Mike:
I am sorry that you feel this way, but that is certainly your own opinion and you are entitled to it.

My feeling is that most performers do not challenge themselves enough. They too often mimic and copy what other performers have already done. This does no one any good and certainly does not give your audience what they really deserve.

When I refer to thinking outside of the box, I am referring to thinking creatively with your act and what you do. To me it is not enough to be another Jeff McBride or another Lance Burton. Push yourself to do something different and something that has not been done so many times before. Instead of being a Jeff McBride... Be yourself and find out exactly who you are.

Performers do not do this. Why? Because to be quite honest, many of us are just too lazy. Being creative and pushing the artform takes a lot of work. Many do not want to work at it. For most, it is just as easy not to think. It is much easier to just use and perform what everyone else is already doing.

Some manipulative acts have themes and some have made a manipulative act into something a bit new and different. But, this is too few and far between.

Too many of us just get out there and do a display of pure skill with moves and sequences that have already been done to death. Is this ok? Sure it is if you just want to show skill and nothing more. But I ask you this. Why? Why bother doing what has been done already? Why not give your audience more then that? Give them something they can remember you by.

Push the artform in new directions. This is just my opinion on the matter and I look forward to anyone's comments or thoughts.

Thank you Mike for at least being honest with your thoughts even if I do disagree with them.

magic4uo2, I agree completely. Well said.

I for one can't even imagine what the fun is in ripping off somebody elses act, theme or style. The creative process in coming up with something new, which hasn't been seen before is for me one of the most enjoyable aspects of magic.

What's the point of trying to be somebody else? You'll never be as good, you'll for always just be an imitator! Indeed how much talent does it take to just copy? This pens the question - just how many talentless performers are out there?

Don't do yourself or your audiences an injustice- get creative, display your talents and ensure that this art of ours continues to flourish and evolve!

Remember: There's no scenary in familiarity!

Maylor:
Thank you so much for your kind words. I do appreciate it and it is nice to hear someone else is thinking along the same lines as I am. I only wish Mike would post back here as I would like to hear more of his thoughts and comments on the subject. Perhaps we misunderstood each other.

I also agree that the creative process is indeed one of the fun parts of magic. I also strongly agree that our audiences deserve more from us. In order to push the artform in new directions, we must all do our part to be as creative as we can in what we do.

Thanks again.