M&I: What inspired you to work with Mirrors?
Diamond Jim: Mirrors in and of themselves are very fascinating. Many cultures have various superstitions surrounding them and yet they are a part of our daily lives. It is important when performing to sometimes have an emotional hook, something that everyone can relate to. When doing research I found very few effects done with mirrors in the close-up realm of magic. And of the few that I found, I discovered that fewer still discussed the mystique of mirrors when presenting the effect. When listening to the patter on the DVD, you’ll see that I have done a vast amount of research. You'll also find a lore section on the DVD and on the website www.diamond-jim.com/mirrors.
M&I: Is this mystical, new age approach a new direction for Diamond Jim? Where would you like to take this?
DJ: There are two sides to my personality. There is the out-going and outspoken Diamond Jim that you see in “Pockets Full of Miracles.” Then there is the quiet, more mysterious side that one will get a taste of on the new DVD. On “Mirrors,” I chose for artistic reasons to never show my face. The only time you will see it is when you catch it in the reflection of one of the mirror cards. Here's a funny sidenote. Knowing that I didn't want to show my face, and yet it could be seen in the mirror’s reflection, we shot a routine with me wearing a scary Halloween mask. Unfortunately my voice was muffled so we cut that scene out. Now, back to the subject. I think that once close-up magicians realize the multitude of rich patter, the numerous effects that can be performed and the impact that color-changes could have with mirror cards (instead of red to blue), that this project will be my most popular.
M&I: How will Mirrors improve a magician's repertoire?
DJ: Mirrors are magical in and of themselves. Read all of the legends that I provide on the DVD and website and see for yourself. Manipulators could produce them and I know that they could be seen at the back of the house with the light reflecting off of them. Coin matrixes with cards would be much more fascinating while speaking of traveling through mirrors (especially if combined with Paul Harris' Twilight). I think that any close-up magician who watches the DVD will walk away with something that could make their magic stronger.
M&I: Is there anything else you'd like to say about your new “Mirrors” DVD?
DJ: Yes, I'd like to make two special offers to Magic & Illusion readers. If someone comes up with something original with my custom mirror labels and writes it up with photos, I will gladly add it to the “Mirrors” webpage and give them due credit. My second offer, if one orders my “Mirrors” DVD through my website, and lists the phrase "CUCKOO BIRD" in the comment box, I will throw in 20 more custom mirror gimmicks.
www.diamond-jim.com/originals
$34.95
-Wayne N. Kawamoto
