talkmagic.co.uk

Just been on another forum (don't worry - a business forum not a magic one!), where some guy I was talking to found out I'm a "magician". He told me that it was his daughter's birthday party the other week and he hired Vizage (as seen on Britain's Got Talent) to entertain. Apparently the bloke was very good at entertaining the kids while his wife (who did the singing on the TV) did face painting!

A couple of points:

a) Who has enough money that they can book an act like Vizage for their daughter's birthday party!?

b) Why are Vizage doing kid's parties? Credit crunch???

c) Why, when you mention "magic", do people always suddenly assume it's "for the kiddies"???

Even new romantics have to pay the bills

themagicwand wrote:....Why, when you mention "magic", do people always suddenly assume it's "for the kiddies"???...

Isn't that the truth!

a) Who has enough money that they can book an act like Vizage for their daughter's birthday party!?

b) Why are Vizage doing kid's parties? Credit crunch???

c) Why, when you mention "magic", do people always suddenly assume it's "for the kiddies"???

a) apparently him

b) some magician's have hire standards, apparently he'll take what he can get.

c)Generations upon generations of people under that impression passing it on, no one knows how it started...

For real, I don't know. I've never heard of Vizage...(typed into youtube) It seems like something that kids wouldn't enjoy as much...

From what I've heard, the BGT expereince nearly wrecked Vizage and it's possible that they are trying to recover from the after effects and having to rebuild their reputation and if this is the case then I wish them well.

If you've read about the experiences of some very famous magicians who have appeard on America's Got Talent and who say that they were set up to fail, then it's not far from the truth to say that similar things happend to Vizage on BGT.

I remember one call that I took last year asking if I would do a childrens birthday party for their daughter and when I asked how old she was I was told that it was her first birthday. But don't let her age put you off I was told, there will be some children there who are up to three and four years old.

Some people don't care what they spend their money on........ just as some people won't be too fussy about what work they take when they have bills to pay. (I declined the offer - not having appropraite material).

Ian the Mental-Ian wrote:

a) Who has enough money that they can book an act like Vizage for their daughter's birthday party!?

b) Why are Vizage doing kid's parties? Credit crunch???

c) Why, when you mention "magic", do people always suddenly assume it's "for the kiddies"???

b) some magician's have hire standards, apparently he'll take what he can get.

Assuming you mean "higher" standards Ian, you might show a little respect... Granted, it's annoying when people hire you and you pitch up to find out they want you to entertain their kids instead (although in that situation it's the magician's fault for not clarifying - a lesson sorely learnt) but still.
Children's Magicians may sometimes seem a strange bunch, but they have my total respect - I simply could not stand up and entertain a bunch of screaming brats. Plus, they may be doing hippity hop rabbits while you're reading minds or blowing away people with your card technician skills, but they're bringing in the cash. Presumably Vizage would be the first to tell you this.

Children's magic may not be my bag either but let's not put our fellow magi down with talk of "higher standards" - table hopping, mentalism, whatever - it's not "higher", it's different, and frankly I believe it to be a lot easier.

Agreed! Kids magic must be a nightmare.

I've been asked "oh you're a magician can you entertain the kids?" before.
One memorable occasion I was asked to entertain some kids to keep them out of the kitchen.

They didn't care for my card tricks.
They were too logical for coin tricks.
And the only shush I got from them was when I pulled a sponge earplug from behind the lads ear. I asked him to hold it and he tried to eat it!
Argh!

Couldn't do that all day!

Farlsborough wrote:

Ian the Mental-Ian wrote:

a) Who has enough money that they can book an act like Vizage for their daughter's birthday party!?

b) Why are Vizage doing kid's parties? Credit crunch???

c) Why, when you mention "magic", do people always suddenly assume it's "for the kiddies"???

b) some magician's have hire standards, apparently he'll take what he can get.

Assuming you mean "higher" standards Ian, you might show a little respect... Granted, it's annoying when people hire you and you pitch up to find out they want you to entertain their kids instead (although in that situation it's the magician's fault for not clarifying - a lesson sorely learnt) but still.
Children's Magicians may sometimes seem a strange bunch, but they have my total respect - I simply could not stand up and entertain a bunch of screaming brats. Plus, they may be doing hippity hop rabbits while you're reading minds or blowing away people with your card technician skills, but they're bringing in the cash. Presumably Vizage would be the first to tell you this.

Children's magic may not be my bag either but let's not put our fellow magi down with talk of "higher standards" - table hopping, mentalism, whatever - it's not "higher", it's different, and frankly I believe it to be a lot easier.

I meant no disrespect to kids show entertainers... I have actually a great deal of respect for them. It's probably the hardest branch of magic.

I re-read the post and it does sound a little hateful... What I mean is that Vizage didn't look like a children's entertainer. Anyways no hate is meant or was meant to be meant. If any was taken I apologize, it sounded better in my head...

I also meant that you shouldn't just assume that all magicians aren't children's entertainers.

Sorry for the confusion...

Totally agree. Reading minds is a walk in the park compared to doing kids shows. I know - I did it for a year and it nearly killed me!