Video Chat Magic (Book)

In the wake of one of the most dramatic transformations magic has ever experienced, many of magic's most respected minds banded together to develop the most comprehensive and thought-provoking collection of virtual magic tricks, concepts, essays and tech solutions ever created.

This idea first began in March 2020 when Steve Thompson and Will Houstoun set out to find ways to leverage the unique opportunities and advantages provided by the then-new virtual magic space. They did not want to simply take old magic tricks and force them into a virtual environment. Instead, with help from some of the biggest names in magic and mentalism, they spent 6 months producing and growing a subscriber-only online resource known as "Video Chat Magic".

At the time, they weren't sure what to expect. But, over the course of that half-year stretch, "Video Chat Magic" evolved into the ultimate virtual magic resource. It grew monthly in scope, acclaim and membership-and even raised over $35,000 for charity.

Now, partnering with Vanishing Inc., Steve and Will are thrilled to make this revolutionary material available to magicians around the world. All of the content from this online program has been carefully curated and organized into a stunning hardcover book that takes you on a remarkable journey from the earliest discoveries through cutting-edge developments and captivating conclusions.

"Video Chat Magic" is designed to shatter your preconceptions about virtual magic. If you're reluctant to jump into virtual magic, this book will inspire you. If you're ready to take, or already have taken, the leap into virtual magic, this book will show you how to progress your offerings in a way that allows you to make deep connections with your audience through a screen.

Included in "Video Chat Magic" are more than 50 tricks, tools, techniques, essays and pieces of technology from magicians such as Jim Steinmeyer, Max Maven, Marc Kerstein, Adrian Lacroix, Richard Wiseman and a variety of other special guests. Larry Fong, the world-class cinematographer behind blockbuster movies such as Batman vs Superman, Watchmen, and Kong: Skull Island, even shared expert tips on lighting and cameras for virtual shows as part of a special series.

You'll learn how to do impossibly clean predictions, make objects appear in your spectator's hands, bend time and so much more, including 25 ideas for VideoMasker alone (a universal version of MagicMask developed by Marc Kerstein and Seth Raphael that is included with your purchase). Most importantly though, you'll uncover the secrets to providing your spectators with a truly meaningful and unforgettable experience.

As a special bonus, Pete McCabe, the professional script writer and author of the revered "Scripting Magic" books, also teamed up with Paul Draper to present a virtual magic addendum to his beloved texts called "Scripting Magic 2.1".

All of this is packed into a gorgeous 350-page full-color book, which includes a special QR code-driven virtual experience that allows you to watch videos and access a variety of tools, prop printouts, software solutions and other templates.

It's clear that virtual magic is no longer a temporary solution, but rather a new performance space that will continue to evolve as time goes on. "Video Chat Magic" is guaranteed to open up your mind to these possibilities and help you take advantage of them to become a more well-rounded magician.

353 Pages | Full Color | Hardback or ebook

Contents of "Video Chat Magic"

• Foreword by Richard Wiseman
• Introduction and Welcome
• About this Book

Chapter 1: Foundations

• Video Chat Magic: Our Approach
• Are You a Prioritisationalist?
• The Folly of the Crowd
• The Return of the Prioritisationalist

Chapter 2: Tricks

• That’s Not Remotely Possible
• The Messy Spread
• Jackpot M&Ms
• Stop!
• Videoport
• Audio Deceptions

Chapter 3: Masking Software

• Introducing VideoMasker
• Setting Up VideoMasker
• The VideoMasker Preview Tool
• VideoMasker Prediction Effects and Ideas
• VideoMasker Non-Prediction Effects
• VideoMasker Effects that Push the Boundaries.

Intermission

• I Felt Like a Rant

Chapter 4: Mentalism

• Harry’s Switch
• The Zoom Switch
• Zoomifying Max Maven’s Four Sided Triangle
• Wishing and Making it So... Online
• The Case of the Least Suspected Suspect: A “Whodunnit” for Video Chat Magic
• Retail Therapy
• The Participative Princess
• Mentalism: The Breakout Room

Chapter 5: Time Manipulation

• TimeShifter
• The Tomato Who Knows
• The Sympathetic Coins
• Remote Control
• Time Manipulation: The Breakout Room

Chapter 6: Interactive Effects

• Interactive Television Tricks
• A Toxic Hess
• Letting Go of Tricks in Favour of Experiences
• Full Spectrum Magic
• The Humans Went in Three by Three
• Finding Your Better Half
• The One Great Deceit

Chapter 7: Essays

• A Quirky Approach to Magic
• Dealing with Applause, or the Lack Thereof
• Creating Promo Videos From Your Zoom Shows
• A Livestream Pathway
• Discovering Virtual Magic
• Before the Zoom Rush: Examples of Theatrical Interactions Before Video Chat
• Siegfried’s Pyramid of Priorities

Chapter 8: Interviews

• Larry Fong
• Pete McCabe
• Scripting Magic 2.1: 22 Questions and One Interview

Epilogue

• Afterword
• Authors
• Contributors
• Effective Giving: The Real Magic