Nigel: When we are young, the world is our oyster and our thoughts are full of ambitions. As the years progress we achieve more and more and hopefully we approach our ambitions.

Where would you say that you are on this path? Are there additional targets that you have set yourself as you achieve those earlier ones that you have set yourself?

Daryl: Nigel,

New targets? Yes, always. As soon as I achieve one goal, I replace it with a new (and better) one. This way, one keeps moving upwards and this, I believe, is one of the biggest secrets of success. I believe that the day we stop setting goals for ourselves and stop working toward achieving them is the day we begin to die.

I’m very happy to say that I have achieved every goal that I have set for myself.

My next main goal is to find the right house to buy in the Sierra foothills of Northern California. Alison and I know what we want and we’ve been looking for several months now. We will never give up because we both know that the perfect house could be the very next one we see.

WelshWizard: Do you think that videos (instructional) are threatening to magic in the long run? I own magic videos and they are great. For instance, sometimes books are just badly written or the descriptions are hard to understand (like the RRTCM; when I first bought this great book and began reading 'place the first phalanx at the short end...' I was confused). However, I still think I'd rather have a good magic book or booklet than a video.

Also, If a layperson were to ask you 'where do you learn this?' would you say that it is partly from videos. Personally, I wouldn't tell laymen magic is nowadays learnt from videos because it takes away from the illusion or how they see you. I would be apprehensive to say videos because I think it would degrade their idea of magic as a serious art.

Daryl: WelshWizard,

This is a very interesting question and I suspect an entire book could be written about the pros and cons of videos versus books.

Yes, I agree that there are some negative points about teaching magic on videos. My main concern is that it makes our secrets too easy to obtain. Because it takes more effort learn a secret technique from a book, we probably value it more and, as a result, treat it with more respect. This may include taking the time and effort to learn to perform the technique properly. When volumes of information are easily available to anyone on a video or DVD, they may tend to give it less value and perhaps treat it with less respect.

On the other hand, the more information that is available, the more magicians that will be created. This will, hopefully, increase the body of knowledge that will be shared by all. This should help magic progress forward.

If someone asked me where I learned something, I’d say, “It’s a mystery!” If someone truly expressed an interest in learning magic, I’d recommend they visit their local library.

Kevin Wratten: There’s an old quote:

What gets you motivated and inspired to create your award winning routines, and original conceptions?

Thanks again,

Kevin.

Daryl: Kevin,

First, I picture (visualize) something that I’d like to see performed. Next (and this is the fun part), I try to figure out a way to perform it.  My inspiration comes from wanting the final result to look as close to perfect (as magical) as possible. Very often, an excellent solution has already been created. If that is the case, I use the method that was invented by someone else. If not, I create my own method. Remember: the effect comes first, then the method.

Kevin Wratten: Have you ever felt the urge to move onto large stage illusions, with showgirls and boxes - and perform on the world's largest stages?

If not do you think you ever will? If 'no' what makes/made you decide?

Thanks,

Kevin.

Daryl: Kevin,

No, never. I’ve never wanted the large number of problems that go along with big stage productions. Having said that, I often think that someday I’ll perform a “small” act that can be performed on the largest stages. I’m inspired by the magic of Gaeton Bloom! I’m of the “plays big, packs small” school of magic.

Mike: Hi Daryl, I met you briefly back in February at the Blackpool Winter Gardens convention we had a chat regarding Darwin Ortiz look alike? Anyway thanks for taking time out to answer the various forum topics.
Q1 Is there anything in the pipeline for future video releases?
Q2 Are you working on anything new at the minute?
Q3 Aside from magic how's Alison & your baby daughter?

Regards to one of the best in the business.

Daryl: Mike,

Q1: Yes, but nothing that I can talk about at the moment.

Q2: Yes, several things. I released my new “impossible” mentally selected cards across effect (called “Double Crossed”) at the Blackpool convention, but I have not really marketed it yet. I think that this will be my next step.

Q3: Alison and my seven and a half month old daughter Laura are both doing great! Thanks for asking.

Sean McQuade: Hey Daryl. This isn't really my question. Another member of the board asked it to Milt Kort, but I liked it and thought I should ask it to you as well

Daryl: Sean,

I wish that I invented the Paul Curry effect “Out of this World”. It’s a miracle!