How does one go about asking permission to perform another magician's trick?

[Wowbagger]

I recently figured out the (possible) secret of a particular magic trick, that I would like to develop my own version of, and actually perform, at some point in the future.

I am not going to tell you which trick it is, right now, nor the magician whom it belongs to. But, I think this is a particular trick that I can easily perform (with a few months of practice), and can even put my own inventive "spin" on.

And, I also believe this counts as something close to a "trademark" trick, something a magician is known for doing. I do not think this act is a general-knowledge sort-of thing you can find in any magic book. (though, I could be wrong.)

However, I am not, nor have I ever been, a professional magician. I don't know what the protocols are for asking someone permission to do their tricks, if there are any.

And, I would not want to do this thing in public, without permission. I respect magicians too much to do that.

So, what are the guidelines and rules and such?

[wackyvorlon]

I would probably ask on the magic cafe. From what I've seen, it can be really sticky - especially if it's one magician's signature trick.

[Wowbagger]

Perhaps.

I also wonder if I can adapt my version in such a way that it is not really recognizable as the "signature" version. The actual underlining trick would be the same, but much of the whole presentation around it could be completely different.

[wackyvorlon]

I think that would work. Like Think-a-Drink, but with rabbits.

[Lanzy]

I admire your integrity, but what happens if you don't ask. If you are not a professional how would they ever know?

[Wowbagger]

Originally Posted by Lanzy

I admire your integrity, but what happens if you don't ask. If you are not a professional how would they ever know?

I might perform it in public. Maybe even, in a few years, TAM. Who knows?

Besides, I respect and admire the magician's work, too much, not to ask.

Hell, I've even asked music artists permission to perform their songs in filk circles. That's the kind of guy I am.

[fuelair]

Originally Posted by Wowbagger

I might perform it in public. Maybe even, in a few years, TAM. Who knows?

Besides, I respect and admire the magician's work, too much, not to ask.

Hell, I've even asked music artists permission to perform their songs in filk circles. That's the kind of guy I am.

With the understanding that my primary connection with filking is collecting songbooks back in the late sixties through the 70s, I don't remember any problems or concerns unless you recorded them for profit - and I actually never heard of any cases of that. Just a check, Have you heard of Filthy Pierre and can you identify his instrument of choice?

[Wowbagger]

Originally Posted by fuelair

Just a check, Have you heard of Filthy Pierre and can you identify his instrument of choice?

Yes, I've heard of Filthy Pierre. He frequents I-Con, every year, for one thing. I don't remember what his instrument was called, off hand, but it was a sort-of mouth-powered keyboard, of some sort.