A magician at my sister's wedding

[Sam Hardy]

Hey guys,
It's my sister's wedding in April (she's a lot older than me, don't worry...), and they've hired a professional magician to perform (on stage, I think). Now, it's gonna be awesome for me because I've never actually spoken one-on-one to a professional before. I'd also like to show him a few things and I may perform some stroll-around magic too.

Any tips on what we could talk about?

 

[caruso]

awesome

wow thats is really cool, although many people do magic, few find themselves together .. so talking to one ia awesome opportunity..
well tips ,... hmmm... dont act like a smarty pants, try to look like you are in awe of his skills then slowly intoduce the concept that you do magic as well, and them share some tricks, very strong ones to impress him and maybe take the spotlight, (although that wouldnt be nice unless you really impress the magician)..

as for the ealk around... enjoy!!! dont be nervous... and make us proud..LOL

 

[FliXeRoCk107]

Maby if he could give you tips on how to improve magic and what a profetional level is?
I am going to a party in Notingham on the 7th, (and i get to miss a day of schol SCORE) and i am doing some table hopping. Im really nervous becuase i have never done it before, but i am doing DiStOrTiOn and maby Witness. Definitly using my Blood deck.
Anyway, back on track, i hope your strolling goes well!

Felix

 

[Shodan]

It's great that you have an opportunity to see a professional at work - not only that but get to have a chat as well. If you want an ice breaker, compliment him on his act! After that if you want to talk magic, mention that you are also a magician and say something appreciative about a specific trick. Avoid discussing method unless you're absolutely sure its appropriate.

If you feel that you're getting a rapport going, ask if he'd like to see one of your tricks - magicians are usually very receptive to this of course If not, then don't push the issue.

Please also bear in mind that when a professional performer walks into the room they feel that it is their territory. If someone started doing magic tricks around the room at one of my gigs I would start to feel very territorial and grumpy about someone stealing my thunder! This is not a performance opportunity - make sure you don't confuse the two! Of course, if everything turns out to be laid back and groovy, there's no reason you couldn't do a few tricks, especially if you're asked.

Congrats to your sister!

 

[Close-Up Expert]

Please also bear in mind that when a professional performer walks into the room they feel that it is their territory. If someone started doing magic tricks around the room at one of my gigs I would start to feel very territorial and grumpy about someone stealing my thunder! This is not a performance opportunity - make sure you don't confuse the two! Of course, if everything turns out to be laid back and groovy, there's no reason you couldn't do a few tricks, especially if you're asked.

Congrats to your sister!

Yes...don't even think about trying to perform. Even if asked, it will make you look a lot more respectable to just step back and let him do his thing. If someone tried to do something like that at one of my gigs, we'd be having some problems. That's a BIG no-no among performers...one of those unspoken rules.

Good luck though!
Steve

 

[manipulation4food]

talk about i don't know why he got into stage magic, and if he does street magic maybe some of his favorite effects. You gotta kinda suck up to pro's when you meet them, but then again show your a strong magician and good. But performing for HIM maybe if he asks you to. But don't take peoples attention away from him.

 

[morpheis91]

Congratulations on your sister getting married first off. I am a young magician also (1.5 years of experience) but i have had the pleasure of working with many professionals because I helped run a magic shop. Pros really like to talk about performance, simplifying sleights and the art of making things look natural. Also i don't think you should do tricks while he is performing because if you start impressing the audience a lot of people will watch you instead because they would wanna see it in their face and not on stage. Out of respect you should probably wait for him to finish approach him talk about his performance dont ask him his technique and if you are going to show him a trick do not play it off as nothing spectacular pretend that he is a layman and show him your full performance and then ask him what he thinks. Pros are rarely impressed by cool sleight of hand (because they have seen it all) rather they enjoy the value of performance...

 

[Shodan]

Steve Simmons said it better than I - leave the magic at home my friend. By the by, I find it rather amusing that there seems to be a general attitude in the posts to this topic that "don't do any magic because you don't want to overshadow the other magician".

This would be the professional performer being paid money to perform at a wedding?

I love how the assumption is that they'd be overshadowed!

 

[Close-Up Expert]

This would be the professional performer being paid money to perform at a wedding?

I love how the assumption is that they'd be overshadowed!

HAHAHAAHAHA!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I was dying to say that myself, but a lot of people on here think I'm already an ass! Thank you sooooooooo much....that was too funny bro!!!!!!

 

[Shodan]

In my experience, if the general consensus is that you're an ass, you're either doing something very right, or very wrong. I'm going to come down on the side of very right, from what I've read from you here and at the magic cafe.

 

[Sam Hardy]

Wow, thanks for all the tips guys! Really appreciate it.
I think you're right, I'll leave the magic alone. But I'll definitely perform at the evening meal when he won't be there. Dead excited

I'll update you in 6 weeks, after I've met him.

=]

 

[Sam Hardy]

Just thought I'd post here again, seeing as the wedding was yesterday.

I met the magician just at the end of the main course - he was in a separate room preparing his stuff. I introduced myself, explained I was into magic etc and he seemed very interested. All of a sudden, with no hesitation he suddenly breaks into a little coin routine (which, I have to say, was pretty phenomenal). When he performs, he gives you a huge amount of eye contact - he barely looks at what he's doing. A bit creepy.
So anyway, he came out and performed at all the tables. He did a chop cup routine, linking rings, the Invisible Deck (his patter for the I.D. was brilliant), rope magic, burnt and restored paper and a card to wallet routine. He was very smooth and I enjoyed his performances thoroughly.
After the meal, we talked for a while about magic, and he was a very nice guy. He talked me through every trick he did and it was done etc., which I was very happy about. He showed me some other magic that he didnt perform - The Web by Jim Pace (a favourite of mine ), some thumb tip magic and a nice Wild Card routine he came up with.
I managed to show him a couple of tricks - I performed my ACR, Panic and Control. He seemed very impressed with my card tricks - as a variety magician he didn't play with cards that much, and so was a little rusty, but not dreadful.
Before he left, he was very kind and gave me a spare Invisible Deck of his - after explaining that mine had run out. Very pleased with that indeed.

It was great talking with someone so experienced in magic, getting tips with nerves and performing, etc, and I'm very glad I met him.



~The Emogician~

 

[Jakeh]

That sounds really good, glad you had a good time.

I've pretty much stayed away from talking to magicians in real life (apart from the guys at my Magic Shop) because I'd always thought that they'd be stuck up a-holes or whatever. Glad to be shown that our art is very giving to one another.

 

[darosa.justin]

Hey,

YOu're so lucky to have met a pro in our art, and you should really treasure the experience!

I've never met any sort of pro magician, so it's qutie depressing to read your post!

Great to hear that the meeting could push you further into magic!

 

[Close-Up Expert]

I'm glad to hear it all turned out well....

I'm also glad you got to see that a professional magician is more than just a few tricks and a business card. This guy sounds like the definition of a pro, in all aspects of the word (from your description). Anyways, good of you for not trying to perform either, as you could have lost that great experience had you pissed him off lol...

Best.
Steve

 

[Dylan P.]

I have actually had the luxury of speaking to a pro magician and it was a great experiance. He gave me advice on getting noticed and he said that if I liked adults and kids then I should try restaurant magic. I did and now that is my job. I also baffled him with one of my tricks.