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magicman344 New user 85 Posts |
I need a stage name for myself and I was wondering, are there any Do s and Don't s of choosing a stage name? I'm thinking that I would keep my first name and make up a last name, but I really have no idea of what I'm doing.
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Andy Young Special user Jersey Shore, PA 813 Posts |
Just don't do anything vulgar and just make sure it is something you like.
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george1953 Inner circle Mallorca (Spain) 5943 Posts |
Its always difficult at first, everything you come up with sounds silly, but you will get used to it in the end
By failing to prepare, we are preparing to fail.
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Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
More simple the better, if you have a particular character you play in your performance be sure it fits that. You can change it if it doesn't work. My great uncle used several names before he settled on Blackstone.
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
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rmann New user Milton VT and a forum newbie with only 96 Posts |
Consider your stage presence and how you want to appear to others. If you play the part of a comedic magician, choose a name that goes with that persona, and vice-versa. Ultimately it is up to you, but you want something that reflects you and what your audience might reasonably identify with your stage persona. As Father Photius said, you can always change it...
Ray
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Pastor Ray Mann Champlain Valley Church of the Nazarene St. Albans, VT (USA) "...to Him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever." Ps 136:4 |
silvercup Loyal user 223 Posts |
Don't choose Hitlerini or the Amazing Hitler.
Do choose a name that is easy to pronounce, remember, & spell. |
Jack Crafter New user Kent, England 62 Posts |
Lol. Very wise advice from silvercup.
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Mike Maturen Inner circle Michigan's Beautiful Sunrise Side 2726 Posts |
I just use my real name...less confusing. That way, I don't have to worry about someone writing a check to a fake name. Unless you register that name as a DBA (doing business as), that could potentially be a problem.
Mike Maturen
World of Wonder Entertainment The Magic and Mayhem of Mike Maturen 989-335-1661 mikematuren@gmail.com AUTHOR OF "A NEW DAWN--Weekly Wisdom From Everyday Life" member: International Magician's Society |
The Amazing Pog Veteran user 372 Posts |
Very interesting consideration. It goes together with: what is your character? What kind of show are you performing? Who is your target market? Why do you want to do this kind of show? What is your look? How will you market yourself? Etc etc.
My only advice is to think about the whole package together and take your time.
'One of the safest ways to make a good performance is to have tricks which work so easily, that mechanics can be forgotten and every attention devoted to presentation' - Corinda
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DWRackley Inner circle Chattanooga, TN 1909 Posts |
Gotta figure out who you are, and who do you want "them" to see.
I changed my name a few times over the years. Mister Houdini (ok, give me a break, I was a kid!), The Amazing Donovan, and The (other) Donald. Even Donatelli has been evolving very slightly, with MIND emerging as the corporate and the other, D.R. (will keep that part to myself until it launches) being the character. It may seem early to you right now, but as Mike points out, if you’re doing this for pay, it is a business, and you should have a DBA (business registration) on file at your county courthouse (or local jurisdiction). The IRS is also going to want to know about your income, even if you think it is “below” a certain level. Having that DBA on file will help with opening a bank account so you can deposit checks written to “The Magnificent Magic Maestro”. One more step, if you’re up for it; incorporation is a fairly simple process, IF you’re doing it simply as a business and not as a way of hiding something. Incorporating as “Flotsam Jetsam and Company” will allow you to keep changing your stage name until you find something you’re happy with, without actually affecting the “legal entity” of your DBA. In other words, if “The Fantastic Fizzle” doesn’t work out for you and you want to try “Professor Putz” instead, your corporation (FJ&C) can still receive and deposit checks. You become an agent (magician) representing yourself (company). Sounds complicated, but a good accountant (yes, you should have one) can step you through it in one meeting. Really, the worst part of the whole process is the junk mail you’ll start getting after OTHER businesses spot your DBA filing in the public record. (Take note, you may want to take a peek yourself, to see if you can offer your services for any upcoming “Grand Opening”s!) Just something to keep in MIND Best of Luck!
...what if I could read your mind?
Chattanooga's Premier Mentalist Donatelli and Company at ChattanoogaPerformers.com also on FaceBook |
Mike Maturen Inner circle Michigan's Beautiful Sunrise Side 2726 Posts |
Good thoughts from Mr. Rackley!
Mike Maturen
World of Wonder Entertainment The Magic and Mayhem of Mike Maturen 989-335-1661 mikematuren@gmail.com AUTHOR OF "A NEW DAWN--Weekly Wisdom From Everyday Life" member: International Magician's Society |
CJRichard Special user Massachusetts 542 Posts |
Unless you have a really common name or it's being used by another, well known magician, there might not be any reason not to use your own name.
Two people from my local area started in magic years and years ago as kids using their real names and have continued to use them even now that they're much more well known. (Google "Jon Stetson" and "Lyn Dillies.") In the past, performers who were immigrants to the US often changed their names to sound more American. Movie studios changed peoples' names for publicity purposes (Judy Garland had more box office appeal than Frances Ethel Gumm.) But many people perform under their own names unless there's a compelling reason to do otherwise. Magicians with hokey "magic" names can be just plain silly. It's not hard to understand why magic is sometimes placed on a rather low rung of the entertainment ladder. . .
"You know some of you are laughin', but there's people here tryin' to learn. . ." -Pop Haydn
"I know of no other art that proclaims itself 'easy to do.'" -Master Payne Ezekiel the Green |
CJRichard Special user Massachusetts 542 Posts |
Oops. Double post.
"You know some of you are laughin', but there's people here tryin' to learn. . ." -Pop Haydn
"I know of no other art that proclaims itself 'easy to do.'" -Master Payne Ezekiel the Green |
DWRackley Inner circle Chattanooga, TN 1909 Posts |
CJ makes a great point, which I overlooked. Scott Fillers in Chattanooga started magic as a young boy, toured with Copperfield, and performs professionally on his own using “Magic of Scott Fillers and Company”.
If your real name is distinct and professional sounding, that may be your best ticket. (I’m so glad Marion Mitchell Morrison changed his name: http://www.todayifoundout.com/wp-content......name.jpg )
...what if I could read your mind?
Chattanooga's Premier Mentalist Donatelli and Company at ChattanoogaPerformers.com also on FaceBook |
magicman344 New user 85 Posts |
Sweet, Thanks I did not realize this
:magician: |
daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
Posted: May 11, 2013 5:45pm
My suggestion is that when choosing a stage name, think long and hard, because you may be stuck with the end result for a long time! I speak from personal experience. Even though now I stick with daffy doug, ( so conceived for my ability to do VOICES , shall we say, of a rather Daffy nature? ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDpSHb-XY......a_player ) ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_ApgP5b6......a_player ) ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrVCByGKa......a_player ) at one time ol' Daff here went by the monicker of (are you ready for it? Here it comes.. GOLDENFIRE! Vincent Goldenfire, to be exact. But it just wasn't "me". It never fit, and I always felt uncomfortable with it. It took a long time to shake it off. Proved very difficult to shake it off. So whatever name you choose, think long and hard, and make sure you really love the name, and are not just enamored of it.
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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