Hal Saxon is a world-class professional close-up magician, prolific magic creator, author, and teacher with nearly five decades of experience in performing and teaching magic. He specializes in close-up and impromptu magic, focusing on classic props like thumb tips, dye tubes, coins, cards, and silks, which can be carried in a pocket and performed spontaneously. His work emphasizes engaging, angle-proof, and emotionally impactful magic that captivates audiences and leaves a lasting impression.
Key Contributions and Expertise
Thumb Tip and Dye Tube Magic:
Hal Saxon is renowned for his innovative handling of thumb tips and dye tubes, introducing techniques that even seasoned magicians find novel. His presentations and lectures break down complex techniques into clear, concise explanations, making them accessible to beginners and advanced magicians alike.
He has developed practical modifications to classic props, enhancing their versatility and enabling performances that are visually stunning and angle-proof. For example, his advanced silk vanish technique, using a dual rotation steal with a thumb tip, is noted for being deceptive even to magicians.
Sanada Gimmick Training:
Saxon has filled a gap in beginner-level training for the Sanada gimmick, offering workshops and tutorials that teach creative routines like the “wormhole” and “faux hypnosis” tricks. His teaching is praised for its clarity and down-to-earth style, making it a valuable resource for magicians.
Swami Writing and Mentalism:
He offers beginner-friendly tutorials like Swami Theory 101, a workshop-style course on swami writing, a classic mentalism technique where magicians appear to predict or reveal thoughts (e.g., numbers or words). His guidance helps newcomers navigate the overwhelming array of options in this field.
Books and Courses:
Saxon has authored 28 magic books and training courses, sold in 65 countries and all 50 U.S. states. These resources cover close-up magic techniques, mentalism, and innovative uses of classic props, available as instant digital downloads on his website.
Corporate and Motivational Speaking:
Beyond performing, Saxon is a seminar keynote speaker who combines magic with motivational storytelling to deliver messages about personal and professional growth. He also performs at corporate events, civic gatherings, festivals, and private functions, weaving organizational themes like teamwork and vision into his acts. His 40+ years of corporate executive management experience make him uniquely qualified to tailor performances to corporate audiences.
Teaching and Philosophy
Teaching Style: Saxon’s instructional materials, including videos and eBooks, are praised for their thoroughness and clarity. He emphasizes practical, applicable techniques that improve performances and engage audiences psychologically, enhancing the emotional impact of magic.
Philosophy: He believes magic should be fun, thought-provoking, and surprising, aiming to elicit strong emotional responses from spectators. Saxon focuses on mastering a few techniques deeply rather than collecting numerous tricks, a lesson he learned after hand injuries forced him to refine his approach.
Performance Style
Close-Up Magic: Saxon excels in close-up settings, performing for small groups at tables or in strolling/walk-around scenarios. His performances are interactive, relying on sleight of hand, quick wit, and audience engagement.
Stage and Parlor Magic: He also performs on stage or in parlor settings, delivering professional, classy magic without gimmicks like clown noses or fire-eating, focusing on mesmerizing illusions and audience participation.
Impromptu Magic: His love for “Every Day Carry” (EDC) magic shines in effects like the Gimmick-Less Bank Vault Vanish, a fast, angle-proof, and beginner-friendly trick that stuns audiences.
Online Presence and Offerings
Website: Hal Saxon runs halsaxonmagic.com, where he sells digital products, including courses, eBooks, and videos. He offers an “All You Can Eat Annual Pass” for access to all digital content at a single price, with plans to transition to a subscription model.
Community Engagement: Saxon is active in magic communities, sharing content on platforms like The Magician’s Forum, where his unlimited pass offer was highlighted as a valuable opportunity for magicians to reconnect with thumb tip magic.
Testimonials and Impact
Magicians praise Saxon’s teaching for its innovation and accessibility. For instance, a student noted that his silk vanish technique improved their performance “1000%” due to smoother, more natural handling.
Seasoned magicians, like one with 24 years of experience, appreciate his Sanada training for filling a void in beginner resources.