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magicsavant Regular user Georgia 157 Posts |
The subject line says it all.
Is there a major difference in regards to pay depending on the performer, or is it similar throughout the industry? Does "Mark" the assistant, who works for Copperfield, but also has a degree in theatre, get paid more than "Rebecca" the assistant, who works for Lance Burton, who's job is mainly to look good in a jumpsuit and smile? (Note: I am talking about assistants who are for all intensive purposes interchangeable. If the Amazing Jonathan's assistant changed, we would know...it is his wife afterall, but if Copperfield changed his entire crew, we probably would not.) |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
If Kyle changed his lovely assistant it would mean that Kelly has filed for divorce. What I really want to know is how much does Copperfield pay his rented fiance Claudia?
Al Angello
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
I don't think anyone's gonna have a direct answer to this (maybe I'm wrong), but there are a few ideas I can throw into the discussion:
Various factors would affect the pay rate: Union requirements (I think the applicable union would be AGVA), touring pay as opposed to pay for a show that doesn't tour, and responsibilities. Additionally (see the link below) DC uses some "pickup" assistants hired locally for each appearance. Regarding that last item, I know some of DC's assistants have more duties than others. Consider (oh, I've forgotten her name but I had a crush on her from the TV specials) his lead assistant/dancer for many years, who (one would guess) had a more responsible position than others. Also consider that DC's assistants generally have more to do than just carry props to David ... they're also roadies (again, correct me if I'm wrong) and union rules (IATSE) probably affect remuneration as well. Long ago, on performance day, while waiting in line for tickets, I watched them spend considerable effort dismantling one oversized prop to get it thru the stage door of the Warner Theater in Washington. (I guess they figured "Hey, no idle passerby is gonna have any idea what this is, so let's get the show loaded in and not worry too much if anybody sees, 'cause there's not gonna be a show if we don't." On the other hand, the gigantic 18-wheeler with David's penetrating-stare logo might have given somebody a clue.) See also http://www.thesmokinggun.com/backstagetour/dcopp/dcopp1.html (5 pages out of a 29-page rider ... I'd love to see the rest!) |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Al,
That is so true. If Kelly was not a part of my show it would be because I am in the dog house or she divorced me. lol Kelly is my magical partner on stage. I simply could not perform and do what I do without her. She is an intrical part to our success and the success of our performances. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
threecardmonte Loyal user 278 Posts |
(oh, I've forgotten her name but I had a crush on her from the TV specials)
Ross, I believe you are thinking of Joannie Spina. Tim |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Tim is correct that it probably is indeed Joanie Spina. She was his head choreographer and dancer/assistant for many years.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Caveat Lector Elite user 493 Posts |
(Note: I am talking about assistants who are for all intensive purposes interchangeable. If the Amazing Jonathan's assistant changed, we would know...it is his wife afterall, but if Copperfield changed his entire crew, we probably would not.)
[/quote] Just a quick correction, AJ's assistant is not his wife but a very funny comedian named Penny Wiggens.
Corrupting the art of magic, one show at a time
www.underworldent.com www.myspace.com/johnshawcomedymagic |
magicsavant Regular user Georgia 157 Posts |
"Just a quick correction, AJ's assistant is not his wife but a very funny comedian named Penny Wiggens."
Really? Did he happen to mention in one of his shows that she was his wife? I think I remember him saying that. It may have just been part of his act, or I may be imagining the whole thing??? Either way, she is very funny. |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Doesn't anyone know how much David pays Claudia to act like his fiance?
Al Angello
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-10-16 15:01, threecardmonte wrote: Thanks. Yeah. [*sigh...*] |
bubbleburst2004 Veteran user 370 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-10-16 20:51, Al Angello wrote: Al I believe that Big Dave is "over" with Claudia and has been for some time BB |
rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
BTW, she's a magi in her own right now, and her brief videos are worth a watch - http://www.joaniespina.com/spina_video.html
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jlibby Inner circle 1044 Posts |
I believe Amazing Jonathan's wife was his assistant at one time. Don't hold me to this, 'cause I may well be wrong, but I think Penny is his sister. At least one time he identified her as his sister.
See ya! Joe L. Quote: On 2006-10-16 20:18, magicsavant wrote:
My new FREE ebook on the classic Mismade Bill trick is ready for you:
https://funnybirthdayshow.com/mismadebill/ |
threecardmonte Loyal user 278 Posts |
I think everybody is thinking of the WGM show when Amazing Johnathan did a mind reading demonstration with somebody in the audience. At the end of the routine he asked the spectator if he was her husband and she said yes, in which he yelled, "Cassandra!" and ran into her arms. Now this was about ten years ago so I have no idea who he is married to now.
Tim |
ricker Special user Tampa, FL 914 Posts |
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Caveat Lector Elite user 493 Posts |
Penny is neither his sister or his wife or ex-wife. His wife did work in the show at one time but he is now divorced and just works with Penny who plays the role of Psychic Tanya in his show. He did use another girl in the show when doing a mind reading bit that he said was his sister but that was just a bit and not really his sister.
Corrupting the art of magic, one show at a time
www.underworldent.com www.myspace.com/johnshawcomedymagic |
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