-)

One quick question.  I've been looking for a publication for the torn and
restored newspaper effect.  It seems straightforward enough (I've played 
with ways to do it), but would like some different insights.  I'm most
interested in a version where 3-5 pages of a newspaper are thumbed through,
and then "restored" after tearing.  There must be an easier prep for the
effect than what I'm doing.  It is either too clumsy (require perhaps just
more practice) or there's a better way.  Insights would be appreciated.

Also, my two cents worth as a new illusionist:

First, my thanks to all the helpful postings in this group.  You *REALLY DO*
get more out of "teaching a person how to fish" than "giving him a fish."
That is: telling them to read, read, read and practice, practice, practice
(with of course information on *what* to read and *what* to practice) than
you do telling them how to do a specific "trick" because we all know it
isn't the "trick" that makes the "magic" but rather the sum total of
presentation plus effect.

For those wishing to start out, I have had a lot of success starting with
Mark Wilson's course in Magic and would highly recommend it.  There's a lot
of insights that are good effects in their own right, but also terriffic
building blocks for bigger effects.  When combined with Bobo's coin magic,
I've kept the neighborhood kids very entertained (as well as a few parents
and friends).  I'm also building up my confidence to do more "bold" works.

--> Any suggestions on a next book or tape series?

I liked the idea of posting "best effects" references, but will withold
here until I see if the idea is well-received.  Are there some hesitations
in the group about doing this?

Now, regarding "how does DC do that stuff", I liked the response best that
DC is a presentation artist (who I find EXTREMELY entertaining), but doing
effects of others (at least as a whole).  It's also true that if people
knew how he did some of the stuff, the entertainment value would drop
considerably.  Consider it a challenge.  If you want to know how he does
something, examine, research, probe.  Eventually you'll get at least a general
idea of how he *might* have done it (I'm going to be working on figuring 
how some of the "big effects" for a long time!)

Now for us, although it's fun to tell people
"can you keep a secret // so can I" it can at times be perceived by new
people that those who enjoy the trade are a tad arrogant and it can turn
them off.  Once they get to know the people however, they will learn that
those who share a love for illusion are in fact a great group of people,
willing to share knowledge amongst themselves, but one must "pay the dues"
and show that they're not just very casually interested in a particular
secret, but wanting to learn more about the entire art.  

This isn't intended as a flame, because I can picture in my mind the
conversation that many would have with the person who asked the question.
It wouldn't be arrogant, but would rather most likely be with "playful sarcasm"
to which the person would not take offense, but realize that people were
not going to just give away trade secrets so easily.  Unfortunately, when
reading or writing a post, the "smiles" " and "light ribbing" don't always
come through so...well I guess we should just keep that in mind.

That being said, just *how does* DC get air pumps powerful enough under the
stage to lift him up like the air hockey game!?  :-) :-) :-)