For all magicians, the character of what we do is to create illusions as we carry out magic tips – entertaining and superb folks by means of one of many many forms of exhibits within the enterprise, whether or not by means of sleight-of-hand or comedy magic.
However on this article I’m going to speak particularly concerning the skilled class that we magicians know as “illusionist” – the full-time efficiency and presentation of middle-sized or giant phantasm exhibits on stage with huge gear, lights, dancers and music – and what it takes for skilled and aspiring magicians to turn out to be one.
Do I must be a magician first earlier than changing into an illusionist?
Sure, it's extremely advisable. Preserve it in thoughts: to be an illusionist on stage – with giant gear, lights, music and dancers and even tv cameras – doesn't robotically make you an incredible magician.
To be an illusionist is to be a kind of magician as a lot as performing card tips, close-up magic, child’s magic exhibits or comedy magic – with some key further parts.
However as with these different classes, it is very important first examine the roots, principals and methods of magic, to see which of the kinds of magic you get pleasure from most and to coach your self on tips, displays and exhibits.
What Kind Of Magic Tips Do Illusionists Carry out?
There are mid-sized illusions and massive illusions. Usually illusionists use huge magic gear to carry out on a big stage, magic illusions akin to: making somebody levitate; making an individual fly on stage; making an individual or animal seem or disappear; chopping a physique; making predictions; and lots of extra!
Put together your self as a showman and a businessperson, studying easy methods to deal with differing kinds and sizes of audiences, in addition to advertising and marketing and promotion of your magic enterprise, earlier than transferring ahead to create your phantasm present.
There are various features to changing into an illusionist, so I'll manage this reply into 5 components:
1. Gear: The gear of an illusionist is essential. What we imply by gear refers back to the giant magic tips wanted to carry out on a mid- to large-sized stage. It is a main funding – with prices for issues like levitation tables or helicopters for magical appearances starting from a number of thousand {dollars} to $50,000 and extra. Additionally it is very heavy and takes up house, which I’ll focus on extra under.
2. Area: Now that you've got the massive gear, you want a spot to place it between exhibits, and likewise a spot to rehearse. This may require storing giant illusions in your house or paying for cupboard space. It might additionally imply renting out neighborhood facilities or different buildings for observe classes when you'll be able to unfold the illusions out and work them.
3. Presentation: Having phantasm gear shouldn't be sufficient to impress the viewers. The way in which you ship the illusions is, and it's a main a part of the act. Performing one phantasm after one other in rote vogue – levitating an individual, sawing your self in half, disappearing – could get some applause. However the actual magic comes by means of storytelling – presenting these illusions by means of a way of wonderment, shock and awe, figuring out easy methods to set up rhythm in your present and construct momentum.
4. Your staff: There are three forms of assistants that you simply as an illusionist may want, and it is very important take your time and use logic in your decisions. The folks you rent won't solely must be gifted, however they have to be reliable, punctual and reliable to keep up the secrets and techniques of the illusions. Many well-known illusionists have further private assistants or employees to deal with the press and present bookings, however basically, these are the three classes you’ll begin with:
a. Muscle: this implies the folks breaking down the heavy illusions after the present, loading them into bins and a truck and transferring them to the following vacation spot, unloading them and setting them up once more. In fact, if you're presenting back-to-back exhibits in the identical place, you'll be able to minimize a few of these steps, although you should still need assistance with set-up between exhibits.
b. Stage assistants: this may be dancers or somebody who's a part of the illusions and present, somebody you're disappearing or sawing in half, as an illustration.
c. Behind-the-scenes coordinators: that is normally the particular person or folks in control of dealing with the curtain, music, lights, microphones, dressing-room or make-up.
5. Coaching: For the phantasm present to achieve success, many items must fall into place. Coaching, observe and rehearsal are essential, not simply by you, however by the entire staff. You wish to ensure that timing and presentation – from music, dancing, lights, and microphones – work and movement completely.
Solely you'll know the reply to that. My purpose right here is to not discourage you however slightly the alternative: To encourage you, by setting you up with the steps wanted to plan out your objectives.
Because the age of 8, after I first noticed superb illusionists on the tv and determined that’s what I needed to be, it has taken a very long time for me to appreciate all that was concerned – from years of studying magic tips and methods, the totally different kinds of magic exhibits and performances, to mastering advertising and marketing and enterprise practices and discovering phantasm builders and a dependable staff.
