This is the complete archive of Visions, The Online Journal of the Art of Magic, for the year 2005. Everything is searchable. Visions was a top online magic magazine. You will find great articles, product reviews, biographies of legends, reader submissions, and a whole lot more.
- Kenton Knepper's "Krystal Visions"
- A Snippet of 'Rants': Meaning, misdirection, relationships... This one, an excerpt from Kenton's beautiful "Rants into Raves", has it all. Seriously!
- The "ACT": Kenton takes a look at how to put your act together -- in more ways than one -- in this thought-provoking article!
- An Atypical Magic Response (Which is Typical of Our School Responses): This month, Kenton opens the curtain a little bit and takes you behind the scenes of what his students and he often discuss: the nature of magic!
- Quote This! I'll let Kenton describe this one himself: "Let me try to be clear here and give you a little history about how endorsements work in magic and mentalism, before you buy something." 'Nuff said.
- Judging a Book by its Cover: This month, Kenton takes a look at booktests -- not methods, mind you, but the books themselves. A definite must-read for anyone looking at or doing the classic trick!
- Here Are Your Instructions: Kenton gives the very best instructions for amateurs, and it ain't one a single photo-copied sheet!
- Notes from Janis: Magic is about entertainment and artistry, so where better to get advice than from other entertainers, especially legends like Janis Joplin!
- Blacking It Out: The Void: This month, Kenton looks at dark things, specifically the significance of the color black (or is it insignificance?) and what it means to performers!
- Tis the Season to be Stealin'... As we know, theft is widespread in the business of magic. Here's a look at some of the thinking behind the thieving, and what can be done about it!
- TV Anyone? Want a glimpse into what performing on TV really is like? This is about as eye-opening as it gets and may change your opinion on just where the real magic of televised performances lies!
- Words, Mentality, and Their Power in Magic: This is, simply, a primer on what is perhaps Kenton's greatest gift to magic: his Wonder Words!
- Bent Out of Shape: They call it a trick... and that's enough of a reason to be more than enough to go on a rant, as Kenton shows in this evocative piece!
- Peter Marucci's "Bizarre Bazaar"
- The Shadow Knows: Peter calls this a "lovely routine, just light enough and just bizarre enough". I concur! This time, Peter's routine calls up the images of The Shadow and just what he does know!
- Innocent Blood: A self-working effect goes back to the Burning Times for a creepy piece of magic!
- Not That Card! A slightly eerie rising card revolving around a death card seeking its own prominence!
- The Casino Without Cards: Jonah meets story meets infernal regions in Peter's latest!
- My Name is Legion: The old "Oscar" gag just got weird, courtesy of Peter's devilish imagination!
- Speak the Final Truth: Peter takes some nifty props and applies them to a self-working bit of magic to create something nice and bizarre!
- Rebirth of the Phoenix: Proving that "bizarre" doesn't mean "horrorifying", Peter (and the late, great Gene Poinc) provide a bizarre routine that is as silly as it is entertaining!
- I Am Here: Peter creates a portable, pocket-sized "seance moment" with a wily gimmick!
- Back From The Bermuda Triangle: A neat combination of prop and story makes for a great piece of magic!
- Death of a Vampire: A vampire appears then disappears, leaving behind a hint of the reason for his departure, in this creepy or cute routine!
- An Open and Shut Case: This month, Peter breaks out the dear-stalker hat and magnifying glass in this quick tale of Holmes and a locked trunk!
- The Telltale Heart: Edgar Allen Poe makes an appearance of a grisly sort in Peter's latest!
- Craig Browning's "Cranial Consternations"
- Michael Matson's "My Magic My Way"
- The Opportunist's Approach In Action: Michael illustrates, with a real world example, just the kind of miracle an opportunist can produce!
- A Big Fish in a Little Pond: "Where's Michael?" you asked? Well, Michael's had a bit of an adventure, all for the better, as he describes in his latest article!
- Michael Jay's "Thoughts on the Passing Scene"
- A Letter to Criss Angel: In this open letter to the "Mindfreak", Michael addresses a certain little problem he has... and what he plans to do about it!
- Building Houses: Do you really only need one thing to make magic work? Some people think so; Michael doesn't, as he points out in this thoughtful look at one of our most powerful techniques.
- The Bare Essentials: Michael takes a break from his usual discourse to give timely (and timeless) advice to beginners asking the eternal question, "Where do I begin?"
- Breaking the Rules: We all know that there exist certain rules that we should follow... shouldn't we?
That's what Michael looks at in this very thought-provoking article!
- FX: Magic on TV has changed... but is it for the better? Michael takes a look at that in this soul-searching piece!
- A Double-Edged Sword: Michael Jay looks at lecturing from the other side of lfe -- that of the lecturegoer -- in this provocative article!
- Rich Tenace's "Stage Stuff"
- A Jack of All Trades: In this intensely personal piece, Rich looks at the words of wisdom from a menton, still true after all this time.
- "Say It; Don't Slay It" (or, In Other Words, "Think Before You Speak"): To script or not to script... Do you really need to do it? What do you gain from that extra work? Rich answers those questions -- and a couple of more -- in his latest article!
- "Can You Do That Trick I Saw on TV?" If it hasn't happend to you yet, it will: the popularity of magic on TV begs the spectators ask you this question? How will you respond? Rich looks at some basic, creative approaches that will work!
- More Than Talent: Why does one performer stand out while another performer stands down? It ain't about skill and talent, according to Rich, but something else entirely!
- Emotion, Heart, and Performance: "Fake it 'til you make it"? Not in Rich's world, or in the world of magic, either! This month, Rich looks at the importance of sincerity in magical performances!
- Who Ya Gonna Trust? Rich answers the question on lots of magic-minds: "What's your opinion on all the magic marketing programs?"
- Dan Paulus's "Real Magic"
- What's In It For Me? Lower your fee for no reason? That's a no-no, especially when, as Dan points out, there are other ways of getting that gig for what you want!
- As It Should Be! Exactly what does it take to make a go of becoming your own boss in magic entertainment? Dan covers the basics in this piece which is sure to be eye-opening!
- Tyler Wilson's "More Than Words"
- Emoti Con: We're magicians; we have to deal with failure at some point. But how you deal with a blown bit makes all the difference in the world. Here's Tyler's take on what to do... and what not to.
- Hey Baby, What's Your Sign? "Why do you have items signed during a routine?" Tyler asks. It's a tough
question, really, and Tyler tackles it in this thought-provoking piece!
- Crouching Tyler, Hidden Agenda: Okay, there's just no describing this one for you... you wouldn't believe me. Just read it for it yourself.
- The Neverending Story: In Tyler's debut article, he look at one thing we often overlook -- how in the world do you end a set? Starting's easy, wrapping up isn't, but Tyler looks at walking away the best way!
- "At The Shop" Reviews
- "In Your Hands" Effects
- "Proving the Impossible" Challenge
- "Other Visions" Guest Contributors
- "Instant Pro: Just Add (Insert Dealer Item Here)!" by Odes Odhner: "Sick, foul, and wrong". That's how Odes explains this particular practice. And he's right.
- "A Change of Focus" by Chris Noice: Chris takes a look at how we consider our own magic and what we're
forgetting in this thought-provoking piece!
- "How to Use Free Special Reports to Fill Your Calendar" by Dennis Regling: Dennis Regling returns with another great idea to generate those bookings!
- A Beginner's Eye by Iain Dunford: Iain, a quickly advancing beginner, examines mentalism, mental magic, and
tries to figure out the differences. Don't we all?
- How To Double Your Income As A Performer by Dennis Regling: Boy, that got your attention, didn't it? In this piece, Dennis looks at the profitable magic in BOR sales!
- Restaurant Magic: Getting a Job by Rick Carruth: Rick Carruth dishes out (sorry for the pun) some sage and common sense tips (sorry, did it again) on getting that restaurant gig!
- "The Magic of Humanity" by Harapan Santoso Ong: Harapan, a 16-year-old from Singapore, offers this thoughtful, emotional, look at magic... real magic!
- "Presentation (A How-To Guide)" by Danny Davis: Danny take a comprehensive look at the goals and method behind effective presentations in an article not to be missed!
- "I Know Nothing" by Iain Dunford: Iain, an admitted beginner, proves he knows more than he's letting on in this
article for beginners (and everybody else)!
- "Internet Marketing Secrets For The Entertainer" by Dennis Regling: Dennis is back, this time with thoughts and ideas for using the web correctly to get the business!
- "How To Develop an A-W-E-S-O-M-E (and Highly 'Book-able') Birthday Party Magic Show" by Tim David: Tim appears again on these pages, taking a look at how to turn a birthday party show into an event people will book!
- "Marketing Secrets They Don't Tell" by Dennis Regling: Dennis Regling returns, this time taking a look at what the marketing geniuses rarely tell you (but you need to know)!
- "Developing Business Referrals For Magicians" by Dennis Regling: Dennis keeps thsound advice a-comin', this time taking a look at business leads and referrals!
- "The Magician is The Solution" by Dennis Regling: Another great marketing idea from Dennis, this time looking at what service you're really offering a client!
- "Do It Yourself Magic Kits" by Dennis Regling: Dennis is back, with another great idea of marketing yourself and your shows!
- "The Ethics of Close-Up Magic: The Implicit Trust Between Magician and Spectator" by Daniel K. Sokol: Daniel continues his exploration into the ethics of magic, this time exploring the simple act of trust!
- "The Wedding Magician" by Dennis Regling: This time around, Dennis looks at a particular niche, one few of us would consider: the wedding party!
Get the other years as well: 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
329 pages
word count: 259424 which is equivalent to 1037 standard pages of text
