Author's Note: This one ended up a bit more clinical, dry, and more focused on World Building than I initially planned. I know that not everyone is interested in that aspect of my ANGA stories, so I thought I would just mention that now rather than at the end of the ~2000 word piece. In any case, Enjoy!
The following PSA was paid for by the World Magic Organization. Remember to practice magic responsibly!
With the announcement of International Class Magician, Martin Horn being announced as the Magician for Season 3 of America’s Next Great Assistant, the World Magic Organization (WMO) has gotten increased amount of inquiries into their licensing system, and how one may begin their own journey into becoming a World Class Magician.
The WMO has prepared the following PSA and released it free online in order to help educate people on some of the general rules and regulations of professional magic performance that they may or may not be aware about.
Please enjoy.
Purpose of the World Magic Organization
Officially established in 1898 as the American Magic Organization, the WMO originally had its roots from the merging of three of the largest US magic brotherhoods: The Eastern Shore Magician’s Alliance, The Gold Rush Performer’s Union, and The United Magician’s of America. Their original charter stated the following:
‘For the Purposes of ensuring a Fare Wage, the Protection of an Individual’s Performances, and the Preservation of Magic’s Importance in America, We, The American Magic Organization, Swear to uphold the Honor, Dignity, and Respect that comes with the Title of Magician, Will continue to Innovate and Strive to Push the Boundaries of Magic, Fight against Persecution of Magic in All Forms, and Educate others on the Uses of Magic, such that the Future may be Brighter than our Present.’
Over the years, while the scope of our organization has increased greatly, many of these initial ideas still hold true.
Magician Licenses
Magician Licenses are only required when performing magic in a professional capacity as the part of a Magician in a public magic show (legally defined as a semi-regular performance on the premises of a private venue with at least ten individuals the magical performer does not regularly interact with).
The WMO would like to make it clear that while confirmation of magical aptitude is a requirement for higher classes of licenses, a Magician’s License Class is not an indication of their magical ability. It is entirely possible for a Magician with a C Class License to be as powerful, if not more so than a magician with a National Class or higher License.
Magician’s Licenses are granted based on a mixture of an application process; proof of participation in the Magic Community at large; adequacy in performative ability; and in the case of higher ranked licenses, general magical aptitude. A participant may have all of the requirements of a higher class license, but if they, or a member of their team on their behalf, do not apply, a higher class will not be granted.
The classes of license and some of their requirements are listed below:
- Unlicensed
Magical performance while unlicensed is permitted in a number of situations.
As previously mentioned, general magic use and private magic performances do not require the magician to hold a Magician’s License. Additionally, magical performances done as part of a charity event, small gathering, street performance, performances where magic is not the primary focus, or amateur performances do not require a Magician’s License either.
Magician’s are also allowed to perform twice in each Gregorian Year as the role of the magician in a public magic show while being unlicensed. Doing a third performance in this capacity will result in a warning from the WMO, and any further performances in the same Gregorian Year will result in fines for the venue, the performer, and any non-audience participants in the magic tricks performed.
It is the responsibility of the Magician to detail their performance history to the venues accurately, and if the venue is able to prove that the magician did not comply with this expectation, the venue will be refunded any amount they paid the magician, and their fines will be waived on to the Magician.
It is the responsibility of the Venue to ensure that the magician’s they hire are properly licensed, and if it is the magician’s third performance or more in the same Gregorian Year, to assist them with the process of acquiring a C Class License from the WMO.
Beyond the responsibilities listed above, general Magician-Venue etiquette and expectations apply, even when the magician is not officially registered with the WMO. Inability to comply will results in fines and/or bans for the offending party.
- C Class License
There are no requirements for a C Class Magician’s License beyond a free application process. The WMO receives funding from many federal governments around the world in order to act as an effective regulation agency for Performing Magician’s, and so there are no fees to initially register.
C Class Magician’s are granted all of the basic protections of a member of the WMO, and with it comes all of the responsibilities expected. Failure to comply with the responsibilities may result in fines and/or revocation.
C Class Magician’s can expect a guaranteed minimum payment for each performance, Access to one of the largest networks of Magician’s in the world, and the ability to perform at any registered venue around the world with no hassle.
- B Class License
A B Class License is granted to any applicant that has performed a minimum of fifty public show and has been registered with the WMO for over a year.
The benefits of upgrading includes:
A higher guaranteed minimum payment
Access to WMO basic training and education facilities
Discounts at select prop studios
A higher prestige than C Class Magicians
- A Class License
An A Class License is granted to any applicant that has performed a minimum of one hundred public shows, has been registered with the WMO for over three years, has performed in a minimum of ten different venues, and has completed a Basic Magic Competency Test (Which will test the magician on five of the ten most common branches of magic) administered by the WMO.
The benefits of upgrading includes:
A higher guaranteed minimum payment
Access to WMO basic training and education facilities
Assignment to a National Class Advisor, who will assist you in the process of applying for a National Class License and the requirements for your country of application.
The chance to be invited to WMO hosted events (Invitations are sent via raffle based on availability. Higher class licenses will be more likely to be invited)
Discounts at select hotels, prop studios, magic education programs, and assistant matching agencies
A higher prestige than B Class Magicians
- National Class License
The requirements for a National Class license are primarily dependent upon the primary country that a magician performs in. The WMO works with over 300 countries to help determine what they deem to be appropriate requirements. For more information on what the requirements are for your country, please either visit your Federal Government’s website, or click on the ‘National Class Requirements’ option on the WMO website.
The benefits of upgrading includes:
A higher guaranteed minimum payment
Access to WMO Advanced services, including free access to the WMO advisor system, WMO advanced training and education facilities, and the WMO archives.
An improved chance to be invited to WMO hosted events
A chance to be invited to National events for the country where the license is valid.
Discounts at select hotels, prop studios, magic education programs, and assistant matching agencies
A higher prestige than A Class Magicians
- International Class License
The requirements for a International Class license requires a Magician to have applied and received certification for a National Class license in at least ten different countries partnered with the WMO and completed an Advanced Magic Competency Test (which will test users on 25 of the 100 most common branches of magic) administered by the WMO.
The benefits of upgrading includes:
A higher guaranteed minimum payment
Access to the National Class Fast Track Program, which allows for magicians to apply for any National Class licenses and schedule with agencies to facilitate the completion of testing, performative, or registration requirements in an accelerated manner.
An improved chance to be invited to WMO hosted events
A chance to be invited to National events for the country where the license is valid.
A chance to be invited to International events.
Discounts at select hotels, prop studios, magic education programs, and assistant matching agencies
A higher prestige than National Class Magicians
- World Class License
The requirements for a World Class License are numerous and complex as it represents the best of the best available in the WMO. In our history of operation, only 458 magicians have ever achieved this license.
In addition to having be certified on the National Class license level for every country that has partnered with the WMO, World Class applicants are expected to have been tested on almost every aspect of magical performance, including ranking of performances, competency tests, years active, events attended, and more. The full list of ‘Feats’ required can be found on the WMO website.
The primary advantage to holding a World Class License is the global acknowledgment that you have left your mark on Magic History.
Assistant Licenses
It is a common misconception that an assistant’s license class automatically matches to the highest level magician they have worked for.
The truth is, beyond a standard assistant license, with requirements similar to a C Class Magician’s license, the World Magic Organization has not classified Assistants since 1967. This has allowed assistants a larger sense of freedom, with the ability to work with a large range of magicians and define their own terms of employment.
It is the responsibility of Magicians to ensure that their assistants are prepared in both a technical and performative sense to fulfill their duties as an assistant and that the terms of agreement are well defined. As demonstrated by World Class Magicians David Angel and Howard Weiss, a great assistant is not necessarily dependent upon magical ability.
The WMO primarily takes a hands-off approach to Assistants, and relies upon our partners to properly regulate the interaction between Magicians, Assistants, and the Federal Government of the country the interaction occurs in.
Venue Licenses
If a Venue plans on regularly featuring Magician performers (defined as more than ten Magician Performances in a single Gregorian Year), they are required by all participating governments to register for a Venue License. Venue License classifications are based on the size of the venue.
A ‘Standard’ license is for indoors Venues that can comfortably fit between 10 and 99 individuals.
A ‘Theater’ license is for indoors Venues that can comfortably fit between 100 and 5000 individuals.
A ‘Stadium’ license is for Venues that can comfortably fit more than 5000 individuals.
Additionally, the WMO offers a special ‘Wellspring’ license to venues that are present in a Wellspring.
Each Venue is required to adhere to both the standard business licenses of their country of origin, and to the additional requirements listed on the WMO website.
Conclusion
The WMO hopes that you have found this PSA informative, and would encourage you to continue your own research on the subject.
Thank you for Watching!