Half magic is a type of magic flick, which is a technique used in filmmaking to create the illusion of magic on screen. In the world of cinema, half magic refers to the process of partially revealing the secrets behind a magical act, while still maintaining an element of wonder and astonishment for the audience. The term "half magic" was first coined by the legendary magician and filmmaker Georges Méliès, who is often regarded as the father of special effects in cinema. Méliès used innovative techniques such as stop-motion photography, multiple exposures, and hand-painted frames to create his magical films in the late 19th century. In a half magic magic flick, the magician or the film's director may choose to show the audience some of the behind-the-scenes elements of a magical act, while still leaving enough mystery and awe for the illusion to work effectively. This can be done through careful camera angles, editing tricks, or even by revealing a glimpse of the secret props or mechanisms used.
Hence, Wanda went from mutant, to magical mutant, to a demigod that can wield Chaos Magic. In WandaVision, it remains to be seen if she will become as powerful as she is in the comics, but there is a possibility; the show did, at one point, outline the fact that Wanda could have stopped Thanos singlehandedly.
In WandaVision , it remains to be seen if she will become as powerful as she is in the comics, but there is a possibility; the show did, at one point, outline the fact that Wanda could have stopped Thanos singlehandedly. Fans are never quite sure which plot points the movies are going to draw from, but Scarlet Witch s evolution has, to some degree, mirrored her uneven journey through the comics.
This can be done through careful camera angles, editing tricks, or even by revealing a glimpse of the secret props or mechanisms used. The technique of half magic allows the audience to be both amazed and engaged with the magical act, while also giving them a sense of involvement and understanding. By revealing some of the secrets, the audience feels like they are being let in on a special secret, creating a deeper connection with the performance.
Top 5 chaos magick books
There are some books that are required reading for the dedicated student, and this list represents my top five books dedicated to chaos magick – books that defined chaos magick as a distinct field of study and practice.1
Liber Null, first published in the late 1970s by Ray Sherwin, is the handbook for the Illuminates of Thanteros, the first group dedicated to chaos magick. The IOT was conceived of as a new kind of order based on meritocracy, and Liber Null serves as an introductory text to what was then a new approach to magickal practice.
New Falcon published Liber Null and Psychonaut together in 1987. Psychonaut expands upon themes raised in Liber Null, and contains the much maligned pseudo-scientific approach to catastrophe theory, but it does have its moments, defining and reframing magickal theories for a new generation of occultists.
The material draws heavily from Aleister Crowley, and sections of Magick are frequently paraphrased – even example for example in some cases. Even so, it remains a cornerstone of chaos magick, and its relevance has not dimmed.
Sherwin co-founded the Illuminates of Thanateros with Peter Carroll, and The Book of Results is another early text which helped define the movement. In it, Sherwin gives a lucid introduction to sigil magick via Austin Osman Spare, and introduces chaote philosophy.
The introduction to incense creation and aromatherapy have been criticized as being out of place in a book dedicated to chaos magick, but in many ways I think that rather misses the point.
Nox is an anthology of twenty-two essays and articles previously published in Sennitt’s magazine of the same name written by various chaos and black magickians. It primarily consists of the rites and theories of the Order of Nine Angels, and draws heavily on the Golden Dawn, Aleister Crowley, the OTO, and Lovecraft for inspiration.
Writers often “correct” the views of earlier authors, Lovecraft in particular (apparently forgetting that he wrote fiction), and Liber Koth focuses entirely on working with the Cthulhu Mythos.
These texts provide an enchanting snapshot of chaos magick’s earlier and darker influences circa the 1980s. The edge seems to have dulled somewhat in subsequent generations, and this book provides a great reminder of what once was. (Dead but dreaming…?)
Hine covers a wide variety of introductory topics in an easy, conversational style in this New Falcon title published in 1995. Hine employs a number of mnemonic devices intended to be “cute,” (Such as S.P.L.I.F.F.: Statement of intent, Pathways available, Link, Intense gnosis/indifferent Vacuity, Fire, Forget. See? It’s adorbs.), but the book is light and fun.
If there was one book you were going to use to introduce chaos magick to your non-chaote friends who had a dim view of the subject: this book would provide an excellent start and step towards rectifying that view.
5. Now That’s What I Call Chaos Magick, by Greg Humphries and Julian Vayne
Published in 2004 by Mandrake of Oxford, NTWICCM, after a brief introduction to chaos magick, the authors launch into descriptions of their work. Numerous rituals are presented, often written in the first-person, describing the rite performed and reflections from participants.
Formulaic rites aren’t given for the reader to perform, and theories aren’t expounded upon in great detail; NTWICCM shows you what chaos magick is like in action. It’s an odd approach, but, in many ways, it works.
It continues to surprise me how often I am asked for recommendations of chaos magick books. Whenever it seems like a dead or dying movement, but new people hit upon it, and a new wave of practitioners follows, each brining their own ideas into the practice.
What would your top five be?
First published on Plutonica.net 02 April 2008.
- See also, “Psyche’s list of chaos magick primers.” [↩]
Share:
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
- Click to print (Opens in new window)
- Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
- More
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
Sherwin co-founded the Illuminates of Thanateros with Peter Carroll, and The Book of Results is another early text which helped define the movement. In it, Sherwin gives a lucid introduction to sigil magick via Austin Osman Spare, and introduces chaote philosophy.
Half magic magic flicks can be seen in various forms of media, including movies, television shows, and stage performances. It adds an extra layer of intrigue and excitement to the magical experience, making it more memorable and entertaining for the audience. Overall, half magic is a fascinating technique in the world of magic and filmmaking. It combines the art of illusion with the art of storytelling, creating a captivating and enchanting experience for all..
Reviews for "The Language of Half Magic Magic Flick: A Visual Vocabulary"
1. Mark - 1 star
I found "Half Magic" to be an extremely disappointing magic flick. The story was predictable and unoriginal, leaving no room for surprise or excitement. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to feel any connection or empathy towards them. The humor fell flat, with the jokes feeling forced and awkward. Overall, I was left feeling bored and unengaged throughout the entire film. I would not recommend "Half Magic" to anyone looking for an entertaining and captivating magic movie experience.
2. Emily - 2 stars
While "Half Magic" had its moments, I was ultimately left unsatisfied with the overall film. The plot felt disjointed and poorly executed, making it difficult to follow and understand the story. The special effects were mediocre at best, failing to create a sense of awe or wonder that you would expect from a magic movie. The dialogue was often cliché and cringe-worthy, detracting from any potential enjoyment. "Half Magic" had potential, but unfortunately, it fell short in many aspects. I would recommend skipping this one and choosing a different magic film instead.
3. Alex - 1 star
"Half Magic" was a complete waste of time. The magic elements were underwhelming and lacked creativity. The characters were shallow and uninteresting, making it difficult to invest in their journey. The pacing was incredibly slow, with many scenes feeling unnecessary and dragging on for far too long. The attempts at humor were feeble and rarely elicited a laugh. Overall, I was left feeling bored and disappointed. I would not recommend "Half Magic" to anyone looking for a captivating and entertaining magic movie experience.