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Ken Abbott New user 100 Posts |
When you see another magician performing at some venue, is it proper to tell him that you are a magician before he performs for you? Should you wait til after he performs so he doesn't get nervous or change what he normally would do? Or, do you not even mention it at all? My question assumes that you want to strike up some friendly conversation about a common interest you both have versus impressing him that you know what he is doing.
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Werner G. Seitz Inner circle 3131 Posts |
Don't bother ANY performer before he is through his act, especially not a pro performer who was hired to entertain.
Also, unless he is entirely through his work, and hasn't to continue, f.ex. at another table aso. be very carefull and don't bother him in any way. If he is finished one might carefully approach him and first make sure he has the time to talk to you, he might have to rush off for another booking at another place.. Neither never perform in any venue (bar/restaurant) a pro performer is hired to perform!
Learn a few things well.....this life is not long enough to do everything.....
( Words of wisdom from Albert Goshman ...it paid off for him - it might as well for YOU!!!- My own magic is styled after that motto... ) |
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Dan Watkins Inner circle PA 3028 Posts |
I'd echo what Werner said. You can tell if he needs to move on or has some time to talk. If he is done, and has some hang time, I don't see any problem with talking with him then.
Quite honestly I bet if you are with people who know you are a magician, your family/friends might be very likely to say, "Hey! Ken's a magician too!" Thus solving your dilema |
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SOHA Regular user NJ 178 Posts |
Magicians are so Uptight!
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Kozmo V.I.P. 5473 Posts |
Lol....agreed! you can talk to me anytime you want
koz |
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T. Joseph O'Malley Inner circle Canada 1937 Posts |
It's not about uptight. It's about manners.
If you were a professional pianist, playing piano at a gig, and I came up to you while you were in the middle of a set of music or while you were getting ready, and started blathering on about how I was pianist too, I'd be annoying. I'd be uncourteous and unprofessional. AFTER the gig, if you didn't look too busy, I don't think it would be wrong at all for me to approach you and express that I too have an interest in the piano.
tjo'
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Daegs Inner circle USA 4291 Posts |
That is a fault analogy....
a correct analogy to a piano player would be walking up to a club / tradeshow / stage magician in the middle of a routine. Table Hoppers and such are much different and would be like a strolling violen player at a resturant. As he approaches and introduces himself, there would be no problems saying you play the violen too before he starts his act. Let's also remember that the role of magicians at a resturant is to make the customers happy, so if you would be happier talking about magic for 5 minutes rather than watching magic for 5 minutes, than the correct move is to talk about magic for 5 minutes.(this is the same with regulars, often they will want to talk or see a single trick more than watch you do a whole set the more they come in, many tables I end up just talking to and doing maybe one effect) At a private party again, assuming he is strolling then there are no problems chatting with him just like any non-magician might chat with him, only in this case you are chatting about magic. It isn't like he is in front of everyone and you stop the show by running on stage trying to talk to him, you would do it as he approaches your group and there are no problems talking to him. |
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Jonton Veteran user New York City 336 Posts |
When I go on vactation (usually to VA beach), there are many hired street performers out in the evening. I'll hang around and watch their routine a few times, sort of getting to know them before you know them. Then after an act, I'll ask if they have a card. If I know the name, I'll say something like "Oh, I think I've heard about you." That's usually enough to start a conversation and properly intruduce yourself as a fellow magician.
Works for me, I've made several new friends in the process. ~Jonton
I Came, I Saw, I Conjured
www.jontaylornyc.com |
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Cameron Francis V.I.P. 7025 Posts |
When table hopping, I sometimes ask people if there are any magicians at the table. Depends on the vibe I'm getting from people. I have yet to run into a pro but I have performed for quite a few hobbyists. I haven't really talked "magic" with any of them, though. Pobably because there are lay people at the table.
MOMENT'S NOTICE LIVE 3 - Six impromptu card tricks! Out now! http://cameronfrancismagic.com/moments-notice-live-3.html
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Cory Gallupe Inner circle Nova Scotia, Canada 1272 Posts |
If I was in this situation, which I was once. I would wait till he is finished, then tell him that you are one too. You should say proffesional if you are young or they wont take you seriously. And then tell him what he could do better or what he does good and how he could help you, then strike up conversation. When I was being performed for I watched, the asked him how Magic Masters was, cuz I was in Florida, and he said he didn't like it. (and he was right!) But at the same time, another 5 year old kid came up and talked about how well he could do a card trick that he didn't even know the name for, The then came to realize that it was the Svengali Deck. But he just thought I was an amature so he didn't take me serously and we didn't talk much.
But every time I get the chance to see someone perform, I love to watch and talk with them about different things. |
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Werner G. Seitz Inner circle 3131 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-11-16 17:48, themagicman101 wrote: You can't be serious? That's the last thing to start any conversation. IF he was really good, I would tell him how much I loved his handling of this and that routine. If he wasn't that good, I wouldn't even mention it! Anybody having done magic for some time and -in this case- probably performing as a pro, has at least one or two things he does very well, so I would compliment him (honestly) on those, mentioning, how much I enjoyed it. This wouldn't be even lying, but simply telling the truth.. Telling him at this stage, this and that could be improved would be about the worst thing to say/start a new relationship, it's an entirely diff. matter to discuss some handling later when you did get him to know better and when you are talking about the subject. In many cases, when the guy got to know you are a fellow magician, it often occurs ( it did to me) that he asks how you did like this and that. Even there, be carefull and don't tell him how YOU would do it.. It is not that tough to get into a discussion, a real discussion, where alternative handlings can be discussed. One can always ask a counterquestion, like *I once did se xxxx doing a similar routine and he had some good points TOO, he did this and that, so and so, what do you think about HIS way of handling that routine* IF you are talking to a guy doing a class act, he'll willingly discuss diff. options as he most likely had been through some of them before, those he not yet has covered or tried out, he will normally be happy to get to know..and you've made a friend.. To me, that is what it's all about in approaching a performer who's act I liked..if I didn't like it at all, I wouldn't approach him letting him know I was a fellow magician... So watch out... If I am in the audience and you are performing, and I don't let you know I liked your act, it is because I think it wasn't 'that' good
Learn a few things well.....this life is not long enough to do everything.....
( Words of wisdom from Albert Goshman ...it paid off for him - it might as well for YOU!!!- My own magic is styled after that motto... ) |
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Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
If they look new I encourage them. If they look seasoned, I'll get others to go over to them and tell them the sleight they saw. with their confidance shaken, I take over the venue.
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
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Werner G. Seitz Inner circle 3131 Posts |
Quote: I didn't expect to find anybody being more 'nasty' then me here at this board? On 2005-11-16 18:15, MagicChris wrote:
Learn a few things well.....this life is not long enough to do everything.....
( Words of wisdom from Albert Goshman ...it paid off for him - it might as well for YOU!!!- My own magic is styled after that motto... ) |
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Daegs Inner circle USA 4291 Posts |
Geez do you also have them do a trick in front of the manager where you make them fail only to offer to undercut them for their nights too????(a tactic that works very well, just palm your selection out of the deck, hehe)
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Kozmo V.I.P. 5473 Posts |
Jonton, I've worked that gig
kozmo |
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Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-11-16 18:32, Werner G. Seitz wrote: Werner, you are still the master
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
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Ken Abbott New user 100 Posts |
The incident that caused me to start this topic was seeing a magician in Reno in the lobby. He was at a small table dressed as a riverboat gambler and waiting for someone to approach his table. He was not very busy. After he performed, I was tempted to say "that was a very good version of invisable palm aces. Who's version is it?"
I thought it might sound more like I was trying to impress him than to compliment him. I chose to compliment him another way and move on without mentioning that I was a professional magician. We both probably would have enjoyed further conversation. But, I did not know the proper etiquette. |
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T. Joseph O'Malley Inner circle Canada 1937 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-11-16 16:16, Daegs wrote: Daegs, you're being a bit picky - it's not a fault(y) analogy - I didn't make specific reference to table hopping, or any particular type of magic, but the logic still applies. The original question did not mention table hopping. The point I was conveying is that I wouldn't walk up to any artist of any kind prior to or during a performance and attempt to talk shop. I wouldn't do this with a table hopper or a stage magician or a parlor magician, or any magician. I wouldn't approach a band on a stage and interupt to talk about guitars, nor would I approach a strolling violinist to about his pizzicato technique. I wouldn't go up to an actor before a play and ask if she uses method acting. Heck, I wouldn't even do this after a performance. I would simply pay them a compliment if they were good and be on my way. If I want to talk shop, I go to the magic shop in Toronto. Or I suppose I log online... As an aside, I agree with what you're saying about being a strolling magish and talking with people at the tables. If they want to talk about magic, great, do it with them. But if some clown at the table has the audacity to ask you what DL you prefer, or tries to give you pointers on a shuffle, he's gone too far. My experience in life with people who try to be "helpful" or corrective in awkward situations ie. in front of an audience, is that usually they're blowhards and not worth listening to. I'm ALL for learning and getting advice from just about anyone out there, but it's how it's presented that matters. But if somebody wants to tell you that they saw David Blaine or Criss Angel on TV, well, it is a good idea to humour them and talk about what they enjoyed.
tjo'
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troller Loyal user 276 Posts |
If a magician come up to you and starts to perform some magic.. like card stuff or something that you are familiar with, don't tell them your a magician. If you have the opportunity to turn it around and be able to perform some sleight of hand or a pass or whatever to the current trick.. then do so. The look on their face and the look on the spectators faces will be priceless!
No need to mention your a magician. And no need to mention where the object went after the performace. After the show and when everyone has left.. take the opportunity to approach said called magician and hand him his object / prop back and say you found it on the floor and you thought it would be a good thing to give it back. Walk away.....after you say: "...have a nice day!" |
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Bill Wells Elite user Lexington, VA 457 Posts |
Why not try to act like a regular human being? If you are a customer in an establishment and a magician shows up to perform...act like a customer! Don't tell the guy you are a magician and put him on edge...just try to respond like a regular person would.
When the act is over and the magician has a spare moment and you can do so without an audience, I see nothing wrong with telling him that you are a magician and that you enjoyed his show (if you, in fact, did), otherwise just continue to try to act like a regular human...just don't intrude on his turf but doing magic. |
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