Ahh! Too many people!

[James Wise Magic]

Ok, I first want to note that I'm not trying nor speaking from a concieted state. I'm just being honest and blunt, so please do not think I'm being coneited, because I'm not



Anyways, At my high school, and even in my city, I've become a more or less celebrity because everytime I'm in the hallways, lunch, class, going home, people are always like, " Oh hey it's the magician! Do some magic!" And of course I usually do because I love performing and it's fun. Even out of school, I'll be at walmart or at the movies and someone will walk past me and be like, "Aren't you that guy on youtube that does those magic tricks???" And they usually want me to show them something, and I do. Everyone now and then, I actaully have people asking for my autograph. It's weird cuz I'm not use to this kind of attention. It's awesome and cool, but weird at the same time.


I've been hired by my school at least 5 or 6 times to perform at some event that the school is doing and they usually pay me like $50-$100! Today was the first time I performed Watermark for a live audience and I got REACTIONS! I had about 9.5/10 of the cafeteria around me, even the teachers and principles were watching me. It's really awesome!

But like I said it's really strange because I'm not use to this kind of attention.

How do I approch this?

Because even though it's freaking awesome, it is causing problems. I've become frequently late for my classes, teachers will sometimes get frustrated because everyone is like protesting for me to perform and I'm just stuck in the corner being like, "sorry guys". People tell me to just say, "Oh sorry, I can't do one right now cuz I'm busy, but I'll do one next time." Well that beats me up inside as a magician because I feel like I HAVE to perform for them. Now, I know I don't have to, but it's like a pet peeve to not satisfy their magic needs.
So, any advice?

 

[visualartist]

Welcome to the club.
Relish it,but dont let it get to your head.

You dont HAVE to do anything. Leave them wanting more.

 

[Davejusttyped]

In the words of Derren Brown, nothing takes away from the mistique like "reducing it to dance magic Monkey, dance". That being said, there is a fine line between what you seem to be talking about and what Derren mentioned- just be aware of it. You are allowed to have an off day- you're not 'on the clock'.


Best of luck in everything
Dave

 

[Randy]

Less is more. Make them want it and make it less of an ordinary thing.

Treat it like Christmas. If Christmas came every day, it would suck and end up being boring. But sense it comes once a year. it tends to be more of a joyous thing.

 

[James Wise Magic]

In the words of Derren Brown, nothing takes away from the mistique like "reducing it to dance magic Monkey, dance". That being said, there is a fine line between what you seem to be talking about and what Derren mentioned- just be aware of it. You are allowed to have an off day- you're not 'on the clock'.


Best of luck in everything
Dave

alright, but what exactly do I say to them?

 

[r.zhang]

alright, but what exactly do I say to them?

Wave, smile, say "Hi," and tell them that you're busy at the moment. Or just talk to them and let them get to know you. Let them know that you have more to offer than your magic.

 

[magicman1040]

I'm in the same situation at my school EVERYONE asks me to do tricks but I only do them when it's some type of off time when I don't need to focus on the class, so I usually tell them I'll show them a trick later or smile and promise them a later performance.

 

[magicman]

Sounds like an opportunity to promote yourself and whichever vendor that hires you.

"I would love to show you something right now but the only trick that I can show you is my disapearing act...I have to tend to other things that I need to get in order. However, if you want to see some great material, you can catch me at ....".

This way they can respect your time and you give them the added anticipation towards your next show and whomever hires you. When there's more people at those venues, it usually means an increase in sales or exposure to what they are promoting thus more repeat bookings.

 

[Justin.Morris]

them wanting more.

I second this.

 

[ZacEckstein]

Go with it.

 

[Nino]

Welcome to the club.
Relish it,but dont let it get to your head.

You dont HAVE to do anything. Leave them wanting more.

I agree. Now I need to do English homework.

 

[OpticalDelusionist]

Like others said, you don't HAVE to do stuff. Tell them that you won't do it now. Don't say you don't want to, say you won't, because that is much more commanding. They may be left kinda dissapointed, but I sat with a group of people at lunch that would just keep asking me over and over. Eventually I just said, "No, I'm not doing magic today." It worked pretty well.

 

[Nino]

Like others said, you don't HAVE to do stuff. Tell them that you won't do it now. Don't say you don't want to, say you won't, because that is much more commanding. They may be left kinda dissapointed, but I sat with a group of people at lunch that would just keep asking me over and over. Eventually I just said, "No, I'm not doing magic today." It worked pretty well.

But Carter they would just ask Joe to see a trick and he always say yes.

 

[Randy]

Maybe he needs to learn how to stop being a doormat than. If you keep saying "Yes" to every request, they will simply walk all over you and you will have no control over your life or career if you want one. You need to learn to put your foot down. It's really not that hard. "Maybe some time later." "I didn't bring my (insert prop here.)" "Nah, maybe next week." "Busy at the moment." "Get bent." "Piss off." something in those lines.

 

[praetoritevong]

You've obviously got the authority as a magician to have them hanging onto your every performance. So use the same authority and simply tell them not now. School is more important, obviously.

 

[RDChopper]

FIuf! Close call!

I thought for a second that you were getting popular because of the way you are.

After all, we magicians dont have personality, we just copy them therefore we cant be popular being someone else.

Fiuf!

 

[Cedric Taylor]

Welcome to the club.
Relish it,but dont let it get to your head.

You dont HAVE to do anything. Leave them wanting more.

james..i know that it feels good man....its celeb status...visual artist said it right..don't let it go to your head tho...be humble and trust me....they will flock to you even more....isn't it a great thing tho???

 

[tokyoUW]

to the OP...

You said you did not mean to be conceited or anything... but you could have gotten exactly the same question across, and received the exact same answers with only writing half of the last paragraph...

"I get asked to perform a lot at school, and sometimes I am late for class... I feel I need to perform when I am asked... how do I deal with this pressure/ situation?"

See, simple. If you say "I do not want to act conceited," then actually don't because the only thing worse than someone who is conceited, is someone who says they aren't, but actually can't stop talking about themselves.

 

[RickEverhart]

As everyone else has said, "Welcome to the club...ha ha" It is very cool to get the attention, however, I've seen it destroy some magicians where they let it build their ego so big that nobody wants to be around them anymore.

You can be a likable, popular guy but seriously....don't let everyone decide for you when and where you are going to perform. Once this gets out of hand, it is too late.

Maybe you can pick one day out of the week and that is the day you show an effect. It will give them all something to look forward to and lets you take care of your school work.

Less is definitely more. When I first started out 8 years ago, I wanted to show off everything I had in my arsenal in a 20 min time frame. It got old real fast. People weren't impressed anymore because I was rushing through everything and then I learned that presentation is a huge part as well as "leave them wanting more."

Now if I do an impromptu performance it is a 2-3 effect limit that fries them and asking for business cards.

 

[JustinWay13]

My friend, Ryan Fox, and I went to the same school district high schools. We know A LOT of people. When we go to the mall or go hangout we always hear "hey, its the magicman" or " hey show us a magic trick". Sometimes we get people coming up to us asking to see a trick. Well, Ryan and I know so many people that we forget who knows who. The other day we were at the mall and someone said "HEY its the magic man" and we looked at them then at each other and we both yelled out "hey". afterwards we asked each other which one of us knew her. it was funny.

Thanks
Justin Way