Research Questions

[Sammy Teahan]

Hello all,
I'm a college student as well as a fellow magician. For one of my final projects I am writing research essay on web forums dealing with magic. Specifically how magic communities differ from other groups on the internet and some of the traditions and customs here. Below are just a couple of questions for you to answer if you have the time. My paper will only be read by my professor and its strictly for academic purposes. Any of your support is greatly appreciated!

1. Are you a professionally performing magician?
2. Have you ever participated in a live jam session with another member from Theory11?
3. What are some of the unspoken rules or customs that newcomers aren't usually aware of?
4. Is there anything else interesting about this group that you would like to mention? (traditions, legends, etc.)

Also, feel free to email or PM me if you would like your answers private. But again, anything you could do would help me a bunch!
-Sam

 

[eostresh]

You realize there is a poll option? It might make this easier and thus you might get a better response.

 

[Josh Burch]

1. Are you a professionally performing magician?
Performing yes, professional meaning that more than 50 percent of my income is from magic? No.

2. Have you ever participated in a live jam session with another member from Theory11?
No

3. What are some of the unspoken rules or customs that newcomers aren't usually aware of?
Absolutely no exposure or piracy is tolerated.

4. Is there anything else interesting about this group that you would like to mention? (traditions, legends, etc.)
The things that keep me comming back to these forums are the Saturday contests and the web show Expose

 

[Craig Browning]

1. Are you a professionally performing magician?
I’m semi-retired but worked full-time either on stage or as a technician for most of the past 40 years. At the height of my performing career I was doing 150-200 shows annually (big illusion show)

2. Have you ever participated in a live jam session with another member from Theory11?
NOPE! I’m one of the old farts around here, we don’t think the same way.

3. What are some of the unspoken rules or customs that newcomers aren't usually aware of?

• The Value of Books and Learning From Books vs. DVDs and other such media
  
• The Value of Researching the Effects You Plan to Perform so You Honestly KNOW Them, Their History, and Possible Variations That May Better Fit Your Personal Style or Even Improve the General Effect.
  
• The Difference Between “Practicing” a trick and “Rehearsing” a Routine
  
• Understanding that “Show Biz” is a Hardened & Cruel Mistress that Requires You to Have a Thick Skin as well as Determination & Vision.
  
• Realizing That Just Because You Get $20.00 for Doing A Trick YOU AREN’T A PROFESSIONAL! You’re just another hobbyist that’s picked-up some pocket cash. This is why clubs have always had the membership notation of “Semi-Pro” or “Weekend Warrior” as it were. Getting paid is not the only requisite to being a “professional” and to succeed in this or most any vocation, you must learn to apply the social and cultural dynamics of “Professionalism”.
  
• PATIENCE is the one Virtue Needed for Genuine Success & Recognition within the Art. Don’t run out trying to publish or market every epiphany you believe you’ve had, it will only make you look like a fool. On the other hand, when you share freely within established publications your name will become known alongside a reputation that encourages trust by others when it comes to the things you share. Then, when it is time to honestly and humbly introduce something of market value, your profit will prove greater as will the return. So take your time riding the slow boat that moves towards a destination vs. the faster boat that tends to run wild until it’s out of gas.

4. Is there anything else interesting about this group that you would like to mention? (traditions, legends, etc.)
I’m honestly not that involved with T-11. I recognize it as one of the leaders of the “New” magic culture just as Ellusionist and others are. I can extend kudos for some of the things they’ve contributed but like many in my generational group, I do not agree with a large amount of their practice and focus in that it seems to shoot for short-cuts and commercialistic dynamics more than encouraging the kind of quality that comes from self-application and actual study – understanding magic tradition over-all, as well as it’s many facets.