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Terend New user 1 Post |
Hi everybody,
I am doing a kind of survey for a school assignment, and we have to make some search about one job and to interview someone. I have some interest in magic (my bro is doing some) so I chose this job. So, a big thank for those who can answer those questions (you can also answer in PM if you'd rather do so). How did you happen to become a magician? What do you like most about this job? What do you like least? What types of problems do you have to solve? In your opinion what are the main abilities that a magician must have and develop to become pro? Bonus: Did you like answering those questions? Thanks in advance, and see you soon... Terend |
sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
Terend -- These are interesting and thoughtful questions! Good luck with your survey, here are my own thoughts:
How did you happen to become a magician? Like many other people, when I was about 10-11 years old, my Dad brought home a few simple magic tricks (Chinese Sticks, Money Maker, Svengali Deck, etc.) I was hooked, sent away for a magic catalog (no Internet in those days!), and had a great time buying stuff through the mail, including the Tarbell Course, which was a big help because it exposed me to many different types of magic effects. What do you like most about this job? Meeting and entertaining people, and occasionally amazing them. I also enjoy working out methods and routines for various effects, which can be very challenging to do. Then you get to try out your ideas in the real world and see what works and what doesn't! What do you like least? People who grab props (how rude!!) Fortunately, that's pretty rare, and I have now devised a few methods for making it even rarer. What types of problems do you have to solve? 1) How to produce the smoothest, best-looking effect with the minimum of effort. This doesn't mean I'm lazy, it means I try to be as efficient and direct as possible in my presentations. 2) Misdirection (the psychological handing of the audience) is an ongoing challenge and I am always trying to improve my efforts in that area. Although misdirection can be learned to some extent, the only way to become proficient is to actually perform and gain experience with it. In your opinion what are the main abilities that a magician must have and develop to become pro? The ability to discover and create his/her own performing persona or character; the ability to select effects which are consistent with that character, and the technical skill to perform them properly; the patience and persistence needed to rehearse and practice sufficiently; the ability to connect with an audience and have them like you; and a good head for business. I also think you need a fair amount of nerve and confidence to perform for other people in the first place, whether you are doing magic, singing or whatever. And doing magic probably requires a bit more nerve than other performance disciplines, because you are usually trying to show certain things and hide certain things at the same time. Bonus: Did you like answering those questions? Yes, thanks for the opportunity. SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
How did you happen to become a magician?
One reason was that I always enjoyed the mystery and was curious as to how the tricks were done. You will notice that there are quite a few people here who are musicians, artists, writers and are also into other creative endeavors. Magic is just another way to be creative for us. What do you like most about this job? The smiles of children and the reactions from everyone. What do you like least? When I get too nervous, wise guys and hecklers. What types of problems do you have to solve? Routining and scripting sets and acts. Audience management problems. In your opinion what are the main abilities that a magician must have and develop to become pro? Love for magic, people and entertaining. The ability to charm people and have them focus their attention where you want them to. The ability to negotiate prices, overcome mistakes and handle hecklers are a few. Good dexterity is a plus. Bonus: Did you like answering those questions? Not at all. |
MagicB1S Inner circle Knoxville Tenn. 1039 Posts |
I got into magic at a very young age... I started as an assistant to my Uncle who is a Magician in NYC. My Family then moved to Upstate NY and I went out on my own.
I Love the audience reactions to my routines and the childrens expressions. I Love entertaining and I love bringing Joy to all What do I like least..... hmm... I can't think of anything that I don't like about performing.... As with every job there comes those days that you just DON'T want to work.... They don't come often but when they do, It is a challenge to give the client what they paid for this is by far the biggest problem I have to solve. To become a pro there is a lot of Marketing, Practice, Reading, doing your homework, Living breathing and eating magic day in and day out always trying to come up with something new.... Did I mention Practicing... Routining, The ability to entertain, Oh yeah Practice, the Biggest thing in becoming pro is to convince your wife or husband that your going to quit your 9-5 job and perform magic. (WOW what A day that was) Don't forget to practice. did I like to answer these questions.... Yes
"There are Tricks To All Trades.... My Trade is all Tricks"
"An amature practices until he gets it right. A Professional Practices until he can't get it wrong" www.Themagicchest.webs.com bobswislosky@yahoo.com |
abc Inner circle South African in Taiwan 1081 Posts |
How did you happen to become a magician? I wanted to become a concert pianist but broke my hand when I had a fight with my brother over something stupid. My mother's best friend's sister's husband was the South African magic champion at the time and for getting my hand back in order I thought it would be a good idea to do some less difficult exercises. Needless to say I got hooked and people tend to respond better to magic than classical music.
What do you like most about this job? The spotligh What do you like least? I have never minded the practice but there are times when you just cannot get something right and it is a lot easier in other professions to find good help. What types of problems do you have to solve? Make sure what you can do doesn't go to your head. Scheduling your time to practice and remain entertaining. In your opinion what are the main abilities that a magician must have and develop to become pro? Like in any other job, work ethic and persistence. Considering you are self employed you also need to learn business management skills such as marketing and accounting, budgeting, some sales skills etc. Bonus: Did you like answering those questions? Indeed did. |
Aus Special user Australia 996 Posts |
How did you happen to become a magician?
Much is a smiler way that sethb did but instead of tricks it was a book for me, but what made me become a magician was not reading a magic book but applying what I learned to the public and the reactions I got. That’s what really started it for me and what made me become a magician. What do you like most about this job? The same thing that made me became a magician, the enjoyment it brings to others as well as myself. What do you like least? People who have no respect for the art of magic that choose to expose it for their own personal gain or strong beliefs at the cost of everyone else. The sometimes difficult personalities that a magician encounters which is an unavoidable occupational difficulty we face considering our line of work. The lack of understanding in the public of the skill set required by magicians to be good at what they do and that there is so much more to us then just smoke and mirrors. What type of problems do you have to solve? How to make each effect as entertaining as possible, which is closely, related to routining, audience management and stage craft etc. Dealing with problem spectators as sethb has mentioned like those who choose to grab your props among other things. In your opinion what are the main abilities that a magician must have and develop to become pro? To develop a performance that the public will pay for by incorporating things as answered in the previous question. The determination to be good at what you do which requires practise and commitment. Did you like answering those questions? Yes Magically Aus |
Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
How did you happen to become a magician? A friend showed me a couple of tricks when I was 10 or so. In one case it was a card trick that used a sleight. When I found out 'how' it was done I was entranced at the elegance of the modus if not the primitive manner of it's execution. When 12 I discovered two books, The Amateur Magician's Handbook by Hay and How to Tricks with Cards by Turner. I was now pretty much sunk. I did nothing outside of school work excpt read fiction and practice magic. Still thought I would end up a scientist, but it was not to be. Fell into a job at 17 teaching in a magic school. By the time I was through my second year of college I was teaching and running the magic school/shop. Left college when an illness put me in bed for 3 1/2 months and never looked back. Ended up working in magic from that day until this!
What do you like most about this job? You get to do magic and meet cool new people all the time who also love magic. What do you like least? When I'm not in touch with other magic folk. What types of problems do you have to solve? Without trying to sound like a wisea**, for me it's whether to ship UPS or USPS. In your opinion what are the main abilities that a magician must have and develop to become pro? General all round knowledge and mastery of basic technique. Mastery of audience situation and knowledge of voice, movement, history, science, philosophy, etc. At least a starting knowledge of theatre. An understanding of the difference between Practice and Rehearsal and how to apply same to the life of the magical performer. fini
Brad Burt
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magicleo New user 63 Posts |
How did you happen to become a magician?- I, personally, went on a cruise to Alaska on the Norwegian Star and saw Shawn Farquhar, two-time world champion of magic. I was immediately hooked.
What do you like most about this job?- Surprising people with completely unexpected results. What do you like least?- Hecklers trying to guess how one doe the effect. What types of problems do you have to solve?- The problem of getting shows with ver ylittle advertising. In your opinion what are the main abilities that a magician must have and develop to become pro?- To have great patter to allow for the effect, to know how to connect with the audience, and to reasonably know about the art of magic in general. Bonus: Did you like answering those questions?- yes Thanks, Greg |
Destiny Inner circle 1429 Posts |
How did you happen to become a magician?
Always loved magic as a kid so when I began work as a variety entertainer it was natural to want to incorporate magic. What do you like most about this job? The spotlight, the applause, the intrigue, the research and experimentation to get an effect correct, the costumes and so much more. What do you like least? Once I'm tired and short of time all the things I love become the things I hate. What types of problems do you have to solve? Most show related issues are puzzles to be solved or dispensed with rather than problems - the business issues are usually more problematic - magic needs precision and the world is an increasingly imprecise place. I try to take problems as lessons and that way I'm not weighed down by them. In your opinion what are the main abilities that a magician must have and develop to become pro? Lateral thinking, creativity, ego and humility, doggedness, curiosity, love and respect for their fellow man, thick skin, workaholism (I've been working through this list for 47 years - I've got the ego bit and I'm going to start on some of the rest soon.) Bonus: Did you like answering those questions? Interesting |
Destiny Inner circle 1429 Posts |
@#****#@! - I forgot to mention spelling and grammar...
A magician must spell perfectly and use beautiful grammar - otherwise they are not really a magician. Rhyming couplets get extra points. |
Chad C. Inner circle 1522 Posts |
How did you happen to become a magician?
I became a magician after someone gave me a gift certificate to a bookstore-I bought the Mark Wilson Cyclopedia of Magic and was hooked. What do you like most about this job? I like the fact that I enjoy it and no part of it (shows, practice, and marketing/business) feels like work to me. I also enjoy the reactions you get from people-this is for entertainment purposes-and it's great to entertain folks. What do you like least? Trying to decide when to make the leap into complete full-time magic and not almost full-time magic. What types of problems do you have to solve? You have to have a great show, but even more importantly, you have to know how to market yourself. Without that the greatest show in the world isn't going to be seen and paid for by others. Marketing is the biggest thing to work on-hands down. You will also need to have good people skills and audience management skills. In your opinion what are the main abilities that a magician must have and develop to become pro? Persistance, hard work, and enthusiasm. Once again, the business side is the most important-learn how to market yourself and run your business and you can be successful. Bonus: Did you like answering those questions? That's a rather personal question... |
Joey Jones New user 37 Posts |
What I like most is leaving people amazed. Doing a trick, giving a quick smerk, and then walking away. It is the art of fooling, and I of course have fun at doing it.
Best Wishes, Joey |
Shaner316 Loyal user St. Catharines, ON. Canada 213 Posts |
How did I become a magician?
My answer will be a bit different than the others. I became a magician because people annoyed me. Let me explain... I have worked in casinos for most of my adult life. Outside of work I had many opportunities to meet people outside of work at social gatherings (weddings, parties, etc) Of course, when you start talking to someone new, one of the questions that often gets asked is "So, what do you do for a living?" Well I would tell them that I worked for such-and-such casino (This is where I would start to cringe, because I always knew what was coming next.) They would usually say something along the lines of "Wow you must know a bunch of card tricks then, could you show me one?" Now, this always annoyed me for several reasons: 1) Why is it that when people find out you work for a casino that they automatically assume you know how to manipulate/cheat at cards 2) I didn't know ANY card tricks at all (Not even a four Ace trick!!) After a few years, this whole routine really started to grate on my nevers. So much so that I decided to take a trip to the closest magic store (1 1/2 hours away)and buy some tricks that I could do. I actually hated the thought of doing a card trick after working 8 hours a day with them, and then going home and practising card magic for hours Well here I am several years later with more magic stuuf than my wife thinks I need (Including 4 doves) and a fantastic semi profession that I really enjoy I guess I should thanks all of those "annoying" people after all!! BTW...I still do not like card tricks LOL |
sjdavison Inner circle Surrey, UK 1379 Posts |
How did you happen to become a magician?
Well, I had a very cheap little card tricks book,and just messed around with cards for a while; taught myself a few simple tricks, and freaked out a room full of my school mates! Addictive feeling, and makes you yearn to improve on every aspect. What do you like most about this job? Meeting nice people, their reactions, and when they have enjoyed it so much they have talked about it to other people. What do you like least? Awkward hours, people who think they know how something was done because they read about it on the internet! What types of problems do you have to solve? Staying original, self promotion, building coherent and entertaining acts, and spectator management. In your opinion what are the main abilities that a magician must have and develop to become pro? (for all magicians) - Love of magic, technical ability and knowledge, charisma and ability to interact, charm and entertain others. (For professionals) - the aforementioned list but to a higher degree, knowledge to perform in all settings, situations and conditions, and marketing skill. Bonus: Did you like answering those questions? Absolutely! Simon |
JohnWolf New user 90 Posts |
How did you happen to become a magician?:
I had someone ask me this reciently and had to think. Like most answering here it must have started when I was arround 10. How many think of the process of walking or when we started? What do you like most about this job?: I would have trouble thinking of it as a job. You have the great advantage of being able to use any talent you have. Knowledge of electronics, psycology, chemistry, stage presense, art etc. What do you like least?: When your not on stage. What types of problems do you have to solve?: To get people to believe in a world that doesn't exist to them but should. A place where all things are possible especally the impossible. In your opinion what are the main abilities that a magician must have and develop to become pro?: The ability to "mess with peoples minds" as my freinds would call it. To infulence people to think what you need them to think. A stage presense or charisma . And never forget you must have a great love for magic. Thanks for asking John |
Paul Jester Special user UK 759 Posts |
What do you like most about this job?
It has loads of perks. You can live off only working 4 hours a week (often you get to do more). Even when you’re working you’re really playing and socialising and having fun. You don’t get a company car but you do get quite a few bicycles (sorry, bad joke for any magicians who actually bother to read this). But most importantly, and the reason why we’re all hooked, is that it’s such a pleasure to entertain people, brighten up their mundane lives, and receive their gracious applause. What do you like least? Gotta be the behind the scenes work, for example, I’ve just spent about 3 hours at a sewing machine making stuff that no-one is ever going to see. Or the hours of practise that go into a move just so some little kid can say I know how you did that (and he’ll get it wrong, but be convinced he’s right!), or worse, a move that you never use! Same with presentation. And listening to the old phrases such as the “Can you saw my wife in half?”. What types of problems do you have to solve? So so so many. Every show from start to finish is a problem! You have to decide on how to do every tiny little thing, it’s like a play, only you have to hide half of the show and deal with whatever the spectators throw at you! Most of my problems come from routining my manipulation acts (sleight of hand magic to music often involving a lot of productions). The hard part is putting what and where, and timing with music! I’d love to talk you through all the problems that have to be solved in writing an act but that’d fill your report! The other problem can come from presentation, and how to make the trick entertaining! In your opinion what are the main abilities that a magician must have and develop to become pro? Well, the components of a magician, would be some dexterity (I’d say the more the better). A vast amount of magical knowledge. An understanding of magic as an art. An understanding of theatre and other performance arts. A pleasurable and endearing manner. A good look/image. Paul |
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