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Scott Alexander V.I.P. 1471 Posts |
What do you think about magic on tv? Has it been good? Bad? Do you want more? Less? How would you improve it? Has the "man on the street" thing been played out?
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RS1963 Inner circle 2734 Posts |
I would like to see more magic on t.v. certainly more close up. By close up I mean it would be good to see people like Ammar, Gertner, etc... It would be great to see a special with only close up performers such as the one I mentioned. I kind of doubt it will ever happen tho.
I think lately magic on t.v. has been rather bland. I don't find David Blaine very interesting or intertaining. But non magicians seem to love him so he obviously has something. |
Allan Given Regular user 169 Posts |
I agree...I would love to see some great close-up workers on TV...and I do miss the once a year event of turning our TV to CBS to see David Copperfield's special...
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Snidini Special user 776 Posts |
There doesn't seem to be enough magic on TV to promote the art. Once every 8 months or so, they may have a special but I am sure this is attributed to the almighty dollar and ratings. I think the street thing took off due to people getting tired of seeing "big illusions" performed with every tv special. Don't get me wrong, I love Copperfield too but it just seemed that he was the only show in town when we know different. Most people I talk to about this subject love the close up stuff and simple "in your face" jaw dropping magic. They are tired of the 10 to 12 minute long, "lets turn the music up, strut the girls around, razzle/dazzle and blind you with lights and smoke for just the big O" or end of the illusion. Much like sex, I am hearing these folks like the short "quickies" of the street magician episodes as opposed to the exotic stage productions of a Copperfield. Sorry David. I have asked this question amongst my friends and peers and this seems for now to be the opinion of them.
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Kipp Sherry Elite user Boise, ID 477 Posts |
When Blaine first came out I thought it was a breath of fresh air (he's got weird since his second special).
I still like the big stage stuff too. There was a unique show called T.H.E.M. but I only saw about two episodes before it was taken away. I think most of the problem is with the big three networks trying to figure out this new age of cable, satelite, internet and all the others stealing their market dominance. So they play it safe. I don't have cable but I hear they are more likely to produce magic shows. For instance, I heard Criss Angel is currently filming a special for A&E. But alas, I don't have cable. I think magic is still available on T.V. if you know where to look and are hooked up to all the different sources, but with all the cash being spent each month it would be better to go to a live show. I really would like to see more magic on T.V. but I get the feeling that it doesn't do that great in the ratings. I don't know the solution but I hope it's found. And maybe, just maybe, the Masked Magician stole all the thunder. Although I disagree with Valentino's methods, maybe his philosophy was correct. Magic needs something new to bring back the magic, which in turn may bring back T.V. |
Scott Alexander V.I.P. 1471 Posts |
So are big illusions on television dead?
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Kipp Sherry Elite user Boise, ID 477 Posts |
I don't think big illusions are dead. Maybe they just have to be sold differently.
As I think of this topic a little more I can't help but wonder if Television might be going the way of 45 rpm records. A new trend that is emerging in the film industry is to produce a movie with no intention of having it play at the theatres but releasing them directly to DVD instead. Maybe this is the new market for maigic shows. Not DVD's explaining how to do illusions, but grand production like we are used to seeing on T.V. Release them to DVD first. With today's technology you can do this for a fraction of the production costs of just 10 or 20 years ago. Japanese animimation is growing in U.S. market share with this philosophy and they are building a big underground movement. Open up the imagination. Maybe this really could be the new market for T.V. type magic shows. |
Scott Alexander V.I.P. 1471 Posts |
An interesting thought... anyone else have any thoughts on magic straight to dvd?
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tpdmagic Elite user 459 Posts |
As a performer who has just finished filming 13 tv specials for Indonesia, and asia I can say this. It is far from dead! I have found out that Asians love magic more than in the states. There seems to be magic on tv all the time. Now in the states the problem I think is finding a good combination of skill and a good entertainer for tv. Tv magic is totally a differen't game than live magic. There are a lot more factors involved than most would relize there for I think it takes a little more to make a tv show a reality. Now of course I do think magic just like music goes in waves. Look at the 70s music, then look at lenny Kravitz. I don't think he would have worked when Crunge was reall big in the late 80s and early 90s. It is all about timeing as is everything in life. If the timing is good for magic on tv believe me there will be tons of magic on tv, but if the timing is wrong then well it will seem like no one cares about our art. The bottom line is Tv magic is a great tool to open up laymen to what we do, it is also a great way to express the idea of seeing it live, but the most and important thing that anyone can do to enjoy magic is see it live otherwise they are missing the whole experience.
http://www.tpdmagic.com |
Scott Alexander V.I.P. 1471 Posts |
You are right about the states having a different opinion of magic. Also, I agree that the right type of performer can sell anything. I think if the right personality takes the reigns, and is someone that people can relate to, it wouldn't matter what type of magic they perform...the magic is simply the medium.....the entertainment stems from the personality of the performer.
Good luck with your television endeavor. |
tpdmagic Elite user 459 Posts |
Scott,
AMEN BROTHER.......Thats the truth. My wife just got excepted to UNLV...guess we are making the move to vegas.....in the next month. I am leaving Asia this Friday so looks like a busy month for me. Hope to run into you in vegas http://www.tpdmagic.com |
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