It's been a hectic week for me, super busy with my design project. Finally had my submission and presentation done yesterday, and finally had time to do a quick rehearsal of my audition routine.

Good thing the audition went ok for me, though i suddenly forgot my patter for the first 30secs. Wasn't that bad. I had to save my two final loads/climax for next time (if there's a next time) due to problems with the table settings and also shortage of time.

All in all, it was a good experience, and best of all, I got to meet up with some dudes which I have not met for a long time. Had a good chat with people like Jason, Roland, Nick and Farid. Haha.

Wishing everyone the best!

On another note, great job to the organisers! Everything was professionally done! The most professional competition I've taken part in so far, unlike the two Magic Unlimited series that I've taken part in the past 2yrs.

Omg UNDERGROUND!!!

WE TOOK AN AUDITION IN A BOMB SHELTER!!!
That was the coolest thing of all i guessed


I bet all of us had fun, winning or losing dosen matter, its the experience gained. But of course, who wants to lose right?

Good luck for the results!!

Thanks for your feedback and vote of confidence AliShufi. It's good to know that the hard work put into the event has paid off and you guys had a good time.

The pre-audition work was indeed tiring and tedious - the mods had many meetings (and arguments, quarrels, fights - I'm still recovering from the black eye that Axl gave me) over the past couple of weeks. We tried to do everything we could to ensure that the audition would run smoothly and everyone who came would be comfortable - well, as comfortable as they could be in spite of the nerves and all.

We had discussions - actually arguments - over everything from ticketing ideas to poster design to seating arrangements... well - you get the idea. But we survived.

We arrived bright and early to set up the audition venue. Many thanks to Danny and Ulu Pandan CC for their unconditional support - this event was only possible because of them. We arrived at the underground bunker ready to rock. Tables were setup, chairs were moved. Tables were re-positioned (no thanks to me for changing my mind half a dozen times... hahaha... so sorry to Jerome, Axl and Gordon - they worked really really hard). Thanks to Danny and the Mods with Muscles, we had everything in place just in time to catch an early lunch.

Uncle Bob joined us for lunch at the right time! :o) The heavens were raining showers of blessing upon us - the sky was pouring buckets of water upon us. Personally I was really worried that the rain would hold everyone up and things would go terribly wrong. Fortunately, in spite of the raging torrents, all the contestants turned up on time (almost all) and there were no defaulters. :)

With all the arrangements in place, the Mods rushed off to Ghim Moh market for a quick meal of Johnson Duck (on Mr SMC's account of course). Our spirits were really high as we were looking forward to meeting the guest Judge, whom Danny promised us would be a real gorgeous babe. :P Mr SMC himself was only talked into the judging because he was convinced that the guest judge would be a 'chio-bu'. heh heh just kidding of course - he would've done it because this competition was so important to everyone.

As an aside: The guest judge - Pei Ling - was indeed a really sweet lady. She was truly a dear to sit through the entire day with us. Lots of thanks for sticking it through with us Pei Ling, we really really appreciate it!

Info for the uninitiated:

The auditions were broken into 4 groups. Each group would consist of several contestants. The arrangement is to ensure that waiting time is reduced to a minimal. This also allows our judges to get a break between each group - stretch their legs, perform 'warning', grab a drink, etc. The whole event takes place in an underground Bomb Shelter - yes, you heard right: an underground Bomb Shelter!

Registration was at the entrance, where you see Moon Jun busy cutting up the tickets Jerome had printed.

The passage into the shelter acts as the waiting area, where a table with a close up pad is set up for the contestants to practice.

The main audition area is a huge expanse of space where a video camera and the judging tables are set up. A similar table with a closeup pad is set up for the contestants to perform.

It was truly an amazing experience for everyone... :) Check out the photos that follow this post!


The judges took a long time deliberating at the end of the day - everyone was really good and a surprisingly HIGH standard of magic was demonstrated by all the contestants. All the best to everyone!

We packed up everything at the end of the day (about 1830hrs) and headed out for a meal at Holland Village - thanks again to to Mr SMC for another great meal!

SHADE

Special mention and thanks go to the following people without whom this event simply cannot happen:

1) Danny Tan, Pei Ling & Ulu Pandan CC - you guys've been GREAT. It's simply amazing working with you!

2) Moon Jun, Delvin (DevilCradle), Sufi (SUFi) - Appreciate your time and effort helping out throughout this event!

3) Mods - Jerome, Gordon, Axl, Adrian - always a pleasure; with you guys around, anything is possible!

4) Uncle Bob and Aloysius - judging is tough: you fellas simply ROCK.

Registration counter - Axl and Moon Jun hard at work cutting tickets while Adrian looks on... :lol:
Registration photo

Practice Area along the passageway of the Bomb Shelter
Practice Area photo

Audition Area - Jerome making last minute preparations
Audition Area Photo 1

Audition Area - Another angle
Audition Area Photo 2