talkmagic.co.uk

Hello everyone,

I'm Ricky, I've travelled with an entertainer and learnt the trade as far as material is concerned, that being tricks, presentation and so forth. This was when I was much younger though, from 9 years to roughly 15 years of age I was travelling and performing but then I went to college, got some qualifactions then got a 9-5 job.

I sort of drifted away from entertaing, I found the Business side of it intimidating and didn't understand it. Although now I know that it is the job for me after trying other Jobs, all 9-5, I've not found anything else which feels so natural and comfortable, it makes me happy, I enjoy it.

I am now in this position, I know what I want. I'm putting together a business plan including costs, material, limitations and goals. I would very much appreciate any tips and experiences you would like to share that you think would be helpful .

Thank you,

Ricky Gibson

what a delightfully honest introduction.

there are many experienced professionals on here and a few, wonderfully, nerdy amateurs (i fall into that section) who will, i would imagine, offer all the support you could ask for.

cheers,


stack.

Hi Ricky,

Im glad you seem to have found your ideal job, hopefully with a lot of hard work and determination you will find this to be thouroughly rewarding.

Good luck with everything and Im sure you will find all the answers to your questions on here.

Deano

Hey guys,

Thank you for the warm welcome, I have a question that I wondered if you could help me with.

I want to brush up my skills with Coins, Cards, Mentalism and Rope. Basicly tricks that do not require gimicks, I've had a look and there is many variations out there, this is the list i've come up with:

- Coin: Ammar complete intro to coin magic
- Card: Sankeys best card magic
- Mentalism: Sankeys best mentalism
- Rope: Expert rope magic made easy by daryl #1

Also this caught my eye and from the trailer I thought it would make a good investment "Bending the Real - By Jay Sankey"

All these are from the beginners section of Merchant of Magic (magicshop.co.uk)
I'd like your opinion on these before I purchase them, if you know of more appropriate dvds or any dvds which are more value for money, please let me know.

Thank you,

Ricky Gibson

Hi Ricky,

Where are you based? If you haven't already got it, buy the Royal Road to Card Magic today! (the BOOK version)

Card College is also a brilliant course in learning card technique.

Ricky, if you are interested in some mentalism Sankey is not the way to go. Names to look out for are Theo Annaman's Practical Mental Magic, Tony Corinda's Thirteen Steps to Mentalism, and the DVDs of Banachek and Richard Osterlind. Other good sources for starting out on this exciting road are Max Maven, Lee Earle (love his stuff) and Larry Becker (ditto).

For cards, why stray from The Royal Road? It is still the best.

I have included bits on the business of magic in my book Teach Yourself Easy Magic Tricks (available through Amazon)

I learnt from Royal Road to card magic, 13 steps to mentalism and modern coin magic (but some do not like this book). All are very good sources.

For an introduction to mentalism, Banachek has a great DVD series. Highly recommended.

Hey guys,

Thank you for your replies, Royal road to card magic and Banacheks mentalism, I've looked at videos on youtube, they're very impressive. I have been advised to go for Ravid Roths dvds for coin magic, what are your opinions on his tutorial dvds?

Also to MagicBill, I'm based in Birmingham.

Thank you,

Ricky Gibson

David Roth is great, To make life easy on yourself I'd make sure you have the basics down, and then some.

I applaud you in also understanding it is a business. If you are thinking about walkaround in restaurants I recommend the Magic Menu, written by and for some of the best.

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic39089.php some one didin't like bending the real.
most professional magicians will tell you to get a day job first as it takes a while to build a reputation and be discovered and be aware you will get knocked back most of the time so develope a thick skin and don't be put off.
ammar and roth are great for coins, sankey for most of the basics same foe darrals fooler dooler series, ben salinas is definatly some one to wach out for.
keep every reciept and put them in a seperate folder if you sell stuff on at a loss, if you go through an agency make sure they are sending out the contracts ahead of time and make sure you get a copy also and never pay an agency to get you work, should you need photos or other promotional material via an agency check them out online and ask other members if they are happy with the srvice they have been getting.
and at all times cover your backside.