Get a Life

In December of 1986, William Shatner was guest host of Saturday Night Live. It was then he gave his “Get a Life” skit telling all his “Trekker” fans to go out into the world and to quit wrapping yourself up in a television show.

I think to a certain extent there are some magicians who really need to take this advice with magic. Some people just get too involved and wrap their whole life around magic.

It could be some magicians get into magic thinking it will make them interesting. Of course, this is a false way of thinking. In the end of any performance, it is the performer who is found interesting, not the effects.

There is a great big wonderful world outside of magic. There are different live stage shows going on besides a magic show like dramatic plays, lectures at universities, or musicals. There are television specials besides the ones that have a magician on them discussing behaviors in insects, the aftermath of certain World War II battles, and more biographies of other people besides magicians.

There are books on topics outside of magic. Public Speaking, staging, business, fashion, art, theatre, which are all topics that can help magic performances even though magic is never mentioned in them.

The challenge for the month… Attempt to break the ice with a group of people without using any magic. If it’s close-up don’t ask them if they would like to see some magic or if they have lost a pocket knife. If it is a larger platform show, don’t open with a silent act with music.

Some say within thirty seconds, establish yourself as a magician. I think after four or five tricks, some magicians are nothing more than a dog who can sit, stay and roll over because they still have no relationship with the audience.

Learn about life. Learn about the world. Don’t worry, there will still be time to work on your pass.

Magic doesn’t make a magician interesting. It is the magician who makes magic interesting.

Always wishing the best,
Adam White

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