Paul Richards
CONNECT
  • Home
  • Book Paul
  • Magicians Only
  • Lecture
  • Schedule
  • Blog
  • Contact

Ten Ways to Use Vintage Magic Magazines To Spark Your Creativity, Grow Your Repertoire, and Solve Magic’s Most Pressing Problems!

7/3/2015

0 Comments

 
One of the things I love to do is pick up something that’s been around for years and breathe new life into it. It’s a fun exercise in creativity and innovation, sometimes all it takes is a little inspiration. During one of my magic estate purchases I obtained a large number of vintage magic magazines. They’re filled with articles, reviews, effects and ads – all of which can act as a catalyst to get those creative juices jumping. Not to mention they’re just plain fun to thumb through!

I realize that many of you may have your own stash of magic magazines lying around so here's some ideas to use those magazines to generate a little creative inspiration...

  1. Learn a new trick from the teaching columns. Try applying the technique to something other than its intended props. If it’s a card trick—could it be something else? Can it be applied to photos, books, postcards, trading cards, currency, letters, etc.
  2. Read an article that addresses a problem in magic. What can be done to resolve the issue? Is it really a problem that needs solving? Has the problem been addressed in other fields? If so, what can we adapt to our community?
  3. Find an intriguing ad. Can you recreate the effect without knowing the actual method? Can you develop it further? Can you create a meaningful presentation for it?
  4. Look at a photograph. Does it show an image of magic that still persists today? Is that good or bad? How can we update the image for a modern audience?
  5. Read “Ring or Assembly Reports”. Do you see common threads, complaints, or comments? Have you addressed those issues with you magic and your approach to the magic community? Can you?
  6. Analyze a magic product review. What can be done to address the criticisms of a product? Can you create a similar effect that solves those criticisms?
  7. Absorb an article about magic history. Discover where we’ve been and where we’re heading. Does the direction need to change? How can you help?
  8. Study a convention review. What kind of acts and events seem to generate the most enthusiastic responses? Can you build a better convention? What features would it have and how would you address the issues in the review?
  9. Find an article about act promotion. Can you apply the ideas to modern show marketing? If the idea is dated, what about it is a truism that still applies today? Does the vehicle of promotion still exist, is there a current equivalent? Can it be brought back as an offbeat and nostalgic marketing tool?
  10. What else? To be creative you will often need to self inspire! What other paths do you find or doors do you open by paging through those pages? Don’t focus only on your own interests within our field - broaden your perspective and get input from as many sources as possible.
0 Comments

    Author

    I'm the guy from the homepage. You probably already know that.

    Archives

    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed