NOVEMBER 2012 RORY FELDMAN PAGE 36 MAGIC - UNITY - MIGHT Editor Michael Close Editor Emeritus David Goodsell Associate Editor W.S. Duncan Proofreader & Copy Editor Lindsay Smith Art Director Lisa Close Publisher Society of American Magicians, 6838 N. Alpine Dr. Parker, CO 80134 Copyright © 2012 Subscription is through membership in the Society and annual dues of $65, of which $40 is for 12 issues of M-U-M. All inquiries concerning membership, change of address, and missing or replacement issues should be addressed to: Manon Rodriguez, National Administrator P.O. Box 505, Parker, CO 80134 [email protected] Skype: manonadmin Phone: 303-362-0575 Fax: 303-362-0424 Send assembly reports to: [email protected] For advertising information, reservations, and placement contact: Mona S. Morrison, M-U-M Advertising Manager 645 Darien Court, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169 Email: [email protected] Telephone/fax: (847) 519-9201 Editorial contributions and correspondence concerning all content and advertising should be addressed to the editor: Michael Close - Email: [email protected] Phone: 317-456-7234 Fax: 866-591-7392 Submissions for the magazine will only be accepted by email or fax. VISIT THE S.A.M. WEB SITE www.magicsam.com To access “Members Only” pages: Enter your Name and Membership number exactly as it appears on your membership card. 4 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 M-U-M NOVEMBER 2012 MAGAZINE Volume 102 • Number 6 S.A.M. NEWS 6 From the Editor’s Desk 8 From the President’s Desk 64 11 M-U-M Assembly News 24 Good Cheer List 30 Newsworthy 65 Our Advertisers ON THE COVER PAGE 36 THIS MONTH’S FEATURES 26 Pro Files • by James Munton 28 Critical Mass • by John Carney 36 COVER STORY • by David Goodsell 44 A Magician Prepares • by Dennis Loomis 54 Nielsen Gallery • by Tom Ewing 56 Informed Opinion • New Product Reviews 64 Treasures from the Salon de Magie • by Ken Klosterman 68 Basil the Baffling • by Alan Wassilak 54 COLUMNISTS 25 Tech Tricks • by Bruce Kalver 32 Ellipsis • by Michael Perovich 48 48 I Left My Cards at Home • by Steve Marshall 52 Unlimited Possibilities • by Roger Blakiston 65 Inside Straight • by Norman Beck 66 Mental Breakdown • by Christian Painter 68 The Dean’s Diary • by George Schindler 70 Confessions of a Paid Amateur • by Rod Danilewicz 64 M-U-M (ISSN 00475300 USPS 323580) is published monthly for $40 per year by The Society of American Magicians, 6838 N. Alpine Dr., Parker, CO 80134 . Periodical postage paid at Parker, CO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to M-U-M, c/o Manon Rodriguez, P.O. Box 505, Parker, CO 80134. NOVEMBER 2012 - M-U-M Magazine 5 ing support from those at the convention, the members of the national S.A.M. have certainly stepped up to the plate, and shown unbelievable support, care, and encouragement. When I first joined the S.A.M. (Assembly 21 in Hartford, Connecticut), I was in college. For more than twenty-five years Editor’s Desk we have remained friends. This is why I must publicly thank the members of Assembly 21 (now part of the Central Connecticut Michael Close Magicians Association), and compeer Dan Sclare in particular, for coming up with the idea of the purple wristbands and for Those of you who attended the national convention in distributing them at the Las Vegas convention and beyond. He and Las Vegas this summer probably saw a lot of people wearing the members of the CCMA knew that because of my declining purple wristbands (you may have worn one yourself). David health, I would have to stop performing, and that would certainly Copperfield wore one during his show. The wristbands were affect my income and ability to pay current and future medical a show of support for Boston magician David Oliver, who is bills. My old S.A.M. friends tried to convince me that it was time facing some serious health challenges. Having such a support for me to stop being “brave” and “proud,” and to let my friends system of compeers is just one more benefit of membership in help me and to learn to be gracious and just say “thank you.” So the S.A.M. David (who is an old friend) sent me an email that he to Dan and the Central Connecticut Magicians Association, I will wanted passed along to his fellow compeers. Here it is. pause and say, thank you. An open letter to members of the S.A.M.: While I was unable to attend this year’s annual conven- tion in Las Vegas, I was certainly there in spirit...in more ways than one. As many of you are aware, because of severe lung issues (caused by working with my birds for thirty-plus years), I am facing some difficult times ahead. Rapidly declining health has all but stopped me from performing after more than thirty- five years of life onstage. The most important decision though, concerns having a double lung transplant in the very near future. It is not a cure for my situation. However, it is a treatment for my symptoms that can offer some relief, some positive quality-of- life, and possibly a little extra longevity. Details on my situation, the disease (Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis), symptoms, and treatments were in the August 2011 issue of Genii magazine (“Death -Defying Dove Acts”). A never-ending swarm of emails, texts, and Facebook postings were sent to me during the convention. From the biggest names in the business, to the youngest of SYMers, you all humbled me with your warm messages of concern for my well-being. A montage video was created and sent to me, with messages and Dan Sclare well-wishes from dozens of stars, magic legends, and a sea of just plain ol’ conventioneers, all wearing a purple-colored “Do Magic There are far too many others to thank, people who have been for David Oliver” wristbands. Each and every message brought a more than supportive of my situation. I would feel downright smile to my face and, at the same time, had me in tears. horrible if I missed anyone by trying to list everyone. So, I won’t. The S.A.M. is an organization that has always been dear to But, along with Dan, there are a few who I feel I must publicly my heart. It may seem cliché, but it is like a family. As a member thank for their help and support during the convention and of the family, I have always tried to do my best to promote magic beyond. They will know why. To the rest, I am not forgetting you and the S.A.M. in its best form, encourage and mentor our youth or ignoring your help or thoughtfulness (there just aren’t enough through the S.Y.M., and help those less fortunate. Somehow, pages in this magazine to thank everyone). So to Ian Rich, Matt the tables have turned, and for the first time in my life, I am Schick, Mike Boyce, Oliver Dodd, Lyn Dillies, Mike Miller, now on the receiving end. It is uncomfortable. It is difficult. It Vinny Grosso, John Cassidy, John Reid, Eric DeCamps, George is certainly a humbling experience. However, the outpouring of Schindler, Marc DeSouza, Dayle Cook, Devlin & Bronwyn, love and support from hundreds of my fellow compeers has given Bob Little, Meir Yedid, Richard Kaufman, Stan Allen, Johnny me strength to keep fighting and pushing forward. For twenty-six Thompson, Marvyn Roy, Lance Burton, Jann Goodsell, Norm years, “my kids” in the Boston S.Y.M. and their families have and Lupe Nielsen, Arlen Solomon, Mac King, Ray and Ann gone out of their way to support me and have always been there Goulet, Chris Kenner, Frank Monaco, David Copperfield, and so through good times and bad. My Tannen’s Camp family has many more, your affection and support has humbled me. given me extra hope, as well as unwavering love and support. To quote the Dalai Lama, “We can live without religion and My brothers-in-arms from Boston’s Mystery Lounge show and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.” New York’s Monday Night Magic have had my back at all times. Thank you all for your care and concern. This is a very scary And, from the recent name change of our Boston area S.Y.M. to time in my life. However, because of your support, I can certainly the “John Calvert/David Oliver Assembly,” to the overwhelm- breathe a little easier. – David Oliver 6 M-U-M Magazine - NOVEMBER 2012 to see your password, only you can check to see if your password works. Here’s how: Go to www.magicsam.com and click on “Member Login” at the top right corner. Your username is your name exactly as it appears on your membership card. (Please check your card President’s Desk as you do this – even a period added or missed after a middle initial will cause a problem.) Your password is your membership Chris Bontjes number up to the dash. (If your member number is 54321-123, then your password is 54321.) Fill in these two fields and click the “Log In” button. NatiONAL COUnciL MeetinG If this takes you back to the home screen, you are logged in and everything is fine. If you get an error message, send an email The national council (the governing body of The Society of to Technology Chairman Bruce Kalver at samtalkbruce@cox. American Magicians) meets three times each year to discuss the net with the subject “Can’t Log In.” Include your name as it is work being done for the Society by our committees and to vote printed on your membership card and your membership number on new initiatives to keep the S.A.M.