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lawrenceng New user Calgary 84 Posts |
Dear all,
Got a second hand copy of this veritable piece off Ebay after reading the reviews and recommendations by many members of this Café. I must say I am not disappointed at all. Thank you for all those who contributed. Writing this review hoping to encourage other newbies to purchase this book and hold off on another effect/vid because of the profound impact it had on me. The book starts off by painting a pretty critical picture of the image magicians have and why it has languished from the days of the Thurston Show. It goes on to give examples of how the good name of magic has been tarnished, and I must admit Mr. Fitzkee's description of characters who perform magic and end up entertaining only themselves made me look hard at my own attempts. It goes on to objectively list out aspects of a performance that needs to be taken into account, and this list runs 39 items long, excluding subheadings. Each item is then given a detailed discussion. I must say since I am geared towards performing for at most a small group of people in an impromptu setting, aspects such as music, proper costuming, colour etc are difficult to implement. However all the other stuff like pacing, movement, character, in fact the rest of the 39 items are indeed enlightening. It is now a challenge for me to try and apply what I gleaned from this book to the few effects I have mastered. One unexpected good thing that came out of this endeavour was the decrease in urge to get the next new magic effect, which does wonders by the way for my diet (ie, got more to spend on healthy groceries). The examples Mr. Fitzkee used in his books include personalities from an era I am not familiar w/ (well, he wrote it in the 1940s, 30 yrs before I was born), but he backs them up w/ apt description, so I think I got a fairly good idea of what he is describing. It is even inspiring me to rent some oldies to watch and listen just to get an even better idea of what Mr. Fitzkee is trying to describe. All in all, this book definitely warrants a reread, in fact, for a beginner like me, it is great reference and guide on choosing what to perform and how. I sincerely think that it should be in every amateur's list since it puts more mileage into what you already have. Hope this helps. Once again, I would like to thank the many members who have recommended this book, along with the other two of the trilogy. By the way, if anybody has resources on Mr. Fitzkee's actual performances, please let me know. Would love to see him in action.
thanks y'all
lawrenceng |
Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
Nice to see newbies buying books like this.
re; "I must say since I am geared towards performing for at most a small group of people in an impromptu setting," Try obtaining Ortiz's "Strong Magic" now. Best wishes with your magical presentations. Paul. |
lawrenceng New user Calgary 84 Posts |
Thanks Paul for your kind words. Actually have a copy of Mr. Ortiz's Strong Magic lying around somewhere, bought it at the Charing Cross tube station against the recommendations of the guy behind the counter. It was too much for me then, but I definitely will be getting back to it. By the way, looking forward to a copy of your new book "Small but Deadly", a buddy went over to London and decided to get a copy for me- saves me a bit on shipping.
thanks y'all
lawrenceng |
Lyndel Inner circle wrote the theme to the TV show COPS! 1623 Posts |
"Showmanship For Magicians" should be required reading for anyone who shows a slight interest in becoming a magician.
I really think that this could stop a lot of the 'bad' magic that all of us see on a regular basis at the magic club or worse yet, being performed for the general public. I have often said that if I were stranded on a deserted island and could only have one magic book available to me, it would be Fitzkees "Showmanship For Magicians." It's THAT good! Lyndel |
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
I got two copies of "Showmanship For Magicians", the first is so marked up with notes and underlines, I decided to get a new one and read it again, without all the highlighted material and see it fresh again.
As for Ortiz's "Strong Magic", I too was having difficulty reading it until I found this site: Check out the excellent outline: Ortiz: Strong Magic outline I printed it on full sheet label paper and pasted the outlines on or near each chapter. It made the book so much more enjoyable. It also doesn't have to be read cover to cover.
Dennis Michael
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lawrenceng New user Calgary 84 Posts |
Thanks Dennis! Will definitely use the outline. That will make life a lot easier and enriching.
thanks y'all
lawrenceng |
DisneyWizard New user Hollywood, California 2 Posts |
http://www.angelfire.com/musicals/fitzkee/
I found this on-line, it actually has fewer typos than the books I bought. --Wiz
Visit http://www.angelfire.com/ca/disneywizard/wizard.html
for Pasadena, California Busker News |
Magic Eros New user 7 Posts |
I just finished to read/study this book, so there are some things that never change in the case of entertainment. I could say that this is an incredible book to learn about showmanship, maybe it is not the best one because it is a very old-fashioned book. I strongly recommend this book specially for newbies and amateurs magicians who want to work as a full time magician in the future and obviously if you want to raise your level in presentation.
After studying this book I strongly recommend to study Maximum entertainment by Ken Weber, showmanship and presentation needed an update and let me tell you that Ken Weber did a fantastic job with his book. Regards to everyone who can read this post. P.S: sorry for my written english, it's the worst skill that I possess in English as a second language |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Nicely said, Eros!
Your enthusiasm is delightful. --And, your English is much better than MANY of the American magicians who "inhabit" the Café!!! I read Fitzkee's trilogy, "eons" ago, and benefited, immensely. I quote Fitzkee, often! Yes, Ken Weber's book should 'sit' adjacent to Fitzkee's! Welcome to our "motley" crew!!! Dick
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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TomB Veteran user Michigan, USA 331 Posts |
I just got this book from Ebay in very good condition. I plan on writing all over it.
Dennis Michael, it would be interesting to see your notes in your book. |
Rachmaninov Inner circle 1076 Posts |
I think if you don’t take notes about what you read, after a while, there will be nothing much left…
Personally, I’m making a personal synthesis of everything about magic theory I read. And I’m making mind maps to have the main concepts in a single glance. I’m using them after and during the conception of an effect to be sure I’m still aware of the most important things. Some people will say it’s too much, but I’m doing everything by myself, with no director or entertainment adviser, so I think that’s the best way to go. |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Books, Pamphlets & Lecture Notes » » Showmanship for Magician's by Dariel Fitzkee: An amateur's review (3 Likes) |
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