I.B.M. 2013 Stage and Close Up Contest

Stage Contest Signup:  Online  | Printable PDF

Close Up Contest Signup:  Online  | Printable PDF

Technical Sheet:   Online  | Printable PDF

Thank you for your interest in participating in the I.B.M. Contests at the 85th Annual I.B.M. Convention.  This year's contest will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Phoenix, AZ.

Contest applications are available NOW. Online applications for the I.B.M. Stage Contest and the I.B.M. Close-Up Contests submitted via email must be received no later than June 26, 2013.  Applications for the I.B.M. Stage Contest and the I.B.M. Close-Up contest submitted by postal mail must be postmarked no later than June 22, 2013 and received no later than June 26, 2013.

A confirmation e-mail with information and contest details (times and places) will be sent by the beginning of July 2013.

All contest materials are available on this I.B.M. website and are downloadable.

The I.B.M. contests have been accepted as the benchmark for well-organized, quality, non-political convention contests.  Over the past 25 years, the I.B.M. contests have continued to attract more contestants and the quality of the field has steadily climbed.  The I.B.M. Gold Medal Contest Show has consistently been one of the high points of the convention.  The I.B.M. Gold Medal International Award of Excellence in Stage Performance and the I.B.M. Gold Cups International Award of Excellence in Close-Up Performance are two of the most prestigious prizes in the magic world.

The I.B.M. Gold Medal Stage Contest is a preliminary/finals event.  If you're selected to be one of the finalists in the I.B.M. Gold Medal Stage Contest, you'll have the opportunity to showcase your talents on the evening I.B.M. Gold Medal show held in the Chrysler Hall Theater.  The I.B.M. Gold Cups Close-Up Contest is also a preliminary/finals event.  The top Close-Up contestants will perform in the finals before a larger, very appreciative audience.

These top prizes are given at the discretion of the judges and are not awarded every year.

Synopsis of the I.B.M. Convention Contest Awards and Prizes

1.       I.B.M. Stage Contest - Youth Category:  Outstanding performance by a member age 7-17 includes a $500 (US Currency) cash prize.  Second Place Award of Merit for performance by a member age 7-17 includes a $250 (US Currency) cash prize.

2.       I.B.M. Stage Contest - Adult Category:  Outstanding performance by a member age 18 or over, includes a $2,000 (US Currency) cash prize.  Second Place Award of Merit for performance by a member age 18 or over includes a $250 (US Currency) cash prize.

3.       I.B.M. Stage Contest People's Choice Award:  This award includes a $500 (US Currency) cash prize.  The winner of this award is selected during the I.B.M. Gold Medal Stage Contest Finals.

4.       I.B.M. Gold Medal International Award of Excellence:  This award includes a $5,000 (US Currency) cash prize.  This top prize is given at the discretion of the judges and is not awarded every year.

5.       I.B.M. Close-Up Contest - Youth Category:  Outstanding performance by a member age 7-17 includes a $500 (US Currency) cash prize.  Second Place Award of Merit for performance by a member age 7-17 includes a $250 (US Currency) cash prize.

6.       I.B.M. Close-Up Contest - Adult Category:  Outstanding performance by a member age 18 or over, includes a $2,000 (US Currency) cash prize.  Second Place Award of Merit for performance by a member age 18 or over includes a $250 (US Currency) cash prize.

7.       I.B.M./Obie FFFF People's Choice Award for Close-Up:  This award includes a $500 (US Currency) cash prize.  The winner of this award is selected during the I.B.M. Gold Cups Close-Up Contest Finals.  The winner of this contest will be presented with the Obie Award, an invitation to the highly esteemed 4F convention held every year in Batavia, NY.

8.       I.B.M. Gold Cups International Award of Excellence:  This award includes a $5,000 (US Currency) cash prize.  This top prize is given at the discretion of the judges and is not awarded every year.

9.       Karrell Fox Comedy Award:  The winner must have entered the I.B.M Stage Contest.  This award is presented at the discretion of the judges and is not presented every year.

The winners of the I.B.M. Gold Medal Stage Contest and the I.B.M. Gold Cups Close-Up Contest will be booked for a following I.B.M. Annual Convention.  Additionally, Ring 25, the British Ring, will invite the winner of the I.B.M. Stage Contest to perform at the British Ring Convention, with all expenses paid (airfare, room, etc.)

The Youth Category first-place winner of the I.B.M. Stage Contest will receive the fabulous FANTASMA Youth Prize Package.  (This prize package is only available to winners who live within the 48 contiguous United States.)  The package includes:

• Round trip airfare for two to either Las Vegas or New York City
• Hotel accommodations for two nights
• All the FANTASMA Magic you can carry
• Lunch with a famous magician
• Magic show tickets
• An opportunity to perform on-stage or close-up in either city
• Special meetings with celebrity magicians to discuss your act
• …and more surprises and memories that will last a lifetime.

There are many, many reasons to enter the I.B.M. contests.  GREAT experiences.  GREAT prizes.  Whatever your motivation may be –

YOU WANT IT?  Come and TAKE IT!  We don't just give it away.

If you have questions or require additional information, please don't hesitate to contact our Contest Directors - Oscar & Melody Munoz at oscarmunoz@mac.com. 

Rules and Procedures of I.B.M. Stage and Close-up Contests

All clarifications or final decisions concerning the below rules are to be addressed by the Contest Chairman/Co-Chairman.

NO PYROTECHNICS OF ANY TYPE MAY BE USED IN EITHER CONTEST (ie, flash paper, powder, thread, string, open flame, smoker, mister, fogger, flint flasher, etc.)  If you have questions, ask.  NO CONFETTI, SAND, OR OTHER TYPES OF FINE MATERIAL MAY BE USED ON THE CONTEST STAGE.

A. All Contestants must be members in good standing of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and be confirmed registrants of the Annual Convention.

B. Youth Contestants’ applications must include the signature of that Contestant’s legal guardian.

C.  Contest performances may not include the knowingly unauthorized use of intellectual property or a known act in its entirety.

D. No Contestant may receive any compensation from the Annual International Convention, including but not limited to airfare, registration, room, or monetary compensation.

E. Because the I.B.M. Annual Convention promotes a “family” atmosphere, Contest material must not include “blue material”- inappropriate material.

F.  All Contestants must submit a video file, disc, or web link of the competition act.  This will be used to construct the order of performance, not for qualification. A headshot / photograph must also be submitted.  This will be used for advertising and Peoples’ Choice Award.

G. Each Contestant will be allotted two (2) minutes to set up the necessary equipment. The time-limit for performance is ten (10) minutes and will begin once the Contestant’s name is announced.  Each Contestant is allotted one (1) minute to strike or clear the Stage or Close-up area. 

H.  In the event the Gold Cups or Gold Medal is given, the winner will receive the 1^st place trophy and  $5,000 and forego the first place $2,000 prize. The total amount of winnings for Gold Cups or Gold Medal is $5,000, unless the Contestant also wins the Peoples’ Choice Award and the $500 prize.

I. The Stage Competition will be held over two days and include Prelims and Finals.  The Close-up Contest will take place over one day.  The Close-up Contestants should be prepared to perform at least four times.

Judges will use the Contest Judge Sheet based on a point system and in the event of a tie, the Judges will deliberate and come to a decision breaking the tie. 

If you have questions or require additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact our Contest Directors – Oscar & Melody Munoz: OMunoz@aol.com