Magic Rebirth (The Owner's Manual)

[Magic Man4293]

You know magic is really going down hill and it needs to stop now.
First of all what is magic? Magic is every thing associated with this art. Tricks,performers,inventors,organizations,collectors,businesses,gimmicks etc... Thats what magic is the good side anyway. Now for the bad part of magic. The Tricks,performers,inventors,organizations,collectors,businesses,gimmicks etc...

Starting to see a pattern? There is a good and bad to everything in this art. Now the easy part to restore the art form to former glory. Scratch that, to change the art form to bring it into a new found glory. How do we do it you may ask. Simple get rid of all the bad things and replace them with good things. There are two sides to everything. There is an Art and there is a Science.


First the Science. You see the problem is everyone focuses on the problem not the solution. Lets start looking for some solutions shall we. A big problem in magic is exposure mainly on Youtube. All we as a community need to do is create the MCA magic copyright act. By having inventors sign a contract the would allow the MCA to claim copyrights on all exposure videos. Thus by having a few volunteers almost overnight all Youtube exposure videos will be removed and accounts suspended. Almost instantly decimating 95% of all exposure. Now you nor I have the contacts to do this but I'm sure Mr. Bayme does or some of the other artists do. It was said that when a least two people agree on something with passion they can't be stopped, and I have found this to be true.


Secondly the Art. Magic as a whole is an art or form of art. So here is what we need to do. Once most of the exposure is gone we have to re-build the image of magic. If you have the tricks down you need to go perform it show that magic isn't "kids stuff" anymore its serious business go perform the hell out of these tricks get jobs in restaurants and enjoy it. When you know magic you are a beacon of light in a sea of clouds. You have the ability to make people forget about there stresses of everyday life, make them happy, and enjoy life without spending a dime. How could you live with yourself if you didn't make people feel those feelings.This will change the image of magic one person at a time. And thats ok because in the battle of the stream and the rock the stream always wins not threw strength but threw perseverance.


Final summation go out there with a bang lets take this thing head on I'd rather die fighting the live cowering. The revolution is NOW. Fight for what you love.


-Michael Nasello

 

[verifythisnow]

ya know, before coming to this site and reading the forums, I had no idea that magic was 'going down hill' or in any form of crisis....

 

[Deleted member 2755]

Not really sure what to think of this essay. I guess I'll break it down.

It's not very easy to just take the bad things and get rid of them. If we could do that.... the world would be a better place. We can try our best and it can help, but in the long run.... you can't simply get rid of all of the bad things there are. It's just not possible.

Saying that we are only looking at the problem and not the solution I kind of disagree with. Almost everyone here would love nothing more than to find a solution to all of magic's problems. Can we do it? Well we strive every day. A few days ago there was even a "How to stop Youtube exposure" theory thread. So saying that we don't look for a solution is untrue.

As for the MCA.... I'm not even sure if that is possible. I would love it to be, but I'm not sure it can be done... If anybody happens to see an exposure video, the best thing to do is PM a moderator. It would be best if you sent a PM to Jon Raiker because he is the person who deals with all the exposure problems. If you don't PM him, but another moderator and/or artist... the news would get to him. DO NOT go making a thread saying "I found an exposure video. Check it out..." That does nothing good except spread the exposure... which is not good.

Also, the "Does Youtube ruin the image of magic?" debate has been going on for a while. Want my personal opinion? No. Let's say some random 30 year old guy sees an exposure video on Youtube. As most of us know, most exposure videos come to us from little kids. Well, is someone going to judge the whole art off of some kid's video or will they judge the art based off of a pro's performance?

I will agree that people need to get out and perform more often though. Most videos we see on Theory 11 are just "performances" for their webcams. It is like this with battles and in the media section. We can't fix that though. It is up to the actual person who is doing magic to decide whether or not they will perform. I hope you managed to inspire someone to go out and perform.

Enjoyed reading and writing this.

-Doug

 

[Magic Man4293]

Not really sure what to think of this essay. I guess I'll break it down.

It's not very easy to just take the bad things and get rid of them. If we could do that.... the world would be a better place. We can try our best and it can help, but in the long run.... you can't simply get rid of all of the bad things there are. It's just not possible.

Saying that we are only looking at the problem and not the solution I kind of disagree with. Almost everyone here would love nothing more than to find a solution to all of magic's problems. Can we do it? Well we strive every day. A few days ago there was even a "How to stop Youtube exposure" theory thread. So saying that we don't look for a solution is untrue.

As for the MCA.... I'm not even sure if that is possible. I would love it to be, but I'm not sure it can be done... If anybody happens to see an exposure video, the best thing to do is PM a moderator. It would be best if you sent a PM to Jon Raiker because he is the person who deals with all the exposure problems. If you don't PM him, but another moderator and/or artist... the news would get to him. DO NOT go making a thread saying "I found an exposure video. Check it out..." That does nothing good except spread the exposure.

Also, the "Does Youtube ruin the image of magic?" debate has been going on for a while. Want my personal opinion? No. Let's say some random 30 year old guy sees an exposure video on Youtube. As most of us know, most exposure videos come to us from little kids. Well, is someone going to judge the whole art off of some kid's video or will they judge the art based off of a pro's performance?

I will agree that people need to get out and perform more often though. Most videos we see on Theory 11 are just "performances" for their webcams. It is like this with battles and in the media section. We can't fix that though. It is up to the actual person who is doing magic to decide whether or not they will perform. I hope you managed to inspire someone to go out and perform.

Enjoyed reading and writing this.

-Doug

Not really sure what to think of this reply. I guess I'll break it down.

I never said we could get rid of all bad things in fact it was mostly sarcasm but I see what you are saying.


Yes I did say everyone but that is a vast generalization on 98% of the community. Also people spend in my opinion to much time on asinine things like Theory11 vs Ellusionist it just demotes the art.


The copyright act is completely possible and should be done especially with Youtube's loose copyright protection system.

Youtube doesn't hurt the image of magic laymen really arn't going on there to look for regular performance videos.

And I hope I inspired someone to perform also another for our side.


-Michael Nasello

 

[Magic Man4293]

ya know, before coming to this site and reading the forums, I had no idea that magic was 'going down hill' or in any form of crisis....

Well this site,E forums,and The Magic cafe are really a big part of the community. Coming here may have just opened your eyes.



-Michael

 

[Deleted member 2755]

Well this site,E forums,and The Magic cafe are really a big part of the community. Coming here may have just opened your eyes.



-Michael

Magic is NOT going downhill.

-Doug

 

[Magic Man4293]

Magic is NOT going downhill.

-Doug

That depends who you are asking.


-Michael

 

[jonraiker]

Guys,

I've seen threads like this arise many, many times and each time I've disagreed wholeheartedly.

Firstly, trust that we do everything we can to put a stop to exposure on sites like Youtube. I've personally spent countless hours in communication with copyright departments at video sharing and torrent sites and, for the most part, we've been successful in removing any theory11-related content (which is all we can do).

Do understand, however, that we're dealing with intellectual property (which covers ideas, inventions, literary and artistic works, symbols, names, images, designs, and - in this case - the methodology behind magic effects). Copyright infringement and intellectual property infringement are two separate legal areas with coinciding laws and regulations. If you do see any exposure pertaining to theory11 products, send it to me stat via PM and I'll take care of it as soon as humanly possible.

Secondly, it really gets to me that magicians consistently claim that exposure videos are "ruining magic". Has exposure stopped me from performing? Hell no. Has exposure affected a single performance thus far? Can't say it has. You have to understand that, at most, these videos receive a thousand or so views - and the majority of those views are coming from magicians, NOT random spectators you perform for. There are over six billion people on this earth. Six billion potential spectators that are eager to see something amazing. Yet there are magicians out there who are worried about a single video on Youtube exposing an effect in a poor and confusing manner.

To be 100% honest, I refuse to allow an exposure video to stop me from performing any effect. Does Wayne stop performing Control because some kid posted a video on Metacafe telling all how it's done?

Stop blaming exposure for lack of originality, creativity, and audience management. Present things in an original manner. Create new ideas. Take control over your audience. Perfect the magic you perform and I can guarantee you won't have any problems with spectators "calling you out". If you're worried about these videos, than the users who post them have already won. Move forward.

 

[FOO:L]

Stop blaming exposure for your lack of originality, creativity, and audience management. Present things in an original manner. Create new ideas. Take control over your audience. Perfect the magic you perform and I can guarantee you won't have any problems with spectators "calling you out".

I cower in fear of the mighty jon raiker!
very very well put.

 

[Magic Man4293]

Guys,

I've seen threads like this arise many, many times and each time I've disagreed wholeheartedly.

Firstly, trust that we do everything we can to put a stop to exposure on sites like Youtube. I've personally spent countless hours in communication with copyright departments at video sharing and torrent sites and, for the most part, we've been successful in removing any theory11-related content (which is all we can do).

Do understand, however, that we're dealing with intellectual property (which covers ideas, inventions, literary and artistic works, symbols, names, images, designs, and - in this case - the methodology behind magic effects). Copyright infringement and intellectual property infringement are two separate legal areas with coinciding laws and regulations. If you do see any exposure pertaining to theory11 products, send it to me stat via PM and I'll take care of it as soon as humanly possible.

Secondly, it really gets to me that magicians consistently claim that exposure videos are "ruining magic". Has exposure stopped me from performing? Hell no. Has exposure affected a single performance thus far? Can't say it has. You have to understand that, at most, these videos receive a thousand or so views - and the majority of those views are coming from magicians, NOT random spectators you perform for. There are over six billion people on this earth. Six billion potential spectators that are eager to see something amazing. Yet there are magicians out there who are worried about a single video on Youtube exposing an effect in a poor and confusing manner.

To be 100% honest, I refuse to allow an exposure video to stop me from performing any effect. Does Wayne stop performing Control because some kid posted a video on Metacafe telling all how it's done?

Stop blaming exposure for your lack of originality, creativity, and audience management. Present things in an original manner. Create new ideas. Take control over your audience. Perfect the magic you perform and I can guarantee you won't have any problems with spectators "calling you out". If you're worried about these videos, than the users who post them have already won. Move forward.

Mr Raiker,


Very well put but my thread is no completely about exposure. Magic as an art is being portrayed as a kids entertainment. I just recently watched and episode of The Office and it was making fun of magic saying it was for kids. That is a huge problem, at one time our art would petrify and astonish laymen. But after many years of The Masked Magician and Penn and Teller people seem to not care any more they know there is a secret gimmick or the ever popular "The hand Is quicker than the eye" reaction. Now of course Ive been performing for a long time and got past those reactions. We need people going out in the streets using their swami or invisible deck. To a laymen saying oh magic is kids stuff if you go to a fountain pull out a coin have them sign the coin and bend it their mind slowly collapses upon itself thats one more person thinking magic is a new form of entertainment. Like DM says he calls himself an underground magician to try and break free of that rabbit out of the hat persona. Just like in the late 90's when Apple 're branded' themselves that is what we need to do.



-Michael

 

[CoryOOreo]

Michael,

With an avatar like yours, I think that you would fully appreciate the wisdom in the following phrase.

You say you want a revolution? Well, you know... we all want to change the world.

I recommend that everybody listens to that song, and applies the lyrics to the magic industry.

 

[MoJoe13]

Magic as an art is being portrayed as a kids entertainment. I just recently watched and episode of The Office and it was making fun of magic saying it was for kids. That is a huge problem, at one time our art would petrify and astonish laymen. But after many years of The Masked Magician and Penn and Teller people seem to not care any more they know there is a secret gimmick or the ever popular "The hand Is quicker than the eye" reaction. Now of course Ive been performing for a long time and got past those reactions. We need people going out in the streets using their swami or invisible deck. To a laymen saying oh magic is kids stuff if you go to a fountain pull out a coin have them sign the coin and bend it their mind slowly collapses upon itself thats one more person thinking magic is a new form of entertainment. Like DM says he calls himself an underground magician to try and break free of that rabbit out of the hat persona. Just like in the late 90's when Apple 're branded' themselves that is what we need to do.

I see what you are talking about to a point, but just because magic gets made fun of in episodes of The Office or Arrested Development (there's one guy in my office who sings the keyboard part to "The Final Countdown" every time I do a trick), doesn't mean it isn't being taken seriously elsewhere.

Penn and Teller have a headlining show in Vegas. Soon, will Angel. Blaine will have a new TV special out soon. I just can't buy your notion that magic is dying, just because you saw an episode of The Office. Did you see the episode of House, where the magician character wasn't a caricature, and treated seriously? Have you heard of "The Mentalist," which is supposed to be coming out?

I'm happy you are looking out for the good of magic, but I would suggest that those instances you see where magic is mocked is either an attempt at satire of a widely successful figure or the worst of the movement -- in either case, it's not worthy of a revolution.

Instead of rebranding ourselves just to shake the notion of magic's demise, we should be ourselves. If you're the next Silly Billy, be the best next Silly Billy you can be. Just be true to your performance style -- whether you use Svengali decks, stripper decks or a pack of a friend's Bikes.

The world will always make fun of relevant things. How awesome would it be if you and your performance was worthy and relevant enough for satire in a sitcom?

 

[Magic Man4293]

I see what you are talking about to a point, but just because magic gets made fun of in episodes of The Office or Arrested Development (there's one guy in my office who sings the keyboard part to "The Final Countdown" every time I do a trick), doesn't mean it isn't being taken seriously elsewhere.

Penn and Teller have a headlining show in Vegas. Soon, will Angel. Blaine will have a new TV special out soon. I just can't buy your notion that magic is dying, just because you saw an episode of The Office. Did you see the episode of House, where the magician character wasn't a caricature, and treated seriously? Have you heard of "The Mentalist," which is supposed to be coming out?

I'm happy you are looking out for the good of magic, but I would suggest that those instances you see where magic is mocked is either an attempt at satire of a widely successful figure or the worst of the movement -- in either case, it's not worthy of a revolution.

Instead of rebranding ourselves just to shake the notion of magic's demise, we should be ourselves. If you're the next Silly Billy, be the best next Silly Billy you can be. Just be true to your performance style -- whether you use Svengali decks, stripper decks or a pack of a friend's Bikes.

The world will always make fun of relevant things. How awesome would it be if you and your performance was worthy and relevant enough for satire in a sitcom?

You are taking what I said in context. What I am trying to say is this. If you can perform well and want to perform for you tube go ahead. But if you can perform that well you should be out on the streets being yourself to make our art powerful and beautiful in the eye of the general public. To look at us as if we were a movie or a beautiful painting. Appreciate us like a fine wine or a tangy cheese. We need to make our selves BMW's not Toyota's. That is what I am trying to say.



-Michael

 

[jonraiker]

We need to make our selves BMW's not Toyota's.

Well said Michael. If you're going to do something, you should do it well. I'll never forget hearing Danny Garcia talk about magic in Japan. There, they value it as a legitimate art form. Magicians are considered artists. That's the persona we should strive to manifest.

I do, however, see the role of magicians as "kid performers" or "clowns" slowly diminishing as magic progresses. Although many of you would hate to admit it, we can give Criss Angel (and, of course, DB) partial credit for that fact.

 

[Magic Man4293]

Well said Michael. If you're going to do something, you should do it well. I'll never forget hearing Danny Garcia talk about magic in Japan. There, they value it as a legitimate art form. Magicians are considered artists. That's the persona we should strive to manifest.

I do, however, see the role of magicians as "kid performers" or "clowns" slowly diminishing as magic progresses. Although many of you would hate to admit it, we can give Criss Angel (and, of course, DB) partial credit for that fact.

Thanks, and I agree the people like Blaine,Copperfield,Angel,Cyril etc... All promote the art. Thats why I think Theory11 is a great company creating class act performers. Giving enough tips and ideas to people to always produce a good effect but leaves a 'Gray Area' were people are left on there own to put themselves into each effect. (And I'm sorry if that sounds like a** kissing its not.) But I am glad you see what I am trying to show you.




-Michael

 

[MoJoe13]

You should be out on the streets being yourself to make our art powerful and beautiful in the eye of the general public... (snip) ...We need to make our selves BMW's not Toyota's.

THAT I can buy. Well said.

Magic has been with us for years, and will be for many more. Of course it has evolved -- for all the wonderful information in the book "Royal Road to Card Magic," I think we can all agree that the patter for those tricks, as written by Saints Hugard and Braue, is outdated and inappropriate.

Of course, there will be haters and mockers. But their presence does not indicate the necrosis of magic. I'd argue the exact opposite: The presence of mockers, haters and satirists indicates the growth and vitality of magic. But all that is big picture stuff, which doesn't make a lick of difference when you're performing Two Card Monte for a few spectators. Or a crowded theater.

 

[Magic Man4293]

THAT I can buy. Well said.

Magic has been with us for years, and will be for many more. Of course it has evolved -- for all the wonderful information in the book "Royal Road to Card Magic," I think we can all agree that the patter for those tricks, as written by Saints Hugard and Braue, is outdated and inappropriate.

Of course, there will be haters and mockers. But their presence does not indicate the necrosis of magic. I'd argue the exact opposite: The presence of mockers, haters and satirists indicates the growth and vitality of magic. But all that is big picture stuff, which doesn't make a lick of difference when you're performing Two Card Monte for a few spectators. Or a crowded theater.

There are always going to be haters that's life. But the typical fashion that most deal with these haters only fuels the fire. So a message to all the people who put others down. Take the log out of your eye before you take the splinter out of someone else's.


-Michael