Lecture...

[Luis Vega]

Hello Guys!!

So I was invited to give a lecture at "Festival Internacional de Magia" in my state, not precisely my city but near here...it will be 29-30-31 october of this year...so I have time to prepare..

I decided to teach some tricks of the Lost Manifesto and give advice about actually getting a job in restaurants and audience management...also print some lecture notes and sell them...

anyway I want to hear suggestions and thoughts about how to give a lecture since I have never been on one...

 

[saborfang17]

Hello Guys!!

So I was invited to give a lecture at "Festival Internacional de Magia" in my state, not precisely my city but near here...it will be 29-30-31 october of this year...so I have time to prepare..

I decided to teach some tricks of the Lost Manifesto and give advice about actually getting a job in restaurants and audience management...also print some lecture notes and sell them...

anyway I want to hear suggestions and thoughts about how to give a lecture since I have never been on one...

I've never been either, but I would suggest pm'ing someone, like JB or some of the t11 artists. I'm sure many of them have been to lectures, even been the ones giving the lecture, enough times to know what to do.

 

[RickEverhart]

I have been to about 15 lectures and 2 workshops. Some people get workshops and lectures confused. I'll try to explain the difference in my own words.

Workshop: Hands on session for a small amount of people. 20 people at most. Everyone brings cards, coins, etc. to work at the tables and get hands on instruction. Usually lasts 2-3 hrs...sometimes 4.

Lecture: Magician shows up, demos some products while fielding questions, takes a break, comes back, demos more of his / her effects. Gives any advice, tells stories, etc. and then sells lecture notes, books, and other products from behind the table.
Crowd can be up to a few hundred depending on the venue. For the most part everyone is listening, taking notes, watching magic and enjoying themselves but NOT performing or practicing.

 

[Luis Vega]

I have been to about 15 lectures and 2 workshops. Some people get workshops and lectures confused. I'll try to explain the difference in my own words.

Workshop: Hands on session for a small amount of people. 20 people at most. Everyone brings cards, coins, etc. to work at the tables and get hands on instruction. Usually lasts 2-3 hrs...sometimes 4.

Lecture: Magician shows up, demos some products while fielding questions, takes a break, comes back, demos more of his / her effects. Gives any advice, tells stories, etc. and then sells lecture notes, books, and other products from behind the table.
Crowd can be up to a few hundred depending on the venue. For the most part everyone is listening, taking notes, watching magic and enjoying themselves but NOT performing or practicing.

great info!!!

one question..

in the workshops you teach your own material?

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

It would be unethical to teach someone else's, wouldn't it? Unless it's public domain, of course.

 

[Luis Vega]

It would be unethical to teach someone else's, wouldn't it? Unless it's public domain, of course.

that was a good answer, since I was aking myself the same thing...

another question for you and everybody...

how much time does a lecture last?
I was expecting to charge around 150 pesos(10 bucks) for the lecture notes, since the lecture itself will be free, would that be ok?

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

I think the lectures I've been to are generally about two hours for a full lecture. There's usually about an hour, then a break, then another hour. But honestly, I don't pay a lot of attention to the time because I'm usually interested in the lecture.

I can't honestly remember the prices of the lecture notes I've seen. I think Doc Eason's was $20, and was a little booklet.

So, I guess the short answer is: The lecture should be no longer than you can be interesting, and your notes should cost no more than they are worth

 

[RickEverhart]

Chris is correct. Most lectures last 2 hrs. with about a 15 minute break in the middle.
Lecture notes usually go from $10 up to $25 I've seen depending on the binding, amount of material, etc.

Most magicians charge the local club that they are lecturing at a minimum of $250.00 plus the club paying for their room and board if needed or a member of the club will let the magician stay at their home.

Some lectures are only an hour but then you DO NOT take a break. You roll right through for 60 minutes and then sell afterwards.

 

[DannyT]

Does your lecture need to be free? You should charge at least $15 admission, and give the notes away for free for paying for the lecture.
I always thought that every magician giving a lecture should have lecture notes to give to everyone at the lecture who paid for it.

Plus++
I mean, you are revealing secrets. If the lectures free, you're letting laymen in as well.

 

[RickEverhart]

Danny,
Most magicians charge either the club or IBM ring their lecture fee and additionally charge for their notes and merchandise.

For people who are not part of the said organization or ring...the ring then charges at the door anywhere between 10 and 15 bucks which then goes back to the ring.