Magicians and Mentalists
FAQ

Why should you hire a magician?

Regardless of what type of event you are organizing, a professional magician may just be what you need. Hiring a magician has become a very popular form of entertainment for both large and small scale events over the past few decades, and there are many reasons why:

1. Unique entertainment: A professional magician can provide a form of entertainment that your guests are unlikely to have ever seen before. Magicians are often prepared to perform a variety of tricks and illusions that will leave guests amazed, astonished, and curious. Even if someone is an avid magic fan, magic as an art has been growing and developing so quickly that every magician is sure to bring something new to the floor.
2. Versatility: Magicians can perform in a variety of settings, from small intimate gatherings to large corporate events, and from stages in front of thousands to right under your very nose. They can easily adapt their performance to fit the size, style, and demographic of each event to ensure maximum entertainment.
3. Memorable experience: A magician will often interact directly with your guests, providing a more intimate form of entertainment and leaving guests with mementos and sourvenirs to capture the experience. Due to magic's unique nature, your guests will likely remember the magician's performance long after the event has ended.
4. Audience participation: Many magicians incorporate audience participation into their shows on stages, or interact and connect directly with guests in a close-up performance. This helps make each and every performance different, engages guests and makes them feel like they are part of the show, and also drives communication throughout your event.

Magic versus mentalism?

Magicians and mentalists (or mind-readers) are two forms of "mystery arts" performers that often get lumped together, but they are actually quite different in their approach, style, and techniques. While both tend to use illusions, deception, and sleight of hand to entertain their audiences, there are distinct differences between the two.

The biggest difference between magicians and mentalists is their approach to their performances. Magicians tend to focus on the impossible, whereas mentalists tend to focus on... the "it could potentially be possible". Magicians use a variety of props, tricks, and even people, to create a performance that demonstrates something that challenges the general public's understanding of what they think is possible. Should a rabbit be able to come out of a completely empty top hat, or should someone who was just cut in half actually be put back together in a box? The general population will respond with a fairly unanimous "no". On the other hand, mentalists focus on creating the illusion of having supernatural abilities. They use psychology, suggestion, and other techniques to create the illusion of psychic phenomena. Mentalists require audience participation to create their illusions, because it is only so entertaining to watch someone read their own mind. The difference here is that physic phenomena is a very blurry space, and there is not a general consensus on what may be possible or not. Should someone be able to figure out that the number your are thinking of is 17, or that your grandfather's name is Charlie and was a veteran? Well... maybe.

The techniques used by magicians and mentalists are also very different. This is alluded to a bit in the prior paragraph, but magicians will use props to create their science/physics defying illusions, but mentalists are rarely seen with props as he/she is trying to give off the impression of working with just the audiences' minds. This also has an impact on the performance experience as magic is mostly visual, whereas mentalism is often communicated verbally or through the use of written messages. You have to watch the magician make a lion disappear from an empty cage, but you have to be communicated the idea that the menalist knew that your first kiss was Bob from second grade.

Lastly, the goal of magicians and mentalists is different. Despite both performers ultimately aiming to entertain, magicians try to hit that goal by creating a sense of amazement, wonder, and curiosity. whereas mentalists do so by demonstrating feats that are capable with just the human mind.

So which is right for you? Well, it comes down to what you are looking for. Some entertainers specialize in one and do not perform the other, but some combine both and worry less about trying to draw a line between the two.

What should you keep in mind when hiring a magician?

When hiring a magician for an event there are several things you should keep in mind to ensure a successful and enjoyable experience for you and your guests. Here are some important things to know and plan for:

1. Define your event needs and goals: Before you start looking for a magician, it's important to define the needs and goals of your event. This will help you to understand if a magician is right for you, and help you choose someone that can meet your specific requirements. Knowing what you are looking to get out of a performer and how you want to impact your guests' event experience will make the selection process a lot easier.
2. Consider the type of magic: Magicians can specialize in different types of performance styles, such as close-up magic, stage magic, mentalism, illusions, childrens' magic, the list goes on. It is important to ensure what you are looking for in an experience aligns with what the magician will be able to provide so you do not end up hiring a children's performer when you wanted a mentalist.
3. Check for professionalism and quality: It's important to hire a professional magician who has a website, social media presence, and reviews from previous clients. The quality of a magician, like many other entertainers, are often defined by their experience and track record of delivering quality performances. It is also a good idea to try to review the magician's performance material ahead of time, whether in person or online. This will give you a sense of their style, personality, and overall fit with your event demographic.
4. Review the terms and fees: Once you have found the right magician, it is key to understand what their rates are and what the rates include. Make sure the magician's understanding of what is included in the fee aligns with yours, such as travel expenses, equipment, or any additional services. Also, make sure a clear agreement is made in writing to avoid any misunderstandings. For myself, I generate a contract for each event, but some event planning companies will prefer to draft the contract themselves. The agreement should highlight fees, payment timelines, deposit requirements, and what and when the services are to be provided at a minimum.
5. Provide clear instructions: It is imperative to make sure the magician has all of the details necessary to make it to your event! Details such as location, time, and duration of the performance are critical, but do not overlook any potential logistical instructions like parking locations, apartment numbers, or the event coordinator's contact information. You should also inform them about any specific requirements or restrictions, such as dress code, sound system, or stage setup in advance.
6. Be open to communication: Communication is key to a successful event. Make sure both you and the magician are available to answer any questions the other party may have, and be open to discussing any concerns or issues that may arise.

What about magicians' insurance?

As an event planner, hiring a magician for your event can be a great way to add entertainment and mystique to your guests’ experience. However, it’s important to recognize that magic shows come with risks, and that’s why it is important to consider magician's insurance.

What is magician’s insurance?
Magician’s insurance is a type of liability insurance that provides coverage for accidents and incidents that may occur during a magic show. It is designed to protect magicians from lawsuits and legal claims that may arise from their performances. This type of insurance covers a wide range of risks, including injuries to audience members, property damage, and legal expenses.

Why is magician’s insurance important?
While magic shows are typically safe, accidents can happen. For example, a member of the audience might get injured while participating in a trick, or a prop might cause damage to the venue. If any of these incidents occur, the magician may be held liable for damages and legal fees. Without insurance, the magician would have to pay for these costs out of pocket, which could be financially devastating. Insurance helps make sure there is less involvement from the event planner's perspective should an incident occur.

However, where magician's insurance really plays a factor outside of the magician's perspective, is providing peace of mind to the event planner and event space owner. It shows that the magician takes their profession seriously and is prepared for any unforeseen circumstances that may occur during the performance. This, in turn, can help to build trust and confidence between the magician and the event planner.

What does magician’s insurance Cover?
Magician’s insurance typically covers a range of risks, including:

• Bodily injury to audience members or staff
• Property damage caused by the magician or their props
• Damage to equipment or props during transportation or setup
• Legal expenses related to claims or lawsuits arising from the performance

The specific coverage and limits of magician’s insurance policies can vary depending on the insurance provider and the needs of the magician. For example, a magician who performs dangerous stunts may require higher coverage limits than a magician who performs traditional card tricks.

I am actually a magician and I need magician's insurance, where can I go?

I personally go with Canopy Insurance, which provides both long-term and one-off insurance event coverage. However, if you are already a member of the Society of American Magicians, they provide an annual insurance coverage option as well.

What types of services do magicians generally offer?

This is by far one of the most common questions I get asked from my clients. Magicians professionally can offer many types of services, but I will focus this response strictly on services relevant to event planners. For this response I am grouping magic and mentalism under this performer umbrella, so please see my other response regarding the differences between the two if that is what you are more curious about. This is also going to be a detailed answer to provide more information on what magicians can do, but if you just want a synopsis of my own services, you can find that information on my booking page.

So let us begin, by taking a closer look at how a magician could be incorporated into your next event:

• Close-Up Magic: We will start with the most common service type nowadays, also commonly known as Walk-Around Magic, or Strolling Magic. They all refer to the act of performing magic right in front of the audience, almost creating a small show within a conversation group. Expect the performer to perform 5-10 minute sets throughout the venue, and walk around the room and intermingling with the crowd. You can usually expect to see tricks with coins, cards, mentalism, and everyday objects. This type of service is best for casual events and during cocktail hours as it allows the magician to help drive engagement and conversation while working the crowd without disrupting the flow of the event.
• Parlor Magic: Parlor magic is the sweet middle ground between close-up and stage magic; it has the setting of a stage show, but is less formal and consists of a much smaller audience. This form of setting can be expected in small theaters (20-100 people), and differs from stage magic as it is much more intimate and usually can include routines that would work for close-up but not work on a large stage. Magicians are usually flexible but should expect to perform for no less than ten minutes and no more than one hour.
• Stage Magic: Stage magic is the most classic performance style of magic, where the magician stands on a stage and performs a set for everyone at once. This will usually involve larger props and effects that are designed to entertain a larger audience. Stage mage works best on larger audiences, but can be performed very similarly to parlor magic for smaller groups. I would also expect performances to be no less than ten minutes and no more than one hour.
• Tabled Magic: Tabled performances will station a performer at one specific location allowing guests to walk-up and watch a show at their own preference. This type of performance is most commonly seen during large-scale events that may have multiple entertainers or performers throughout the venue. This type of performance provides a very non-invasive experience as only those who are truly interested can stop by and experience the magic. The magician will have to be very flexible as audience sizes and experiences will vary significantly throughout the event and from one event to another.
• Tradeshow Magic: Tradeshow magic started back in the late 1990s when companies were vigorously trying to find ways to bring prospective clients to their tradeshow booth. This performance style still exists today, and serves the sole purpose of helping a business increase foot traffic and interest, thus increasing their lead generation as a result of participating in the event. It is a very unique style of performance that needs to not only focus on entertainment but also on the company's interests. Most magicians will work with the company to find ways to incorporate the business' branding, messaging, and offerings into their routines for increased marketing.