|
|
Go to page [Previous] 1~2 | ||||||||||
Roslyn Inner circle UK 3405 Posts |
Hey!!
I think the passing on of knowledge is a good thing. Heaven knows how many secrets have been lost to the mists of time.... But, to make this available to anyone who's willing to cough up the cash. Hmmm...... I don't know. Maybe some kind of limited edition set of disks and/or a book? Of course the moment it's in print or on a DVD it becomes dead easy for others to pass it around. From a personal level I'd love to know how you do what you do. But from a showman's perspective I'm not so sure. It only takes the wrong person to ruin it for the rest of us. Just look at sideshow over here in the UK thanks to The Magicians (a BBC TV show for those who are unaware).
The Magic Cafe account of The Conwy Jester, Erwyd le Fol formerly known as Roslyn Walker.
My home online Join me on Facebook Follow me on twitter |
|||||||||
Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
Roslyn...speaking to the choir. I have more than anyone I know protected my 'secrets' to the point of rejecting
sales to anyone not in the community...keeping off eBay and out of the eys of the public...this at severe financial loss if considering the potential of having sold my stuff for all these years. DVD's and Videos seem to wind up on youtube faster and much easier than say a limited edition book...which if sold at a proper price can also be protected by the buyer. Over many years...my How-To Grindshow information has been kept within the community and there has been great respect from buyers (and doers) as to how this information must be kept close to the vest. I've done my best...even so far as keeping tabs on any photos being put on line revealing secrets of the FRONT banners etc. IF I would 'pass on' my trade & methods...it would be very limited edition...promoted ONLY to the community. That's the best I can do. Even my facebook page is ONLY for performers and not for the public. So I hear you my friend.
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
|
|||||||||
christiancagigal Special user SF Bay Area 625 Posts |
Yes! It's time to pass the knowledge down. At least in book/DVD form. And, you deserve to be able to capitalize off of your skills and knowledge.
"Besides the known and the unknown, what else is there?"-Harold Pinter
www.christiancagigal.com |
|||||||||
Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
There is an obstacle and it's in my head. When I first wrote Scary Dark Rides, it was a fun project, something to do...and it was very well accepted. Naturally, being who I am, I saw all the flaws and knew I could do better. So I re-wrote it...re-organized it and made sure it was the best thing I could possibly write and totally readable no matter what a readers interest level for the amusement industry. It is an auto biography of the 1st 20 or so years of my life, as much as a history of Dark Rides and the writing style has been highly praised (not just by me haha) and some well turned passages quoted in the press.
So...anything new I would write, to publish, HAS to be of equal quality and just as entertaining in the writing. Not just '...take this and squish it till it looks weird...' instructions. That is a stumbling block as I try and lay out how it would be done to reach that goal. ie: I can say to anyone, "Want to read a good book? Read Scary Dark Rides" and be secure it's a fun read they will like...I need this to be the same IF I do it. The instructions section of course would be just that, instructions, including my TIPS learned over the years...but I need more to be happy with it. That will take time and thought to make it so. Meanwhile...want to read a good book....?
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
|
|||||||||
Dr Spektor Eternal Order Carcanis 10781 Posts |
I'd buy the how to / secrets book or DVDs... and it will automatically be fun because the art you do is inspiring and cool and with pictures added on steps or whatever... it can't help but be great... you are a perfectionist - so don't let that stop you - go be imperfect... as at least I'd buy an imperfect book from you which will be wayyyyy better than a perfect book from some of the blokes on the MC who sell drivel... well written and well layout fun material that is vaccous or stolen content or just pipe dreams - your materials is solid real and time proven - if in doubt, get a "writer partner" to help out - I'd recommend maybe like Jim Magus...
Anyway I hope you do it!
"They are lean and athirst!!!!"
|
|||||||||
Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
Haha...thanks Doc. The last thing I'd want or could stand would be a 'writing partner'...good grief.
Anyway thinking it over...
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
|
|||||||||
ThatsJustWrong! Special user My flying monkeys are perched on 629 Posts |
Actually, I came back to suggest that you hire a tech writer but someone beat me to it. These guys write instruction manuals for a living. It's not supposed to be a memoir, Doug, it's a cookbook. Now, that's not to say that you can't or shouldn't write a little essay introduction to each piece about how you came to make the first one, how you glued your hand to your forehead making the merdog for Stevie Wonder, etc.; but that would be a lot less writing for you and a much more complete manual for us. You don't have to tell them how you make sumthin', just make it and let them watch and ask questions. It also means that they'd only be in your Sanctuary for the time it takes to watch and maybe videotape the process for reference then he goes home to write.
Good writers don't write good novels. Good storytellers shouldn't try to write instruction guides - it would suck out their soul and Rick Roth probably already has a claim on that. He's got mine...
Joe Leo
All entertainers can benefit from some help from an experienced stage director. How about you? www.MisfitMysteries.com |
|||||||||
Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
First off: "Now, that's not to say that you can't or shouldn't write a little essay introduction to each piece about how you came to make the first one, how you glued your hand to your forehead making the merdog..."
That's exactly what I was talking about doing. I didn't say it was an impossible task...just that I needed to be in the right frame of mind to do it RIGHT and the way I want it to be. Also I have a number of writing hats...Instruction Manuals are a piece of cake. I'm just not convinced I WANT to do it.
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
|
|||||||||
mrmysticmike Elite user Cleveland, Ohio 427 Posts |
Your products are great and it would be a shame if, somewhere down the line, your secret manufacturing methods
were lost forever. Perhaps a limited apprentice program would be something to look at. If too many people become aware of your methods I'm sure things will start to show up on various sales sites. If you decide to publish it wouldn't hurt to have a contractual agreement included which would limit sales and/or resale of the information. Mike |
|||||||||
Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
Similar 'things' have been showing up on 'sales' sites for awhile. Those that want to make stuff to sell, will do so regardless if they know my 'tips' or not.
Contracts are good for some I guess. I always work on a verbal/hand shake. Hasn't bit me yet...and won't.
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
|
|||||||||
manal Inner circle York ,PA. 1412 Posts |
I would definately be interested in a manual.
|
|||||||||
Ray Bertrand Inner circle Ottawa, Ontario 1452 Posts |
Doug, your work is phenomenal. I would definitely be interested in a manual/DVD/workshop/seminar... whatever you decide to release.
Ray
Mentalism in Ontario.
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The July 2012 entrée: Doug Higley » » A serious question from Doug... » » TOPIC IS LOCKED (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page [Previous] 1~2 |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |