I was seventeen years old when I sat in my first ever TV magic writers room. I was the least experienced by a long shot and took it as an opportunity to learn from everyone. I do remember one stand-out moment — about halfway through the day, we began discussing a trick idea, and the most experienced consultant in the room stood up and made a gentle announcement.
They informed us that they had worked on a similar trick for a TV series the year before and that they were happy for us to continue the discussion, but they would need to leave the room and inform their previous client.
I remember thinking the guy was probably overreacting. But over the years, I’ve realised that secrets are the most valuable currency in our industry. There are consultants I will not recommend for work due to their poor ability to keep a secret. I’ve since watched big-name magic consultants refuse to attend set on days tricks are being recorded that are similar to tricks they’ve worked on for others.
And the story came full circle when seven years later, I sat in a writers room in America, and the team discussed a magic trick with a hoodie. I don’t remember leaving the room, but I let them know I’d worked on something similar and called the original client to let them know. Secrets are the most valuable currency for the consultant.
Besides the moral dilemma of secret-keeping, there’s also the legal one. I have signed so many non-disclosure agreements. The validity of these agreements is probably minute. I keep secrets because good secret-keepers get hired again.
