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Stevens Magic is excited to announce a
partnership with Thomas Blacke, the President of The
International Association of Escape Artist.
Thomas is also the editor of “Escape Masters Magazine,”
which is published quarterly and mailed all over the world.
We would like to welcome Thomas Blacke to our family of GeMiNi
(Greater Magic Network) contributors and other SME columnist.
We invite you to check out Thomas’s website where you can
subscribe to this entertaining magazine.
This interview was recently featured in one of the editions of “Escape
Master’s Magazine.”
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Thomas Blacke – Author and
President of The International Association of Escape Masters. |
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The
Jim Steinmeyer Interview
(authorized
for Stevens Magic, and GeMiNi – The Greater Magic Network, by Thomas
Blacke)
Jim
Steinmeyer has created many illusions for top magicians including Doug
Henning, Lance Burton, David Copperfield, Siegfried & Roy, Harry
Blackstone, Jr, and many others. His illusions include "The
Magic Elevator", "The Origami Box", "The Pole
Levitation", and many others. Jim's creative talents have been
used on television shows such as "Blacke's Magic", and
"Magic in the Magic Kingdom", and he served as co- producer
of both "Learned Pigs" and "Fireproof Women" for
Ricky Jay on CBS, and "The Secret Cabaret" for Channel 4 in
Great Britain. He also has been a Concept Designer for Walt Disney
Imagineering, since 1987, and was a founder of the Los Angeles
Conference on Magic History, that occurs every two years. Jim’s latest
book "Hiding the Elephant" continues to be very popular with
magicians and lay people alike, and is available, along with some of
his other books, and effects, at www.jimsteinmeyer.com
Q:
How did it all begin for you?
A: I was born in Chicago in 1958. My interest in
magic began with my brother, Harry, who was interested in magic, and
had bought many magic tricks in Oak Park, IL. When we moved
away, Harry lost interest, and I discovered his collection of magic.
Q: What got you started in building and creating
illusions?
A: When I was in college at Loyola University, I sent
some material to Doug Henning. He called me, we met, and that
began a long association with him, and his show.
Q: What inspires you to create, or
build illusions?
A: I have not built an illusion in 25 years. I
create the concepts, designs and drawings, and let others build the
illusions. I am also very interested in magic history.
Illusions were changing in the 60's and 70's. These different
illusions were being created, and influenced by interesting people.
Q: Did you have a mentor, or someone you credit you
success to?
A: Not especially, not one person. I enjoy
working with great performers with material that compliment their
shows. When we were children, my brother worked with me on
scripting my tricks. Jay & Frances Marshall from Magic,
Inc., John Gaughn, Alan Wakeling, Bill Smith, and Doug Henning have
all played important roles in my success.
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Q:
Much of what you do requires a great deal of mathematical and
mechanical ability, creative thinking, along with analytical
processing. What would you say challenges you the most?
A: I wish I had a better sense of mechanics. I've
had to come up with formulas for some tricky elements
- like the way certain trap doors are hinged - but I always feel that
it would be easier if I had more mechanical skills.
Q: What
words of wisdom would you give to our readers about performing an
escape?
A: In terms of presenting an escape, I think it should
have the same plot points as an illusion. For example, the
audience should always have something to look at, and be able to
follow along and be surprised at the end. Sometimes illusions or
escapes are so well tuned and staged that it comes across as
"scripted" to the audience, which is a bad thing. On
occasion, we have had music intentionally run out to give the audience
the impression that something has gone wrong, when in fact, it was
part of their surprise.
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