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Damian Veteran user 363 Posts |
A couple of nights ago, while walking home, I was suddenly invited, by a group of people smoking outside a wine bar, to a small party, inside. They were very friendly and I accepted the invitation. Inside, I had a great time chatting and just enjoying the atmosphere. Eventually a young woman asked me what I did, and not believing me, wanted a demonstration. This turned into a nice long set at the end of which I was profusely thanked numerous times. It was a very nice evening.
I just received an email from someone who was not at the bar, but who heard about me from a couple of people who were. The man writing is visiting for the holidays, with friends, and wanted to hire me to come to their place "so you can perform your favorite tricks, tell us how they are done and have fun " He suggested hiring me "for a few hours" and asked about my hourly rate. I responded by quoting him slightly less than my standard rate, because as an unplanned expense as part of a holiday, I thought it would make it a more reasonable option for them. I said a 40 min show would likely be sufficient for a small group, but that I might perform a bit longer, if it seemed appropriate. I added, just to be safe, that I assumed he was joking about showing how the tricks are done, but that if he knows a trick already, I would be happy to help him "perfect" it, after the show. He responded by saying that probably why my price is so "high" is that I usually have to bring lots of stuff and set everything up, but that they just want to see small tricks. Also, they would like me to show how some of them are done, since there are many which are not a secret "these days" and they would like to see a professional perform them "in slow motion." He asked if I could readjust my price with the above in mind. This is the first time I've gotten a request like this. Have any of you had a similar experience? If so, what have you done? If not, what do you think? |
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
I have had a lot of interest in my "telling how it is done" I say I'm sorry but It is not allowed, I'm part of the Wizard's Union and we have a very tough union. Then I laugh.
If they are really serious, I just tell them that I don't teach Magic. I don't tell them they would be disappointed in learning the secrets. I just say that learning to perform Magic takes years of dedication and practice. Just say no. It is clear that they just want you to give away secrets and at a cut rate yet. That is what I would do. The fact that you are not already feeling that way means that you may be looking for another path. -Mary Mowder |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Mary said it very well!
Here's another "angle", which might be fun to try!!! You might tell him that most of your repertoire (I would use THAT word!) required years of study, practice, and experience to learn, and the performance of those tricks so that they entertain, is your livelihood. Then add: "I cannot GIVE AWAY my livelihood.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Do one thing and show them a bs explanation.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
Danny, do you mean before he takes the gig?
-Mary Mowder |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I mean at the gig.
They don't know the secret. So giving them a few false ones never hurt anyone.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Yellowcustard Inner circle New Zealand 1334 Posts |
Someone is asking you to lower your price and teach magic I would drop this gig quick as.
I have done a history of magic workshop for Science center. In that I showed a old of the hills math trick that comes in every Christmas cracker. And as part of this they also make a mirror box to take home. It worked well in that setting.
Enjoy your magic,
and let others enjoy it as well! |
Damian Veteran user 363 Posts |
Thanks for the responses, everybody.
Mary, thanks for sharing your experience. Just to be clear, I was in no way undecided about whether or not I would consider giving away secrets. Not sure want I said that gave that impression, but my apologies. I responded with a lengthy but detailed explanation of what he would actually be paying for as well as why it would be unethical, as well as ultimately unsatisfying, for me to reveal secrets. I can understand why you, Mary, or anyone, would leave some of that out, but I didn't, because I wanted to encourage him to consider the uniqueness of wonder. Sometimes people just haven't considered that. (As an aside, I occasionally get requests to teach magic, which I am happy to do. This, obviously, was not that.) Dick, thanks for your feedback. That's essentially what I told him. Danny, I'll be honest, I didn't think of that. I would never do it, myself, but if someone ever did, it would be one for the books! Custard, as mentioned, I didn't drop it, as such. Just had to turn him to my terms. If I can turn it into a gig, I'd consider it a big win. But I'm not holding my breath! Anyway, the reason I shared the story, was not because I was looking for advice-although thank you all!-but rather because I have never had somebody try to hire me to simply reveal secrets. I was stunned by the proposition, and am interested to know who else has been approached like this. If I'm the first, I doubt I'll be the last. His assertion that "many secrets are out these days," is telling. I'm wondering if a saturation point is being reached, in terms of Internet exposure. If it exists as its own form of entertainment, it follows that people would want real magicians explaining things live, just like what they see on YouTube. |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
While I have never done it specifically in the context of being paid to do so I have given particularly persistent guests many a false explanation.
Once it is WAY too complicated and boring to remember they just stop. Don't forget it is often an interest that spurs this request.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
EVILDAN Inner circle 1279 Posts |
I have never been approached for such a show.
But if I did, the price doesn't go down, it goes WAY up. Think of McDonald's $100 Ace Trick. And that's when $100.00 was a lot of money.
by EVILDAN....
"The Coin Board Book" - moves and routines with the coin panel board. - http://www.lybrary.com/the-coin-board-book-p-827955.html "SLASHER - A Horror Whodunnit" - a bizarre close-up routine based on Bob Neale's "Sole Survivor." PM me for more info. "Zombie Town" - a packet effect about how a small town turned into zombies. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nzJhcoJtyOM |
Kyoki_Sanitys_Eclipse Inner circle 1513 Posts |
Wow, you have some crazy adventures. I'd let them know I wasn't interested. However, I'm not putting food on the table with magic right now so....
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Kaliix Inner circle Connecticut 1984 Posts |
Lets see, Rindfleisch's Jumper, Spoon Around, sucker silk to egg, Mongolian Pop Knot, and Whit Hayden's Comedy Four Ring routine, just for fun.
What routines would you add to the mix the would "explain" the trick as it went along?
The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge.
~Daniel J. Boorstin |
Mr. Woolery Inner circle Fairbanks, AK 2149 Posts |
Kaliix, how about Paul Potassey's T&R newspaper? The explanation is all of the entertainment.
There's room for more than just Whit Haydn's "teaching" act. I like the idea of a whole set devoted to phony explanations of how to do magic. Especially in these days of internet exposure. "This is the real secret. You won't find this on YouTube! Unless someone here tonight is recording it, that is..." But never take a cut rate gig unless you really have a good reason. And it doesn't sound like you do. (I should note that the only gigs I get paid for are musical not magical, but when I do one for a reduced price - for example I have donated my time and talent twice to funerals for veterans - I ask that a charitable donation in the amount of my usual fee be made. In both cases, the men I played for had died of cancer, so I requested donations to either cancer charities or organizations that help veterans.) -Patrick |
RobertlewisIR Veteran user Colorado 367 Posts |
If I were AT an event and someone pressed for an explanation I might (always in good humor, of course) go into a routine that involves some kind of pseudo-exposure to set them up for an even bigger surprise ending (a la Backstage illusion).
But I simply wouldn't take a job that had that as part of the expected performance. I'd try to talk them out of it because they might just not know any better, but if they didn't bite pretty quick, I'd probably just politely refuse the booking. Too many red flags that it would end up being a booking from hell.
~Bob
---------- Last night, I dreamed I ate the world's largest marshmallow. When I woke up, the pillow was gone. |
JG New user 44 Posts |
I've been paid to perform magic. I've been paid to teach magic . I've been paid to lecture to magicians. But never at the same event!
I've never been asked to mix event types and I would never do it, as it wouldn't fit my persona or ethics. It's not for me, but it may be for others, and may indeed prove a lucrative new market. But to me, they are entirely different events, with different requirements and different objectives. Mixing it up would weaken the 'gestalt'; in this case, the whole may not be greater than the sum of its parts.
"PANTHERA - Improve and Develop Your Mentalism" by Jack Goldstein - a large hard backed limited edition book of mentalism, over 30 top contributors, with professional effects and essays.
Buy it now through Michael Murray at MindFX: https://www.mindfx.co.uk/ Lulu.com https://www.lulu.com/shop/jack-goldstein/panthera/hardcover/product-m9w6w9.html?page=1&pageSize=4 |
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