talkmagic.co.uk

It seems strange to see others on here saying that their idea of making it is to have an effect named after them or bring out a book etc!

I suppose I'm at the other end of the scale and to me, "making it" would be actually getting a performance together and being paid for it for the first time. I am busy with a young family and as the sole breadwinner I can't give up my career in IT just yet! But, I am working through the RRTCM methodically, even practicing shuffles and undercuts etc when on the train commuting, whilst trying to keep the book open at the same page with my leg (that is if I'm lucky enough to get a seat!)

I have loads of packet effects which, with a bit of effort, I could put a performance together now, but somehow I don't feel right about doing these until I've mastered the card sleights I feel is necessary. I'd feel like a fraud I think, especially if someone offered me a pack of cards to do a trick and all i could do are the colour monte, twisted sisters etc etc!

For me, it's small goals at the moment, as I need to keep focusing on the here and now. Great thread, interesting to see others' opinions on this.

Just in relation to what MagicBell was saying about the ol sentimental nostalgia of looking back on one's uni days and regretting not taking up magic. In the world of work you have 20 days a year as holiday. In context, when you think about it, you could easily spend 20 days a month messing around aimlessly on an Xbox. So practicing magic / learning / even reading about it or going on Talkmagic takes up a lot of the day, especially when by the time you decompress from work, sit down, eat dinner, have a bath, watch TV, etc. Also if you think about the missed opportunities in halls of residence when a large number of people were in a small vicinity, it was great being the "guitarist" or the "DJ", but I was never aware of anyone who was a magician. I think it's great how the younger people are therefore able to carry on the baton, but i can only fantasise about the fun had I took up magic in uni. Like MagicBell says, the time on my hands would have enabled a super growth in skill and technique.

MagicBell wrote:This'll be the 'who wants to appear on TV' thread.
I don't actually know if any members here are quite big in the magic scene or anything. Shouldn't there be a who's who sticky to feed their egos?

Hmmm, I have to admit, i dont like this statement. Appearing on TV isnt all its cracked to be. I admit, when younger all I wanted was to appear on TV, but now that I do a bit of TV, its not quite what it seems. Dont get me wrong, I love doing the TV stuff, but its a long, drawn out and boring process.


As for my aspirations - I want to be respected as a performer. I want to be appreciated by my fellow Magicians and my peers, and hopefully one day Magicians will look up to me. I want to be able to use my magic to earn a living and keep a roof over my head and food on the table.



I dont particularly think thats ego driven - but is it honestly fair to put anyones aspirations down to ego?? If someone has a dream, regardless of it is to do with being on TV, or writing a book, or being able to perform a Pass floorlessly, then let them do it. Let them achieve their dream.


Mark

I'm not interested in being famous. I'm quite happy being the local 'rabbit puller'. It's too early in the game for me to have a 'regular' client base for children's parties, I've only been advertising since feb/march, but I will consider having 'made' it if I can ever give up my full time job because I'm so busy doing magic shows.

At the moment, I'm doing approx 5-8 children's parties a month, which is a perfect little weekend earner. I would dearly love to go full time, but having a young family and mortgage, I would have to get a lot more shows per month before I could consider it.

In the short term, I'm concentrating on increasing my offering from children's parties to including adult close-up work, weddings, tables etc.

my only real aspiration in magic is to someday make somebody cry and then thank me for doing so.

Other then that I'm happy wowing friends and family.

Magic Mark wrote:

MagicBell wrote:This'll be the 'who wants to appear on TV' thread.
I don't actually know if any members here are quite big in the magic scene or anything. Shouldn't there be a who's who sticky to feed their egos?

Hmmm, I have to admit, i dont like this statement. Appearing on TV isnt all its cracked to be.

It was only a joke. Partially.

But isn't that the pinnacle of entertainment? Having a TV show? DB now has, despite his claims otherwise, a huge TV profile. It also allows him to do some things that otherwise, couldn't be done in the same way.

Paul Daniels is a household name. Even I know him.

Even less liked/respected magicians on TV, they've really achieved something, even if they had to blag their way there.


You don't necessarily have to want to be there, but as a working professional, it has to be probably one of the highest points achievable, no?

Agreed to an extent. I suppose it depends whether you're after mainstream recognition, recognition from your magician peers, or if you're simply not bothered. As Derren found out, once the Sun got hold of the 'breaking news' (har har!) that Derren had come out, fame is a double edged sword.

I'm sure it allows him to do more with his magic than he could ever have dreamed, but likewise, it'll restrict him in other ways. It would be nice to have a touring stage show and screaming fans though!