Bicycle

LeeAlex

Many magicians I am sure are burning to ask the same question.

Where do you get Bicycle cards printed for packet effects - and what are the minimum quantities?

Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Peter Eggink

Hi Lee,

The US Playing Card Company does custom print jobs. As far as I know they do a minimum run of 5000 cards.

Peter

Sleightly Magical Tom

When you started out did you just plunge in and get 5000 decks hoping to sell them or did a company fund you? It seems like a huge commitment to make.

Peter Eggink

When I decide to market an effect that needs a custom print job, I first make the wholesale arrangements with my distributor.

The agreement should be constructed in such way, that the distributor would purchase the amount of units from that particular effect, which will at least cover the costs for the print job involved. My distributor, (Murphy's in this case) also makes the arrangements with the USPCC.

I hope this answered your question.

All the best,

Peter

Marketing

LeeAlex

P!

You have gone from strength to strength with your excellent booklets and card gimmicks. There is not a dealer who doesn't seem to supply your material. (For anyone who is not familiar with Peter Eggink's card work, it is presented in a top-notch way, which seeps quality, precise instructions and practability).

Could you give us a few pointers on how you went about bringing your ideas from being dreams to the hands of the customer (and all the stages in between)?

Peter Eggink

Hi Lee, nice talking to you again!

Well, marketing your own effects is an interesting process - for me that is. To start, allow me to try to explain the creative part.

I "found" my own creativity when I decided to sell my illusions, and to quit my stage show. Unfortunately at that time (3 years ago) I was a kind of forced to do so. Holland is a small country and there were too many illusionists touring (Hans Klok, Magic Unlimited) so I simply had no work. This was probably the worst time of my life! I had to sell my "child’s dream"! At this point I had absolutely no clue where this all was leading to and I even considered quitting magic in general.

Of course we all know that quitting is impossible, magic is an addiction and thank God it is! While sitting in front of the TV, I developed my handling of a colour change, which I called the "Meltchange" and I decided to offer my change/handling to the magic community as an instant download video. Man, this got me some huge reactions and endorsements from amateurs and professionals around the world! That was the moment that I found the button inside my head that said, "Be creative". "Transferred" followed soon afterwards.

I'm glad that my stage show never worked out after all.

Today, I have a very close relationship with Murphy's Magic. They have the worldwide distribution rights of my effects and DVDs. (It is a blast to work with these guys, not to mention that they are very helpful).

One of the most important things of marketing is research.
Is it new, done before, different enough? etc. Make sure your material is top notch: Strong, visual, good quality print work etc.

I have the luck, that my brother does all the artwork for me as it is his job. He creates all the packaging, cover designs etc.

Usually, all units will be packaged after the print job and shipped to Murphy's. Once they receive it, they put it up on their website to offer it to dealers worldwide.

I would be typing for hours to describe the whole process in detail, but I hope this has answered your question a bit?

Thanks, Lee!

Peter

LeeAlex

Cheers P!

A great decision that you decided not to quit magic - the magic community would be a much sadder place without the young dynamic talent of creators such as yourself and Peter Loughran.

Keep up the good work buddy!

Peter Eggink

Thanks for the praise, Lee! I appreciate it.

Peter

Creating effects

Davetolomy

When inventing new magic how do you go about creating them? Is there a special way to do it or do effects just come to you?

Tom

Peter Eggink

Hi Tom,

It's kind of hard to explain but I'll try.

It usually starts with an effect that I would like to accomplish and then I try to find the best method I can. This can take a couple of days - but also months and sometimes even years.

Ideas for effects can come from older existing ideas and principles, but mostly they just pop up in my mind.

Thanks for your question, Tom!

Later,

Peter

Advice

McDermott

Hi Peter,

I think it's great you are taking the time to talk to us and I thank you very much.

However, if there was someone out there, (*wink wink, nudge nudge*) who was hoping to build their own tricks, what is the best piece (or pieces) of advice you could give them?
Once again, thank you Peter.

- Fin

Peter Eggink

If you want to create your own magic, first of all set your self a goal. This could be an effect or slight that you would like to establish. (Not too many, just one goal at the time.) Focus your mind only on your goal.

Once you have set you goal, set yourself a deadline; a date when you
want to have the method or solution for your desired effect.
Very important is that you should never want to rush this process. Allow yourself to think things over. (With this process, you will simply "program" your brain).

Don't give up if it doesn't work out the very first time. Try again and try again. Believe me, it really pays off. Every nut can be cracked.

The most important factor is that you'll have to believe.
Believe you can and you can

I hope this helps.

Success!

Peter

New effects?

Peter Loughran

Hi Peter, I was wondering what new effects you are thinking of bringing out in the future? Also have you thought about releasing any large-scale illusions?

Your friend,

Peter.

Peter Eggink

Hey Peter, Nice to see you again!

Here are some new effects who are scheduled to be released from December 2004 through may 2005:

- "Ace Oddity"
- "Touched By an Angel"
- "Ripped-Up"
- "Heatwave"
- "B-Sandwiched"

I do have ideas for large scale Illusions. (I believe that I have some rough drawings somewhere.)

Basically my mind is set on close-up magic, which is my "true love". Thereby, manufacturing of stage illusions can be a real issue. (I know you do a great job on manufacturing.)

But, as for me releasing large-scale illusions? Hmm, I'm not saying that it will never happen, but I don't have anything concrete planned for in the near future.

Maybe we can fuse our minds, and work on a project together someday.

Cheers, Mate!

Peter

Peter Loughran

Well it would be cool to see some of your ideas for stage be released! I will wait patiently my friend.

I was wondering though if you could give us any insight on the new effects you mentioned, if it doesn't spoil anything.

P.

Peter Eggink

No Problem, Peter.

Here are some brief descriptions:

"Ace Oddity" is my take on the four ace routine. The perfect ending for McDonalds Aces or just as a cool packet trick.

When the leader ace is placed facedown, the remaining aces turn magically facedown as well, one at the time. When they are turned face-up again all the pips are gone, leaving three blank cards! The leader ace is turned face-up, only to reveal that all the pips joined - the Ace of Spades!

"Touched by an Angel”: The angels on the back of a signed Bicycle card
visually become invisible, and re-appear!

"Ripped-Up" is a new "Flash Restoration" T&R card routine.

"Heatwave" allows you to "melt" the face image of a spectator's selection away!

"B-sandwiched" is my take on the classic "Sandwich" card plot.
The “wrong” card appears between two jokers. Visually and magically, the “wrong” card changes into the spectator’s signed selection! Seeing is (not) believing!

Cheers,

Peter

Daleshrimpton

Any non-card items?

Peter Eggink

I love card magic. That's the reason why I come up with a lot of card stuff. However, I do have some other non-card projects up my sleeve.

Peter

Hi Peter

Garethwitty

I think we once spoke on "Sleightgeek" a little while ago, I don’t know if you have spoken to da5id, but the site has now been hacked twice and has been closed down for good. But back to the question:

What direction do you see magic in going in? I know we have seen a surge of TV programs like T.H.E.M and Monkey Magic appear but these seem to be knocked around on several forums. I would like to know your thoughts.

Peter Eggink

Hi Gareth,

Yes, we did spoke before on Sleightgeek. I know the site was hacked, but again? It's a shame.

Copperfield, David Blaine, Darren Brown, T.H.E.M and even our friend Valentino (aka the Masked magician) all contributed on their way to our little community and definitely helped making the art of magic more popular then ever before.

Personally I think magic stays "alive" this way, and even becomes "younger". I guess we'll have to wait and wonder in which direction it is exactly going to

Peter

Garethwitty

Very true, it’s kind of funny but, with all the current trends in the films, television and even computer games, a lot of people still like to see live performances by magicians, something which technology cannot beat.

But what about technology in magic?

Peter Eggink

Technology is a great powerful "tool" in magic, especially for large stage productions. They simply can't run without it.

As for technology in platform and close-up magic, I do prefer to create miracles with my own hands though, but sometimes you don't have a choice. Thanks to technology we are almost able to perform some "real" magic. Yes, I use it too.

Peter

Garethwitty

I am now starting use more slight of hand than gimmicks but I still love to use them. I would also like to know what you think of the Black Tiger decks, some seem to love them (me included) and other seem to have a great hate for them. I have noticed those who don’t like Ellusionist, don’t like anything they do. I do like Brad Christian and have several of his DVDs.

Peter Eggink

The Black Tiger decks look great, but personally I would never use them
in real life performances, because they have a kind of "suspicious" look. That's not what you want your spectators to think. Just my opinion though.

I'm not that familiar with Ellusionist, but from what I've heard Brad does a great job on teaching.

Peter

Sinogeek

Hi Peter!

Let me say that I am really enjoying reading the various questions and your responses.

As for Black Tigers looking 'suspicious', this has been echoed a hundred times over, but what do you think of reversing the psychology and using it to your advantage?

For example I like to use them for some small packet effects that are almost sleight free, tell the spectators that I bought these in a magic shop and that they are by no means ordinary cards.

One of my favourites is "Follow me" by Ron Fredrick. Here the spectator’s selection always turns face up in their own hands with no sleights at all!
Afterwards however, they can examine the cards and still spend a long time wondering just how they are gimmicked when actually there is none.

So, if the suspicion is there, justify it in reverse and keep them guessing.

Good luck with your new effects.

Terry.

Peter Eggink

Hi Terry, thanks for dropping a line!

I'm positive that you can take advantage of their "suspicious" look, and make it work somehow. No doubt about that. Personally I would not use them in general, I guess it's a personal thing though.

Best,

Peter

Garethwitty

What cards do you use Peter? Just being curious?

Peter Eggink

Gareth,

I prefer regular Bikes or Aviators.

Peter

Garethwitty

I like Bikes the best then black backed bikes (which feel like Bees but have the Bike design) and the normal Bees, then the old Tiger decks, which after six months of use still fan and feel like new.

Cheers dude