A Carnival Magic Deck refers to a specific layout and design of playing cards used for magic tricks and illusions. These decks often have unique features and modifications that make them perfect for performing various magic tricks and sleight of hand moves. The Carnival Magic Deck typically has custom artwork and intricate designs, which add to the visual appeal and mystique of the cards. The back design of these decks is usually eye-catching and vibrant, featuring elements related to carnival themes, such as clowns, ferris wheels, or fireworks. The purpose of these unique designs is to distract and captivate the audience, creating an atmosphere of wonder and intrigue during magic performances. In addition to the visually striking back design, the Carnival Magic Deck often includes specially printed cards, called gaff cards, which are used in conjunction with regular playing cards for specific tricks and illusions.
By Matthew Strauss
He s up for Best Rap Album, with his album Igor competing against 21 Savage s personal I Am I Was , Dreamville s collaborative Revenge Of The Dreamers III , Meek Mill s fiery Championships , and YBN Cordae s contemplative The Lost Boy. Tyler was nominated for Album Of The Year in 2012 for his work with fellow Odd Future member and close friend Frank Ocean on Frank s debut Channel Orange and again in 2017 for his own Flower Boy , which was up for Best Rap Album.
In addition to the visually striking back design, the Carnival Magic Deck often includes specially printed cards, called gaff cards, which are used in conjunction with regular playing cards for specific tricks and illusions. These gaff cards may have different backs, faces, or hidden elements that allow magicians to create mind-boggling effects and seemingly impossible tricks. Moreover, the Carnival Magic Deck can include various custom features that enhance the performance possibilities for magicians.
TYLER THE CREATOR - GRAMMY PERFORMANCE
Working under the direction of Drew Best at Immenent and Alex Reardon of Silent House productions, I was tasked with designing and animating a virtual set extension for Tyler, the Creator’s explosive 2020 GRAMMY Performance of EARFQUAKE / NEW MAGIC WAND, at which he took home the GRAMMY for Best Rap Album for his IGOR album. The physical set, designed by Silent House, depicted a neighborhood street lined with pastel colored houses. During the performance, the set would crack apart and spew flames. My task was to create a mapped animation to extend the set and enhance the effect with added VFX.
002// THE CONCEPT
The performance opens on a colorful neighborhood street where Tyler is accompanied by a quartet including Boyz II Men and Charlie Wilson. The mood quickly changes to a dark, stormy environment. As the earth-rattling bass hits, the street cracks open and the scene begins to self-destruct. Powerlines spark, structures fall, and basically everything explodes as a fiery abyss opens in the middle of the street. At the finale moment, Tyler drops off the backside of the physical set, into the virtual fiery pit.
003// THE Process
I began recreating the houses and the street in Cinema4D using the physical set as a reference. There were a number of unknowns including the final placement of the set in relation to the screen and the camera angles that would be used on show day, so I created the scene in 1 point perspective with plenty of breathing room for ease of remapping and flexibility for the live cameras. Another unknown was the actual audio since Tyler was creating a bespoke mashup for the performance. So I created a series of looping layers and musical moments that could be arranged and composited in After Effects so that we would have the ability to remix as needed as those details solidified.
004// CREDITS
Production Design - Alex Reardon // Silent House
Animation Studio - Drew Best // Immanent
Design & Animaton - Sean Bowes
Other stars on the bill for the Grammys include pop stars Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish, rock legends Aerosmith, and The Jonas Brothers, among many others. The show is being hosted by Alicia Keys for the second year in a row.
This may include marked cards, where specific markings or symbols secretly provide information about the card's identity to the magician, but remain undetectable to the audience. Other custom features may include double-backer cards, where one side looks like a regular card, but the other side has a different back design, allowing for seamless switching and transformations during tricks. Magicians often choose the Carnival Magic Deck not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for the flexibility and versatility it offers during performances. The unique designs and custom features of these decks provide an array of possibilities for creating stunning and unforgettable magic effects, leaving the audience amazed and entertained. Overall, the Carnival Magic Deck is a specialized deck of playing cards designed specifically for magicians to enhance their performances and create an atmosphere of mystery and illusion. With its visually captivating designs and custom features, this deck allows magicians to delve into the world of magic and captivate their audience with mind-bending tricks and illusions..
Reviews for "The Carnival Magic Deck: A Playground for Adventure Seekers"
- John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the "Carnival Magic" deck. The cards were very poor quality and didn't shuffle well at all. The design on the cards was also quite tacky and unappealing. I found that the trick instructions included in the deck were confusing and hard to understand. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this deck to anyone looking for quality playing cards for magic tricks.
- Sarah - 1 star - I absolutely hated the "Carnival Magic" deck. The cards were flimsy and didn't hold up well at all. I tried practicing a few simple card tricks, but the cards kept bending and creasing, ruining the effect. The design on the cards was also very childish and not suitable for a serious magician. Save your money and invest in a higher quality deck if you're serious about magic tricks.
- David - 2 stars - The "Carnival Magic" deck was a major letdown for me. The cards felt cheap and unsubstantial, making it difficult to perform any smooth card manipulations. The printing on the cards was also subpar, with some cards appearing faded or blurry. The accompanying trick instructions were not very clear, and it felt like they were written hastily without considering the reader's understanding. Overall, this deck was a waste of money for me.
- Emily - 3 stars - While the "Carnival Magic" deck had a fun and colorful design, the quality of the cards was lacking. The cards felt flimsy and didn't have a good snap when shuffling. Additionally, the trick instructions were overly complicated for a beginner like me, making it frustrating to try and learn new tricks. I would recommend this deck for its aesthetic appeal, but not for serious magicians or those looking for high-quality cards.