Hey guys! I've been reading posts on here every now and then and been a hidden member if you will. I've never really posted here, but since the Magic Cafe restricts Gmail accounts i had no idea where else to get help other than here.
I'm young but i have been doing magic for 8 years but only REALLY been doing magic for about 4. There's not a day that goes by where i don't have a deck of cards and Extreme Burn in my pocket. I perform to people i meet and to my friends every day. Don't let this draw you away from my posts but i am only sixteen (17 soon). I know how most teens on youtube and out in the world don't grasp the true concept of magic well. However, i Think i understand it better than most people my age. I know that your Tricks are not the magic, you as a person needs to create magic for your spectator. No trick can be as strong of an opener as you are. I'm no Di Vernon or even one of the little guys yet, but i continue to grow and learn every single day.
With that in mind I am desperate for help:
I have so many concerns and questions lately it's been eating me away. I've read posts both here and on the other forums about getting out there and performing. The more I've read the better i feel about being able to get a job as a strolling magician (until i read one by Jamie Grant). BUUUT, i'm only 16 and i know many of you will tell me i wont be able to get hired because of that. Is this truly the case? i perform constantly and make people laugh and i've seen people i don't even remember pull out a signed card or torn bill I've given to them and run up to me and say "Hey, your the guy who did that trick down at the fair where you (insert trick here). You gotta show my husband something!" ... Though, that wont count much for me getting a job.
I thought i was ready to do restaurants until i read Jamie D. Grant posting on here and answering questions and he said things like
-at first should focus strictly on volunteering and bartering
- I would never hire a teenager (which scares me)
- and send a contract ..... (I don't know how im gonna make one, it's terrifying)
- critique brutally and if your in doubt don't do it (others have told me "you wont know until you get out there, sometimes the best way to find out if your good enough at swimming is to move to the deep end"
and i respect Jamie's advice more than anyone because he is the highest recommended person to talk to about getting started but i've already told myself i was going to do magic as a summer job (to pay for gas, supplies, my GF, and for being able to go out and have money to actually do stuff) and i''ve already ordered business cards and it feels im already in to deep and i've told to many people to turn around on it ....... What should i do? and do you guys have any advice ? also, is a contract definitely a must?
Also, am i just being to critical and worrying to much ?
I have a few other questions, but those might fit well in another thread another time.
Sorry for the extensive post.
Thanks!
- Chris
P.S.
I'm located in Richmond, VA and i don't know any where to get help directly as far as magic help and Advice other than this forum (which is awesome!) do you guys know anyone willing to help or any places around here that focus on magic? I haven't found anything thus far.
I'm young but i have been doing magic for 8 years but only REALLY been doing magic for about 4. There's not a day that goes by where i don't have a deck of cards and Extreme Burn in my pocket. I perform to people i meet and to my friends every day. Don't let this draw you away from my posts but i am only sixteen (17 soon). I know how most teens on youtube and out in the world don't grasp the true concept of magic well. However, i Think i understand it better than most people my age. I know that your Tricks are not the magic, you as a person needs to create magic for your spectator. No trick can be as strong of an opener as you are. I'm no Di Vernon or even one of the little guys yet, but i continue to grow and learn every single day.
With that in mind I am desperate for help:
I have so many concerns and questions lately it's been eating me away. I've read posts both here and on the other forums about getting out there and performing. The more I've read the better i feel about being able to get a job as a strolling magician (until i read one by Jamie Grant). BUUUT, i'm only 16 and i know many of you will tell me i wont be able to get hired because of that. Is this truly the case? i perform constantly and make people laugh and i've seen people i don't even remember pull out a signed card or torn bill I've given to them and run up to me and say "Hey, your the guy who did that trick down at the fair where you (insert trick here). You gotta show my husband something!" ... Though, that wont count much for me getting a job.
I thought i was ready to do restaurants until i read Jamie D. Grant posting on here and answering questions and he said things like
-at first should focus strictly on volunteering and bartering
- I would never hire a teenager (which scares me)
- and send a contract ..... (I don't know how im gonna make one, it's terrifying)
- critique brutally and if your in doubt don't do it (others have told me "you wont know until you get out there, sometimes the best way to find out if your good enough at swimming is to move to the deep end"
and i respect Jamie's advice more than anyone because he is the highest recommended person to talk to about getting started but i've already told myself i was going to do magic as a summer job (to pay for gas, supplies, my GF, and for being able to go out and have money to actually do stuff) and i''ve already ordered business cards and it feels im already in to deep and i've told to many people to turn around on it ....... What should i do? and do you guys have any advice ? also, is a contract definitely a must?
Also, am i just being to critical and worrying to much ?
I have a few other questions, but those might fit well in another thread another time.
Sorry for the extensive post.
Thanks!
- Chris
P.S.
I'm located in Richmond, VA and i don't know any where to get help directly as far as magic help and Advice other than this forum (which is awesome!) do you guys know anyone willing to help or any places around here that focus on magic? I haven't found anything thus far.