Word On The Street...

Here's what attendees are saying about The Noblezada Experience 2008:

"This weekend was awesome! I went all the way from Denmark, and I just can't recommend this enough! This is by far the best event i have ever been to!"

Daniel Fleischer
Charlottenlund, Hovedstaden
Denmark

"Jay Noblezada's NX08 workshop exceeded all my expectations both at making me a better magician as well as making me a better human being, reminding me that magic is not just a process but a purpose as well... diverse and hard-hitting, the lecture series literally filled my brain with too much stuff and within the first 30 minutes I was learning secrets that will forever change the way I see my magic... in-your-face and personal, presentations from varied professionals included metal bending to hypnosis, stellar illusions to intimate closeup, stage shows with backstage Q&A sessions, the weekend was simply over-the-top in ways that defy description... anyone who wants to boost their magic persona would be a fool not to attend his workshop, the intellectual and spiritual wealth you will gain from Jay and his crew will last a lifetime... "

***** (five stars!)

-Gary Parish
Seattle, WA

"Having performed on cruises & a few TV spots i wasnt entirely sure what to expect at the Noblezada experience, but one thing I did not expect was to gain so much!

The quality of guest lecturers was outstanding, the theory behind was fantastic, the shows we saw were excellent along with meeting those entertainers afterwards. Jay surprised us all with guests that were far beyond what I could have expected!"

-Phoenix
Sydney, Australia

"NX08 was a magical journey unlike anything I had expected. For those looking to improve their magic, don't hesitate next year to if you can afford it. For those looking to take their magic to unimagined heights, you CAN NOT afford to miss this! The magnitude of the lessons taught herein is incredible. I'm still buzzing off secrets, and will be for quite some time."

-Tom Rice, CA

"NX is something that everyone who is serious about magic (pro or not) needs to attend. This is my 2nd time and I learned even more this time! Definitely worth THOUSANDS of dollars!"

-Ian Galloway
Los Angeles, CA

"Jay's workshop was exactly what it promised an Experience. The entire weekend was far above and beyond anything I could have hoped for, not only were we able to learn priceless information directly from the professionals, but we were given an intimate environment to do so. The Noblezada Experience focused not on the How, but the Why; talking about the theory and psychology worked into both magic and social dynamics. This information lended itself to not only beginners but advanced working professionals as well. The whole event was an all inclusive experience covering not only different aspects of magic, but also the many diffirent presentations of magic as well. For all the information, speakers,and insight the Noblezada Experience is worth the price ten times over. I'm looking forward to coming again."

-Geoff Kanick
Tacoma, WA


"I met some amazing people. Learned some amazing tricks. Learned SO MUCH about presentation. Never a dull moment. Worth quadruple the price. The things you learn here you will never learn on a DVD."

-Liam Gray

"NX08 was by far one of the best weekends of my life, I learned more about magic in 3 days than I ever thought was possible and two days after the workshop I booked my first paid gig, WOW!"

-Derek Hood
Los Osos, CA

"NX08 was the best choice i could have possibly made to
further my magic career." -Spencer West

"Last year's NX was great, but I was not expecting NX08 to be as phenomenal! What I learned about magic, performance, and myself is priceless!"

-Eric SiasNM
Albuquerque, NM

"This past weekend at your seminar was a unique experience. For me, I felt that Magic has been redefined. I look more at the "art of performance" rather than "tricks". It has been said that repetition is the best teacher. This seminar was just that, but in a unique way. We were inundated with many of the stars of magic, all with different presentations. However, they had one thing in common, they made their art fun and enjoyable. This is the key to a successful performance. Additionally, you set the stage for camaraderie between the attendees that brought a fraternal cohesiveness to the program."

Nate Schwartz
Atlanta, GA

Stay tuned for more testimonials from everyone else at NX08...

Wanna get in on the action for NX09? Send us an email at: workshop@noblezada.com and tell us a little about yourself and your magic! You'll get all of the information on Noblezada Live Events, Private Session Workshops, and The Noblezada Experience.

Peace, Love, and Service,

Jay Noblezada
www.NOBLEZADA.com

My new magic iPhone

I used to work for Apple Inc. and they still hold a place in my heart. I went out and got myself one of the new iPhones. Besides the iPhone being an amazing toy, it also has some great features that can be used by performers.



The GPS can help you get to and from your gigs location without getting lost.

It has a free remote program which lets you control audio and video wirelessly, without requiring line of sight. It’s great for rehearsal and possibly useful during shows.

Another free program called Shazam lets you know the name and artist of any song that is playing. It is really useful if you want to use a song that they are playing on the radio or in a department store.

It has an amazing screen which can be used to show potential clients your promotional material while on the go.

In addition to all of the things my new iPhone physically does, I learned something from it that can be applied to magic. Apple has an amazing ability to control its users experience. What that means is that they limit what the user is capable of doing and surprisingly this makes for a much better experience. It is a better experience because they only let you experience the good.

In magic or any performance arena we have the power to control our viewers experience too. We can control what the audience sees and make sure that they only see the best stuff. We can control what they hear and in many cases what they feel.

TV Magician Hatred

There are so many people that are mad about magicians who are performing on TV. Why are they mad? Is it because they have low ethical standards or because of a disturbing past? Could it be that they are exploiting others or committing criminal offenses? No. Television magicians are upsetting other performers because they are accomplishing some of their effects by means of camera angles and video effects.

Some people believe that when magic is accomplished through video effects it does not count as authentic magic. Many people feel that the effects that they accomplish with video effects hurt magic because it can not be performed live. Some are upset that the magic on television is being accomplished by video editors and not by the magician. I have heard many upset that they are using prompted stooged audience members to accomplish their effects.

I have a theory of why performers don’t like TV magicians. I think they are jealous of them. I think they are jealous that they do not have the resources available that TV magicians do. I think they are jealous that they cannot perform the effects the magician on TV can do. There is no need to be jealous.

It is true that there are times when TV magicians use stooged audience members. This is not a technique used exclusively by magicians on TV. This is done commonly by stage performers, parlor performers, mentalists, and I have even seen it done in close up environments.

Yes, magicians who perform on TV sometimes rely on the video editor to accomplish their effects. I personally rely on a beautiful girl who assists me on and off stage to accomplish the effects that I perform.

The effects performed by TV magicians may not be possible to perform live. There are many times when effect I do cannot be performed without proper lighting. Many effects cannot be performed without its required gaff. The TV is the medium and sometimes the gaff of the performer just as the stage or close up mat may be the medium and potential method of a live performer.

Magicians who perform on TV can use video effects as a method to the effect. I see no difference from using a video effect, a double lift, or a gaffed coin. They are all a different method and nothing more. Some magicians don’t have the time to master sleight of hand, some don’t have the money to buy a gaffed prop, and others don’t have the medium to use video effects.

I believe that TV magicians often do much more to help magic then they do to hurt it. They are capable of reaching a vastly larger audience then other performers. They have the opportunity to generate massive interest in magic for the world. The more people who are interested in magic the better we all will be.

If you have another reason why we should be upset with TV magicians please let me know by either commenting back on this blog or emailing me at Tyas@penguinmagic.com.

The Magicians Con

Here is the con. You get a call from a person who is really interested in booking you. They have a big budget and don’t need much from the performer. The deal gets closed really fast and you are excited because they have agreed to pay for the performance in full in advance. They send you a check and, oops, they have over paid you. You are the mark in the middle of a con.

This con is going on all over the country and it’s pulling in tons of money out of magicians and other entertainers pockets. So how are they getting money from the performer. When they send you the check, they will call you up to tell you about their mistake in overpaying. They will then ask for you to return the amount they have overpaid you with. You go to the bank and deposit the check and then send them a check back with the difference. Their check never clears.

If you want to protect yourself from this con, there are a couple of ways to do it. First you should know what to look for. They will:

1. Offer you more money then you normally charge
2. Want to pay you long in advance of the performance
3. Be particularly easy people to work with

If for some reason you don’t pick up on the con when they first call you here are some ways to make sure that you don’t get taken:

1. Deposit any and all checks the moment you get them
2. Do not send anyone money as a refund if their payment has not already posted
3. Tell them that you will wire them the money as soon as their check clears

Recommended Reading

There are so many books available for magicians. Many of those book are some of the best sources in finding top notch performance material, particularly the history books. There are a couple of books that are focused primarily on performance and a few that discuss the business aspects of a performer.

There are so many other great sources that I think many performers are missing out on. So here are a couple of things I would recommend reading and looking into to help you develop yourself as a performer and as a person. Here is a short list of must reads:

1. Think and Grow Rich
2. How to Win Friends and Influence people
3. Awaken the Giant Within
4. Networking: How to Creatively Tap Your People Resources
5. Book Yourself Solid
6. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
7. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Pick up just one of these brilliant writings and you’ll find yourself becoming so full of motivation, knowledge, and actionable steps that you wont know what to do with yourself.

Mentors all around us

I really believe that there are only two ways you can improve. You can learn through trial and error or you can model the experiences of those who have come before you. Trial and error is an tedious task that is as slow as evolution, with no guarantee of success. Modeling others is a very quick and powerful technique used by the most powerful people in the world to attain success.

Do you have a mentor? I’m not talking about a magician who you like but don’t know. I mean a person who you know first hand who has the experience and know how to show you how to improve the areas of your life. One of the greatest tools in my arsenal is the team of people I have access to who can guide me in the direction of success. Here are a few of the people I consider to be my mentors.

Maxwell Murphy
Maxwell has taught me what it takes to be courageous. He has the power to stand firm to his beliefs and the will to face adversity full bore without backing down.

Jay Noblezada
Jay’s sense of contribution is something that I strive to match. He is genuinely interested in how he can provide value for those he comes in contact with.

Oz Pearlman
There are times when I am in the gym and just don’t think I can go any longer and that is when I think about Oz. He is a physical dynamo.

Luke Jermay
Its no wonder so many have asked Luke to consult for them. He is one of the most creative magicians I have ever met and someone I consider to be an artist

Acar Altinsel
Acar is not afraid of the unknown. He will stand out in a crowed and take up any new activity that interests him. He is truly uninhibited.

Kyle Knight
Kyle has taken me under his wing to teach me what it really takes to be a headlining performer. There is no way I can put into words the gratitude I feel for what he has imparted to me.

Paul Draper
Paul’s knowledge is dizzying. He has a never ending hunger for knowledge and an amazing ability to teach.

I bet you have lots of people near you that you use as mentors. They may be friends, family, and teachers. I encourage you to gather these people close and remember to show your gratitude for what they give you. They are truly our greatest asset.

Pissed off hosts

I love magicians. I consider magicians to be my closest family. Most of the people I know are either magicians or full time entertainers. When you keep yourself in tight relationships with other performers you have the opportunity to share each others insights. You can barrow your friends props and you can get the bookings that your friends cannot take.

I love giving other magicians the work that I can’t do. Sometimes I get overbooked and sometimes my schedule is just to full. When I give other people the gigs I can’t take, it gives me a sense of contribution, it opens opportunities to get return bookings from the client and it prompts my friends to book me as a way of returning the favor.

There are times that other performers are fantastic but there are other times when I get complaints and that gets annoying. I thought I would write down some of the complaints I have had about the performers that I have given gigs to. They include:

1. Eating the hosts food
2. Drinking the hosts refreshments
3. Trying to book future shows while on the job
4. Coming underdressed
5. Swearing
6. Using Flash paper (fear of starting a fire)
7. Spilling drinks
8. Leaving a mess of confetti

These are just the things that I have been told went wrong. It makes me wonder what other things are bothering clients that they don’t tell us about.

Open Opportunities

There are a lot of different venues for magic to be performed in. I have focused very hard on cruise ships because there are many benefits to specializing in a single venue. I can focus my material on the specific type of audience and venue size. I can build my marketing material toward the agents and bookers who specialize in my target market. While I have been focusing so hard on one specific venue I may have been missing out on other opportunities.

Have I missed out on all the different restaurants that could have used a strolling performer. Have I neglected the various variety shows in town and out of town. Why didn’t I focus on trade shows that are all happening in my back yard? Maybe I’ve been missing out and it may be time to look at all those other opportunities. What opportunities have you been missing out on in your part of the world?