Wow, the convention hasn't even begun and here I sit at 2:00 a.m. uploading some really killer material for you guys. I think you'll enjoy some, if not all of what we have to offer to this "Pre-Convention" special edition. There has been a full day of activities for about 24 or so youth with the Lance Burton Teen Sessions. They have had lectures, seminars, workshops, breakout sessions and generally got to learn from and hang out with some of today's magic greats such as Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger, Lance Burton, Melody and Oscar Munoz, Shawn Farquhar, Larry Haas, Nicholas St. Ern, Aubrey Fine and more.
Early registration opened at 5:00 with popcorn being served at the door for the showing of "Make Believe" at 7:00. At 10:15, the early bird lecture was given by Tony Chris on bizarre magic. .
00:00:10 - We prepared for the convention with my usual stopover at In 'n Out Burger for a double-double. Don Wiberg joined me at the restaurant as we talked a bit about the upcoming convention activities.
00:04:53 - Rolando Santos, past International President of the I.B.M., is a contributing editor for The Linking Ring and talks about the importance of getting involved and how to move on up into the organization. If you are coming to the convention and interested in writing up a review of one of the shows, please be sure to look for Rolando as he would like to see your byline in The Linking Ring
00:13:33 - We talked with Michael Messing about photographing the convention and the long line of photographers in whose steps he follows. We also chatted here with Aubrey Fine, Youth Chairman, about the exciting things that are happening with the youth at this convention.
00:19:52 - And speaking of youth activities, I was able to get a little time with Lance Burton who talks about his commitment to the youth and his rise to magical fame through competitions. He also tells me what he is up to now with his new feature film starring Johnny Thompson.
00:29:52 - I spoke with Bill Koch, one of the stars of the full length feature film, "Make Believe". This is a delightful documentary that follows the lives of junior magicians as they prepare to compete in the 2009 World Magic Summit. Bill talks about his experience and what he has been up to since the film was released.
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