Hi all, I'm Jason from Melbourne Australia. Been interested in magic for about 15 years, have tried most of the usual: Childrens parties (
didn't like it and wasn't entertaining enough - the only way I like children is if they are gently simmered for a couple of hours; with Lemon Gr**** Ginger and 6 cloves of garlic. I have also found that - if you gut the children first, the broth is much clearer and more flavoursom), Restuarant & table hopping (
was good at this & got a few bookings for private parties) and 'Busking with Magic' (
not actually asking for money - just getting experience up and getting over all the nerves. ps It didn't help with the nerves issue - I still get nervous).
I have been (at least LEARNING) how to pitch Slum magic for the last 18 months and am now in the process of turning it into a part time business. The Presentational aspect is fun and the reward of making a Sales is immediate positive feedback. The best is when you get a bunch of smart mouthed teens - who know it ALL!!
It is great to last their initial 'storm' and win them over to the degree that they put thier hand into their pocket and BUY!
Now THAT's revenge of the Nerds!
I developed into (as Eugene Burger calls them) 'a Generic magician'. Not much different from 95% of all the other Magicians trying to get a couple of bob from my so called knowledge and questionable skills. Didn't like what I had become (where I was going) after reading Burger and stopped performing for a couple of years: just read everything I could get my hands on regarding Presentation, Performance, Defining yourself as a Performer, Scripting. I think I will always be a 'student of the Craft'.
I love close up and pitching, although I think that 95% of close up card work is dumb and boring;
as most card fans can't get the idea out of their heads that "The adventures of the cards in the hands of the performer" is actually interesting to other people.
When I'm not into some aspect of pitching, I'm studing Presentation and 'Entertainment'. I consider Eugene Burger to be the best contemplator of Magical Performance for me. His ideas and philosophies resonate for some reason. Darwin Ortiz is a strong influence with "Strong Magic" and Tommy Wonder's "Books of Wonder". My performance goals include having 10% of my 'intelligence and focus' on the mechanics of the effect and 90% on the presentation (script & patter) and the audience members I am working to. The other Goal I'm keen on is to remove or reduce 'the Challenge' aspect of performing "Magic". "How did you do that" is a question I hate, as it means that i have failed to 'captivate' the people in the presentation.
If you are REALLY REALLY lucky, I might post an article I wrote called "Card Tricks are Dumb & Boring". You wouldn't mind - would you?
It has been debated whether or not I have a sese of Humour or am just a sick B*******. I don't think the Jury has decided yet. I have also been accused of writing too much - as hard as that is to believe - I know!
Good fortune to you and all your Family looking forwards to learning.
Grumpy Old Man
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