Technology is killing magic; David Hagerman breathes new life into the art

BRANSON, Mo., July 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Magic, the performance art, is dying and modern technology is killing it. Television, DVRs and the Internet make the secrets of magic readily available. Knowing the secret of an effect reduces a majestic work of art to a simple stunt and its prestige is lost.

Hagerman, The Last Great Wizard, calls himself the "world's most secretive magician" because he doesn't allow his original magic to be recorded. "Since magic began being exposed in mass online, magicians have often been viewed in media as hokey and inept, which damages the reputation of magicians and the art of performance," says Hagerman.

RULES OF MAGIC SECRECY
1. Never reveal an effect; and
2. Never repeat a trick for the same audience. Repeating tricks allow the audience to scrutinize the magician on a level that wasn't possible when they watched the effect the first time around. These two rules have served magic well for thousands of years until recording devices came into play. "Since DVRs and Internet sites allow for instant playback, magicians should adopt a third rule of secrecy; don't allow new, original magic to be recorded," says Hagerman.

"Magic should never be performed on television," says the wizard. "People watching a magic performance on a screen get a watered down view of the performance and it pales in comparison to viewing it live."

Early special effect creators used magicians to bring magical effects to the screen. Today these magicians have been replaced with CGI, computer-generated imagery. The effects created by CGI have far surpassed what a magician can create visually.

"Since people are so use to seeing computer generated effects, when they watch a televised magic performance; it's hard for their mind to not give some credit to computer aid. Seeing magic performed live completely dissolves this rationale and gives the viewer a unique feeling not possible through a screen."

In an attempt to revive the "magic" for magicians, David Hagerman, a magician with more than 20 years of professional experience, has launched an ambitious Kickstarter campaign to fund a grand tent-style traveling magic show, much like those experienced 100 years ago. Kickstarter is a popular crowd-funding website where people can donate money to causes or products they support. If successfully funded, Hagerman plans on touring the nation, performing original magic, in a timeless style.

Hagerman's Kickstarter project is set to bring a 1,500 seat tent theater to towns all over the country. The tent appears on the edge of town; much like it would have years ago. Through a special mystery promotion, strange symbols appear throughout the community in anticipation of the show's grand opening. Hagerman seeks to offer a truly imaginative magic show that is not offered in today's world.

Hagerman can currently be found performing his Vaudeville Magic show at Canobie Lake Park, a popular theme park in Salem, NH, until September 1st. For more information, please visit hagermania.com.

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SOURCE David Hagerman