The first thing you notice about Mike Miller is that he is normal. He looks like someone you’d meet either in a magic shop, at a convention, in the mall, or at any get-together. The second thing you notice, is that he is a funny, charming guy. His wit is sometimes subtle, never degrading or blue. He seems genuinely interested in entertaining and even more interested in entertaining with novel and commercial effects.The theme of the lecture was basically, “Giving the Old Tricks New Life.” He began with his version of Tenyo’s “What’s Next?” entitled “What’s Left?” If you are familiar with the Tenyo trick (also marketed by Fun, Inc. under the title “Dubious Dominos”), you know that the punch ending is when you show that the card has gone from having one spot on the first side, four on the other, three on the first side, six on the other and finally a pay-off with eight spots on the second side. Mike takes that one step further. He turns the card over one more time and the three spots on the first side are gone and then slowly turns to the back side of the card to demonstrate that all of the spots are gone and he is left with just a white card.
Mike and “Al the Only”
It is clear this is not some theoretical trick assembled to fool magicians. This is a commercial effect designed for real, working performers. Mike took the time to explain how to make the effect and then demonstrated it again. This was when I realized we were in for a great lecture. I was one-for-one on material I could actually use. Often I attend lectures and watch the beautiful moves but realize that even after I buy the $50.00 of lecture notes, gimmicks and effects, none will crawl from my magic drawer to my suitcase table. (That doesn’t keep me from buying them though. I’m seeing a professional counselor about this).He followed with a close-up card trick where a spectator correctly stops the magician at the location of all four aces. This trick passed the ultimate test. I performed it for my wife after I returned home. She watched carefully and at the end said with a smile, “hey, that’s a pretty good trick!” My poor wife has selected so many cards in her life that for her to even comment on the effect, indicates it has risen to the level of near miracle. Mike then gave us a very entertaining method of introducing the linking ropes. The style sort of reminded me of something Billy McComb would use. He produced a single piece of rope, and said that if he were to cut it in the center, it would be essentially two halves. He put the rope back into his pocket and pulled two pieces from his other pocket. He then explained that if he was magic, he could make the two pieces join with a magic knot. He put the rope away into another pocket and from a third pocket, he produced a piece of rope with a false knot attached. He didn’t act as if this was a trick but at the same time, he did give the impression that… Continue reading Mike Miller Lecture – A Humble Review
The federal civil court jury of five women and three men ruled in favor of Copperfield’s insurer and awarded the Master Magician nothing. The insurer argued on Monday that “this was a business dispute that the Copperfield organization attempted to portray in exaggerated and overly dramatic terms.” Copperfield’s attorneys countered that the magician was forced to pay what amounted to extortion to recover approximately $4,000,000.00 worth of props and effects. The Russian company, Ris LisS was allegedly working on Copperfield’s behalf to help set up show dates in Russia. Following the final show in Moscow, Copperfield alleged the company seized the papers he needed to get the effects and props out of Russia and to continue his international tour. Both sides agreed that the company, Ris LisS had ties to the Russian Mafia. Copperfield’s lawyer informed the presiding U.S. District Judge, Howard McKibben, that the magician would likely appeal the verdict.In closing arguments, Copperfield’s lawyer described a tense month after Copperfield’s final Russian show in Moscow in December 1999. Ris LisS seized essential shipping documents and threatened to destroy $4 million worth Copperfield’s show equipment unless Copperfield paid $250,000. Copperfield spent $256,343 on individuals with knowledge of the inner-workings of the Russian underworld to free the props including a former CIA operative and an ex-general in the KGB Soviet secret service. The jury spent six hours in deliberations on Tuesday.According to the jury foreperson, Geri Luna, the jury was most concerned with the documents in the case including letters, contracts and other materials. Firemen’s Fund alleged these documents demonstrated Copperfield was actually a business partner with Ris LisS. The insurer claimed the relationship between Copperfield and the shadowy Ris LisS went sour; resulting in the seizure of the documents.Copperfield was in not present for the verdict. He testified last week but is currently performing in Dayton, Ohio. Continue reading Copperfield Loses Trial Against Insurer for Russian Mafia Theft
Because David is a resident of Nevada and his business, David Copperfield Disappearing, Inc. is also based in Nevada, the case against Fireman’s Fund of California was brought in Federal Court in Nevada. Both sides presented their closing arguments to the jury and the deliberations were expected to start today (Tuesday). Copperfield claims that he spent $500,000.00 to a company linked to the Russian Mafia in an attempt to retrieve his equipment and that under the terms of his insurance policy, Fireman’s Fund should reimburse him for the costs. Obviously, Fireman’s Fund saw it differently. The insurer claimed that Copperfield was actually an estranged business partner with the Russian company. The insurer’s attorney argued that Copperfield hired the Russian company, called Ris LisS, was to manage and promote part of Copperfield’s international tour. Copperfield’s lawyer told the jury that Copperfield paid Ris LisS $250,000.00 to get documents to allow him to ship more than $4,000,000.00 worth of his props out of Russia. She argued that Ris LisS was a “powerful organization with strong criminal and strong political ties” in Russia. As Copperfield finished his last show on the Russian Tour, Ris LisS took the documents and extorted money from the Master Magician by threatening to destroy his equipment. Fireman’s Fund saw it differentlyThe insurer claimed Ris LisS and Copperfield’s relationship fell apart when the company was forced to pay $150,000.00 before Copperfield would appear in Moscow. The insurance company claimed that when they asked about information or files related to the case, Copperfield’s aides refused to give the material. Fireman’s Fund denied Copperfield’s claim of over $500,000.00 spent to retrieve the props because the policy did not cover losses resulting from “seizure or destruction of property by orders of a governmental authority.” Copperfield, on the other hand, claimed a breach of the insurance contract and the duty to handle the claim in good faith. On Copperfield’s website, www.davidcopperfield.com, he provided this question and answer in the “Rumors” section:Q: Is it true that the Russian Mob held your equipment hostage?A: The Russian people are great. But when they got rid of the Commies, they brought in the Sopranos. I can’t deny reports about my equipment being held hostage, but I won’t comment on them either. I don’t want to wind up in a box next to Lenin. You figure out the rest. Continue reading David Copperfield Goes to Trial in Nevada
Each month the magazine features a former or current Pittsburgh, Pennsylvaniaresident with unique accomplishments in one of their most memorable city spots.This month they chose Michael, who, although only 25, has spent the past twenty years striving to break new ground in the world of illusion.
The space itself even has a bit of magic to it – magically transforming from the family garage to a rehearsal area complete with mirrors and historical store room.
Growing up in Pittsburgh, Michael spent every waking moment in this area studying, rehearsing, and designing new illusions for his shows ranging from small sleight of hand effects to large scale illusions such as an appearing motorcycle and ?The Tower of Flaming Spikes?, which led to his appearance on NBC?s ?The World?s Most Dangerous Magic II? television special.As a matter of fact, it was in this area that Michael and his crew had a sudden 11:30pm meeting when they first found out they were accepted onto the NBC show.
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