Hello everyone!

I'm an illusionist just scratching the surface of escapes. I was wondering (more for myself than anything) what constitutes the fact of being an escape artist. I have several different "escape routines" in my arsonal of stage effects such as; the thumbcuffs, hand-cuff escape, packing crate escape, Siberrian chain escape, a straight jacket, and 100 ft. of rope escape... and I hope to add 55 Gallon Drum Escape pretty soon. Does this make me an escape artist to the lay-people? Now realize, I do not perform all of these escapes in my regular show. Items such as the straight jacket, the packing crate escape, and the Drum are generally for PR stunts. I would like to be able to add to my promotional materials that I do escapes; however, I don't want to miss-title myself as something I am not... this may be a crude analogy; however, why would I wear a Purple Heart if I was never wounded in battle, right?

I'm most curious about this because I have been wondering what makes a true escape artist!

Some insight would be greatly appreciated!

-Bryan Gilles

The way the audience perceives your presentation will determine whether you are a true ea. Not you.This is the true illusion.

Ken

I agree with Kondini. If you're an entertainer, the other labels don't matter. That must come first.

Agreed with the above statements.

But I believe that you can class yourself as an EA. A true Escape artist does escapes from ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. But many EA's make use of Illusion type escapes. IMHO even the sub trunk is classed as an Escape. So I don't see why you cannot call yourself an EA. If that was the case, then NONE of the members on this site or any can call themselves Magicians as a magician is supposed to be able to do REAL magic, Not tricks and illusions.

Regards
Wolflock

Great insight!

No Problem Bryan the Escape Artist. :o) (Thought you would like that one.)Hope we were able to answer your question in as "least obscure" a manner as we could.

I always considered myself a magician plain and simple. I was very surprised when I got noted for a couple of escape routines which I added to my magic shows and suddenly I was included as an "escape artist." The lines are very blurred.

I was thinking of how this "extra" title seems to sound mor eimpressive. I was amazed a while back when a friend told me he was able to book more shows because his business cards said he was a sleight-of-hand-artist, comedy magician, and illusionist. He said people where able to identify with one or all of the titles; although they are the same! I was just thinking if all of my PR Stunt are escapes, I can sell my show a lot easier and paint a clearer image in my clients minds of exactly what I do...

-Bryan Gilles

It is true that it seems more impressive with more of a title behind your name. Well I and I believe Most of the guys here will class you as an EA.

Starry - Yes the lines are a bit blurry. It is kind of like the lines between Magic, Mentalism and Pychics (or charlatans as I call them - Sorry If I offend anyone. Bit of a sceptic) But Yes.

Heck who are we to argue when Metamorphosis was performed by Harry Houdini. He was an Escape Artist. Along with all his other escapes.

Regards
Wolflock

Great point!

-Bryan Gilles

When you can escape from "you know who" tying you up, you will be an escape artist!

Just kidding!!!!!!!!!!!

The next time we do a show together, we will have to do a simultaneous jacket escape set to "dueling banjos".

Now that is a good idea. Would love to see the vid to that one.

Escape artist, mentalist, cardician, all titles we give ourselvs.

The audience in GENERAL says magician.

I agree with Danny, I do magic, mentalism, bizarre & escapes. It is all seen as magic by the public.

Very true. Ask most layperson who the greatest magician was of all time and they will say Houdini.