talkmagic.co.uk

That's a really nice idea

I must remember that one the next time that someone asks me to teach them something

Hi guys,

Thanks for all your responses. This isnt actually a paid performance, but they are covering my expenses for me. This being covered in the contract, because Im not being diddled!

Theres a lot of things I need to discuss, and ive got a lot of thoughts in my mind.

Ive explained to the producer that I wont do this if I have to expose the method on TV. But then I have the problem of when ive taught him the trick off air, if he performs it wrong on TV, is it my fault? The last thing I want is to be chased out of my artform because somebody else wasnt good enough.

Then, theres the issue of the gimmick. If I use a gimmick and it goes wrong, then I am exposing a gimmick. But, if I dont use a gimmick, there is a higher chance of him performing it wrong.

By the way, the program is on T4 and is called "everyone loves lil chris"


Thanks guys

Mark

Hi, I think it's a tough one, on one hand we're always telling people not to expose any methods however obvious because there's always someone who will use that method & make a great performance piece but you're being asked explicitly to show someone an method.

There's also the fact that we tell people to practice until you never get it wrong & you have the time during commercial break to show him?

No offence but maybe a small pub trick like The Real Hustle would be better. The presenter doing something perfectly isn't great tv whereas having him mess up, act like the clown & exposing methods will be far more entertaining for the producer, director & audience.

I advised a friend not to do something similar on the radio & he ignored me explaining that he was in control of the situation & that he was good enough. He was laughed at, methods were exposed & the show ended with him being whipped on the bare ar*e by a dominatrix. Now the last bit hopefully won't happen to you but I honestly would try to get around showing him any magic methods.

What about an appearing cane or something like that?

tony.....

what about Mutz nutz?

send mark a set f.o.c. have the presenter do the first bit, and then mark.. you do the link.

Magic Mark wrote:the program is on T4 and is called "everyone loves lil chris"

I know who you mean. I've been thinking about this and it seems to me that there's scope here for keeping the method secret and still teaching him a trick. How's your pass? If it's up to standard, here's an idea.

Get two 1-way forcing decks, each forcing a different card. You demonstrate a cheap and cheerful ACR using one. During the break, show him how to do it using the other deck so that his uses a different card value when he does it. After the break once he's performed and everyone's clapped, perform for him a real ACR with a regular deck and a signed card.

Now, about this dominatrix...

You know, thats one of the best damned ideas ive seen, mind if I PM you later to discuss further?

Tomo wrote:

Magic Mark wrote:the program is on T4 and is called "everyone loves lil chris"

I know who you mean. I've been thinking about this and it seems to me that there's scope here for keeping the method secret and still teaching him a trick. How's your pass? If it's up to standard, here's an idea.

Get two 1-way forcing decks, each forcing a different card. You demonstrate a cheap and cheerful ACR using one. During the break, show him how to do it using the other deck so that his uses a different card value when he does it. After the break once he's performed and everyone's clapped, perform for him a real ACR with a regular deck and a signed card.

Now, about this dominatrix...

You, my friend, have started stealing far too many of my ideas!! One way decks indeed!!!
Good plan though.
Mark, get working on your pass

You could go watch a few Stephen Mulhern episodes and see what he teaches the little 'uns on them. now now, as silly as the idea might sound it will suggest some very easy-to-teach stuff.

Magic Mark wrote:You know, thats one of the best damned ideas ive seen, mind if I PM you later to discuss further?

Feel free.

Lawrence wrote:
You could go watch a few Stephen Mulhern episodes and see what he teaches the little 'uns on them. now now, as silly as the idea might sound it will suggest some very easy-to-teach stuff.

hang on though.the name of the game is not to expose.
Mulhern, exposes.

and im not talking about simple, non comercial stuff either.
this weekend, they had a marathon...... sponge balls. something that is in virtualy every working magicains repetoir, and what did he do.. expose it.

This is not the way magic on television should go.

the big issue here, is wether steve Jones, and his ilk are going to let mark come across as being any good. 99% of the time, no matter who the guest is, they just can not bring themselves to give someone else the limelight.

daleshrimpton wrote:tony.....

what about Mutz nutz?

send mark a set f.o.c. have the presenter do the first bit, and then mark.. you do the link.

I think David Penn is performing that on The Sorcerer's Apprentice, along with the Ultimate Deck.

Tomo wrote:

Magic Mark wrote:You know, thats one of the best damned ideas ive seen, mind if I PM you later to discuss further?

Feel free.

I was the one who suggested a forcing deck! Steal my thunder, would you, Tomo?! I shall not forget this...

queen of clubs wrote:I was the one who suggested a forcing deck! Steal my thunder, would you, Tomo?! I shall not forget this...

I have to admit, I didn't read the rest of thread...

Hi guys,

Thanks so much for all your suggestions, there really are some great ones.

I have decided not to do this show though. The production team arent prepared to clear up any of my issues, which is the first reason.

I dont like the idea of being played for a fool. At the end of the day I dont want to put my successful professional career on the line for a few minutes on telly - ive done quite a lot of telly in the past so to be honest I dont need another one.

Most of all, I dont want to risk upsetting my friends, colleagues and peers in the world of magic. Ive worked damned hard over the years to gain respect from those that I respect, and im not prepared to loose that - that is the most important thing to me.

Thanks so much for all your help guys.

Mark

Magic Mark wrote:I have decided not to do this show though. The production team arent prepared to clear up any of my issues, which is the first reason.

Sorry to hear it didn't work out. Though it sounds like safe is better than sorry in this situation.

What issues were they unwilling to work out with you?