Contest Guidelines

The following guielines have NOT been adopted by any organization. They are guidelines which can be adopted and used freely by any organization. Contestants can significant improve their chances of winning a contest by using the guidelines to rate their performance.

Timelines are left to the organization to determine how long an act is to be. Eight minutes seems to be the general censusfor the length of an act. Going over can disqualifly a performer.

Purpose of Guidelines

The purpose of these guidelines are:

  • To minimize subjectivity in scoring.
  • To ensure objective scoring
  • To minimize rating error that consistantly are found in all Contest Judging by many organizations
    • Selective Perception Error: People are more likely to pay attention to those aspects of their environment which they expect rather than those they do not expect. They selectively interpret what they see on the basis of their background, interests, attitudes and experience. A Close-up artist see the performance from his skills set, the same is true with Illusionists, and Children Entertainers.
    • Projection Error: The tendency to attribute one's own characteristics to other people can distort perceptual judgements about others. Ex: Friends rate Friends, Club Members rate Club Members, Performance style rate Similar Performance Styles. etc.
    • Stereotyping Error: Judging the people on the basis of the characteristics of the group to which they belong is called "stereotyping".
    • Halo Effect Error: Halo error creeps in when the rater allows one aspect of a man's character or performance (intelligence, sociability or appearance, likes and Dislikes, Religious and Political Affilations, etc.) to influence his entire evaluation.
    • First Impression Error: People often form impression of others on the first thing they see in a performance/performer.
    • Last Impression Error: People often form impression of others on the last thing they see in a performance/performance.
    • Limited Information Error: There is a tendency on the part of some people to judge others on limited information, no skills in judging and type of magic being judged (non-children entertainer judging children entertainers, etc.).
    • Attribution Error: There is a tendency for the individuals to attribute their own performance skills and stye to situational factors, and explain the judging of others by their personal likes and dislikes of routines and effects.
    • Perceptual Set Error: Previously held beliefs about objects, routines, or acts influence an individual's perception of what is or isn't good in performance style.
    • Lieniency: Certain People will not rate others always in a "positive frame" because they "feel" for them, don't want to hurt their feelings, or refuse to see errors in performance.
    • Harshly: Certain People will others harshly because they are exacting, want perfection and a small or simple mistake cannot be overlooked. It's pretty much a "all or nothing" thing.
    • Central Tendency: Certain People cannot make up their minds so average is the solution.
    • Lay-Person Judges Error: A svengalli deck of card or a thumb-tip effect performance can impress their judging. From their perspective it's a miracle.
    • Skilled Performer Judging Error: Although addressed above, performances egos get involved in the decision making.

(Note: These errors and guidelines have been developed through many years of training the Private and Public Sectors in assessing individuals fairly.)

(All Contests - Advance NOTIFICATION/Registration Required, Generally one month notification)

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED UPON ARRIVAL

ALL ROUTINES ENTERED INTO COMPETITION MUST BE REHEARSED AND PRACTICED PRIOR TO THE CONTEST

All Contests are open to the public for your viewing pleasure and magical enjoyment.

All Competitors must notify their intent to compete in the contest and must submit a completed application prior to the contest.

SELECTION OF JUDGES- Judges will be selected from active members in good standings or those in attendance at the contest, who wish to judge their peers or any judge that the President and/or Board may choose. Each judge will and must be impartial and without prejudice.  In all cases the Decisions of the Judges, President and Board are FINAL!

Availability of Judges: At their option, the judges will be available after the performance to discuss the scoring of your act.

First Place Winners: For Fairness to other competitors: First Prize Winners are limited to ONE (1) WIN per contest category EVERY TWO (2) YEARS. You are further asked to describe your show. This portion must be completed SO WE HAVE A RECORD OF YOUR ROUTINE-IF YOU WIN THE CONTEST- YOU CAN NOT USE THE SAME ROUTINE TO ENTER THE SAME CONTEST FOR THREE YEARS. As a First Place Winner you may enter the contest but you can not compete to win for First Place for Two Years.

  • Purpose of Contests: The purpose of a contest is to have fun performing in the contest environment. That environment is not necessarily the "real world," but rather an environment in which the rules of Performance Etiquette are applied. Performance of "Blue Magic" is reason for immediate disqualification.
  • Who Can Enter: Any member of the Organization is eligible to enter the contest. The applicant must be in good standing with both the National and Local organization at the time the application is submitted. An applicant may have to proved he is as a member by National by presenting his membership card prior to the applicant being eligible to enter a contest.
  • Contest Classes: The Organization may divide contestants into two categories the Professional or Amateur Class Contest. The Contest Committee reserves the right to exclude an applicant from entering the Amateur Class Contest. Any applicant so excluded will be eligible to perform in the Professional Class Contest.
  • Equipment Required:
    • Although you are asked to state on the form the "equipment needed," it is your responsibility to assure such equipment will be there.
    • Headset Microphones are very expensive, therefore, contestant must supply their own and not borrow another contestants expensive equipment.
    • Contestant may use organization's equipment.
    • DVD and CD Players DO NOT play everyone's CD or DVD correctly, therefore, Contestant is encourage to bring their own CD/DVD player with approprite adapters.
    • Important: There will be no fire, fog machines or "blue" magic allowed at the performance, without prior approval of Organization. Also, problems by the Sound and Lighting Technicians will not be held against the performer.

Scoring Criteria: will be based on a one to four scale in each dimension:

  • 4. Exceptional Performance
  • 3. Above Average, No Glaring Mistakes or Errors
  • 2. Below Average, Mistakes Obvious
  • 1. Needs Work

Scoring Dimensions: Entrants will be judged on the basis of the following dimensions:

  • Presentation:
    4. The performer "WOWed" the audience, connected with the audience, and the audience could see the performance over and over again.
    3. The performer demonstrated smooth transition between routines, and a positive connected with the audience, a repeat performance would also be enjoyable
    2. The performer has some transitions between effects, connected with the audience but needs work on entertaining the audience.
    1. There was little transition between effects or routines, it appeared to be a series of unrelated effects, haphazardly presented with little or no audience connection.

     

  • Stage Presence: Confidence in one's abilities, Attitude of assurance knowing the routine extremely well, well practiced, eye contact with audience, comfortable performing.
    4. The performer demonstrated confidence and was comfortable with the routine, well rehearsed, with an attitude of assurance in performance
    3. The performer demonstrated confidence and was comfortable with the routine, and made NO obvious mistakes or exposures.
    2. The performer demonstrated confidence and was comfortable with the routine, but made glaring mistakes or exposures.
    1. The performer needs a lot of practice, made glaring mistakes or exposured how the effect was done.

     

  • Audience Appreciation: The audience obviously is enjoying the performance, the audience is having fun and being entertained
    4. By the applause and/or visual actions of the audience, they really appreciated the performance, and could watch the performance again, and again
    3. By the applause, the audience appreciated and enjoyed the performance and wouldn't mind seeing it again.
    2. The applause was "forced", the performance was enjoyable, but once was enough.
    1. Little applause and the audience seemed bored or demonstrated a lack of interest in the performance, the entertainer did not entertain.

     

  • Skills/Technique: The performer demonstrated the skills of a craftsman in the performance, clearly indicating a professional entertainer (Magician).
    4. The performer clearly demonstrated manipulated skills with no mistakes, with cards, coins, canes, thumb tips, or any effect required skill to do well.
    3. The performer demonstrated manipulated skills with little or no glaring mistakes, with cards, coins, canes, thumb tips, or any effect required skill to do well.
    2. The performer demonstrated manipulated skills with glaring mistakes, with cards, coins, canes, thumb tips, or any effect required skill to do well.
    1. The performer demonstrated manipulated skills with several mistakes or exposure, with cards, coins, canes, thumb tips, or any effect required skill to do well.

     

  • Originality: The performer developed, enhanced a routine that is original material.
    4. The performer demonstrated a routine and effect, which is clearly his own.
    3. The performer demonstrated a routine, which is clearly his own, and used standard effects. (Professor's Nightmare, 20th century Silks, etc.)
    2. The performer demonstrated a "stock routine", which for the most part is a common method.
    1. The performer copied a routine from another, with insufficient original material added.

     

  • Humor: The performer entertained the audience with "appropriate" use of humor.
    4. There was numerous bits of business with continued laughter from the audience.
    3. The audience laughed over the added bits of business and the routine had several humorous elements to it.
    2. The audience smiled, chuckled and the routine has obvious humor elements.
    1. There was little or no laughter from the audience.

     

  • Children Entertainment Value (Kid Show Contest): The performer clearly demonstrated an ability to entertain children, using humor, audience involvement and a child assistant.
    4. The routine was clearly geared for children, used audience participation, lots of humor, and involved a child assistance.
    3. The routine was clearly geared for children, involved the audience, was funny, and involved a child assistance.
    2. The routine wasn't clearly geared for children, used little audience participation, some humor, and did not involved a child assistance.
    1. The routine wasn't clearly geared for children, used little or no audience participation, little humor, and did not involved a child assistance.

     

  • Overall Satisfaction of Performance: You were clearly entertained, you feel good about the performance, you had fun, and could watch the performance again because the performer has the right combination of Skills, Originality, Stage Presence, Humor, Music, Effects, Color, Costume and Connection with the Audience
    4. The performance has the right combination of Skills, Originality, Stage Presence, Humor, Music, Effects, Color, Costume and Connection with the Audience
    3. The performance has most of the right combination of Skills, Originality, Stage Presence, Humor, Music, Effects, Color, Costume and Connection with the Audience
    2. The performance Lack the right combination of Skills, Originality, Stage Presence, Humor, Music, Effects, Color, Costume and Connection with the Audience
    1. The performance needs much improvement related to combining Skills, Originality, Stage Presence, Humor, Music, Effects, Color, Costume and Connection with the Audience

     

Rules and Regulations of Various Contest Types

Rules and Regulations: Close-up Contest:

  1. Close-up Defined: Close-up means bringing the audience into the magician's environment and creating an intimate focus of interest between the magician and volunteers. The Magician will either (a) be seated at a table, or (b) stand behind the table and perform for the volunteers who are seated at the table. With respect to this contest, there will be at least one volunteer seated or standing at the table. It is that interest and excitement created in the volunteers that is projected to the remaining audience. Close-up is defined as a series of effects that complete one routine. However, if you wish, your routine may consist of a single effect.
  2. Maximum Performance Time: The maximum time period for your performance is SEVEN (7) minutes. This time period begins with your acknowledgment to the timekeeper that you are about to begin and ends when you are through, for example a final bow. All audience participation prior to the ending (i.e., laughing, clapping during act, difficulty with a volunteer, etc.) will be counted as part of your overall time allotment. You will be informed by the timekeeper at the one minute mark. Exception - If music is used at the beginning and/or end of your routine, the time during which the music is played will count in your time allotment.

Rules and Regulations: Full Stage and One Shot Stage Contest:

  1. Stage Defined: Stage means performing in an environment separated from the audience. The performer must project interest and excitement to the audience directly, or through the use of volunteers. The Magician will perform on an actual stage. The Magician may perform with an Assistant(s). Organization may provide a spotlight and a sound system. Although a microphone may be made available, you are encouraged to bring your own microphone set-up, if you choose to use one. If you use music with your act, such music is to be on a tape, properly queued and properly marked with instructions as to how it is to be played. If your music is downloaded to a mini disc, then be certain to bring your own equipment to interface with our system. You may also bring your own sound engineer.
  2. Full Stage Defined: Full Stage means a routine Stage performance which might incorporate, in addition to the magic effects, music, pantomime, speaking, audience participation, etc. The magician may use rabbits, doves and other small animals.
  3. One Shot Stage Defined: One Shot Stage means a Stage routine consisting of "one effect." The One Shot Stage performance might incorporate, in addition to the magic effect, music, pantomime, speaking, audience participation, etc. The magician may use rabbits, doves and other small animals. If you have any doubt as to whether your routine is "one effect," please ASK for clarification if unsure. Example - Performing the Linking Rings is "one effect." However, if at the end of the Rings, various silk scarf knot ties are demonstrated, -- this is a second effect, and you will be disqualified.

Rules and Regulations: Children's Full Stage and Children's One Shot Stage Contest:

  1. Children's Stage Routine Defined: Children's Stage Routine means performing in an environment separated from the audience. The performer must project interest and excitement for an audience of children directly, with the use of children volunteers. The Magician will perform on an actual stage. The Magician must perform with one or more child assistant(s). The performance must be clearly designed and performed for the sole enjoyment of children. The performance can be or include an educational value. Organization may provide a spotlight and a sound system. Although a microphone may be made available, you are encouraged to bring your own microphone set-up, if you choose to use one. If you use music with your act, such music is to be on a tape, properly queued and properly marked with instructions as to how it is to be played. If your music is downloaded to a mini disc, then be certain to bring your own equipment to interface with our system. You may also bring your own sound engineer.
  2. Children's Full Stage Defined: Children's Full Stage means a routine Stage performance which might incorporate, in addition to the magic effects, music, pantomime, speaking, audience participation, etc., geared toward an audience of children. The magician may use rabbits, doves and other small animals.
  3. Children's One Shot Stage Defined: Children's One Shot Stage means a Stage routine consisting of "one children's magical effect." The Children's One Shot Stage performance might incorporate, in addition to the magic effect, music, pantomime, speaking, audience participation, comedy props, etc. The magician may use rabbits, doves and other small animals. If you have any doubt as to whether your routine is "one effect," please ASK for clarification if unsure. Example - Performing the Milk Pitcher routine is "one effect." however, the routine includes, a milk picther, a comedy funnel, a comedy glass, and various other items which fit the single routine, -- a second effect is totally unrelated to the routine, and you may be disqualified.
  4. Children's One Shot Educational Routine Defined: Children's One Shot Educational Routine means a Stage routine consisting of "one children's magical effect" with an educational theme or message. The Children's One Shot Educational Routine performance might incorporate, in addition to the magic effect, music, pantomime, speaking, audience participation, comedy props, etc., the magician may use rabbits, doves and other small animals. If you have any doubt as to whether your routine is "one effect," please ASK for clarification if unsure. Example - Performing the Say No to Drugs routine is "one effect." however, the routine includes, various other magical items or props which fit the single educational theme routine, -- a second effect is totally unrelated to the first routine routine and is another routine with the same message, and you may be disqualified.

Rules and Regulations: Table Hopping/Strolling Magic Contest:

  1. Table Hopping and Strolling Magic are the Same Type of Magic Act.
  2. Table Hopping and Strolling Magic Defined: Table Hopping means the performance of a routine (a) in the hands of the volunteers, (b) on the table at which the volunteers are seated, (c) while standing before the seated volunteers, or (d) any combination thereof. The table will be set as though in a restaurant environment. Moving any part of a place setting is not permitted. If a pad is used, all edges of the pad must be on the table (i.e., the edge of the pad may not hang over the edge of the table). Important: In some years, those tables provided to us by the Sheraton Concord Hotel have been extremely small and would preclude the use of even a small pad. The magician will be expected to perform in the environment set up for the contest.
  3. Repeat Performances: The magician will perform the identical (note - failure to perform the identical routine is reason for disqualification) routine on multiple occasions during the contest. Typically, the magician will repeat the performance three (3) or four (4) times depending on the number of entrants. The magician will move from table to table performing for a different audience each time.
  4. Maximum Reload Time: The maximum reload time is three (3) minutes. An area will be set aside in which you will be able to reload your effects for your next performance, if necessary. Please note that unused performance time will NOT extend the reload time.