talkmagic.co.uk

So here’s a question.

Why don’t more people attend the smaller magic conventions much anymore? I am not talking about the larger multi day events, such as Blackpool, the IBM, International Magic etc, as they seem to all be doing very well still. I am referring to the one day conventions usually put on by a local society – such as Ipswich, Bristol, Portsmouth and even Top Secret Magic Day to name just a few.

In my opinion these are great days of magic – that are designed to be fun, informative and a great place to meet people with a similar disposition.

For the most part they follow the same format – Lectures, close-up and dealers during the day, and in the evening what is normally a very high quality magic show worthy of some of the biggest theatres in the country.

So they offer all that and yet they never seem as popular as you (well me actually) would think they would be.

So I ask out of curiosity – what puts people off? I am assuming it is due to one or more of the following…

Too far to travel
Not enough time
Too Expensive
Money would be better spent on a new effect/book/dvd
There are too many so I only go to the ones that are my favourite
I quite fancy it but can’t be bothered.

No doubt there are more reasons, and hopefully you will post some of them, but as someone who organises events like these it would be interesting to know. If there are too many, perhaps it is time to stop putting them on? They take a lot of time and more often than not they make a loss. I would like to see it as giving something to the magic community - but if the magic community doesn't want it any more...

The Ipswich one really tempted me, but sadly for reasons you've listed (expense/financial priorities, calls on my time and distance), I don't think it's viable. Same thing with themagicwand's forthcoming Oxford appearance.

Here's my answer.

I've never even entertained the thought of going to any sort of convention, magic or otherwise. I enjoy the feeling of being insular and self-educating when it comes down to my magic.

I must say though, that my mind plays tricks on me in some respects. I imagine conventions to be full of men with bad haircuts and glittering waistcoats forever on a loop of four-aces tricks and terrible ACRs.

Or even worse, Derren Brown wanna-be's with head tics and pointed beards. Plus all that money would keep me in gin and magic books for a couple of months at least.

I realise I'm missing out on seeing some great people lecture and perform though.

The stereotypical conventioneer is very much as you describe, and they certainly exist, but the overwhelming majority are no different to yourselves, just very keen on magic and willing to meet, share and learn. It's also a good way to meet the big names of magic and realise that they're not as lofty as some people think – plus, it’s live entertainment and that’s something to be encouraged.

Expense is a serious consideration, fuel and transport costs are ever increasing and a significant factor for the average customer, overnight accommodation isn’t cheap by any means, but the cost of getting to the convention usually represents excellent value with the chance to learn a lot of new stuff, tips, hints and so on for a very reasonable outlay.

I went to a few of the Bristol conventions, even met a few bunnies.

The reason I stopped going was it was rubbish going on my own. When I met up with a few people from the other forum it was great to meet pros etc and have a laff but when I was on my own I just felt like a loser a sort of billy no mates.

This year ( next time ) I might take my lad (11) to keep me company

what you guys think

FRK

If your lad is in anyway into magic - I think that is an excellent idea. A bit of male bonding, a bit of magic - sounds like a good combination...

I think a lot of the time it is down to a combination of reasons. Personally, it is very difficult for me to get the time off to go to conventions, unless I happen to have the day off. But even then, there is usually something else more pressing that needs my attention. And in my job our holidays are allocated to us - we don't get any say in the matter. So I can't even plan ahead and take a week off on the dates that I need. And then there is the financial side of it, as always.

Having said that, I was lucky enough to have a free evening to go and see Paul Bell perform at Oxford in a few days time. Yes, it cost me £50 for two tickets, and I could have spent that on a book/DVD/trick, but sometimes you just have to take the plunge and do something different for a change.

Besides, I'm still going to get that book/DVD/trick; I just have to wait another month before I get paid again....

As one who has been to both types of conventions --the big and the one-day affair (on this side of the pond, at least), and who has gone both as a conventioneer and a performer, I would like to see more of the one-day, smaller conventions around.

One reason for the demise is the work involved. It is no small task to put on a convention, large or small.

Another problem is "too much of the same thing". One can go to Convention A and see a dozen acts, then go to Convention B and see the same acts; and C, D, and infinitum are the same. One can blame the organizers; but the real culprit is the convention-goer. He or she won't go unless Flavor of the Month A, B, or C is there.

The late, great Jay Marshall put it better than anyone when he said the ideal magic convention is "three days, no shows, and an open bar!"

He may have been kidding, but . . .

I personally like the idea of one day conventions, as for me with little ones, i can travel there and back the same day ......

However my loaction being right down south, means anything is a struggle with good old london a good hour and a half away ......

Also for me, the topic is important ........

I probably wouldnt make much effort to see a "magicians" card or close-up convention, as its just not what im into, however if it was on my doorstep i would.
Now if it was something i was more interested in, such as seance's etc ... then iwould travel hmmmm Oxford ? lol.....

Having "spent" money, on books, dvd's, effects (nukky lol)... and visiting people etc, conventions.... I can honestly say i think in some instances they actually represent better value for money ..... To be able to "see" things for me in that way is fab ....

To coin (geddit?) a phrase,
what i hear i forget, what i see i remeber, what i do i understand .....

Fairie x

FairieSnuff wrote:what i hear i forget, what i see i remember, what i do i understand .....

I've never heard that before - but what a wonderful phrase - so very true.

Lol.... my training instructor told me that - 18yrs ago and still remember it and apply it .....

F x

Here's my answer.

I've never even entertained the thought of going to any sort of convention, magic or otherwise. I enjoy the feeling of being insular and self-educating when it comes down to my magic.

I must say though, that my mind plays tricks on me in some respects. I imagine conventions to be full of men with bad haircuts and glittering waistcoats forever on a loop of four-aces tricks and terrible ACRs.

Or even worse, Derren Brown wanna-be's with head tics and pointed beards. Plus all that money would keep me in gin and magic books for a couple of months at least.

I realise I'm missing out on seeing some great people lecture and perform though.
_________________

thats my answer to lol

Duplicity wrote:Here's my answer.

I've never even entertained the thought of going to any sort of convention, magic or otherwise. I enjoy the feeling of being insular and self-educating when it comes down to my magic.

I must say though, that my mind plays tricks on me in some respects. I imagine conventions to be full of men with bad haircuts and glittering waistcoats forever on a loop of four-aces tricks and terrible ACRs.

Or even worse, Derren Brown wanna-be's with head tics and pointed beards. Plus all that money would keep me in gin and magic books for a couple of months at least.

I realise I'm missing out on seeing some great people lecture and perform though.

Your not missing out on the lectures .You can learn via books, or dvds.

what you are missing out on, is a good networking oportunity.

and you cant get that anywhere else other than a convention.

they are not full of the types of people you describe, and if you went to one you would see this.

I guess that my reasons are pretty much the same as Fairie, living down in this little corner of the country makes getting to anywhere outside of Kent quite a treck.

Another thing is just finding the time to do these things, most weekends are spent doing magic gigs, dance, running and swimming and if I'm not doing something then there's a good bet that Dave's got a bike race going on.

If there was somthing local that I could pop along to for the afternoon then I'd go without a thought, but having at least a 3 hour round trip to get anywhere just makes it very difficult.

The gatecrasher programme with Justin Lee Collins showed a very bad example of conventions - apparently populated by overweight, sad, bald headed old men, buying boxes of tricks off other overweight, sad bald headed men and performing them to yet more....you get the picture. Certainly the UK conventions I've been to include one or two like that (and worse!) but they're in the minority. Most are genuine fun loving people eager and willing to listen and learn from the lecturers and from each other. It's like a magic club or society with far more members and no commitment other than the one or two days of the convention. Don't be put off by any bad press or preconceptions based on (mostly fictional) stereotypes. As has been mentioned, the cost of getting to these things is likely to be significant but once there they're usually excellent value.