Pictorial Updates

ITS BEEN AGES!!! In all honesty, I've procrastinated this whole blogging process far too long. I realised, if I were to blog about everything that has happened since I launched my new book. Thus, I'm gonna give a pictorial account of what has happened over the past 4 months. Here goes...

 

 
 

IF a picture is worth a thousand words, thats 15 000 above this. 

Till Next time, 

Kyle Ravin

Magic Book

In Early 2009 ,I made it a point to start marketing and conducting workshops in magic. Today, some clients believe I have a magic school. Fact is, though there is no formal establishment, there might be enough students to call it a school. I decided that I wanted something for my students to fall back on, to read , and to help them continue in the path of magic. Initially, I had 3 different booklets that were sold at the workshops. They sold well and in time, I felt it was time to revamp it.

The three books were packaged, combined and reworked on to cause the birth of the book seen above. LEARN MAGIC NOW!

This book features over 40 magic effects aimed at the new student of magic. Featuring magic with coins, cards, newspaper, pencils, rope, flowers and the mind, the book also contains a Mini Illusion and the art of Juggling too.

The book is designed to be an easy read for youth yet is highly appealing to the older ones.

Here's what people have said about the book- Excerpts from my emails and Facebook Wall-

 The "Learn Magic Now" Volume One book has a cool cover, and let me tell you this is one of those times when you can judge a book by its cover. The content is just as cool!!!  - Dharishni






I like this book in many ways. The layout is super easy to read and the tricks are amazing. The secret of the magic is even easier. Cool! - Tan Jin Howe




Thanks Kyle- Just got the Learn Magic book. It was more than I expected it to be. I thought I'll be giving my son a children's magic book. End up, I'm reading the book first. Good book. Looking forward to your workshops soon! -Melvin Wong




Maybe its time to make a move in your life. A simple book worth $24.90 might just spark a gift in you. A gift you never knew you had. Email info@kyleravin.com for details. 


Till Next time, 
Kyle Ravin

Magic books

These are the three magic books usually sold at our workshops. A BIG Thank you to all those that have got one so far. We will stop printing these books/manuscripts as of September 2010.

Good news is, Something much better is coming your way... Stay tuned!!!

Till Next time,

Kyle Ravin

Competition

I would have uploaded the pictures of my other two competitions but for some strange and Sad reason, I  can't seem to locate the pics. Oh wells. I've been thinking for a long time... Toying with an idea. And I've asked myself...What have magic competitions done for me?

Before I go on, allow me to list the awards I've acquired... Because I can :)

1. Mentalism - Magic Unlimited 3rd Place
2. Mask Act - Magic Unlimited 1st place
3. Mask and Dove Act - SAM stage magic 1st place
4. People's Choice Magician of the Year 2007
5. Best Magic Act - Mumbai, India
6. Most Outstanding Magician 2011 - Fly Ent./Concept Magic/Sinema Media

So yea, 6 awards. I do plan to add a closeup award to this list. Far too many magicians think I'm not a very Closeup guy. We'll see how that goes. HaHaHa. 

For the past few months, since my return from the International Khul Jaa Sim Sim convention in Mumbai, I've been very itchy for another international competition. Which made me think...what should I perform?

I'd love to present my new Mask act for my competitions but the question in my head screams, for what!? True... Why compete? What do these competitions bring me?

So far, here's how these competitions have served me. They are very useful in marketing, they help Event Emcees introduce me better, they establish me within the local magic scene and (very honestly) they make me feel good!

I figured, most of us compete for the ego gratification it brings when you win a prize. It really does nothing besides gain respect amongst magicians (who do not pay your bills), win you some money ( usually never enough to even reimburse 10% of your spending on the acts) and probably create some buzz amongst your lay friends. 

To me, a Magic Competition is the perfect Ego boost for a magician, and myself too! I'm guilty of it. Dreaming of the perks of Winning FISM. Then again, that award still brings you JUST bragging rights. Magicians that buy your products feel safer to get them when you do have a string of products to sell them. 

For me, I believe in the works of some here that I do respect. A master businessman, a deeply involved theatre practitioner, a speaker using magic to make a difference etc... These men treat magic the way it is in reality. A BUSINESS. Competitions don't do much for me personally. I am thankful for my winnings but I've gone to a stage when I've realised bookings and my sales matter more than winning the next award. 

My goals for the future? Im a businessman. My goal is to improve my business! With so much out there, learning is easy and should be done constantly. I only have my girlfriend to thank for instilling this in me time after time. 

Think about your worth...what is your aim? Think about how far you go, or what you gain from what you do... 

Till Next time, 

Kyle Ravin

Working on my closeup magic act... ooops! (I didn't say I wont try to flatter my ego!)

Corporate Workshops - Magic!

We just managed to get a copy of some pics from our recent series of Corporate workshops. June and July were strangely quiet so loads of time was spent on RnD. This new series of workshops prove to be much more different from the usual MagicNow! classes we used to run. 

 Participants still got their hands on with the magic and did get to keep ALL THE MATERIALS. INCLUSIVE OF A PERSONALLY ENDORSED CERTIFICATE. The workshop saw about 24 participants and I started off with my own handling of a 2000 year old magic effect, The Cups and Balls.

 What's different about the new Corporate Workshops? Besides all the benefits of magic, that I've discussed before, http://kyleravin.blogspot.com/2011/04/magic-in-your-life.html  and   http://kyleravin.blogspot.com/2011/06/magic-lessons.html , more emphasis was placed on applications to daily life. Focus was using magic as a tool to better presentation skills. Using my methods, participants were encouraged to apply these techniques to everyday situations. Of course, Presentation skills are the mere tip of the iceberg. Much more, in depth, scientific and psychological priciples were discussed. Information only available with this workshop!

It was indeed a pleasure working with this esteemed organizations and I'm keen on bringing this special workshop to you! This is not a magic workshop. Its a motivational session, confidence boosting session, presentation workshop, lifeskill sharing session and SO MUCH more...

As you would know, Kyle Ravin Productions is constantly improving to improve your life too! Workshops are completely customizable. For magic lessons, Magic shows, hosting and more, visit www.KyleRavin.com!

Till Next time,
Kyle Ravin

M for Magic

Some months back, there was an open call for young magicians to feature their magic on an internet TV show  titled M for Magic. I contacted my friend JC, who was producing the series and got into the show. M for Magic was basically a collaboration between Sinema Media, Concept Magic and Fly Entertainment. Each magician was given approx. 6min of air time and partnered up with a Fly Entertainment Artiste. VERY co-incidentally, I was paired with Benjamin Heng, who stared in a series titled Anything Goes, which I designed some magic for. 

Working with JC, Sinema Media and Benjamin Heng was a pleasure. JC, who has tv experience as well, helped ensure the shoot went smoothly. I presented a few pet effects, a thread from eye, glass eating, razor blades from mouth and some misc. card effects. I also came up with a 'street' lightbulb production which sadly, was probably omitted from the show due to air time. Basically, a bottle of bubble solution is shown and a bubble is blown barehanded (without the wand). The bubble is held in the open palm and the base of a lighbulb screws into it, transforming the bubble into glass. Well, it didnt go on... but I'm sure I can perform it again soon. 

The show also had some perks for us magicians. We got on various media platforms, from the radio to the news. I managed to perform some magic for the MUTTONS from 98.7FM! Check out the video!

Sinema media gave out two awards in conjunction with the series. A people's choice award, with Facebook likes as the judging platform and the "Most Outstanding Magician" award. It brings me great pleasure to mention that the Most outstanding magician award went to yours truly! Thanks JC, SinemaMedia and Fly Entertainment! I'm a happy man!

Till Next time,
Kyle Ravin

Magic Lessons

 Not too long ago, I wrote an article on the benefits of magic and what it can do for your health and mind. YES, magic does have its holistic wellness too. I ask myself, what do I do for real and why do I do it? Well, one can argue that I do magic for money. Sounds crude but this is my career. Why do you go to work? Why do you do what you do, it is money. Difference here is, I simply LOVE what I do. Its a hobby turned passion turned career. In fact, I believe not many can choose to turn their hobbies into a profession.

I aim to do everything in my career with Magic. In fact, come to think of it, I can't think of anything I do that has nothing to do with magic. Its not an obsession, its a love. Now, people ask me why I do what I do, and you, if you have read through the blog, would know why I love my magic so much. However, today I wanna write a lil about a question which most my students ask me. "WHY TEACH MAGIC?" Before that, check out this article on the holistic side of magic. http://kyleravin.blogspot.com/2011/04/magic-in-your-life.html

"Kyle, being a professional magician, why would you want to reveal your secrets? Why do you have these classes for us?" one asked. If only I had more time, I would have explained in detail. Sadly with only an hour left, I could not explain in detail. Here goes -

Magic, is an art that intrigues. Its one art that requires the performer to be apt in various fields of performance craft, as opposed to singing or dance. In magic, for instance, the Prestidigitator needs to understand drama, psychology, dance, misdirection, speech, vocal variety and the list goes on. Illusionists like myself are constantly improving ourselves with alternative skills like dance. For me, I try to take up any form of circus art and Im open to performance requests - Juggling, Ventriloquism, Balancing etc. These keep me a well rounded performer.

Almost and I say ALMOST everyone likes magic. Even those that only concentrate on shouting out their theories of how an effect is accomplished; matter of a fact is, they LOVE magic! For it brings them that egocentric satisfaction. Despite this arguable statement, it still brings benefits to them.

When I teach magic to my students (adults alike) many say its harder than they thought it was. I teach beginner level magic and still ensure they learn something that WILL definitely impress and provide self satisfaction as well. When my students leave the class, they leave with the understanding that Magic is an art that not easy to accomplish. In fact some are humbled by the effort that goes into magic. Its really not that simple. I always remind them that Magic isn't about what you do, its how you do it. I try to inspire them to make the BEST of their arsenal of tricks.

That's the first point, UNDERSTAND THE ART TAKES PRACTICE. Next I aim to change the society at large. I've received stares and chuckles when I say I'm a professional and full time Magician. There is/was a lack of respect for full-time performers like myself.  My classes educate the society as well. It informs that performing CAN be a career and that we do lead decent lives.

At large, what Im trying to do is enlighten the public about performance artistry. The more awareness is created, the better people understand people like me. The more educated society is, the more they find the need for entertainers as well. With respect for magicians, and the craft, there creates an instant need for Magic in more events too.

Lastly, what I'm doing, promotes the art as well. It gives people a perspective into the lives of the magician, explains that magic is not just about glitz and glamour and much more. People do not realise the pains of the rice farmer when they eat their rice. Try ploughing for an hour and they start valuing the farmer and each grain he gets to your plate. 

I hope this covers why I teach my magic. Its much more than just wanting to teach for the heck of it. I have a purpose, a mission- to Educate, Enlighten, Entertain. To more courses and lessons.

Till Next time,
KyleRavin