Back in 2019, I had one goal: perform magic full-time.
No backup plan. No “safety net.” Just a deck of cards and a head full of delusion that passion alone could pay the bills.
Then the world shut down. Venues closed. Gigs vanished. And suddenly, “being a performer” felt more like a dream than a job description.
Five years later, I prefer the stability of a paycheck. The structure. The security. The comfort of knowing rent will get paid, even if I don’t pick up a deck for a month.
But I started wondering… am I alone in that?
Did the pandemic change how you see magic too?Did it make the dream smaller - or sharper?Did it turn your passion into a hobby again?
I want to know where the community stands now.Not just the pros, but everyone - from bedroom cardists to working mentalists.
So tell me:
1. What were you doing for work back in 2019?2. What was your big goal with magic at that time?3. What do you do for work now?4. What’s your goal with magic these days?5. What’s standing in your way right now?6. How could Ellusionist help you get there?
Respond below with your answers and we'll pick one comment at random to win a $100 Ellusionist Gift Card. (Yes, really. No catch. We just want to hear from you.)
158 comments
Miguel
1. What were you doing for work back in 2019? Customer Service for Amazon
2. What was your big goal with magic at that time? Building a show with transitions in between tricks that tie together for a complete act.
3. What do you do for work now? Still work at Amazon customer service
4. What’s your goal with magic these days? My goal is to gain more followers on my social media and turn that into paid shows for the year.
5. What’s standing in your way right now? Only my mindset which is slowly starting to realize I can do this.
6. How could Ellusionist help you get there? This year was my first year branching out and performing professionally and getting paid gigs so I use their products constantly for my variety of shows from my serious Mentalism act at a local bar to fun private kids parties. They have something for everyone and every kind of act.
Robert Bailey
I stopped doing stage magic with large props and switched to flowers.levitations and close up magic. and I am working on new routines.My advise is don’t give up keep on working.
Julian Garcia
1. What were you doing for work back in 2019?
In 2019, I was studying at university and working as a magician in a restaurant.
2. What was your big goal with magic at that time?
Back then, my dream was to perform on stage or have a TV show. It seemed impossible at the time because I didn’t have stage material, and although I got the opportunity to do a TV program, my university and job schedule didn’t allow enough time for it. Also, the show didn’t work out well — people weren’t really watching it.
3. What do you do for work now?
Currently, I work as a designer and perform stage magic in a small theater with about 300 seats. I also do close-up magic in three different venues.
4. What’s your goal with magic these days?
My goal is to compete at FISM with my manipulation act.
5. What’s standing in your way right now?
The only real obstacle is money. I’m from Colombia, and spending in dollars is difficult — traveling to Korea is very expensive.
6. How could Ellusionist help you get there?
Maybe with some mentoring for my routine. I have many ideas, but I don’t always know how to make them a reality. If I could get some kind of sponsorship or support, I would do everything I could to give back and make the most of the opportunity.
Dan
1. I was a Senior Voice and Network Engineer
2. I was on a magic break but trying to find a way back to being able to perform anytime anywhere
3. I recently lost my job so plenty of time to study magic
4.&5. Well not having a job is my biggest concern but my hurdle is finding bulletproof simple material and working on scripting and presentation so I can be confident in performing again.
6. Give me a job? Just kidding, I would like to see products that help develop an act, staging, blocking how you migrate from one trick to another that would be super helpful
David
1 in 2019 I was a full time entertainer.
2 my goal was to eventually achieve more close up magic gigs rather than kids parties.
3 I am back full time performing again.
4 My goal is now to be able to just get weddings and corporate close up magic gigs rather than kids parties.
I am closer to that goal now than I ever have been.
5 marketing budgets
6 keep on coming out with real workers…not stuff that can only work on social media but stuff that hits hard in the real world.
You could also tell everyone you know how good I am 🤪🤪
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