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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » New to magic? » » When I am a 'Legitimate' Magician... (0 Likes) Printer Friendly Version

Skinny Man
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UK
72 Posts

Profile of Skinny Man
...as opposed to some guy who does card tricks?? Smile

I've been learning the art since May of this year (surprisingly since just after the 50 Greatest Tricks programme), and feel I've become quite adept at the basic/intermediate levels of card magic.
I've worked my way through most of RRTCM, all of ETMCM Vol 1, a few other videos and many many internet resources (MT included of course)
I have a nice 'stable' of 10-12 well practiced tricks that I can confidently and smoothly perform using normal decks at almost the drop of a hat.
People at work know I do card tricks and quite a few of them have been pretty impressed with various ones during idle moments in the office, down the pub, on courses etc.
I've even secured my first paid gig at the end of this month at the party of one of my colleagues. Nothing grand either in scope or rates of pay, but it's a milestone and dead I'm chuffed. Smile

The thing is, I still feel a little uncomfortable reffering to myself as a 'magician'. Not because of any League of Gentlemen inferences, but just because the term conjours up (pardon the pun) performers much more skilled, experienced and adept than little old me. Smile

So, I just wanted to take a wider view of when you guys think I should be able to legitimately get away with it from other people's point of view, but more importantly, at what point along this fantastic journey can I justify it to myself??

Apologies if this went on a bit.... Smile
Peter Marucci
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Inner circle
5389 Posts

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SkinnyMan,
If you have a "stable" of 10-12 polished effects that you can perform confidently, then you certainly qualify to call yourself a magician.

A couple of points:

Most of the "greats" of the past only did a dozen or so tricks, but they did them so well that the dozen was all that was needed.

Second, your audience is the real judge of when you are a magician. If your audience views you as a magician, then that should be justification enough for you.

And, if you've got a paid job coming up, that should tell you that somebody thinks you are good enough to be considered a magician.

But the most important thing is that you asked the question in the first place!
That would indicate that you are serious enough to want to do the right thing and do it properly.
There are hordes of performers out there who buy a bunch of tricks on Thursday, buy business cards saying "magician" on Friday, and start accepting shows as a "professional" on Saturday!
You, obviously, have put considerable work into your craft/art/call it what you will.
Good luck on the job; you ARE a magician.

Smile
David Fletcher
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Loyal user
238 Posts

Profile of David Fletcher
Being a magician is a way of life. You add the joy of the art to your life.

You are a magician when you say you are a magician. Always keep an open mind when others are helping. Never listen to anyone who is putting you down.

Welcome.
You have to give it away to keep it.
Cheshire Cat
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Wilmslow, UK
941 Posts

Profile of Cheshire Cat
Skinny Man, - I guess you are a magician now! I have been in kids entertainment for 25 years and have never explored sleights of hand, or other facets of the art. If ever I encounter magical 'snobbery' from others I just remind them I also have high musical degrees and ask them if they honestly believe producing a 'pack of cards from out of their nose' is equal in skill to a Chopin Prelude on the piano. To thousands upon thousands of kids and their parents I AM (and my dear wife too) magicians of the highest calibre - even though many kids routines are practically self working. If you successfully entertain people with magic then that's it. Smile Cheers, you're a magician! (Visited your Outrage site and agree with you on Tony Martin - I have made various postings on sites about this).
Socrates
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197 Posts

Profile of Socrates
Milton H Erickson said:

'You can pretend anything and master it'

So if you're like everyone else who is good at pretending, then just say the words 'I am a magician' and don't forget to remember to just keep on pretending.

Socrates

'We are born unarmed, our mind is our only weapon' - Ayn Rand Smile
KingStardog
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2134 Posts

Profile of KingStardog
I would think that the organization of a performance, that is for the entertainment of others is the determining factor. By doing this you have set yourself apart from the tricksters.

You have studied, practiced, done trial performances and now seek to organize a paying show. If your main purpose is to entertain others,you have met the criteria.

Go now to visions on-line and read about how to entertain your audience, and give them a memorable experience.
...think not that all wisdom is in your school. You may have studied other paths,but, it is important to remember that no matter who you are or where you come from, there is always more to learn.
erik
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Bucks County, PA
90 Posts

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SkinnyMan,

I find myself saying "I study magic". Or, when listing hobbies, I put Magic on the list. But, I know what you mean, I don't label myself as a magician, and even if I learn & master much more, I think I would have trouble referring to myself as such.

For that matter, I would never call myself a "SkinnyMan" either...


Smile Smile Smile
Skinny Man
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UK
72 Posts

Profile of Skinny Man
Quote:
On 2002-11-14 19:09, KingStardog wrote:
Go now to visions on-line and read about how to entertain your audience, and give them a memorable experience.

KingStarDog, thanks for your comments and support.

Having trouble finding the website you mention above though (assuming it is a website of course); do you have the URL?
Peter Marucci
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5389 Posts

Profile of Peter Marucci
SkinnyMan,
Visions e-zine is at:
http://www.online-visions.com

(You may see a familiar face or two in the e-zine, too!)

Smile
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