FISM PDF Report
You can download the full 7500 word report as a 60k PDF file.
FISM 2003: Saturday 26th July
Sadly Saturday was the last day of the convention, but I had decided to save some of the best till last.
FISM 2003: Friday 25th July
Close-Up Competition 3
The third and last portion of the Close-Up competition started on the Friday morning. Before I list the competitors it may help to point out a new FISM rule. The Judges were equipped with red buttons, and if they thought the act wasn't up to FISM standard then they could press the button, if 70% or more of judges had used the button after three minutes, then the act had to leave the stage.
The third and last portion of the Close-Up competition started on the Friday morning. Before I list the competitors it may help to point out a new FISM rule. The Judges were equipped with red buttons, and if they thought the act wasn't up to FISM standard then they could press the button, if 70% or more of judges had used the button after three minutes, then the act had to leave the stage.
FISM 2003: Thursday 24th July
Close-Up Competition 2
The second part of the competition started early at 9.00am, necessitating me skipping breakfast as I had woken up late due to lack of sleep!
The second part of the competition started early at 9.00am, necessitating me skipping breakfast as I had woken up late due to lack of sleep!
FISM 2003: Wednesday 23rd July
Close-Up Competition 1
Wednesday was the first morning of the close-up competition which would see around a total of fifty acts. I will try and give a brief description from my notes for each act, which might just consist of a list of tricks, and keep it short and to the point, also I will use the same format for each contestant, listing the name, category and country.
Wednesday was the first morning of the close-up competition which would see around a total of fifty acts. I will try and give a brief description from my notes for each act, which might just consist of a list of tricks, and keep it short and to the point, also I will use the same format for each contestant, listing the name, category and country.
FISM 2003: Tuesday 22nd July
Turning Magic Into Gold
My Tuesday started off with George Parker's Mini Congress on Turning Magic into Gold. George spent three hours discussing his fascinating system of how to get more from your Magic.
We saw him perform a few routines such as T&R sugar packet, Troy Hoosiers Charming Chinese Challenge and Three Coin Vanish and Production, followed by Ultimate 3 Fly and his version of Unequal Ropes.
My Tuesday started off with George Parker's Mini Congress on Turning Magic into Gold. George spent three hours discussing his fascinating system of how to get more from your Magic.
We saw him perform a few routines such as T&R sugar packet, Troy Hoosiers Charming Chinese Challenge and Three Coin Vanish and Production, followed by Ultimate 3 Fly and his version of Unequal Ropes.
FISM 2003: Sunday 20th - Monday 21st July
Photos
On the Sunday it didn't take us long to make the thirty minute journey to Humberside airport, and then an hour later we landed in Schiphol airport. A train and tram journey later and we ended up in Schevening, were we stayed at the aptly named BadHotel (which it wasn't!). About an hour after that we were sat on the beach in the glorious sunshine drinking beer, the week had begun!
On the Sunday it didn't take us long to make the thirty minute journey to Humberside airport, and then an hour later we landed in Schiphol airport. A train and tram journey later and we ended up in Schevening, were we stayed at the aptly named BadHotel (which it wasn't!). About an hour after that we were sat on the beach in the glorious sunshine drinking beer, the week had begun!
Pegani - FISM 2003: Pegani is a Danish dealer, see his excellent FISM photos.
FISM 2003: Return Post
Well I am back and very tired, but very happy and magically charged! The convention was awesome I saw a lot of magic every day, and sat through all the close-up competition, most of the lectures and the gala shows etc. The only things I didn't see were the lectures on manipulation/doves and the stage competition, so if you want to read those reports, you will have to find them elsewhere...
Playing-Cards: a great multi-part FAQ on playing cards, including a bibliography and links to playing card societies.
Playing Cards: From the Elliot Avedon Museum and Archvie of Games, comes a page of general information about playing cards, including the history of cards and the suit symbols, and also pictures of decks used in different countries.
The Magic Cafe Forums - http://www.magician.org.uk/: looks like I've been magiccafe'd (the equivalent to ./'d I guess!) thanks for the link Joe 
MagicRoadie.com: a new site from Dan McLean which is designed to take the mystery out of the stage technology you use in your Magic Show. Read articles on Sound and Light amongs them 'Pick a Mic any Mic!' and 'Stage Lighting Basics'.
Apologies for the lack of posts but its been a bit hectic around here lately, just getting ready to go to FISM 2003 which is going to be unbelievable, I have added a media section to this site, the first thing to go in it will be photos from FISM... the plan if it comes off will be for me to write-up the highlights of each day, if I can find an Internet point I will post from FISM if not it will be when I get back.
Also this week I have my Sister's graduation, doesn't seem five minutes since she went. Congrats Jo!
Will try and post a bit more before I go, I plan to actually finish the new design by adding an about page which is the only thing missing, and a proper contact form.
Also this week I have my Sister's graduation, doesn't seem five minutes since she went. Congrats Jo!
Will try and post a bit more before I go, I plan to actually finish the new design by adding an about page which is the only thing missing, and a proper contact form.
Doug Conn Close-up, Sleight of hand Magic: Doug Conn's new site, I had the pleasure of meeting Doug in his shop in New Orleans at the TSD convention, you can watch some videos of Dougs effects, purchase his products or hire him for a show, personally I'm awaiting his e-book of Tricks of my Trade.
