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:: Magic Roadshow (formerly eMagic Deluxe) Journal of Magic_ January 29th, 2005__ Issue # 016 Rick Carruth / editor / Copyright (c) 2005 ~~::~~::~~::~~::~~::~~::~~::~~::~~::~~::~~ Hi All..
I hope this issue finds you well. As always, I want to welcome all the new subscribers to eMagic Deluxe. I hope you find some information in here somewhere that will have an influence on your magic. If you do, or if you don't.. you are still asked to take a moment and email me at editor@streetmagic.info and let me know what you think.. I am actively looking for original magic-related articles - in case you have one that you would like to submit.. I don't want you guys to be subjected to my point of view every issue! To Subscribe to eMagic Deluxe Journal of Magic.. please visit: http://streetmagic.info ~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~ ~ SCAM ~ The South Carolina Association of Magician's (SCAM) convention in Columbia , South Carolina was a very enlightening experience for yours truly. In other words... I loved every minute! Their selection of magicians for this years lectures and performances was an inspired combination of skill, story-telling, creativity, and theory. David 'Silly Billy' Kaye, was right-on with his lecture about the nuiances of performing for children, and the specific requirements of each age group. He brought children from the audience on stage to aptly prove his points. I'm not a childrens magician, but the psychology behind his lecture was brilliant. Rachel Wild and Tom Jones kicked off the lectures with a lesson in professionalism for everyone present. You couldn't take your eyes off the two as they taught exactly as you would expect two highly trained magicians, no.. entertainers.. to teach. Stunning... Mick Ayers displayed why Disney has him locked in a contract that prevents him from performing almost anywhere other than at Disney.. Mickey Mouse and friends knew what they were doing! Micks storytelling was one of the true 'magical moments' of the entire convention. This guys good! Columbia's own John Tudor, founder of SCAM ten years ago this year, was coaxed onstage to confirm what the attendee's already knew... that he is South Carolina's most beloved magician, a true scholar, and consummate performer.. Every magician present should have been forced to let John teach them a thing or two about a sorely overlooked aspect of magic - stage presence. Robert Moreland gave his first public lecture, and slyly showed everyone present why he is a 'star in waiting..' A master of cards and coins, Robert is expected to become the next Michael Close, and his performance confirmed exactly that... Dan Harlan constantly displayed his slightly bent sense of humor, as well as his repertoire of totally original magic. His performance in the stage show on Saturday night was simply brilliant. He gave everyone a lesson on how to take a simple trick - and turn it into twelve minutes of hilarious magic. Dirk Losander was the star of the show with his lecture on Friday night. The 'master of levitation' amazed everyone with his sensitive and compelling revelations. Dirk proved to be an honest, down-to-earth guy with a genuinely friendly demeanor to match his larger-than-life magic. Impressive! Never, ever, turn down a chance to attend this beautifully run convention ! ~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~ ~ Street Magic and You ~ ------------ Thinking it Through... So.. you want to be a street magic performer. Or, did I hear you say you would rather perform close-up in bars and restaurants. Maybe you would like to go straight to the stage.. perhaps? Many of you have received 'The Calling'. You can't wait for the day when you can say that you're a 'professional magician'. You have your heroes, I do too, and you have your sights set on being a 'star'. Let me say right now, not everyone wants to profit from magic. Many good magicians perform strictly for their love of magic, and they are more than content to keep their magic on a hobby level. They are not the reason for this article.. I'm focusing on the performer who wants to make magic a profession. In particular, I'm aiming at those of you who want to be another David Blaine - only better. David Blaine has brought tremendous exposure to the art of magic. There are more performers now than at any time in magic's long and storied history.. thanks in part to David. But.... Take my heartfelt advice and don't try to mold yourself after him. Unfortunately, one negative thing David did ( and it was unintentional ) was create this image of the wandering stranger, going from town to town, performing magic for the masses - one dude at a time. Emulating David is comparable to dreaming of going to wizard school and becoming another Harry Potter.. In any of the specials, did you ONCE see anyone who appeared to be on the verge of giving David money? Think about it... Can you imagine David doing a levitation, turning to the screaming ladies, and asking for a little spare change? If you have hopes of being a professional, getting paid really needs to be near the top of your list of priorities. David earned tens of thousands up front, before the first segment was filmed. That was the seed money that fueled his travels around the country. David was lucky in that he acquired a couple of contacts that enabled him to get his foot in the right door and present his magic to the right executive.. Chris Korn and CB Benn taped their Mondo Magic series for TV, and did so to much less fanfair than David's specials. Although their show was well received, they didn't become household names. And I honestly don't remember seeing either of them passing the hat.. Think about it... David taped two street magic specials and then moved on to extreme acts of endurance. Good for him. Even David knew NOT to push a good thing too far. Benn and Korn will continue to perform their brand of magic.. just not on TV. And probably not on the streets either. They are not street magicians in the classical sense, although their magic looks good on the streets when followed by a camera crew.. Hey... I'm not writing street magic's obiturary. I'm simply pointing you in the right direction. I know guys who make a good living as street magicians. But there's a technique and strategy they use to fill their hats with cash... Wandering through the streets of any-city USA isn't part of that strategy. If you dream of making a living in magic, then I hope you have realistic expectations and a business plan.. because without both you will find yourself broke and discouraged. Guys who make a living on the street's have really good locations, with lots of traffic, and they are able to attract a crowd and entice their audience to tip.. And most of those who perform in restaurants have day jobs. At least until they develop a large enough following, like our contributing editor, David Breth, that the restaurant will actually pay them to perform and free both the magician of needing to depend on tips, and the customer of feeling that (s)he has to tip.. I know magicians who have been 'in the business' for ten to twenty years who still don't have a clue how to make a living. Their lives are a mix of day jobs and low-paying performances, and the pain that comes from striving for recognition in a profession that won't give an inch... mainly because they have no goals and no sense of direction. And then there are 'true' street performers, like Spain's Cellini, who make more in a day on the streets than you and I make in a week. So whats the purpose of this article? To encourage you to research your profession and discover HOW and WHY others succeed in the field you want to succeed in... I'm sure if you could ask David Blaine right here, right now, how to make a living as a magician, he would tell you to seek out a professional magician, someone making a full-time living in the field of your choice, and learn everything you can from them... Then, seek out another magician in the same field and learn all you can from them as well. There are many excellent books, tapes, and DVD's available to you that can offer precise details about street magic, close-up magic, stage magic, mentalism, or whatever you choose. I'm not trying to educate you... I'm trying to get you to take a long, hard look at your form of magic, and make some critical decisions about where you need to go from here.. Also, I'm not trying to discourage you from doing what you want to do. I just want you to make SURE that what you want to do is actually do-able. Good magicians find ways to make a living; shows, lectures, corporate events, cruise ships, trade shows, Las Vegas venues, webmasters, parties, restaurants (table-hopping), producing video's, and a few other ways they keep secret. So go ahead, pick your poison. But whatever you do; (A) DON'T make your career path up as you go. (B) DON'T waste your talent on a path that leads nowhere. (C) DON'T strive to be David Blaine. (D) DO seek out advise from professionals who have success in your field. (E) DO dream big... but dream big with a plan! - R.Carruth ~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~ ~ CNN/Money Report.. Getting Started in the Magic Business ~ NEW YORK (CNN) - From Harry Houdini's death-defying escape numbers to Harry Potter's magical battles against the dark forces, magicians have been a source of entertainment and intrigue for all generations. Their ability to pull objects out of thin air and then - abracadabra - make them disappear again has inspired awe among audiences for as long as magicians have been pulling white rabbits out of top hats. But being a successful magician requires more than just a fancy wand and a deck of marked cards. It takes years of practice, patience, energy, and above all, a true passion for the craft. Throw in a talent for showmanship and a willingness to take a few risks and you just might have what it takes to become the next David Copperfield. Read one magicians story... http://money.cnn.com/2001/07/02/sbstarting/q_magic ~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~ ~ Street Smarts ~ In the French Quarter, where street performers are a dime a dozen, Dante the magician is always on the money. "Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Dante. I travel the world and do magic on the street. This is my bread and butter. Any donation is greatly appreciated." The magician doffs his hat to accept $1, $5 and $10 bills from the smiling passersby who approach him. His friendly, open demeanor bolsters the solicitation, and the bills pile high. Unlike the jaded hustler vibe of so many street performers, Dante's zeal for entertaining is sincere and comfortable to watch. Read the full article... ~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~ ~Cellini Art of Street Magic Video.. ~ ` The definitive work on actually working the streets, and making a living as a street magician, by the foremost master of Street Magic..... Cellini ! Cellini teaches exactly what to do to GET people, HOLD people, and FILL your hat full of cash... an absolute must have. • How to set up properly and what to wear • How to get a crowd surefire everytime • How to keep the show moving constantly and the tricks to do • What you didn't know about SOUND and the pro street magician • What to say at the end of the show, including real life examples • How to make sure your hat is filled to overflowing at the end • Why using a small table may be a good thing • What tricks work and which DON'T "This video will do much more than entertain you. It will enlighten you and excite you. It can even change the course of your life. I have tried my best to explain this illusive art. You will learn how to attract, build, hold and entertain an audience, while making a good living. Those I have influenced found themselves transformed by the experience in ways they never imagined. All the secrets are here...it's up to you. It could change your life forever..it did mine!" - Cellini "Earn back the cost of this street DVD in an hour with what you'll learn about performing on the street... " - Brad Christian Click for Details ( Sorry.. dead link ) ~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~ ~ Extreme Mathematics ~ I enjoy a good mathematical challenge, although I have never been particularly fond of mathematical magic. It seemed a little contrary to the 'art' of magic, and maybe a little.. uh.. juvenile, perhaps ?? Well, I have found two simple mathematical formulas that I actually like ! Either one would be ideal for printing on the back of your business card. Althought magicians are a little wary of math magic, many others will regard you as a 'mathematical wizard'... ------------------------ -- Two Faced -- Have a look at this complex square.. 11 66 98 89 99 88 16 61 86 91 69 18 68 19 81 96 Note that every row, column and diagonal adds to 264. There's a simple mathematical principle behind it that you can discover if you study it closely. OK.. I've seen these squares before. A simpler square, known as the Chinese Square, used to be popular among kids. Oh, did I mention that what makes this square truly different is - you can turn it upside down, and it will STILL add up to 264 in all directions ? -------------------------- ~ Magic.. times 6 ~ First, get youself a calculator. Now, think of any number between one and nine. This will be your 'magic number'. Multiply it by seven. Multiply your answer by three, then by thirty-seven, and lastly.. by thirteen. I promise you, if you can come up with some good patter, you can impress children and adults alike with this simple bit of mathmatical magic.. ~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~:~~ Yes.. this issue is a couple of days early. It's four in the morning and I'm typing like crazy. The weatherman says we are in for a major snow/ice storm during the next twenty-four hours. I hear the sleet pecking at our awnings, and I can't stop until all is finished.. All is finished... ---------------------- Now, all that's left is for me to offer my sincere 'Thanks' for your interest.. ( and for you to email me ) Till next time.. Rick Carruth ________________ |
