Here's the research I presented last week! There's also some great source material here that I wasn't able to share before.
RESEARCH for VITA MAGUS
STREET MAGICIANS:
I just found a blog, with this entry: "The life of a street magician":
http://tomfrank.blogspot.com/
Here's a particularly relevant story he tells:
"A five year old girl and her father walk by, she couldn't take her eyes off me. I reach out into the air and try and find something that’s not there. I look confused and disappointed. I try again, nothing. On the third try, I pluck a silver dollar out of the air. I smile and I’m proud of myself. I look at the silver dollar as though I had never seen one like it. I slowly place it in my other hand, take the cigar out of my mouth. I raise the hand with the coin in it up to my face. I blow a thick ball of smoke at my hand and sloooowly open my hand revealing that it is gone. I register surprise and happiness on my face. She smiles so big her face turns inside out."
His experiences bring him in contact with a lot of colorful characters (a drunk who offers to speak on the magician's behalf to the authorities, a Frenchman who is a juggler and mime, among others).
The blog also describes the perils and stakes of street performance:
- If he doesn't draw a crowd, he doesn't make money, and doesn't eat!
- He has to have a permit to perform, but sometimes takes a chance and performs in an illegal spot.
- If two performers perform at once, they stagger their shows. Both get more crowds this way.
- Anything can disrupt a performance, and blow everything. A fistfight, a broken water vane, a cop, a store owner. It's a very delicate business.
- He also mentions the intimidation of working in LA, a city where people are used to far greater spectacle.
MARIO the MAGICIAN:
A video of a young, old-school magician. He's really got the attitude of Vita Magus!
Good shots of him in the city, NY. Very very cool guy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
"[Magic is about] Creating a moment for someone else where you question everything that you believe, and not in a scary way, but in the most exciting way." - Mario
"It's all about re-inforcing a kid's natural instinct to believe. And I believe that each labored over routine, each handmade prop, each gesture of controlled chaos in my performance brings this message to them in a voice louder than I could ever project in words." - Mario
MAGIC POSTERS from the 1800s:
There are pigs! Used mainly for clothing reference, since old school magician's clothes haven't changed much since the 1800's
http://retro-reklama.
DELL O'DELL the FUNTASTIC FEMAGICIAN:
Lady Magician from the 50's. Nice oldschool glam shot.
http://www.thecircusblog.com/?
PHOTOS OF STREET PERFORMERS:
A very specific look for this crew. Casual, eclectic, very fun, but super gimmicky
http://www.flickriver.com/
Vita Magus!
Tam
