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tcted New user San Mateo, CA 51 Posts |
Hi all.
I am a new member to S.A.M. and I recently attended a local assembly meeting. After the regular meeting was over, they do a performance time, where people voluntarily perform if so inclined. And something really bothered me during the last performance and I was wondering what the correct protocol would be for expressing my displeasure with the occurrence. Here's what happened; The performer was doing a "Word in a Million" effect and was using a volunteer (another magician of course). If you're not familiar with the effect, here's how it plays out. ANY book is casually flicked through by your spectator and ANY page is stopped at. ANY word is looked at and remembered, the book is snapped shut. While you turn away the thought of word is written down on any a piece of paper or a napkin etc, the paper is rolled up into a ball. WITHOUT ANY questions, guidance etc you name out loud the word they are mearly thinking of. The paper is un-rolled it says the word you NAMED. So, while in the middle of the performance the volunteer grabbed the book back and intentionally exposed the gimmick for the trick. Now I know that there were others who were also bothered by this as I heard them mumbling their displeasure behind me. Now, as I am new to SAM, having just recently received my Membership package, the OATH CLEARLY STATES "I am opposed to placing any legitimate performer in a predicament while that person is before an audience." As this was the last performer of the evening, he did the best he could to play it out as he would have normally, but the volunteer (again, another fellow magician) clearly crossed a line here. I left the meeting just sick to my stomach about the whole incident, but was unsure what to do about it, ergo, I'm asking for guidance here. I did also search for the presidents e-mail or contact info on the home page of the assembly, but it was not listed. Again, I'm very new to the SAM and was curious how the SAM would approach this situation. I thank you all in advance for your time and attention to this matter. Ted |
nucinud Inner circle New York, New York 1298 Posts |
This sounds wacky to me. I have never seen this kind of behavior at a SAM meeting.
If this had happened to me I would have brought up expulsion procedures against the volunteer or worse. I am not sure how the SAM would approach this situation. But I am fairly certain that this would not happen at my assembly.
"We are what we pretend to be" Kurt Vonnegut, jr.
Now U C It Now U Don't Harry Mandel www.mandelmagic.com |
tcted New user San Mateo, CA 51 Posts |
Harry,
It WAS wacky. I doubt that this is a regular occurrence there as well, but still nonetheless something should be done about it. Whether the member is reprimanded in some way or given the boot altogether, I don't know. It's really not my decision, although I know if I'm ever doing an effect there I will be sure to NEVER use him as a volunteer. If it WERE up to me, you wouldn't see him at meetings anymore, that's for sure. Anybody else want to chime in on how they would've handled the situation? Or advice on what I should do next (i.e. contact somebody who might be able to actually do something about it, or just leave it alone as it's not my place) |
davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3086 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-08-14 19:46, tcted wrote: Of course it's your place to say something. I'm sure your assembly has a president. Was he present? If he was, you'd have to wonder why he or other serious members didn't say anything. Some assemblies, sadly, are just a place for guys to get together and chat. I've seen some guys who have made snide comments or giggled and laughed at performers who were there just to show a new trick or performance. Early on( years ago) when I joined an assembly I witnessed this and swore I would never perform in front of this group and I didn't, in fact I quit going. It's sad but there are those old-timer's (not necessarily in age) that aren't sensitive to the feelings of others and enjoy getting a laugh at the expense of others.
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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tcted New user San Mateo, CA 51 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-08-14 21:55, davidpaul$ wrote: Not only was the president there, but the performer, was the vice-president. Ted |
Merlina Veteran user Maria Ibanez 367 Posts |
Greetings Ted,
I've tried to stay away from responding in the hopes that one of the National Officers would step in but since that hasn't happened and since I realize you are deeply concerned with this, I have a couple of suggestions. First: contact the Regional Vice President for your area - Jay Gorham - who is also a Past National President. You can reach him at jaygorham@cox.net. Second: contact the National Pesident and let him know what happened and how you feel about it. You can reach him at samtalkbruce@cox.net and/or at president@magicsam.com. You might want to talk to the Prsident of the assembly and explain your feelings and the comments you overheard so that he knows you are not he only one disappointed in the behavior. I am very sorry you had to have such a negative experience. Magic clubs are supposed to be fun and a place where fellow magicians get together to learn and share ideas with each other, not a place where one walks out with such a negative feeling. Please do let me know if there's anything I may ever be of assistance with. Keep a dream in the making for you create your tomorrows by what you dream today. Maria Ibanez Past National President (2007-2008) Society of American Magicians |
JasonbytheOcean Regular user Washington, D.C. 102 Posts |
Hi Ted,
I would also share the comments of others here that this is NOT the kind of behavior I've normally experienced with other magicians who belong to SAM or IBM. We all have our quirks, but in general I've observed much more friendly and constructive criticism (part of the reason I joined), and certainly an abiding respect for the person on stage, than crass behaviors like what you're describing. I might note that the behavior might be seen from a non-magicial spectator, though, where they want the book to examine it. It's a subtle difference between usual audience management and what we expect from our peers. Seems like the response should be different, though. |
mmreed Inner circle Harrisburg, PA 1432 Posts |
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After being exposed to a number of clubs, there is definatly a plethora of club attitudes and personalities out there. In fact, I am posting a seperate thread about clubs in general - not just SAM or IBM - its in the new to magic section, and I would love for people to add comments. I may even cross post it to the Sam and ibm forums since it is very relevant to each.
Mark Reed
Wedding and Event Entertainment |
tcted New user San Mateo, CA 51 Posts |
Thank you all for your responses.
Maria, I'm especially thankful for your response as even though you did not know it, but many of your posts on the Magic Café were the main reason that I joined the SAM. Your opinion is one that I respect and value, so thank you again for your advice. I will be sure to contact my regional officers about the situation. And as a side note, I'm not giving up on the SAM just yet. I certainly can't (and won't) let one incident ruin all that the SAM has to offer. Jason, I agree 100% that it's part of audience management... but to get that out of a fellow magician who's taken the same oath that you and I have to respect the "code" is just unacceptable and something that you should never have to deal with at a SAM meeting or ANY other meeting of fellow magicians. Maybe I'm just being naive as to what to expect from fellow magi, but I really don't think so. Magicians place ethics and honor higher than any other "field" I've ever witnessed (other than clergy of course, but you get my drift I'm sure), which is one of the traits I LOVE about magic and magicians. So, it just bugs me to see my first bad egg in the bunch I guess. OK. I'm done venting for now. Thanks again all for your comments. Ted |
JasonbytheOcean Regular user Washington, D.C. 102 Posts |
Hi Ted,
I didn't mean to imply by my response that it is appropriate for a magician to do the same action (i.e., trying to grab a book) as a spectator would. The latter is rude skepticism that unfortunately just come with the territory sometimes, the former is absolutely unacceptable as you've described it. Regards, Jason |
tcted New user San Mateo, CA 51 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-08-15 15:05, JasonbytheOcean wrote: Jason... Thanks, I absolutely agree with that. Ted |
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