Eager to learn

Oct 15, 2008
826
0
Tennessee
I have recently wanted several books on presentation and theory, but being a teenager with no job, i am broke.
So i checked out both the local bookstores, and libraries. The only thing i found is beginner books on card tricks, which doesn't help me a bit.
My question is what books do you guys know of that aren't directly related to magic, but could be used in my performances.
Maybe books on psychology, etc.

Any ideas?
 
Jan 5, 2010
658
2
Alabama
Well, I guess 'Strong Magic' isn't what you're looking for.

: : SHOWMANSHIP + CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- Magic and Showmanship by Henning Nelms
- Win The Crowd by Steve Cohen
- Introducing NLP by Joseph O'Connor [Rapport Building / Learning Techniques]
- The Complete Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
- Magic 1400s - 1950s by Mike Caveney, Jim Steinmeyer, and Ricky Jay [Inspiration / Historical Reference]
- Talent Is Overrated by Geoff Calvin
- Rules For Revolutionaries by Guy Kawasaki (Suggested by Chase Goforth)

I would also check out 'Pure Effect'.

But... those cost monies.

Maybe look into some acting classes/books? Or borrowing a book or two from a friend? Or, God forbid, get a job and pay for your hobby. Even busking is an option, anything to fund what you want to do.
 

WitchDocIsIn

Elite Member
Sep 13, 2008
5,877
2,945
Acting, pickup artists, influence, etc. Anything that involves interacting with people or acting.
 
Oct 15, 2008
826
0
Tennessee
Well, I guess 'Strong Magic' isn't what you're looking for.

: : SHOWMANSHIP + CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- Magic and Showmanship by Henning Nelms
- Win The Crowd by Steve Cohen
- Introducing NLP by Joseph O'Connor [Rapport Building / Learning Techniques]
- The Complete Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
- Magic 1400s - 1950s by Mike Caveney, Jim Steinmeyer, and Ricky Jay [Inspiration / Historical Reference]
- Talent Is Overrated by Geoff Calvin
- Rules For Revolutionaries by Guy Kawasaki (Suggested by Chase Goforth)

I would also check out 'Pure Effect'.

But... those cost monies.

Maybe look into some acting classes/books? Or borrowing a book or two from a friend? Or, God forbid, get a job and pay for your hobby. Even busking is an option, anything to fund what you want to do.

Yeah getting a job sounds easy, but it's not.
 

WitchDocIsIn

Elite Member
Sep 13, 2008
5,877
2,945
You and a hundred others put in applications. You have to give a follow up call or your application will probably be tossed without even being looked at.
 
Apr 1, 2009
1,067
1
33
California
Making money is a b----... Especially these days... I am alone in america, my family left to germany and I stayed to make my way in the world. and I struggle every day... but I get by... sometimes you have to suck it up and go the hard way. I get up at 4am every morning to stand in line at the temporary labor place and cross my fingers waiting to be called. It's not glamorous... but if you really want money, there are ways to make it. Sorry, one of those moods.

On the actual subject...

Books on acting will help... I love the ideas of pick up artists... Finding a good book on that would be very beneficial because yes, acting will help, but it won't help you make friends... and that's the whole point of a pick up artist... to make friends in an instant... even more. To win over a whole table of people in a second. start conversations, etc...
 
Jan 31, 2010
86
1
Hanning Nelms has a book out on showmanship and performance. Cost only about 12 bucks or so. There is definitely a decent focus on stage magic, but he covers a lot overall, including constructing routines, building up a trick, creating characters, even body stature and presentation.
 
Dec 18, 2007
1,610
14
64
Northampton, MA - USA
Well, I guess 'Strong Magic' isn't what you're looking for.

: : SHOWMANSHIP + CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- Magic and Showmanship by Henning Nelms
- Win The Crowd by Steve Cohen
- Introducing NLP by Joseph O'Connor [Rapport Building / Learning Techniques]
- The Complete Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
- Magic 1400s - 1950s by Mike Caveney, Jim Steinmeyer, and Ricky Jay [Inspiration / Historical Reference]
- Talent Is Overrated by Geoff Calvin
- Rules For Revolutionaries by Guy Kawasaki (Suggested by Chase Goforth)

I would also check out 'Pure Effect'.

But... those cost monies.

Maybe look into some acting classes/books? Or borrowing a book or two from a friend? Or, God forbid, get a job and pay for your hobby. Even busking is an option, anything to fund what you want to do.

Oi! When I saw NLP on this list I thought I'd choke...

KEEP IT SIMPLE!

A beginner at your age level need only focus on two key sources for the next year or two (when it comes to tricks); the Mark Wilson Course in Magic and the Tarbell Course in Magic... you don't need anything else until you can do the basics. Problem is, everyone wants to run before they can even crawl in today's world.

I've done magic for over four decades and I can tell you first hand that the majority of those top rated pros in today's world do not depend on a pseudo-science like NLP... that's just hype. They might exploit some of the thinking associated with it, but it is too "iffy" and requires to much preliminary effort to be considered practical in most working scenarios.

AS A NOVICE you're going to feel like a kid in a candy store the more you visit forums, read magazines and hear about everyone getting the latest cool nifty gadget that will be collecting dust in under six months time if not quicker. But if you invest the same kind of money "they" throw at the trick of the month trends on the two resources I mentioned about, for less than the average cost of 5 such new tricks you'll have access to THOUSANDS! If money is tight, I think the path of study would be obvious... but there are other resources out there for you, many that will cost you little to nothing, such as the local Library where you can find well known magic books along side introductory materials. There are companies on line that sell used books and props or simply track down and join the local IBM (International Brotherhood of Magicians) or SAM (Society of American Magicians) and you'll get access to a lot of first hand instruction, books and more!

SHOWMANSHIP is the biggie and you aren't going to learn it from a book!

Most communities of any size have a Community Theater Group that cost nothing to belong to (you may even find a improvisational comedy troupe to work with). The point is EXPERIENCE; you need on-stage experience in order to get used to an audience, learn about staging, direction/blocking, how to stand and use your voice, etc. Most importantly, you will learn to understand theater and what it means to be an "Actor"... I bring this up because of the big lie told in the magic community... "We are but Actors Playing a Part...." If that were true those under 21 and wanting to learn magic would be pointed to theater workshops first. Magicians are generally buffoons that love gadgets (myself included) -- geeks and pack rats -- exceptionally few ever taking the time away from a deck of cards in order to learn true stage craft, proper speaking and why it's so important, etc.

Many will point you to Royal Road to Card Magic, Hiding the Elephant, and of course the trend-based tomes of Criss Angel, Derren Brown, etc. These are not a high priority list of "must have" resources and of this list Royal Road would have to be the most important followed by the Bobo Coin Book and the Rice's Silk Encyclopedias and other foundation texts specializing in specific aspects of magic such as working with small livestock (Birds & Bunnies) or what-have-you... again, none of it is as important as the Wilson & Tarbell foundation material, so do yourself a big favor by starting there and getting as much stage time as you can EVEN IF ITS JUST MOVING EQUIPMENT... you will still learn and from that be able to grow!
 
Oct 15, 2008
826
0
Tennessee
Oi! When I saw NLP on this list I thought I'd choke...

KEEP IT SIMPLE!

A beginner at your age level need only focus on two key sources for the next year or two (when it comes to tricks); the Mark Wilson Course in Magic and the Tarbell Course in Magic... you don't need anything else until you can do the basics. Problem is, everyone wants to run before they can even crawl in today's world.

I've done magic for over four decades and I can tell you first hand that the majority of those top rated pros in today's world do not depend on a pseudo-science like NLP... that's just hype. They might exploit some of the thinking associated with it, but it is too "iffy" and requires to much preliminary effort to be considered practical in most working scenarios.

AS A NOVICE you're going to feel like a kid in a candy store the more you visit forums, read magazines and hear about everyone getting the latest cool nifty gadget that will be collecting dust in under six months time if not quicker. But if you invest the same kind of money "they" throw at the trick of the month trends on the two resources I mentioned about, for less than the average cost of 5 such new tricks you'll have access to THOUSANDS! If money is tight, I think the path of study would be obvious... but there are other resources out there for you, many that will cost you little to nothing, such as the local Library where you can find well known magic books along side introductory materials. There are companies on line that sell used books and props or simply track down and join the local IBM (International Brotherhood of Magicians) or SAM (Society of American Magicians) and you'll get access to a lot of first hand instruction, books and more!

SHOWMANSHIP is the biggie and you aren't going to learn it from a book!

Most communities of any size have a Community Theater Group that cost nothing to belong to (you may even find a improvisational comedy troupe to work with). The point is EXPERIENCE; you need on-stage experience in order to get used to an audience, learn about staging, direction/blocking, how to stand and use your voice, etc. Most importantly, you will learn to understand theater and what it means to be an "Actor"... I bring this up because of the big lie told in the magic community... "We are but Actors Playing a Part...." If that were true those under 21 and wanting to learn magic would be pointed to theater workshops first. Magicians are generally buffoons that love gadgets (myself included) -- geeks and pack rats -- exceptionally few ever taking the time away from a deck of cards in order to learn true stage craft, proper speaking and why it's so important, etc.

Many will point you to Royal Road to Card Magic, Hiding the Elephant, and of course the trend-based tomes of Criss Angel, Derren Brown, etc. These are not a high priority list of "must have" resources and of this list Royal Road would have to be the most important followed by the Bobo Coin Book and the Rice's Silk Encyclopedias and other foundation texts specializing in specific aspects of magic such as working with small livestock (Birds & Bunnies) or what-have-you... again, none of it is as important as the Wilson & Tarbell foundation material, so do yourself a big favor by starting there and getting as much stage time as you can EVEN IF ITS JUST MOVING EQUIPMENT... you will still learn and from that be able to grow!

I think you misunderstood, im not a beginner. I don't need books like royal road, etc i have those. I don't need tricks.
Im also not into stage magic, just close up. Tho i might want to learn some in the future, small stuff, not illusions.

My question is about books not related to magic, that will help with performing. i only think one person actually answered my question, everyone else listed magic books and talked about money.
 
Jun 10, 2010
1,360
1
I think you misunderstood, im not a beginner. I don't need books like royal road, etc i have those. I don't need tricks.
Im also not into stage magic, just close up. Tho i might want to learn some in the future, small stuff, not illusions.

My question is about books not related to magic, that will help with performing. i only think one person actually answered my question, everyone else listed magic books and talked about money.

Regarding performing, take classes or something. In 7th grade I was assigned Drama/Theater Arts, and it's helped me tons.
 
Nov 20, 2007
4,410
6
Sydney, Australia
I have recently wanted several books on presentation and theory, but being a teenager with no job, i am broke.
So i checked out both the local bookstores, and libraries. The only thing i found is beginner books on card tricks, which doesn't help me a bit.
My question is what books do you guys know of that aren't directly related to magic, but could be used in my performances.
Maybe books on psychology, etc.

Any ideas?

I'm sorry - I thought I had posted and responded to this, but apparently I hadn't.

One book I always suggest to magicians looking for something relevant but not magically related is Peter Brook's The Empty Space. Simply a wonderful book, and one of my top three favourite books on theatre.
 
Dec 18, 2007
1,610
14
64
Northampton, MA - USA
(embarrassed)... my bad... I saw that list and went into instant "teacher mode" seeking to correct the NLP suggestion.

Just ignore me when I don't make sense... I do that a lot... well, not that much but too much to suit me.
 
Oct 15, 2008
826
0
Tennessee
I'm sorry - I thought I had posted and responded to this, but apparently I hadn't.

One book I always suggest to magicians looking for something relevant but not magically related is Peter Brook's The Empty Space. Simply a wonderful book, and one of my top three favourite books on theatre.

I was waiting for something from you, haha.
Ill look that up next time i head to the book store!
 
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