|
|
w_s_anderson Inner circle The United States 1226 Posts |
I was just curious if you do? I have had a few local guys ask if they could borrow or rent props for a gig they booked. You probably shouldn’t book the gig if you don’t have have the show, but maybe that’s just me. Just curious to see if there are any of you who do rent them, and if so, how do you set your prices? I don’t think I’d ever rent an illusion currently being used in the line up of my show. Thank you in advance!
|
David_N New user Lancashire, England 93 Posts |
I have only done so once, many years ago. It was a dagger head chest illusion I built, but it was mounted on it's own table so it looked a bit like a 'Heads Off' illusion. Another local magician who I knew and trusted asked if he could hire it for a corporate show. We agreed on a value of the illusion (in case it was damaged or stolen while in his care) and then I charged him 10% of that value to rent it for the week as I was not using it.
It's worth mentioning that I would only rent to people I knew and trusted, plus I would only ever rent generic illusions and not original signature props which I would want to keep exclusive to my act. |
Nikita Regular user 120 Posts |
It's all about money - set you price and that's it.
Would it be ok for you to rent me your stuff for full cost? And for half? Can you rent it for a quarter of full cost? When your answer become "no" - the last "yes" is your rent price) If they can't get it - their choice. And of course don't forget to take full cost pledge as guarantee. That's how we do local deals like this. Usually no problems. |
Blair Marshall Inner circle Montreal, Canada 3660 Posts |
I have rented out to a few local magicians, but only ones I trusted. Alain Choquette and I had a good deal, he would "rent" the illusions at a set price and pay me in used/discounted Collectors Workshop props. When I have rented to film production for commercials I am also on-site and it is a fee for the day. Production companies have little or no respect for your props and think they can change/paint them at will etc. That is why I go out with the prop and they pay for the prop and consultation.
Most local performers are not able to give a sizable damage deposit, or a large rental fee. Blair Marshall "ShaZzam!"
Visit My Facebook Fan Page At
www.Facebook.com/BlairMarshallMontrealMagician www.BlairMarshall.ca www.ShaZzamShow.com www.MontrealMagicien.com |
Blair Marshall Inner circle Montreal, Canada 3660 Posts |
So here's a question for interest only....you have a legit illusion, let's say value $10 K (replacement cost). What would you rent it for locally for a one show/appearance, would you ask for a damage/loss deposit?
Blair
Visit My Facebook Fan Page At
www.Facebook.com/BlairMarshallMontrealMagician www.BlairMarshall.ca www.ShaZzamShow.com www.MontrealMagicien.com |
Mike Thornton Regular user Canton, MI 109 Posts |
I wouldn't recommend it, if you like to keep your props in pristine condition. No one will handle your props like you do. I lent my friend my Owen's Lester Lake in perfect condition for a cruise. Came back nicked up in a number of places. Never again did I loan or rent props.
|
Blair Marshall Inner circle Montreal, Canada 3660 Posts |
I learned about production companies when I loaned out a Giant Book production, came back painted by the company, but my friend who felt bad did compensate me for it. So that is why I go out with the prop(s) now.
Blair
Visit My Facebook Fan Page At
www.Facebook.com/BlairMarshallMontrealMagician www.BlairMarshall.ca www.ShaZzamShow.com www.MontrealMagicien.com |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
While on the Café, there have been mentioned places in the U.S. that rent illusions. I am sure you could probably find them with a search.
Renting is not really that dangerous if you get a contact rental agreement and do like many rental companies. Such as a costume rental here locally, requires a deposit for the full replacement cost. Then when the item is returned in good condition, the rental price is deducted from the deposit. Remember, most all people do not take good care of things they rent, it is not theirs, so why take care of it. Illusions are no different then renting anything else, just because it cost the same a an high end automobile or old house, has nothing to do with what you charge and the ways to keep yourself secure. Word of mouth agreements are not to be used with these kind of dealings. Just my 2 cents. |
Aaron Smith Magic Inner circle Portland, OR 1447 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 1, 2018, Mike Thornton wrote: Hahahahaha, you haven't seen his props. |
illusionman2 Special user 991 Posts |
I did rent out a Zig Zag when I was younger to a local Magician I looked up to. Prop came back fine but I did lose a night sleep worrying about if it was performed right with little to no rehersal.
|
w_s_anderson Inner circle The United States 1226 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 5, 2018, Aaron Smith Magic wrote: Shut it A-Aron!! My props have character! |
DavidThomas Loyal user 240 Posts |
I don't have an issue leasing an illusion, if it is a friend I trust. In the rental industry, it seems a daily cost is 10% of the cost. For a $10,000.00 illusion, one thousand rental would seem more then fair. All my props are in ATA case so, damage in transit is probably not an issue. Logging current issues with prop and agreeing any damage excluding normal wear and tear to be taken care by renter is important. There are many rental agreements available to model after. All agreements say, replacement is due is lost or destroyed.
There have been times I have sub leased a whole show to friends who have sold a run to a theme park. This type of cash flow really helps for props sitting in a warehouse.
David Thomas
TheWorldofMagic.com |
magic4545 Inner circle Jimmy Fingers 1159 Posts |
Wow, what's I"m hearing here is that being an illusionist is about the prop, not any kind of extended experience with a particular effect.
Everybody can be a magician! How good do you actually think that a magician can be with a prop that they just rented? |
thomasR Inner circle 1189 Posts |
Sometimes it is about the prop. Taylor Swift appeared in Copperfields elevator just as good as Copperfield did. I doubt they had more than a couple of rehersal / run throughs.
I've seen Tip Over trunk be taught to a VIP in like 2 minutes. So right there... A local magician needs to make a vip appear, rent a modern cabinet or tip over trunk from another magician... Makes perfect sense. |
top_illusionist Regular user USA 146 Posts |
To each, his own. Live and learn.
|
DavidThomas Loyal user 240 Posts |
Hi Magic 4545, where in this thread did you assume that
" Wow, what's I"m hearing here is that being an illusionist is about the prop, not any kind of extended experience with a particular effect.'
David Thomas
TheWorldofMagic.com |
PianoMan157 New user 2 Posts |
I mainly just draw up diagrams and rent out copies of said diagrams. Lots of young magicians who may not be able to effectively store equipment prefer to see the diagrams at a lower price, and then build a version themselves that works best for them.
It really comes down to the sort of props you possess, and how many people you trust! For me, primarily a designer, it's easy to rent out diagrams. I wouldn't rent out props, as there can be challenges with litigation, etc. if something breaks |
Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
It's a bad idea overall. Don't sell a show you don't have for beginners. It takes much more experience to pull off the proper presentation of an illusion than a quick run through. So many things can go wrong with the bigger illusions and without a full understanding of it's workings, you will fail ... and make us all look bad. Years ago I would add one illusion to my show each year and take my time with it's development, many times from scratch. Stick with what your are comfortable with ... leave the big stuff to the pros.
Steve |
Dr. Delusion Special user Eugene, Oregon. 733 Posts |
I received a call over the weekend inquiring if I would rent out any of my equipment. It was for a high school talent show. I told them, sorry, but no I don't rent anything out.
Several years back I did rent out 2 of my illusions to a student attending the University of Oregon. He was a magician in South Korea. He brought over a video and a few photo's to let me know he was legit. He was talented and had several illusions of his own back home. He wanted to do a few things for the Korean night celebration. I ended up letting him use my Palaquin and Assistant's Revenge. Since I have a fairly large garage his assistant and him came over several times to run through the illusions. They really did a nice job with them. The morning of the show I hauled them over to the venue. He meet me there and I helped him get them together. All seemed fine. That night I went to watch the show. Turned out his assistant was sick, so he snagged a guy to help him. The smaller stuff he did was great, then came the palquin, it was a tad rough, but the crowd loved it, then came the bad part. His "new" assistant was in the revenge first, he closed the curtain, did the switch and his assistant came around opening the curtain, about halfway around he decides to Yank down on it! When he did that it completely tore the rod and curtain down from the top. To make a long story short, the guy did pay for the damage to it, but I learned my lesson the hard way, from now on, no more renting out or loaning out anything. |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Grand illusion » » Do any of you rent your illusions to local magicians? (3 Likes) |
[ 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 < |