Friday Night Magic | Narratively

Worldwide, there are millions of registered Magic: The Gathering players. Now in it's 20th year, the game—in which two players wage battle using trading cards that cast spells and creatures upon their opponent—is more popular than ever. Some of these ninety million play just for fun; others compete for winnings that can reach to the tens of thousands per tournament. In New York City on any given Friday night, MTG devotees can find officially sanctioned Friday Night Magic tournaments at ten comic book and gaming stores in the five boroughs.

Produced and Directed by Holly Lynn Ellis and Andrew Tank Rivara
Edited by Sara Huneke
Filmed by Will Kaufman

Holly Lynn Ellis is a native North Dakotan acting, writing and producing in Brooklyn. She's the producer of the narrative feature films Turtle Hill, Brooklyn and the Sundance-selected Prairie Love. She also works as video production manager at CafeMom. Friday Night Magic is in development for a feature-length documentary. Connect on Twitter @hollylynnellis

Andrew Tank Rivara's work as a director of photography can be seen in the upcoming feature Turtle Hill, Brooklyn. He is the proprietor of Tank Lights You Up, a lighting equipment rental service based in New Jersey. Tank started playing Magic: The Gathering when he was eleven years old. He still plays.

Sara Huneke is a writer, director and editor living in Brooklyn. She's a member of Meerkat Media Collective and Associate Creative Director at Eyeball NYC.
Will Kaufman is a NJ/NY based filmmaker who won a CINE Golden Eagle for his first documentary, Blowing Smoke. He has worked for Discovery, Viacom, Relativity Media, CBS, ESPN, Bacardi, and Google to name a few. Find him at WDK Films and on Twitter @wdkfilms.

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Narratively is an online platform that publishes untold, original human stories from around the world.

[ruttokyrpa]

"it never stays the same" *tron laughing In the background*

[joshuaheili]

Out of all the Friday Night Magic Documentarys this my favorite one

[xtremegamer]

The human interaction involved is what makes it fun and something you don't get with video games. It seemed like there was a wide variety of people at this place and many people who might not expect. I bought m15 tool kit for some new cards recently and I have a bunch of old cards from when I was 12. I'm definitely thinking about going to one of the places in my area because I don't really know anyone who plays anymore.

[lewisleng]

Starting to properly play magic in this last month and a bit has been one of the best decisions of my life. I've made new friends and I get to socialise consistently whilst being challenged to think and use my brain

[eeveelilith]

I'm moving to NYC and Montasy Comics is 7 walking minutes away from where I'll be, so I was googling to check out what other stores were like for FNM; needless to say I was ridiculously happy to see that specific store covered by the video :)

[joshuaheili]

This is an amazing Friday Night Magic FNM Documentary video this is my favorite out of all the Friday Night Magic FNM videos Documentarys

[BlazingSerenade]

Randomly stumbled upon this video, loved it

[GalacticBlader]

this video was so nice i love the magic community

[BenjaminNBS]

Well made little documentary - really enjoyed it! Thanks :-)

[inkedblessed]

Love that guys shirt. "Why cry about it"

[epicfixture]

The kids sleeves were so rippled and warped xD

[JeremiahJensen]

that lotus only being 2200 man. take me back

[themagicalnerd]

This was great. Awesome job making that video!

[grantkibel]

Im sorta nervous about doing this. It does look fun though. I think I'll convince one of my friends to go with me.

[BloodValeOfficial]

Good Boy allredy flickering like kibler

[kevinfellson]

Jaime you might be the best magic player ever at least at heart...

[saintnick]

4:05 this guy throughout the video proved to be exactly the type I thought he was. Has no fun playing literally cares only about winning. Getting dominated by a control deck and calls for time? Like really dude..?

[smokay]

Never thought I would miss being around people 😕

[lordsandwich]

that comic store has a black lotus?! 3:25

[scramator]

I really want to learn to play magic but I’m to socially awkward to meet new people