by Mark Wynn » Nov 13th, '12, 18:26
I've only just spotted your thread so pardon me for being late. The subject of video is frequently discussed on various magic forums. Generally when the magician has approached a professional company providing promo videos they find that the fees are very much higher than expected and way beyond the average Joe Magician can (or is willing) to pay. However, when one considers the fees that many magicians (brag they) get, and then one can see that their charges are most realistic. Remember that professional video equipment is very expensive and then there are the skills and time involved in the editing stage. I speak from experience as the wearer of two hats. Professional Magician and photographer.
If cost is a major factor – and I assume it is – then consider approaching a local video-making club. If I knew exactly where you live then I could give you a link to such local clubs. Firstly I should mention that the majority of video club members might not be of the talents you require. However there are usually a couple of members who are of a good professional or semi-pro standard. Video clubs are usually keen on interesting and new projects and the idea of creating a promo video for such as yourself would be right up their street. They may well offer to do it for little more than expenses. However, it would only be polite to pay what you feel you can afford.
I am taking it that you are a close-upper and wish to have a promo video to sell yourself to the wider world. I am assuming that you have a website on which to display your video or where else would you show the video?
The first bit of advice you have already received and that is to get the video photographer to follow you around so that they get to know your routines, especially the climax where hopefully laughter and applause will occur. This will most likely involve having the photographer along side at several events so that you have plenty of material to sue for your final edit. A good video photographer may well have a large professional camera, but at some functions it may well be too obtrusive, so if cameraman had a very small camera that may well be better. Sound can be a problem so unless your patter is vitally important don’t worry about that.
Now you and many others most likely not agree with my next statement. Don’t worry about the actual tricks, what you need are shots of people really enjoying themselves. Expressions of surprise etc. The climax to a sponge ball routine is a good example. You don’t need long routines, just highlights. You need to sell the fact that you are a good entertainer and make folk want to book you for their function. Another point I would mention is not to have lots of fancy card shuffles. This may impress other magicians, but will it get you work? Consider what you will be wearing may seem an obvious thing to say but don’t forget it.
I wont write more and this may well generate more responses. I recently had to edit for a magician some video that had been taken at an event. Basically it was appalling and the sound was totally unusable. However the finished edit really did impress and please the magician and if you wish to PM me I could give you the link to his website where it can be seen. I can also give you links to your local video clubs.
All the best. Mark
