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Author: Rick Carruth

Press Release: ‘Don’t Read My Lips..’ – New Book from April Brucker

Press Release: ‘Don’t Read My Lips..’ – New Book from April Brucker

LAS VEGAS, March 29, 2021 — Actress, comedienne and reality television personality April Brucker, the special guest star in the Las Vegas revue “BurlesQ,” is revealing the secrets to her success in her new book, “Don’t Read My Lips! — America’s Foremost Female Ventriloquist Reveals the Secrets of How to be a Successful Vent” (CFBP Bestsellers, ISBN 0984208585).

“When the pandemic shut down my Vegas residency last year after just two performances, I took time to write the book that I always wanted to write, but hadn’t due to tour dates, TV appearances and other excuses,” says Ms. Brucker.

Whether readers are interested in ventriloquism as a career, hobby or just a pastime, “Don’t Read My Lips!” provides practical advice, how-to instruction and timely tips for everyone from novices to professionals.

Ms. Brucker includes a history of ventriloquism, why ventriloquism continues to thrive as an art form, plus how to learn the craft, create a character and write a routine. She reveals how to pursue a career as a ventriloquist, including procuring bookings, performing on television and dealing with the unexpected.

The author also reveals anecdotes from her encounters with Mariska Hargitay, Chris Matthews, Jerry Springer and other celebrities, an incident at the 2016 Republican National Convention with her dummy Donald J. Tramp and an irate New York doorman threatening to have April and puppet May Wilson arrested during a network television taping.

“Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a card-carrying vent, I share the how-to of the craft, plus the excitement, fun and rewards of being a vent,” adds Ms. Brucker.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Seen on “Entertainment Tonight,” “Inside Edition,” “My Strange Addiction,” “Today,” “Videos After Dark,” “What Would You Do?” and many domestic and international television shows,  April Brucker started as a ventriloquist at age 13, had her own public access TV show at age 16 and was the only ventriloquist performing in Las Vegas in late-2020/early-2021. A former New Yorker, Ms. Brucker performed for more than a decade in Manhattan cabarets, comedy clubs and off-Broadway shows. She earned her BFA in Acting at NYU’s Tisch School and was awarded an MFA in Creative Writing & Screenwriting at Antioch University Los Angeles. Connect with April Brucker on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and at www.AprilBrucker.TV.

Isolated Red – Mr. Xuan – A Review

Isolated Red – Mr. Xuan – A Review

Skymember Presents Isolated Red – by Mr. Xuan – A Review.
(Gimmicks and Online Instructions)

The following is the Ad Copy:

In 1950s, David Berglas created the “Holy Grail” of card magic, known as “The Berglas Effect”. The Berglas Effect:

The performer shows a shuffled pack of cards, then a spectator is asked to think of ANY card in the deck. Next, the spectator is asked to name a random number between 1 and 52. Amazingly, the randomly thought of card is found at the exact number the spectator had thought of. In later years, this effect was known as “ACAAN” and is still regarded as one of the most impossible card effects in magic.

Skymember Presents is proud to introduce you to Isolated, the very first instalment to our PRO SERIES.

This ultimate version of ACAAN was created by Mr. Xuan. He will be going over every detail on not only how to perform this super-clean effect but also goes into the psychology, patter, and routine structure.

With Isolated, you can perform multiple imperceptible mind-blowing routines that under insane fair conditions.

PRO SERIES:

Have you ever wondered why; when some magicians perform an effect, they seem so professional? Or maybe they always get standing ovations? Or maybe they just have “that special thing”? Have you ever wondered how can YOU overcome these uncertainties? Well, now you can. Therefore we have decided to release our PRO SERIES!

Many things are to be taken into account when designing a professional routine. It’s not just about the moves and techniques… there’s psychology, patter, routine structure and so much more. We’ll shed light onto all the minute details from start to finish. Isolated is not just a trick, it’s a masterclass, come on inside for we have so much to share… in isolated.

Features:
3 powerful routines.
Designed for TV and stages.
Perform like a Master in no time.
An hour Masterclass. Taught expertly by Avi Yap, Ryan Goh and Zach Ng.
Available now worldwide.

My Thoughts:

Every now and again a new effect comes along that truly stretches the borders. I consider ISOLATED such an effect, and am very pleased to be in a position to review it.

No, everything is not perfect. It is not a 100% sure fire winner.. which, unfortunately, is true with most advanced Any Card At Any Number (ACAAN) effects. There is always an element of danger, as I group most ACAAN lovers/performers with sky divers and race card drivers. I think it’s safe to say most of the best ACAAN performances I’ve ever seen were on video.. (except Charlie Frye’s performance at a SCAM convention in 2008). Don’t take that statement wrong. It’s just that it’s much easier to ‘clean up’ a video.. and real time ACAAN’s can be finicky. I’ve seen more than one well-known magician have to back up an punt during performances.

Yes, there are a few performers with flawless ACAAN’s.. but they are not generally marketing their effect. Most of the effects that DO make it to market are not magician foolers, which shouldn’t be a consideration… but it is.

Enough negativity! I am a BIG fan of ISOLATED.. and it’s time for me to tell you why…

ISOLATED is complete with two video tutorials and four different effects. It uses a gaffed deck.. a VERY gaffed deck.. and a fair amount of psychology to accomplish about as fair an ACCAN, from the audiences’ perspective, as you’ll find on the market.

It is well taught, in a 50 minute tutorial, by Avi Yap and Ryan Goh (creator of Anarchy). Both are well versed and very articulate, and explain everything you need to know in an impressive manner. Unfortunately, the second video, which covers only one of the four effects, is not as clear, as it employs sub titles, fast sub titles, but provides enough clear visuals you should be fine. This isn’t a sticking point.. just an observation.

If you’re a lazy magician, ISOLATED probably isn’t for you. As with most well-constructed effects, the performer has to be able to control the deck AND the spectator. This is not an extreme.. just being able to prevent them from turning cards at the wrong time and maintaining your own deck orientation to prevent revealing moments that are unrecoverable.

ISOLATED has a number of gaffed cards and regular cards.. and requires a one-time setup. Despite the setup, the deck can be table spread and shuffled as a real convincer. After the spread and shuffle, the magician again spreads the cards, face down, and asks the spectator to point to any card. They do… but this is a moment that requires spectator control. There are two small areas, about 5-6 cards each, that the performer needs to block via the spread. If performed as taught, you should pull this off the vast majority of times. It’s a small blip, but a consideration, in an otherwise superb effect.

The performer shows the spectator the card they picked. It is buried and cut into the deck. The performer ask the spectator to name a number.. and the magi fairly deals down to that number. The card is turned… and revealed to be the spectators card. An acrylic card sleeve can be used to deal the cards in a super-fair manner. There are so many convincers used along the way, despite the construction of the deck, the spectator, (magicians included), are left to ponder the impossible..

A second effect with the same setup, referred to as a Russian Roulette type effect, is extremely effective in it’s own way. Six piles are dealt after the spec selects a card, and the spec slowly eliminates each pile, and is shown its content in the process.. until one is left. He then selects one of the remaining cards.. and it is his selection. Pretend the piles are potential spikes, and have the spectator slam their hand on individual piles.. avoiding the one ‘spiked’ pile that contains their card.. Good stuff…

A third effect also uses the same setup and a Mexican Turnover (taught) to again find the spectator’s card… which matches a card given to him beforehand by the performer. It is a very good prediction effect and looks quite good on video.

An additional portion of the first video is a masterclass type production, displaying various ways to use ancillary devices to strengthen the effects. Card dealer/sleeves and tweezers are the two primary examples.

The second video, the Lottery effect, stage version, is similar enough to the Russian Roulette effect you shouldn’t have a problem with the sub titles. I also noticed a commercial rights clause that prevents the effects from being used on TV and web shows without permission. I am not a fan of these clauses.. but it is what it is…

Quickly put… ISOLATED is roughly an hour and ten minutes of instruction . Both the video and sound are typical Murphy’s Magic quality. Everything works.. aside from the sub titles on the second video, which scroll too fast for these eyes to follow. (Again, I don’t mention this to disway you from purchasing Isolated..)

In all.. I think ISOLATED is a very sharp, very intelligent use of gaff cards to achieve one of the classics of magic. The additional effects are icing on the cake, so to speak, and add to the value of this specialized deck. I definitely recommend ISOLATED to all my readers and Roadshow subscribers. I realize forty bucks is a serious purchase, but I believe it is well worth the price if you, like me, are a big fan of ACAANs.

$39.95 .. From Murphy’s Magic and their associates.
https://www.murphysmagic.com/Product.aspx?id=66680

(Review by Rick Carruth for Murphy’s Magic and the Magic Roadshow. I am not paid to represent this, or any, product I review.. unless otherwise stated.)

REMEDIES Playing Cards by Madison x Schneider – A Review

REMEDIES Playing Cards by Madison x Schneider – A Review

Remedies Playing Cards by Madison x Schneider – A Review

This is the Ad Copy:

It’s time to celebrate the USPCC comeback of Daniel Madison. The series of some of the most iconic playing cards continue with the Madison x Schneider Remedies. A reminiscence to the beginning of custom playing cards with a modern twist.

The new look and feel runs through the entire deck. Improved custom pips and indices, new custom faces and details on the Court cards. Daniel Schneider also redesigned Daniel Madison’s iconic King of Diamonds that you see from now on in every new Madison deck.

Packed with hidden secrets and built-in magic tricks, including an Angle Zero gaff and a series of brand new hidden revelations with an incredible quality of stock (and traditionally cut). Madison and Schneider are so proud to present this minimally wonderful weapon of deception.
Manufactured by the United States Playing Card Company
Printed on premium (Bee) crushed paper stock
Traditionally cut
Custom front and back
Angle Zero gaffHidden revelations for your magic routines

My Thoughts:

Playing Cards… you either love ’em, or you don’t. I’m not talking about the public… I’m talking about the pickiest bunch of them all… magicians. REMEDIES are designed for magicians. Let me tell you why…

First.. Daniel Schneider and Daniel Madison were two of the very first to introduce true custom cards to the magic community. Remedies is a great continuation of that tradition.

Second.. I’ve always been a fan of Bee’s. They handled slightly stiffer than Bikes, but I’ve always preferred the linen finish and the way the Bee’s slid together when performing faros. Remedies are printed on the premium Bee crushed stock, I think slightly thinner than original Bee’s, but not enough to matter. They are also traditionally cut and printed by USPCC, a trait I like in all my cards.

I found the edge cut to be slightly rough. That’s not a problem if the edge softens during use.. and my Remedies would faro properly after three or four minutes of faro’s. This shouldn’t be an issue for most of you, but I have several controls that are dependent on my faro.. I have to be able to perform a perfect faro or the deck goes on the shelf. Thankfully, Remedies came through for me.

Most of the court cards are custom made. The King of Diamonds is a redesigned image of Daniel Madison and the other King of Diamonds, yes, there’s two, is Daniel Schneider. The King of Spades is David Blaine, the King of Clubs is David at Magicorthodoxy, and the King of Hearts is a German magician who’s name escapes me. There are several hidden secrets within the court cards, including two Kings holding different cards and an angle zero gaff on the back of an extra nine.

The tuck case is a sharp, minimally designed, box with the raven feather and the black rose, both siymbolic of the Schneider-Madison kinship. Both the feather and rose are white on either a solid red, blue, or green box. The backs of the cards are similar to the case, except with a thin, white border and a dual rose and feather image.. I like it…

Ultimately, you buy cards for their collect ability, and REMEDIES are very collectable.. or you buy cards because you appreciate their feel and handling qualities. The features and design of any deck ARE important, and these cards have that in spades, but I have to be able to say I like how they feel. It’s that simple. That’s why I recommend REMEDIES to all my friends and readers.

$15.00 Available from Murphy’s Magic and their associates..
https://www.murphysmagic.com/Product.aspx?id=66777

Review by Rick Carruth

The Vault – Card Animations by Patricio Teran – A Review

The Vault – Card Animations by Patricio Teran – A Review

The Vault – Card Animations by Patricio Teran – A Review
Video Download

This is the Ad Copy (short and sweet):

“This is insane! Patricio just changed the game!”
– Hanson Chien

“I can’t tell what l saw is fantasy or reality, maybe both?”
– Hondo Chen

Four ingenious close-up magic animations!

Patricio Teran teaches you step by step how to build your own special cards by applying the concept of the animated card one of the most original animation concepts in magic.

My Thoughts:

OK.. most folks who follow my reviews know I am not a big fan of DIY. I was hesitant to review Card Animations for that very reason. I’m glad I gave it a go, and I’m happy to have the opportunity to review Patricio’s wonderful little video.
(I say ‘little’, but it’s actually over an hour and twenty minutes) .. I couldn’t complain about the DIY aspect though.. as this is a video solely intended on teaching you how to construct four cards that would easily cost you north of eighty bucks if you paid someone to make them for you.

I came in with the notion this would be a flip book (deck) type animation. I was wrong. This is a detailed tutorial showing how to create four different mechanically animated cards.. each with a different premise. If you’ve seen Bob Solari’s mini rising card that rises from a King’s hand then you know what I mean by mechanical. Cards appear.. but they appear from the depths of a card when you decide they appear. maybe from a small slit in the card or from a small envelope that magically appears – with an even smaller card inside. My best advice is to go to the link at the bottom and watch the trailer. This will give you a very accurate idea of what happens.. but it won’t tell you specifics.

This video is not about effects. It is about the props (tools) to make YOUR effects unique. You are left to create your own routines using the cards you build from scratch.. and Patricio teaches you exactly how to build each card from scratch.
When I first opened the video, I couldn’t quite understand how it was going to take 80 minutes to create four cards.. but you are literally walked through each step, in real time, from inception to creation. Everything you need is listed, and almost everything is something you probably have around the house: Scissors, double stick tape, a straight pen, Sharpie, and the one thing you may or may not have.. elastic (silicone) thread.

Everything taught is easily within the skill set of the average guy. Although my hands are not as agile as they once were, there’s noting too hard for me. You need to be able to cut a straight line, lay tape, and cut out a couple of small cards you’ll use for your ‘hidden cards’.

All the production values are typical Murphy’s Magic quality. Sound is a cool jazz-funk as this is a voice-free video. Words aren’t necessary.. fortunately. The video is tight and clear, detailing each aspect. I can’t find nary a thing to complain about..

I recommend CARD ANIMATIONS to all my readers and Roadshow guys. It’s priced very fairly and, if you’ll make the props, is a true bargain. Again, check out the video and you’ll have a good idea of what Patricio can add to YOUR magic. This is great for close-up and walk-around performances and will provide you with a very personal tool that I guarantee will earn you amazing responses.

$19.95 … From Murphy’s Magic and Associates who carry their line.
https://www.murphysmagic.com/product.aspx?id=67762

Review by Rick Carruth for Murphy’s Magic & The Magiic Roadshow.