Sankey Teaching Creativity?

So, I am reading a blog put out by Magician X and I see that his current post (as of May 4, 2005) is regarding a new DVD by Sankey. The DVD is called "Create Your Own Magic" Or, as Penguin has cleverly dubbed it, CYOM.

Basically, this DVD is supposed to teach people how to be creative. What a bunch of bullshit. If you need someone to teach you how to be creative then chances are you are NOT a creative person. You cannot teach someone to be creative. The fact is that some people are great thinkers and are very creative by nature. These people are born this way and don't need to watch a DVD to learn how to be creative. Trying to teach someone to be creative is about as effective as Dale Ernhart's seatbelt. Creativity cannot be turned on like a light switch. It cannot be magically bestowed upon you by a $30 DVD put out by Sankey. You are either creative or you are not.

Suppose, for a moment, that you could learn to be creative. It would only be logical that the person teaching this creativity should be a creative person himself. If that is the case, then what in the Hell is Sankey doing releasing this DVD? Albeit, Sankey has created the shit out of a simple color change, a bad shuttlepass, and annoying voices. Perhaps one of Sankey's lessons on being creative is about digging up obscure effects from the past, marketing them to newbies, and "forgetting" to credit the original creators. That seems to be some of the "creativity" we've seen from Sankey in the past.

So, how do you know if you are a creative person or not? Well, take my simple quiz:

1. Have you ever created anything new or interesting at anytime during the course of your life?
2. If you answered "Yes" to number 1 go to number 4. If you answered "No" to number 1 go to number 3.
3. You are NOT creative and probably never will be.
4. Has anyone other than yourself thought your idea was creative or useful?
5. If you answered "Yes" to number 4 than you are a creative person - Keep up the good work. If you answered "No" to number 4 go to number 3.

In the meantime, here is an effect I am currently trying to create: A spectator picks any card at "random". The spectator keeps the card. The performer takes out a handgun, places the barrel of the gun in his mouth and pulls the trigger. As the performer's lifeless body falls into a pool of his own blood, the audience notices, splattered in brains and blood on the wall behind the now dead performer, the name of the selected card! I don't recommend using this effect as an opener. Oh, and remember to always wear safety goggles.

Unsolicited Endorsment

Grettings folks,

I am pretty slow on the uptake so this information may not be new to any of you but it was new to me yesterday so I thought I would share. I want to point people in the direction of Lybrary.com. This website is fantastic! They have hundreds of magic titles for instant download at very cheap prices.

Of particular interest to mentalists, Lybrary.com has a pretty good selection of Anneman materials. These are rather old works but the information in them is very interesting and inspiring. The best thing about it is that the prices range from $1.50 to $10.oo! At those prices you can't afford NOT to buy them. Last night I spent a total of $15.00 and received 5 new booklets on mentalism - that is a hell of a deal if you ask me.

Of course, there is more than just mentalism available at the website. Whether its cards, coins, money, paper, ventriliquism, or presentation & patter that interests you, you will find something you like over there. Check it out!

By the way, I am not affiliated with Lybrary.com in any way, shape, or form.

Soon to be Released: "Backdoor Sankey"

As a followup to one of Sankey's recent releases, Front Row Sankey, Jay is poised to release a new DVD titled "Backdoor Sankey". This new release will teach us all revolutionary techniques to cause magic buyers to bend over and take it up the tail pipe while we recycle and resell our three good ideas over and over and over again on no fewer than ten different DVDs! Then, for inspirational purposes, we will be treated to special bonus footage of Sankey performing live for Real Audiences in an attempt to show that even the creator of the effects cannot get a good reaction when performing!

Sounds to good to be true? Well, wait until you hear the price. How much would you spend for a DVD with the same effects on it as the DVD you bought last month? One hundred dollars? No. Fifty dollars? Not even close. You get all this for only $29.95! As a special bonus you get a second DVD absolutely free!!! That's right, you get a second DVD where you will learn 4,500 boring, uninspired tricks using only a fake accent and the Erdnase Color Change (accent not included).