“Imitation is the sincerest form of show business.”Â
— Roseanne Barr
America’s Got Talent-style shows all over the world seem to be supporting the copying of original magic acts. Take look at this shocking video from Turkey’s Got Talent. When you watch this “side-by side” video ask yourself, “Is this originality or theft?”
Are the Turkish magicians Kivanc and Burak copying the magic from Las Vegas headliners Jeff McBride, Mac King, David Copperfield and Penn & Teller? Did they copy? Watch the video and YOU be the judge!
http://cdn.isonw.com/img/SMV.mp4
What do you think: Is this kind of behavior killing our art?
Who is at fault? Is it the TV station? The performers? Some say these guys are just puppets of the TV producers who ‘have to’ copy other artists to stay on the TV show. Others say that they just don’t know it is wrong to copy! How can we help people like this learn that this is not OK? I feel that clear communication might help prevent this sort of behavior.
Dear Copy Cat Acts,
As a magic teacher, I wish to educate artists on how to protect their original material. I also want other performers to know that it is not ethical to copy other artists’ work without permission or agreements.
Young artists can prevent these situations from happening if they are well educated in the history of magic and well connected to the magic community. Here are three nuggets of wisdom for our students of the magical arts:
“Trust yourself. Think for yourself. Act for yourself. Speak for yourself. Be yourself. Imitation is suicide.â€
— Marva Collins“No man was ever great by imitation.”
–Samuel Johnson“It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.”
— Herman MelvillePlease look deep within yourself. Good things take time, energy and patience to grow. If you nurture your creativity, you will develop your own style and original work. If you cannot create your own original work, you can ask for permission before you decide to take other people’s material, art, or ideas and put them in your show. Often, other artists will help you with your projects. Personally, I really enjoy helping young magicians make good choices when it comes to performing on TV. A few simple emails or a phone call to the originators would have prevented a situation like this from happening. Let us all learn from this, and grow in our understanding of each other and our magical art.
Yours in magical community,
Jeff McBride, founder of The McBride Magic & Mystery School
Raise the Bar – Real World Restaurant and Bar Magic
with Doc Eason and Jeff McBride
This is a rare opportunity to learn from the best in the business about the secrets of how to create a career doing what you love. Learn the secrets of success from the world’s most famous “Bar Magician,” Doc Eason, and one of the world’s great magic teachers, Jeff McBride. 2 days of workshops and personal training with Jeff and Doc.
We will go to The Olive where Jeff hosts his Wonderground night club experience. Inside this venue, in real world conditions, you will see Doc in action and also get a chance to have your magic seen and receive feedback from the pros! To join us just go here: http://www.magicalwisdom.com/events#471
I will be teaching with Gaston in Germany and then will perform and teach at the Blackpool Convention in the U.K. I will be having 4 hour workshops in both countries, so please join me for the fun and magic!
Send us an email:
Germany contact Gaston:Â info@gastongaston.de
Blackpool  UK go here: http://www.blackpoolmagic.com/convention-2014/
Or email me: jeff@mcbridemagic.com
Did you know you can get free magic lessons every day at www.mcbridemagic.tv?
I’ve also been working with students via SKYPE. Learn more about that here:
http://virtual.magicalwisdom.com/infopages/view/skype
Your invitation to the BIGGEST magic party in Las Vegas!
Thursday January 16th, 2014
3 totally new and different shows
Our headliners this month are Kyle and Mistie Knight in a rare Las Vegas appearance. Here’s a sample: http://tinyurl.com/lw5s7g7
Circe Martinez – from Cuba – returns from her award winning shows in China with her amazing dove act, “Wings and Dreams.” You can see highlights here http://tinyurl.com/koo5pzw
For a full list of the line-up go to www.vegaswonderground.com
Please join us soon for one of our exciting events: online or in person!
See you in Vegas or on tour!
Jeff McBride