talkmagic.co.uk

Dear fellow magician,

I hope this message finds you well and apologies for the group email.

I've recently been commissioned to write a one-off comedy drama about magical societies for Channel 4 (part of their Coming Up scheme: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/coming-up) and I wondered whether you'd be willing to take a few moments to answer the questions below as part of my research?

I'm researching and writing the project between now and Christmas and will be filming some point between January and March next year - exact dates to be confirmed. Channel 4 haven't given us a transmission date yet, but it's likely to be around May/June 2011.

As you can see below, the questions are all quite informal and generic, and - of course - everything will be treated confidentially (there'll be no naming of names etc.) It's merely for research purposes.

I'd be so grateful if you were able to do this as I'm passionate about making the drama as accurate as possible - and I think such first-hand research will prove invaluable. Short answers are fine, but if you wish to expand on any particular point then please feel free!

Thanks very much for your time.

All the best and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

amagician3

P.S Please feel free to send responses to amagician3@gmail.com

QUESTIONS

1. How long have you been interested in magic and what/who would you say was your first magic inspiration?

2. Is magic a hobby or a profession? If you are a 'retired' professional magician, please could you indicate when your working years were.

3. Which magical societies are you a member of and how many years have you been a member of those societies?

4. What do you get out of being a member of a magical society and do you think that what you get out of your membership has changed over the years?

5. Have you ever been on a council/committee or a president of a magical society? If so, which ones and when were your years of office.

6. Does magic still excite you artistically? If so, what/who was the last thing you saw that impressed you.

7. What is your biggest gripe about how magic has changed or perceived to have changed over the years?

8. Do you believe that there was a 'golden' age of magic? If so, how would you compare the current age of magic?

9. Do you think a hierarchy exists within certain magical societies and - in your opinion - are these hierarchies based on artistic integrity or internal politics (or both)?

10. Do you think that magical societies/conventions are breeding grounds for creativity or potentially artistically stagnant and non-progressive?

Please feel free to add any other general or specific comments. Thank you so much for your time. Again, to reiterate, all answers will be treated confidentially and will not be privy to anyone other than myself.