Since this is MMF forum, I would like to ask how did you guys got started?

I've just got the interest in magic weeks ago and thx to a little leak from the internet, I found some Exposed trick and started to practice with. Although so it's still lack of information on this topic thus it's not easy to learn by myself or free. I have no pro magicians around to guide me.

Lately i've been surfing alot of magic shop online. I heard books and DVD are best to get started with. But where to find such thing in Malaysia? I only know about i-magic in 1U where I got my svangeli, stripper, T.T and few basic things. I just wan something like a book or DVD where tricks aren't limited as in the tools i bought. Can anyone throw me some guide and advice?

if you are really new to magic,
you can start checking out MPH, KinoKuniya, and other major bookstores.

I bought some magic books from these bookstores that's good for doing family gatherings.
Don't look down on those 101 magic tricks books.
It has all the basic moves in magic.

That's how I got started.
:lol:

Hi,

Perhaps if you would like to invest books, you can visit some bookshops in Time Square, Kinokuniya, Sungai Wang, etc.

I believe some magic shops carry card magic books or magic books from the US, etc.

Good luck in hunting.

Andrew

Errr, guys, he's asking how we got into magic. Not what for a newbie to do.

As for me, Blaine kinda did it all ;) So yeah.

Magic ring did this to me :P ... thanks magic ring!!! i started off with the svengali...then moved on with i.t... and still with i.t...and i always got cards with me everywhere i go... people think im a hardcore gambler or sumtin... dont u guyz get dat often??

-rocker keyz- :!!:

When I was 10 yrs old, my aunt took me to see David Copperfield perform here in KL. And that's how I got started, been hooked ever since.

Me...started of from gambling everytiem I go back to my hometown in Sabah....I use to gamble with my relatives...blackjack...poker...every chinese new year of course...me and my uncle always trying to do something with the deck before starting a game...maybe showing some simple magics that works itself without any sleights of hands... trying to impress and amaze the younger cousins,then, I was thinking, every year...if I could go back and show some cool magic, it would be better if I start learning real magic using real sleight of hands, or more inpromptu card magic..and at least I could entertain my relatives with magics....then i started with card magic...then slowly move to coin, levitations...of course....if I dont use magic to entertain them...I could use my guitar to entertain them too.... :)

I started magic when the "voice" call my name 3 times & I mistaken that it was Eli who was calling me :D :D :D

Samuel,Samuel,Samuel.............thats a bloody good one,too bad only some of us will understand.Haha!

Got interested in magic by accident. Agreed to help an old friend organise a "creative ministry conference". Sat in a couple of workshops as an organiser ... then got hooked B)

...blasphemy!!!! :!!:

hehe loved magic since young but never got super interested until i saw David Blaine on TV. His street magic really made me wana be like him.

Then everything seem to flow.... suddenly came across Andy Magic when they open a small stall for the weekend at Mahkota parade. Then, suddenly met a sporean magician in Aus. Bought a lot and spent heaps for him to teach me some sleights.

I never knew i would be addicted until my v first performance to some of my uni mates. Their reactions got me pumped up even more.

My interest never stopped till now.

Lately been juggling between magic and card flourish. :)

My senior did a self working trick to me.
i was amazed.
and blaine brought me senior into magic.

I got started seriously when I had no way of meeting the national cheerleader captain of Malaysia .The rest is history.

hi people, thx for the reply and really nice. I've change my Username to my real name after understanding this forum policy. I'm sEnz8502.

Although I was really interested to learn magic, I never really got serious. Coz since all the sources are so well kept and expensive, it's so hard to learn. David Blaine & DC never really inspired me. Cause I kow it's hard to be like them. But recent growth of site like youtube.com and putfiles.com metacafe.com where I can get short clip from individual people uploading their short magic clips really makes me into it. There's one video performing "jumpin' gemini" that impress me. Here's the link for that video http://www.metacafe.com/watch/25532/card_trick/ i hope it's allowed to post link here.

yeah... i've seen this clip b4. The best presentation on jumping gemini ive seen.

I saw this clip before knowing the secrets and spent abt an hour or so trying to work the routine out. a v good trick indeed!

Just a word of caution,dont try to go to Pyramid or Summit MPH as it contains no magic books inside.Everytime I go there there is none,maybe you guys seen some before but not me.There is a shop called magic club at Summit and magic ring at Times Square.Both are good places for starting out in magic.I wouldnt recommend you to search the net for finding free tricks over the net.One common reason is that it takes a lot of your time spending hours on the computer trying to search for magic tricks for free.But my main consent is that it doesnt gives credit to the originator which I think is disrespectful.Knowing the trick is important,but whats most important is to know who is the creator of this trick,and where is it originated.That way,not only are you respecting the creator,but yourself too.Also,if you were to come up with a book or video.Giving credit is just asd important as teaching and knowing the trick.One good place to start out is penguinmagic.Heres the site. www.penguinmagic.com It is a good place to start because it contains a whole lot of DVD's,books,props,gimmicks,etc.Search for Born to perform card magic by Oz Pearlman.Its worth a buy.However,if you really have the heart,and passion for magic,there is one place I am willing to share with you,nop,not another free website,but something else that the owner has told me to only share with those to have the passion,and motivation to know,and learn this wonderful art of magic,if you do,PM me.

Yours faithfully,
Jarrett

Totally Agreed.

David Copperfield has to be the one that inspired me to wanting to learn more.
When I was in primary school, my then ambition was to be a Magician whenever I was asked, and often laugh at since the rest answered doctors, lawyers, pilots, etc.

At that time, watching Copperfield on TV really rocks my world. I wanted to be HIM. In my school library I came across a book called David Copperfield, without even flipping the pages I quickly borrowed it and only to realize it has nothing to do with magic. How silly.

When News spread like while fire when Copperfield was confirmed to performed in KL. I was so happy. However my family couldn’t afford to take us there. It was traumatizing at that time. I hated my dad for not being able to take me there.

I envy this rich kid in my class that went, he bought a Copperfield button badge and showed it off to the class and told us how good the show went.

My first encounter with live magic show was the launching of a beach Resort in Port Dickson called Golden Resort, that was dad took me, It was many years back, I think it was in the late 80’s; I was in primary school then. I was so lucky to be chosen to participate in one of his tricks. It was like a dream come true. This Chinese Malaysia magician (cant remember his name, could it be James Tong?) did the sponge routine on me and I was totally blown away.

For this reason, my first magic gimmick was actually the sponge balls. Had that for a while in early high school. Then things changed when bmx freestyling got into me, magic slowly slipped away from my mind for a couple of years.

However my interest in magic never dies, now whenever I come across any books and DVDs on magic, I would buy them without thinking twice.

I’m also lucky to have a neighbor that’s also into magic, we would sometimes chit chat and share our gimmicks, tricks and secrets.

My recent business trip to China, I met up with Magicians and illusionist from Macau, GuongZhou and Shenzhen. I make it a point to visit magic shops and meet fellow magicians whenever I travel. Some are generous to give me DVDs of their stage performance for free which are for sale. In return I gave them gimmicks I made my own and offer accommodation should they ever visit our country.

Is not about who is better, or what tricks and secret you know. Is about keeping this wonderful art of alive.

Magic has never fail to amaze me. And I hope I will never fail to amaze people with magic.

Well, this is my side of the story.

I always loved watching David Copperfield perform since young. fell in love with magic through him.

Then got myself a copy of Mark Wilson's book when I was a teenager.
Went through it like crazy. Bought any magic book I could find at that time (when I could afford it)
I went through public libraries like crazy.

Then for a about 10 years, magic took a backseat.

Until maybe about 2 years ago, I bought a TT. I could change the bills like DC.
I got rebitten.

and I discovered I can be like Uri Geller too (I thought he was the real deal)...(thank you Mr. Steve Shaw sir !!)

and here I am.

Haha.... :lol: - I don't even know they are so many magicians here inspired by David Copperfield. I am in the list too. B)

The reason I like David Copperfield is his performance, his performance when you watch just like he brings you to another world, full of fantasy and magical...... erm.... I don't know how to express it perhaps some of you here will get what I mean. I just love to see her performance.

Without David, I don't think I am a magician today. ^_^

Cheers,
Andrew

i still remember when I was a kid...7 years old :rolleyes: ...I attended my relative's wedding...at that time my relative has hired some stage performers.That was my first time to watch magic show.However,I only started learning seriously when I was 15 years old and david blaine is the one who inspired me into this art...all thanks to david :blink:

Without David Blaine,I wouldnt have been into magic.One reason why I werent inspired by David Copperfield was because you know that its real magic(well,if you are a layman then you do think its real magic) and also because you know that its expensive to perform stage magic.

for me..its my father that brought me into magic.. he show me ACR then i was.. wow!! what the hell? then he teach me some card magic sleight..then i start to learn some card magic..aftehr that my friend tell me to visit superhandz.com .. so i visit..then watched some De'vo vid and other XCM vid..i was omggg so cool!! then i started to learn some flourishes ^^

-Andrew

well, that explains a few things. hahaha.


















jangan marah. :P

Hmm... Another topic with no reply in a long time. Well, I started to learn the art of magic seriously about 10 months ago when:

1. My mother found this old "Mark Wilson's Greatest Instant Magic Tricks" book.

2. My cousin performed unbelievably unbelievable magic to me.

3. "Mondo Magic Singapore" was being aired on AXN.

But to tell you the truth, I've had an interest in magic for quite some time. When I was much younger, I was always fascinated with all things 'magic'. When I was about 12-15 years old, I would always be coming up with my own stupid magic tricks. I had no knowledge of magic back then, but I still managed to fool people with my "home-made magic tricks".

I guess... I live to entertain. I love entertaining people, that's all.

Haha, okie i guess it's my turn to talk....

I kinda got into it like 2 years ago, this guy in my school was showing my tricks. Or maybe he just trying hard to impress... anyway, i borrowed david blaine's autobiography from him and read though it. it's seriously interesting! I wasn't that hook but good enough to start reading alot. I never tried my hand at it coz i always thought i was never good at anything practical (u should see me at practical in chem lab. D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R!) so yea, just kept on reading only for 2 years.

then recently i had nothing to do after SPM that i decided to try cards out. Went for a small talent competition, didn't win and now back on cards. hehe....

I've not yet seen David copperfield yet..... Will soon! B)

haha.. i guess u gotta be in the 'slightly older' generation to be inspired by David Copperfield..
Remembered seeing DC on TV when i was like 8-9 yrs old. i still remember seeing him perform "Crazyman's handcuffs" and "Mis-lead", those hit me harder than most of his other big scale illusions. so, yeah, i m another one of those guys that was inspired by DC.

Then i received a Magic book as a present, some book published by Ursborne, cant remember the actual title, got alot of colorful pictures, a very very good book IMO which i still refer to today. It even got backp**m!! back then i didnt underatood wat that was all about.
Learnt abt the different types of magic, stage, parlor etc. from there.

Then, the magic hype sorta died down for a while to make way for other highschool stuff, football,badminton etc. untill college.. met another guy who also did magic in college. showed me crazy man's handcuffs (if u read my other post replies to Rubber band magic, u now understand y i say crazyman's handcuffs is IMO the best, cos its the one trick tat grabbed and held my interest to magic in the 1st place =))
This guy also brought me to Jacky's magic stall in Komtar.

Later when i was looking for a part time job, i was introduced to this guy who had a company tat supplied clowns, yes.. clowns, for events in penang. Learnt balloon sculpting and some magic stuff form him. Then started working as part time clown. Up till this time, i have nevr performed for "real" ppl, i onli showed my younger brother cardtricks. Becoming a clown opened up a whole world of audiences to perform for, and being a clown, u can get away with alot of crap even if u screw up.. dropping/flashing spongeballs, finding the wrong card etc... :D hahaha.. and audiences tend to bear with u cos they want balloons... hahaha...i usually perform magic for the adults n giv the kids balloons. Anyways, gain alot alot of experience from there. (magic lesson: to be good in magic.. practice, practice, practice, PERFORM..) I continued clowning for a while when i went to KL for studies as well.

then i also remmeber NTV7 showing alot of magic shows for a period of time, the MonteCarlo magic awards, champions of magic or something.

Then there was David Blaine: Street magic, i remember seeing all the reactions he was getting from "burned", "ashes on the palm", which i knew how to perform, i was like, wow, :o holy shit.. i could do that. hehe

Magic got a backseat again when i grad and started working. Career mah... :)
So here i am now, i dont perform as much as i did as before, but the interst in magic will nvr die!

Well, a lot of very nice replies here... mine was quite simple, it started since young, because i loved to entertain and bought a small book in mandarin teaching chinese tricks but I never followed up... but I never started seriously until a few weeks ago. Now I'm into cards, and a bit of coins as well.

It's just so nice when you get reactions from the audiences.

hehe Im going to say, i fall in under the category of "MAin reason- David Blaine" hehe. It think it was a bit obvious when i was a little tyke, because i was always so interested in those tricks, gags, and novelties. Now that i think about it, i wonder where my "Paul Daniel's Magic Set" is, the one i had when i was 8/ 9.... :P

Then my passion for magic grew when i first saw Blaine, honest to god , i thought the guy had real powers...Still i didnt have any resources in Brunei hehe so I just gave up on learning magic. then early this year, a friend did some magic effects with an ordinary deck of cards, right in front of my eyes....and i got hooked!!!!I was like, "Hey, if he can do it, then maybe i can".

So, i got onto some free magic sites, read a Magic encyclopedie Ive had for years, i even put the effort into watching David Blaine's first ever recording on slow-mo, rewind, slow-mo, rewind, etc.

Then, sense of excitement you get when you wow an audience with a simple kiddy trick, got me pumped even more. haha, then i found Ellusionist, started magic seriously in June, and the rest, dare i say it, is history.

hehe

Peace!!!!

-Nadz the Nadz