Magicians Are ***holes. The End. If there isnt a gain for them or a hidden agenda, you are worthless to them. Anyone who says the opposite is lying an they know they are. I am not completely different, I am just stating the fact. Don't throw in the towel. Do whatever you want to do and do it the best you can. Keep kicking ass. You belong.
While it is true, MOST magicians are jerks you will find that this is most typical with those under 35/40 years of age who are still pushing to get some recognition or worse, live off a short-lived hint at fame. . . let me explain that one.
In the 1970s I'd managed to start gaining some kudos, had a handful of good years doing an illusion show, etc. but I likewise go into the party-party world of that era, lots of nose candy, speed, easy sex, etc. and thus foundered. . . I lost it all BUT, the ugly side to it all is that I still thought I had it. . . I still thought I was the young prince of the palace everyone loved and wanted to be apart of his life, etc. But the dark truth is, I was someone that only almost was and what little positive reputation I'd earned in my teen years, I threw away as a young adult by being eccentric, egotistical, non-professional (as in my actions, attitudes, etc.) I'd become someone that the big boys, including those that I thought were my friends, had to distance themselves from because I was too controversial and seemingly headed for a very ugly end.
I've seen far too many young people go this same route, one in particular however, caught himself recently realizing that he didn't want to be that sort of person; while he enjoyed the few years of outrageous success he'd come to know, he wanted to rediscover the old Luke and get more down to earth. . . yes, I'm talking about Luke Jermay.
When it comes to rubbing elbows with the big guys, simply start doing your own stuff and getting recognized for it be it on YouTube or doing live shows, conventions or whatever -- get the exposure and build the name recognition. The more material you do that's getting talked up, the more they are going to hear about it and the stronger the odds are that they will approach you. I've been absolutely blown away by people I've admired for years coming up to me and telling me what big fans they are. . . and I'm a comparative nobody to them. Thing is, I put out material, they read it and from their they make decisions about me and what I do or do not know.
Not all magicians are jerks, some are amazingly gracious and I've been most fortunate to have had about a half-dozen of them in my life that made a tremendous difference for me on multiple levels; Harry Blackstone (Jr) being one of the most gracious and supportive souls going; Peter Pit who shared so much insight with me when it came to showmanship, not just magic; both Bill and Milt Larsen revealed to me the sense of "Family" that can exist in the magic world and how "we take care of our own" when the chips are down. . . I really can't go down this list, my head swims with so many names and scenarios but I think it more than proves the point that there are many good guys in this trade as well. . . so long as they see you as someone that contributes and is serious vs. the takers and B.S. artists they simply have no time for. They are after all, business people with limited time; when they take a few hours off to go to a convention or just go out for the night, they want to catch up with friends not fans.
Celebrities will generally be gracious in passing but will become quite curt and even insolent when people act expectant or simply ask for too much.
The Moral of the Story is as I've said; put in the work and build your own name and reputation in a solid, humble manner. Over time your own success and understanding of show biz, will open the doors. Understand though, all of them put on their pants the same way you do. . . fart the way you do. . . and can be a jerk just like you could be when not having a good day.
