Tragic on all occasions...

I was reading a post on a magic FB group and someone was asking about what they should put on their business card so they didn't have a laundry list of stuff on it eating up all of the space. I was very surprised, and quite frankly concerned, about the amount of people who told him to put "Magic For All Occasions".

Now perhaps it's just the fact I have been in magic a long time and heard this from so many working guys, but don't ever... ever... EVER put that on your business card. Do you do magic for funerals? How about Amish barn raising or the occasional Bris? (Just because you actually would because you need the money doesn't count)

Most anyone who makes a living doing a specific thing is that you should specialize. You can charge more and it makes you seem more competent in that particular field. If you do happen to do multiple things, make separate business cards (that also goes for websites and other marketing materials)

Unless you leave a pile of cards randomly littered about your town, chances are you handed that person that card yourself. If they ask for your card or you are giving it out, they should KNOW what you do. Something as simple as "Magical Entertainer" works. If they want you for something they will call and ask. I know it just kills people to not flood someone with information so they don't miss out on a gig but if you're good and you focus on a few areas only, the money will come and more of it.

More is less...

NO AND THEN!

So I was watching a great little webseries called "Every Frame a Painting". It breaks down a lot about film and it's many varied aspects. On the most recent one he showed a clip from a show called Stand-in. In it the creators of South Park surprised some kids at NYU their first day of class.

Now regardless of what you might think of the show or the guys who make it, they know their shit or they would have died penniless and hopped up on heroin in an alley way long ago. It's worth a watch.

Why am I telling you all of this? It's because there is this one section I want you to pay particular attention to. It's about structuring a story. The advice they give very much can apply to routining a magic act. A routine is/can be a story. Maybe not in a traditional fairytale sense, but it should have a beginning, middle, and end or, if you want, a start, a build, and an ending.

Being able to write a proper routine is like crafting comedy. It's a skill unto itself completely apart from the mechanics required to work the props. You can have all of the magic you want but if it doesn't flow or make some semblance of sense, then the act can suffer.

Therefore, you should watch the clips above...

Mix ratio...

The other day someone comment that I am known for being "pretty creative". Assuming he wasn't referring to how I make myself appear attractive, I responded that I just know things.

Creativity is not just a "thing". It's a mixture of various aspects. Two of the main ingredients are imagination and knowledge. The more things you know about, the more you can draw from that information/experience the create things.

Do not confuse this for being smart. There are plenty of "smart" people who don't know how to apply it. Knowledge is a reservoir to pull information from. Just because you know what a puzzle is doesn't mean you know how it goes together.

So if you want to expand your creativity go out and learn about things in the world. When you wonder about something, look it up. If you find yourself asking "How do they do that?", ship that little pocket computer and Google that shit. Fill your empty melon with information and think of something interesting to do with it.

If that doesn't work, there is always Bizzaro By Design.

Crisis on Infinite Job Titles...

Problems. Others has them.

Different disciplines tend to cross over especially in the performing arts.

magicScript...

I created a new effect the other day and while I was trying to figure out some pieces of the puzzle, I hit upon a weird concept that might be familiar to some of you.

Creating magic is kind of like javascript.

For those of you who are fortunate enuff to have had more of a life than some of us, allow me to explain. Some javascript works on a language that uses if/then/else statements.

When I was working out a method for this effect I had to narrow down my options and what had to happen. In other words if (this), then (this) but if (this) else (that); Basically, to make the effect happen the way I want, a certain thing has to happen and to make that certain thing happen this OTHER thing has to occur. Do you see what I mean?

One thing leads to another and one idea triggers another. To get from point A to point B certain criteria have to be met or else I have to go another direction. It might seem silly but sometimes the creative process very much is.

function myFunction() {
    document.get("myDrift?");
}

The Hypocrisy of it all...

I want to preface what I am about to say about the Wizard Wars TV show. Just because I am close to the source doesn't mean I don't see/know it's flaws. It's not a perfect animal but very few things ever really are. That said...

You know how I can tell magicians don't hate Wizard Wars? They all aren't up in arms about it. They aren't singing it's praises from the rooftops either but the complaining has been at a minimum and that in itself is an achievement because let's face it... you magicians LOVE to bitch.

The small rumblings I have seen are very hypocritical however. Let's look at some of the statements I have seen online.

"I don't care for magic being in a competition format" All I have to say to these people is I bet dollars to dog nuts that you have sat thru your fair share of magic competitions at a magic convention. Most of the magic on that show is far better than people who work for years on a competition act. (no not all of it but you get my point)

"I don't like the concept" The concept they are referring to is taking objects and, in a short amount of time, making magic with them that might not be as polished as other time tested stuff. The problem is these are the same people who laud the magician who can perform magic impromptu. Picking up objects they have never handled and, using the skills they have honed for years, doing magic with those items. There are whole competitions at magic gatherings doing just this and THAT seems fine.

"I miss the days of Copperfield/Henning/Carson/etc" Holy shit this one irritates me. This is why magic is so far behind most other performing mediums. We can't let go of the past and accept the evolution of a medium. I mean, I don't like the way most magicians dress like they just put on whatever was clean that morning but it is modern dress. (Who cares if they want to look like everyone else and not stand out.) I might not like it but I can accept it. At least this show is taking magic back onto the stage and in front of a live audience.

So while you are entitled to your opinion, in the future please spare me your duplicitous bullshit.

"I don't care for it."

A bit much?

Let's talk about magic trailers for a bit shall we?

I just watched one for a self bending screwdriver. Yes you read that correctly.

The prop itself is fine but the trailer... it's a bit... like a Sylvester Stallone movie about arm wrestling. I can appreciate good film technique but sometimes you have to reign it in for the prop you are shilling. (I know, I know this coming from the guy with an epic demo for an Oreo cookie trick. That wasn't my choice or idea. Trust me.)

If this was a clip to sell a movie, that would be different but things like this alone don't show a real world application... possibly because there isn't one? I dunno. You wan to give me a trick that's handy? See if you thought the same thing I did when he smashed the phone. "It would be a better trick if he could fix the cracked screen on that thing. That would be useful".

Also, thankfully, they didn't use that guys real voice to narrate. Anyone who is familiar with their other products knows what I mean.

I understand creating art and an interesting demo to sell something. I really do. However, you need to know your audience. While there are people who like that kinda thing, it's not what will usually sell to the people with money. (Of course if you just sell directly to Murphy's then who cares right?)

If only they would have had the guy get dosed...

I feel your pain...

It's ok Penguin Magic. We're sorry you are making people watch Dynamo too.

(insert Nike symbol here)

A big secret to being considered 'creative" is to just DO IT!

Make that thing, paint that trick, perform that routine. It's easier than you think to just alter something slightly enuff to make it different from the rest.


So stop being a lazy fuck and hop to!

The power to control the world is in which finger?

Sometimes you have to forget that which you know... or think you know.

For us the moment of magic is when we do the move. (or when we see someone else do something sneaky) For the audience the magic happens when we say it does. We can feel so guilty when we are holding nothing waiting for it to vanish. Being a powerful wizard sometimes means taking chances and just letting go of what you are privy to.

It's a hard lesson to be learned but be brave and you will find the audience isn't looking as closely as you might think they are. 

Fortune favors the bold...

Oh right... contest...

Sorry it took a bit. I hath been distracted by many things.

Regardless, we here at Bizzaro By Design have decreed this the winning image:

So whoever put this one in the comments email me your address and I will send you an advance copy of the brand new DVD we are putting out that no one else has yet!

(I'm a little disappointed that no one went with a fellatio joke but it's probably good that my readers are classier than I would be in this situation.)

Be sure to check www.bizzaromatic.com around the first of November for the official release of the 1 Trick Pony EP.

Deprecating in value...

This should seem obvious to most but I started to realize it's not, especially in the younger performers of today.

Learn proper self-deprecating humor.

No one seems to have ever given the advice that self-deprecation should apply to your personal faults NOT how much you suck at something. If you think self-deprecating humor involves making fun of how un-skilled or your lack of talent is, then you need to STOP. You diminish not only your work but the work of others who actually try to be good.

However, if you wear glasses and are blind, harp on that. Does your fashion sense denote your mother dressed you for school? Go to town on it. Are you bad at math? Make that funny. This is proper self-deprecation. Not that you suck at magic, or juggling, or whatever.

People want to see someone be proficient at their craft. If you are using the "I suck at this" gambit as a premise so when you do something really skilled it surprises people that's different but find more subtle ways to get that across than outright saying it. (However going that route takes more skill in some ways than learning sleights so tread carefully)

So even if you do suck and the whole world knows it don't point it out. You'd be surprised who you can fool.

Never let em' see you sweat.

Necessary posturing...

In the past I have spoken about one of the secrets to being a good performer is to have confidence in your material and yourself. The audience can smell inexperience. (it smells like black licorice which is gross) One of the tells of someone who hasn't been performing long or not been trained properly is bad posture.

If you see someone who is doing a trick for you with slumped shoulders their body language denotes that of someone who doesn't give a flying fuck about what they are doing. Watch a confident seasoned performer. Their shoulders are back and they stand up straight (unless it's for dramatic or comedic effect). Look at yourself in the mirror. Does the way you stand give away more than you know? These are the tiny things you have to be aware of as a performer. Being proficient at the mechanics is just one tiny part of the puzzle.

For those who it does not come to naturally movement and/or acting lessons might be of a big help.

Odin knows it couldn't hurt...

PS: I will announce the winner of my contest soon. 

Do you contest this?

I have a new website/lecture only DVD coming out soon. It's an "EP" with three effects (and some gaffs included) If you wanna win a copy, caption this photo all "meme" style. For those lacking mad photoshop skills, you can use places like This.

Stick them in the comments section. The one that makes me chuckle the most gets the DVD. Get them in by  October 1st! (one entry per person so make em' good)

Click the image to get it at full size:

A padded cell...

Some of you should be committed. No I don't mean in an asylum, (well not all of you), but when you deliver your lines.

I see a lot of younger magicians delivering lines, jokes, patter and then apologizing for them afterward. It doesn't matter how corny, bad, hacky what you say might be, you need to just let them be. If they land flat move on. If they hit, let them laugh (or groan) and don't step on the reaction. It's a tough lesson to learn and I can tell you that magicians, for the most part, are not funny.

Saying a line that is funny and BEING funny are two different things. Mike Bent has a great lecture about writing comedy. I don't mean jokes, I mean COMEDY. Most of you can't write comedy to save your life. Trust me, I have seen it.

It's a tough lesson to let sleeping lines lie. We almost seem embarrassed or guilty about saying something risque or "funny". We laugh at the joke and dismiss it like we didn't mean it. Well let me tell you something... MEAN IT! Don't just say a line because someone told you to, or you read it in a book or saw someone else do it. Say it because it's from YOUR experiences, YOUR heart. If you can't write or are afraid to be funny in the moment take some improv classes. They can teach you how to go with it and not be apologetic for what you say.

Now put on that strait jacket and get out there!

Get with the times...

Anyone who has seen magic in the last few years will notice the trend of "street clothes" as the normal attire of the young magi. Whether or not you like it, this is the norm now. On one hand it looks very unassuming. On the downside it, those who are being influenced by this try to copy it and do it badly. It works for some people. Some people know how to dress and get stuff that, while looking "normal", have an air of performer to them.

I am sure when Robert Houdin started wearing the tux and tails to perform in, which was the normal day to day wear of the times (more or less), people mocked and dismissed it.

Mind you those people were wearing Chinese robes to perform in so...

Computer Viruses....

I am getting really sick of mediocre "magicians" who are barely performers trying to get noticed by making "viral" videos.

Too many people want to be rock stars without putting in the effort.

It's ok to suck for a little while...

"It's better to be 5 years late than one day too early"

I'm not sure who said that exactly (and I am likely paraphrasing that harshly) but you get the idea. I have noticed a lot of younger performers are in a huge hurry to get somewhere before they maybe should. I'm not saying this is a new thing BUT it seems to have reach an accelerated level. I'm also not the only one who has noticed this.

Watch this video below and see if some of this sounds familiar and then say to yourself "It's gonna be ok..."
The Long Game Part 1: Why Leonardo DaVinci was no genius from Delve on Vimeo.

And just so you don't skip part two, Here it is for you lazy bastards out there.
The Long Game Part 2: the missing chapter from Delve on Vimeo.

Sell your sole... property?

The last few years have seen a strange trend I am not sure I like. It's the selling of of an "award winning" act on DVD well before that performer has gotten too old to do it.

Some say it's to show their techniques to put a time stamp on it but they do not "encourage" you to perform their act verbatim. I understand letting it all go after a lifetime of creation and magic. However I think the selling of a magic competition act after only a few years is for one sole purpose... profit.

I guess when there is a buck to be made, there is no point in keeping secrets.

DVD Guide pt 4: Nice package...

I thought to myself "I should do a new guide thingy. I'll do it next week" not realizing I had a lot of shows that next week.

What say we finish this puppy off with a little talk about how to wrap yo' shit? I don't mean double bagging it either (unless you like your junk secure with shrink wrap).

The double entendre aside, I am referring on how to present your DVD creations.Some options are, but not limited to:

1. The classic and easily recognizable Amray Case: I can say from experience that traveling with a lot of this style case can be a giant space eater and pain in the butt.

2. The slightly less bulky Slim Line case: A lot like the above but half the size. It saves you some space but you sacrifice the visibility of the spine on a shelf.

3. The compact and cheaper DVD Sleeve: This one is likely to save you a LOT of room in your luggage and tends to be cheaper to produce because you can have some slick packaging and make your own discs.

Most DVD duplicators offer all of these options. You can even self-produce the whole shebang from start to finish.

Now comes the eternal question: Goobers or Raisinetes... no wait.. I mean Duplicated vs. Replicated. What is the difference you ask? All "professionally" produced discs have that shiny silver underbelly. Those are replicated. The ones with the purple-ish store-bought look are duplicated. So which one is right for you?

There was a time that people would judge your DVD on if it was burned at home or not. In today's world, because of the availability of self-production, that seems to have fallen by the wayside. 10 years ago I would NEVER have released a non-replicated DVD. Nowadays for shorter runs and private stuff sold on your website or at lectures you can get the aforementioned DVD sleeves made up elsewhere, burn your own discs and, if you have the right machine, print the tops of them at home too.

Having a slick looking package (giggity) will help you attract attention but ultimately it's the content inside that will determine it's success. With any luck I have helped you a slight bit with my advice. Anything I can do to make the magic marketplace suck a bit less.

It's what I do...