Tim Ellis is an Australian performer, author and lecturer in the world of magic and illusion.
Biography
Ellis began performing magic at the age of 10 after his grandfather gave him a magic set as a gift[1]. At the age of 14 he was the youngest magician ever admitted to The Magic Circle of Victoria and two years later won four out of their five annual awards. In 1980 he won the title 'Teenage Champion Magician of Australia'[2].
In 1986 he created and produced 'National Magic Week'[3], a ten day festival of the magical arts which was presented annually for the next nine years.
Ellis produced and edited 'Australian Magic Monthly'[4], a national publication for magicians which came out monthly for 100 issues. He also wrote regular columns for Genii Magazine and contributed to other publications, including Magic Magazine, Aladin & Innovator, and Revue de la Prestidigitation.
Ellis created 'MagicSports'[5] (profiled in Magic Magazine, December 1992) a form of improvised magic games based on Keith Johnstone's 'Theatre Sports'. He also won 'Special Prize of the Jury' at the 1991 FISM World Championship in Lausanne, Switzerland.
In 1992 he purchased Australia's oldest magic shop, 'Bernard's'[6], which he owned for five years. In 1994 he won second prize in 'Micro Magic' at the FISM World Magic Championship in Yokohama, Japan. [7]
Ellis met Sue-Anne Webster at a magic convention in Sydney in 1997, and within a year they were married. Ellis performed as a guest artist at the FISM World Championship of Magic, performing in the Close Up Gala with artists including David Williamson, Eugene Burger and Paul Gertner. In 2001 Ellis and Webster were voted 'Most Valuable Performers' by their peers at the close up magic convention 'Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic' in Batavia, New York. [8]
Ellis sat on the jury at the FISM World Championship of Magic in 2003 at Den Haag, and a year later Ellis and Webster produced three magic teaching DVDs[9] [10] [11], and together with a team of Melbourne magicians they a new Guinness World Record for the world's longest magic show by performing non-stop for 75 hours at Luna Park, Melbourne, Australia[12]. [13]. The previous record was 24 hours [14].
After the 2007 show Poker in the Face[15] [16], Ellis presented two shows for the 2008 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Illusionarium with Ellis & Webster[17] and Something About Needles & Razorblades.
He has performed on television programs including Midday, Good Morning Australia, Hey Hey It's Saturday, Young Talent Time, and The Panel.
Ellis works in the Australian corporate entertainment field with Sue-Anne Webster.
Awards & Honours
- Nominated Lecturers of the Year (with Sue-Anne Webster) - The Magic Castle, Hollywood (2005)
- Guinness World Record (with team of Melbourne magicians) - World's Longest Magic Show, 75 hours (2004)
- Most Valuable Participants (with Sue-Anne Webster) - Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic, New York (2001)
- Silver Medal, Close Up Magic - FISM World Magic Championships - Yokohama, Japan (1994)
- Special Jury Prize - FISM World Magic Championships - Lausanne, Switzerland (1991)
- Champion Stage Magic of Australia - National Australian Magic Convention (1990)
- Best Trick - National Australian Magic Convention (1986 & 1990)
- Champion Close Up Magician of Australia - National Australian Magic Convention (1986)
- Best Close Up Magician - Ballarat, Newcastle, and Adelaide Magic Conventions
- Best Card Magician - Ballarat, Newcastle, and Adelaide Magic Conventions
- Teenage Champion Magician of Australia - National Australian Magic Convention (1980)
- Harmony Trophy - Magic Circle of Victoria (1979)
- Ron Kreyt's Shield for Close Up Magic - Magic Circle of Victoria (1979)
- Improver's Trophy - Magic Circle of Victoria (1979)
- Librarian's Trophy - Magic Circle of Victoria (1979)
Published Works
- Australian Magic Monthly - Monthly National Magazine, Editor and publisher (1989-1998)
- The Magic Circular - Monthly publication of 'The Magic Circle of Victoria', Editor (from 1992)
- The Secret Diary of Tim Ellis - Lecture Notes (1992)
- AMM 2000 - Monthly National Magazine, Co Editor with Sue-Anne Webster (2000)
- Ellis in Wonderland - Lecture Notes (2000)
- 24 Years of Living Next Door to Ellis (2001)
- Runaround Sue - Lecture Notes (2001)
- The Tim Card Poker Deal (2005) [18]
Videos & DVDs
References
- ^ [1] Magic Magazine article, published September 2007
- ^ [2] 'www.MagicUnlimited.com' Tim Ellis History
- ^ [3] 'www.MagicUnlimited.com' National Magic Week
- ^ [4] 'www.MagicUnlimited.com' Australian Magic Monthly
- ^ [5] 'www.MagicUnlimited.com' MagicSports History & Rules
- ^ [6] 'Heidelberg Leader' Proper Job is Bag Full of Tricks by Julia Kennard
- ^ [7] 'FISM Magic World Championships Results 1991-1997'
- ^ [8] 'FFFF Lou Gallo MVP Award Winners'
- ^ [9] About.com Ellis in Wonderland DVD review by Wayne Kawamoto, Five Stars
- ^ [10] Inside Magic 24 Years of Living Next Door to Ellis DVD review by Tim Quinlan, Five Stars
- ^ [11] Runaround Sue DVD review by Online Visions, 10 out of 10
- ^ [12] The Age Magicians conjure Record Attempt, April 2004
- ^ [13] Inside Magic News Report by Tim Quinlan
- ^ [14] 'Hindu on net' Casting a Magic Spell, published May 2007
- ^ [15] The Age Poker in the Face, Four Stars, reviewed by Helen Razer
- ^ [16] The Age Poker in the Face, Reader Reviews
- ^ [17] The Groggy Squirrel Illusionarium with Ellis & Webster, reviewed by Caitlin Crowley
- ^ [18] About.com Tim Card Poker Deal, Reviewed by Wayne Kawamoto
External Links
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