I am very interested in how the the "big" shows really work. I am talking about budgeting, hiring a producer, publicity, etc.

The more I read and ask around, it seems the Vegas-type shows are much more than a magician putting together his own show. They seem to involve agents, publicists, producers, directors, choreographers and much more.

Can anyone recommend a book of this subject? I am wondering where one would start..from a business point of view, and the steps one would take if interested in venturing into a large arena.

Thanks in advance!

I'll take a stab at this. First you need capital (money) or someone with it. You have to designate who the producer is. That person arranges the financing, finds the talent, hires the support people, finds the venue, and makes the show a reality. The magician could act as a producer but that's going to eat up a lot of time from creating the content of the show and rehearsing which the magician might prefer doing. It helps to have someone experienced in organizing such a show. There are contracts, union issues, insurance, advertising, liability problems etc. It pays to have a pro on your side so you don't reinvent the wheel and then get run over by it.

Thanks. Anyone else have any input?

Oh! I forgot one thing. Lots of semi-clad women who can misdirect.

There's another way that people have done this and that is to approach an already established casino or venue that has a stage or area that's not being used. The performer strikes a deal in that they will do a show at this area and either the house will split the profits or the house only makes money from selling drinks and food or a variation of the two.

Greg

Thanks. Anyone know of any books I can get on this topic?

Good luck finding a venue with a stage not being used.

and even if you do the publicity and show will still require capital.

most casinos will require some form of guarantee so that is capital also.

bottom line is to find someone with a proven track record in this sort of thing, then the book will be completly irrelivant.

I wouldn't recomend a jump into the fray even with reading any books. find a guide through this jungle which you are looking at!

Just a few ideas:

One approach would be to research how other magicians have done it. Magic Magazine, for example, had a great article a few years ago on Lance Burton.

First, he put together his world class manipulative act (always with the idea in the back of his mind that it would be the opening of his "big show" someday).

Then, after a historic appearance on the Tonight Show, he landed the variety spot in a show in Las Vegas where he spent spent 15 or more years polishing that act, adding routines, and saving money.

Then, at a trememdous risk, he bankrolled his own show at the Hacienda. Spent 4 years there polishing that show. Hired Peter Reveen as a manager, who landed the deal with the Monte Carlo.

That's the short version. Read the article for more details.

Regarding putting together the show, I would suggest first putting together your "solo act" that kills, as Lance did. Howard Thurston did the same over 100 years ago with his manipulative act.

Then add one illusion to your show. That's what Lance Burton did at the Tropicana. Houdini did the same with Metamorphosis. You build from there.

Also, take lots of dance classes and learn how to move properly onstage. While you are at it, get some technical theater experience, either through a college program or simply start working on shows in your commmunity.

Once you start turning in theatrical circles and learn the ropes, you will meet directors, choreographers and technicians who you can work with. Its a business where contacts are very important.

Regarding books, head to the theater section of a large bookstore. Most of the books at a magic shop will be dated, but you should know your history anyway. Ken Griffin's book, Illusion Show Know-How, has great information. Willard the Wizard by Bev Bergeron, tells you how one of the greats did it many years ago. Don't miss the Jarret Book by Jim Steinmeyer. Just read everything you can find on the great (and not so great) magicians.

But it all begins with your act. Before you sink a lot of money in a big show, have the ability to WOW and audience with your club act. You will use that material in the big show anyway, so start there.

Jim

Well Said Jim! McBribe Magic on Stage Vol 1 has the makings of develoving a Commando Act (Club Act).

Getting into doing Theme Parks is a start.

A shorter version would be to ask a few young Illusionists like Café member Brian Ledbetter how he started.
(briansmagic)

Den,

Great idea about doing the theme parks. Lance Burton and Mac King both got started in Kentucky doing a theme park for several years before heading to the West coast. As Michael Ammar once commented, "Everybody has to have someplace to be bad!"

Few shows open on Broadway without first working out the bugs in a smaller workshop production, often out of town.

Jim

Thanks for the advice.

Here is the BIG question.....lets say for a moment that capital is NOT an issue. Lets say I have 2 million dollars to put together a show, hire a producer, etc. (no, I'm not rich, just a hypothetical question)

With that being said, if I really can put together an AWESOME show (and I truthfully mean a really good show) and make a demo tape, what are the chances I could land my own venue?

Now keep in mind that one is actually a great performer..not just someone who raised a ton of money to do magic. A GREAT show is being offered....what are the chances of it taking off???

Thanks in advance.

If you have a killer show, tons of money, etc. that means nothing. You will need to be in the right place at the right time. I know one sure-fire way to get in Vegas. I know of a hypnotist who rents out a theater at some hotel. He pays $XX per month for the theater and in return he puts on 2 shows a night for 4 or 5 nights a week.

Try and find something like that, then go to the bigger casinos and tell them what you've done for the past year. Keep in mind that you will need to hire (usually union) people to do your lighting, sound, etc. There is someone for every job.

You need to find a place which has lots of transient people, like Las Vegas, Anihiem, Ca, Disney World, etc.

You cannot succeed in Redneck, Id, with population 10. You need to find a homebase. One where it is common to see shows, like Branson, Missori or Mrytle Beach, NC or Pigeon Forge, TN, etc. If competition is low, success chances go up.

If you are new, offer new material, and you are as you said great, you need to market it to the vanue you want. Is it the Convention circuit, Cruise Ships, or stationary location as mentioned above. With the kind of money you are talking about, you would hire a marketing manager to sell your act to agencies.

Hypothetically, money can open the right doors.

If you have the money, you can work anywhere in 'Vegas, no matter how average you are.

Just look at Wyrick.

Then look at the top Las Vegas Magic Shows - Penn & Teller, Mac King, Lance Burton, and S&R. All of them have a wonderful history of working for years in all manner of places to become the successful 'Vegas Performers they are today.

To become a headline Las Vegas Act, your choices are:
a) Work hard on your act for many years until you have something you would pay $100+ to see.
b) Marry somebody very very rich.
c) Impress Steve Wynn.

No Magicians in 'Vegas were 'overnight successes'.

Except for Wyrick, that is.

GREAT NEWS:
We JUST recently discussed this here as well...

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......4&11

Too, almost ANY subject you can imagine has already been discussed here at the Café', so feel free to do a bit of investigation using the FREE SEARCH tool at the top of each page... loads of information to riffle thru.

Hope that helps as well my freind!

I am at your service and In HIS Service,
Deano in Reno who has "been there, done that" in the casino biz.
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There is a book out there called the millionaire magician -

Randy (Who wrote the book...) has not done this sort of work... Sure he was and still IS successful in the corporate arena, (largely as a speaker now) but has never (To the best of my knowledge... and I know him.) worked or more importantly, produced a Vegas Style Review Show. (Could be wrong, but it never came up in our conversations over the years.)

Now Kevin James...
or Tony Clark...
or Mark & Jinger Kalin...
Or Larry Wilson...
or Mark Kornhauser...
and hosts of others too numerous to mention, may be more likely to shed some light based on EXPERIANCE.

Hope that helps some.

I am at your service and In HIS Service,
Deano
<><

There are too many things to consider, for example, just on the casino side...are you 4 walling, 2 walling, doing matchplays with tix, there are literally a thousand details that one cannot learn overnight, or without direct experience in the biz. There is choreography, prop maintenance, advertising (Lance spends roughly $280,000.00 per MONTH on adspace alone), and too many other things to mention. The average strip (Las Vegas Blvd) billboard runs $15,000.00 per month. It is expensive and time consuming. You must have the working capital to at least sustain the show assuming no ticket revenue (legal, salaries, ADVERTISING, etc) for at least 6 months, perhaps longer for word to get out that it is a killer show. Also, many Vegas rooms are not too easy to find by the average tourist. The comedy zone downtown at the Plaza is on the 3rd floor! Lots of competition, deals made with the big ticket agencys (allstate, etc), lots of inside stuff to consider. My suggestion? Same as Jim Snacks: be a great act in a variety show. Easy money, steady work, no hassles. If you do put the demo together, do not shop it yourself, get reputable representation, as it will carry quite a bit more weight. Also, whatever your final budget, triple it. It is very hard to go back out and ask for more because the money ran out. If you do go for it, get a *** good entertainment attorney, not a lawyer. A laywer graduated law school, but an attorney passed the bar.
TN

Now we are talkin'!

Good stuff!
DH

Sounds perfect