Magic Sam X: Hello Mr. Vincent.

Who were the Magicians who influenced you when first starting out in Magic and Who now still inspires you?

Michael Vincent: Hello Sam X

Your question brings back a lot of memories for me, because I came into magic at the tail end of a golden era. My earliest influences were David Nixon and Doug Henning. They were two wonderful magicians who were great role models. they taught me how to perform magic with class and with an air of wonder.

Doug Henning for me captured the essence of magic with wonder and enchatment. Watch his old shows and you will see that Doug's spirit and joy came through in everything he did.

I learnt a lot of my magic through books. I bought most of my books from Ken Brooke who had a shop in Wardor Street. The first magician to teach me anything technical was the Clown Jake Evans who worked at Davenports opposite The British Museum. Jake taught me the De'courcey One Hand Riffle Shuffle.

From there I went to Alan Alan shop and he became my coach and mentor. Alan introduced me to Patrick Page, Bobby Bernard and the movie director Cy Endfield.

Cy Endfield became my first mentor in card magic and he was a brilliant technician and performer.

I met and studied magic with Harry Lorayne, Derek Dingle, Ken Krenzel, Paul Harris, and my greatest inspiration was and still is Tony Slydini. Slydini impressed upon the art of being deceptive. Michael Skinner, Larry Jennings and Edward Marlo inspired me with their particular approach to magic.

My inspirations today are Darwin Ortiz, Ricky Jay, Rene Lavand, Tommy Wonder, John Carney, Babel who is from France. Bill Malone, Simon Aronson and David Solomon.

If we look at magicians who existed before my birth then I am greatly inspired by the work of Robert Houdin, Hofzinser, Erdnase, Nate Leipzig, Max Malini, Paul Rosini.

We all stand on the shoulders of giants.

Darren: Michael, if I could raise two questions, one on practice, any tips and advice and how many hours do you now practice?

And secondly do you ever make mistakes when performing? There was a discussion here some time ago about “outs” and a comment was made that if you were good enough you should never make mistakes.

Michael Vincent: When I was much younger I spent a lot of time practicing. During school breaks, in the play ground. I sacrificed a lot of my time to magic. I learnt a great secret from my teacher and mentor Alan Alan, before you start to practice, learn the right way to do it other wise you will become expert at doing it badly. Breaking bad habits in Card Magic is murder.

Part of my practice is to research all the available methods and handlings for any given routine. This means actually learning what is required and then using that new found knowledge to develop my own interpretation.

Today I spend as much time as is needed to perfect a new routine. I also focus on one thing at a time. I learn one to the exclusion of anything else.

One more thing, I ways have a lose deck in my jacket pocket when I leave the house. So no matter where I am I can do my exercises, like the Pass, Double Lifts etc and Side Steals.

When it come to making mistakes, yes I screw up just like everyone else.

This could be due to a number of factors. Performing conditions, disruptive audiences, and my own emotional state at the time, fatigue etc.

The most important thing is to act as if that is what you intended to happen. Harry Lorayne taught me this. Acting natural at this point will disarm the audience while you think quickly to salvage your mistake.

Nobody is perfect, we all make mistakes, how you handle them is more important.

Darren: Thanks Michael, makes me feel better as I did not have my best night last night and was beating myself up over it, do you think you will ever be as good as you think you can be?

Michael Vincent: I think I am pretty good now.

I don't think in terms of when. I celebrate my talent now and still strive to improve and perfect things. I have recently perfected a new Cups and Balls routine and having a lot joy performing it. This is a trick I started working on twenty years ago and even now I still get excited developing it and trying new ways to make it more deceptive.

You can see a performance of this routine on my new video. Check it out at my website http://www.magicofmagic.com/magiciansonly

Michael (Sybilmagic): Hi Michael.
I recently attended the Blackpool convention I am sure you will remember myself and my brother, all I need say is the 'Video Incident'.

While watching you in Blackpool I was trying to remember where I had seen you before. During the lecture I had images of Jingle Jangle and an aroma of cigars. AHHH Jimmy Saville I remember seeing you with a women who wished to learn a card trick.

You took her backstage and then brought her out onto the set to perform a trick for the audience.

Okay onto the questions:-
What was the trick that you taught her?
What type of effects do you feel play well on television (cards based)?
How do you deal with nerves during any of your performances?

Okay, okay!  That’s enough questions, Those who have not yet seen Michael you are in for a treat, the words that come to mind are smooth, emotionally engaging and overall a joy to watch!!

Michael Vincent: You have a good memory.

That show was Jim'll Fix it. I was invited on the show to teach a lady called Betty White how to shuffle cards. She was a member of a Bridge Club. She couldn't shuffle to save her life. She had the smallest hands I have ever seen. So I taught her the Hindu style of Shuffle which she did very well.

As for tricks that work well on TV. Card Magic has a problem becuase it takes the camera away from your face. Once you start working on the table, the camera shoots just your hands. The best tricks that work well are those which keep your face on camera at all times.

I personally don't get nervous, but I am always apprehensive. There is a difference.

Nervousness = an insecurity in one self

Apprehension = a fear of the unknown.

You have got to be technically confident. There is no point in going before an audience if you are not 100% prepared. Experience will do the rest providing you honestly evaluate each and every show you do. Work and improve the areas which require your attention.

Shaun Robinson: "You can misdirect people but you cannot misdirect a camera" - Harry Lorrayne, springs to mind. That’s what I liked about Stuff the White Rabbit, when Jerry was performing there was a mix of close ups and full views, the close ups where generally when the heat was off.

Michael Vincent: Whenever I appear on television, I make sure that the method for any given trick can withstand the scrutiny of the camera and eventual video playback. In some case, the method will be a little more unorthodox but at least it helps to preserve the secret from the slow motion play back.

Michael (Sybilmagic): Thanks Michael

Did you ever appear on the Paul Daniels Show?

Although I do not remember a particular circumstance it would not surprise me.

Michael Vincent: I appeared on the Paul Daniles show in 1992 and on his show Secrets in 1997/98.

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