Devin Knight - Novel Publicity For Magicians.pdf

1 Novel Publicity Ideas For Magicians Copyright © 2016 by Devin Knight Magic All rights reserved. No part of these ins

Views 85 Downloads 4 File size 2MB

Report DMCA / Copyright

DOWNLOAD FILE

Recommend stories

Citation preview

1

Novel Publicity Ideas For Magicians Copyright © 2016 by Devin Knight Magic All rights reserved. No part of these instructions may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval now known or to be invented, without written permission from the author.

2

For Cindy, Who Pushes Me To New Heights And Makes It All Worthwhile

3

"I don't care what the newspapers say about me as long as they spell my name right.”

P.T. Barnum

4

PREFACE Publicity is the life-blood of any magician. No matter how skilled you are or how great your act is, unless people know about you, then there are no bookings. The theater remains empty. Publicity equals bookings and attendance for your public shows. I cannot put it any simpler than that. I have spent most of my performing life seeking publicity. When I was on tour with my show, my first stop was always at the local newspaper office. It was my goal to get my name into a local newspaper at least once a week. I usually succeeded in doing this. Sometimes my articles were picked up by the Associated Press and appeared in hundreds of newspapers. Some of these are reprinted in the book: The Fabulous Feats Of Jason Michaels. (Available from magic dealers.) The two standard publicity stunts are blindfolded drives and headline predictions. I have written extensively on these two subjects in other releases. Other stunts that myself and others have done are escapes of various types, stopping moving cars with your mind and changing the future. I have described how to do these stunts in some of my other writings. This book is different. Within, I am describing some little known and novel ways to get publicity and bookings. Everything in this book, I have personally done, except for the White House Egg Roll. This book is a collection of ideas that I have collected or invented and used over the years. No pipe dreams in here, but practical and novel ways to get your name in the media WITHOUT HAVING TO RISK YOUR LIFE, AS I HAVE DONE MANY TIMES. Most of these ideas are only applicable for magicians, so be aware of that. There are ideas that can be used by local magicians and also those doing shows in theaters with ticket sales. Every idea will not appeal to everyone reading this book. Some ideas you may love; others you may think are too hokey and would not even consider using. 5

Yet, these same ideas may appeal to a brother magician. I can assure you that every idea in this book has been used either by me or other magicians. They are all doable as far as getting publicity. This book is an abundance of ideas, both old school and new school, so you can pick and choose. It has been said many times that if you get one good idea or trick from a book then it was worthwhile. It is my hope you will several ideas you can use. Credit is given when I know the source of the original idea. See you in the newspapers! Devin Knight May 2016

6

FLOWERS THAT BLOOM INTO PUBLICITY!

This is an idea that I have used many times with great success. I picked this idea (pun intended) up in the late 70s from the late Donn Davision, a magic marketing genius. Almost all women like to get fresh flowers, and I will show you how to make flowers pay off in the form a nice newspaper story and lots of future bookings. First of all, you need to find a local wholesale greenhouse that supplies local florists with wholesale flowers. You do not want to pay retail, as it would be too expensive to do this. You want to buy long-stem roses in wholesale lots. They are usually sold in lots of 25 or more at once. At the time of this writing you can get long stem-roses for about fifty cents apiece from local greenhouses. See Photo 1.

PHOTO 1 7

For larger audiences you can get 125 long stem roses from Sam’s Club (a division of Walmart) delivered for about $89.95. These prices are current as of 2016. The idea is simple, when you entertain a group of ladies, such as DAR, a ladies auxiliary group, church affairs (Easter functions are perfect), PTA, PTO or any group of women. You make a flower magically appear for each lady as part of your show package. It will make your entertainment offer irresistible! You must make sure that the society department of the local newspaper knows of your performance and the uniqueness of a real flower being produced for each lady. Remember, the reporter there covering the event should get a rose too. It’s a great place to do a trick or two with flowers, such as a blooming rose bush, or vanishing pot of flowers. Think about it. How many entertainers in your area offer a package that would be attractive to ladies? If you handle the affair properly, you will be featured in a story about the function. Try to pick the affair carefully so that it has as much emotional appeal as possible. That way, you are assured of a story and more space! The initial cost of the flowers may cut into your show profit, but the resulting publicity and future bookings make this a worthwhile investment. Sometimes the ladies group will cover the cost of the flowers because they are being given to their members. You are just beginning. When the story is printed, go to your local copy shop and have several hundred copies reprinted. Mail them to every ladies group within your travel radius. Send them to agents, too. Send a cover letter with the reprinted article and explain the nature of your entertainment offering, mentioning the FREE rose produced for each lady in the audience. Few women can resist really live flowers. Cash in on this by having a really unique package for them. Of course, the cost of the flowers is added to your fee.

8

It goes without saying that your performance should be tailored to women. Tricks with flowers such as Kevin James’ floating rose; silks, birds and colored liquids are all suitable. I am often asked how you magically produce that many flowers magically for an audience consisting from 50 to a 100 women. There is a prop that is perfect for this. You need a large square circle, one that will hold a lot of flowers. The one I personally use is Abbott Magic’s Spectacular Production shown in Photo 2. Don’t just pull the flowers out one at a time that would be boring. Instead remove them in large bunches and hand them to volunteers to pass out to the ladies in the audience. Effect: A beautiful cabinet, mounted on four castered legs is shown. The front is slotted so that the audience can see through it at all times. The cabinet contains a large, upright metal tube. The removable upper portion of the cabinet and the metal tube are both shown empty and then an amazing production starts. This may consist of LIVE flower productions, parasols, fans, silks and livestock, etc. Slotted front of the cabinet is trimmed in chrome. Cabinet is approximately 13" x 13" x 18". Tube height is 18" and the diameter is 9 1/2". This effect can be done surrounded. No skill required. No production articles are included. Contact Abbott’s Magic for current pricing.

PHOTO 2 9

Flowers can make money and great publicity for you. In this case, you want the newspaper story merely to state the fact that you have such an unusual offering. Don’t overlook the fact that many conventions will be composed of women only. Other conventions that are strictly business for the men usually try to plan on special entertainment for the ladies, trips and affairs while the meetings are taking place. Your offering is perfect for this, and the convention will usually cover the cost of the flowers. Get a list of conventions from the Chamber of Commerce and mail out your materials in plenty of time. Make sure all the local hotels that handle meetings and conventions know of your offering. Leave them advertising material. Even offer the hotel a referral fee if they get you a booking. A good photo for publicity would be one of you producing flowers with the president of some women’s group. Reproduce this into a full-cover 8 x 10 glossy and include it in your promotional package. Women love flowers! Remember it! Sell it! Get publicity with them!

10

THE STOLEN RABBIT STORY

This is a very old and effective, but harmless deception that has been used by some magicians for years in the past. It always generated publicity and human interest. Some performers on tour did it in every town. I call it a deception, because the story is not true, but no one is harmed and it’s great publicity. When I was on tour, I did this often. Have the person in charge of the event call the local newspaper(s). He simply tells a reporter that you are to perform for his event (this is great for festivals) and that someone broke into your car and stole your rabbit. He suggests that it might make a good human interest story. I and other magicians who have used this ploy always got some type of story and the headlines were usually something like: Magician’s Rabbit Disappears or Hare Today, Gone Tomorrow. Many times this small ruse led to a full feature story about the performer and his show. Try it, it works and will get you publicity. You don’t even have to own a rabbit to use this ploy. WARNING: Under no conditions, ever call the local police and file a complaint. To do so is a crime and you could be charged with filing a false police report if they catch on to this ruse. 11

ENTERTAIN CHILDREN IN HOSPITALS

This is a great way to get publicity and feel good about you at the same time; while visiting those less fortunate. Visit the hospital. It can do more than “cheering up” the patients. Go to the children’s hospital if your town has one or the children’s ward at your local hospital. Call in advance and tell the head nurse or doctor in charge that you are a magician and that you would like to stroll through the ward some afternoon and do strolling magic for the kids. Most hospitals will jump at this idea and invite you to come. When the date is set, alert a feature writer at your local newspaper about the special afternoon and say that you will have several tricks that lend themselves to a photograph. I have done dozens of hospital shows and find that professor’s nightmare, sponge balls and tricks that quickly reset are the best. You will usually find yourself going from bed to bed, talking with each child and doing a quick trick. On some occasions, an area will be arranged so you will be able to perform a short show at the end of the room. Ascertain this in advance and try to include a live rabbit, if the hospital allows. Pulling a rabbit from the hat for a child still makes great copy and a great photograph. 12

Reprint the stories and mail them out with all your other materials. Remember that most everyone loves animals and children. It’s great for your image as the public as the public loves to read about a good turn.

TAILORS WILL BE ON HAND AD

If you are doing a public show for a non-profit event, then radio stations will often give you free public service announcements. Usually, these are boring and just state the fact that a show is being sponsored. Tommy Windsor is credited with this line. Admittedly it is a little corny, but it does get results. I have given it to radio stations with the public service announcement and found almost all of them will add it on to the announcement since it is a non-profit group. Even when I buy paid spots I often use this, as it is attention getting. Example Public Service Announcement: Tailors will be on hand to sew back on ANY buttons laughed off during Devin Knight’s hilarious comedy magic show sponsored by the Grove High School band boosters on April 24, 2016. Show time is at 7PM at the high school. This is far more effective than just saying the school is sponsoring a show. It is a gag line that the public will remember and chuckle about. Just a word of caution, if you use this line in advertising, then ensure sure you have some thread and needles with you. Some wise guys will rip off their buttons claiming they 13

laughed them off and want them sewed back on. Believe me, it has happened to me in the past, proving the commercial was effective!

The Kind Of Publicity You Don’t Want! It’s been falsely said that all publicity is good publicity. This is not the case and the below headline proves it. Names have been removed to protect the privacy of the psychic.

On the next page is a very effective advertising piece. It looks like a police wanted poster. People often walk by fliers, but this one will stop them in most cases. Print up one on white paper using your name and picture and post on bulletin boards around your town or use it as a mailing piece. Try it and you will see you get more calls for bookings. It’s a novel way to get publicity at a low cost. 14

WANTED

DEVIN KNIGHT This man is wanted by people all over the Pittsburgh area who want a superb magician for their social affairs and club functions. The suspect is often seen traveling in the company of rabbits, birds and strange looking apparatus. He is armed with mind-boggling magic and should be considered dangerous to audiences who do not want to laugh!

REWARD $1,000,000 Worth Of Laughter And Smiles FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL:

000-000-0000 15

PERFORM AT THE WHITE HOUSE

Although difficult to do, it can be done and is some of the best publicity you can get. In the United States, the Easter Egg Roll is an annual event, and is held on the White House South Lawn each Easter Monday for children (age 13 and younger) and their parents. The Egg Roll itself is a race, where children push an egg through the grass with a long-handled spoon. Usually, the attendance is in excess of 30,000 thousand people. National entertainers perform there, but the egg roll also has face painters, strolling magicians, jugglers, balloon twisters, and costume characters. Although I have never personally performed at the egg roll, two of my friends have. One did strolling magic and the other did balloon twisting. Competition is fierce and normally, there is a LONG waiting list of performers wanting to be part of the egg roll. If you are accepted, you must past a background check and have no criminal history. If you can deal with the hassles, red tape and background checks, then you can get some of the best publicity possible. Once you are accepted, approach all the local newspapers within a 50-mile radius and tell them you will be performing 16

at the White House. Newspapers will eat this story up and feature you in stories with headlines such as: Local Magician To Perform At White House. You can get double coverage, both before and after you have performed there. Be sure and approach any local television stations as they will do a human interest story about you. After you have performed at the egg roll, your booking prestige will jump sky high, as you can put on your promotional material that you have performed at the White House. Some magicians even add this line to their business cards: Performed At The White House. This type of publicity will greatly increase your bookings as performing at the White House is very prestigious! You could not ask for better publicity. If you would like to try to get into the egg roll, then contact the main office at the White House for consumer information and ask them who is in charge of booking strolling entertainers for the egg roll. Contact that committee and get ready for a lot of hassle and red tape. The odds are against you, but if you are accepted, watch your publicity and bookings sky rocket.

WANTED SOMEONE TO SAW-IN-HALF This is a clever advertising bit that was first thought of by Tommy Windsor, to the best of my knowledge. If you have any type of sawing that uses a person from the audience, then buy a classified ad in the local paper that says: WANTED: SOMEONE TO SAW IN HALF at the Devin Knight (insert your name) Magic Show. Apply in person at the Strand Theater, July 24, at 7PM. If you have a head chopper or even an arm chopper in your show, then use: WANTED: SOMEONE TO HAVE HEAD CUT OFF at the Devin Knight (insert your name) Magic Show. Apply in person at the Strand Theater, July 24, at 7PM. These classified ads are inexpensive, but have proven to draw people to the theater. People will often show the classified ad to friends, because it is so novel. Try it sometime and see for yourself. 17

AMBULANCE AT SHOWS

This is a clever advertising bit that was first advocated by the mentalist and spook show operator, Robert Nelson. Later, Tommy Windsor endorsed and suggested the same idea. I have used this myself a few times in the past, although admittedly, it is not as effective now-a-days as it was back in Nelson’s time. However, at times, this can be an amusing bit to use and that is why I have included it. When Nelson was doing midnight spook shows he would advertise that an ambulance would be on hand for those who died from being scared to death! This was parked in front of the theater. It was reported that a few times he even had a hearse parked in front of the theater to remove the bodies of those who were frightened to death. In the 40s, this was great publicity. Another advertising ploy that Nelson used was to say smelling salts were available for those who fainted during the horror of the show. Today, spook shows are a thing of the past and much of his advertising would be corny to today’s audiences.

18

However, Tommy Windsor updated and revived some of the ideas for using a guillotine and I have used them during larger public shows. If you are doing a public show for a charity, it is very easy to have the local volunteer rescue squad at the show as no cost. These EMTs often hang out at public events in case of an emergency. If you have a sawing or head chopper, advertise that EMTs will be on hand, in case something goes wrong. In the past, I have even had some EMTs on stage with me as I cut a volunteer in half. In some cases, this can be great showmanship. Occasionally, I will advertise that smelling salts will be on hand for those who faint during my sawing-in-half illusion. Corny yes, but it does make your advertising stand out. This is definitely old school, but is still effective today in some cases.

ATTEND A MAGIC CONVENTION This is an easy way to get publicity, especially if you live in a small town with just one newspaper. It does not normally work in larger cities. You are a local celebrity in your town, the fact you are attending a magic convention is news in a small town. Be sure and contact your local newspaper and let them know you will be attending a convention to improve your magic. If you are going to a worldwide convention such as FISM, even better. If you are going to be entering a magic contest at the convention, then tell them you are going to be competing at a national magic convention. You will get a better story about it in your local paper. If you win any prize, be sure and let the newspaper know, so you get a headline such as: Local Magician Wins At National Competition. I have done this in the past and I know it is a surefire way to get a story in your local paper. While attending the convention, be sure and send your past clients a postcard saying you are at magic convention, learning new magic to entertain their group. This can often result in new bookings. 19

CONDUCT A MAGIC TALENT CONTEST

Talent contests are a big thing now-a-days. Almost every country has its own version of America’s Got Talent. You can take advantage of this public craze to generate loads of publicity for yourself. Conducting a public magic talent contest for kids is one of the easiest ways to get your name and phone number in the newspapers and on the radio for about a month. This will may require a small investment on your part, but the amount of publicity you get from it is more than worth the investment. If you do birthday parties, eventually you will run across mothers who tell you their child loves magic and has several magic kits. This child will often want to show you tricks at the party. Some are lousy, but surprisingly, some are very talented. You can take advantage of this fact by conducting a magic talent show for kids who are 16 or younger.

20

The first question that comes up is where do you put on this show and how do you ensure there is an audience to watch? Thanks to shrinking budgets for local festivals, getting a venue for the show is very easy. You do it at a local festival that draws a lot of people. Every town of any size has several of these a year. You want to choose the one that draws the most people. Most of these festivals are starving for entertainment, but don’t have the budget to pay for professional acts. That is why you often see karate demonstrations from local karate schools, church choirs and dance school demonstrations. These groups approach the festival committee and offer to provide a show for free. Every festival has shows where local groups put them on for free. Of course by doing so, these groups get free publicity. Here is where you come in, you approach the fesitival committee and tell them that you are a local magician, searching for upcoming magicians in the area and would like to put on a magic talent contest for kids 16 and under for FREE. You tell them that the winners will get trophies and prizes and that you will take care of everything. It’s a novel idea and most festivals will jump at the chance to have you do this, because it does not cost them anything. However, it may cost you to buy the trophies and supply some prizes, unless you can get some local merchants to donate them for the publicity. This is not a big expense, but be aware of it before you set this up. The nice thing is that most festivals have a stage with a microphone and sound system set up, so you have ready-made performance venue. Once you have made your agreement with them, you must arrange for the prizes. I don’t want the show to go on to long, so I limit it to seven contestants with a maximum performance time of five minutes. The child does not have to perform this long, but cannot go over five minutes.

21

This gives you a show that does not go over 45 minutes and this is the perfect amouont of time for a festival talent show. I like to give three prizes, 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The first prize is usually $50.00 which is a lot for a child. The second and third prizes are usually gift certificates that you can get donated by local merchants because this is part of the festival. You tell them, their business will be mentioned from the stage as a donator of one of the prizes, hence giving them free publicity. I have found restaurants are easy to get certificates from. Usually, if I approach Dairy Queen, I can get a $15.00 gift certificate donated that I use for third prize. Obviously, the $50.00 first prize comes from your pocket, but it is a small price to pay for all the free media coverage you will get! If you are feeling generous, you can buy three plaques for the three winners. If you Google: Custom Imprinted Plaques you will find cheap sources and in some cases can get a nice plaque for less than $10.00. This is optional, as most times, the prizes are enough. The next thing is to line up three judges. I normally try to get a local dance school teacher, the high school drama teacher and a reporter from the local newspaper. It is important to get a reporter from the newspaper there. While he is there he can get the information for the follow up story in the newspaper. He can also take a photograph of you presenting the winner with his prize. Once you have your judges and prizes lined up, it is time to approach your local newspaper. Tell them, you are one of the local magicians in the area and that you started magic as a young kid. You are conducting a search for the next young and upcoming magicians. At the festival, you will be conducting the (Your Name) Young Magician Talent Search. Tell the paper that the competition is open to all young magicians l6 years old or younger. The young magicians should do something that can be seen from stage, so that means changing a penny into a dime can’t be seen. All acts are limited to five minutes are less.

22

Interested contestants should have one of their parents call you to register. Registration is free. In the article be sure and have the paper mention the prizes. The newspaper will list both your name and phone number. Normally, I contact all the newspapers and within a 30-mile radius of the festival. This will give you a lot of coverage and publicity. These articles will give you great publicity, as it makes it appear that you are a local celebrity and it also gets your phone number out to the public in a subtle way. Contact the newspapers about 30 days prior to the competion. Ask them to run a short notice in the newspaper each week reminding parents to call and register their child for the contest, if they haven’t already done so. This will keep your name and number in the newspaper every week for about a month. Also. contact all the radio stations within a 30-mile radius and have them mention the talent contest during their public service announcements. Of course they give out your name and phone number. When one of the parents call you, make sure the parent understands the child has to do tricks that can be seen by the audience and to NOT bring the penny to dime trick, as no one can see it. On the day of the show you act as the MC and keep the show moving. You can do a quick trick between acts while the children are setting up. During the final judging, do a five to ten minute act that showcases your talent. This will lead to future bookings for you. When the judges announce the winners, have your picture taken with the grand prize winner. This can be used in the newspaper for the follow up story. If you have a local TV station, it may be possible to get them to show you awarding the winner with his prize. TV stations love to cover local festivals. Yes, this promotional stunt does involve work on your part, but it will get you a lot of publicity and add to your status in your hometown.

23

WORD OF MOUTH

It’s been said that word of mouth is the best form of advertising and publicity. This promotional idea is based on word of mouth and is not that well known among magicians, although it was used by some of the greats in past, including Thurston and Blackstone. Today, this idea is still being used by Vegas and Broadway shows, as it is a very effective form of publicity that will increase ticket sales. Here is how this works. We have all been on a public bus or trolley and overheard a conversation between two people, because they are talking extremely loud. Everyone around them cannot help but overhear the conversation. The show has hired two actresses to ride the bus during its busiest times and carry on a LOUD conversation about the show. For a set fee, you can get a pass to ride the bus in Vegas all day. These plants also ride the Vegas monorail. A sample conversation might sound like this: Girl 1: Have you seen the Marc Sarvard comedy hypnosis show? Girl 2: No, I haven’t.

24

Girl 1: You have got to see this show, my husband and I attended last night. I tell you it was the funniest show we have seen in Vegas. Girl 2: What did he do? Girl 1: He made everyone think they were expert river dancers. When a certain song was played, everyone jumped up and started river dancing. When the music stopped they were wondering why they were standing in those odd positions. Girl 2: That sounds hilairous, what else did he do? Girl 1: He made a man named Joe, think his name was E-I-E-I-O, just like in the kid’s song Old Mcdonald. Everytime Marc called him Joe, the guy got upset and said his name was E-I-E-I-O. This was a running gag through out the show. The more Marc did it, the funnier it became. The audience was in hysterics! Girl 2: Wow, that sounds like a fun show I must see. Where is he playing? Girl 1: He is performing at the Planet Hollywood Casino, everynight, except Mondays at 10PM. Girl 2: I will have to get Tom to get us tickets. Thanks for telling me. The girls stay on the bus most of the day, repeating the conversation when new people come on the bus. Believe it or not conversations like these do intice people to buy tickets. That is why Vegas and Broadway shows use this technique. I have used this technique a few days before a single date at a theater by having two girls talk about me, while riding the local transit system, saying things like. “Have you heard Devin Knight the comedy magician is coming to the Strand Theatre Friday night. This guy is amazing and extremely funny. Bob and I have already bought our tickets, etc.” This is something you can try by having a few of your friends ride the public transit and talk up your upcoming show to each other, making sure everyone around them can hear what they are saying.

25

Appendix

26

An Effective Radio Commercial

When I was on tour with my magic show about 20 years ago, I often purchased paid radio spots. I commissioned a Chicago advertising agency to design me a short effective comedy radio commercial. Commercials that have comedy flair are very effective. That is why you see so much comedy in TV ads. The below commercial was run hundreds of times and proved to be one of the most effective ads I ever bought. I am no longer on tour, so you have my permission to use this ad, of course changing it to your name. You need to get two male announcements to make you a recording of this ad. One plays the role of a theatre manager; he should sound old and cranky. The next role is that of a caller, he should sound young. Sound of a telephone ringing and being answered Manager: (sounding sleepy) Hello. Caller: (sounding wide awake and alert) Is this the manager of the Strand Theatre? Manager: (sounding worried) Yes, what’s wrong?

27

Caller: (sounding excited) Nothing is wrong…I just wanted to know what time the box office opens, because I want to be the first in line to get my ticket to see the Comedy Magic of Devin Knight, before the tickets sell out. Manager: (sounding annoyed) Do you realize it is 3AM in the morning? Caller: (excited) Yeah…don’t you just the love the bright and witty humor of Devin Knight? Manager: (yelling, sounding angry) We open at 9AM. Caller: I just love it when he brings volunteers on stage to assist with his magic… Manager: (yelling louder) 9 o’clock we open! Caller: Devin Knight is one of the funniest magicians I have ever seen. CLICK, sound of phone being slammed down. Sound of dial tone. ANNOUNCER: The highly acclaimed comedy magic of Devin Knight is coming to the Strand Theater on August 2 at 7PM for one performance only. Get your tickets at the box office before they sell out, any time (emphasize) AFTER 9AM. TIP: If you purchase radio spots, make sure to buy spots only during what the station considers prime drive time. Buying ads at other times for a magic show is normally a waste of money. I am talking from experience.

28

OTHER RESOURCES I have three other books that are perfect for getting publicity and the ads for these are included at the end of this book.

Cloudbusting

Cloudbusting or the art of making clouds appear and disappear is one of the most effective publicity stunts you can do. When I performed as Jason Michaels, this was something I did for almost every newspaper I visited. The idea is so novel that most reporters will cover it. Jerome Finely and I wrote the definite work on this subject. This is almost a surefire way to get your name in the newspaper. It’s also the perfect street magic effect. The book is available from most dealers as a download and also through Lybrary.com. The official ad is included at the back of this book.

The Fabulous Feats Of Jason Michaels This is considered MUST reading for everyone serious about getting their name in the media. Jason Michaels was a master at getting his name in the media. Enough said. The book is available from most dealers as a download and also through Lybrary.com. The official ad is included at the back of this book. 29

Doing Magic Over The Radio This is an art in itself and if you can do it, local radio talk shows will welcome you with open arms because it is such a novel idea. It gives you tremendous publicity. Jason Michaels was a master at this, and appeared on radio talk shows for years doing magic that the audience could follow at home and be fooled by. This in a subject in itself and I have written a book called: Mindreading For The Masses that explains how you too can appear on radio stations. The ad for the book appears at the end of this book and is available from Lybrary.com.

30

CLOUD BUSTING SECRETS Make clouds vanish, appear and more. With a preface by Paolo Cavalli and a foreword by Enrique Enriquez. Two of the world's foremost 'Cloudbusters' reveal their inner secrets of cloud magic! In this ebook the authors strip away the veil of secrecy, revealing cloud secrets only known to a select few. Learn to make clouds vanish and appear. Sculpture them into images of selected playing cards, thought of numbers, ESP symbols, faces, and even animals. Nothing is held back. Apparently change the weather by delaying rain or snow or even by making it warmer. Believe it or not you can do a lot of this long distance by using a cell phone. With the material in this ebook you will be more than just a magician or mentalist. You will be a real miracle worker, who apparently has complete control over the elements. The ebook will teach you how to:         

CAUSE A CLOUD TO VANISH FROM THE SKY. It will also show you methods where that cloud and ONLY that cloud vanishes. The others remain intact. CLOUD MATERIALIZATION -- magician points to an empty space in the sky and causes a cloud to suddenly form. BLUE SKY -- magician causes ALL the clouds to vanish leaving a blue sky Cloud Moving -- how to make clouds Move Cloud Sculpture -- change the shape of clouds into objects How Fake Psychics Stop & Start Rain Secrets Behind Making Rainbows Appear How to Reveal Selected Cards with Clouds Make Thought of Numbers Appear in the Sky 31



All THIS AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!

In addition this ebook contains one of the most detailed sections ever written on how to approach people on the street. Even if you never vanish a cloud, you will find the section on approaching perfect strangers on the street invaluable regardless of the street magic you do. Lots of people sell street effects, but few actually tell you the proper way to get an audience. What the pros are saying: "At the right time, in the right place...get ready for something people will tell their grandchildren about witnessing." - Paul Vigil "I can honestly say I was bowled over by this work. To see someone really examine and refine an area of mentalism that has pretty much remained ignored for so long was a real treat. You will understand the basics in no time and soon be on your way to performing some great and inspiring takes on a forgotten effect." – Luke Jermay "The authors have examined every nuance of cloud effects and give totally practical advice for pulling them off. In addition to the actual methodology, they give you a ton of related material from which to draw upon. This is information you will want to have and which could make a reputation for you. Get this!" - Richard Osterlind

$25.00 1st edition 2007; 132 pages.

32

Jason Michaels was an extraordinary psychic during the 80s. (Jason was actually a pseudonym of Devin Knight.) He shot to national stardom almost overnight with his headline predictions that appeared to be the real thing; even to top mentalists such as Al Mann. He stunned reporters nationwide with his ability to levitate in newspaper offices. Yes, before selflevitations became popular Jason Michaels was doing it. That is because he was one of the early innovators of the effect. It did not stop there; he made himself invisible, caused clouds to vanish from the sky and out did other mentalists by driving cars blindfolded with the windshield covered with newspaper! Jason Michaels caught the attention of Al Mann, who offered to help mentor him into fooling psychic researchers. Later, Al Mann and Jason, wrote the highly sought after, The Incredible Feats Of Jason Michaels book that was used by researchers to debunk Jason Michaels. Who was Jason Michaels? How did he rise to stardom almost overnight? How did Jason and Al Mann get connected? What was the real reason for Jason's debunking and what brought it on? How did Jason virtually disappear from the face of the earth after his debunking, never to be heard of again by the general public or reporters? Devin answers all these questions in this revealing book. He also includes a scan of the original Al Mann manuscript that was used to expose him and put an end to a very successful career as a psychic. Devin can share this scan, because he was the co-author of the book. All the material were effects and secrets that he gave Al Mann permission to share. They were his exclusive effects and he retained rights to the effects.

33

In addition to effects, the book contains many early newspaper clippings showing the incredible publicity Jason got in newspapers using these feats. This includes a front-page story with a photo of him levitating in a newspaper office facing the cameras! The Contents:              

The Inside Dope On Headline Predictions...valuable information for the mentalist. Even more pertinent nowadays. Beware The Psychic Researchers The Real Thing....the tip of the iceberg, now fully explained in: Foresee the Future...See Headlines in Your Dreams Being Two Places At Once A Two-Person Test Key Bending...my techniques The Blindfold Drive Arrested A Mental Effect Performed Over Radio 3 Card Effects For Psychics Self-Levitations Combining Hypnosis and Mindreading True Secrets of Invisibility Causing A Seed To Sprout in Your Hands

Here is your chance to see the book whispered about, but seldom seen. This information is released for historical and research purposes. This is a highly sought after book and original copies on eBay have sold for several hundred dollars. $19.95 1st edition 2014, 28 pages.

34

This PDF reveals some of Jason Michaels top media psychic stunts. This is updated information and most of this has not appeared in print before. THE SEALED FOIL TEST: Here is a real reputation maker and it was one of Jason's favorite effects. 100% hands off and sight unseen. This can be done on a local radio talk show or used during your next magic show. Call the host of the radio show at home or the VIP who booked your magic show. Have your over the phone participant select a card from his own shuffled deck. He does not write down the name of the card and makes sure he does it out of sight of any family members. He is instructed to seal his card inside a piece of aluminum foil or an opaque envelope and to tell NO ONE the name of the card sealed inside. He brings the sealed card to the show and believe it or not you correctly divine the name of the card sealed in the foil, without touching the foil and with no fishing of any kind. This will fool well-versed magicians as it appears impossible. No clipboards, stooges or instant stooges. You really reveal the name of a card sealed in foil that you never touched and was done at the VIP's home. Baffling beyond words. The complete updated secret as used by Jason Michaels at the top of his career, revealed step by step. THE RADIO CARD REVEAL: This is an entirely different method than the one revealed in the NTE Principle. Jason alternated both methods, so if listeners in a nearby city heard him on the radio again, the effect would be different. Thousands of listeners selected a card at home using their own deck. Jason then uses the stations call letter to locate the cards. He then starts naming the cards that people have selected at home. People are invited to call the station if Jason found their card and the switchboards light up. This is an easy way to get booked on local radio shows. This can be done as party effect, having all the guest select cards and you find them all without touching the cards. Again, this is a different method than the one explained in NTE Principle. 35

THE TV PSYCHIC TEST: This was featured by Jason Michaels and his secret appears in print for the first time. This is suitable only for TV shows and Jason performed this on hundreds of local TV talk shows. When you tell the producer what you will do, he will want you to be on the show. The mentalist goes on the show and says he has special psychic connection with his wife or girlfriend. He shuffles a deck of cards and places them face-down on the table. The mentalist turns away and has the host remove any card from the deck and not show it to the camera. It's a free choice and no force of any kind is used. The performer does not touch the deck during the effect. 100% hands off in the selection. The host concentrates on his card. The mentalist says he will try to read the host's mind and project the name of his card to his wife or girlfriend. Still keeping the card a secret, the host calls the wife and girlfriend and she correctly names the card he selected, which is then shown to the audience. 100% surefire and no MARKED CARDS are used. The wife or girlfriend can be across town. There are no secret accomplices at the TV station. A one-man effect except for your wife or girlfriend the host calls. This is along the lines of Dunninger's brain busters, except there is NO PRESHOW work. This is done live in real time and is one of the most baffling test ever conceived for TV. First time in print. Get all these reputation secrets in one PDF. Even if you never plan to go on TV or Radio, it's worth the price to see how Jason pulled off these miracles. If you do aspire to do Radio or TV then these effects may help you get booked. "I have purchased many things from Devin Knight and have yet to be disappointed." - Marc Salem When I tell you just stop what your doing and click the buy button - that should tell you everything you need to know about this work. I do not say that very often maybe only twice before. The work is only 11 pages and only contains a couple of effects. No questions Asked with the Jason Micheal's Refinements is worth many times the price of this work which is only $15 by the way. Should be $50 or more in my opinion and would still be cheap at that price for what is he teaching the reader. Why are you still reading what I am saying? When you should be reading and studying Mindreading for the Masses! This is the real world worker stuff I have been looking for for a very long time. Reminiscent of the best works from Jason Micheal's - Al Mann - Bob Mason. I say Bob Mason because I learned from him early on and Devin studied with Al Mann and this effect reminded me of some other things Bob taught me way back when - many years ago. I am telling you that this effect with cards is one of those rare gems that you can use over and over anywhere once you understand its diabolical nature. It looks like real mind reading. The second effect in the work is a TV only effect that is everything that I have wanted to see published from Jason Michael’s simple - direct and effective. As this is the stuff he personally used way back then to become a known force within the psychic entertainment world.

36

Both of the effects are in Mindreading for the Masses the new work from Devin Knight that was just released on February 4th. Both are real worker stuff. Just simply killer mentalism! Bill Montana $!5.00 Available exclusively from Lybrary.com

37