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KC Cameron Inner circle Raleigh, North Carolina 1944 Posts |
After viewing Presto's DVD, a thought came to me that I have been wondering for a long time. Why publish? It appears there isn't a great deal of money in it, unless you sell a ton of DVDs. I doubt anyone sells a ton of any kid-show DVDs since the market is so small. . . . So why share the routines that you have slaved over to anyone with $20 in their pocket?
What is the reason to write in a magic magazine? Is there any real money in it? It seems to me, that we are switching from one cheering audience to another. I.E. for fame/validation among magicians. Am I wrong - is it really so simple? I have been told "I just want to share my knowledge" -- which I think is total bunk... More like get yourself on a cover of a trade magazine. Every time I find a bit of altruism at this scale, I wonder at the true motives. In fact we can go as far as why give advice here in the Café, why not just lurk and/or ask questions? Certainly won't make anyone mad as you will by giving your opinion. You won't find Pepsi and Coke offering each other advice. - Are we drinking our own kool-aid? I'm glad some magician's do publish - but why? Just some thoughts |
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
I think people publish because we all believe everyone else is doing it wrong, and we want to put them on the right tracks again. So it is a sort of arrogance.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
There are many reasons to publish. Fame and fortune are towards the bottom of the list. One of the main reasons is for accreditation. If you come up with a new routine or move it is important, at least from a historical perspective, to publish so as to get your name associated with said move or routine. After all what would we call the Elmsely count today if Mr. Elmsley hadn't published?
Giving back to the magic community is another reason to publish. If no one published their work then where would everyone get their new tricks and routines from? Publishing is something professioals do. In the Arts and Sciences you are expected to publish a certain number of articles or studies thoughout ones career. Magic is no different. If your fellow magician's didn't freely give of their own time and energy the world of magic would be a very different place. Most magazines wouldn't exist. There would be far fewer tricks on the market and magic lectures and conventions would no longer be around. I certainly haven't gotten wealthy publishing a book on the performance of magic. But it has opened doors for me that would have remained firmly shut had I not written it. It shows others that you take the craft of magic seriously enough to put it in words so it can be preserved and your ideas passed on to future generations.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Mike Maturen Inner circle Michigan's Beautiful Sunrise Side 2726 Posts |
Very well stated, Payne!
Mike Maturen
World of Wonder Entertainment The Magic and Mayhem of Mike Maturen 989-335-1661 mikematuren@gmail.com AUTHOR OF "A NEW DAWN--Weekly Wisdom From Everyday Life" member: International Magician's Society |
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makeupguy Inner circle 1411 Posts |
On the other hand... some of us do make a substantial part of our living "releasing our ideas".. I published my first routine in a magic magazine at age 13... I was regularly publishing by 18... and when I switched to doing makeup for film and TV for a living, I published there too.. and I've made a good chunk of change selling my Bald Cap for HD DVD...
When I got back into magic, Wack-o-Magic has been a substantial part of my income for the last two years. The mis-made monster is something that's been in my head for a long time, the Topsy Turvey Soda Bottles came to me in a moment that ultitmately was also the birth of Wack-o-Magic!! Why do I share my idea on the Café? I like to help. I teach all the time, I've taught high school, I've taught wig making, I've taught makeup, I still teach my bald cap techniques via my DVD and to live students world wide. I sell my magic tricks... and I give free advice on the Café. I like to teach. Sometimes it's for the sheer joy of sharing what I know. Sometimes it's to advertise my wares. Sometimes it's because I'm arrogant enough to know that someone needs their life changed by my opinion. For many.. as Payne said, they want credit where it's due. For some. it's because they want credit where it's not. |
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Red Shadow Inner circle 1788 Posts |
1. To have a product with your name on. It's an achievement that very few people have.
2. It brings in more work. When clients are trying to choose between two magicians to hire, the one with products to their name will win. 3. It might not be a big earner, but it does pay for a holiday. 4. It places you as an authority in the industry, allowing you to lecture at magic clubs on the back of a product and maybe get invited to speak at conventions around the world. 5. It cements your place in history. The book or DVD will be watched after you die. 6. It increases your google ranking by having more pages on your website detailing the product and keywords to boost it up the chart. Depending on what you have called the product can also help this. 7. You inspire other magicians to use your routines and to become magicians. That iitself is rewarding enough to do the work involved sometimes. 8. It gives your live purpose and a goal to work towards. With most of our days free from shows, it gives you a reason to get up in the morning if you have a book to get back to work on. 9. It makes you more likeable. People see people who have written a book or produced a dvd as successful. It makes people look up to you. Especially among your friends and family, this is a big thing that makes your parents proud of you. 10. Telling hot single girls your a writer is often a more successful pick-up line, than telling them your a children's entertainer, clown or magician. |
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magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
Stephen's back! Yey!
This is my favouruite one: Quote:
On 2012-05-30 05:41, ku7uk3 wrote: I think this should be your next DVD: "Amazings Stephen's successful pick-up lines for hot single girls" I'll film it for you. Phone OK? Good to have you back George P.S. I also loved "your a writer" a more succinct example of irony I have rarely seen. |
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-05-30 05:41, ku7uk3 wrote: So last week I'm walking to the bus stop when someone asks me what MAGIC Magazine is. I was wearing the courier satchel I had picked up at MAGIC Live that had the magazines logo on it. "It's one of the major trade journals for the magic community" I said. "So what's your connection to it" rejoindered the curious bystander. "I write for it" I replied. "Really" the fellow responded with unexpected enthusiasm. "You're a writer? I'm 41 years old and that's the neatest thing I've heard in all my life. You've made my day!". So writing does have its advantages. Especially when you encounter people who don't get out much and are easily impressed.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 of Steve's list ring true for me. I have published a limited amount and hope to expand (with some judicious re-editing, Steve!).
But 10 has me intrigued. I was trying to move house recently and every letting agent lost interest when they heard I was a magician. So I parked the van around the corner, walked up, and introduced myself as a writer. Two estate agents offered me a house that day! Says something about how we are perceived in the world...
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
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Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
In my opinion, there are two reasons to publish your material: firstly, you gain kudos with clients, as they perceive you as a leader in your field. And secondly, you are passing on your life's work for others to learn from, to go forth and entertain all those future generations of kids. If you earn more cash (in our industry, a couple of well-paid gigs could probably earn the same as putting out a DVD or a book), or if it gains you kudos with friends and acquaintances, (meaning you're probably arrogant, and that will likely cancel out any kudos "publishing" might gain), well, good luck.
I think Steve's post was tongue-in-cheek. Well, I hope it was. But sure, he's highlighted the most relevant factors in being published. As far as I'm concerned, I couldn't care less.....I make a very healthy income without publishing. But, I would want to pass on some of my knowledge to future generations. Hey, you can do that right here at the MC. Potty |
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The Great Zucchini Inner circle 1347 Posts |
Actually, it's funny but, I can't tell you how many moms want to set me up with their friends, or buy me a drink if they see me out. Being a children's enterainer is only perceived as cool, if you're well known, and relateable to your clients. I've had people invite me to their adult parties before, so I think single women, depending on who you are, will be inclined to think you're a stud.
The part of publishing something that's fun, is the people that email you afterward to ask for advice, or give ya nice feedback. It's not a money making thing. I sold probably 700 dvds, equivolant to a couple weeks of shows. Helping people is the reason to do it in my opinion. |
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Red Shadow Inner circle 1788 Posts |
I get taken a lot more seriously in all areas of life when I tell people I'm a writer. As soon as they hear I'm a magician as well, I turn instantly into the children's clown and the performing monkey who has to show them a trick. Both of which are series turn-offs to most women and morgage agents.
I keep the fact that I'm a magicians very much on the down-low whenever possible, I find my quality of life is just better that way. Steve P.S: Hi George, I only post on very rare occasions now. Call Of Duty on the xbox demands my attension more now-a-days. |
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
I was just thinking
Pub-lish would make a great name for a bar snack
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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Cheshire Cat Special user Wilmslow, UK 941 Posts |
Life is too short to take apart anything that has been said here and upset anyone, and I do actually agree with quite a few things that have been said. Apart from a small printed booklet I attempted to sell in The Stage and TV Today newspaper, London around 1985 when I believed I was a seasoned guru after entertaining for a mere five years I've never written anything else to do with Magic and Entertaining.
But yes, creativity is fulfilling. I'm lucky in a sense that my piano playing has been used practically around the globe demonstrating Yamaha instruments, composing solos etc. I chose kids entertaining above all of this as there was serious money to be made years ago in parties, and we certainly got our share of this (and still get a few crumbs ) But yes, creativity is the key. Don't hold it back, it's a great injustice to yourself to hold it back. A long lost friend of mine who was a kids entertainer did the same with his love of optical illusions, - his name is now synonymous with the subject. A friend in the US has become the same with holograms, and writes and lectures on the subject. The trouble with Magic is that in this world of modern media and PERCEIVED opportunity everyone has suddenly become an expert, the same as everyone who can strum three chords on a guitar has a Soundclick account If you have any non magical interests that could still fulfill your creativity then it's better to be a big fish in a small pond I believe. Good luck with whatever you choose however. T. there, that's all nicely edited now, no animals were injured or BPs raised above 130/85 |
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Magic publishing is not my idea of the road to riches. As a published university professor, I still say the same.
Competing in magic competitions perhaps should be included in the same category. To me the real reason for competing was really only to document material that was yours as of a certain date. However, the documentation is typically so poor that even that benefit is questionable. Bottom line: publishing is most likely the consequence of wanting to be seen or heard and possibly making a point or taking a position. Like magic, some entertains us and some does not. I wish I had the pictures my mother painted and then threw away. But the truth is that they were hers and once created, she was through with them. Publishing is a very personal thing. Sometimes it has value to others. But it must have value to the creator. Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
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Mr. Pitts Inner circle David Pitts 1058 Posts |
"...so I think single women, depending on who you are, will be inclined to think you're a stud."
Results may vary. |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
My major work published, doesn't even have my name on it. A co-writer and myself, wrote a grant and then created a program for the National Council on Alcoholism. The program C.A.N. is Considering Adolescent Needs. It is a program used with teens who have parents addicted to alcohol or other substances.
I love to write, because it helps me get ideas together. (Could also be my C.D.O/O.C.D. alphabetized) Over the years I have a few things in places like T.L.R., and of course my writing around the Café. Benefit, I have been able to talk and meet some of you. That is a plus in my book. Re-writing is something that I used to hate to do. I have someone I trust (and who knows my puppets character) to help me tweak scripts. She and I are comfortable enough that she can tell me the truth. Though I share them,(scripts) they might not be such a good fit for you and your characters. If you are a member of the F.C.M. (Fellowship of Christian Magician's, I posted a Daniel and the Lion Script there. ...or if you would like a copy send a request to Harris.deutsch@leesummit.k12.mo.us I love to share information about my programs on Bullying, Substance abuse etc. Harris laughologist and nearly normal reader and "righter"
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-05-30 11:25, TonyB2009 wrote: I think it is true that some people have a preconception of magicians and children's entertainers. Estate agents mightn't consider Magician to be a proper job, which is fine by me as I don't consider estate agents to be proper humans. However, socially (such as talking to HYLs) I've never had a problem with saying what I do for a living and find most women intrigiued by it. Anyhow, back on topic. I think it might be nice to think your routines and ideas live on after you have gone. I always think of dear David Grist whenever I make a balloon bouquet or motorcycle and since I still do my adaption of "Yell up for kids" isn't it nice to now, in a way, Roy Baker is still making children laugh. George |
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KC Cameron Inner circle Raleigh, North Carolina 1944 Posts |
Ok, then why is so much that is published cr p? If I were to publish something, I would want it to be pure gold, with no filler. How often do you see that come around? (I'm not referencing any specific author, so please don't take offence.)
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-05-31 17:07, KC Cameron wrote: Sturgeons Axiom: 90% of everything is crap
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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