The Magic Industry Changed. Did You?

1. What were you doing for work back in 2019? I am in I.T. Cybersecurity. Right around the end of years holidays in 2018, I had gotten laid off of a job at which I’d spent 16 years. Early into 2019, I worked a three month contract, in another state, in a city I did not want to be in. When the contract ended, I moved 1,000 miles and 4 states away, (I’m a different state than where the contract was located), for a job at another company. I had been booking the occasional strolling gig or, only when I had to out of desperation, a kids show at a church; but in order to get back on my feet financially, I had to stop performing magic altogether and focus on the move, paying bills and getting settled and caught up, (I was making slightly less money than before). So my main focus was in I.T. Cybersecurity. Specifically as a Mainframe RACF Engineer.
2. What was your big goal with magic at that time? In 2019? Magic was on hold. I’d moved somewhere new. I had no clients, no word of mouth contacts for new clients, no local magic support group, and a work schedule that kept me exhausted. Then COVID hit and any hopes of getting back on the horse evaporated completely. I became woefully unpracticed and, honestly, remain so.
3. What do you do for work now? Still a RACF Engineer for the same company.
4. What’s your goal with magic these days? I’ve moved away from close-up and strolling. I’d never been a huge fan of Mentalism, but I’ve moved my entire focus to Mentalism now. I’ve lost interest in buying the latest, greatest new magic releases. My sleight of hand is unpracticed and I’m no longer used to performing in front of crowds. Primarily, I perform short, Mentalism routines for friends and coworkers. I just performed some Mentalism at a friend’s Halloween party for the second year in a row. But I didn’t do like a parlor show or anything like that. It was mostly just one-on-one. I was setup at a table, complete with a self-ringing bell, a deck of ESP cards, a deck of marked cards, a peek wallet, Spidey’s “A.B. See” deck, Ben Seidman’s “Oracle System,” a Sharpie and a stack of billets. I’d spend 5-10 minutes with one person, (occasionally 2 people), at a time. That’s my speed now. I used to carry at the very least, a coin purse with silver dollars and an expanded shell…now I carry nothing magical. Though, on rare occasions, I will use a peek wallet as my EDC wallet…so I have that if need be; but I never actually use it. But I’m not usually walking around with magical items all “ready to go” with Mentalism as I used to do when I was into close-up magic.
5. What’s standing in your way right now? Drive and opportunity. Mostly opportunity. I don’t know how to generate or find opportunities to perform the type of one-on-one stuff I’d like to get better at doing. Not even for free to get real world practice, let alone for pay.
6. How could Ellusionist help you get there? I’m not sure. Offer supplies or courses that would help me develop in the areas of Mentalism that I have interest in, or that help me find work doing it for pay or suggest options for getting real-world practice. I’d like to do readings that incorporate Mentalism, (for entertainment purposes only, of course); so maybe some options that help me develop skills in that area. And the hardest thing: Have more frequent sales and/or keep prices affordable. Everything is going up these days except my pay. Literally. Haven’t gotten a raise in two years and have been told to just be happy I’m still employed. Meanwhile the job market for RACF Engineers is practically non-existent and the cost of everything is exponentially rising. Magic/Mentalism has become a bit of a luxury and less a hobby I spend money on like it used to be.

1. I was a niversity student in 2019.
2. At this time I started to think seriously about performing, but I lacked confidence in my ability.
3. I work as an educational assistant.
4. I would like to start performing for a fee.
5. I am overwhelmed by my lack of business experience and knowledge.
6. I need to know more about the business side of magic and how to get jobs.

Hey Ellusionist Team,

In 2019 I was working for my father-in-laws landscape company. At that time my big goal for magic, was to be confident enough to preform whenever I was out in public. As of now I work for my city’s University and my goal is to start online busking, like street preforming but at home probably on TikTok asking for tips. I am a father, full time worker, part time student at said university so what stands in my way is time to practice and preform. What could be helpful is advice on crowd working and how to ask for tips from an audience. Also the gift card would not hurt!

1) In 2019, I was a student studying design and art direction.
2)I wanted to create my own effects and flex my creativity
3)I’m an Art Director
4)To get out and perform more often
5)Just balancing work and finding time to also dedicate to performing
6)Ellusionist could definitely help me expand my magic arsenal. You guys carry so much great material that I’d be excited to practice and perform!

First of all, English is not my first language so if there are some mistakes, please forgive me. This short article really touches me and reflect my current situation.Back in 2019, I was really passionate about magic and willing to create my own magic trick for the whole world.And then a pandemic happened and military coup happened in my country, I had barely survive for my own safety and moved to abroad.Now I have no time to practice for magic but still buying some decks and magic staff, especially, I bought pirate coins from ellusionist.I am also trying to practice and perform magic again and I also hope to step forward into magic community.