“Magic Camp” is a gem of a documentary I caught at the Newport Beach Film Festival (which also featured films by marine life artist Wyland and Ha‘ena’s own Teri Tico). In “Magic Camp,” we went inside the walls of the
“Magic Camp” is a gem of a documentary I caught at the Newport Beach Film Festival (which also featured films by marine life artist Wyland and Ha‘ena’s own Teri Tico). In “Magic Camp,” we went inside the walls of the prestigious Tannen’s Magic Camp founded in 1925.
The film was honored with the film festival’s Outstanding Family Film Award and follows four magicians as they prepare for the main camp competition. All stories were inspiring, but the most riveting was that of Bryan Woodbridge (not a finalist), but a camper and the film’s star. He has Tourette’s syndrome and is on a daily regiment of medications for symptoms. It doesn’t slow him down, and that is really cool.
The film itself helps foster youth by hosting young magicians and training them to learn the craft by spending time with other magic-obsessed kids. It is a place to find the magic inside. They are counseled by professional magicians and former graduates.
I enjoyed this film because magic is something we all like to see, but we don’t try to figure it out.
We might see a good movie and want to learn how to write, eat a pizza and learn how to cook — but overall, everyone loves magic. How many magicians do you know?
I believe this art form is closest to jazz. Feeling out an audience or not knowing where you may be in your show is thrilling. I sensed an appreciation for all arts as I viewed this film. It’s what I believe is so important about magic.
I mean, how many art forms have a handful of truly world famous people doing it? In this world, there are millions of actors, musicians and writers.
Although there are more, I can think of two famous magicians: David Copperfield, and to illustrate a point, I’d say Harry Houdini.
This film is unique because it takes us into a world we never see. This is the importance of film, film festivals and documentaries: To capture stories.
Please look up this film online, support its website and, like I always say, keep an eye out. In today’s world of streaming iPhone cinema, we need to cherish movies, art, music and magic. This was a real pleasant surprise. It is
always good to and feel passion through cinema.
