On T.V.

ZacEckstein · Jul 23, 2009

There is a small chance I might get on local televison in the coming months. I am working on a 30 to 45 min. magic special. (Filmed in San Antonio). And I was wondering, if I was to do the Sky Walker Levitation, would people ask me to do that non-stop every time they see me? Obviously you can't just levitate willy nilly. So what are your thoughts?

cm763 · Jul 23, 2009

30-45 minutes of original material? Or material that you're securing the rights for (since you can't just perform other peoples effects on the air without their consent)? Either way, that'd be awesome to see! Hopefully you'll be allowed to post it online for us to see.

ZacEckstein · Jul 23, 2009

cm763 said:
30-45 minutes of original material? Or material that you're securing the rights for (since you can't just perform other peoples effects on the air without their consent)? Either way, that'd be awesome to see! Hopefully you'll be allowed to post it online for us to see.

They are my takes on them. ( I will try to get permission for some if not I just won't do them)

EDIT:: I don't think you need permission, but I will ask respectively.

joshrobarts · Jul 23, 2009

local television no, although it is polite, however if it is national television, i.e. syndicated than yes you do need the permission of the creator of the effect to perform them as well as any music you may use for a routine

ZacEckstein · Jul 23, 2009

jrobarts05 said:
local television no, although it is polite, however if it is national television, i.e. syndicated than yes you do need the permission of the creator of the effect to perform them as well as any music you may use for a routine

Wow, thanks! That's a load off my mind! I make my own music so that isn't a problem either way. Just out of curiosity, how would you go about getting permission? I know they don't open a lot of their mail so how do you ask so they will pay attention?

ZacEckstein · Jul 23, 2009

I have another question. Let's say I am filming and for example the Hard Rock cafe is in the shot. Do I need their permission to put it in film?

joshrobarts · Jul 23, 2009

if you title email's with "permission for broadcast" they tend to pay more attention, also some have managers or support staff or specific link on sites to ask for that permission specifically. as for the hard rock, i dont know. but i would assume not, its a landscape, as long as your not within it shooting, or referencing it directly its pretty much landscape. i wouldn't worry about that. for them, its at best free advertising

ZacEckstein · Jul 23, 2009

jrobarts05 said:
if you title email's with "permission for broadcast" they tend to pay more attention, also some have managers or support staff or specific link on sites to ask for that permission specifically. as for the hard rock, i dont know. maybe someone else can shed some light

Okay thanks.

Wallmott · Jul 23, 2009

jrobarts05 said:
local television no, although it is polite, however if it is national television, i.e. syndicated than yes you do need the permission of the creator of the effect to perform them as well as any music you may use for a routine

No you dont need any permission, you can take almost any effect and performe it on national television and the creator cant do anything about it. You might get disrespected in the magic community but legally they cant do anything about it.

ZacEckstein · Jul 23, 2009

Wallmott said:
No you dont need any permission, you can take almost any effect and performe it on national television and the creator cant do anything about it. You might get disrespected in the magic community but legally they cant do anything about it.

Oh, okay. Thank you for replying

Cedric Taylor · Jul 23, 2009

Z-Magic said:
There is a small chance I might get on local televison in the coming months. I am working on a 30 to 45 min. magic special. (Filmed in San Antonio). And I was wondering, if I was to do the Sky Walker Levitation, would people ask me to do that non-stop every time they see me? Obviously you can't just levitate willy nilly. So what are your thoughts?

omg, thats great zac...i hope everything goes well if you do any levitation that amazes, you'll be asked to do so over and over...

ZacEckstein · Jul 23, 2009

Cedric Taylor said:
omg, thats great zac...i hope everything goes well if you do any levitation that amazes, you'll be asked to do so over and over...

Yea, I guess so. i am wondering if it is a good idea... hmmm...

William Draven · Jul 23, 2009

I've been on national TV like 4 times now and people don't ask me to pound a spike into my skull everytime I'm in public. Don't get me wrong the exposure will be great but it won't result in instant fame.

You'll be okay to levitate without people expecting it of you.

ZacEckstein · Jul 23, 2009

William Draven said:
I've been on national TV like 4 times now and people don't ask me to pound a spike into my skull everytime I'm in public. Don't get me wrong the exposure will be great but it won't result in instant fame.

You'll be okay to levitate without people expecting it of you.

Alright! Thanks for telling me. Especially since you have had experience.

James Smith · Jul 23, 2009

Wow, sounds like a lot of fun. Good luck with everything.

ZacEckstein · Jul 23, 2009

DaveyG said:
Wow, sounds like a lot of fun. Good luck with everything.

Thanks bro. it will be so much fun filming there. The river walk is such a hot spot! Plus, I don't usually get the chance to perform out of the Rio Grande Valley to often.

Justin.Morris · Jul 24, 2009

Yes definitely do something very memorable (like levitating). Make sure before you shoot to talk with the camera man about best viewing angles and tell them to stay put. Most camera would want the best shot (which would be ground level obviously), so discourage them. I read somewhere in another discussion on this similar topic that one person even tipped some methods to the camera man to let them know the importance of getting the proper shot for the most convincing angles. Not sure how necessary that is, but you would hate to be 'busted' by an eager camera man.

The Now · Jul 24, 2009

I strongly recommend against the Skywalker. Personally, I really would not want to see the Skywalker Levitation on television in any form. Mainly because it hasn't been touched yet, by the media and I don't think it should be seen on such a wide scale. That is one gem i believe should be reserved as a live experience only.

I would really appreciate you not using that particular levitation.

William Draven · Jul 24, 2009

meh. Your fame, work, exposure, and footage for your demo reel or some one (singular) guys opinion on the net that you don't know and probably won't meet. Your choice in the end, but I say do the levitation!

Sorry Now, nothing personal

ZacEckstein · Jul 24, 2009

jtmorris said:
Yes definitely do something very memorable (like levitating). Make sure before you shoot to talk with the camera man about best viewing angles and tell them to stay put. Most camera would want the best shot (which would be ground level obviously), so discourage them. I read somewhere in another discussion on this similar topic that one person even tipped some methods to the camera man to let them know the importance of getting the proper shot for the most convincing angles. Not sure how necessary that is, but you would hate to be 'busted' by an eager camera man.

The camera men know how I do it solely for the fact that they know where to be instantly when I say what effect i am about to do. We are all on the same level.