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Jaxon
Inner circle
Kalamazoo, Mi.
2459 Posts
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Posted: Dec 9, 2004 5:36pm
Have you said or thought that of yourself yet? Have you had a moment where you really felt, "Hey, I'm a good magician".
I'm sure you are and I hope you much success in it. it doesn't matter if you want to do this for a living or just as a hobby. Just remember to work hard yet keep it fun.
Now I must ask this. Why do you feel you're good at magic?
Is it because of the reactions you get?
If it is then that's a good thing. Be happy when you put a smile on some ones face or gave them a memorable moment.
Here's a little warning though. Don't let it get to your head. What I mean is just because they are amazed and liked what you showed them that doesn't mean actaully ready for everything. It doesn't mean you now know it all and don't need to keep improving.
Remember, you may have been the best magician they ever saw. You also might have been the only magician they ever saw. Especially live and up close.
Is it because you worked hard to master a move. Went out and did it for someone and it worked perfectly?
Be proud of this accomplishment too. But why did they give it such a good reaction? Was it because of all the hard work you put into the move? I'm sure that does matter but they have no idea how hard you worked on it and they shouldn't know. The effect they experienced only lasted a moment. They are only reacting to the moment the object vanished, appeared, changed, levitated or moved.
Keep in mind that if you did the easiest trick out there. If you only vanished a silk with a T tip or something simple like that. That simple trick might be the greatest trick they've ever seen.
I'm not trying to discourage anyone here. I just remember a time when I kind of stopped going to magic conventions. Stopped looking for more information and stopped studying because I honestly felt I pretty much knew it all. Then I meet some other magicians who kept going and they showed me just how much I didn't know or haven't learned yet. I'm hoping you'll be able to avoid that. So be proud of your accomplishments but understand what it is you accomplished and keep improving.
An amazing thing will happen some day though. You'll suddenly feel you're very good at what you do. not because of what anyone does or says. You won't be comparing yourself to anyone else. you'll just realize, "Hey, I'm good at this". You won't have much of a desire to tell anyone this when it really hits you. You just feel it and it's a great feeling. I cannot explain it though. It's a kind of self realization. From then on you just want to improve. no matter what anyone else says.
The strange thing is this moment can also bring a feeling of fear. This I can't explain either. Not fear of anyone else. It's kind of a fear that you're not sure what to do next.
Just some things to think about. keep it fun and keep improving.
Ron Jaxon
"The map is not the Territory"
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Chrystal
Inner circle
Canada/France
1528 Posts
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Posted: Dec 10, 2004 4:20am
Hi Ron,
As always I enjoy reading your thought provoking comments. You make some very good points and I agree with you.
I also think what happens to some of us is we seem to follow the antage of "if it ain't broke don't fix it". There are many magicians that have successful shows but do the same thing year in and out. I know, I'm quilty of that myself! I mean we've done the show so often - we can do it with our eyes closed.
I suppose the danger exist that we will become bored and it may come across that way to our audiences. In reality there is two schools of thought: Do we continue with a sucessful show that been tested and proved to be a hit with audiences - yet may result in our eventual bordom? Do we constantly challenge ourselves and look at branching out into different realms of magic or learning new effects? I think perhaps the answer lies somewhere inbetween.
I'm looking forward to hearing as to what others think.
Thanks again Ron for an interesting post.
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Peter Marucci
Inner circle
Fergus, Ontario, Canada
5381 Posts
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Posted: Dec 10, 2004 4:37am
In his post on being good at magic, Ron Jaxon says, "It doesn't mean you now know it all and don't need to keep improving."
How very true!
After 50 years-plus in the business, I am still learning things that amaze me from virtually everyone I meet, from seasoned pros to rank beginners.
One of the great things about magic is that you never really come to the end. There's always more to learn, even in your specialized area.
And, assuming the impossible -- that you have learned everything in your field -- you will NEVER learn everything about how to present it.
So, as Ron and I say, there's always more to learn (and that what's so great!)
cheers,
Peter Marucci
showtimecol@aol.com
http://journals.aol.ca/showtimecol/magiccom/
"Better a man honor his profession than be honored by it." -- Robert-Houdin
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Frank Tougas
Inner circle
Minneapolis, MN
1708 Posts
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Posted: Dec 10, 2004 9:25am
Remember too that you can learn and improve many of the thimngs you already perform. Sometimes we can get overwhelmed by all the newest and most improved stuff on the market and find ourselves in a race to stay on top of it all.
Remember you are not in a competition with anyone. I've been doing this stuff since I was ten (yikes that's fourty five years ago!) and I always tend to gravitate back to the classics of magic (i.e.) Linking Rings, Cut & Restored Rope etc. I am always tweaking it here and there, maybe with a better line of patter or a more direct approach.
I know I don't know it all. I know it is impossible to know it all but I do know "know thyself" works pretty good.
Frank Tougas
Frank Tougas The Twin Cities Most "Kid Experienced" Children's Performer :"Creating Positive Memories...One Smile at a Time"
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rannie
Inner circle
4099 Posts
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Posted: Dec 10, 2004 2:50pm
Magic is not a destination ..., its a never ending journey. Thanks for reminding Ron!
Peace,
Rannie
"If you can't teach an old dog new tricks, trick the old dog to learn."
-Rannie Raymundo-
aka The Boss
aka The Manila Enforcer
www.rannieraymundo.com
www.tapm.proboards80.net
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alexhui
Inner circle
Tokyo
1292 Posts
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Posted: Dec 10, 2004 10:15pm
Ron, what a inspiring post!
During the past few years, I observed that some people tend to think they know virtually all sorts of thing in magic. May be they think that they have watched all the 'best' videos (but no single book) and therefore know all magic tricks are done with these method and sleights.
I was also surprised that I know people that he performed trade show after touching magic for 3 weeks!! You know the result....but he seems to be very proud of his skill and called himself 'magician' loudly outside...I am not saying that performing show after learning magic for 3 weeks, but I don't think 3 weeks practice and learning (eventhough you learn 30 hours a day!!) will make a good magician. And calling oneself a magician and perform for money is like telling lie to himself and others.
One interesting thing I found about magic is that people's interest in magic tends to fade when they think they have watched and knew everything. This is true if someone stop learning. And if you forgive my rudeness, I think people depending on watching videos for learning will think they know all and stop for learning at one point in future...There is no wrong in videos, but words are always better way to get more information. In Hong Kong, people tnd to learn magic from videos and the result is that many people quickly think they are magicians or even 'great' magicians. I mean, really quick, because they always think in this ways after few months of learning...
I think, as magic student, we have to feel confident in performing magic, but at the same time, we have to keep in mind that our knowledge is only a tip of an iceberg, like a little star in the sky. If we think in this way, we can admire magic in a totally different way.
We know how the universe should look like, but it is only when we see the universe with our own eyes, we will admire its greatness.
Alex Hui
The Real Way of Magic is to touch the soul of our audience, but not to touch the ego of our soul
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Lee Darrow
V.I.P.
Chicago, IL USA
3594 Posts
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Posted: Dec 11, 2004 12:21am
Ron, you are rapidly developing into a Magical National treasure. I am always impressed and moved to think even more after reading one of your posts.
Keep 'em coming!
Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
"Because NICE Matters!"
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Laughing Otter
Loyal user
Behind you!
208 Posts
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Posted: Dec 12, 2004 3:47pm
Ron, you made me think of one of my favorite quotes:
"There is no point at which you can say, 'Well, I'm successful now. I might as well take a nap.'" --Carrie Fisher
And I'll agree with Lee. After years of knowing you, and seeing how thoughtful and creative you are, it is good to see you sharing some of yourself with folks who need, and can truly appreciate, what you have to offer.
Boy George?
PUH-leez!
What's next...
Streisand?
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Lee Darrow
V.I.P.
Chicago, IL USA
3594 Posts
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Posted: Dec 13, 2004 5:00am
On a humorous side of this, I finally admitted to myself that I might be a reasonably good magician at a trade show last year. I had a volunteer come up and I did the card-to-forehead and a guy standing well back from the group, who had been watching my hands intently throughout the set, literally fell back against another booth and said something that I cannot repeat on the Café.
I asked him from the stage what he did for a living, as he was dressed in a classy vest and tux shirt. His reply?
"I'm a pit boss at the (name deleted by request) casino in Las Vegas, in charge of floor security for the dealers and you just fooled the daylights out of me with that trick!"
At that point, I came to the understanding that I had one trick that I could honestly say that I knew pretty well. Trouble is, I do more than just one trick, so I still have a lot of work to do as I've only been at this stuff for about 36 years or so...
Remember, David Devant, when asked how many tricks he knew stated, "I KNOW only six tricks," meaning he had mastered them completely. - I'm not there, yet, but time and practice and experience are the only true way to get there...
It's a long and winding road - but the trip is well worth it!
Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
"Because NICE Matters!"
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Jaxon
Inner circle
Kalamazoo, Mi.
2459 Posts
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Posted: Dec 13, 2004 6:33pm
Great point Lee.
Just to add to the humor of this. Wanna know what tricks I have mastered less then any of my regular tricks? The ones I made up.
I can do them all of course because I spend a lot of time figuring out what works and what doesn't before I make anythig available. I haven't had to many tricks on the amrket yet but I would bet that there will be some out there who have picked up something of mine who will be better then me at it in a year or two.
this has already happened with my trick VCR. Someone added a cool improvement to it. I love to hear about things like that. Different minds think differently and it's great to see someone alter or improve upon someone elses creation.
Ron Jaxon
"The map is not the Territory"
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mormonyoyoman
Inner circle
I dug 5,000 postholes, but I have only
2080 Posts
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Posted: Dec 13, 2004 8:48pm
Ron, yours is a wonderful attitude! In my short time in magic, I've seen (and read) so many people who pretty much clone others' presentations and effects. It's something I've been concerned about, since I'm not nearly experienced enough to be creating my own effects yet. (I seem to be lucky enough that I don't seem able to clone another's presentation.)
But to read about a creator, such as yourself, who is delighted that someone puts a different spin on your own creation -- now THAT is magic.
*jeep!
--Chet
Isaiah 5:20
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Frank Tougas
Inner circle
Minneapolis, MN
1708 Posts
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Posted: Dec 15, 2004 12:09pm
Ron so many of your thought provoking questions would make great fodder for round table discussions at a magic convention. I hope there are organizers out there taking notes.
Frank Tougas The Twin Cities Most "Kid Experienced" Children's Performer :"Creating Positive Memories...One Smile at a Time"
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