Huw: Which are your any favourite magic books, Tora?

Tora: This is hard question, I usually love all my books but let me make a summary: * Willane's Complete methods of Miracles * Amateur magician's hand book by Henry Hay * Encyclopedia of card magic by Gibson * Card College by Giobbi * Royal road to Card Magic * Now you see, Now you don't by bill Tarr * Great Illusions of Magic by Wells * Practical mental magic by Anneman *13 Steps to Mentalism by Corinda * Encyclopedia of suspensions and levitations are the books always under my hand. But I like all the books of magic. At least I feel respect. P.S. Drew's book is also very nice let me recommend it if you please.

Sean: Huw raised this question a while ago in the Mentalism forum and I thought it was a very good and thought provoking question but as yet have been unable to come up with an answer. Is there anything you can add?

Tora: You have already listed what is present, I may only add pseudo-fortune telling, which you may also include in predictions. O great job is done with that thread. Well done.

Kevin: Not your favourite magician as such....... But do you have a role-model in magic? If so, who is he/she? (lets not be sexist here) Thanks again Tora.

Tora: Scott, I am so sorry but your question is the "not applicable" type. I do not have hero to be like that in front of me. I just want to be a model. I believe that I should be completely original. So you should.

Cathal: Hi Tora! Thanks for being so kind and agreeing to take part in this. Anyway my question is quite simply about performing experience. You said that you started performing at a young age, how did you go about getting gigs? What advice would you give to someone who wants to gain more performing experience?

Tora: Dear Cathal, First of all the number of performances are very important. Do magic in any occasion you have. If your friend has a birthday, do not buy him a present. Give him a special thing nobody else can give: a magic show!!! And the ones you see will book you if they like it. It is also a publicity. Not me but Let me tell you what I have done to my students this summer. You all know that we have done an International Magic Festival. I have arranged a program for 10 students to perform 3 shows a night plus two shows for the gala nights. That was more than 50 shows in 16 days. It was a really good experience. I wish I had the chance to call you for such a series of programs in The International Izmir fair ,in which the festival was also included. Plus nearly 3 million people -not an exaggeration- visit the fair. It really makes fame and TV stations also ask for a program. So to speak perform in any opportunity you find. Tell everybody that you are a magician, otherwise they might not know about it. There is a proverb about it "I have brought my harp with me but nobody had asked me to play it" DO make stress on that you are a magician. Best wishes.

Cathal: Thanks Tora. Much appreciated.

Cathal: Hi again! I was wondering if you do any card magic in your performances? If so what do you think are the essential sleights for good card magic?

Tora: Dear Cathal, it seems that you have made a good research about me. Up to three years ago I used to use too much card routines in my show. Then I had an accident in m0y right hand, I still can not use my right hand perfectly but it works: Now Since I do mental magic with cards my hand to be soooo casual. For this reason I only do flourishes for my students to teach them the technique. For example I do not use fan production of the cards anymore but my student Alakazaam learned it well. When you perform mental magic and do a mind reading trick with cards the others say" oHHH ? know him he is pretty good at cards, he can easily locate or force a card". For his reason I do manipulation but not flourishes anymore. For me you have to: *make one count well either Elmsley, buckle, rumba etc-preferredly all. *you have to make a double lift *you have to get an invisible break *do at least one method of false shuffle *force a card with several methods *have to do card control * and make a glimpse. These are not enough but if you do these you will learn the others easily.  Before you ask for it, the finest resources I can recommend: *The Card College series by Giobbi 4 volumes *Jeff Mcbride's video series " The art of card manipulation" is more than enough for a logical beginning. Ohhh of course you also need a poker size deck of cards..

Cathal: Hi again!!!!! Sorry for all the questions but I think such a great opportunity to get advice from a pro shouldn't be missed so that’s my excuse. ;) Anyway, what do you think of David Blaine? There has been lots of controversy over this performer, some think he has done nothing for magic for others he's the greatest magician of all time. What are your personal opinions on him?

Tora: Dear Cathal, I do not want to enter a debate which has no use for me. With a sinngle line I consider him as a good showman but not a magician. That is all my comment.

Huw: Provocative and diplomatic in a single line! Bravo!If you ever give up magic, Tora, you may think about going into politics!

Tora: Thanks Huw, although my intention was not like that, you have taken it in that way. If everybody would think in the same way, would you consider any innovation could be achieved ? Best wishes for you.

Tigerdriver: Hi Tora, You have been performing for a very long time. I was wondering what you consider to be the most important element in magic performance. A lot of people say that it is the ability to entertain. I believe that it is the ability to mystify. Look forward to reading your reply. Best wishes Keep the magic pure.

Tora: My friend I consider myself as a "magic entertainer" which is self explanatory. But not purely one nor the other. The tricks do the "mystify" but the entertainment part remain to the artist. It will be your style which will determine the ratio of the mystification/entertainment. Not one not the other.

Oatherton: Hey Tora You say you were 'born a magician'... and that the fabulous Salvano has been an influence for you .... but what is the FIRST piece of magic you ever learned...... and what was the first piece of magic that you remember seeing as a kid, which perhaps got you into magic Regards

Tora: My friend would you believe that I do not remember it.  Because I am doing magic since I can remember. I do not remember who taught me that either. Probably it was a card trick. Because there is a pack of cards in every home. So sorry that I could not answer properly.

Oatherton: Wow That is pretty amazing though Tora.... to have learned SO early on in your life that you cannot remember... You truly were born doing magic!!

Tora: Maybe I may help in this way. The first trick I teach my students is that you put 21 cards in 3 columns that is 7 in each and have spectator select it mentally, and tell you that in which row is your card located. This is repeated for three times and at the third you can easily tell which card it is. This is the first trick I teach it is self working and strong.

Sean:

As you are aware from your own accident, accidents do happen in Magic. Whether it be a physical accident such as a broken finger or hand, etc, or an accident with props such as losing a spectators ring etc, they happen to us all. Therefore, what emphasis would you put on insurance? Do you have it? Do you think it is very important? How would advise people going about getting it?

Tora: Sean As far as I know ther is no such insurance type exists. Only you may have a health insurance in general,it only pays your cure.That's all. If one day any ofthe companies may do such an insurance policy, it would be nice for the magicians. For now, we can only pray for not having an accident.

Magic Chief Thomas: Hi Tora how are you doing, Fine I hope. I am just starting out in magic, what advice or tips could you give to a beginner just starting out? I got the bug after reading Paul Daniels Autobiography. Best Regards Take Care mate and Happy Magic

Tora: I am so sorry for you for getting the bug. It has no cure :lol: In Turkish we have a proverb saying "Making decision for beginning is the half of the job" I have given so many tips elsewhere on the thread so I do not want to repeat myself. I will just add a fine tuning, that is all. :D * Find a mentor if you can,learning from a real man is better. * Make toooooo maaaaany rehearsals. *practice *practice * practice and finally: never give up.