How do professional magicians make money aside from magic. Starting out I can assume that money would be difficult so how do they? What kind of jobs do you have aside from making money from magic?
Magician money...
- Thread starter canadamagic
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I would think that most of them at one point in time had a job and did magic as a hobby and then it grew into being the sole income which allowed them to jump ship on their other job.
However, many professional magicians probably still do have other part time jobs when the money is not coming in steadily.
Professionals can make money through lectures, convention appearances, trade shows, private shows, product releases, etc. but sometimes this probably isn't enough depending on the lifestyle they choose to live.
Unless you are a big name guy, you probably do not make tons of cash.
However, many professional magicians probably still do have other part time jobs when the money is not coming in steadily.
Professionals can make money through lectures, convention appearances, trade shows, private shows, product releases, etc. but sometimes this probably isn't enough depending on the lifestyle they choose to live.
Unless you are a big name guy, you probably do not make tons of cash.
A lot of magicians hold onto full and part time work until their income from magic can fully support them.
As a guise though, if you get into restaurant work you can develop a steady income with just a few hours a night a few nights a week, and still take private parties and gigs to supplement the income.
Depending on the restaurant, and your ability to sell yourself, anywhere from 40-100$ an hour plus tips, and the opportunity to take private gigs.
You can make a comfortable income with 4 hour nights just a few nights a week, assuming you don't want to be overly rich.
Creators, Daniel Garica and Wayne Houchin as examples, also make money through their products. All of the dvd's they put out are a regular source of income as people buy them month to month, as well as the big surge at the release where they probably get a good sum of money with the first wave of purchases.
As a guise though, if you get into restaurant work you can develop a steady income with just a few hours a night a few nights a week, and still take private parties and gigs to supplement the income.
Depending on the restaurant, and your ability to sell yourself, anywhere from 40-100$ an hour plus tips, and the opportunity to take private gigs.
You can make a comfortable income with 4 hour nights just a few nights a week, assuming you don't want to be overly rich.
Creators, Daniel Garica and Wayne Houchin as examples, also make money through their products. All of the dvd's they put out are a regular source of income as people buy them month to month, as well as the big surge at the release where they probably get a good sum of money with the first wave of purchases.
I believe it is...all young illusionists just need to listen
Wayne Houchin, among others, have pushed getting a college degree even if you're already making money as a magician. The fallback and the extra education can't hurt you, but not having them can.
Advice is given every day, in many ways, and if you know where to look you can find it easily. I'm lucky enough to enjoy reading theory and business-esk magic articles just as much as practicing new tricks.
kool.....i wish you could write a full topic on this.....I believe it is...all young illusionists just need to listen
Wayne Houchin, among others, have pushed getting a college degree even if you're already making money as a magician. The fallback and the extra education can't hurt you, but not having them can.
Advice is given every day, in many ways, and if you know where to look you can find it easily. I'm lucky enough to enjoy reading theory and business-esk magic articles just as much as practicing new tricks.
Look, this is going to be as real as it gets. Making money doing magic is childs play, paying your bills and living off performing magic is harder than hell.
There's a bit of a sick joke in the industry. It's a term used to describe most novice, amature, or newly professional magicians. It's called "Starving Artist." It's a sick joke because it's very true, and everyone goes through that phase. You'd cut your own throat just to get a chance to land a gig that MAY pay chump change if your lucky, but you do it gladly for exposure.
The nebulous period of time between "starving artist" and "established entertainer" is known as "paying your dues" and can last as short as a week or as long as several years. It's diffrent for each person based on experience, luck, situation, where you live, etc.
The good news is that usually anyone who stays with it long enough usually does enjoy some degree of success as an entertainer. While most of us don't and won't know the level of fame or fortune as Criss Angel or David Blaine, we can hope to achieve local "town hero" success where we're the go to guy or gal for entertainment when needed. This is arguably easier anywhere else OTHER than Los Angeles where 95% of the working population falls into the "starving artist" catagory somewhere.
On average, it usually takes someone about five years to become established enough to where they can see some progressive movement in their career. Again though this number is as ambigious as the time frame between being a no body and being established.
The important thing to do for income between dying and thriving is to find a job that will both understand and support your desire to entertain and eventually become an entertainer. This means that (usually) retail and sales jobs are out. Most sales jobs want to own your soul, and retail doesn't fall far behind, with seasonal sales and what not around the holidays. It's just hard to find the time off to do gigs, and keep the job. Most people turn to Food Service for this reason. Usually food service is good about getting you the time off for the gigs you want to work. Ever heard of the joke: Person A: "Hi! I'm an actor!" Person B: "Really? What resteraunt do you work at?" ...it's like the starving artist thing. It's only funny because it's so true.
I myself am lucky enough to work for a major motion picture studio. My company understands gigs, and is usually willing to work with me for any time off that I need, baring some few exceptions.
Hope that answers your question, all the best to you!
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Thanks very much, I knew it was going to be a hard thing to do and will probably be a slim chance at real fame. But never the less worth a shot. Thanks very much all who commented, hopefully I can look at some gigs soon.