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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
I am a magician.
I have been a magician for over 45 years. I have been a FULL TIME magician for over 25 of those years. In the course of those years, my goal has been to provide for my family. This has meant reinventing myself, as necessary, in order to reach that goal. Have I busked? Yes. Have I done close-up magic? Yes. Have I worked as a magic bartender? Yes. Have I done illusions? Yes. Have I done manipulation? Yes. Have I worked with doves and other small animals? Yes. Have I done kid's shows? Yes. Have I performed in strip clubs? Yes. Have I worked in a magic shop? Yes. Have I had my writings published? Yes. Have I invented my own magic? Yes. Have I built magic apparatus? Yes. Have I lectured to other magicians? Yes. Have I competed? Yes. Have I done mentalism? Not so much. I am a magician, not a mind reader. Have I done Tarot and cold readings? Yes. Was I any good at any of the above? Many yes, a few not so much. Why have I changed the style of my work so many times? That's more than I care to discuss at the moment. Do I give advice to other magicians? If it is something I know something about, yes. Am I knowledgable to be able to speculate about things with which I have no actual experience? In other words, do I know how to make an educated guess, take a calculated risk, or set forth a hypothesis? Yes, but I will always tell you when that is.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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jimmy talksalot Special user new orleans 757 Posts |
Kondini,
man that is so true, most of the best guys out there don't even go on the internet. infact that was the whole reason for my book and blogs and stuff, a bunch of the old timers told me to write, and get this stuff out there. at the time I had never even gone on the internet myself and didn't even like it......saddly I can feel that feeling creeping back....these forums can get ugly. your posts are always brilliant and wake me up. |
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Arkadia Special user Sweden, Sundsvall 866 Posts |
Don't miss out on the great new mentalist magic: www.metalwriting.com
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Tozmoo New user 35 Posts |
In the absence of true leadership people will follow the loudest voice....i have said this time after time, there is responsibility to giving advice, PERIOD! And if you give the wrong advice you send those listening down the wrong road... there are NO rules and what works for me works for me and may not or even likely wont work for you.....
If I were to give anyone real advice it would be to get information from people who do this for a living.....That do this everyday.... the truth is, if you make a living and you're happy then good on you....live long and live happy.....and who cares what anyone thinks about what you are doing.. |
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gaddy Inner circle Agent of Chaos 3526 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-03-09 11:50, Arkadia wrote: green screen? wow, that's hilarious!
*due to the editorial policies here, words on this site attributed to me cannot necessarily be held to be my own.*
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Mario Morris Inner circle Mario Morris 2044 Posts |
The bottom line for starting this thread, is not to name or shame but rather 2 fold.
If your a busker or not your oppion counts and we stand to learn a lot from each other, one of my Mentors that I looked up to and now sadly miss he was not a Busker. It was Pete McCahon a very fuuny guy, I am not saying we cant learn from each other no. I am simply saying watch out for inposters that claim to be somthing their not, whats the problem? If you don't fall into that don't worry. The 2 fold 1 - I am Suggesting to new guys that have come on hear to just dercern who they listen too. We dercern, read between the lines and read the streets, street cred. When you come on hear, keep it up. 2 - To encourege Buskers that have been hounded off to come back WE value your oppinons. |
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Arkadia Special user Sweden, Sundsvall 866 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-03-09 13:12, gaddy wrote: Thanks! I thought it was pretty funny.
Don't miss out on the great new mentalist magic: www.metalwriting.com
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Scott Compton Special user Hampton, VA 747 Posts |
Mario,
All of us must decide every day who to listen to. People offer advice all the time, in all walks of life. How do we qualify them? Some people offer it for free. Some offer it for sale. Which is good and which is bad? Seems to me that most people on youtube are stroking their own ego, trying to be famous, or trying to sell products. I need none of these. You won't find videos of me on youtube - I have even had some removed. But then again, I don't offer advice. But truthfully, I don't care what you think of me, or if you have heard of me. Who cares? If it hadn't been for you posting here on the Café, I wouldn't know who you are. I have made a living performing magic for over 30 years. It was not my sole income, but for the last 4 years it has been, along with selling magic. However, I had surgery for cancer last year and haven't worked much. As a matter of fact, I am trying to get disability benefits now. I was busking in 1977 as a musician and magician, but then again, I don't offer advice. I have had pitches ruined by buskers that "knew it all". Can you a watch a musical group perform and tell if they suck or not? Yes. Can you offer them advice? Yes. Do they take it as the gospel? That is up to them to decide. When it comes to street performing there are only a handful of people on this forum that I would even consider taking advice from. This forum is also full of "magicians" that are no more so than the man in the moon. There are guitar playing "buskers" that are no more guitar players than the man in the moon. The world if full of poor examples. It is up to us to decide who we listen to.
Magic is an art. I am merely a tour guide.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scott-Compton-Magician/160270640674735 "You are the magic" Jay Ose to Albert Goshman |
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Arkadia Special user Sweden, Sundsvall 866 Posts |
Just to be clear on one thing. My strip was not intended as a version of Mario. In this debate I believe that he has a point. People tend to talk about things they have no idea about. But that's magic, isn't it?
The good thing is, no mather what, when you go out there on the streets and actually work (instead of arm chair performing) everything will make sense. All the stupid ideas posted here will be that - stupid ideas. It takes about five minutes to realise that. So really, there's no harm done. The harm is, just what Mario pointed out, that the true workers leave this place. And that's a shame. /Ark
Don't miss out on the great new mentalist magic: www.metalwriting.com
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Mario Morris Inner circle Mario Morris 2044 Posts |
Hi Ark
I think the cartoon clip is very funny. Scot I relaly don't think about you, I don't know you. Or you going to tell me we have meet or somthing like that. |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
I've busked. I learned how to do it by watching other buskers -- not necessarily magicians. I'm retired now.
I've also done illusions, close-up, trade shows, comedy clubs and even done mentalism. I don't need to do it now. I have a really nice situation. But if my income stream suddenly stopped, I would grab my gear, head out to the park and start gathering a tip. I don't envy you guys who slave out in the bad weather and have to deal with the really strange audiences who show up at these pitches. My heart and mind go out to all of you.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Mario Morris Inner circle Mario Morris 2044 Posts |
Bill I have asked you for addvise on many ocasions both on the hear and private.
On another matter, I am beggining to see why some buskers don't bother coming on hear so much or at all. I do try share stuff but I just get bad vibes at late, I have nothing left to say on this topic, it is easy to qwote somone in part and misunderstand what is intended to be said. I am moving on. Mario |
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Scott Compton Special user Hampton, VA 747 Posts |
Hey Mario,
No, we haven't me, and I think you were correct in that there is plenty of bad advice out there. But there is good advice out there as well. H*ll, I was thinking about buying the Busker's School DVD. I am sure there is plenty on there for me to learn. Maybe one day our paths will cross. I would love to see your act. Scott
Magic is an art. I am merely a tour guide.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scott-Compton-Magician/160270640674735 "You are the magic" Jay Ose to Albert Goshman |
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ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
I've given my opinions once in awhile, but I've always made certain to state that I am a total "weekend warrior" who doesn't have to do this for a living. But I love doing it.
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
It takes a very special kind of person to be a busker. It takes an even more special kind of person to be a successful one.
It can be a wonderful way of life. It can also be miserable. Jimmy Talksalot has some of the best info on how to be an ant rather than a grasshopper. Mario's DVD set is excellent. I was fondly surprised at how exhaustive they are and what a good presenter Mario is. I was going to review them; however, family needs got in the way, and by the time I was ready to post a review, everything that needed to be said about them had been said by people who know more about today's busking than I do. They are well worth the money.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Mario Morris Inner circle Mario Morris 2044 Posts |
Thank you Bill
To be upfront I never thought in a thousand years the concept of the School of Busking was going to recive so much intrest. The first one that I ran in 2006 proved to be great fun. It has never crossed my mind that I am better than the next guy or anything daft like that because of the School. No qwite the opposite, I learn a lot by running the School. Intractive teaching is a teaching technique, which is one thing that does not come over in the DVD set. I began to realise the benerfits of haveing another guide/teacher on board so I invited Gazzo and was thrilled when he agreed to be part of the 2009 School. The way I look at it one of the benerfits of running the School is that I can become a student as well and learn from the Worlds best. To teach alone side them as a team is nothing short of a humberling experiance. Now this year I have triead to highlight, this is not a one man show. First of we have the students. All ages and backgrounds enrole for diffrent reasons. Then we have our VIP guest one of UK leading street performers, Steve Faulkner. Students and my self have a got amazing treat on hand and I cant waite to learn from one of UK's best. We have Owen Lean lectering on busking with hit and run magic. This will benerfit students and my self learning as well as berfitting Owen as it is part of his ongoing training experiance for him. Then their is my self teaching busking, busking as a business, diffrent markets, grind shows and pitching. My experiance in pitching started at the age of 14 which lead me into busking and at the age 41, I no I am still learning. The School of busking does not look down on any one just because it runs a course, Their are many good buskers out their that I look up to. I took on the role because I had the vision too that's it. It does not teach students to copy, it has a wide adult age range. Personaly I count it a privelige to be part of it. I do think this probaly the last School for a while, it is a lot of hard work. The money rewrds are not great by the time you have paid every thing off but what the students and I have learned is life changing. Bill once again thank you. I am moving on Mario |
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deadcatbounce Special user the Wilds of Ireland 863 Posts |
Mario,
I think this has been said before, but I think that it has to be underlined. IF YOU WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR OVERALL MAGICAL PERFORMANCE - GET YOURSELF OVER TO THE SCHOOL OF BUSKING. I attended the school last year, my main interest being how to stop, keep, and hold a crowd. And then extract cash from that crowd. The school had all of that - that was the main focus - and the stuff I learned was invaluable. But here's the bonus - I met James James at a John Carney lecture (in a tiny Scout Hall in the middle of nowhere..!) early last year, and mentioned I was thinking seriously about getting a street show together. "You should", he said - "It will improve your presentation and performance in other areas of your work". That nailed it for me. And it turned out to be the case. After the course, I set about altering the way I think about my stuff - using a LOT of the techniques I learned from yourself and Gazzo. I was too busy last year to actually put a show together and get out there, but I set aside the winter months to work in my show- and this week I started the first of 16 school shows, due to run throughout March. I'm basically doing my street act, with a few additions. Yesterday, I achieved what I thought would take me years.. 45 minutes - 3 tricks - they were extremely appreciative - and I was over the moon, John...Now.. for a school show - that's pretty rare, I think. The 10 to teens are the most difficult audience I've ever worked to, but they all had a great time. And told me so, afterwards. And no money changed hands whatsoever!! I measure the success of my shows by the amount of tricks I DON'T do. I could NEVER have achieved that in such a short space of time without the knowledge I learned on the course last year. Spectator involvement, learning to use the audience as a tool is a BRILLIANT wheeze on all levels, and an ESSENTIAL part of any successful street act. I'd never get away with 3 tricks in 45 minutes on the street - I'll be happy with 20 minutes right now- but I'm a WHOLE LOT closer now than I was before I took the course in Cardiff last year. I've still to get out there on the street - but that's in hand - and, as you know, I'll be attending the school again this year. If I learn a tenth of what I picked up last year - it'll be worth it. And it's an excuse to visit Cambridge, a great city on all fronts. So. My message is the same message that James James gave me (then he moved to Australia!- what does THAT tell you? !! ) IF YOU WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR OVERALL PERFORMANCE whether it be close-up, stage, or street - ooops! nearly forgot - the MIRROR!.. GET YOURSELF OVER TO THE SCHOOL OF BUSKING in Cambridge. You'll meet like-minded people just like yourself... un-hinged, un-balanced - but all sharing a common interest - learning from guys who actually WALK the WALK - and live what they teach. You'll have a GREAT time. Regards, DCB
"With every mistake - we must surely be learning..." George Harrison.
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Pizpor Elite user 476 Posts |
Actually, the worst place for impostors is down in the "Now That's Funny" section of the Café. I can't seem to find any actual comedians in there.
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
I agree with you on that one. From roughly 1980 until 1995 or so, I worked the comedy club circuit in Texas and Louisiana. I had a very good comedy magic act. The magic didn't get in the way of the comedy and the comedy didn't get in the way of the magic. I knew what to do.
Frankly, there were a lot of "comics" on the circuit who weren't actual comedians, for that matter.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Billie Bonkers New user 22 Posts |
I would like to make a point. I started working the streets at the end of the 70s in London. Then I started working with Circus. I moved to Europe and off and on have spent literally years working on the street BUT very few people have any idea of my experience because I almost never play at festivals or anywhere near other buskers. I have discussed this with Cellini and other street workers. A student of Cellinis, an American named Chris was one of the best I have ever seen. He spent his whole life working small towns and villages across Europe. When he died almost nobody in the magic world would ever have heard of him. He definately never posted any youtube films!!!
I know of many well known street performers, names we all know, who are well known BECAUSE they work capital cities or STREET FESTIVALS! I have worked a few Street festivals and won a number of competions. I was invited to perform for HRH the Prince Philip at Windsor Castle and I have been the warm up artist for Madonna. But there are no you tube films of me on the street! Well none I know off!! When I work I CHOOSE to work the streets to be found in real situations in small towns on a cold weekday afternoon. Or I'm in a pub with a pack of cards. When all your money in your pocket comes from the passing people that's when you can give advise! When you've done that for twenty odd years, that's when you can say your a busker. To think you must be well known or be on you tube to be a real Busker is simply not true! |
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