As usual R1, solid post. . .
The unfortunately reality in magic (especially) is that the huge majority think in the line of whatever they select to feature in their show has to be "entertaining" because they like it. . . I can more than assure you that this isn't just wrong thinking, it's ignorance at its best.
FACT ONE: is that no two or us are alike and thus, it stands to reason that what Joe Shmoe does that works great for him probably won't work as well for us in that he has a completely different personality than we do and old Joe understood how important it was to choose effects that fit his unique sense of humor and timing.
FACT TWO: "Borrowing" effects from other acts simply makes us thieves and not entertainer -- see the above.
FACT THREE: (another echo to Fact One) Chris Carey told you decades ago that we must do the stuff that us. . . The Stuff That's You! so why are we still trying to avoid the labor of doing just that?
FACT FOUR: Just because you have the recent flavor of the month trick or a whole year's inventory of such, WILL NOT make you a "Magician". Until you learn how to create genuine enchantment with that item you will only look like another dick trying to be like the TV Heads everyone "raves" about . . . as in everyone in the magic world, the general public rarely knows nor cares who they are.
FACT FIVE: Being an Entertainer -- a True Showman -- can only be learned one way, getting out there with other real world showmen and learning first hand. You can study the books, take acting & voice lessons, and invest time with improvisation groups but until you actually learn to LISTEN with the willingness to be willing to learn and thus, willing to pay the price for the right to learn and develop that character and experienced mind, you can't be entertaining nor a true showman.
Sure there are a handful of "naturals" that come along like Luke Jermay and Josh Jay but I'll lay money on the table that both of them had experienced people that they corresponded with and listened to . . .
I place a lot of emphasis on those old books like Magic & Showmanship, Tarbell, etc. because they still have valuable insights we can learn from and evolve by. But only if and when we are willing to do so.
FACT SIX: Show biz is a far more demanding, challenging creature today; more than it's ever been. The public expects "more" out of us which means we must invest a bit more when it comes to prep-time; education, study, practice & rehearsal. We can't just run out there and do neat stuff and become an overnight success, even when our YouTube channel is getting thousands of hits a day. We've got to deliver more because of the instant realities of social media and how they can make or break you.
In a nut shell, it means getting some legit theater & oratory under your belt as well as some solid business understanding. Much of this can be had during one's high school years but most certainly in college. Take a business major and theater minor; learn about marketing and small business management as well as contract law while you are likewise learning about dance, how to properly walk and move with grace, how to speak properly and employ an intelligent sense of vocabulary, even social skills such as wine tasting, art appreciation, proper communication/conversation. All of these things are vital building blocks whether you continue with show biz or not; it will all benefit you in the long run and more so, it can expedite your ability to move forward.
FACT SEVEN: Magic Tricks aren't "entertainment", some of the most successful acts in magic history presented more gags than effects; while Carl Balentine must lead that list others, like Fred Kapps & Peter Pit must likewise be considered; true comedy was their talent while magic was their vehicle. . . a Vehicle they learned to master by way of focusing, not jumping around from one thing to the other; they focused on single effects as well as single goals, the result was nothing short of enchanting magic that was inspiring and appreciated.
The ONLY trick you must master . . . truly become an adept with . . . is yourself! You must understand who you are, why you want to do this work and where you're taking it or, to be more accurate, where it will take you. If you pause and listen to it, your own gut and what flows naturally for you, then you'll know the direction and you won't find yourself constantly struggling with impulse purchasing; you'll actually learn to ask yourself "How does that fit to my character and my goals?" If there is not proper fit you most move on without trying to justify things and prove the contrary to yourself; not listening to your gut is the quickest way to screw the pooch.
Develop a study and work ethic that cultivate that more important illusion in your collection -- YOU! If you do this and do so in ways that add to your scholastic and practical resume, you WILL with time, become that showman and solid entertainer we hear about. Understand, it's a matter of time, patience and constant practice (focus) but you will get there.
YES, there are those that can't afford the more formal modes of schooling at first. Join a circus or side show group and work the grind. And when I say Side Show, I mean the sort in which you're doing 18+ performances a day over a 12+ hour days. You'll find similar schedules in theme parks if you're more interested in convention magic situations but know that the competition is stiff and now days, you more or less have to qualify for a chief production company rather than the park, and even they want to see a couple of years of actual work under your belt.
Very few "showmen" are born though the heart might cry for the lime light. We are molded and it is a perpetual process in which we are willing participants.
