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Magicmaven Inner circle 1235 Posts |
Once you are considered one by your peers, and not just a hobbyist, then your a magician.
Paul S. nailed this one.
rmaxgoodwin.com
https://rmaxgoodwin.com/ |
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
With all the gimmicks that one can buy today do you really need skill to be a magician? Lets say a comedian wanted to do a magic show. I would think such a guy could put one on from scratch in a month.
There is a TV show here where they take someone of the street and train them for a month, then the task is to fool experts. I have seen them succeed in doing this in all sorts of fields. I am not sure they would have any luck with a magician but then I bet that’s what the experts thought in their respective spheres.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
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Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
Good question Tommy.
Does one need sleight of hand type skill (dexterity etc) to be a proficient conjurer. In all honesty I strongly suspect one does NOT need a classic pass, or the skills to perform the Ramsay/Roth tricks to be an excellent performer.
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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Frank Tougas Inner circle Minneapolis, MN 1712 Posts |
Very true as performing skills are separate from knowing the technical aspects of magic. I think the cable show The Entertainer, with Wayne Newton should be watched by us all. Not just because Nathan is the magician contestant on this very entertaining reality show, but because it gives a real worthwhile look into what it takes to become a performer adn what it does not take.
Frank Tougas The Twin Cities Most "Kid Experienced" Children's Performer :"Creating Positive Memories...One Smile at a Time"
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BlackShadow Special user London UK 666 Posts |
No sleight of hand is needed to be a magician.
I think it would take at least one or two years to start honing effects to perfection, if you really wanted to pin it down to a time. Practicing, modifying, moulding, and learning from performing in different conditons. Coming back to effects after a few weeks and discovering aspects you hadn't thought about before. Thinking about angles, preparation, timing, patter, where, when and who to perform for. You'll know when you are a magician by the reactions of your audience. |
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
When you get your first check and the person handing it to you say's "Thank you that was great! The folks had FUN."
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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bsears Inner circle Cincinnati, Ohio 1040 Posts |
Do some charity shows and see how they go. Hospitals and other such places can always use free entertainment and you will quickly begin to get a feel for if you are ready. Charging before you are ready will only embarrass you and hurt the chances that the client will book another magician in the future. Good luck.
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chrisrkline Special user Little Rock 965 Posts |
As I get closer to doing professional gigs with some regularity (or just more street busking,) I find myself less and less interested in the effects that require lots of sleight of hand and am settling on simpler, crowd pleasing effects. This is affected somewhat by the fact that I started in my forties, but still, I want to entertain, not show off. When I do a ten minute routine, on a stage, or on the street, with only two simple moves, what is left but me? I better be good.
But studying the classics (some of them) and some more difficult sleight of hand has helped me do better with the simpler, hard hitting routines. I do not use many gaffs, but when you perform in front of a street crowd, you have to focus on the presentation and not the moves. Since I am older, I would feel foolish calling myself a magician unless I did this for a living. If I am doing a show, then, yes, I am the magician. But the rest of the time, I am an eighth grade teacher.
Chris
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saxmangeoff Veteran user Moscow, ID, USA 353 Posts |
Chris,
If you can keep the attention of a roomful of 8th graders, you are a magician. Geoff, father of 4 kids, ages 15, 14, 10, and 8
"You must practice your material until it becomes boring, then practice it until it becomes beautiful." -- Bill Palmer
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rannie Inner circle 4375 Posts |
I know a fellow who baffles the boys in the club , but never performs for lay people. Is this like tha golfer who hits perfect draws and accurate pitches but never plays the fairways? is that a magician? is the other guy a golfer?
Rannie
"If you can't teach an old dog new tricks, trick the old dog to learn."
-Rannie Raymundo- aka The Boss aka The Manila Enforcer www.rannieraymundo.com www.tapm.proboards80.net |
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
Rannie
That’s a bit off the original question but I think its a good question. I was going to say yes, because if some one creates a painting and does not exhibit it, he is still an artist, or if some one plays the piano alone, they are still a pianist. However If some one tells himself a joke, he is not a comedian, is he?. I note that “comedian” and “magician” both end in “ian“. Perhaps those who are better educated could tell me what “ian” means? Tommy
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
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Hideo Kato Inner circle Tokyo 5649 Posts |
I don't think becoming magician is easier than becoming pianist. I practiced piano one months and could play all of Beyer smoothly. It's like a magician who can do several easy tricks smoothly.
To become a good magician or becoming a good pianist takes a lot of time and considerable effort. Thinking you can become a good magician after practicing one year or so is one of reasons you can't become a good magician. BTW,As you can call you as a golfer if you do golf, you can call you as a magician if you do magic. However, we have ranks of magicians, good magicians, intermediate magicians, mediocre magicians and no good magicians. Hideo Kato |
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sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
You don't, others will. But then again it does not mean it is necessarily true. Probably a more accurate analogy would be, when you no longer doubt, or feel the need to ask yourself if you are a magician. But some magicians still question themselves out of insecurity, or never seem to reach a level that they are satisfied with. This could lead to them becoming "perfectionists," as well as obsessive compulsive behavior. Believe me I know.
So that is a double edged sword, but always keeps you "sharp." (Pun fully intended) If one has put all the required time, and effort into magic, there comes a point and time one day, or night that you no longer have that question in your mind. As long as that does not lead to a "know it all" attitude, and one can retain a certain level of humility, and modesty, and a mind that stays open to learning, you will have a healthy balance of all the attributes needed to finally be considered a true "magician." When did you start calling yourself a magician? Did the term "magician" in your definition of the word change for you as you progressed? Did it become more meaningful, or did your definition of the term expand to a much more broader, and a higher level of expectation? Or did you simply throw on a suit, grab your tricks, and hop on the stage without much care at all as to whether or not you actually fit the billing? Hopefully not the latter. But in any case, what are some of the goals that you set for yourself, or what criteria if any did you create in order to be able to one day call yourself a magician? Some questions you also may want to ponder...
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
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sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
Many have become magicians long before ever doing a professional gig. In fact they are usually considered 'amateur magicians' before then, only because they are not earning their living from magic yet. Getting a check for being a magician is just an added plus, not a prerequisite for becoming one.
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
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tikiman New user 57 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-02-16 10:13, Zac Vee wrote: I think I have to agree with this one, I think the same can be said for any art. As soon as some says [insert your name here] is an artist, a comedian, a magician etc... You can safely wear the moniker. |
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