The Ellusionist team stepped off a plane to Paris for the first time ever. They were dragged to the city of love by what they had seen across the Internet.

Would we go all that way for something mediocre? You bet not.

We filmed four projects over there, amidst an avalanche of croissants, excellent coffee, and checking out good looking french women. We rented a studio and lived at the studio while we were filming. Our view was of Notre Dame about a block away, and the Eiffel T in the distance.

How much fun it was discussing and working on these effects with our wonderful French counterparts. You realize they have some superb workers over there don't you?

We sat with the underground legend Bebel in a seedy out of the way diner, watching him do things with cards we only dreamed of. We saw magic theater shows - amazing! We sessioned with many top pros, Eric knows all of them. And we saw the best magic shop in the world (guess which one?).

But best of all, we filmed Smiley. And smile we did. We all love this trick and we think it will become a classic of sorts. You Need fast, clean working effects that you can bust out anytime. This one works like a Charm.