Hey guys.

I was just thinking of this as I made my first foray into psychological magic. What is success as a magician? Is it the ability to do misdirection? Complicated legerdemaine (chim way of saying sleight of hand)? Or winning a competition? Or is it spectator reaction?

I always thought spectator reactions were the key until I realised that as I got better, I got better spectator reactions but on some occasions when I did not expect I got an unbelievably good response and conversely negative responses when I expected good ones.

So whats your gauge of succesS?
CS

Spectator Reactions. We exist to entertain the public. Nothing more, nothing less.

This point is emphasized in MANY magical texts that deal with presentation (Strong Magic, Absolute Magic, etc)

If you didn't get the response you hoped for, always ask yourself critically why. If the response was overwhelming, what caused it? Add it into your normal routine if possible.

On a side note, many FAR FAR TOO MANY magicians define success as 'fame among magicians'. I could ramble on about it but well.. it's late and I'm sleepy. =)

On second thought, I think I might want to add on to that so say success is consistent, predictable spectator reactions because it implies that you know the ins and outs and subtleties of magic.

Depending on the magician which are if you perform magic to entertain people, the sucess is measured by how well you can entertain. If you are a magician like richard turner, dai vernon, etc, i don't know how to call them, they perform magic to show in a more professional manner, so good that not everyone will enjoy it. It's like a tv show where the cartoon(just to entertain) vs the documentary(people like dai vernon).

How about money and fame?

I suppose David Blaine is a very successful magician in many people's eyes. He is world famous (at least to lay people), he influenced many to magic and I'm pretty sure he earns a lot.

Compare him with Cyril (magicians generally agree he is better than Blaine). But he is not as famous (mabe only to the Youtube generations), not many know his name and I suspect he earned less than Blaine too.

So who's the more successful one?

Being respected and being successful are two very different criterias.

PS: I realized I'm talking about professionals here. If talking about amateurs (people not earning their livelihood from magic), then audience reaction is the No 1 criteria.

Its still the same. We exist to entertain the public. Don't tell me you suddenly become professional magician then no need to listen to audience anymore?

In my opinion, only a few magicians can truly lay claim to 'successful'

1) David Copperfield
2) David Blaine
3) Chriss Angel
4) Cyril Takayama
5) Harry Houdini

Reason? Ask any lay person to name a magician. One of these names pop out. Now watch what happens. Most likely the layperson will begin to describe something amazing that he/she saw.

He/she was entertained.

The 4 names have achieved fame among LAYPEOPLE. Simply because they entertain the public, and they do it DAMM WELL. With that comes money, fame, and "success".

Among magicians? *pffft* Someone invents a 'move' and get famous. Which is fine except that that doesn't count as a successful "magician".

But Matt, by saying that, you are implying that people like Lance Burton is not as successful because laypeople don't know him?
The people you named is famous because they market themselves aggressively, and appear on national TV.

Talk about audience reaction, a bedroom magician who shows only friends and relative magic tricks could possibly receive the same reactions that David Blaine got from his spectator.

Success is very subjective. Some seek sleight of hand perfection, others go for audience reactions. Even audience reaction is very subjective, some go crazy when they see a amazing feat, others just give a simple nod and smile, while others show no emotion. But inside, they may all be experiencing the same emotion, just expressing them differently.

Important thing is how your audience feel and think, not how they react.

But most importantly, you are a successful magician if you can show people how good you are, rather then having to brag about how good you are/how much (you think) you know.

Also, you are successful if you know you are successful, and you don't need others to tell you you are successful.


ZiAn

Think we all got different definitions about success.

To Matt: Yes, no doubt audience reaction is THE criteria in any performing arts, no matter pro or amatuer. I wasn't trying to dispute that. Ok, the reason I differentiate them is because $$$ earned is really a true measurement of the pro's worth in the marketplace. Look, in sales line, the only KPI is how much sales you make, not how good you can do a presentation. Granted, the person who can do a better presentation can generally produce more. But haven't we seen magicians who are not as technically proficient but earning a lot more than others?

Maybe, we can ask, what makes a great magician? Instead of "sucessful".

Yup Axl, that's a good point.

So what makes a great magician? But even 'greatness' is subjective.
So how like that?


ZiAn

My opinion:

A great magician will be someone who...

1) is technically very competent.
2) can provide great entertainment to those who watch him.
3) repected by fellow magicians, well-liked by laypeople.

Fame and income actually doesn't reflect a magician's technical abilities but rather his marketing and selling skills.

For magicians who fit the bill, I can only think of David Copperfield now.... of course there are more.

Like the guy in Theory11's video said, "If your audience have not said you are the best magician they have ever seen, you have not done your job."

Success is when people remember you.

Adeline Yong Tian!

I was just performing some card magic and spoon bending today and this girl who visited my church's lifegroup asked if I know you. Her name is QQ or something. She said that she was from your secondary school and that you were very good. Always practicing in your secondary school. About how you can float objects, etc. She said that you are performing part time now and asked if I perform too.

Just two weeks back. I was performing magic for Christopher Yong, my neighbour and he mentioned two magicians that he know who are very good. He mentioned Daryl Ho who used to be in the same church. Always performing to girls when he goes clubbing. Full of fanciful florishes :!!: Daryl, your reputation precedes you.

He also mentions Shufi, who performed a lot in same army camp Say that Shufi is very good.

That is what I call successful. When people remember you for years after your performance and still sing accolades of you years later - in these cases, their fame has even spread overseas ... in Brisbane, Australia.