|
Practicing Magic
By Joanna Smiley
|
San Marcos magician Michael E. Johnson caught the magic bug when he was 12 years old.
He was so inspired by the movie “Houdini” that he remembers performing Houdini’s needle trick in his home. His parents, however, were not happy that he attempted to “swallow” sewing needles and thread.
Nonetheless, Johnson took his daring endeavors to the professional level. He’s been performing around San Diego and North County for 35 years and recently started a web site www.sandiegomagicnews.com.
Question: What’s your favorite trick to do and can you explain your secret?
Answer: “My favorite trick is a stunt where I rip a 1,000-page phone book in half with my bare hands. I learned the technique two decades ago. It’s a trick, of course, but it makes you look like Hercules! Everyone keeps asking me how it’s done. I usually don’t reveal secrets, but I decided to release this technique on DVD this year.”
Question: What’s the best advice you can offer to aspiring magicians?
Answer: “Aspiring magicians should learn to love their audiences. Magic is not possible without an audience. If you appreciate you audience and respect their intelligence, you’ll have a lot more fun being a magician.”
Question: Can you walk me through a typical day in your business?
Answer: “I start my magic day reading magic magazines, trying to learn something new. I’m not into tricks that much. I’m more interested in style and substance. I especially enjoy old publications, because some knowledge is timeless. I handle the paperwork and computer stuff. Phones ring, faxes fly and mail gets processed. It’s like any office. I spend lots of time multitasking on marketing, graphic design, customer service, web site maintenance and public relations.
"My favorite part of the day is show time. On a typical day, I’ll do two or three magic shows, each one in a different city, and usually different types of shows from corporate events to people’s back yards.” (February 19, 2006 edition) |
© 2008 Michael E. Johnson
This page may not be reproduced in any form without express written permission
|
|
