talkmagic.co.uk

Anyone read about this recent news story

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/local/street-magic-ban-under-new-council-plan-1-7457438

This is all well and good but not all street magicians do it for money.
some like street magic as a hobby
also if members of the public who don't like the ones who are after money then simply do one of two thing. don't partake or don't give money.
it would be unfair on members of the magic community to be vitimised this way. there are many a singers and musicians doing the same. half of them drive me mad with there music or singing talent or lack of, but we have no choice in listening to it.
also unlike magicians, I have never heard of a street singer or musician just performing for the fun of it as a hobby.
Blackpool is considered by many in the UK and worldwide magic community as the English capital of magic.
Rather than support it they are shunning it.
To sum up its simple don't like it then say no and go without paying a penny.

I'm sure Derek Lever will have words in appropriate ears to minimise any effect on genuine magicians as opposed to scam merchants using cards to cheat people out of money!

Whatever about professionals, nothing is worse than amateur street magicians. While I disapprove of buskers being curtailed, I am all in favour of keeping those bloody amateur street magicians in check. That is a mercy to us all.

TonyB wrote:Whatever about professionals, nothing is worse than amateur street magicians. While I disapprove of buskers being curtailed, I am all in favor of keeping those bloody amateur street magicians in check. That is a mercy to us all.

Street magicians are not all amateurs and even if they are, it doesn't mean there no good. amateur magicians on the streets use it as a way to gain experience and home their skills in front of genuine spectators. Fair enough if they are trying to use it to busk then off you go and that's same with singers or whoever. My point being where else this day and age can magicians get that experience if there trying to someday make a career of it? yeah sure magic clubs but that's not the same as a random person with no magic knowledge or insight.
alot of these buskers aren't even raising money for there talent or career in said talent!

Anjorno wrote:
amateur magicians on the streets use it as a way to gain experience and hone their skills in front of genuine spectators. ... My point being where else this day and age can magicians get that experience if there trying to someday make a career of it?

I don't know where you can get experience, but accosting random people on the street or in pubs and nightclubs is not the way to go. Can you picture a singer or a guitarist accosting people and saying: Listen to this song I've been practicing. It is ridiculous. It is equally ridiculous magicians doing that.

You can gain your experience through acting classes, variety shows, legitimate busking, etc, the way most pros did.

In all fairness I believe the reasons behind the Blackpool action is not against magicians as such but against those who harass and beg/con people for cash, possibly using magic techniques to achieve their ends. Three card monte and matchbox/tinfoil balls come to mind readily - both using 'our' techniques but for all the wrong reasons.

Tony's comments are spot on, accosting people isn't the way to endear anyone to magic as an entertainment, we should have higher standards than that. How about doing 'proper' street magic where you set up your stall and encourage people to gather round and watch? Plenty of experience can be gained that way - check out Chris Capeheart for how to do this sort of thing successfully.

Mandrake wrote:How about doing 'proper' street magic where you set up your stall and encourage people to gather round and watch? Plenty of experience can be gained that way.

I agree. Doing a proper show works. Tough but rewarding. And it pees no one off.

TonyB wrote:

Anjorno wrote:
I don't know where you can get experience, but accosting random people on the street or in pubs and nightclubs is not the way to go. Can you picture a singer or a guitarist accosting people and saying: Listen to this song I've been practicing. It is ridiculous. It is equally ridiculous magicians doing that.

You can gain your experience through acting classes, variety shows, legitimate busking, etc, the way most pros did.

The problem with this method, (and I agree with it) it means you actually have to hone your skills. You actually have to put in effort and investment in yourself paying for acting classes, auditioning for shows, networking all the things magicians and entertainers in general need to not only be willing to do but be able to do in order to have a successful careers.

Ive never understood why magicians feel they can learn a few items and then gripe about not having places to gain experience or think they are now entitled to go after the masses. Actors seem to know you have to take classes, you have to network, you have to take all jobs that come your way in your field to get noticed. (for the most part) you have to take the jobs of working in shoe stores, fast food joints and the like, that you have to live in crummy apartments so you can save money to spend on self promotion and education. (and I realize that you don't have to do any of that, I also know why the majority fail). Only a magician would go oh they want a magician and not a mentalist so I'll just pass up that 500.00 gig. Only a magician will spend years working on knuckle busting move and never touch the classics or the gimmicks or spend time putting together an actual performable entertaining act yet claim they want to go pro. Pro for who? Other magicians? You know before you can really start teaching other magicians you have to be able to entertain a real audience. Becuase as I've said many times. All your theory, practice and fantasy go screaming out the window when you actually have an audience in front of you.

Mandrake wrote:I'm sure Derek Lever will have words in appropriate ears to minimise any effect on genuine magicians as opposed to scam merchants using cards to cheat people out of money!

It was probably Derek Lever who got the street magicians banned in the first place! I would if I were him! On the other hand this doesn't sound like it is aimed at acne ridden youngsters who pester people in the street doing card tricks for their own amusement. It sounds like the three card monte to me. I am surprised Blackpool of all places is complaining. When I lived there the whole town was crooked! I really loved Blackpool for that one thing alone! It is where I got my education in wickedness and I have always been grateful to the town for that.