talkmagic.co.uk

For instance .....is it wrong for a magician who hasn't bought an item to reveal it?

The more experienced guys will be able to work out the method of tricks and save forking out the cash... a friend of mine saw self-tying shoelace and got in one, made it himself and saved a bob or two....we then had a discussion about it, how it could be improved etc....none of us ever bought it....is this wrong?

Morally, yes. In fact, it could be considered even worse than if you had bought it because at least in that instance the creator received something for their material. In this they get nothing AT ALL, and if you share it they loose out further.

A good tip is to think about it like this: If this creator had not released their effect, do you realistically think that you would be performing it? Would you have suddenly come up with the same effect? It's impossible to say really, but the chances are very slim.

Ok everyone this has been discussed ad infinitum here there and everywhere so it's pretty much all been said before. However, who can put their hand on heart and say "I have only ever learned and performed tricks, principles, sleights etc. from published materials that I have paid my own money for, and when ever I have been in the presence of another person who has been explaining such things I have walked away with my hands over my ears to prevent any unearned knowledge entering my brain"?

If you can do that then fair enough cast the first stone. Otherwise.....

I've found out the secrets to loads of stuff from other magicians, the other day on youtube I even found a Fraud tutorial that was amongst some other performance videos of the effect and I admit I did watch it. That didn't stop me ordering it afterwards though, which is always the best way.

The biddle trick was taught to me by another magician, I use it all the time and I've never paid for it. Maybe this will get me shouted at and punished but I'd rather that and know that I've been honest than pretend that I'm whiter than white. I spend a lot of my time and money on magic and it's a passion for me, I'm not some weenie exposure goblin who just wants to know secrets, but at the same time I know from personal interaction with other magaicians that I'm in no way in the minority when it comes to sometimes using material that's been passed on by others.

bronz wrote:Ok everyone this has been discussed ad infinitum here there and everywhere so it's pretty much all been said before. However, who can put their hand on heart and say "I have only ever learned and performed tricks, principles, sleights etc. from published materials that I have paid my own money for, and when ever I have been in the presence of another person who has been explaining such things I have walked away with my hands over my ears to prevent any unearned knowledge entering my brain"?

If you can do that then fair enough cast the first stone. Otherwise.....

I've found out the secrets to loads of stuff from other magicians, the other day on youtube I even found a Fraud tutorial that was amongst some other performance videos of the effect and I admit I did watch it. That didn't stop me ordering it afterwards though, which is always the best way.

The biddle trick was taught to me by another magician, I use it all the time and I've never paid for it. Maybe this will get me shouted at and punished but I'd rather that and know that I've been honest than pretend that I'm whiter than white. I spend a lot of my time and money on magic and it's a passion for me, I'm not some weenie exposure goblin who just wants to know secrets, but at the same time I know from personal interaction with other magaicians that I'm in no way in the minority when it comes to sometimes using material that's been passed on by others.

I agree whole heartedly with all of the above.. personally I think its all a matter of relativity.

I have read so many threads on different sites relating to this matter and personally think if you are a proffessional, using material in your shows that you get paid for then yes give credit and pay your dues. You will soon get shot down in flames if you don't

Too many people on this forum seem to think that this idea of paying for everything cause its the right thing to do ethically is the way of the magic world and I sometimes think they will quite frankly scare any begineers off with that attitude!

The library of the 20 years ago has changed.. Its now called the internet... same thing, its still free and the knowledge is still there the only difference is its bigger and better and now its video instead of books.

I can only surmise that these people are either saying this because they want to make a buck two themselves by selling stuff... or they have never been to a real life magic club meeting.

1: If a "creator" produces a sloppy obvious method (sts comes to mind as a prime example as its been mentioned) and chances his luck putting out a dvd then good luck too him, rememeber its aimed at a young inexperienced market of teenagers who want to be the next David Blaine.
If as a person with a good magical knowledge sees the trailer and works out the method.. so what...why on earth would he want to waste good money on a dvd showing the obvious? I'm sure theres enough young americans willing to part with their $'s to make sure the "creator" does not starve and quite frankly if that were the case then tough... try releasing something worth while!

2: Now if a "creator" puts out a dvd of quality material (James Browns pot of jam comes to mind) two things happen... one is you watch the trailer and "Whoa.. how is that done?".. and two is you get your creditcard out and buy it! I've yet to see anything on youtube or the like from that... the reason why?.... Its quality..

P.s The fraud dvd is just that other than the method if you do not use American Currency.. another "trick" aimed at the dellusionist market.

Thank God for that, I haven't been shot down in flames. So we agree then, give credit where it's due and pay for your material but don't miss out on the chance to learn everything you can that'll make you a better magician.

Earlier someone mentioned Penn and Teller.

Dispite the fact that I really do dislike (dispise) the Magical Dou, I feel prompted to support them. Although they reveal almost all their tricks to the audiance, their not stupid, nor do they have something against other magicians. Many of their illusions were acually created amonst them, for the sole purpose of revealing it. Some are so simple that they wouldn't work under normal situations anyway, so why not give the crowd a bone.

I personally don't think revealing your own secrets is wrong as long as you truly did make every aspect of it. But you must be careful. For example if you made a card trick that used a DL - don't explain it. The DL alone is powerful enough to ruin several other card tricks. Be smart.

Here is an example of Penn and Teller in one of their older shows.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS5QnrpDXg0