Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp

Love this concept, and so will you. Let's try and get this deck fully funded. Good luck with it Ben and Jonah!

Huge news! We’re LIVE ON KICKSTARTER!

We can’t do this without your support - so if you like the Campers this is the BEST time to get some.

We’ve got some early bird deals going on for a very limited time, so check the campaign out RIGHT NOW to scoop up your own packs!

Don’t forget to check out the AMAZING video Chris Mayhew made for the project, at the top of the Kickstarter page.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/torontomagiccompany/campers-playing-cards?ref=creator-nav

Meatballs: A Landmark Comedy in Bill Murray and Ivan Reitman's Careers
Released on this day in 1979, *Meatballs* stands as a significant film in Hollywood history for several reasons. Most notably, it marked Bill Murray's first starring role in a film and launched the directing career of Ivan Reitman, who later went on to direct iconic comedies such as *Stripes* (1981) and *Ghostbusters* (1984), both of which also featured Murray. The success of *Meatballs* was unparalleled, becoming the highest-grossing Canadian film in both the United States and Canada, and earning the Golden Reel Award for the highest box office gross of the year in Canada.
Behind the Scenes: The Making of *Meatballs*
Initially, Reitman and Harold Ramis, one of the film’s writers, had envisioned John Landis as the director. Landis had recently made waves with his work on *Animal House* (1978). However, Landis turned down the project due to his commitment to *The Blues Brothers* (1980). Consequently, Reitman took on the directorial role himself. Interestingly, Bill Murray's involvement was uncertain until the very last minute. Murray only committed to the film at the eleventh hour due to his obligations to *Saturday Night Live*, showing up on the first day of filming.
Filming at Camp White Pine
The movie was filmed at Camp White Pine in Haliburton, Ontario, a few hours north of Toronto. This authentic summer camp setting added to the film's charm and realism. Many of the extras were actual campers and counselors from the camp, and the locations used in the film, such as the basketball courts, mess hall, swim docks, and cabins, were real camp facilities. The “Visitors Day” scene was filmed during the camp’s actual Visitors Day, and the camp's annual intra-camp relay competition, known as the "Mohawk Relays," likely inspired the movie’s "Olympiad" event.
The Unplanned Shots and Bill Murray's Improvisation
Several shots in *Meatballs* were added after the initial filming concluded, including scenes featuring Rudy and Tripper at the bus station and playing blackjack for peanuts. During the break, Chris Makepeace (Rudy) entered puberty and began to grow a mustache. In a memorable off-camera moment, Bill Murray decided to shave Makepeace’s mustache himself, giving the young actor his first shave.
The Mystery of the Title
The film's title, *Meatballs*, remains a bit of a mystery. Despite there being no actual meatballs in the movie, the term “meatball” is a colloquial expression for a silly person, which fits the antics of the film’s characters. In one scene, a character called "The Stomach" refers to another character, Spaz, as a meatball while playing tennis.
Legacy of *Meatballs*
*Meatballs* not only launched Bill Murray's film career but also solidified Ivan Reitman’s reputation as a director capable of crafting successful comedies. The film's lighthearted and humorous portrayal of summer camp life resonated with audiences, making it a timeless classic. It paved the way for future collaborations between Murray and Reitman, leading to some of the most beloved comedies of the 1980s.
As we celebrate the anniversary of *Meatballs*, it is clear that the film's impact on comedy and its key players' careers remains significant. From its uncertain beginnings to its surprising success, *Meatballs* continues to be remembered fondly by fans and filmmakers alike.

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The Legacy of Sorcerers Safari - part 1 August is the time of Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp . I continue to feel extraordinarily grateful that I had the opportunity to ex...

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