How does one respect magic? Fellow Magicians?

By saying a children's magician is not REALLY a magician, since he is simply using dealer items or box type tricks?

By saying an illusionist is just waving his arms while a stage crew does the work?

By saying a comedy magician is just a prop comic?

By pointing fingers and purposefully hurting a fellow brother or sister of the magical arts?

Well all too often does this happen.

We as magicians tend to be extra critical of ourselves.

We grew up playing with magic tricks and always fighting off the "know-it-all" guy on the playground, always wanting to expose how we did our favorite miracles.

So what did "evolution" do to us? It gave us a sharp tongue. A tongue which we could use to defend ourselves and our art-form when it was challenged.

But what else has this sharp tongue given us?  It's given us an edge to put down others. To willingly put down someone else's work in our own field, for no other reason than to make ourselves look better, because we don't do that style of magic, we don't own those big illusions, or perhaps just because we don't want to see someone else get the credit for something WE know WE can do BETTER.

In the same fashion we EXPECT our audiences to respect what we are doing on stage, in a close up setting, or even in a living room or hotel ballroom - WE NEED TO RESPECT EACH OTHER.

As a family entertainer, I have the utmost respect for those who perform close up magic. They have dedicated a lot of time & practice to their work with coins or a deck of cards, something I never had nor do have the desire to do. But I do not put them down for their love.

A friend of mine does shows for audiences 8 yrs of age & under. He never wanted to become an illusionist, a national champion of magic, or a corporate entertainer. Do I look down upon his niche market - NO! He is a well established and well respected magician in his market.

Another friend is a terrific part time magician who works restaurants exclusively. He supports a family with his 9 to 5 job and works close up in restaurants on the weekends. His slight of hand is out of this world. But he isn't a full time pro. Does that make him any less of a magician? NO.

Yet another friend of mine is a corporate entertainer or INFO-tainer as Joel bauer calls him. He uses magic to sell a companies product line and draw people into their trade show booth. He isn't doing fancy slights, or making kids laugh like crazy. He isn't even doing illusions with pretty girls. BUT he is making a fortune at selling with magic. Does that make him any less of a magician? NO.

Let us not forget what a magician is:

A magician is anyone who entertains through the use of magic, illusion, sleight of hand, mentalism, or trickery. Although anyone can do tricks, a magician is more: he is skilled at the art of deception, a master of language, and an apparent manipulator of the laws of physics.

It takes more than knowing the secrets to the tricks to be an effective magician... it takes understanding the thinking of the audience. It takes practice and patience to master the biggest of stage illusions and smallest sleights as well as the patter used in tricks. Often, the patter itself is a major tool in the misdirection needed to accomplish a sleight or illusion.

The effective magicians has at least an elementary understanding of psychology. The magicians worthy of respect also treats his audience with respect. Performing magic effectively requires dedication beyond just a technical skill. There are MANY people who are good at slight of hand but cannot entertain. It's one thing for an audience member to say, "wow - that's cool looking," and it's another to say, 'Wow - that guy was fun - I want to see him again."

As you read this, answer yourself this question. Am I guilty of putting my fellow magi down for his choice of study & performance?

Am I guilty of seeing the true value in my fellow magi's work?

A I guilty of making someone feel bad or feel like any less of a magician because I didn't respect him or her?

HOW TO TREAT OTHER MAGICIANS WITH RESPECT

It's easy - all you have to do is treat people the way you like to have them treat you. Here are a few ideas.

* Don't insult people or make fun of them.

* Listen to others when they speak.

* VALUE other people's opinions.

* Be considerate of people's likes and dislikes.

* Don't mock or tease people.

* Be sensitive to other people's feelings.

* Don't pressure someone to do something he or she doesn't want to do.

We live in a diverse community that is show business. Much in the same way it would be wrong for a musician [who is a drummer] to make fun of someone who plays the trumpet or the violin, it is wrong for a stage magician to poke fun at a children's magician and vise versa.

The kind of variety inside magic can make all our lives a lot more fun and interesting, but only if we get along with each other. And to do that we have to respect each other. In addition to the list above, here are some ways we can respect magicians who are different from us.

* Try to learn something from the other magician - about his area.

* Never stereotype people.

* Show interest and appreciation for other artistic backgrounds.

* Don't go along with what the local magic club says about someone. Form you own opinions.

I hope this article has shed some light on an issue I can remember reading about when I was a teenage magician and it's sadly STILL an issue today.

Today, this week, this month, take a few moments to respect those other magicians you know and/or work with and if not to them, just to yourself... acknowledge their skill, their work, their dedication and their love of magic - which is no different than yours when it comes to the bottom line...We do magic because we all love the thrilling journey it takes us on with our audience.

Do what you love, and love what you do.