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Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
I have to agree with Wes. But I also have to wonder: why does he feel by watching you that having that prop will allow him to be as good as you?
Surely you know someone who can tell a simple joke or story and have everyone fully engaged, while others could tell that same story and never get that reaction. As others have said, we need to strive for that in our magic, and it's more of a character thing than a skills thing (although being able to do something that no one else can do is also a good thing!). This is what I'm working on. Right now, I am the only magician-for-hire (that I know of) in my fairly isolated city - and you can get from one end to the other is 15 minutes! The wanna-bes are coming, I know this for sure. But I am planning that by the time they get here, *I* am going to be so firmly entrenched in the minds of these people that anyone else is obviously a dollar-store knock-off! Sure - go buy a dove pan and a mechanical chicken and a jumbo ID. But do you bring them to life like I do? And do you have my marketing that sticks me inside your desires for a magician? (Caveat: I'm speaking positive about the future because I know what I'm going to put into this!) I'd be willing to bet that as you practice and perform and grow as a performer, you will become much more difficult to imitate. And you will probably also be able to raise your price without hesitation, while this guy will struggle to get his low-ball rate. And I would also almost guarentee that at some point, this lazy and jealous man - who will never grow as a magician because all he does is copy and never work - will self-destruct. I bet this guy is going to steal a gig from you or someone else and suddenly find himself totally unable to satisfy the customer. And that customer will tell everyone else how horrible this guy was. Like Wes said, this is life and this is business. Life's too short to worry about mean little people you can't do anything about anyway. Business is also mostly survival of the fittest - be the biggest and best and that's what you'll get; you can leave the strays to scrounge whatever they can. You've only in the beginnings of things. The final chapter hasn't been written yet. Just be careful what you write into yourself, because it may be there for a while. This guy is writing his laziness and such into his book - and it's read by all! Ed |
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derrick Inner circle I dug holes for 1044 Posts |
Man dove boy, I feel your pain. Over the past few years I have performed at a festival about an hour away from my home. This festival hires several local performers, as well as, more regional acts like myself. This year a local magician that followed me the year before was not only using my intro music, he had created a home made set of "Bigger Wands". After watching this year's show he actually asked me the name of "the trick where silks shoot back out of the box" - Kandu's Comedy Carton. Unfortunately at the time I just couldn't remember. Hope he enjoys trying to make it from scratch Sorry about the loss of the sale Jef. I've been wanting a Kandu's Fun Tray. How about I get one of those to bug him with next year.
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Lou Hilario Inner circle 2235 Posts |
Joe, avoid public shows and doing shows in magic clubs.
In my 30 years of performing here in the Philippines, it is also the same situation. You probably have the right formula for your local audience that's why you are being copied. I really hate it when they copy my acts, my patter, my music and even my costumes. I have heard from some agents that some are even using a hint of my name here. With the computer age, it's so easy to copy other magicians worldwide from the internet. All one has to do is look in Youtube. I don't understand why these lazy magicians have to copy the local ones. I avoid talking with local magicians. I really don't learn anything from them. Just ignore, stop worrying and move on.
Magic, Illusions, Juggling, Puppet & Parrot Show ^0^
http://www.louhilario.net |
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TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
The more original your act is, the less you need to ever worry about that.
I can pretty much guarantee that all of you have all the props I use in my act or pretty darn close to it. rope, silk, tt, wand, hat, cards, rings, .....
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Frank
I looked at your list of props, they are the same as mine except I would add bags, tubes, scissors, and that's my whole show. I'm also willing to bet that your show is completely different than mine.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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WizzBang Regular user 125 Posts |
"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?"
Posted: May 25, 2010 10:43am I must confess I am a little cynical about comments such as "stealing my act". It takes years and years to perfect a complete show it would be impossible to steal it after watching it once. You may have the moves and the jokes but there is so much more that cannot be stolen. "Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world" (Albert Einstein) I have a different opinion, if a young person wants to do something you already do, give it to them, let them copy it, it's the only way they can start the learning process, hopefully by the time they've finished it will be something you can copy |
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Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
I tend to agree with you, Wizz-Bang (Wizz-Bang?! Great monicker!)
The ideal would be to include enough skillful things in your routines that copying directly isn't viable - which means that imitators will only be a shadow of your act. I guess I understand that in some parts of the World plagiarism is more rife than others. Did I mention that my friend Robbie the Magician gets frustrated working at Butlin's? He does his act sporadically over the season, then next year, when he returns, the Redcoats have stolen all his gags, and he can't use them because the audiences have already heard them! His attitude is simple: take along a new show every year, and don't let it rock your boat. Potty |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
I have someone say they liked my "new act", when it structure it was based on the same effects. Different themes and my work in improvisational theatre, makes each one a unique situation.
Bring more of you into your program. Risky yes, but oh so rewarding. This summer will be adding new puppets..I am guessing some my copy them..... pencil sharpener nose...shovel body....gross puppet mouth..... may even copy the songs I write, or spontaneous create with audience suggestions... These days folks can video your show on your camera.... In full disclosure, I have been for a short time a "harry a" clone or "doug h"(back when I had the hair)... Original has it's draw backs...I stopped doing the vanishing hanky, or rope since "everyone" was doing them... Then went to cut and restored licorice..(actually bite and restore)..but guessing others have thought of that... scarf to cane..became ...rag (oil stained) or Christmas tinsel to cane... ho ho ho...and as the prayer goes... God grant me the serenity to accept what I can not change The courage to change the things I can..(my skills, props...) and the wisdom to know the difference. Be safe, well and creative. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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LMLipman Elite user Falls Church, Va. 443 Posts |
I think Potty and JoJo gave good advice: first try to influence him with your colleagues by convincing him that it's more professional to do his own show rather than copy the effects in yours. If that doesn't work, exclude him from the group: don't tell him where you got your effects.
Of course if you are just doing commercial effects you can't prevent him from purchasing the same items. Look for material that is not commonly available. The problem you mention is not unique to your area. It happens everywhere. Hopefully, if he's the kind of person who is too lazy to develop his own show, he's too lazy to perfect his magic--and that is where you can leave him far behind. |
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Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-05-25 15:09, LMLipman wrote: You've hit the nail on the head, Larry. In fact, I'd replace "hopefully" with "probably". Potty:) |
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