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Montana76 Inner circle I hope I one day reach 1177 Posts |
Hi,
This might be a hard question to answer but I'd appreciate if some of you try.. How common is it for performers wanting to "step back" and revaluate their performances for an extended period of time? I've spoken to one of the members in our Magic Club and he feels after being into magic for aprox four years he really feels that he needs a break from the pressure that paid performances gives him. He's been doing paid gigs for the last year and he gets steady request via his professional website or facebook. I function like somewhat of a mentor to this person and I'd really like to give him a proper answer, and with the help from you guys I might be able to do that! What he describes is simply that he needs to get his routines, patter and prop management down before he can go back into enjoying gigging. His shows pays decent but he has a regular job so he doesn't "need" the money. I asked him why he would decline jobs and he told me that he simply does not feel that he would perform as well as he wish he could and he would "only do it for the money". He is in his thirties and has a family and has no ambition to be famous from magic.. He would just like to be as good as possible. I asked him to jot down what specifically stresses him and this is his list; ----------------------------- - I hate being tied down when learning tricks. "What do I have to remove from my set if I add this new effect?" "Will this fit in my jacket"? "Does this look classy enough for corporate gigs?" - I do not like being tied down by trick transitions and "good patter". I would rather just evolve into my character without being worried about my paid performances. This might take one year, this might take ten years but that doesn't matter to me. - I read once "dare to be bad". I would like to be bad for a bit longer before I have to "be good". - I calculated that I have to do about 5 gigs a month to "get better at doing gigs". Anything less than that makes the experience very stressfull. I don't have the time to polish my routines when it comes to performance and I struggle to much with transitions. But at this moment in my life (the kids being small and all) I have no chance dedicating that much time and energy into it.. So it's kinda half-assed which drives me CRAZY! - Having a family hinders my chances of getting good practice-sessions. I almost never get a full night with practicing in my mancave. ----------------------------- (I feel that the two last points is what he is struggling most with..) I've seen him perform and he is quite good. He gets good reactions and he has a great diversity in his sets. His problem is that all of this really stresses him out and he would like advice on how to deal with it. He is most definately one of those "overthinkers". So, what would you tell him? Any advice/help/insight I can pass on would be greatly appreciated! |
ROBERT BLAKE Inner circle 1472 Posts |
Get over it!
I know seams harsh to say it like this. but it looks like he cannot make up his mind. he has a normal job a family and his magic shows. that can be overwhelming. so he should decice what he wants. make a plan where he wants to go. if he feels he has not enought time to practice that is ,usualy, because he has to many other things to do. if you want to practice you will find a time. even when it is inthe middle of the night. so my advice: rethinks what he wants. what are hs priorities and stick to that. -------------------------------------------------------------------- I had times where I wanted to do a certain trick but did not find the time to make it like it wanted it. I decided to not do it. this gave me mental peace and time because the pressure was not on it. |
EVILDAN Inner circle 1279 Posts |
From reading his punch list it sounds like magic is more a chore than anything else.
If I add this what do I have to change? What about pocket management? Etc. If he doesn't enjoy doing it or doesn't want to do it. Don't do it. If you hate learning more tricks, stick to the ones you currently perform and polish those. Why do you need to add more? Collectively his list sounds like a bunch of lame excuses by someone that doesn't enjoy performing and wants to get out. Get out. There's no shame in that.
by EVILDAN....
"The Coin Board Book" - moves and routines with the coin panel board. - http://www.lybrary.com/the-coin-board-book-p-827955.html "SLASHER - A Horror Whodunnit" - a bizarre close-up routine based on Bob Neale's "Sole Survivor." PM me for more info. "Zombie Town" - a packet effect about how a small town turned into zombies. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nzJhcoJtyOM |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Sounds like a guy who had a hobby but had no clue how much work it would be. Reality sucks.
Get over it. Professional performance is not about you having fun. It is a customer service industry in which the passing audience has fun. That is your resonator. If you enjoy it that is a benefit, not a requirement.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Montana76 Inner circle I hope I one day reach 1177 Posts |
FANTASTIC tips and insights from people who knows. Please "keep 'em coming"!
PS: I really think that the advices given here will be of great value for a lot of beginners. Thank you everybody who chimes in.. |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
How is it you serve as sort of a mentor?
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Montana76 Inner circle I hope I one day reach 1177 Posts |
Hmm... I think I used that term wrong.
"I give my opinions from time to time". I'm not technically adept enough to be a mentor in the correct usage of the word. |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
In would be cautious before distributing opinion you find on an Internet forum.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Montana76 Inner circle I hope I one day reach 1177 Posts |
Great advice
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Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
He should step back as long as he wants.
Advise him NOT to get rid if his books, DVDs or Magic for a while. I see lots of people who decided to give all up desperately trying to rebuild their former libraries when they decide to return to Magic. It sounds like your friend has already made up his mind and your best course is to support him and tell him you are available to session if he occasionally wants to get his Magic on. Sometimes sessioning is a better choice than gigging because there is less pressure and more fun. If your sessioning group is candid it can help improve performances as well. Mary Mowder |
jconz New user 13 Posts |
Breaks are good. Sounds like he enjoyed a good run. I bet if he takes some time off he will discover exactly what it was that was missing and if and when he returns to magic he will be much much better than if he just kept trudging along. His life is in transition. Sounds to me like he has not one good reason to NOT take a step back. Put a splash page up on his website and Facebook that says "Until further notice I am not soliciting work. Upon my return I will post an announcement."
I'd also recommend Eugene Burger's audio tapes "Growing in the Art of Magic." Times of rest are excellent opportunities for growth. Not just in Magic, but in Life. |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
If only our bills could take a rest at the same time.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Montana76 Inner circle I hope I one day reach 1177 Posts |
Thanks Mary, Jconz and DannyDoyle!
DannyDoyle: This person does not make his living of magic. He has a full-time job in a office. |
jakeg Inner circle 1741 Posts |
Almost everyone I know who quits doing magic, goes back to it again. I think that it's a flaw in our DNA.
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Zephury Elite user Hollywood, FL 488 Posts |
Firstly I'm going to agree with Danny Doyle's advice on being careful what you distribute based on what you just read online, my opinion included. This is just what I see.
I completely disagree with Evildan.. If he didn't care about his magic and found it to be boring, he wouldn't be wanting to take time to revise his material and make himself better. To me this clearly sounds like someone whose busy juggling between family, work, and part timer/hobbyist, however has a passion for his magic and wants to find the time to improve it and make himself more of a class act. Since he has a job and doesn't rely on his magic income, I strongly encourage him to take the time he needs and get to where he's content with his material... That is exactly what I've been doing for the past year, however I did make a huge mistake after doing it. I've allowed myself to practice whenever I feel like it and get distracted by other things. Over the past year, I've dropped everything I previously did (some things I still do, but I I've completely, one hundred percent reworked the methods, presentation and what not) and I only have 2 coin effects and 3 card effects that are completely polished. Yes, I have practiced every single day, but I haven't made myself focus and give myself time limits. I've let this progress take WAY too long. If I had sat down, told myself, I wanted 3 coin effects and 3 card effects and I have 1 week to complete each of them, I could have done it, easily. I highly advise your friend give himself a time frame and set GOALS so that he knows what to work towards. I've wondered aimlessly over the past year and made too many excuses as to why the next effect must wait and that I can't have it done by this or that time. I hope you understand what I mean. I think he should take time, but he should not make excuses for himself when it comes to getting back on the saddle and performing. I advise he set some goals, and give himself a date where he needs to have those goals completed. |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
The advantage of being a pro with no other job is simply that this forces you to not usher options. You just do it. Makes things easier.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Not to use other options that should say.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
JBSmith1978 Veteran user NY 389 Posts |
Vacations are good. As is prioritizing and budgeting ones time.
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Count Hatrick New user 53 Posts |
Here are a couple of thoughts, from someone out of the other end of this process. I'm just getting back seriously into Magic again, after almost 15 years on the sidelines whilst growing a family and career outside of entertaining. I'm back because in my mind I never left, but went with the reality that I couldn't stretch myself too thin and be a good partner/father. Young kids take time, and every family is different in how it pulls together to deal with this - so it's not as easy as saying "if he wants to do it, he'll find the time".
However, having come back to magic I've also realised a few things: It is important to me to call myself a magician, however I didn't feel I could do this legitimately without performing regularly. I'm much happier inside myself now I'm performing again, and this is a great thing for my kids to see. So there's definitely a win/win in performing regularly. I like to perform magic because one of my values is to "bring joy and cheer to other people's lives"...and I'm a lousy singer We are all too critical of ourselves and our performances. Yes I wish I could do an invisible palm all the time, but if I've done it 9 out of 10 times, that's 9 people who've had some wonder brought into their life - and the tenth will forget about it. There is no answer for your friend, he'll have to find that within himself, but it's not necessarily an all or nothing approach. I say in my mind I'd never stopped, and I didn't - the reality is I now have 15 years of reading and research I'm utilising in building fresh routines. - Huw |
migwar Elite user west yorkshire, UK 457 Posts |
I think its a common problem when an enthusiastic amateur starts to feel the pressure of being a pro.
Personally I enjoy the freedom of doing magic part time. I do the magic I enjoy when its convenient. When it becomes your job commercial constraints come into play. |
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