talkmagic.co.uk

Hi everybody,

I am doing a kind of survey for a school assignment, and we have to make some search about one job and to interview someone. I have some interest in magic (my bro is doing some) so I chose this job.

So, a big thank for those who can answer those questions (you can also answer in PM if you'd rather do so).

How did you happen to become a magician?
What do you like most about this job?
What do you like least?
What types of problems do you have to solve?
In your opinion what are the main abilities that a magician must have and develop to become pro?
Bonus: Did you like answering those questions?

Thanks in advance, and see you soon...
Terend

How did you happen to become a magician?

i had a funny uncle.

What do you like most about this job?

bringing wonder into peoples lives.

What do you like least?

the very long hours practising my craft and working on my entertaining skills.

What types of problems do you have to solve?

comunicating with people on diferent levels and cultural backgrounds and how they percieve the trends in entertainment.

In your opinion what are the main abilities that a magician must have and develop to become pro?

presentation, comunication and character development.

Bonus: Did you like answering those questions?

survey says, i had a spare few minuets so i did.

I used to be fascinated by watching magic on TV - David Nixon, Paul Damiels etc.

Entertaining people is the high (and getting paid for something that I really enjoy is an added bonus)

I least like spectators who want to spoil the occasion for other people.

problems when tricks sometimes go wrong and people who want you to entertain them for pennies.

Main abilities - presentation, ability to communicate with strangers and to do this naturally.

Yes

How did you happen to become a magician?

Magic started off as little other than a childhood interest (I was about four years old when I got my first magic kit and puppets... that was more that four decades ago...), the real "hook" came as a matter of happenstance when I was turned into a kind of child-prodigee and started doing corporate shows at 10 years old simply because I was a cute blonde headed, blue-eyed kid that knew magic and looked like a certain storybook character.


What do you like most about this job?

There are many things about this craft that I love; the smiles and glittering eyes I see in my audiences as I perform, the challenges of creating new effects or choreographing routines... all of these things are part of the job, it's not just learning about how the "tricks" work but how to change them into being tools that help bring about a special message, to amuse and enchant... there's so much more too it than we have room to outline here. It is however the "challenge" behind it all and how to bring it all together that makes it most exciting.


What do you like least?

Like all of the show biz industry Magic has its ugly side(s); few ever consider the rather high price that must be paid for success in this business -- the long hours, months on end travelling, loss of family ties and health (in an exceptionally disproportionate level). Fact is, few "make it" in this business and less than 1% world wide, ever reach what some might call the "Celebrity" level i.e. the kind of international recognition and income levels seen in people like David Copperfield, Lance Burton or Siegfred & Roy.

Long story short, this can be a very humbling job; it's got to be a part of who you are (your passion) if you are to have even the most remote chance of succeeding at mustering even a mid-ranged sense of steady income...


What types of problems do you have to solve?

I really can't go into too much detail on that side of things in that my clients trust me to not reveal too much

Since leaving Creative Illusions several years ago I've not been much in the "problem solving" role when it comes to effect design but I do help performers work the rough spots out of their material and that means a different set of circumstances with each encounter... I'm more of a coach or director (teacher) than anything. Sometimes I'm having to deal with lights, music and costumes vs. the actual "trick" -- all these other elements can transform a simple piece of business into an absolute miracle so I strive to bring as much to the execution of each bit as I possibly can, setting the odds to my favor as the performer.


In your opinion what are the main abilities that a magician must have and develop to become pro?

Abilities? I think that's the wrong term... "Qualities" is more accurate.

Those seeking to go into any aspect of show biz MUST above all other things, be 110% dedicated. You cannot approach things casually in that this is a BUSINESS and as such, you must do all you can to learn about running and building that business. Sadly for most variety artists (like magicians) that means we must cultivate salesmanship, an understanding of marketing, PR and all those other business things in addition to the effects and routines we are going to use in our shows. It's enough to make your head spin more than a little bit and it is this demand that burns many out, early in the game.

As one noted individual put it, "This ain't a business for the shy or weak-hearted."

You must have some sense of discipline! Understand up front that being in show biz does not mean that you will be living "the life" as some kind of celebrity and going to all sorts of fancy parties & mixers "for the fun of it"... the quickest way to fail is to get hooked on the party-life and loose your sense of priority.

The old saying is that "the show must go on..." and in thinking on that the facts are rather simple; while everyone else is out playing and having fun YOU ARE WORKING! The real 'pros' (most of the folks we don't hear too much about) are at it 14-18 hours a day doing 3-5 shows a day and frequently in more than one city during that same day. One dear friend of mine is known to do a brunch show in Boston followed by an afternoon presentation in Atlanta and his club act that night in Miami... I've also chatted with him as he was boarding a plane in Istanbul heading to Iowa here in the states... go figure But, he's pulling in $5,000.00 + all his expenses for every one of those shows and then some... he don't mind and he's blessed with a spouse that don't mind. This however, is the "real" world of professional magic. It's tough and not for everyone!

We haven't room to go down the list but I hope this gives you a very honest perspective as to what really is involve when it comes to such ventures.