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nevarillusions New user 65 Posts |
"we have had a magician before but never an illusionist"
is what a client told me today what do you refer yourself as a magician or an illusionist? do you find there a perspective difference in how people think of a magician and how people think of an illusionist? |
Amazing Binky Loyal user Lancaster,OH 223 Posts |
A magician drives a van. An illusionist drives a van with a trailer.
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
Yes, to lay people and many potential customers unless they are "in the business" see "magician's" as consumer level performers and "illusionists" as the "real professionals". I do not mean to offend but as an agency owner for over 35 years I hear this weekly. It is my job to educate them to the differences. It is also magician's job to educate buyers to this as well.
Magician's are seen at kids events, restaurants, schools and other consumer-level events. Whereas Illusionists play theaters, larger stages and corporate events, etc. - professional events. This perception also affects value or perceived value. right or wrong this does exist. |
DavidThomas Loyal user 240 Posts |
I really have never thought of this in this way...What does everyone think about the way lay people think of Magicians vs Illusionists?
David Thomas
TheWorldofMagic.com |
w_s_anderson Inner circle The United States 1226 Posts |
I think mindpro summed it up pretty good. I tend to hear the same things as him.
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illusionman2 Special user 991 Posts |
To me all illusionists are Magicians, but not all Magicians are illusionists. To me to be an Illusionists you have to do the big stuff.
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Craig Logan Special user Michigan 541 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-05-17 20:15, Amazing Binky wrote: That gave me a chuckle. As to laymen perspective, I think most refer to the majority of performers as "magicians."
"A wizard is not to be made in a day." -Professor Hoffmann (Modern Magic)
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Matt Adams Special user Harvest, AL 827 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-05-19 14:19, illusionman2 wrote: Exactly - this is "our" definition, typically. But I wonder how lay people see it. I know working the church market that most magicians call themselves illusionists because that emphasizes the fact they are doing "tricks" and not real magic. Goofy, but gotta play to your audience. People still VERY much believe in real magic - EVERYWHERE in the world. It may not quite be to the level of "selling your soul for Satanic powers" (although it is probably at that level to a lesser extent everywhere in the world), but I would wager good money that every single people group in the world believes in real magic to some extent or another. In America, the "real magic" we are currently believing is the psychology stuff - and while some of it is certainly real, much of what we do is completely a sham! But heck, my main clients are church groups so I am an illusionist by default, even if I didn't do big stuff (which I also do on occasion to satisfy my own definitions requiring a REAL illusionist to do big stuff. lol)
Website: www.MattAdamsMinistries.com
Instagram: @mattadamsministries Facebook: www.facebook.com/mattadamsministries |
Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-05-17 20:15, Amazing Binky wrote: A magician arrives at the event, does his gig and returns home all before the illusionist gets his show loaded in
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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DavidThomas Loyal user 240 Posts |
Matt, yes I started my career in the church market. As a "missionary kid" and raised as Southern Baptist being a 'magician" was a no no. In the last few years it is not a big deal anymore as churches become more hip and modern.
David Thomas
TheWorldofMagic.com |
Pakar Ilusi Inner circle 5777 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-05-17 20:15, Amazing Binky wrote: A Mentalist drives a car.
"Dreams aren't a matter of Chance but a matter of Choice." -DC-
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jaynet Regular user 102 Posts |
A mentalist puts a blindfold on and has someone else drive the car!
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-05-21 12:45, jaynet wrote: LOL, very good. |
Pakar Ilusi Inner circle 5777 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-05-21 12:45, jaynet wrote: Or he drives it himself and gets in the papers.
"Dreams aren't a matter of Chance but a matter of Choice." -DC-
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videokideo Special user 895 Posts |
In my opinion, they are one of the same. The illusionist tends to be tied to big illusions as large illusions are titled "illusions" where small tricks are known as "magic tricks". A magician technically performs illusions. 95% of people know drummers as drummers although some go by percussionists in a more professional atmosphere. Just as stated above, illusionists tend to call themselves illusionists in hopes of gaining access to the larger settings and theaters. In the end its all the same to the layman in my opinion. I personally think its smart to go with illusionist with a bigger show. I always went with illusionist even when doing closup in the past. Never was big on the term magician. Gotta understand I dealt with a younger college aged crowd and also corporate adults. So felt illusionist was less stereotyped.
David Copperfield is referred as both a magician and illusionist in various settings. Is this because he does both small and large effects, or does anyone not really care one way or the other? He's known for his illusions. I think magicians and illusionists are the only ones who care. In a contract negotiation, I can call myself a magician or illusionist and get the same amount of money for the same show. Its the show that you sell to get the money, not your title. Title is just a preference just as your name can be if you choose to change it. Only reason I can see laymen noticing a difference is the word illusionist seems more professional or upscale than magician. Maybe a promoter or someone in the business would see a difference in terms...so in saying that, a promoter who saw two titles on a sheet of paper without knowing anything about the two shows, may assume the illusionist is a more theatrical production than a magician. That goes back to saying I think its smart to be titled illusionist. As far as laymen, I don't think they care. Just an opinion. |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Well said, VIDEO KIDEO!!!
I'll return later with 'one more' definition of terms! I do illusions in my school show--and the whole show weighs in at 22 lbs!!! (One of the illusions uses NO props!)
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
A smart illusionist can fit it all in an extended Chevy Express 3500.
Now that's real magic! Steve |
DavidThomas Loyal user 240 Posts |
Chezaday, do you have one of those new "Shrinking Rays"? I need one!!!!
David Thomas
TheWorldofMagic.com |
Fábio DeRose Inner circle San Paolo, Brasile 1477 Posts |
Copperfield's mom mentions on his Bio. Channel special that when he was 14(?) he told he'd promote himself as an Illusionist, and not anymore as a Magician. When asked why, he told her that "Illusionists charge 20% more than magicians".
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