|
|
Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
Allan Kardek Regular user Toronto 194 Posts |
I'm doing my audience reading routine tomorrow night and it just occurred to me that I don't have any lines or outs for hecklers. Does anyone have any techniques or sources to deal with hecklers during your Q & A act? I just want to be prepared.
Thanks in advanced, Allan |
|||||||||
Dr Spektor Eternal Order Carcanis 10781 Posts |
Don't do this:
Stare at the Heckler and concentrate - "ah.... I see... you don't want me to reveal the information on your recent affair and the bit of shady business with the taxes...hmm.. well then SHUDDUP" Or An Stooge in the audience says "Listen you freak - if you can't enjoy the show then leave... you probably are just frightened little boy of things you don't understand" Have 6 other stooges ready to tackle and drag the guy out Have a prediction envelope ready to show you knew this would happen Or Toss a folded billet like a card in terms of a spinner/blade and cause it to fly and land in the heckler's eye..... then turn to the audience and say "Who's next?" Or Wire all the seats with electric current and the ability to sink into the floor where assistants can take an electrocuted body off of it and spray it with Fabreeze then send it abck up (ala Jame's Bond THUNDERBALL) Now that you know what not to do - the rest should be easy.... Actually, one technique to consider is getting a "skeptic" on your side at the beginning that you win over during the course of the show - this skeptic becomes the poster symbol for all the skeptic hecklers... and becomes a vocal champuion of your cause (hmm... so what if it is a stooge?)
"They are lean and athirst!!!!"
|
|||||||||
jakeg Inner circle 1741 Posts |
Hecklers are not usually a problem with a q&a show, but if you do get one, don't challenge him because it would just further disrupt your show. You will be the only loser .... unless, of course, you're doing it in a comedy club.
|
|||||||||
themindreader Loyal user 254 Posts |
Have an envelope in you're pocket with the word 'PREDICTION' printed on the outside. Open the envelop to display a piece of paper which reads "I predict that there will be a w*nker in the audience"
|
|||||||||
Dr Spektor Eternal Order Carcanis 10781 Posts |
Also, NW the exact seat # / location on that W*nker prediction before you show it.
"They are lean and athirst!!!!"
|
|||||||||
mindpunisher Inner circle 6132 Posts |
Use the audience to stop him for you...
Say something like " do you really want to waste everyones time here and spoil the show for them? I can't do this without everyone concentrating and silence" Then do nothing until he/ she shuts up...after that they will feel the full pressure of the audience on them. If they do continue just say absolutely nothing. The audience will lynch them for you. |
|||||||||
videokideo Special user 895 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-05-17 10:45, themindreader wrote: Great idea.... have a nail writer so you can add the row and seat number, or something about the guy like hair or shirt color. "I predict there will be a w*nker in the audience wearing a ________ shirt!" I personally have never been heckled during QandA. I do mostly corporate events, so they are on good behavior. Colleges can be testy, but still Ive had great audiences. I don't think they heckle mindreaders so much as they know with all the audience participation being used, they could be next, and it could turn on them. But The Mindreader has a great idea just in case! |
|||||||||
Mark Roberts Special user Nottingham, UK 597 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-05-17 10:45, themindreader wrote: Love it! |
|||||||||
Allan Kardek Regular user Toronto 194 Posts |
Thanks for all of the useful advice guys. I think I will be carrying a prediction just in case.. The venue that I will be performing at is a bar setting, I've performed there before, but while I was going over my routine in my head, a drunken heckler just popped in there...I hope it's not a premonition
Cheers, Allan |
|||||||||
mindpunisher Inner circle 6132 Posts |
Of course if hes a good heckler you better be armed to follow it up. That approach could start a "battle" of wits..
Hecklers are not always idiots or drunks.. |
|||||||||
James Warren Loyal user 241 Posts |
I saw Mike Rogers in the Close Up Gallery at the Castle on night handle a heckling woman beautifully. He said something to the following effect: "Ma'am, we can do this show two different ways: we can do it my way, or we can do it your way. Now I've performed and tested this show hundreds of times before, and I know this audience will really love the show if we pretty much stick to the script as written." Of course, he said this in a VERY classy, gentle, and respectful way, not as a put-down (which would only invite more antagonism). If the heckler didn't take that in the spirit it was offered and tried to object, I would probably say, "Well then, I guess we'll have to put it to an audience vote," and let the audience vote the heckler down. I've never had to do that, though. Even drunks have deferred to the ominous implication that the entire audience might start to hate them.
|
|||||||||
gabelson Inner circle conscientious observer 2137 Posts |
The key to handling hecklers is to get the REST of the audience behind you. Hecklers are out to prove one thing: they're more entertaining than you (and they sincerely believe the audience is enterained by them). If the rest of the audience wants them to shut up, that's more powerful than anything YOU can say. That's why Mike Rogers approach is the best. If you LEGITIMATELY lose your temper on stage, you've lost the battle (and it IS a battle), and you'll lose the rest of the audience, as well (case in point: Michael Richards). So I'd suggest that rather than getting into a verbal sparring match, you take the high road, even if it's something as simple as "How many of you guys are here to see a show?" (The audience reaction should silence them.) If they persist, and all else fails, I usually say, "Look, I've only got a half hour here to make an ass of myself... you've got the rest of your life."
|
|||||||||
chichi711 Inner circle 5810 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-05-17 14:19, gabelson wrote: That is a good line. I like that. Make fun of yourself first and then hit them. If you put a small joke on youself it leaves them with little room to wiggle. |
|||||||||
gabelson Inner circle conscientious observer 2137 Posts |
Spot on, Chichi! Self-deprecation combined with a body-slam leaves them with little to say.
|
|||||||||
corpmagi Special user New York 725 Posts |
I highly recommend Keith Feilds' excellent treatise entitled "How to Handle Hecklers. Excellent reference that discusses the psychology and the different types of hecklers you may encounter.
Contact Keith directly at: m@gician.com
A Modern Trade Show Handbook
www.trafficstoppers.com/handbook |
|||||||||
Logan Five Inner circle Northern California 1434 Posts |
Don't give them what they want..and that's attention. Ignore them.
Self concept is destiny..
|
|||||||||
gabelson Inner circle conscientious observer 2137 Posts |
Janus is correct in that attention is exactly what the heckler is looking for, and if you don't give them a forum, they'll usually shut up. Unfortunately, there are situations where the heckler is so drunk, they don't care if they have a forum or not... they just keep running at the mouth. In that case, you have to hope for management to care enough to remove them. Over two decades ago, I saw Jerry Seinfeld handle a heckler in the most professional manner I've ever seen. The guy yelled out something unintelligible, and Jerry, relaxed and confident, just said, "Relax pal... I've done this before. I'll take it from here." And the guy never said another word. When you're an unknown commodity (as Jerry was then), people consciously or subconsciously wonder why YOU are paid to perform, and not THEM. They want "proof" that YOU are the professional. By that simple, confident statement, Jerry proved who was captain of that particular ship.
Gabelson |
|||||||||
mindpunisher Inner circle 6132 Posts |
There is also the possibilty that a heckler may actually win the audience if he is witty. (some are). Depending upon the type of gig and your ability "destroying them
can be the way to go". But you better be able to think on your feet. One way I used was to get one heckler to stand up and put the spotlight on him. I said was just wondering what an idiot looked like. And I left the spotlight on him and him standing up. Everyone in the audience was watching him. He didn't have the nerve to continue..if they want attention give them full attention. Its safe being anonymous in the audience. Take him out of the audience and make him the focul point and you will see a different person.. |
|||||||||
gabelson Inner circle conscientious observer 2137 Posts |
With enough years of experience under your belt, there is no reason a heckler should ever win the audience. Leaving the spotlight on him was a very smart way to go. Personally, I would have left out calling him an idiot, and simply have said, calmly and confidently, "Ok, now it's your turn!" -- and put the spotlight on him. No matter how witty his insults were, HE doesn't have an ACT, and YOU DO. At the end of the day, the audience is there to see a show.
|
|||||||||
mindpunisher Inner circle 6132 Posts |
Depending upon the venue destroying hecklers is part of the act..
But you need to be really good at it. You need to be razor sharp. |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Penny for your thoughts » » Handling Hecklers during your Q & A (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |