The title, "Confetti Shooter," probably conjures up images of a large projectile type of device that shoots out a massive cloud of confetti on a stage. However, Vernet's version is for personal use and allows you to show your hands empty and produce a small cloud of confetti - much as if you tossed a half-handful of confetti into the air.

The "Confetti Shooter" is an altered Vernet prop that you can easily hide in your hand. It's well made but I just couldn't get it to work consistently. I either ended up with a heap of confetti dropping from my hand in a clump. Or I would toss my hands up and there would be no confetti.

You can read my review here.

More Reading
Review of "Empty"
Review of Naked by Salvador Sufrate

This week, I perform "Empty" on video.

"Empty" offers a production of a deck of cards from a card box that has previously shown to be empty. You can watch my video demo here and read my review here.

In my performance, I discovered a slight flaw when displaying the box. I carefully studied the performance in a mirror and shot the segment multiple times and found that the flaw consistently appeared despite my best efforts to minimize or remove it. (I noticed in the promotional video for "Empty" that this flaw does not appear. I have no explanation why.)

Ultimately, I decided to leave the video as is. I don't think that the flaw will be noticed in a live performance. But may be noticed when viewed repeatedly online.

Again, you can watch my video demo here and read my review here.

More Reading
Magic Trick Video Demo - Hover
Review of Empty

I'm a big fan of J C Sum and "Magic Babe" Ning. In Sum's latest essay from his "Backstage Business" blog, he discusses "Three Tips to Stand Out as a Commercial Creative Artist." This essay serves practical advice and offers worthwhile reading.

"To be successful at a high level, you need to differentiate yourself from others in your field," says Sum in his essay. "...I cringe every time I see young performers performing 'copycat' acts or 'strongly inspired' acts that look like known performers' acts or types of acts that everyone is doing. The cane, silks, parasols, doves, kabuki/ snowstorm template act ran its course a few years ago, but magicians are still doing the same old things. Imagine, if all that time, effort and money was put into developing an original act!"

You can read the story here.

More Reading
J C Sum and Magic "Babe" Ning Successfully Carry Out "Mind Heist"
Review: "Behind the Illusions" by JC Sum & "Magic Babe" Ning
Review of Naked by Salvador Sufrate
Review of Empty
Review of Confetti Shooter by Vernet Magic

A recent article in the Chicago Tribune profiles magician Al James. The article describes James as the "last of a near-extinct breed," a magician that hearkens back to an era when magic was often performed in Chicago bars and restaurants. It's a time that the article describes as a "bygone world."

In addition to outlining the history of Chicago magic and describing its heyday, the article attempts to explain its present decline. "The customer base was growing older," says Bob Schulien in the article. "...as much as magic attracts customers, it also tied up tables...and turnovers were a key to financial viability. In this restaurant business, you have to attract younger people...I'd like to open up again, but right now is not a good time, with this economy."

You can read the story here.

More Reading
Interview with Doc Eason
Bill Goldman's Magic Bar and Grill
Bar Bets That You Can't Lose