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bishthemagish Inner circle 6013 Posts |
I have been asked what does it take to be able to become a successful performing magician. Most of this group may see things differently or have their own ways of doing things. But this is how I feel about what is needed to become a successful performing magician...
It has been often said in magic books the secret of how to be a success in magic is to- Practice, Practice, Practice. This is the way I look at Practice – Practice – Practice... I see it as three different areas in magic that a magician needs to do in order to become successful. FIRST THEY... Practice a magic routine over and over again when they learn it and then add it to their show. AND THEN THEY MUST... Practice the same routine in front of people as they perform the routine in a live show. This is a very important and often missed form of practice. Because as they perform the routine over and over again in front of people they will learn new bits of business and lines and how to make the magic effect more entertaining.... NOW THEY CAN... BUILD UP A PRACTICE... Like a Doctor or a Lawyer using mailings and advertising and build a successful mailing list of happy clients. They can make money (and maybe a living) off this wonderful art that is indeed magic...
Glenn Bishop Cardician
Producer of the DVD Punch Deal Pro Publisher of Glenn Bishop's Ace Cutting And Block Transfer Triumphs |
Werner G. Seitz Inner circle 3131 Posts |
Nobody ever becomes a good magician whilst practising before a mirror!
One has to study and practise, but when one thinks one is ready, one has to do the stuff out in the real world..and then one suddenly does recognize, how much work still is needed! The things that might happen, the smal remarks by the specs, notice/remember and analyze later.. A good act can only be built up by use and HELP from the specs..they don't know they help.. YOU have to register their reaction to certain things and also register your own failures.. They WILL occure, no matter how much you have practised a ceratin routine.. IT IS ALL DIFFERENT IN FRONT OF AN AUDIENCE!! You have to get used to, THEY are looking at you, they come up with rermarks and you have to be able to respond..it is tough in the beginning, but one does get used to it, one does learn (hopefully) and the next time, EVERY *next* time, one can feel and sense ones performance gets better.. This is a never ending process, but after some time doing the same stuff for diff. ppl, one gets the confidence needed and can keep up with almost every situation arising.. I'm still working on it.. Main thing is, one is aware of what it is all about.. Forget the complicated stuff, nobody can follow it..do what each and everybody can understand..and do it in a way so they get entertained.. Se as many expert performers as you can, not only those doing magic, learn from them.. I know, even in the US the name of Victor Borge is well known..study the delivery of his lines, his timing (I know he passed away 2 years back or so).. I'm a great admirer of his work, though I never attemped to touch any of his work, but I like to study his timing.. Have a look at Gazzo, he is an entertainer..he doesn't need magic to entertain.. His technic is not the top of the profession, but nodody cares, because he does entertain everybody.. To use a simple napkin and entertain ppl, actually demands more then to do a perfect C&B routine, but we magicians have difficulties in *seeing* that fact... The best way to realize that is to watch other entertainers, outside of magic..take f.ex (sadly departed too) George Carl..now there was a real artist.. He could entertain with smal means..he didn't need magic.. (Gazzo doesn't need magic either!) Study and understand what's needed.. I still do..!
Learn a few things well.....this life is not long enough to do everything.....
( Words of wisdom from Albert Goshman ...it paid off for him - it might as well for YOU!!!- My own magic is styled after that motto... ) |
Mike Wild Inner circle NY, PA, TX, MA, FL, NC 1290 Posts |
RE: "Nobody ever becomes a good magician whilst practising before a mirror!"
I became a great magician while performing in front of a mirror! My audience never complained, and every time I did a move particularly well, the face staring back at me was smiling, and obviously happy for me JK Mike |
Stuart Hooper Special user Mithrandir 759 Posts |
"he is an entertainer..he doesn't need magic to entertain..."
Ssssshhhh! Sir the ability to entertain without magic (which is a form of real magic) is an absolute must to be a truly succesful magician, but since most the competition seems blissfully unaware of this, let's keep them in the dark! :P |
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