|
|
davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3086 Posts |
Just want to throw this out there.
I know almost every professional magician either sells tricks or how to DVD's etc. on their website or after a show. Sure it brings in extra revenue, but here's my question. If you do this, (like Lance Burton after his show he invites everyone to the magic shop next door to purchase tricks), is he in some way diminishing what he does? Now Lance Burton for example has been in Vegas for quite some time and his shows are always well attended. I'm just thinking that if I was in that position I would want my persona to be different. I wouldn't want to put on a fabulous show and then afterwords say, like Mac King does after his show "I have some Magic Kits out in the lobby for sale" I don't know, it just somehow doesn't seem to fit in my mind. It, like I said "seems" to diminish the amazing things that were just witnessed down to $24.95 for a magic set in the minds of the spectators. (But that's just me). David Paul
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
|
Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
I have often found it strange that many magicians have links to their magic shops whereby anyone can purchase magic. Some of these say "Magicians Only," which we both know doesn't stop lay audiences from taking a peak into our magician's craft.
I'm not that hard up that I need to peddle magic as an extra source of income. Personally if I were going to do it I would at least have a separate web site dedicated to this. |
mrmagic9112 Regular user 138 Posts |
I sell kits & dvd's after my family shows and my logic is simple. I caught the magic bug when I was 8 years old when I saw a magician come to my cub scout banquet. I asked my parents for a magic set for my birthday and that was the beginning. I then took some classes at a local magic shop and checked books out at the library and continued to learn more. I haven't done the research on this but, my question is how many kids or parents buy a magic set or dvd or whatever after a show and will ever go beyond that instant gratification. Many of my friends in elementary school also got magic sets after that blue gold banquet and yet none of them to this day, to my knowledge, are performing like I am. I think for many it is a instant gratification thing or because they want to take part of the show or memory of the show or you as the performer with them home. It is kind of like going to the circus and getting those light up wands or some other token of the performance. Usually it played with for messed around with for a while and then the fad wears off.
On the other hand, I also believe in supporting the "magic" craft and teaching others the passion I have. Most magic kits, dvd's etc. that I have seen sold after shows etc., are very simple tricks. Very beginner stuff. That is how I started and I venture to guess that is how many of us started. I don't think there is anything wrong with encouraging others and to make a little extra income on the side as well. Just my 2 cents worth. |
jackturk Elite user 463 Posts |
What's wrong with a professional making some extra
money selling add-ons that totally relate to his line of work? Do you begrudge musicians selling CDs or t-shirts at concerts? Leveraging your celebrity... albeit limited as it may be for most of us... is absolutely a viable and appropriate way to add multiple streams of income. Would I buy investment advice DVDs or weight-loss pills from Lance? Probably not. But him selling magic kits is totally cool in my book. He's running a business. Finding ways to generate more, related revenue is what he's supposed to do. We should all be applauding his example. That said, I think you only hawk your stuff AFTER they book you and see you deliver the goods... I think selling magic tricks on the same site you're using to book the gig is just not wise because it confuses your message and negatively scrambles your positioning. --J
"59 Ways To Recession Proof Your Entertainment Business -- FREE!"
http://www.GetLeadsLikeCrazy.com "How To Make $25,000 a Year Doing Birthday Parties Part-Time" http://www.magicmarketingcenter.com/birthdayPT |
Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-10-17 10:09, jackturk wrote: No because the musicians are not selling "how-to" material that makes it seem easy to do what they do. Note: At this point I am neither for nor against but stating a logical debatable viewpoint. I personally just don't like the over-marketing. |
davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3086 Posts |
Mr magic9112 and --J, I hear you. Sure that's how a lot of people get started in the craft and yes business "wise" in gaining more revenue. I'm putting myself in the shoes of those layman who sit in the audience and marvel at what they are seeing. I recently saw Lance Burton's and Mac King's show twice a few months ago.
It just, as I said, diminished (in my mind) their abilities down to anybody can do this, just pay $24.95 and amaze your friends. They both after the show pitched their stuff. For "me" it cheapens the art. Obviously others disagree, but I wouldn't do it. As for buying a Cd or T shirt after a concert, that's not the same. You can buy a Lance Burton T shirt too not secrets to the craft which is the heart of what we do. OK maybe presentation and entertainment value come first. But in magic you can't have one without the other. Not trying to convince anybody, it's just the way I felt after their shows. Like a balloon was deflated a little. Jut my thoughts.
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
|
kaytracy Inner circle Central California 1793 Posts |
Cd's usually include the lyrics so you can sing along....and some artists do put out books for how to play, and music books for their work so you can learn the notes, the three or four cords for the really big hits, fingering etc.
Those who really do enjoy magic (like my 72 year old mom) do not want to know how it is done, and would not think to buy a kit or book, unless asked to do so by their children - Thanks mom! Some get caught up in the moment and buy, but never do anything with the purchase. AND, unless you are selling a how to of the show you just did, it is not too likely to tarnish your image/talent level. I know many folks who will get signatures of the magician, and never open the book or box, it is seen as a souvenir of the show or a keepsake of a good time. I notice that in addition to the $25 kits and $20-40 books, many now have a $5 8x10 picture that they will autograph as well. For those in larger performance venues, having those items go home to wherever USA and put on the wall in the fun room or the scrapbook of the trip means that when folks ask, your face is seen along with a telling of the recollection of the show, this is what helps to advertise and keep the shows filled! I know BOR is talked about as an income supplement, and it can be, but it can also be much more. At least is till last longer than the balloon from the circus! If it soils your memory of the show, then turn the other direction when you exit and see the line for the goodies. Easy enough to do. And no one says you have to sell anything after you perform, it is a choice you can make. k k
Kay and Tory
www.Bizarremagick.com |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-10-17 11:15, Bill Nuvo wrote: I think you are right. It seems that selling things that make what is done seem "simple" is the difference. I think it diminishes the show just a bit. I don't think it is wrong mind you. I think it is a choice on how one chooses to be percieved. I am not sure it 'diminishes' Lance too much as his status is larger than that.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Crimson-Death New user Since 2006 88 Posts |
Selling "tricks" after performances should diminish the art as much as selling an education to Harvard or to a community college should diminish the graduate's accomplishments.
It looks easy, but you gotta practice, practice for the experience and study, study for the knowledge gained from understanding. Anybody can be a doctor, or a lawyer, or a mechanic? A cheaply made DVD or trick does not diminish the accomplishment of the performer to those that have a certain capacity of understanding of what goes into it. But I doubt most laypeople will appreciate the thinking and masterful manipulation behind an effect, that they would appreciate the intelligence and cleverness that drives a method or the skill that beautifully presents it.
Sleight of hand and twist of fate
On a bed of nails she makes me wait And I wait without you With or without you With or without you |
Josh Chaikin Inner circle Kansas City 1430 Posts |
Well...maybe so, maybe no. The World's Greatest Magic specials taught several easy tricks throughout its run. Did it diminish what Juan Tamariz, Brett Daniels, Juliana Chen, Jeff McBride did during it? No. Mac King taught a lot of the stuff, did it diminish him really? No, he continues to teach basic stuff, and markets some really cool toys. I think that that teaching is more in line with selling stuff after a show.
YEARS ago, before I was doing any kind of magic with sincerity, there was a magician at the county fair, and at the end, he sold some silly stupid tricks, that I bought. A couple bucks apiece, other people bought them too, but it still didn't diminish what he did during that show. Now if a magician does the cups and balls, and sells the colored plastic set afterward, that's a different argument. I would say that doesn't hurt him in the long run. One of two things will happen, and will happen with anything being sold. People with either A) Buy the props, see the simple workings and think "Oh, THAT'S it?" and be unimpressed. They're just as likely to come up with an inane explanation for themselves and be unimpressed just the same. B) I think this one is more likely. They'll see what it is, as either being simple or difficult, and remember the majesty and theater the magician was able to create with it, and magic will be elevated in the mind of the spectator even more. |
ccccchunt New user 35 Posts |
I have been doing magic for over 20 years now and still enjoy going to the large Vegas shows. Even though I know the method of most of the illusions and effects it does not take away from my enjoyment of the show. Magic is not just a guy performing moves that are in a book or video. It is the production and showmanship that makes the show.
Actually, it impresses me even more when I know the method but cannot catch the magician doing it. |
Josh Chaikin Inner circle Kansas City 1430 Posts |
You make a good point, but let's look at it from the layman's perspective. If a magician only catches on to one part of an effect, he's fooled. If the layman only catches on to one part, then he has it figured out and is no longer impressed. Does that make it a detriment?
|
MarkTirone Inner circle palming not 1 coin, but 1139 Posts |
David Ginn does this but it isn't what you might think. It is a simple trick instructions with a little gimmick. I'm not exploiting this but he sells his for 1 dollar after each show and makes thousands from this little instructions piece of paper and a simple gimmick. Things like vanishing a coin etc. It's not wrong to let other people have fun. Why did you start doing magic? To have fun or fool your friends?
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Right or Wrong? » » Pro Magicians selling how to DVDs and tricks??? Dilemma (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |