Sunday 4 January 2009

Smoke and Mirrors by Rick Marcelli


This book has received some significant hype but with one key problem. I have yet to find a review for it in a major magic magazine. Okay, so the book has yet to be reviewed by the big shots, Magic and Genii, but wait... that's odd, Magic gave Rick Marcelli a spread in the magazine to promote his book and it doesn't appear to be a paid advertisement. Something isn't right here. Let's take a look at this books introduction to the market. The first advertisement for this book was on page 3 of Magic magazine, and pg 49 of Genii both September 2008. Naturally this issue of Magic also contains an article by Mr. Marcelli on page 52, The Secrets of Show Biz, which gives your essentially some well edited excerpts from the book. A very good article for those wanting to know the feel of this book and type of information. October 2008 Magic Magazine has another ad on page 41 for the book but no article by Mr. Marcelli, an ad on pg 49 in Genii and once again no reviews! Nov. 08, Magic Magazine, ad on page 31, Genii magazine ad on pg. 46 but no reviews... no more ads from here on and as you can imagine no reviews!



This is a very unfortunate start for this book. The author claims he is David Copperfield's first manager and this is true. In forums online (The Magic Cafe) Rick Marcelli takes a bit of flack and Charlotte Pendragon chimes in on his behalf. There is something seriously strange going on here. Did all the magic magazines choose to ignore this book? It certainly seems that way.



Here is my take on this book. The book is a slim softcover book, 8.5 by 11, About 140 pages long. Here is where it gets scary, 75 bucks! 100 if you'd like it personally autographed. I will say this though, that includes shipping to the US and Canada. Which is an added bonus I suppose. I purchased the 75 dollar option.



The book is true to it's word, Secrets of Becoming a STAR in Magic! Let's take a peek at the table of contents shall we?



Ch. 1 Getting Started

Ch. 2 Getting Your Act Together

Ch. 3 Do You Need Representation?

Ch. 4 It's All In The Package

Ch. 5 What Makes a Star

Ch. 6 Show Biz Secrets for Magicians (sound familiar?)

Ch. 7 The Present

Ch. 8 The Future of Variety and Magic

Ch. 9 People I Sometimes Agree With

Ch. 10 Reading and Resources

Ch. 11 List of Contacts

Ch. 12 Final Thoughts



Well there it is, but at 140 pages this certainly seems like a lot of chapters and therefore not a lot of information per heading. Our first chapter takes us down the life story of the author, why you ask? Because it is to make a point, all celebrities were just like you and I at one point.



Our next chapter gets more into it! How to build an act, this means what lengths of time each trick should be and how long the act should be (20 minutes is suggested). We also go into some priceless information, including! How to spot trends in pop culture and television, where people really make it. If you want to be famous you have to be on TV there is no question about it. You also need to take risks and develop a persona, fortunately it is clearly explained how to do that.



Chapter three, Do YOU Need representation? In short, if you have an act, a look, and a promo package, YES you do need representation. This chapter goes into much more detail. A very good read! Truly lays out what your manager does and doesn't do. We finish this chapter with a five-step plan to jump-start your career at any level, it is very accurate and it works!



Chapter four, your promo package. It is covered in here head to toe. I'm not going to go into too much detail as that is the purpose of this book but it lays out everything you need, from what promo you need, how to get the best quality photos, even photographers to research to get pose ideas, website or no website? Choosing photos, writing bios, Video all these are addressed. I hate to say it but this really is invaluable to any performer! I'd pay the price of the book for this chapter alone.



Chapter five, What makes a star? If you ever wanted to know this chapters answers it. Enough said.



Chapter six, Show Biz Secrets for Magicians. Want to know why you aren't as big a success and the talk of the town as you think you deserve? This chapter has some answers, how to be professional (might surprise you), timing your career, your big break(s)!, it's all in here. This is where Magic magazine got there chapter from. I'd recommend reading Magic Sept. 08 to get some info before the big buy.



So far we are on page 60 roughly, the rest of the book is a little bit odd. Next we have a chapter titled The Present, a strange chapter telling us where big name magicians are, Las Vegas. Also where is Rick Marcelli now? It is clear that writing this book was about stroking one's own ego as much as providing very real, practical information. Chapter eight present Rick's assumptions about Magic in the future. Sort of useless for the time being but I suppose it is an assumption to consider.



After this we have a VERY long chapter titled, People I sometimes agree with. This is tales, stories, and testimonials from Rick's friends telling you how great he is. A bit tacky if you ask me. We signs of ego stroking going on. The pretentious title to this chapter doesn't help either. These tales go on for 37 pages!! Holy shit!



Following this we have reading resources, a VERY good chapter with fantastic book recommendations. I happened to own many of the titles given and they are truly spectacular reads. So my hat is off for this list!



The list of websites on the other hand is useless, I know pages like the Genii and Magic magazine websites, The Magic Circle website is not a needed website, anyone who has visited this site would agree it is utterly useless unless I wanted to book the space, not to mention the actual location only allows magicians to visit 1 night per week... Truly a shame!



The chapter on contacts is terrible, it is a list of magic clubs around the world basically, a contact name and phone number with address if available.



So you might think I am being harsh on this little book, I think it is a brilliant book, well the first half is. The second half could have been easily edited down to a handful of pages or improved. I don't need to know magic club info I am more interested in agents perhaps. Where to find agents and their information, the proper way to contact them etc.



I truly like, perhaps even love this book! It delivers what it promises and the information is invaluable IF you are a dedicated magician trying to make something of yourself. It will help you form a nice career. No doubt about it there. But you can't expect to do it being a lazy ass.



At 75 bucks I'd say it is steep compared to other magic books. You'd expect a hardbound book with glossy paper and colour photos perhaps. Well, this isn't a magic book, it's a business book and a small text book targeted to magicians. There are no tricks to perform, just tricks for success and real world advice from a real manager in the business. I do feel the book is a must buy, but 75 bucks is hefty. I'd say it would have flown off the shelves at $55 with a couple reviews in 2 unnamed magic magazines (Where's JIS when you need him?).



So the verdict? NOT GUILTY. If you are serious about performing magic on stage and making it a career, go buy this book, 75 bucks is not a lot of money compared to a career in magic and this information and advice will CERTAINLY improve your career!



Available at Smoke and Mirrors Book for $75 USD don't bother getting it signed.

1 comment:

  1. I bought the book and there is very little writing by Marcelli. Most of the writing is done in the format of "interviews". Those being interviewed "wrote the book" - in my opinion. It is a "small" paper back book that should be worth no more than $25.00. The information the review says he provides is not enough to warrant purchasing this self published book (not even on good paper stock). Nuff said!

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