talkmagic.co.uk

Hi

how does insurance policy work for assistants helping on stage,

what is the ongoing rate for assistants?


does anyone have the answers?


Jags

A really good place to start would be Equity, the performers' union, as I'm sure that if you become a member you qualify for many kinds of insurance.

As for rates, well I suppose having an assistant would mean you can hike up your fee somewhat, but as for what you pay the assistant, well that'd be up to you to negotiate, I suppose.

jagsmagic wrote:Hi

how does insurance policy work for assistants helping on stage,

what is the ongoing rate for assistants?


does anyone have the answers?


Jags

This is precissley why most illusionists marry the main girl used in the show.

Jags, I'm going to try to be as kind as possible and I hope you take what I'm about to say for how it is intended, creative criticism and not a put down. I love your enthusiasm but I think you may be placing the cart before the horse just a bit. Slow down some and look at how you can lay a foundation to your career that will help you sustain the dreams and visions you presently host.

I believe I've already pointed out that unless you are doing a parody or historic 70's flash-back type act, you need to get rid of the Tux look (your photo) and get with a professional image consultant to help "remake" you. In simple terms, you do not have a friendly commercial look. You're too scary looking for most parents to want you to do kiddie shows and far too out of date looking (and unkempt) to be taken serious by the more commercial brookers.

While you're getting all of this addressed, you need to look at the materials you have on hand, your assets and deficets (including your skills or lack thereof). Start cultivating a 10-minute easy to do club act that is unique. You don't want to be doing ANYTHING the audience may have seen David Blaine or any of the other current trend setters do on Tv; to do so will be to bore them to tears in that 101 other magicians are doing the same thing right now. So run in the other direction so that you stand out and look far more "original".

It was about 40 years ago that an enthusiastic, unkempt Jewish kid came to L.A. and tried to prove his stuff to the gang at the Magic Castle... he bombed terribly! That's when Jay Ossy told him to learn one or two solid pieces better than anything else and not to worry about the rest. This lad perfected Sun & Moon coins as well as a very unique thing involving exceptionally strong misdirection. It took him almost a full year of doing the practicing and conscious application, but he became heralded as a legend... his name was Albert Goshman.

The moral of the story is, you are just like Albert was... filled with enthusiasm but little to no discipline.

Put on the brakes, take a deep breath, and look at things realistically (setting your dreams and visions to the side for now).

Show biz is a difficult, unforgiving industry. There is NOTHING glamorous about it... it's freaking hard work, long hours, low pay, and near perpetual headaches. The reason most fail at it, is because they don't listen and too, they aren't capable of holding to the demands this industry places on them.

I stress, what I've shared is strictly suggestion -- if you really want to work your way towards the big stage and being able to support an illusion act, you need to make yourself viable and appealing to the market. Define yourself first and then, things will fall into place.

WOW

Craig that was great, i will take your points in mind and i really appreciate the input, give the site a week or so

just the other thing is im not immediately going into assistant use and big stuff straight away, i am trying to prepare a long tem mental plan, yes this sort of work is hard to much time is spent doing and preparing, but preparing what you enjoy thats the point, its difficult to achieve but like i say i will endeavour to succeed, i once read on this forum (a few days ago)......if you want to do something go out and do it, always remember an amateur built the ark and a team of professional built the titanic

but again if criticism is constructive criticism then no needs to apologise matey


Jags

I will make a suggestion to you as far as "stage magic" is concerned... get a copy of Gary Darwin's INEXPENSIVE ILLUSION book as well as the old VICTORY CARTONS manuscript. I've done shows using little other than the stuff in these books (and the Mark Wilson course)... you don't need a big budget, just an imagination and a hint of creativity.

Best of luck!