Behind The Scene: The Making Of Garuda Merlion Magic Convention

Behind The Scene: The Making Of Garuda Merlion Magic Convention

Author: Silvan Prayogo, BSc., MSc. Biotech (Semarang Magic Community Captain 2011 - 2012)

Last update: 22nd of April 2012, Sunday

Garuda Merlion Magic Convention officially ended on the 13th of April 2012, Friday, at 21:40. However, the magic convention shall always be valued and remembered as:

1. The first magic convention in Indonesia organized by two magic organizations from two countries: Semarang Magic Community (Indonesia) and International Brotherhood of Magicians  115 [The Great Wong Ring] (Singapore).
2. The most economical magic convention in Indonesia. Price range was Rp. 100 000 - Rp. 125 000 (approximately $USD 11 - 13) per person for a two-days magic convention (12th and 13th of April 2012), which featured awesome magicians nationally and internationally. By the way, dinner was included in the price. :)
3. Semarang Magic Community (SMC) is the first and the youngest Indonesian magic community to organize a magic convention with foreign nation's magic organization. SMC by April 2012 was only 1 year and 9 months old.

Silvan Prayogo gave a presentation in 2012 Semarang Tourism Forum in Grand Candi Hotel on the third of April 2012, Semarang. Silvan Prayogo, as a captain of Semarang Magic Community promoted Semarang Magic Community and Garuda Merlion Magic Convention during the forum

Garuda Merlion Magic Convention was not an overnight dream come true. It required months of preparations, patience, and determination of men and women in Semarang Magic Community and The International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM)115 Singapore.

This brilliant magic convention idea was proposed by Mr. John Teo (the president of International Brotherhood of Magicians 115 Singapore) on early September 2011 via email. Mr. John Teonoticed Semarang Magic Community website and has followed our progress since. He supported our visions and missions. Hence, he advised a friendship magic convention between Semarang Magic Community (SMC) and IBM 115 Singapore.

Garuda Merlion Magic Convention originally planned as a small magic convention in Semarang(Indonesia) between Semarang Magic Community (SMC) and International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM) 115 Singapore. Hence, it was originally named "Mini Magic Convention". We did not expect the convention would be attended by people from out of Semarang. However, we gladly welcome guests from all over the world.

IBM 115 Award for the Garuda Merlion Magic Convention Magic Competition (12th of April 2012)

Mr. John Teo eased our mind. He said that profit gaining is not the aim of the magic convention. The magic convention is only for friendship and magic appreciation. IBM 115 Singapore came to Semarang, Indonesia, at their own cost. They even shared the convention cost with Semarang Magic Community. We gratefully appreciate their generosity and dedication for magic inIndonesia.

SMC was so excited about Mini Magic Convention. We hurried IBM 115 Singapore to start the convention in November 2011 or December 2011. However, the proposed months were impossible due to the busy schedule in November 2011 (IBM 115 Singapore anniversary) and December 2011 (e.g. Christmas, The 8th AMA Convention in Hong Kong, and New Year celebration).

The Garuda Merlion Magic Convention Poster at Merby's Club

January and February 2012 were not good either to have a magic convention because many magicians would be fully booked (i.e. Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day). Thus, the convention was decided to be held on March 2012.

Unfortunately, on mid February 2012, IBM 115 Singapore requested that the convention should be held later after March 2012. Thus, we agreed to have the convention on the 11th up to the 13th of April 2012.Mr. Kenneth Chia, Mr. Pambudi Sunarsihanto and Mr. Bernard Sim from IBM 115 Singaporeassisted preparations of Garuda Merlion Magic Convention. They provided valuable ideas and suggestions for the magic convention arrangement.

As a simulation on how the convention would feel like, SMC organized the 9th Gathering, which was an open (public) event called "The Magic Nite" in Istana Restaurant on MT Haryono Street 836, Semarang. [Click here to read more about The Magic Nite]. The Magic Nite allowed us to evaluate our management for a big scale event. We noticed our weaknesses and improved within two months.

Magic Nite made us aware that the following guidelines must be applied for the magic convention:

1. Minimize unknown variables.
2. Singaporean guests receive priority time allocation.
3. SMC and IBM 115 control the magic convention.
4. SMC must be able to quickly respond to any emergency.

Unknown variables include weather, traffic condition, potential tardiness, indecisive participants, etc. Initially we would like to take the Singaporeans for a road trip out of Semarang. However, the travel time would be too long (approximately 3 - 4 hours for one way trip). Furthermore, the traffic condition would be unpredictable. For example, if there was an accident somewhere along the road or if the Merapi Volcano erupted, then the traffic jam could take hours.  We noticed this problems weeks before the magic convention when we surveyed the cities of interest. It would be long hours and tiring for those who participated in this journey. Thus, we decided a short distance road trip to Bandungan (approximately 1.5 - 2 hours drive from Semarang). This would also ease a spare car to quickly go back and forth to Semarang if any urgent matters happened.

The hotel for the Singaporeans was selected on Pemuda Street in the center of Semarang for convenience. The hotel was brand new and close to major shopping malls and near tourist attractions. It was within 15 - 20 minutes drive to the magic convention location (Istana Restaurant).

Istana restaurant on MT Haryono 836 Street was selected due to its high quality of service and food at an economical price. Furthermore, we had a great gathering experience in Istana Restaurantlast January 2012 (see The Ninth Gathering: Magic Nite).

Mr. Valentino tried to get Indonesian magicians to give magic lectures and / or magic shows for The Garuda Merlion Magic Convention. However, he received negative or unclear responses. Some were not so encouraging remarks. We understand our situation. We sincerely admit that the magic convention would be our first magic convention, especially one that involved foreign magicians. Furthermore, there was nothing of monetary values we could offer for those who would give magic lectures and / or magic shows. As a reward, we could only offered a great experience and mentioning in Semarang Magic Community's online medias. Thus, we had prepared magicians from Semarang Magic Communityto give magic lectures and / or performances.

Fortunately, Mr. Paulus Sentana (former president of IBM Surabaya) and Robert Ortega (a magician from Tegal) volunteered to give a magic lecture and a magic show respectively. They gave excellent magic  lecture and magic show during the Garuda Merlion Magic Convention.

Since we rarely get overseas magicians to give magic lectures and shows, therefore, magic lecture and magic show time allocation would be prioritized for the Singaporean magicians who wanted to give magic lectures or magic shows. Thus, time schedule was carefully monitored and adjusted. Only SMC and IBM 115 had the authority to adjust the schedule.

By March 2012, IBM 115 confirmed their best magicians to give magic shows and lectures duringGaruda Merlion Magic Convention. They were Mr. John Teo, Mr. Gician Tan, and Jeremy Tan. Indonesian magicians, in disbelief, became so excited when SMC announced these amazing guest star magicians. Then, by April 2012, we received another great addition, Mr. Bernard Sim volunteered to give a unique lecture, a combination of skill and magic, it was about dice stacking. The MC from IBM 115 was Mr. Satish Kumar. The guest star magicians were truly beyond our expectations.

SMC realized that "Mini" Magic Convention was rather inappropriate for such an important event. Thus, we provided a selection of names to replace "Mini". Some of the names were as follow:

• Lunpia Magic Convention: Lunpia is the traditional Semarang delicacy.
• Extravaganza Magic Convention. Too TV show-like?
• Semarang Magic Convention (SMC).
• Garuda Merlion Magic Convention. A bit long. But nicely fit to the theme.

SMC and IBM 115 Singapore finally agreed to name the magic convention as "Garuda Merlion Magic Convention".  The name bears the symbols of the two nations involved.Garuda is the symbol of Indonesia. Merlionis the symbol of Singapore.

Promotion materials such as brochures, street banners, posters, and many more were immediately prepared and distributed weeks before the magic convention. Internet promotion was also intensified especially via Facebook and Twitter. We arranged the announcement so that it was not made too early to be forgotten or too late for anyone to notice / prepare.

SMC selected experienced and trusted crews among its members. The selected crews had served well in SMC's previous events. Their dedications were once again tested in Garuda Merlion Magic Convention. The SMC crews were Aditya Agunk, Deka Ridwantono,Dodox Decaprio, Ken Daizzels, D'Rowman Romiruz, Pratama Herry Herlambang(Tama), and Zue Nara Firdaus.

SMC was also assisted by other Indonesians such as Mrs. Benita Arijani,  Mr. Giarsito Sapto Putratmo, and Mrs. Eriyati R. Saptoputratmo who promoted the magic convention during the2012 Semarang City Tourism Forum Meeting on the third of April 2012 in Grand Candi Hotel, Semarang. Also, 90.2 Trax FM radio that broadcasted the Garuda Merlion Magic Conventionannouncement.

Many thanks to Mr. Surya, the additional driver / staff on the 11th and 12th of April 2012, who was 24 hours ready to help should any emergency occurred. Additional thanks to the staffs of Istana restaurant, especially Mr. Mada and Mr. Parman, for their best service during the magic convention. Much appreciation to Mrs. Evie Lolana S for various assistance related to the magic convention. Last but not least, great thanks to dr. Harry Prayogo who helped organize and sponsored some of the magic convention's program.

Many people contributed to the success of Garuda Merlion Magic Convention. Both the Singaporeans and Indonesians did their best throughout the preparation and the running of Garuda Merlion Magic Convention. The magic convention is hoped to strengthen friendship among Singaporean and Indonesian magicians and appreciation to the art of magic.

Note: more photos are available in Semarang Magic Community Facebook.

Articles related to  Garuda Merlion Magic Convention and Semarang Magic Community (e.g. translation, profile generation, publishing, etc) are created by Silvan Prayogo in Yogostar.