Difference Between Words and WatchingInside MagicMagic News Updated Daily for the Professional Magician

This Is Outstanding – Like Real Magic

I’ve read (and maybe you have as well) the description of the Fish Bowl Production by Rich Marotta. I first heard about it at a convention a while back and then read about it in Hank Lee’sNewsletter. Finally, I read a description in Magic.

Then I saw it and realized it was not at all what I read it to be. It was something far more.

When Pavel lectured for us afew weeks ago, he tried to stress that the method of the trick matters little. The thing that matters is the effect on the audience. When you perform an effect that leaves the audience talking about it later, on the way home, the next day or — better yet –describing you as “the magician that made a bowl of water with live fish appear from an empty bag, you have done your job.

This is the trick for just that purpose. I am not sure if I will use it as an opening or a closing or a transition effect as Rich Marotta does. But you will have an effect that is not difficult to perform, looks great in production and does not look too magicial.

I have to explain that last qualification. Pavel pointed outthat you can do amazing things — such as making two pieces of rope appear to restore simply by dropping one end near the other. It is done by magnets and looks amazing but it doesn’t make too much sense. It can’t happen that way without some gimmick. And so it becomes a puzzle for the audience rather than a magic trick.

This effect will not give the audience a chance to guess its solution. The move to produce the bowl is so natural and the splash of water right after productionimmediatelythrows off even the clever among your audience. It is angle proof and very simple to master.

Theproduction is not cheap. I found my favorite on-line dealer, Penguin Magic, had it for about $180.00 compared to $220.00 retail. But this is an investment in something that will make a reputation. So if you are saving for one effect to take your act to the next level, consider this. It doesn’ttake long to perform, but looksso incredible that the shorteffect will stay with your audience for a long time.

One…

This Is Outstanding – Like Real Magic

Then I saw it and realized it was not at all what I read it to be. It was something far more.

One Funny Guy – Rich Marotta

So in the case of Rich?s Fishbowl Production, you reach into a previously empty cloth bag andremove the bowl filled with water (some spills on the audience asit makes its dramatic appearance) and fish.

Even if you don’t buy the trick — and I recommend you do — check out the video of Rich performing it live in two different clubs. It’s impressive.