The hardest part about being a magician is going to watch other magic shows.

A magician has a difficult time watching a show to appreciate it for the entertainment value and the awe inspiring illusions than your regular audience member. I would wager most of them are taking notes on what they can add/modify for their own show.

I do my best to just enjoy the show… but can’t help but smile when I see the magician do something extremely clever on a technique I know. While there are magicians who perform for other magicians (magician foolers would be the operative term), it doesn’t have the same entertainment value. The goal for those magicians is to fool you.

A magician is too close to see a magic show for what it is and can be a horrible judge for whether it’s any good. Some offer advice thinking they’re helping, but they can’t see beyond their own show either. There are a rare few who can… but it’s not the norm.

It also wouldn’t be below some to offer bad advice on purpose out of spite or jealousy.

David Copperfield’s television specials, for instance, were shaped by the opinion of the late night custodial staff while David was editing his fourth one. His show changed instantly.

He now hires writers, choreographers, costume designers and experts in their own field to help him with his magic show. Magicians help him with the magic, but the team gives an eye where the magicians can’t.

In your own work, if you want an honest opinion, you would better be served by those who can see properly.

Always consider your audience, then ask them what they think.