talkmagic.co.uk

Ok, so next week I've been asked to perform for the owner of one of the larger magic retailers in the UK in order to see if I meet the standards that they represent. I'm quite nervous about this, which is an odd feeling for me as I don't usually get nervous when I perform. I think its because I've never performed for another magician before, especially a full-time pro.

The problem I have is that many of the effects in my repetoir are based on very basic principles or are marketted effects and I'm worried that due to this he won't be impressed enough by my performance.

What would others suggest to perform in front of someone like this?

Concentrate on the performance, and don't worry that they know the method. Of course they'll (probably) know the method. What they're looking for is how good a performer you are and how brilliant you make the routine look.

But most of all relax and (try to) enjoy it.

Thanks Themagicwand

I wondered if some things would just be 'too' simple.

Do you think people would be willing to watch a vid of me performing my most popular effect when I record my street performance tomorrow and let me know if they think it would be suitable? Just because it is ridiculously simple and I worry that no matter how good my presentation is this will hold it back

If they're worth the effort, then it absolutely shouldn't matter - perform the effects as if they were real people and be done with it.

There are ways to write and perform "magician fooling" effects, and they're generally abominations that are of no practical use in the real world - often they use known methods as a misdirection, or give the appearance of incredible skill, when you're actually using a simple gimmick.

It's not worth the effort.

Magicians are ultimately not the people who hire you in the real world, and therefore their (non-technical) opinions are just not as important as those of real people. Most of all, don't change your presentation or try to make excuses - just perform great magic.

If the chap watching you is worthwhile, and your magic is good, then they'll see that value.

I doubt he'll be judging your sleight of hand. Your ability to entertain and make him laugh are the most important thing. Do your tricks that are the most entertaining. That is the important thing.

To be fair, the only thing I ever perform for other magicians is 'Vanishing Pint' and 'Multiplying Pint' (aka getting a round in).

More often than not, the 'simplest' things are best. What is really going to be judged each and everytime by magicians and laypeople alike is your performance, not your method.

I have a self working card trick, which has fooled a number of magicians, but yet failed to fool the four year olds in my class. Concentrate on the performance, not necessarily the trick.

The best advice is to do what you normally do, and forget about fooling them. Just try to entertain them. That's what they are testing you for anyway - can you make it entertaining?

TonyB wrote:The best advice is to do what you normally do, and forget about fooling them. Just try to entertain them. That's what they are testing you for anyway - can you make it entertaining?

could not agree more, they are looking for an entertainer not a magician fooler.

all the best with it and do let us all know how it goes.

Deano

If they're a retailer, I'd imagine they're judging you to see whether you'd make a good demonstrator (you never said this but I'm making an assumption).

Since most magic retailers do a lot of trade in simple effects and gimmicks, being able to perform a routine based around simple effects in a convincing and entertaining manner will probably be what they're looking for.

Kids (and older kids) wandering into a shop wanting to see (and hopefully purchase) the coin through rubber or something similarly relatively easy to learn (but hard to master) will want to see simple effects performed in such a way that it makes them look like amazing feats (which they of course are).

They might like someone who can perform incredibly skillful effects with ungimmicked decks and coinage, but they don't need it, they need someone who can convince a lay person that the contents of a £12.99 box will make them gods amongst insects.

-Stacy

Devise a routine with your best sleight of hand with some entertaining presentation that you've already worked.

You dont say in your post why you are performing for him. But I guess it is to see if you are good enough to help them sell more products in some way. If that is that case I would think it is about showing you can perform good clean, entertaining magic. Think about why people buy tricks.

Treat it like any other performance... Go out and do what you do and entertain.

Nic

I should have mentioned why Basically, a charity i fund raise for are doing a local festival at which im performing. Another of the fundraisers i work with was a personal friend of said retailer and she asked him to provide some effects for me to sell there. This is why he wants to know if im of a standard that is acceptable to associate with the brand name

If you have ever seen them "do their stuff", think about a Marvin's Magic demo of Dynamic Coins in Hamleys....

Good, well-rehearsed, clean, entertaining magic by someone who still sounnds enthusiastic after the 100th time of saying the same thing
Finger-flinging is not what's needed here.
Have fun, and let us know how it goes.
Bruce