PERSONAL REFLECTIONS BY HANNO RHOMBERG
Mario Krassnitzer and Barbara Pirolt have already reported extensively on Secrets Session IV’s outstanding programme and its many international stars. I would therefore like to of fer a different perspective. As president of Magischer Ring Austria and a member of the FISM-certifiedjudgingpanel, I had the opportunity to gather some interesting experiences that went beyond the convention itself.
What Bill Cheung has created in Wiener Neustadt deser
ves great recognition. His concept resembles the legendary
American FFFF – Fechter’s Finger Flicking Frolic, an exclusive
invitation-only gathering of international close-up magicians.
Secrets Session is similarly not about size, but about the qua
lity of the participants and personal interaction.
For Austria, this event is a stroke of good fortune. It is
by no means a given that so many world-class international
artists should come together in our country. With his Magic
Theater, Bill Cheung has created a venue that attracts atten
tion far beyond Austria’s borders.
With the Fröhlich-Zauberkongress in Bad Aussee and
Secrets Session in Wiener Neustadt, we now have two com
pletely different events that represent Austria superbly on
the international stage. Bad Aussee appeals to a broad audi
ence through its extensive programme and several hundred
participants, while Secrets Session concentrates on a small,
exclusive circle of close-up specialists.Magischer Ring Austria was therefore delighted to pro
vide the € 1,000 first prize for the championship. We wan
ted not only to support the contest but also to express our
appreciation for Bill Cheung’s commitment.
For me personally, participating in this exceptionally distin guished jury was one of the most interesting experiences of the weekend. Among the members were FISM president Andrea Baioni , european FISM president Xavier Tapias , Michael Vincent , Magic Christian , Christian Engblom , Shimpei Katsuragawa and other experienced colleagues. They possess extensive practical knowledge, and some have them selves enjoyed successful championship and FISM careers.
What particularly pleased me was the constructive col laboration. Despite different artistic backgrounds and vie wpoints, the atmosphere in the jury was remarkably objec tive. Discussions were interesting and decisions clear and understandable. When judging very different artistic styles, that is by no means something to take for granted. Of cour se, magic is an art that can only with difficulty be squeezed into a scoring system. But the new requirements for juries in FISM-certified championships show the considerable effort FISM is making to ensure fair conditions and fair judging.
The overall field was good but also quite varied in stan dard. The three award-winning acts were welcome high lights and their merit was not disputed by any of the jury members.
2nd Place: Joshua Kenneth (Spain)
An original and imaginative combination of soap bubbles and coin-catching magic.
3rd Place: Owan Nemo (France)
A classic Cups and Balls routine presented in a remarkably original and creative way.
I found the conversations with international FISM officials about the requirements for a successful championship act particularly interesting.
Technical perfection, originality, presentation and the other judging criteria are naturally important. But ultimately there is more to it. An artist must create a complete experi ence that goes beyond technically accomplished magic. Being merely good is not enough for a top placing at FISM. An act must be extraordinary and inspiring.
Xavier Tapias summed it up with a simple question: ‛Whom would I book for a top gala?’ I think there’s a great deal of truth in that. A FISM championship is no light-hearted contest; it is, in a sense, the Olympics of our art. Those who want to succeed must offer more than clean technique and a well-functioning sequence of tricks.
It is sometimes claimed that championship acts impress juries but aren’t necessarily successful with general audiences. I don’t agree with that sweeping statement. My experi ence in Bad Aussee suggests otherwise: the overall winners there also won the audience prize. Extraordinary magic convinces not only specialist judges but lay audiences too.
We should also remember that championships are
showcases. Among the audience are event organisers and
producers looking for exceptional acts. A successful champi
onship can therefore open doors to new engagements.
One observation did leave me thinking. During Secrets Session, a special FISM judges’ forum was offered to interested convention attendees and contestants. It was an opportunity to learn about the new championship rules, ask questions and discuss matters directly with the jud ges. Attendance was very poor, and only two of the eleven competitors took advantage of it. According to my colleagues, the offer of private, personal feedback from the judges after the championship was hardly used either.
I find that extremely regrettable. All certified FISM judges have completed demanding training and examinations. Many also have decades of practical experience as judges, perfor mers, directors or successful competitors.
How often do you have the chance to hear first-hand from such a group what it takes to achieve a top placing, and to receive a knowledgeable and respectful assessment of your work free of charge? You certainly don’t have to accept every criticism. But seeing your act from another angle can be im mensely helpful.
I had similar experiences at the two most recent champi onships in Bad Aussee. A championship isn’t only about sco res, rankings and prizes. One of its most valuable aspects can be the feedback after a performance. Many successful FISM acts have been developed over years, performed repeatedly, critically examined and improved.
Anyone who misses such an opportunity is passing up a valuable chance for personal and artistic growth. Unfortunately, many magicians seem reluctant to seek or accept honest, constructive feedback—a tendency we also encounter all too often within our own magic clubs.
Bill Cheung was an excellent host. With his team and the dedicated members of the young Magischer Ring Niederös terreich, he organised an event that ran professionally and yet with a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.
The Magic Theater is rather remote, in an industrial estate on the outskirts of Wiener Neustadt. That’s not ideal for ac companying guests interested in sightseeing. For magicians, however, the focus on one venue offers a major advantage: everyone stays together, meets in the lounge and often cont inues conversations deep into the night. That’s a real strength for a specialist magic gathering.
It was a wonderful weekend. In particular, meeting old friends and interesting colleagues from around the world re minded me what makes our international community special.
Thank you to the performers who gave their audiences the feeling of genuine magic. Even very experienced visitors were often left speechless and completely fooled. What more could we wish for?
My heartfelt thanks go to Bill Cheung and his entire team. Together, they have not only created an extraordinary event but also made a significant contribution to raising the international profile and reputation of Austrian magic. I am truly grateful to have been part of this remarkable experience, and Secrets Session will undoubtedly become a permanent highlight on my annual magic convention calendar!
