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Corey Harris Inner circle Kansas City, MO 1229 Posts |
I don't know about any one else here. But I am extremly intimidated by other magicians in my area. A lot of them seem like they have been doing magic for a while and just do jaw dropping things, so I never approach them to talk to them about things. Like last week I was at the Lee Asher lecture here in KCMO and Jason Dean, John Born, and Chris Keppel were all there, and I was so intimidated by these guys. I know they probally would have helped me with things and are probally far from being jerks. Am I the only one intimidated by other magicians? Is there any thing I can do to not be intimidated by them?
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Frank Tougas Inner circle Minneapolis, MN 1712 Posts |
Chances are they would treat you as a peer. Not to say there are not some "jerks" in the professional ranks. Mostly the feeling you have is a consideration you have made up in your own head. We often put people on a pedestal as though their fame make them unapproachable. This is normal and intimidation can happen.
Maybe if you were trying to hobnob with the likes of Brittny Spears where security would be all over you like stink on a skunk you'd be justified in your fear but remember the most famous of famous magicians can still make a roomful of ordinary people say, "Who?" WE make the well know magicians well known. They would probably appreciate the attention and for those who turn out to really BE jerks. Have no fear, they are the very same people who would be jerks if they were plumbers, truckers, cashiers, etc. And how much importance would you assign them?
Frank Tougas The Twin Cities Most "Kid Experienced" Children's Performer :"Creating Positive Memories...One Smile at a Time"
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Corey Harris Inner circle Kansas City, MO 1229 Posts |
You make a very good point Frank. The thing is, this only happens to me with the magic community. I am a Professional Wrestler here in the midwest and have no problem with veterans of the wrestling business. Maybe it is the fact that I was Brought up in the wrestling business as opposed to being brought up with a magical family.
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Jeff_Mash Veteran user Bay Area, California 328 Posts |
Corey, I think you hit the nail on the head. I feel that it's more common than naught to be a little intimidated (in a good way) of those who we respect. Our minds start racing with thoughts like, "Are they going to judge me for messing up an effect? Are they simply smiling and complimenting me while deep down, they are laughing inside?"
But the comfortable you are with yourself and your performance, even as a flawed performer, the more at ease you'll feel among these guys of esteem and prestige. I've talked to Lee on the phone many times (and John Born just a couple times last week), and they are genuinely nice guys. I have the attitude that if I were to perform in front of them, it would be humbling, while at the same time, a perfect opportunity to ask for pointers. So I would think of it as a way to improve myself, instead of an opportunity to embarrass myself and feel inferior.
Your friend in magic,
Jeff Mash, CEO MJM Magic - "Magic for Magicians, Jokesters, and Mentalists!" http://www.MJMMagic.com |
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BerkleyJL Veteran user Chicago, IL 397 Posts |
I know quite a few magicians in my area and they are all vastly more experienced than I. While they all have my utmost respect, none of them intimidate me. In fact, all of the magicians I have met have been very friendly and more than willing to help me become better. Perhaps it is that my love for the art is obvious, but I get the feeling that anyone who is interested would be encouraged by these guys.
I'm pretty sure the majority of magicians would be more than glad to help you and talk shop. We can't exactly talk about our secrets with non-magicians, can we?
I need a stage name.
Joe Berkley |
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blindbo Special user Bucks County, PA 790 Posts |
Steve Youell once enlightened me to this very thing. Its ego. You are probably a very good wrestler and as such feel you should be very good in anything you do. Well, that's how I am and most middle to over acheivers. Think how much of a wrestler you were on day one. Now look at you.
Once I accepted the fact that I am only a novice in magic (read that as I most times suck), then I was able to rid myself of jitters and the intimidation I felt around other magicians. To be frank, I still find it difficult at times. I should be much better after these many years than I am and my ego is affected by it. Aw, shucks. I just suck - hmmm, feeling better already... |
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Corey Harris Inner circle Kansas City, MO 1229 Posts |
Thanks for all the advice and comments every one. I acctually ran into John Born at the magic shop this evening and got a chance to talk to him some. He is extremly nice and even pointed me to a good book and some good advice. I guess we are all just people.
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Steve Friedberg Inner circle 1402 Posts |
Corey:
Blindbo's advice is right on target. I can vouch that, as he says, most times he sucks. :) (Actually, hardly. He's quite good, and has an excellent sense of self and what it takes to perform well. What other magicians want to see is that you have a genuine interest in learning. Once that's established, there's very little they won't work with you on. Have fun.)
Cheers,
Steve "A trick does not fool the eyes, but fools the brain." -- John Mulholland |
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Stanyon Inner circle Landrum, S.C. by way of Chicago 3433 Posts |
Whoa!
Tanker, at 6' 3" and 310lbs., that's a lot to intimidate! Cheers!
Stanyon
aka Steve Taylor "Every move a move!" "If you've enjoyed my performance half as much as I've enjoyed performing for you, then you've enjoyed it twice as much as me!" |
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Aubrey_T Regular user Paso Robles 175 Posts |
What a great thread! I myself struggle with performing and talking to other magician that I respect. Lay people I have no problem with but magician's I have th ecomplex of why am I even showing this to you...the joy of performing is taken away when someone can see through your methods.
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DomKabala Inner circle I've grown old after diggin' holes for 2827 Posts |
I am reminded of a comment by Bruce Lee in a magazine interview years ago when he was asked this question... "Are you really as good as everyone says you are?" and he answered ..."If I said I was, you'd think I was bragging and conceited...and if I said I wasn't, then I'd be lying". Intimidation is a state of mind and the choice is ours to stay in that frame of mind. In your case I believe the correct word is Humility. I've always believed that we all are somewhere in the middle... there's always some less fortunate and some more fortunate than we are. As long as we understand this we'll all be better off and understand what humility really is.
<<<KRaZy4kardz>>>
We don't stop playing when we grow old...we grow old when we stop playing.
God is enough, let go, let God. Gal 2:20 "Anything of value is not easily attained and those things which are easily attained are not of lasting value." |
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Vandy Grift Inner circle Milwaukee 3504 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-03-08 12:24, Stanyon wrote: LOL, that's what I was thinking. Corey, just go up and talk to them I'm sure they are cool. And, if they are anything but pleasant, pick em'up and throw them through a wall! LOL. Seriously, it sounds like you found out when you met up with John Born that theres nothing to be worried about. Vandy
"Get a life dude." -some guy in a magic forum
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Brandon Delgado Loyal user St. Louis, Missouri 293 Posts |
I, too, am intimidated by other magicians, but don't be intimidated by Keppel. He's a good guy. I used to go to US Toy all the time when I lived in KC, and I saw Chris working there a couple of times. Every time, he was exceptionally helpful, which I was very grateful for because I am not as experienced as he is. It's funny because we actually went to high school together, and I had no idea that he was into magic until I saw him for the first time at US Toy, years after we graduated. I'm not sure he remembered me, though...
But, then, we weren't really friends in high school. Brandon |
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Dave V Inner circle Las Vegas, NV 4824 Posts |
I don't enjoy performing for other magicians, especially at magic clubs. It's not that I'm intimidated, but they don't act like a typical "audience."
If I were to show something at my local magic meeting, and then come back a few weeks later with improvements, or just smoothing out some rough spots, I'd be interested in their thoughts on the improvement, not "Oh, I've already seen that..." or "That's just the old XXXXX move" Even if they're wrong naming the move, the mentality is once they think they figured it out they don't want to see it again. Makes it really hard to get good feedback. Now I make it a point to NOT perform with other magicians present. I went through the entire World Magic Seminar and didn't even carry a deck of cards. I did demo a few things with a borrowed deck to some of the teen participants but that was all.
No trees were killed in the making of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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John Born Veteran user 390 Posts |
Hey Corey!
It was nice to meet you the other day! How's that book working out for you? Check out the routine called "A Card At Any Number." I think you will like it... John B. Born |
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Corey Harris Inner circle Kansas City, MO 1229 Posts |
The book is great. There are a couple effects that I really like so far, and I'm only on chapter 3.
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Joe Mauro Inner circle 1133 Posts |
I find other magciians very helpful to each other. And the bigger they are ( fame wise ) the more generous the are with a tip or other help.
~Joe
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MysticTheater New user Green Hills 21 Posts |
Sometimes I feel certain magicians are not approachable, I guess it all really depeneds what they are like as a person. In my experience its a good way to do business by having friends and contacts all of sorts, including your fellow magicians!
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Burnt New user England 66 Posts |
Sometimes I find some magcians a little intimidating more so when it comes to preforming for them due to the common. that's good, what about this?
But you're lucky to be neer other magicians. They can be a great help if you just speak to them like normal people. I was fairly nervious when it came to talking to Loki but then after having a quick chat we ended up getting along ok despite him being a pro and me just being an unknown junior magician. They're just people. Those who think they are the 'dogs b*llarks' are really not worth the hassle no matter how good they are but you'll find a lot of magicians are actually very helpful if you just talk to them like you want them to talk to you. |
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Whitewolfny Loyal user 216 Posts |
I'm 6'5", 320lbs and I'm scared to death to ask a fellow magician how he or she did a trick or could they help me with learning a move? It's a social problem I know. I do magic for friends or a room full of strangers, but put me with other magicians and I feel like I'm just a bothersome nat to be brushed aside. I'm not very good with slights so I don't feel I have anyting to contribute to a conversation. I've met many magicians, pro and ammature alike who are nice and once I get over my fear of them and start talking to them, I find they are just regular people who usually love to talk and teach magic. It's hard for me to imagine anyone from the world of professional wrestling being intimidated. But then I guess we see only one side of your character in the ring. I guess we both need to just bite the bullet and go talk to magicians and see what happens. Good luck in your magic.
Braxton Mannar
<BR>Just an old dog trying to learn new tricks |
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