talkmagic.co.uk

OK heres my situation. Over the last 12 to 18 months I have been busy building up my (Still fairly small) magic collection. I have the bug big time now as I have given up my career as a DJ (just couldnt be bothered with the music scene I was in anymore) and I see magic as being the art form that will satisfy my desire to still be able to perform in some kind of way. BUT I DONT KNOW WHERE TO TURN!!

I can't really seem to find a magician in the Cambridge area who I can work with and learn from. I have ideas for new tricks and I really want to start making myself known as a magician but I have to start at the bottom as does everyone else. Only thing is I seem to be stuck in a basement below the bottom!! LOL

Most of the tricks I currently own are for close up but I want to be able to perform stage magic. I know that stage magic can be expensive and I'm prepared to do the hard slog to achieve it but where do I start??? Are there any board members near Cambridge who'd be prepared to take me under their wing? Is there a Magic group in or near Cambridge?? I know that there is the East Anglian Magic Society and I am trying to gain entrance but because I missed my first appointment to see them they appear reluctant to re-see me (my car broke down, it was during the heatwave I was supposed to attend and my car just couldnt hack it, it broke down and never recovered!)

Currently I am without transport but for a serious session I would be prepared to travel a little distance to meet.

ALL and I do mean ALL of you experienced magicians were once in my shoes so I ask for the kind benefit of your experience as to what I should do now. Do I do kids parties? Do I try restaurants? Do I "busk" my magic? HELP

If you are looking for help from other magicians then I definitely would thoroughly recommend joining a local magical society.

There is definitely one that meets in Cambridge, as I was talking to some of the members at last weeks conference in Ipswich.

I don't see the details in the magicweek list, but this link has info for the Cambridge Pentacle club - which would be a good place to start.

http://www.classmagic.co.uk/list.htm

As for where to start out - well initially I would say you need experience and lots of it. Its not just about learning a few tricks and off you go, it is mainly in the presentation.

Although Childrens parties are probably the easiest area to start off with commercially (and see some of magicdiscoman's posting on this subject), I personally would take the advice of (I believe Seige and YankeeTom) and start by doing some charity events for free - just to see how it goes down. On the same line as this doing free shows in old peoples homes is an excellent way of getting good experience.

Of course it goes without saying that as well as buying loads of tricks - if you want to make a career of it - it is advisable to also buy a lot of good books, as in the long run you will get far more out of these than the tricks.

Thanks for your input.

I am in the process of building up my collection. Currently I have Derren Browns Pure Effect and 2 books by Karl Fulves (self working table magic & self working coin magic). I also own Brad Christians DVD "Inside Magic".

What books would you recommend?

I understand that magic is as much about the presntation as it is the effect which is why I would like to talk to and meet other local magicians so I can view them perform and gain valuable advice. I know I can do this. I have the personality and presence to be able to perform well but I need to practice and perfect which again is another reason for making friends with local magicians, they can give honest, well structured and valuable advice.

Jordan,

I reckon it would be better if you said the kind of magic that you wanted to do, before people start recommending books.

But while your asking for recommendations, can I ask what would be recommended for Kids magic either in book or video/DVD format?

I am interested in mentalism, flash effects, close up and stage magic. Very broad I know but I believe a combination of these effects is what people are looking for these days.

for mentalism.... try "13 steps to mentalism by Corinda" a veritable bible of mentalism... check the review

close up.... well for beginner to intermediate id recommend either "the practical encyclopedia of magic by Nicholas Einhorn" OR "Mark Wilsons Cyclopedia of magic" both are under a tenner but very informative

As far as getting into performing is concerned I would say that closeup is by far the easiest. You just have to impress someone you know with a couple of effects and let them know that you want to get some experience performing for strangers, most people are involved in or know people who are involved in groups so it won't be long till you are asked if you would like to go along to one and do some magic. That's how I started towards the payed end of the spectrum, and though I don't advertise I seem to get a few payed gigs a year now.

One thing I have found, though, is that lots of people now ask me to do their children's parties, and to be honest I would rather sit on a spike and chew my own arm off than perform children's magic. I haven't yet got round to working out which effects in my repertoire could be modified to be performed in these situations so I am missing out on quite a lot of money. As I'm sure most people here will agree, the children are where the money is.

I seem to have wondered slightly off topic here, but basicly what I'm saying is; Practice a decent set of tricks, perform them for people you know (and people you don't whenever possible), as long as you let people know you are willing to do it you will be being asked to perform at events, which I have found is the best way to improve.

you said you dj'ed i asume then that you could run a mobile disco outfit and do both magic and disco's.
i have a fair amount of experience in this field and i can asure you its a gap market.

ok i do close up haunted key etc for promo's and bussines card give aways and palour / stage magic for shows, change bag stuff, apearences colur changes and the like, see thread on going comercial.

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1989
pm me or contact me on open forum if you think i can help.

BANANAFISH - I don't see the details in the magicweek list, but this link has info for the Cambridge Pentacle club - which would be a good place to start.

Thanks for that. I got in touch with them and they hold their meetings about 200yds from my house so that's a result!! Will be going along to their next meeting a week on Tuesday!

Will be going along to their next meeting a week on Tuesday!

let us all know how you get on.

will do, it would've taken a while longer to find them if it weren't for you guys!

Hi guys

let us all know how you get on.

I've been along to the Pentacle Club and I am scheduled to become a member in January. It's a small group but very friendly.

I have been to one meeting and the christmas party. I even got the chance to perform an effect to a large group of people for the first time - now I'm really really really hooked. Time to start gathering my tricks into small routines I think and getting more experience at performing to groups.

Thanks guys. thanks bananafish.

No prblem - let me know if Cambridge have any interesting lectures next year - as I wouldn't mind going along .

You may be intesreted to know that in January we have Andy Nyman coming along to talk

On march 16th we have a quiz competition against your society in Ipswich.

This sounds like War - suggest we start taking bets now!