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Mitch150
New user
Deep in the Lake County
17 Posts
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Posted: Apr 30, 2012 4:31pm
Well I guess this is the place to post my "resume" as it was.
Let's start by saying the "magic bug" bit me about the age of 10 in 1958. Back then I knew nothing about "magic" except I wanted to know more. I bought a the Golden Book of Magic - this was put out by the Golden Book people. It was a heavy craft paper book, which had pages which could be cut out / cut up to make the props, and a routine which stayed in the book to learn. Had many of the props I use today, and routines which I can still trace back to those days.
Thru high school it cooled off. After returning from my two year all expenses paid tropical vacation, I got back into it. I found a joke shop on the north side of town, and bought a lot of the stuff I still use today, made by Royal Magic - things like linking rings, card frame ( TV frame today) - and my first sets of Aladdin's Magic Cards (Svengali) - Queen of Diamonds, Ace of Spades. In time my assortment of props grew to almost 40.
During the 80's and 90's I did about 30 to 50 shows a year mainly for retirement homes, and a few birthday parties. NEVER again do any birthday parties after the last one, where the kids mobbed me, and thought my pilot case was their toy box. Just made it out of there with most stuff intact. In the late 90's my business was falling off, and I had to decide - either do I work the magic act into something full time professional or drop it and concentrate on getting the biz back in the black.
Magic had to go. NOW I am nearing retirement. The biz is okay I guess - and it is time to get back into something I enjoy doing. Right now I have done about 6 shows so far, and the old routine is stale, but works. SO today I am upgrading the act, getting lots of DVD's and relearning many routines, polishing the ones I know, and finding new stuff to add to the act. I could give you a long list of what I am currently up to as far as what is worked up - but - I won't waste band width.
Just to say, I lurked for a few months, learning lots of new stuff, and stuff to stay away from. So far this has been a real eye opener, and a learning experience. Thanks for having this important source available on the web.
AND in closing, I will say that I am looking forward to learning more from posts. One is never too old, or too experienced to learn something NEW !!
Cordially,
Mitch Corvus
From deep in the Lake Country
It is easier to try than to prove it can't be done.
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Preacherman
New user
Montana, where I've facetiously added
66 Posts
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Posted: May 1, 2012 8:07am
Welcome, Mitch...and in some ways, welcome back!
"The right hand is, of course, the hand with the thumb to the left side." Fred Kaps
"A little magic now and then never hurts" Grandpa Munster
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Mary Mowder
Inner circle
2002 Posts
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Posted: May 1, 2012 1:54pm
Welcome Mitch150,
I'll bet all the new resources available to Magicians were a real eyeopener.
Where is the Lake Country?
-Mary Mowder
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Jim Sparx
Inner circle
Far Out, Texas
1125 Posts
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Posted: May 1, 2012 3:04pm
Probably Minnesota.
Welcome to the Café, from the dry country, Texas. I have 25 ares of beachfront property for sale, no water, just beach.
Spartacus died for your sloth
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Mitch150
New user
Deep in the Lake County
17 Posts
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Posted: May 1, 2012 4:44pm
Mary - You got it. Minnesota. Because I perform, and I run a local business, I would like some privacy. Therefore, just a general idea of where I am.
This forum, as far as I have been lurking has provided me with tons of new ideas, things to stay away from, and more - things to add to my sorry routine. One gets in a rut with a set of props, does not think outside the box, and in the end, has a comfortable, act / show. In a small market like this, the bookings start to get slim, when everyone knows what you do - either you adapt, add new material, grow the act, or drop out. In some way I dropped out due to that reason. Things got slow, I didn't understand why. NOW I do.
After 10 years of being out of the show business, I decided, after a prodding by my wife of 40 years to get back into it. She just knows I need something to do besides sit around the house. The investment in new props, the time spent learning those, will pay off in the end - getting the act into some kind of shape is going to take time. I have time.
One thing I have learned from my 40+ years running my own business is this - it takes TIME - TREASURE - AND TALENT to succeed.
Along those lines, one of the things one needs is ideas. This forum provides tons of new ideas, new ways of thinking out of the box, and lots of younger fresh perspectives to look at when planning, scripting, rehearsing, and finally getting an act back on the road.
New toys in the toy box also give one new ideas as well. I have never lost the excitement and wonder of the magic of a prop working properly, and producing a really neat effect. Age has no meaning to me. It is just a number. Growing old is not an option. Keep on re-inventing yourself, and looking forward to each new day, and what challenges are presented to you, and new and exciting ways to overcome them.
Keep a song in your heart, and every day will be filled with sunshine.
Cordially,
Mitch Corvus
It is easier to try than to prove it can't be done.
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