Saw a booth at the World Book Fair today where a china guy was selling magic props and instructional dvds (made by him).

The main items on sale were actually gimmicked decks like Svengali, Stripper etc... but with his own packaging. The names (of the decks) were written on the box in Chinese, and an image of Mark Wilson was printed on it too.

Next, he showed me the dvds which was selling for $20 a piece. I asked him to demonstrate some effects inside and he proceeded to show me an Ambitious Card effect using only 3 cards, which wasn't really badly done but rather sloppily presented. It was as if he was in a rush to finish the whole thing. I asked if there were other "higher-level" effects (just want to see his standard) and guess what, he showed me some Harry Lorayne's videos, telling me it was done by an "American Master", selling for only $15.

I asked why the "American videos" were cheaper. He told me, with a straight face, that the Lorayne's videos were pirated. Hmm..

Anyway, I took up a deck of bikes (original), enquired about the price, and it was $10!!!! I played with it for a while, and he asked me if I had learned magic before, because he realized my handling was quite "smooth" (hmm.. tempted to tell him I was actually voted the best magician in s'pore, but I must remain humble :P ). I repiled yes and from that point onwards, he became uninterested in serving me.

Of course, he had no lack of customers, many were sold on his $80 magic set, consisted of his videos, gimmicked decks and some other stuff. I just feel quite sad for the people who bought, I mean, those were such low quality stuff and the effects, in my opinion, was really... pathetic. I recalled he told a customer that "even a moron can do great magic after watching his videos." Yah right... with the kind of teaching inside, I'm sure we will just have more educated (in magic) and disillusioned hecklers around.

But... I am just curious:
- Does anybody own the patent for svengali or stripper? Is it an infringement to self-produce such decks?

- Is using the image of other magicians (Mark Wilson) also an infringement?

China again. I'm rather pissed off by the increasing number of PRCs in this country and now even in the magic community.

No point charging them for infringement or piracy. They will just continue producing it. They have no sense of shame anyway. A year ago, I was introduced to a similar 'Made in China' brand, (Andy Magic). It's similar to what you see in the Book Fair, cheap decks, cheap gimmicks, cheap videos.

One year later, I saw this Andy guy performing on a Taiwan variety show.

What is the world coming to? The person who is ripping off from other established magicians gets to go on TV.

Thanks to technology and the re-engineering ability of China,

Magic is dying.

I saw a similar stall at last year's suntec book fair too. I think it's the same person/ owner. As i remember, he was selling gimmicked bridge sized svengalis and other props like plastic okito box (very low quality) and some other magic all-in-one packages. He also sells a video of himself teaching linking rings. Quality of the video is so so.....well you can't expect much from China

I think it will be very unfair to judge China or China people on such a whole even though they are quite known for piracy and stuffs. I am sure that are also Magicians in China that respect and the art and behave ethically.

I've lost a gig at Singapore Flyer due to an unknown chinaman underquoting me like shit. The management told me a chinaman offering them a very low price. Crazy man these people.

True but unfortunately in this society, its the ugliest thing that evaluates a person or in this context, the country. Sad, but too bad.

Ooh crap. That's shitty. Well, the people just gotta understand: you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.

I'm quite sure this China guy is the same guy i have been seeing around for a LOOOONG while. In fact, i saw him two years ago. He even sells pirated bicycles. :( There was once i saw him, he exposed some stuff because of some stupid slip-up.

I didn't know better long time ago back then, i actually had Andy Magic stuff (it is higher quality rip-off compared to the China Guy) when i began magic. I threw away all those that i bought.

Ade.

Andy Magic has been around for a long time and they sell many many many cheaper alternatives for alot of stage magic props which I believe is quite lousy in quality. I've never tried, so I would not know. Anyway, the Chinaman probably did a bad job at the Singapore flyer as a friend of mine now got the current contract.