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LoveKey1988 Elite user 443 Posts |
What books/ dvds would you reccomend for someone who wants to make the transition from hobbyist to part-time/full time magician - both to build a repertoire/ and the marketing side?
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55Hudson Special user Minneapolis 984 Posts |
The Approach by Jamie D Grant (book)
Pop Haydn - Acting in Magic and Creating the Magic Routine (downloads from his website ) The Magic of Suzanne : The Castle Act (2DVD set) How to Become a Magician for Fun and Profit - Walter Graham (dated, but has the basics. You will need some imagination to update for today's actions) None of these are trick instructions, but about performing at a higher level. The Approach specifically walks through moving from amateur to strolling professional. Only Walt Graham's book discusses kids shows, which is probably the easiest way to start generating $ from magic. Most other how to books on magic as a business that I've read have not been particularly helpful. Good luck! |
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MudMedic New user Calgary, Alberta, Canada 41 Posts |
The book I could really use right now is "How to Live Well on Five Dollars a Day"...that would about sum up my skill level at this point...
Actually, a great intro would be volume one of the Harlan Tarbell series. He gave a great intro to the Art of magic, as opposed to just doing tricks. |
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Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
Soooo many over the decades have told me that one or another of my books (like The Magic Book) have enabled them to move into becoming "a part-time/full time" magician - but obviously haven't done that for anyone "listening" here. Too bad.
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
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danaruns Special user The City of Angels 808 Posts |
Jeff McBride's "The Show Doctor," which is a compilation of articles across a broad spectrum, and includes various subjects relevant to turning pro.
"Dana Douglas is the greatest magician alive. Plus, I'm drunk." -- Foster Brooks
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55Hudson Special user Minneapolis 984 Posts |
The Magic Book is a fine book. But I don't recall anything about the business side of magic, which is what I believe the OP is looking for
Hudson |
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Boomer Special user Prosper, TX 666 Posts |
I'd strongly recommend the first book suggested by 55Hudson, The Approach by Jamie D. Grant.
https://www.sendwonder.com/collections/a......approach Dave |
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Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
He did ask about building a repertoire, No?
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
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Riley Special user Swansea UK 955 Posts |
Well Harry, I bought a copy of "The Magic Book" in the late seventies and it has certainly helped me to earn money from magic. It is a wonderful book, and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for it. I use several of the routines regularly.
Kind regards Riley |
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Dougini Inner circle The Beautiful State Of Maine 7130 Posts |
I can hear it now, "Where can I get a copy..."
http://www.harryloraynemagic.com/store/p......%29.html Best thirty bucks you'll spend on a magic book! And ya know? We have him right NOW in the Café! Yes, THE Harry Lorayne! I salute you sir! Doug |
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Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
I gotta' raise that price!!
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
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davidpotesta New user 2 Posts |
Harry,
I just ordered "The Magic Book" from your site. Thanks for the recommendation. If you can, I'd love if you could sign it for me. I put a note in the order as well. |
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Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
Out of curiosity I just checked, and - no, there was/is no request for me to sign the book in your order. It's good that I saw this before packaging the book. Suggestion - email to my personal email address (first one listed under this post with the word "earthlink" in it) if you want me to see any personal request IN TIME. I see those right away usually - that is NOT the case with messages HERE. I will try to get your book mailed early next week, David.
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
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davidpotesta New user 2 Posts |
Sounds good, Harry. Email sent!
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charliemartin Special user Rapid City, SD 779 Posts |
Books by Dick Oslund, Jeff McBride, Harry Lorayne, Jamie Grant and Tarbell volume 1.
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Boomer Special user Prosper, TX 666 Posts |
This is quite possibly the exact thing you were looking for:
https://www.michaelclose.com/collections......19241923 Dave |
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thomasR Inner circle 1189 Posts |
Dave Davinci's Magic Master Summit has ALOT to offer for $197 (you get this years and last years sessions... ) it's interviews that discuss all sorts of business deals. I'm not saying that every interview is a home-run... but I am saying it is WELL worth the cost and will give you a great springboard.
I'd also recommend the Well Attended Podcast, Succesful Performercast, and The Business of Magic podcasts... those are free and offer a lot of great interviews. |
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Merc Man Inner circle NUNEATON, Warwickshire 2537 Posts |
Said it before but it's probably worth saying again.
In 1978 (aged 14) my Christmas present was The Magic Book by Harry Lorayne. Maybe hard for teenagers these days to believe but back then, there were families who did not have a lot of money; and apart from a few sweets (candy) a book would potentially be your main present. I adored reading my Dad's few magic books - mainly from the 1930's and requiring apparatus of some kind. When I started reading Harry's The Magic Book, I felt as if I'd been transported to a parallel universe; whereby superb close-up magic, with every-day items, was indeed possible. We are now nearly at Christmas again - almost 40 years later. As I type this post sat at my kitchen table, there are 2 books in front of me - may the Lord strike me dead on the spot if I'm lying. Harry's 'The Magic Book' and Quantum Leaps (I was cross referencing something last night). I'm looking at The Magic Book as I type. It's battered and bruised - having been regularly read. More than any other magic book that I own, there's bits of torn cigarette packets with notes written on, sticking out of it. The odd torn playing card with other references scribbled. And of course, the more recent post-it note. The fact is this book has been my inspiration in magic for nearly 40 years. I have used literally everything within. Despite, like many of us in our adult lives, having wasted a lot of money over the years on the latest magic 'flim flam' it IS the material within this book that I return to time and time again. Because one thing I have learnt about how magic is perceived by an audience is that you earn the greatest respect by performing with borrowed, or 'normal' items. For example, there is hardly anything within the card section that cannot be performed with a beat-up, borrowed pack of cards. Nothing within the coin section that needs expensive gaffs (in order to produce a similar effect in the eyes of spectators). Where else can you get so much workable material with a piece of paper & a pencil? A handkerchief, table items, etc. What's more, it taught me the most important elements of magical entertainment - presentation, routining and misdirection. It also taught me a very, very important lesson. That it is the basic, clearly defined easy to follow plot that gets the best reaction. Over the years, I've spent time and money learning different versions of 'The Colour Changing Deck'; or buying gaffs to get Aces to transpose, etc. I've spent money on further gaffs to get coins to go through a table; or pass from hand to hand. I've bought (and sold on) these gimmicks and flim-flam; along with countless others that achive matrix-style routines, etc. The reason being that all most gimmicks do is over-prove what you don't need to be over-proving anyway. The classics of magic will live forever; because they have an easy to follow plot. When you use ungaffed or borrowed items and throw them into the mix, it's just so much more rewarding. Added to which 'less is more'. If you can go out with minimal props, you will generally work harder on your presentation - because you are building upon the basics - by actually using the basics. Does that make sense? I hope it does. In other words, you tend to put more energy into your performance. A prop isn't doing the work for you. I've worked with other magicians that rush at break-neck speed from prop to prop; akin to a magic dealer demo (only to then vanish to re-set their gimmicks). However, arrive at a table; borrow a few contrasting coins and a table napkin, and you are ready to entertain. And what I can genuinely say to guys (still reading my rambling here) is that people aren't stupid. If they can see you are working AND entertaining them with what are clearly not 'magic props' you will get one hell of a lot of respect.....and in many cases, you will stand out. Harry (I believe) wrote this book for people who had an interest in starting out performing magic. It has the clearest of instruction; and covers so many useful principles of magic. I would not only unreservedly recommend this book to people starting out; but also to any magician that wants to make a living as a professional, magical entertainer. Indeed, it's title of 'THE Magic Book' could not be more deserving. It is, in my honest opinion, the GREATEST book of magic ever produced. Words cannot express my most sincere gratitude and thanks, to the Master himself.......Mr Harry Lorayne.
Barry Allen
Over 14 years have passed - and still missing Abra Magazine arriving every Saturday morning. |
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Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
Merc Man: Talk about making it all worthwhile!!! Your words above certainly did that for me - and brought a few tears to my eyes. Thank you. Harry L.
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
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willtupper New user 57 Posts |
"The Book" by the great Gene Anderson contains the notes for his award-winning lecture, "The Part-Time Pro."
The book contains a lot of other wonderful, inspiring stuff, as well (so many effects!). The actual lecture can be found on Greater Magic Video Library Volume 37 Gene Anderson - DVD. An earlier form of his notes (as well as the book itself) can be found at Mr. Anderson's website, www.geneanderson.com. He lectured at my local magic club... last year, I think it was. If you get a chance to see him live, do it. Fascinating, funny guy, and a 100%, A+ performer. |
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