Blog Posts - Paul Richards

That One Guy

11/26/2019

Two monks were traveling along a road when they came to a river with a strong current. As the monks were preparing to cross - they saw a beautiful, young woman also attempting the difficult task. Wary of the current, she asked if they could carry her. One of the monks hesitated, but the other quickly picked her up onto his shoulders, transported her across the water, and put her down on the other bank. She thanked him and departed.

As the monks continued on their way, one was brooding and preoccupied. Unable to hold his silence, he finally spoke out. "Brother, our spiritual training teaches us to avoid any contact with women, but you picked that one up on your shoulders and carried her!"

The second monk replied, “I set her down on the other side of the river, why are you still carrying her?”

That classic Zen parable has always been a favorite of mine. I suspect it’s because I am bad at putting things down.

Over a year ago I was speaking at a large magic convention overseas. After the lecture, I received many compliments and an enormous amount of positive feedback. I sold out of almost all of my lecture material and I was tidying up, when I suddenly felt someone was standing near me.

That’s when I saw him – and not for the first time.

I noticed him frequently during the lecture. In an assembly of happy, smiling and enthusiastic faces – his was always – well, let’s just say - neither happy, smiling, or enthusiastic.

He asked me a question about one of my items and I answered – trying hard (perhaps too hard) to win him over. He responded almost angrily and dismissed my response – then turned and left in a huff. Honestly, I couldn’t really read where the negativity was coming from.

It shook me.

I think it shook him a bit too. Because the next day, he approached me again and apologized for being abrupt. While I appreciated the apology – the seed was already growing in my brain.

Was it the material - or was it just me?
How could I have turned the situation?
What part did I play in creating it?

I tend to think about these things for far too long. Out of all the positive response I received, that one guy pops up in my head more often than any accolades.

Being a performer of any kind means constantly opening yourself up in front of an audience. Being vulnerable – and sensitive to all incoming feedback. But you can’t know everything. You can’t control everything. Or ever know what is going on in any specific audience member’s brain.

All you can do is your best – and some days, you won’t even be able to do that.

During this time of year when kindness is moved a bit more forward, remember to show yourself a little compassion too.

Reflect.
Improve.
Repeat.

And know when it’s time to put her down.

Back and Go Forth

10/10/2019

No sooner have I returned home from our UK Tour of the Real Magic Roadshow and the Genii Convention than it’s time to hit the road again.

I have just a handful of lectures left to close out 2019 and, if you live in the Midwest, I hope we have a chance to meet up. It’s been some time since I’ve been to these areas and I’m anxious to get back and share a little magic.

Sunday October 20th – Toledo, OH
Toledo Society of Magicians – IBM Ring 68
Location:
Maumee Valley UU Congregation
20189 N Dixie Hwy
Bowling Green, OH 43402
Time: 3:00pm
Cost: $10 for IBM Members and $20 for Non Members
For more information contact Steve Isreal at YourSecretWeapon@bex.net or call (419) 885-1162

Monday October 21st – Grand Rapids, MI
IBM Ring 211
Location:
Brann's Steakhouse & Sports Grille
4157 S. Division Avenue SW
Wyoming, MI 49548
Time: 7:00pm
Cost: $10 for IBM Members and $15 for Non Members
For more information contact Randy VanderWal at randmag@aol.com

Tuesday October 22nd – Chicago, IL
Midwest Magic Magic Shop
Location:
Midwest Magic Shop
9706 Franklin Ave
Franklin Park, IL 60131
Time: 7:00pm
Cost: $20
For more information click here or contact Midwest Magic by email at midwestmagic@sbcglobal.net or phone at (847) 455-4288

Tickets can be purchased at the door and you need not be a member of any local club to attend - but it's always a good idea to connect with the appropriate contact above to confirm space is still available. If you have any questions about the lecture itself, you can get more information here. If you still have questions, feel free to drop me an email. If I'm heading your way, I hope to see you there!

A Most Intriguing Invitation

9/12/2019

In just a few days I'll be heading across the Atlantic for our first ever UK Tour of the Real Magic Roadshow. If we're heading your way, I hope you'll join us. If you don't know what it is...

Imagine you visit a town and hear there is a magic shop. It’s a little out of the way - but you decide to make the effort.

You stroll through the door and see something is different about this place. Behind one counter stands the most famous magic demonstrator in the world. Behind another is a pioneer in the world of card magic. Over there is the creator of some of the most popular effects used in modern magic. And in the corner, is what appears to be an actual wizard – commanding inanimate objects to fly through the air. In fact, everywhere you look – there are miracles being demonstrated and displayed as if you have wandered down some magical alley.

Your questions are answered.
Secrets are shared.
Guidance is offered.

This place exists – but only for one day.
Your invitation disappears soon, we hope you will join us.

The Brother Hood

8/29/2019

For the last five years all of the material I’ve produced has been available only direct from me at live events. I’ve written about this previously and you can get some insight into why I’ve been doing this by clicking here.

I never intended this to be controversial or as disregard for those who could not attend a live event. Between you and me, video was never my strong suit - I’m a live and in person kind of guy. This new approach allows me to share my magic in a way that I feel highlights it best. It also adds a bit more mystery to a business that ironically seems to have less and less.

Not everyone sees it that way.

I try not complain much about theft in magic. I've been a casualty more times than I care to remember. We all know it happens and it’s nearly impossible to police. I can’t think of a good reason to steal someone’s material – maybe there is one. However, I’m positive that not having easy access to it is NOT that reason.

Lately, I’ve seen a large number of my “live event only” items being sold online by a host of dodgy folks. I received an email recently from someone who purchased one and wanted me to replace the inferior copy. The idea that someone thinks I produced a shoddy product cuts way deep. Honestly, it hurts more than the theft of ideas and the loss of income.

Although, all of it combined feels like a solid punch to the stomach.

I assure you I have not authorized these items and I hope you won’t support them. It’s hard to address these issues more directly since I don’t want to shine a spotlight on thieves - which sadly often results in giving them more business.

So just a friendly reminder:

Caveat emptor.

And if you are unsure if you are about to buy a rip-off:

Emptor email me.

The Lightning Farmer

7/26/2019

I’m currently juggling a number of projects.

New product ideas.
A short lecture circuit.
An overseas event strategy.

A new blog post.

I’m failing miserably at all of them. It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last. The thing about doing any creative work is that you will hit walls. Sometimes lightning strikes but more often you have to walk out in a field under a cloudless blue sky holding a long metal rod and ask the gods to send a little electricity your way.

Sometimes it comes, sometimes it doesn’t - but every morning you have to walk out in that field.

In truth, it’s less about attracting those bolts of electricity and more about cultivating them. Farming lightning is no easy task. Here are a few things I try to remember when I’m standing in that field:

Stop thinking there’s a single answer. Problem may equal solution, solution, solution. The realization that there is no one answer to most problems can lift a lot of weight off your shoulders. You’re not looking for the Grail – you’re looking for a place to pour some wine. It might be a glass, a mug, a bowl, or your cupped hands.

Get out of your skull. If you have a tendency to stay in your brain when it comes to looking for a solution, it will get lonely in there. Get up and get physical. Take a walk, ride a bike, climb a hill, get in a boat, chop some wood, dig some dirt. Do something that shakes up the internal knot that can form when focusing on a problem.

Remember, you’ll forget. We’ve all had great ideas and then watched them dissolve into the ether when we tried to recreate them from memory. Albert Einstein said, “Paper is to write things down we need to remember. Our brains are used to think.” Keep a method for taking notes handy. Personally, I use OneNote a lot because it’s convenient - but I try to use physical paper when possible. I like the feel and free form nature of being able to go any direction on paper. Blank paper also never distracts me with a Facebook notification. Unfortunately, organizing multiple streams of information can be hard on paper. If you have an approach, I’m always open to learning.

Unlock some easter eggs. Video game and movie creators often hide secrets within their creations to unlock bonus material or tools for moving forward. I’ve discovered these easter eggs are every where if you look for them. The world is filled with all sorts of “secret” tools for a igniting your brain. You just have to know how to find them. Click here to find them in something you probably have collecting dust in a closet.

All of us need to generate some lightning from time to time and maybe this post will help you find some. As for me, the sun is shining and I’ve got a field to get back to.

Chuffed To Bits

6/26/2019

After countless requests to bring the Real Magic Roadshow to merry old England, I’m pleased to announce that the team is preparing to cross the pond!

This September, the Real Magic Roadshow joins forces once more to bring this incredible one day magic event to six cities across Great Britain! I’ll be joined once again by some of the best in the biz - Mark Mason, Chris Smith, Dirk Losander, and Christian Schenk. We’ll also have special guests in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Bristol, the Midlands, and London - just to make it even merrier!

We continue to make these events insanely affordable and during our last tour we added even more value to you admission cost. Not only do pre-registered guests get the admission cost back in the form of a gift card for use with any of the dealers - but we’ve also added a great give away in which one lucky attendee will win a Mystery Prize Package valued at £200! One prize package will be given away in each of the six cities BUT you need to register now for your chance to win.

The dates and locations include:

So make yourself a brew and head to over to www.realmagicroadshow.com for all the details. Space is limited, so get cracking mate and please help spread the word. It’s going to be ledge!

I think I’m finally getting this English stuff down!

Eye Query

5/24/2019

This month’s post is more question than answer.

What does visual magic mean?

Now more than ever, I hear the phrase used by magicians. However most seem to apply it to an immense and often conflicting range of effects. It seems to be a goal for many magicians but they can not explain to me precisely what it is.

If I place a coin into my hand, close it, and then open it to reveal the coin is gone – is THAT visual magic? Or must the spectator see the moment the coin is vanishes?

When is that moment?

There is a rage in modern close up to create material that is “hyper-visual”. Coins travel across a table without being touched, face up cards transform without cover, a playing card is placed on a black abyss of a table only to vanish a moment later.

Is that your goal?

Is it strong magic?

I’m honestly trying to wrap my head around it.

Case in point, I’ve always had a certain fascination with color changes. I’ve spent countless hours over my life working on these changes. But, generally speaking, none of them ever gets the reaction of displaying a card to a spectator, placing that card face down into a spectator’s hand, and having them turn it back up to realize that the card has changed.

No other change even comes close to that moment of impact.

My gut reaction is that what many magicians envision as visual magic lacks a clear establishing of facts just prior to the magic moment. When all of the known factors are unquestionably established and agreed upon (the card is the Two of Spades) and then those facts are shown to be untrue (the card is the Queen of Hearts). To me, the current brand of hyper-visual magic robs the audience of the solid mental footing just before the magic moment. Without it, the moment is weakened or - worse - lost.

Of course, it could just be me. That’s why I’m posing the question.

So I ask you…

What is visual magic?

Is it strong magic?

Shock the Magi

4/25/2019

If you’ve spent more than an hour with me over the course of my lifetime there is a good chance I talked to you about Peter Gabriel. If you’ve been stuck in a car with me, there’s a great chance that you were forced to listen to more than one of my countless PG playlists. Let’s just say, I’m a fan. Recently, the American Academy of Achievement posted a spectacular interview with Gabriel on their "What It Takes" podcast. He shared not only insights into his career but invaluable thoughts on living a creative life and succeeding at it. My recommendation is to carve out an hour of your life and listen to the interview. But here are few takeaways that I think might be helpful to any magician:

As a young man Peter Gabriel tried his hand in any band that would have him. R&B, rock, soul, jazz - it didn’t matter as long as he could play and learn.

The recent passing of Johnny Thompson had many people referring to his deep and broad knowledge of all aspects of magic, stage craft, and show business. I’m struck by how many people in magic today choose a specific area and stay focused on it forever. Broadening your study feeds you in ways you can never foresee. Do it.

When it comes to talent, he feels we would all be amazed at what we are capable of if we really made an effort AND let enthusiasm be our compass.

We’ve all heard artists suggest that hard work and persistence often trumps “talent” but I love that Peter Gabriel adds enthusiasm to the equation. Being excited and eager about anything is the juice that feeds us – without it, talent is pretty useless.

It’s hard to imagine early Peter Gabriel without the outrageous costumes. When asked why he did it, he replied, “…to get rich and famous.”

He adds more to that answer - but it’s interesting to note that’s his “gut” response. In retrospect, one would look at those early images of him and assume that they are witnessing a true artist trying to express something deeply profound. But as it turns out, the initial motivation was more practical. He wanted the band to get noticed. There is no shame in including a desire for success in your plans as an artist.

When asked what he feels his core talent is he said, “I’m a hustler. I try to get things to happen and I work hard.”

That’s an amazingly honest answer. Among Gabriel’s long list of job titles you’ll find artist, musician, inventor, story teller, social activist, and film maker - but he sees himself first and foremost as a hustler. Being a successful artist takes endless enterprise, don’t let anyone tell you different.

His thoughts about being a “Weekend Rock-star” are also pretty helpful for anyone that lives completely insulated within the magic community (both online and in the real world). In short, “It’s a fun place to get your ego stroked but toxic if it’s your permanent abode.”

Other lessons you’ll encounter if you take the time to listen?

The value of listening to “elders” with no stake in the game, other than a successful outcome for everyone. That fact that sometimes, you’ll need to spend a long time surround by crap to get to your goal. And perhaps the most important one of all…

“There will be plenty of voices that will say you’re crap, you can’t do this, it will never work. Don’t be one of them...”

Click here to hear to hear the complete interview.

A Lesson in Wunder

3/12/2019

"Every time an old person dies, a library burns to the ground."
African Proverb

I’ve always thought that phrase is the saddest and most true notion about death. There’s been a lot of ash in the air lately. Magic has lost some giants recently and the books on those shelves are irreplaceable.

One of those libraries includes the legendary magic creator, Steve Dusheck.

Steve always seemed to be a bit of a will-o'-the-wisp. You knew he was out there but he clearly decided who would get close. Sadly, for a man who created some of the most innovative close up magic of the modern age, his name was not often heard in recent years. That is not to say his magic was forgotten. It was out there, but often with little credit. I suspect a large part of why he chose to keep his distance from much of the current magic scene.

I only met him a handful of times and we corresponded for a bit regarding some of his ideas. I certainly would not claim to know him. But my first encounter with him was one I will always remember.

As a kid in high school, I worked at a local magic shop. The owner loved magic but knew little about it. Often that meant when he placed orders he relied on the magic distributor to make suggestions as to what he should get. On one particularly large order, we received a massive quantity of new magic from Steve Dusheck.

This was long before information was so easily and openly shared. At most, you had a few magic magazines to reference current names in the business and even those were far and few between. There were no online outlets to ask for input, seek out reviews, or study videos. In fact, there was no “online”.

As I was young, I knew very little about Steve. But I knew enough to be excited when I opened that box. I quickly began cracking open the little plastic bags thrilled to discover what ingenious new discoveries awaited me.

The first trick contained a fake flower, a piece of string, and a well-known plastic appendage. It didn’t seem like much - and I had a hard time believing anyone could create a miracle with what I found in the instructions. I moved on to the next trick and sadly I felt a similar pang of disappointment. In fact, it happened again and again as I quickly moved from one trick to the next, consuming secrets and methods in seconds.

What was I missing? Clearly no one would want these items, let alone be fooled by them. I put the box aside with a bunch of others and moved on.

Fast forward a few weeks into the future. It’s the end of April and time for the prestigious 4F convention. As I said, I was a kid and certainly not an invited member of the event. But I lived not far from the revered Forks Hotel and I often went just t to get a glimpse of the legends of magic that rolled into town every Spring. Occasionally, I would even be lucky enough to find myself upstairs to see a bit of the real work in action. This was one such night.

I cautiously moved into one of the small rooms where they occasionally had a dealer or two set up. To my surprise, there was Steve Dusheck! I looked at his table and was a little shocked to see several of the tricks I had “wisely” placed aside. I pointed to the one with the fake flower and asked him if he would show it to me. Without hesitation, he said yes and then – with one hand - vanished the flower in a flash.

It looked amazing.

I pointed to another one. Again, it looked great. Then another and another. Each time he took a trick I discounted as being nothing of note – and he made it look like a miracle.

My ass – as they say - was being handed to me again and again. All the while, Steve was smiling and generously showing his creations to a kid who had no right to even be there.

I learned a lot in that instant. About how magic is so much more than the sum of its parts. How it’s easy to overlook something wonderful because it takes a bit more polish and thought. And how it costs nothing to be kind to someone who just wants to see a bit of magic.

That box I buried came back out a few days later. Those incredible Dusheck creations placed front and center.

Magic is endlessly lucky to be filled with so many clever and kind people. Many have incredible ideas to share. They may not always be the “shiniest” and you may not always know their names. But maybe that’s the time to pay the most attention.

Rest in peace Steve and thanks for the lesson.

Next!

2/8/2019

If you’ve had the chance to check out my current schedule then you already know that we're bringing the Real Magic Roadshow back to Europe in just a few short weeks. This tour has us visiting eight cities in six different countries - with the same amazing team and ridiculously low cost admission.

One of the benefits of these live events is that attendees get the chance to see some of the best new magic live and in person before making the decision if it’s right for them. Not a video demo - but live and under real world conditions.

In the real world, EVERY performance is an audition. You have to continually perform like you haven’t been hired yet - because every audience member has the power to step away and move on. A choice that can’t be hidden from the remainder of the audience - and could even give them the idea to do the same. Holding an audience under these conditions demands that you create a strong a compelling magical experience. You can’t clean up a poor performance in “post production”. All you have is the now. I can’t think of a more effective way to sharpen your skills and build your chops.

It remains my favorite way to showcase my material - and I know the rest of the team feels very much the same. This time out the Roadshow is visiting:

We plan on adding more Roadshow dates this coming fall so stay tuned - and I hope I get to audition for you somewhere along the road.

By the way, if you've attended any of our Real Magic Roadshow events,
we'd love to get your feedback. Just click here to give us a quick review.