|
IcyIc33 began magic in October 2006, after viewing a video on YouTube of what is now one of his most favorite card magic
tricks. He watched an amazing beginner magician perform The Revolver, a trick in which four cards turn face down one
by one while shown, and then finish by turning all a new back color.
I searched YouTube for how it was done, eager to find out so i could impress my friends. I found one guy teaching it,
and i learned. It is unfortunate that people expose magic on YouTube, but for my intents and purposes, it brought me into
loving magic. I learned The Revolver, and was soon performing it. Rather new to YouTube, i went with the general spirit of
things and made a video of my performance with iMovie, set to music. It brought me into the realization of hecklers,
and how the can try to put a trick down. Many people critisized my trick, and looking back, it wasnt all that bad of a performance,
but nonetheless, people are sometimes like that. The few who enjoyed it inspired me to go on and continue.
I began looking for a new trick to amaze people with. I developed my own, called Aces Wild, which uses my closely guarded
secret to tracking up to 10 cards in the deck, and my unique way of revealing them. There are many different types of changes
in magic, the erdanese, slip, ego, and even the pass can act as a change. But this change was unique, and difficult. Im suprised
i was able to do it at such an early stage. With shown empty hands, i was able to almost instantly change a card by what seems
to be merely opening and closing the deck. In fact i wasnt even closing the deck, that was merely the motion. Like opening
a book, the motion was just bringing two halves together and back out, and suddenly an ace would appear in between quite smoothly
and without much motion. This was quite amazing, and is a secret i guard constantly from those asking for it. After creating
this i realized my potential in the world of card magic, and i moved on.
Soon i found a new type of card use, card manipulation, generally called xcm and cardistry. With a very useful mentor,
whos name i will not mention if he does not wish it, through videos on YouTube, i learned basic, simple flourishes. But
to me these were amazing. For instance the Swivel Cut, i broke the deck into three packets and they all came back to their
proper order. It sounds difficult, but is in fact simple. Of course to me it was amazing, and i dug deeper.
Very soon i came across videos of Handlordz and Decknique members. These were amazing. What got me the most was fast
cuts and large springs. A spring is the forcing of cards in a stream from one hand to the other, potentially several feet
or more in length.
I began learning card manipulation through DVDs from Ellusionist and other magic stores. I also picked up some magic
off of this. I soon began doing magic at my high school and it impressed my friends. One of my favorite qutoes i have said
before is, "Dont underestimate simplicity." I go for simple, easy tricks and use acting and personality to make them amazing.
When you can make a man who looked as i walked up to him ready to hurt someone, with his stance aggressive, run away after
being amazed by one of my tricks, i feel something has happened. I continued persuing the simplicity of both magic and XCM.
As i learned more i began making my own videos of what i could do. My first few XCM videos stressed simplicity, using
editing to enhance them. Even yet the videos are now off YouTube because of comments saying of my inexpertise. These first
few videos were not just a stepping stone, but more of a jumping... boat to where i was going in the field of cards.
Soon as i researched more and began doing more in the field i learned more. I joined the 3C discussion forums which greatly
enhanced my knowledge. I learned the difference in cards and things used with cards for what i was doing. I began through
trial and error as well as peer suggestion to learn of some of the best decks you can use for what i needed. These included
in no particular order: Regular Bicycle Cards, League Backs, Steamboats, Studs, Old Aristocrats, Ellusionist custom cards,
Bicycle Master cards, old Golden Nuggets, Jerrys Nuggets (wish i had some of these :D), Tally-Hos, Aviators, WPTs, and so
on. As i began getting some of these decks i found the differences. The positives and negatives. I learned the difference
between Air-Cushioned and Woven, and the benefits. Linen Finish appealed to me, after using new Studs, which are amazing.
I truly began to see how wide and not yet explored this field was. Atleast for me. But i intended to go headlong into it with
nothing but a metaphorical flashlight, and of course a deck of cards.
As i continued to make videos my expertise in video editing increased. Also apparantly by my viewers my taste in music
:D. I soon began making more tutorials, to the general appeal of my viewers. Subscribers rolled in. This itself was a huge
support to me. Knowing that people cared about what i was doing, enjoyed watching it was great to my morale. I established
a one-man system of response for my subscribers. I take several minutes to even half an hour on average for each subscriber
at first. I first see them subscribe by email notice by YouTube. Then i record their name in a Word document. Next i
send them an email about how i can help them if they need it, and explaining some other things. Some may be personalized if
i enjoyed what i saw looking through their videos. Next they get invited to my subscriber group, where they possibly recieve
exclusive videos and tutorials. Also when anyone replies to one of my videos i look at the reply, think about it and generally
reply to them or message them. I really appreciate the comments posted on my videos.
Soon after many tutorials i made some very good XCM vids. Regret, and Studfinder were both very good in my opinion and
i put a good deal of work into them. Many of my videos use moves i create based on others i view. Sometimes if i cant purchase
the actual dvd on how to do moves, ill try to figure it out myself and create my own version. Generally who inspired me will
be credited at the end, but if i ever forget, do not hesitate to correct me. In XCM this is slightly accepted, but not at
all in magic, being copyrighted moves. I had a run-in with a fellow magician when i posted a move i invented in which he had
apparantly had the same trick already. The video was deleted within the day, although i had no influence by his trick at all.
It was alright though, since he came up with the concept first, so i must allow him to continue with the concept.
In recent times i havent produced much, although i have filmed several videos. One coming soon is Thief, which has an
interesting plot somewhat of two characters which was somewhat hard since i have just me. I dont know many manipulators near
me, but plenty of magicians.
I am pursuing gigs and jobs for magic or xcm now. If you have met me and would like a show, please call me via the card
i gave you or email me at zenobius_wow@yahoo.com. Please include name, location, and phone/email. I only do North California areas. I do kids magic shows, but i prefer not
to, being more suited towrads adult magic. I mostly do walk-around street-style magic for small groups of people. This is
perfect for a party. If necessary with previous arrangement i may be able to do a 10-25 minute stage act. Fees based
by hour unless by other arrangement. Preferably i do 2-4 hours, but other times can be arranged. Mostly during the week
(Mon-Fri) I am only availible after 4pm to 12am because i have school. On Saturdays i am available after 1pm. On Sundays i
am availible 10am and on. For other times please ask. Thank you for viewing my site. Please have a look at a few of my YouTube videos. It shows a bit of XCM, but i will have
some magic videos soon.
|
