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Scott Grimm Regular user Chicago 141 Posts |
The old school way of becoming a magician was to seek out and find a mentor to train under. The mentor not only taught the art of magic but also the industry of entertainment. How many people have learned this way and do you have any recommendations for those of us who did not?
Faith is at the heart of all magic.
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irossall Special user Snohomish, Washington 529 Posts |
Having a mentor to help with the learning of Magic is a great way to learn. No book or video can correct your mistakes like a human can. I would suggest joining a Magic club if there is one in your area. The club that I belong to is full of really fine Magicians and most of them offer me help any time I need it. Also check out your workplace or neighborhood, I'll bet you have more than one practicing Magician there. Go to Magic conventions when you get a chance and you will find no shortage of help there. A mentor does not have to be headliner or a famous Magician, there are plenty of Amateurs out there that are very fine Magicians.
Iven
Give the gift of Life, Be an Organ Donor.
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Thoughtreader Inner circle Calgary, Alberta, Canada 1565 Posts |
Having a mentor is a good thing if you are lucky enough to have one. I was one of the lucky ones and have mentored (and continue to do so for several people myself) quite a few individuals over the years too. That said, remember that a good mentor will not "teach" you by rote "you copy my moves precisely" but instead will start you on the way and continue to guide you gently through your learning process. (Case in point, when Slydini was finished teaching you and you were to show the Master what you could do, you had better not do things exactly as he taught you-you needed to have adapted everything to your own).
Without a mentor present, you can attend conventions and meet others, make new friends, continue to correspond via telephone and internet and exchange ideas and lessons that way. This is a good place to do so too. PSIncerely Yours, Paul Alberstat |
spatrick Special user Tom Sawyer let me whitewash these 517 Posts |
I was also lucky enough to have a mentor when I first started out.
Not only will a mentor be able to teach you the art and all about performance, he will also show you the magical ropes so to speak. Mine was able to show me a whole magical world out there. He took me to my first show at what was then "Mostly magic" in Greenwich Village, NYC. (this was when I was 16). He helped get me into my first SAM assembly. he taught me about respecting the art and the people who do it. He taught me to think a whole different way when it comes to magic. He was the one responsible for my life in magic. S. Patrick |
RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
Note: If you join a magic club and one of the magicians pulls out a Svengali deck:
RUN.
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,"
-The Declaration of Independence |
spatrick Special user Tom Sawyer let me whitewash these 517 Posts |
Hey Robert,
Would you say the same thing if it was Larry Becker and he pulled out a Stripper Deck? Cuz' he does, ya know?! S. Patrick |
RiffClown Inner circle Yorktown, Virginia (Previously Germany) 1579 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-08-19 14:01, RobertBloor wrote: In the proper hands the Svengali is a powerful tool. If they perform badly, RUN
Rob "Riff, the Magical Clown" Eubank aka RiffClown
<BR>http://www.riffclown.com <BR>Magic is not the method, but the presentation. |
Thoughtreader Inner circle Calgary, Alberta, Canada 1565 Posts |
Robert,
I have blown magicians away using a Svengali deck. Never underestimate the power of good close-up effects that most magicians have poo-pooed. David Blaine has made good $$$ doing just that. Docc Hilford has several excellent manuscripts on using small props you got in beginner magic sets. Even in my own lecture I discuss the use and advanced handling of such things. Even Marlo used simple items like those and they are in a book too. Magicians MUST think outside the box and using these tricks are still effective when used effectively. PSIncerely Yours, Paul Alberstat |
Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
Getting to a magic club is a great step towards finding a mentor.
There is much to learn from good/competent magicians. Some can help you learn to present, prepare, study, invent, build, transport... so many things to learn. Then there's the business side of the profession. And each venue has its own particular performing issues. The more people you can learn from... the better.
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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GlenD Inner circle LosAngeles, Ca 1293 Posts |
Well said JonTown. I totally agree, and there is no rule that says you can only have one mentor, right?
Well maybe one at a time but if you have the opportunity to learn from two or more during the major development and learning mode of your magic journey, then so much the better, right ? Is it possible to have a "mentor" or be in a mentoring type of relationship with someone and at the same time not officially recognize it as a mentor/pupil kind of situation ? GlenD
"A miracle is something that seems impossible but happens anyway" - Griffin
"Any future where you succeed, is one where you tell the truth." - Griffin (Griffin rocks!) |
ALEXANDRE Inner circle 3024 Posts |
I was very fortunate to have had a couple of mentors and it helped me greatly in the process of developing my art. If you can find one, I say you are very fortunate. I have mentored and taught and continue to do so for the right people, I won't mentor or teach individuals who I can clearly see are just interested in "secrets" or such.
And I agree with Paul ... Magicians MUST think outside the box! :comply:
HERE'S A SECRET ...
http://www.lybrary.com/mystic-alexandre-m-354.html |
hokeypokey New user Chicago 71 Posts |
Do mentors usually charge for their time? I think of a mentor as someone who doesn't, but I have seen several references on this board to paying mentors to teach you.
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Emily Belleranti Veteran user Tucson, Arizona 349 Posts |
I am self-taught for the most part, though I have heard about the benefits of having a mentor and I am sure it would be a wonderful thing. If I ever get the opportunity I will be sure to take it.
Though, if you think about it, the Café here has tons of experienced magicians who are willing to give their time and advice. It may not be teaching in the person, but this place sure is a useful source.
"If you achieve success, you will get applause, and if you get applause, you will hear it. My advice to you concerning applause is this: Enjoy it, but never quite believe it."
-Robert Montgomery |
GlenD Inner circle LosAngeles, Ca 1293 Posts |
I think you ought to be prepared to pay if you want to really learn and be taught by someone. Some may have a rate for lessons. Go for it and during the process you will make a friend and more than likely will have someone you can go to for advice and answers to questions, long after the "lessons" are over.
GlenD
"A miracle is something that seems impossible but happens anyway" - Griffin
"Any future where you succeed, is one where you tell the truth." - Griffin (Griffin rocks!) |
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