November 2009—www.fortworthmagiciansclub.org—Volume 2009 Issue 11 Next Meeting: 6:30—8:00 p.m. Thursday, November 5, 2009 — Tandy Lecture Hall—Fort Worth Public Library

The “Classics of Magic” ~ November Program

On A Personal Note . . . [Editor’s notice: This column is dedicated to news about our members and friends in the greater North Texas magic com-munity, particularly regarding those who are under the weather, recovering, and those of our community whom we unfortunately lose. As we can, we will provide mailing addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers for our colleagues and their families. To this end, please send your information to Geoff Grimes at ggrimes1@aol.com or call at 972-740-3125.

Other Features: “Magic and Marketing—Part 2,” “Theater of Magic” Gala hosts 150 spectators

The “Classics of Magic” will charm members and their guests at the November 5 meeting of the Fort Worth Magicians Club. Many of the fascinating effects that defined the magical kingdom of our older youth—will come alive at the Tandy Lecture Hall. Michael Dimsdle will perform linking rings, Larry Heil will regale us with the sympathetic silks. Tom Dyer will perform a one-coin routine, and Bruce Chadwick will follow with “Find the Lady.” After Bronson Chadwick reveals “The Dancing Cane,” Logan Stadtman will present his qualifying act with the “Multiplying Billiard Balls.” Geoff Grimes will begin a “Teach-a-Trick” series from the Harlan Tarbell series.

Program Themes Announced for New Year

Volunteer performances highlight fall club member activities Larry Heil, Van McGee, Hal Hudgins, Elena Ponsler, and Geoff Grimes opened for Bruce Chadwick’s “Theater of Magic” Illusion Show held Octo-ber 24th at Mountain View College, the fall public service event sponsored by the “Mark Wilson” Magic Club at MVC and the college’s Office of Student Life. Larry brought along his loveable assistant, Egbert, the dragon. Elena did double duty, face-painting and constructing balloon art. Van, Hal, and Geoff provided strolling magic two hours before Bruce’s show, during intermission, and after the program. Assisting with the outstanding night of magic were club members Nathan and Melissa Himes, Jeff Hallberg and his wife, Bronson Chadwick, and Logan. In addition to MVC staff and youngsters, others attend-ing were families from Oak Cliff as well as other members of the Fort Worth Magicians Club and the Dallas Magic Clubs. In other venues, Geoff per-formed in the Navarro College Halloween “Trunks and Treat” Fall Festival in Waxahachie and at Dallas’ Connor Elementary School Halloween Carnival.

Bronson Chadwick has announced the following tentative list of exciting program themes for 2009—2010: Mentalism, Spiritual/Educational Magic, FWMC History, Invent-ing Magic, First Magical Inspirations, Magic Around the World, Birthday Party Magic, The Classics of Magic, Young Magicians Night, and “Tuxedo” Magic. Bronson invites additional sugges-tions; call him at (817)371-6030. Additional program features will include a monthly book review and a monthly “Tarbell Magic Lesson,” featuring the demonstration of a Tarbell effect related to the monthly theme.

Larry Heil reveals an expansive oriental dragon silk from his collection of classic magic from the 1940’s and 50’s.

The Flashpaper, November, 2009, Volume 2009, Issue 11, page 2

‘Magic and Marketing’ by Bruce Chadwick—A New Flashpaper Exploration

PROFESSIONALISM AND THE PROFESSION Much has been written in magic books, magazines, and the Internet

about what it means to be a professional magician. Properly defined, a person who takes money for services is a professional. Even when a person doesn’t make a livelihood with magic, when he takes money for his services, he be-comes professional.

Granted a person who takes money only occasionally and has other sources of income might consider himself a semi-professional or part-time pro. However when money comes into play for remuneration of services, the status of professional has been reached because that is what the term means. When people pay for professional services, rest assured they have certain expecta-tions and perceptions.

However, the word “professional” can also mean other things, too. Pro-

fessionalism can also mean competence. In other words, a person doesn’t have to be paid to perform magic that is professionally done. Indeed many amateur magicians do magic that is very professional. Fortunately most people who perform magic are competent, entertaining, and mystifying. They know how to learn, practice, routine, and develop entertaining presentations. They take their art seriously and are accomplished magicians.

The Flashpaper thanks Bruce Chadwick for permission to share his fine discussion.

The results produced by competence and professionalism is important because they reflect on the art of magic as a whole. Magic has a somewhat unique feature about it when it is performed poorly that is not found in many other businesses. For example, the mom who hires an incompetent magician for her son’s birthday party may decide to opt for another type of variety artist at next year’s party. She is not locked into hiring another magician because the need for the product is not fixed. If on the other hand a homeowner hires a bad plumber, he doesn’t immediately conclude that all plumbers are bad. Rather, he simply hires a different plumber. Magic isn’t so flexible. People have a myriad of choices available to them when it comes to entertainment.

Unfortunately magic also has natural built-in mechanisms that can validate bad magicians. Many self-working magic tricks when merely demonstrated can stand alone. When simply demonstrated, they fool an audience. If a person adequately “performs” a self-working magic trick, and the end result is that the magic trick fools an audience, the result can foster a misconception among laymen that the magician must be a good magician. After all, the trick has fooled the audience and mystification has been the result. Therefore, the conclusion can be that magician must be “good.”

This may not be the case at all. While there is nothing wrong with self-working magic, it is a fact that magic tricks

performed “adequately” may telegraph “ability” on the part of the magician, when the real truth is that the magician may not have ability at all. Also he may not have creativity, originality, or competence.

This is not to say that laymen can’t recognize skill and performing ability. Laymen aren’t stupid. They are smart

enough to recognize when true art has been performed. Generally, laymen recognize skill, dexterity, and performance ability. Certainly, they know when they have been entertained. Magicians should keep in perspective what it means to perform with professionalism as compared to when they are just executing the demonstration of a magic trick.

It is good that magicians watch and judge their peers. Magicians are judged on ability, creativity, routining, stage

presence, how well they establish rapport with an audience, and a host of other criteria. It is the use of criteria such as these that is used to judge whether a performance is good or bad.

When it comes to marketing, however, an incompetent product can immediately curtail even the most successful

marketing strategy. This is because people who buy bad products usually communicate their experience with others. Also a part of professionalism, a product delivered specifically must fit the need. For example, a magician’s

child’s birthday party show may not be the right product for the big corporation’s annual holiday party! The product must meet the occasion.

Continued

Author and magician Bruce Chadwick

The Flashpaper, November, 2009, Volume 2009, Issue 11, page 3

Continued next month

Finally while a good product is important, the degree of success for a magician is usually in direct proportion to how well a product is marketed and not always the strength of the product. This should not be considered an excuse how-ever. Professionally performed magic should always be the goal no matter how strong or weak the marketing platform. It is just that good marketing can make a lame product seem better than it actually is. MAGIC AS A BUSINESS

When a person takes his first dollar for magic performance, he is consid-ered professional because money has changed hands. Business has taken place. It is irrelevant whether the performance is big or small, whether hundreds of dol-lars have been exchanged or not. To trade goods and services for any type of remuneration is commerce and a form of business.

For a person who seeks to perform for remuneration, one of the most riv-

eting and startling realizations he will encounter is the fact that he is self-employed. This means a lot of things, but essentially it means that the magician is ultimately responsible for taking care of every aspect of his business.

As a business owner, the magician must create the product, do the advertising and promotions, deliver the prod-

uct, and send the thank you note at the end. He must pay the bills, develop good accounting skills, be highly motivated, and watch the expense line. To make a profit when the day is done, he must have made sound choices about his busi-ness.

The average magician spends thousands of dollars each year buying props and supplies, magic books and vid-

eos, going to magic conventions, subscribing to magic periodicals, and paying dues to magic clubs and organizations. A magician typically invests a lot of both time and money into the process of finding that handful of effects that truly fit his interests and performing style.

In addition to all this, when a magician starts marketing his services as an entertainer, he will also quickly dis-cover the expense of marketing. This can include and not be limited to phone expenses, travel, postage, generating pro-motional literature, advertising, insurance, office supplies, and the list can go on and on. A natural way to subsidize the passion for new tricks, books, and magic apparatus, is to charge performance fees for services rendered.

As a business there are a lot of other things to consider as well. Some states and localities require business li-

censes, and especially when it comes to selling where taxes should be collected and paid to the proper channels. A busi-ness checking account is a good idea so that all proceeds and expenses can be taken out of this account. This makes accounting and record keeping much easier to maintain.

To open a business checking account, many states require evidence that a “dba” (doing business as) has been

established. This simply is a designation that is usually acquired in writing at the courthouse. It is usually an affidavit, cer-tificate, or similar paperwork that can be used to prove that the person opening the account is the individual conducting business under the business name. Also the “dba” protects business names so that no other business can work in the

same area under the same name. This registration also lets the local government know what business is being conducted within their jurisdiction. There may also be taxes that must be collected and paid monthly, quarterly, or yearly to a state comptroller or other governmental tax entity. This is usually in the form of an entertainment tax. Many municipalities don’t require that such a tax be collected, but it is best check to be sure. Certainly tax should be collected on physical goods. This might include novelties, simple magic tricks, tee shirts, post-ers and so forth sold at magic shows.

Careful receipts should be kept as a natural part of any business, especially in regards to the joys in dealing with the Internal Revenue Service. Wise businessmen keep meticulous receipts for anything that might be deductible. When in question, the receipt and the details regarding the receipt’s nature should be kept. A good tax accountant can guide to help a magician learn part of the mystery of receipts and tax deductions. It is true that a magician should pay all taxes that are due, but certainly he should not pay any more than is due.

‘Magic and Marketing’ continued

“A good magician should pay all taxes that are due, but certainly he should not pay any more than is due.”

When a person takes his first dollar for magic performance, he is considered professional because money has exchanged hands.

The Flashpaper, November, 2009, Volume 2009, Issue 11, page 4

October Banquet sees installation of new officers, Richard Hatch performs Our October meeting was our annual installation banquet. The meeting started off with the “Al Levulis” award being given to Nathan Himes. The “Magician of the Year” award was given to Geoff Grimes. Outgoing president Bruce Chadwick introduced the 2008-09 executive committee members and presented them each with a certificate of appreciation. These folks include Tom Dyer, Geoff Grimes, Bronson Chadwick, Al Fox, Larry Heil, Nathan Himes, Melissa Himes, Arthur Emerson, Louis Daniel, Hal Hudgins, John Hatzenbuhler and Fran Hatzenbuhler. The new officers were intro-duced which include president Tom Dyer, Program chairman Bron-son Chadwick, Flashpaper editor Geoff Grimes, webmaster Bruce Chadwick, treasurer Larry Heil, secretary Al Fox, sergeant at arms Jeff Hallberg, historian Melissa Himes, member at large Mica Calfee, member at large Hal Hudgins, member at large Nathan Himes and new trustee Bill Irwin. Incoming president Tom Dyer thanked Bruce Chadwick for his excel-lent service to the club and presented him a plaque and certificate of appreciation. The mantle was then passed to Tom Dyer who intro-duced himself and shared his vision for the club for the coming year. Then it was on to the banquet which included tons of food and drinks brought in by members of the club. We were treated to a performance by pro magician and co-owner of H&R Magic Books www.magicbookshop.com, Richard Hatch, who was kind enough to drive in from Humble, TX. Richard’s performance included an original finger acrobatic routine with 5 coins and a silk handkerchief which shows off Richard’s impeccable dexterity. He performs these coin manipulations while whistling and concludes the routine with a Down's coin star.

Next Richard shared his Cups and Balls rou-tine with two assisting spectators holding his custom performance table. Richard’s per-formance also included Hofzinser’s “Everywhere and Nowhere,” and Mike Caveney's “The Powers of Darkness,” the linking coat hanger effect with the spectator keeping her eyes closed. Richard finished out his show with Vernon's Symphony of the Rings linking rings routine and “The Miracle of the Jadoo-Wallah,”

Richard’s version of the Gypsy thread trick—a masterful performance from a profes-sional performer. It was great to have Richard Hatch as a part of our yearly banquet.

Outgoing FWMC President Bruce Chadwick presents the “Al Levulis” Award to Nathan Himes. Not awarded for several years, the honor is conferred on a young magician who has shown outstanding growth and developing magical talent. Nathan has been performing for the last four years and assists in the “Theater of Magic” Illusion Show.

Houston’s Richard Hatch Al Fox, FWMC Secretary

The Flashpaper, November 2009, Volume 2009, Issue 11, page 5

Fort Worth Magicians Club Officers for 2009—2010 Tom Dyer, President (817) 430-1867 Bronson Chadwick, Vice President and Pro-gram Chairman (817) 371-6030 Bruce Chadwick, Vice President and Web-master (817) 832-6062 Geoff Grimes, Vice President and Editor of The Flashpaper (972) 740-3125 Al Fox, Secretary ( 817) 845-0419 Larry Heil, Treasurer (817) 444-0743 Jeff Hallberg, Sergeant-at-Arms (443) 564-1112 Melissa Western, Historian (817) 565-0235 Nathan Himes, Member-at-Large (817) 565-7452 Hal Hudgins, Member-at-Large (817) 946-0921 Mica Calfee, Member-at-Large (972) 539-9303 Louis Daniel, Trustee (term expires 2009) (817) 344-0039 Bruce Chadwick, Trustee (term expires 2011) (817) 832-6062 Arthur Emerson, Trustee (term expires 2013) (817) 868-6827

EVENTS CALENDAR Sunday, November 22, 2—4 p.m. Paul Gertner will lecture for the joint Dallas and Fort Worth magicians at Crystal’s Pizza in Irving, Texas. This is the second in the fall lecture series which brought Joshua Jay to Dallas/Fort Worth on Sunday, November 1st. For more details, go to Mark Jensen’s website: http://that’s-impossible.com/lectures.htm Monday Night Magic Area magicians and friends gather every Monday night at 7:00 pm at Humperdinks Restaurant located at Six Flags in Arlington. The address is 700 Six Flags Drive, Arlington, TX 76011; telephone: 817-640-8553. Strolling magicians are welcome to entertain. Got a friend in magic? Bring’em along for the fun!

Ashley Adams John Hatzenbuhler (Your name should be Bob Adams Larry Heil next!) Luther Adkins Hal Hudgins Richard Amon Bill Irwin Stacey Archip Randy Keck Kenneth Brown Don Lenschow Rick Burcher Van McGee Ray Cage Russell Shead Tom Dyer Logan Stadtman Albert Fox Leland Van Deventer Marvin Gearhart Kenneth Wallace Geoffrey Grimes Jim Wicker Jeffrey Hallberg Doug Wilson

2009—2010 Paid Dues Members to Date If you have not already done so, it is not too late to renew your Fort Worth Magicians Club dues for year 2009—2010! Dues are $20 per year, payable to the “Fort Worth Magicians Club.” See the application on the next page of this and the October Flashpaper. Below are the names of those who have paid their dues as of the publi-cation of this newsletter.

Mountain View College—FWMC October Event hosts 150 Oak Cliff Magic Fans! Almost 150 enthusiastic children, their parents, Mountain View College staff, and students gave an overwhelming ovation to Bruce Chadwick and his assistant, Lydia, for an evening of magical entertainment in the “Theater of Magic.” Co-sponsored by the Fort Worth Magicians Club and the “Mark Wilson” Magic Club of Mountain View College, and the col-lege’s Office of Student Life, the “Theater of Magic” was the first magical event in the newly renovated MVC Performance Hall. This event repre-sented the college students’ magic club’s fall community service project, an event the club hosts twice or three times throughout the year as both a recruitment and public service event for those living in the college’s service area of Oak Cliff, Duncanville, and Grand Prairie. In addition to college, community patrons, and students, members of both the Fort Worth Magicians Club and the Dallas Magic Clubs attended the evening magical gala.

Submit a filled out copy of this statement along with cash, check or money order made payable to The Fort Worth Magicians Club to Al Fox, Secretary, 11721 Netleaf Lane, Keller, TX 76248, Phone 817-845-0419.

Dues Payment Form The Fort Worth Magicians Club October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010

To keep our club roster up-to-date, please fill out this entire form. Please PRINT carefully! Return this form along with cash, check or money order made payable to The Fort Worth Magicians Club to the address printed below. Make a second copy if you need a receipt. FIRST NAME:_______________________________ LAST NAME:________________________________ BIRTH (DAY AND MONTH):_____________ SPOUSE’S FIRST NAME:___________________________ DATE SUBMITTED: ______________________________________________________________________ EMAIL ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________________________ PHONE: HOME ________________________________ OFFICE _________________________________ SEND FLASHPAPER MONTHLY NEWSLETTER BY: ( ) WEBSITE OR ( ) US MAIL MAILING ADDRESS: STREET OR PO BOX: _______________________________________________ CITY: _____________________________ STATE_____ ZIP:_______________ IBM NUMBER (IF ANY) _____________________ SAM NUMBER (IF ANY) ______________________ Type of Membership: (check one box only please): ( ) ACTIVE - A person eighteen years of age or older, proven active in magic, and who has been accepted by the Club. Active Members may vote, hold office, serve on committees, and enjoy all the activities of the Club. Dues are $20 per year. ( ) ASSOCIATE - A spouse or professional assistant of an Active Member, and who is eighteen years of age or older. Associate Members do not vote or hold office, but may serve on committees and enjoy all the activi-ties of the Club. Dues are $20 per year. ( ) JUNIOR - A person fourteen years old or older, and under eighteen years of age. Upon reaching eighteen years of age, Junior Members automatically become Active Members provided they are dues paid members in good standing. Junior Members do not vote, hold office, or serve on committees, but do enjoy all the activities of the Club. Dues are $20 per year. ( ) ASSOCIATE JUNIOR - A person under the age of 14 who is screened for approval by the Executive Committee prior to being granted membership. He must be accompanied at Club functions by a legal parent or guardian who themselves must be an Active, Associate, or Honorary Life member of the Club. Upon reaching the age of 14, Associate Junior Members automatically become Junior Members provided they are dues paid members in good standing. Associate Junior Members do not vote, hold office, or serve on committees, but do enjoy all the activities of the Club. Dues are $20 per year. ( ) HONORARY LIFE - A person who has significantly contributed to the advancement of the art of magic internationally, or a person who has been an Active Member of the Club for at least 25 consecutive years and who has made an outstanding contribution to the welfare of the Club. Honorary Life Members are elected by a majority vote of the Executive Committee, and then a majority vote of the Club at a Monthly Club Meeting. Honorary Life Members have the benefits of Active Membership without further dues payments.

The Flashpaper, October, 2009, Volume 2009, Issue 11, page 6