|
|
Go to page 1~2~3 [Next] | ||||||||||
joshlondon17 Special user San Diego, CA 685 Posts |
Here's a link to an article which appears in San Diego's August issue of 944 Magazine this month:
http://new.944.com/articles/5972 Let's hear what everyone's 2 cents are... Josh London |
|||||||||
MichaelKent Special user 560 Posts |
Hey man,
I'm sure you're a cool guy, and I certainly mean no offense, but the article makes you sound like a jerk. you probably are going for the edgier feel and what not (which I'm all for), but I'd argue you have to maintain a certain air of likability, too. I think this article pushes it a bit too far in one direction. just my opinion. congrats on grabbing some space in the mag, though! |
|||||||||
Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
It kind of rubbed me the wrong way too. It seemed to be about your bad *** attitude and criminal history and didn't really focus on you. Didn't really tell me anything about you now.
So you got street cred...become a rapper. I don't get it. |
|||||||||
BrianMillerMagic Inner circle CT 2050 Posts |
"London doesn't like other magicians." You showed an article that states this to forum designed for Magicians helping Magicians? This seems in poor taste. Still congrats on getting space in the magazine.
|
|||||||||
Big Daddy Cool Inner circle 1604 Posts |
Josh...
I like controversy. I thrive on it. Controversy creates cash. I would suggest though in the future, that you control the content a little more - I know it's a magazine... But make sure they actually talk about how good you are at what you do! Good start though... |
|||||||||
mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Good job on getting some press. Hope it helps.
Mark. PS - I liked your media video on your website. That looks great! |
|||||||||
Rupert Bair Inner circle ? 2179 Posts |
I thought it was cool, but didn't sell you. It was more like look at this bad ass magician in the corner.
M:C |
|||||||||
MichaelKent Special user 560 Posts |
I agree with BDC and Matt -- BDC put his finger on it. You've got the "this guy is edgy" vibe going, which I like - but in the future, you need to convert it to "this guy is edgy AND HERE is why you should like that."
|
|||||||||
mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Yep...sell yourself, but NOT at the expense of others. In other words, don't put down another magician in hopes of making you look better.
Mark. |
|||||||||
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
I agree with Michael on this one. I do not mind the "edgy" approach to the article so much. I just feel it is lacking the power of why should I hire this guy? What is it that makes me want to hire him and why is he better then the rest? It sells the character and personna but it does not sell the prospect on why they should care that this person has an edge to him.
It needs to be spun in a bit more so that the edgy feeling you are creating then gets conveyed into why that edgy personna is important and how that makes a difference in what you bring to the table that others do not. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
|||||||||
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
At the end of the article, it says to "watch a hummer disappear at..." and then a link to your website.
However, there is nothing on your website showing the vanishing hummer. It's not on your video, etc. Have you thought about putting something on the website in reference to that, rather than just the mention at the end of your own (website) press release? - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
|
|||||||||
TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Once worth $9,000, now worth $5,000. Sounds like you're going downhill fast.
Some may suggest you get out of magic and go into robbing liquor stores. The article makes it sound like you would be good at it. I'm not sure it made the over part clear enough. People will forgive your past, some will enjoy hearing about it when they know that it is just that, the past. Very few will support it unless it’s clear it’s over. The article reads, doesn’t like other magicians, yet he turns to them in books and the internet for ideas. Just wait until they find out how many posts you have here. Bad, bad, bad, is my two cents. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
|||||||||
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Well for anyone who knows much about jail, not too many shankings occur in a place you only spend a week. The crime which you 'claim' happened, well does not fit where you were put away. That alone is odd.
The 'edge' you are looking for, hey great idea. Ricky Jay gets lots of mileage knowing and associating with less than reputable characters. I think that idea is quite good if it is what you are selling. I think it will help sell that well. My only problem really is that you spend so much time telling everyone what you are NOT and very little time telling people what you actually are. How can anyone get to know anything at all? Badmouthing others, well does not sell you more. Quite honestly it hurts a bit. To want to set yourself apart from the crowd is what you have set out to do. I think that few in magic do that since Copperfield became famous. I like that idea. I think the 'edgy' way you wish to go about it is fine. I think 'character' in magic is missing. All that is very positive. But when you get to your video, what is so 'edgy' or even the least bit unique about it? Take away the 'prison story' and what have you? Some guy in front of a grafitti-filled wall lapping a card off a bar stool. Not 'edgy' in the least really. I guess I feel that if you want to go with this 'edgy' idea, the video on the site needs to reflect it a bit more. After all, and this will probably anger you but what the heck, how 'edgy' is a flash paper production of a giant coin after all? Not having the 'Hummer' on the site also is a mistake of gargantuan proportions. I gotta tell you I feel this is more of a work in progress. It has potential. It really does. BUT again, the many claims made in the article, are not really backed up in the web page. As Donald alluded to, it seems more of a press release, than an article. I wish you the best with it. Let us know when the tour materialises so we can come see it. Nice to see someone at least TRY to be original. Magic does need this I have to agree.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
|||||||||
Marshall Thornside Inner circle chicago 2016 Posts |
You guys, let him be a bad boy in mentalism.
Either it will work for him, or it won't. Press is press, good or bad. It gets your name out there...and that's really what it is. However, the article was not well written. Good writing should really be punching, it didn't flow and that is where it failed. A good article with flow should move you. Like this one: http://tinyurl.com/ypx95u and http://tinyurl.com/24cpgb
you will remember my name
World's Youngest Illusionista 7th greatest pianist in the world Go Red For Women and Stroke Ambassador www.mai-ling.net |
|||||||||
RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
Hey man the others have already laid it out pretty well.
I read your bio first. Then I watched your video. The thought that popped in my head was that you doing "tricks" is stupid and says nothing about your back story. That being the time in prison, but more specifically, what you went to prison for. I read you were a con man. So I sort of expected more con type tricks and explainations in your act. Also, if you want to hit that edge when performing, I expected something with more attitude - think Criss Angel without the editing and special effects. Good luck man. I think you're really on to something there. -Robert
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,"
-The Declaration of Independence |
|||||||||
joshlondon17 Special user San Diego, CA 685 Posts |
I was really surprised to read such mixed reactions. I sincerely thought that many, if not all, would try and get me down. There are a few things I agree on. One being my site. I am currently changing it to fit with my target audience who are theater goers as I'm starting to get dates at theaters. So, I think a lot of criticism comes from me not explaining well enough that I am now primarily a theater entertainer. I also feel since most who've commented are looking from a "doing shows for corporate audiences" point of view. And yes, I agree that what is on my site, in the article, etc. will not sell me as a corporate entertainer. I don't want to do corporate shows anymore. I got tired of them and want to appeal to the general public.
Second, I feel the article was not all that well written. The author decided on her own accord to say that I was in jail for embezzelment. Which is not true. When being interviewed I never said embezzelment, she called me later that week and said that she's going to put that down as a reason. The article also states I was incarcerated when I was 23. I just turned 23 in June and this all happened when I was about 20. Furthermore, she said go to http://www.mindbendingmagic.com to see a Hummer disappear. I was actually a little surprised she put that since there is no Hummer disappearing on my website and she knew this and still said it. All in all this article and how it was written is what the author's interpretation is of me and my show. She put a lot of lies in the article about me, but hey, what can you do? I read in Guerrilla Publicity that you should be thankful for any publicity you get. And I am, because I know that if I come to your town when I start touring you'll come to see me, just to see my show. And after reading all these comments I got the idea to have my publicist send my press kit to the IBM, SAM and any other magic clubs in the area I'll be. Who knows I might be able to create some more controversy. I really don't understand what the huge problem is with the way I choose to present myself? I am trying to be different and somewhat cutting edge with my performances. I'm also trying to break the mold of the classic magic shop magicians where you get up on stage and show trick after trick with little to no story and maybe a few bad jokes for filler. That's what I see when I visit your websites! Also, keep in mind I didn't ask anyone to critique my website. I saw not long ago someone posted an article about himself that got published in a newspaper and after reading it I was so disappointed to read yet another cookie-cutter article about a magician. There are other ways to make your shows appealing and different. I did with my show and in the process created a great motivational story with my magic. Josh London P.S. Danny, my cellmate actually got beat up by 2 huge inmates while I was in the cell with them. He said the "N" word and they caught wind of it and he got the crap kicked out of him. I told the story (which is in my show by the way) to the author of the article and she again decided to twist it and put "shanked." No harm though. Thank you for the comments as well Danny! |
|||||||||
RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
Quote:
joshlondon: I am trying to be different and somewhat cutting edge with my performances. I'm also trying to break the mold of the classic magic shop magicians where you get up on stage and show trick after trick with little to no story and maybe a few bad jokes for filler. Josh, Good for you. If you read, most people here I think will applaud that effort. Though in addition - I'm saying - your video on the website is all evidence to the contrary. If you want unique, edgy, and not "cookie cutter magic," then your video is selling you horribly short. That's not a crticism. That's not saying, "you suck" or "I'm better." That's an observation of something that stood out to me, and with the hope that you might consider the suggestion and use it to improve on what you already have. No foul play here, josh. Good luck! -Robert
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,"
-The Declaration of Independence |
|||||||||
Eric Leclerc Inner circle Ottawa Ontario 1185 Posts |
I liked it!!!!!!!
|
|||||||||
joshlondon17 Special user San Diego, CA 685 Posts |
Robert,
No foul play was suspected. I feel the video is rather bland myself, but wanted some sort of little snipit. I will be shooting a video of more performance pieces soon. But in the mean time that's what it is. I'm getting the feeling that a lot here look and read way too much into things than what's necessary. I've had people email me since the article has been published and say that they want t know when and where I'll be performing. That action that regular people have taken has shown me that I just might be doing something right when offering a magic show with a story. Also, Robert, if you'd like to get into it a bit more I can give you my feeling about your website and the fact that you start out on your "SHOWS" page with the all too standard "Dear Event Planner." And that your web pages are too long and the typical "magic for all occasions" type of copywriting. But I won't give you my feeling on your website as you have not asked for them. Eric, thanks! Josh London |
|||||||||
Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
I think it makes a lot more sense since you explained about what the writer of the article did. And I also find it admirable that you are open about your criminal past. That can be a hard thing to be open about because of prejudices. As you already pointed out (and others as well) is the consistency in the image you want to project. Once you iron out the loose ends (website content), I think you'll do very well in sustaining that image.
But you must be aware though, when you put things up for people to view, they will make comments about everything. Reading the article lead people to wanting to learn more about this ___________(fill in the blank) guy. This naturally lead to your website and thusly some noticed the inconsistent image. You'll always receive both positive and negative comments. Employ both to your advantage. Don't discount anything. Remember these are often honest opinions. At the end of the day though, you have to use whatever is working for you with the foresight to progress in new directions you haven't tried. |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Tricky business » » Article in Magazine about me! (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2~3 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.05 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 < |