Ed Sumner
15 Years Experience
Staffordshire, UK
Male, 28
I perform close up magic and stand up magic. I also run a children's magic company called Ready Steady Magic. You can find out more about me on YouTube! =P
As a professional magician and Member of the Magic Circle, I work hard to create incredible events.
Feel free to ask me whatever you wish and let me reveal the secrets of what I do (but not those secrets!)
I didn't know what to expect! It's good fun though, I like meeting people and I like performing. Sometimes it feels like showing off, which is fine. I got into magic because I was interested in lots of showing off things, acting, comedy, circus, but magic was the one that stuck the most.
I guess the things I didn't realise is that it would involve so much driving. The performing time is just a small part of everything I do. I actually enjoy the running the business side, but I could do with less driving around. Wouldn't it be great if all my shows were within 15 miles.
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That isn't a question, but thank you for your kind words.
Maybe you should start with a book from the library.
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That's great, because I don't have an answer.
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I don't personally work with an assistant but although I think non-disclosure agreements are used, I don't know if they are enforceable. As I'm sure you're aware, unless it's actually tested by case law, it's difficult to say if it would be effective. I imagine that damages would have to be calculated based on loss of earnings, but again... how do you start to calculate that?
As much of magic's secrets have a long history and many people are adapting them for their own use, a better place to start would be with what is original to the show - trademarks, copyrighted performances and scripts, performance rights, can all be protected. And where there is a unique method, patents are worth looking at. You might want to read up on Teller's legal battle over his Shadow Act.
Here's one more thing to consider. I heard a great piece of advice once, which was "Never marry your assistant." It was at an event and was one of those throw away lines that got a bit of a chuckle, but actually has some reasoning behind it. Too many magicians decide to set up their show with their wife / girlfriend. If magic is your full time job, that can be a big mistake. If the relationship breaks down, and you don't want to work with your ex-partner, then how do you decide who owns what from the show. Magician's assistants these days aren't, or shouldn't be, just the pretty stage hand that brings on props. They have creative input too, even if their name isn't on the poster. Sooner or later there is going to be a divorce settlement where the ex wife says, I'm having the car, the house, the kids, half the magic props and worldwide performance rights.
My advice is hire a professional dancer and pay a professional fee. Then you can write a contract that says that the dancer is employed as part of the show, and has no right to claim any ownership of it.
Thanks for your question. Hope I got you thinking about the complex issues, even if I couldn't quite answer your question exactly.
Edit: I answered a similar question to this earlier too. I said the same thing! Good to see I'm being consistant.
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Bodybuilder
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*Shakes magic 8 ball...
"The outlook is probable"
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Sorry but I don't reveal any secrets here. Especially ones that aren't mine to give away. You'll have to ask Dynamo.
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My friend gave me some great advice the other day. The best way to be perceived as an expert in something is to first become an expert in that thing.
So in short, read a lot, practice a lot and perform a lot.
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