June Official Publication of The Society of Young Magicians. The Magic Card Box. and other select Mysteries.

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1 June 2014 Official Publication of The Society of Young Magicians The Magic Card Box and other select Mysteries.

what s happening in magic on the Internet (Well sort of) Your phone appears to

2 S.A.M. Spotlight SPOTLIGHT WWW Whats on the Web Floating Phone Charger A brief look at what s happening in magic on the Internet (Well sort of) Your phone appears to be floating while charging. Click the link below to learn more. 2 June 2014/The Magic SYMbol

CONTENTS WHAT S INSIDE 2 Spotlight - Convention Ad/What s on the Web 8 Do as I Do Card Trick 4 Letter From the Editor 5 An Easy Card Trick 6 Young Magicians Seminar info / The Card Box 9 Torn and

3 CONTENTS WHAT S INSIDE 2 Spotlight - Convention Ad/What s on the Web 8 Do as I Do Card Trick 4 Letter From the Editor 5 An Easy Card Trick 6 Young Magicians Seminar info / The Card Box 9 Torn and Restored Cards 10 SYM Pin Program 11 SYM Pin Program 7 Houdini - a magical escape 12 Magic Fun Page Magic s an art where you use slight of hand or illusion to create wonder. - David Blaine S.Y.M. WEBSITE S.A.M. WEBSITE The Society of Young Magicians (S.Y.M.) sponsored by The Society of American Magicians, is a world-wide organization for youth, ages 7 through 17. (At age 18 you graduate to membership in The Society of American Magicians.) The purpose of S.Y.M. is to promote interest in magic as a wholesome hobby that will help develop self-confidence and skill, the ability to speak in public, discipline that comes from learning, practicing and performing magic, and a sense of service to others through helping others learn magic and by performing magic at charitable events. The Society of Young Magicians has nearly 100 local chapters, called Assemblies, around the country. Adult supervision and instruction are provided by qualified members of the Society of American Magicians, one of the most prestigious world-wide organizations of its kind. HAVE A QUESTION? NEED ADVICE? CAN T FIGURE OUT A TRICK? NEED GUIDANCE? DON T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT IN MAGIC? The S.Y.M. has a panel of mentors ready to help you. Associate members who do not have an Assembly in their area now have a place to turn. Even members of a local Assembly can participate in this mentoring program. This is a free service and part of your S.Y.M. membership. To contact the SYMentor, simply your questions to: SYMentor@magicsam.com Your question will be directed to someone who will help you from our panel of experts. Parents of SYM ers may also write with questions. Be sure to get permission from your parents before writing.

Letter from the editor Michael A. Raymer The Big Show! The Magic SYMbol Volume 30 Issue No. 6 June 2014 The Magic SYMbol is a monthly publication Michael A.

4 Letter from the editor Michael A. Raymer The Big Show! The Magic SYMbol Volume 30 Issue No. 6 June 2014 The Magic SYMbol is a monthly publication Michael A. Raymer, Editor Bruce Kalver, Consulting Editor Articles are written by the editor unless otherwise noted. Editorial Offices: Last month we gave some info on the theater superstitions and what to say or not to say and what to do or not to do around a theater. I hope you found that information interesting. Every year our assembly puts on a magic show that we use as a fund raiser to support the club in it s events throughout the year. The money we generate from the show allows us to bring in lecturers and some of the top names in magic. The show is now called It s Magic! Previously the show was performed at a park amphitheater and was called Magic Under the Stars. I have performed on the show many times and remember the early days at the amphitheater before they put a roof on the stage and half of the audience. We even got rained out a couple times. Now we perform inside in an auditorium. When I was a young magician I worked behind the scenes helping magicians move props on and off the stage and then later as a performer on the stage. Having these experiences really helped me to understand how a show works on a big stage and just what is involved in trucking a show around. It also gave me some insight on how some of the larger stage illusions worked and what it takes to make a box into a routine. For many years I have designed the show posters and this year I am in charge of all of the marketing for the show. I have designed the materials, a facebook page and set up a ticketing system to sell tickets online. There is a lot of work that goes into producing and marketing a magic show and I hope that someday you readers get to experience this first hand. Brad Ross has been showing what it takes to put together a big show on facebook as he prepares to have a summer run in Branson Missouri. A good friend of mine; Dinky Gowen performs each summer at Beech Bend Park, an amusement park in Kentucky. He has several cast members and performs several illusions and he has been doing this for many years. I hope you get the opportunity in your magic career to work in a big stage production or as an assistant to a magician to find out how to truck and perform a big show. 4 June 2014/The Magic SYMbol The Magic SYMbol Michael Raymer, Editor 5512 Pavilion Way Louisville, KY or funmagic@iglou.com S.Y.M. National Director Jann Goodsell 329 West 1750 North Orem, UT Fax: bravesjann@comcast.net Dues Payment Change of Address/ New Memberships: S.Y.M c/o Manon Rodriguez National Administrator P.O. Box 505 Parker, CO manon@magic.bz The Society of of Young Magicians Board of Directors Executive Board Jann Executive Goodsell Andy Board Dallas Bruce Kalver Ed Jann Thomas Goodsell Hope Andy Anderson Dallas Bruce Kalver Lance Ed Thomas Burton William Hope Anderson Andrews Jay Gorham Char Gott Connie Lance Burton Hatherill William Arlen Solomon Andrews Marlene Clark Connie Hatherill Arlen Solomon HAS YOUR S.Y.M. MEMBERSHIP EXPIRED? If it has you should be receiving your renewal information by mail, please remember to renew your membership.

cards. Hold the deck so its face is towards spectators and its back is towards you. Pull out the second, third and fourth cards from the back of the deck to display them as in the photo.

5 An Easy Card Trick Effect: A spectator selects a card and you find it. At its simplest, the spectator s card can be discovered on the top of the deck. Or you can use any reveal that you wish from simply showing the spectator s selected card on the top of the deck Materials: A deck of cards Performance: If you like, you can have a spectator mix the cards. Hold the deck so its face is towards spectators and its back is towards you. Pull out the second, third and fourth cards from the back of the deck to display them as in the photo. Allow the top card to remain in place. This is the secret - the spectators don t know about the extra card on top. Card Magic individual fanned cards and saying one, two or three, as in the picture. Ask the spectator to remember the card based on the number. After the spectator selects a card by naming a number, you gather the cards on top of the deck and allow the unseen and secret first card to stay on top. Depending on the number that the spectator selected, you will take that many cards from the top of the deck, individually, and shove them into the middle of the deck. Remember to do this with the deck face down and not in the position where the spectator selected a card. Here s the breakdown according to the number selected by the spectator: Option 1. If the spectator selected one, count one and without showing it, take the top card and shove it into the middle of the deck, seemingly losing it. Move to the next step. Option 2. If the spectator selected two, count one and take the top card and shove it into the middle of the deck, seemingly losing it. And then count two and without showing it, take the next card and shove it into the middle of the deck. Move to the next step. Display the cards. The photo shows what spectators see. Option 3. If the spectator selected three, count one and take the top card and shove it into the middle of the deck, seemingly losing it. Count two and then take the next card and shove it into the middle of the deck. Count three and without showing it, take the next card and shove it into the middle of the deck. What the spectator doesn t know is that their selected card remains on the top of the deck. Remember, as explained in step two, you are secretly holding an extra card behind the others that are fanned at the back of the deck. Ask the spectators to select a card by pointing at At this point, with the spectator s card on top of the deck, you can utter a magic word and/or wave your hand and show that their card has mysteriously risen to the top of the deck. Or you can perform the Rising Card as we explained in a previous edition of The Magic SYMbol. June 2014/The Magic SYMbol 5

The Magic Card Box The Magic Card Box is a unique prop that offers some very cool tricks. In Fact in some magic shops you can purchase a card box with a book of 25 tricks.

The one I have is a plastic case that has a plastic insert inside, but I have seen them made of harder plastic, wood and metal.

6 The Magic Card Box The Magic Card Box is a unique prop that offers some very cool tricks. In Fact in some magic shops you can purchase a card box with a book of 25 tricks. Many magicians receive one when they receive a magic set and there are several different types. The one I have is a plastic case that has a plastic insert inside, but I have seen them made of harder plastic, wood and metal. Some have a flap that is loose, some have a flap connected to one of the doors and another type has a metal flap which can be held in place with a magnet. The effect I perform the most is a recreation of Houdini s metamorphosis, in which I place the Queen of Hearts (Bess) inside and then place two rubber bands around the box to show the chains, I then take the King of Spades (Harry) and place him on top. I set the box on the table and have the spectator count to three. When we turn over the top card it is the Queen and when we open the box the King is found inside. You can do this and many other effects - see the next page for some suggestions. 6 June 2014/The Magic SYMbol

Card Box Magic Card Box Magic Houdini - a Magical Escape You tell your audience that Houdini was not only a master escape artist, but he had such a powerful personality that his name has actually

Now you want to show another strong example of this famous man s name. You print the name HOUDINI on a blank card in large letters and have someone seal it in an envelope.

7 Card Box Magic Card Box Magic Houdini - a Magical Escape You tell your audience that Houdini was not only a master escape artist, but he had such a powerful personality that his name has actually become part of the English language. For proof, all one has to do is look it up in a dictionary; look up the word Houdinize and they ll find it. Now you want to show another strong example of this famous man s name. You print the name HOUDINI on a blank card in large letters and have someone seal it in an envelope. The sealed envelope is put into a box, and guarded by a spectator. When the box is opened again, the Houdini card is now outside the still sealed envelope. Probably your hardest problem will be to find envelopes small enough to fit inside your Card Box. Once you have them, the rest is easy. Print the name Houdini on a card, using exactly the same pen, letters, and placing that you ll use during the trick Now seal an empty envelope, and put the two items in your Card Box, and put the flap on top of them. Now just follow the moves as described at the beginning of the trick, remembering to move the flap from one side of the box to the other as you give the box to someone to hold, and the trick is done. WE NEED YOUR NEWS! We want to hear from you! Send us photos of your Assembly show. Write up a report about the lecturer you saw at your S.Y. M. meeting. Become our field reporters and keep other SYMers in touch with SYM Assembly activities. If you don t write in, then we don t know about it! Send your story to the editor at funmagic@iglou.com. June 2014/The Magic SYMbol 7

Card Tricks Do as I Do Card Trick Effect: The magician brings out two decks of cards. The spectator gets to choose one and takes it in his hands. The magician takes the remaining deck.

8 Card Tricks Do as I Do Card Trick Effect: The magician brings out two decks of cards. The spectator gets to choose one and takes it in his hands. The magician takes the remaining deck. The magician asks the spectator to Do as I do. The spectator is to perform every shuffle, mix and cut that the magician performs. In this manner, the cards are thoroughly mixed. The magician and spectator trade decks and each cuts to a card and memorizes it. The card is replaced in the deck, which is cut again and then exchanged. The magician and spectator perform one more cut and then look through their decks to find their selected cards and bring them out. The cards are found to be the same. Materials: Two decks of cards one red and one blue. Be sure that the decks have no missing cards. Some suggestions for sneaking a peek. You can hold the deck up in one hand with the faces toward you and tell your spectator to concentrate on the cards before you undertake the next steps. Use your imagination. Once you have the bottom card firmly in your mind, you re ready to go. Exchange decks with the spectator. Resting the deck in front of you, cut the top half of the deck and rest it to your right. Take the top card of the remaining half (on your left) and tell the spectator to remember this card. Actually, you ll ignore this card. You only need to remember that bottom card from the prior step. Of course, you don t see the spectator s card, nor should the spectator or anyone in the audience see your card. Rest the card on top of the right-hand portion of cards. Complete the cut by taking the left-hand half of the deck and resting it on the right-hand half. The card that you memorized is now sitting on top of the spectator s card. Cut the deck. Exchange decks again. Cut the deck. Performance: Bring out the two decks of cards. Allow the spectator to select one of them. Take the remaining deck. Tell the spectator that he is to follow everything that you do. You are free to shuffle, mix and cut the cards any way that you wish. And your spectator should follow suit. At the end of this segment, you ll need to secretly sneak a peek at the bottom card of your deck and memorize it. This is the secret. At this point, tell the spectator to look through his deck for his card and to hold it face down. You ll do the same. Look through the deck for your memorized card. The card underneath it will be the spectator s card. Bring this card out. Note: in rare instances your memorized card may be on the bottom of the deck. In this case, the spectator s card is the top card. The cutting has separated cards but has not changed the order. With the two cards held face down, count to three and reveal that they are the same. 8 June 2014/The Magic SYMbol

9 Torn and Restored Cards Card Box Magic The Restoration Box Effect: The magician has someone take a card, and then tear it into a number of pieces. The pieces are put into a box, but one is given back to the selector as a receipt. The performer explains that the little box is the latest in electronic wizardry--it restores things to a previous state. All you have to do is put some pieces into the box and it puts them together. When the box is reopened, there is the selected card back in one piece, except for a missing corner. The selector fits his receipt in the open space and it matches perfectly. Take the duplicate card of the card you re going to force, and hold it face up in front of you. Tear across the card, just below the bottom of the corner pip, to the center of the card, then turn the card and tear down to that rip from the upper edge. You now have one-eighth of the card. Put that in your right jacket pocket, and put the mutilated card face down in your Card Box with the flap on top of it. After you ve forced the right card on the spectator, ask him to tear the card across the center. He then puts the two pieces together and tears them in half. Turning the pieces at a right angle, he tears them again. As he is doing all this, you casually put your hand in your jacket pocket and steal out the card corner. Now open the box and have the spectator drop his pieces inside. Oh, yes, you say, keep one of these for a receipt. You reach into the box and apparently pick up one of the loose pieces, but give him your card corner. Close the box, and the trick is done. Just complete the trick by opening the box and showing that the card is restored and the corner piece matches. The Comedy Restoration: I have always thought that this is the way to really restore a torn card. Set up the trick the same way, but first tear the duplicate card into pieces and tape seven of them back together. Now when the box is opened, the card is restored, but how did you tape it together in that little space? You could even use Duct Tape to make it more comedic instead of using scotch tape. June 2014/The Magic SYMbol 9

S.Y.M. ACHIEVEMENT PIN PROGRAM The S.Y.M. Achievement Pin Program allows S.Y.M. members to explore 10 areas of magic, demonstrate skill in these areas, and receive recognition for their accomplishments.

As candidates work from bronze to gold, they will learn valuable leadership skills aimed at increasing their confidence in all areas of life. S.Y.

GENERAL INFORMATION 1. The Achievement Pin Program coordinator will provide worksheets in which candidates and adult supervisors can record candidates progress. 2.

Pins will be awarded for completed tricks only. In other words, demonstrating a Double Lift or a French Drop does not count. The Double Lift must be presented within a completed trick; e.g., using a Double Lift to force or find a card.

7. Each candidate will submit an application fee of $4.00 for each bronze and silver pin, and $5.00 for each gold pin. Make your check out to the Society of Young Magicians.

10 S.Y.M. ACHIEVEMENT PIN PROGRAM The S.Y.M. Achievement Pin Program allows S.Y.M. members to explore 10 areas of magic, demonstrate skill in these areas, and receive recognition for their accomplishments. The progressive nature of the Achievement Pin Program also measures how young magicians are advancing in their magical journey. As candidates work from bronze to gold, they will learn valuable leadership skills aimed at increasing their confidence in all areas of life. S.Y.M advisors are available to help members work toward earning their pins and to ensure that candidates meet all requirements. S.Y.M. members who do not belong to an S.Y.M. assembly will be able to receive help from advisors via mail or electronically. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. The Achievement Pin Program coordinator will provide worksheets in which candidates and adult supervisors can record candidates progress. 2. Advisors or organizers must return completed forms to the Achievement Pin Program coordinator. Completed paperwork will be forwarded to the S.Y.M. director, after which pins will be awarded. 3. Pins will be awarded for completed tricks only. In other words, demonstrating a Double Lift or a French Drop does not count. The Double Lift must be presented within a completed trick; e.g., using a Double Lift to force or find a card. 4. Members may receive pins in more than one category, as long as all requirements are met for each category. 5. S.Y.M. assembly members will test for pins at an assembly meeting. 6. Associate S.Y.M. members will test for pins by submitting an application, along with a video, DVD or electronic link to the Achievement Pin Program Coordinator. 7. Each candidate will submit an application fee of $4.00 for each bronze and silver pin, and $5.00 for each gold pin. Make your check out to the Society of Young Magicians. Mail it and your Completed Application to: Marlene Clark SYM Achievement Pin Program Coordinator 274 Church St., #6B Guilford, CT June 2014/The Magic SYMbol

11 S.Y.M. ACHIEVEMENT PIN PROGRAM 1. Categories: Members may perform stage, standup (parlor), and/or close-up magic. They will be awarded bronze and silver pins in the following categories and gold Excellence in Magic pins. Cards Coins Silk Paper Sponge Rope Animals Mentalism Cups & Balls General Magic (Miscellaneous) 2. Requirements A. Bronze: (1) Candidates must be a member for at least three months. (2) Candidates must give and explain the S.Y.M. Pledge. (3) Candidates must demonstrate skill in three effects in one category: three card tricks or three sponge tricks, for example. (4) Candidates must be able to describe each effect and provide the proper or technical term for the effect or move, if applicable: Professor s Nightmare, French Drop or Glide, for example. (5) Candidates will be judged on execution and basic skill; e.g., don t tip the method. B. Silver (1) Candidates must give and explain the S.Y.M. Pledge. (2) Candidates must have earned two bronze pins in the same category a total of six tricks for that category. (3) Candidates will perform a three-to-four minute routine. There is no limit to the number of effects used, but at least two must be from a bronze routine in order to get a silver pin in that category. (4) Candidates will be judged on execution, skill and presentation. (5) Candidates must write a report of at least 250 words on one famous magician for each silver pin. C. Gold (1) Candidates must have earned a Silver pin in three different categories to qualify for a gold pin. (2) Candidates will present an 8-to-10-minute act with a unifying theme or presentation. One effect must be from a silver routine. The act will be judged on skill, presentation, appearance, stage presence (even in close-up), confidence, audience appeal, appropriateness, timing, and public speaking ability (if applicable). (3) Candidates will also present their gold pin performances as a community service project for the public at a venue of their choice. (4) Candidates will make a five-to-10 minute oral presentation on any area of magic before an S.Y.M. or S.A.M. meeting or public venue, such as a classroom or library. The candidate will be judged on knowledge of material, organization, delivery, appearance, and public speaking ability. Suggested topics include, but are not limited to, magic history, biography (different from the Silver presentation) and magic theory. (5) Candidates are responsible for organizing and making all arrangements for all presentations. Following presentations, candidates will submit a report to the adult advisor detailing the work done. SOCIETY OF YOUNG MAGICIANS June 2014/The Magic SYMbol 11

12 Magic Fun Page Have some fun with some magic squares. And below is a nice little magic set that includes a card box, and the Card Box Book below: June Birthdays 01- Eugene Burger 11- Dai Vernon 13- Siegfried 25- Michael Ammar 30- Harry Blackstone Jr. 30- Alexander

January Official Publication of The Society of Young Magicians. Tricks with Time

January Official Publication of The Society of Young Magicians. Tricks with Time January 2014 Official Publication of The Society of Young Magicians Tricks with Time S.A.M. Spotlight SPOTLIGHT WWW Whats on the Web A brief look at what s happening in magic on the Internet There is a