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Snail Regular user UK 163 Posts |
I am a mentalist. I am in the process of making a new demo video for approaching agents and corporate clients. What should go on a demo video? Your whole show (if you do cabaret), and some close-up, or should it be snippets of what you do, the revelation of a word, visibly plucking a thought from someone's mind, etc...
What recommendations do you give as to the use of text - less text, capitals, large text... what about music, I think pop music can be a little draining on people's ears after 20 seconds Finally, how long should your demo video be? 2 minutes, 1 minute. What is the normal length.. Thank you for your help and kindness. Snail. |
NeoMagic Inner circle I have... 2017 Posts |
I'm no expert but if I was on the receiving end of a demo video I'd like to see:-
-- a variety of things giving a taste of your entire act, not just a long excerpt from one part of your show -- live audience reactions -- testimonials -- ten minutes maximum (1 minute is certainly not long enough) Be sure to look at (good) demo videos by other mentalists/magicians and see what you like about them...
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George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
Think of a demo video as a commercial or a movie trailer. Its purpose is to get the viewers to buy the product. If you give away the whole product in the video, there's no need for the viewers to buy it.
The video would want to show you as a person, your style, how you come across, and how you interact with the audience. A few snippets of effects, lots of audience reaction, and maybe a candid response or two from an audience member. And certainly your contact information, along with a copyright notice. Most commercials are about thirty seconds long, and movie trailiers are about a minute or so (even though they feel a lot longer!). Your video should be as long as it takes to grab the viewer's attention and peak their interest. No less and no more. I would suggest finding an experienced video producer/director and asking for help. Even if you just pay him/her for some consultation, your investment would be worthwhile.
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
NeoMagic Inner circle I have... 2017 Posts |
^ I think commercials can afford to be short because they are repeated countless times throughout the day/week/month... the message is constantly reinforced and if they don't get their point across the first time, they've got another twenty slots during the day to try again.
Not so a demo video to an agent/prospective client... you'll be lucky if they play it once all the way through and if they don't get what they're looking for first time around they're hardly likely to rewind, sit back and watch it all again, especially if there's another two dozen demos begging for their attention. Talk to other magicians/artists who have successfully used demos and see how they went about it and what worked for them both in terms of content and length
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
George is so right when he says find a pro. Problem is most pros do NOT deal in magic videos. OR mentalist videos.
So it needs to be way longer than a minute. At least 7. NO longer than 20. Some places want a complete show to gague audience reactions to your show so make sure they are punched up pretty high. An agent does not care what you do beyond your "title" but if you entertain an audience he is happy. So your video for the agent may be different from your video for people. Make sure that when it is edited it is done well and not jumpy. Make sure it is lit very well. And make sure above all it has great sound quality. You want it to be auditorily pleasing as well as visually.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
I'm not going to go into great detail here, just sufficed to say that George and Danny are closet to the facts as I have polled, interviewed and ‘extensively’ researched this for a short book on the subject some time ago.
Based on everything I could find, and uncover after interviewing, round-tabling, polling... etc, literally over a thousand real BUYERS (Corporate, Cruise Ships, Casinos, Agents, Event Planners, DMC's etc... who else should we listen to on this subject eh’?) on the subject of the video sales demo projects specifically, you MUST do what-ever it take to capture the viewers imagination and interest with-in the first 15 to 30 seconds or it’s trash! – Again, based on the highly researched outcomes over 15+ years. No offence, but when watching a video, no one cares about anything other that what you can do FOR THEM (and I’m NOT talking about the tricks we do or don’t do!) and how you influence, communicate and demonstration, THAT is CRITICAL or it becomes a blank tape for them to record-over and send out with someone else’s promo loop! (Not so with DVD's of course now, of course...) Again, only the facts as they have been demonstrated and presented to me in the course of my research and writing. It is exactly as George suggests... a sales commercial. I have discovered (by the research) that 3 to 7 mins (MAX, with one exception...) is the most desired lengthy. (REMEMBER, this is NOT guesswork or untested theory!) It is, however WHAT you do with that 3 to 7 minutes that counts, isn’t it?! (SHORTER, "IS" better!) Here, all I have time to say is: THINK "Short" INFOMERCIAL. * PROOF! * Benefit! * PROOF! * Benefit! * PROOF! * Benefit! * …on and on. YES, hire a PRO! - Here too is a killer site and forum DEDICATED JUST to the Video and demo reels for the performer... check it out for yourself! http://www.ReelsInMotion.com It’s run by a super smart and incredibly nice guy; Scott Sullivan, who, by the way IS a magician and performer, so HE GETS IT! In this arena... Think 'SALES'… experaince SUCCESS! Just my experience and insights, do with it what you will. I am, as always, at your service and In HIS Service, Deano in Reno <><
Dean Hankey, *M.D. - The Dean of Success Solutions!
Serving & Supporting YOU and Your Success! "Book More Shows... Make More Money... SERVE MORE PEOPLE! - Not Necessarily In That Order…" (*Marketing Doctor) |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
AWWW once again Dean beats me too the punch. I was also going to mention and suggest my very good friend and design buddy Scott Sullivan at Reels in Motion. Scott is the real deal and he has some killer information on this very subject at his website. He knows the video business and is a magician as well. He has done some simply amazing stuff and it would be totally worth your time to check out his site and send him an e-mail. He can really offer some great tips and suggestions for you.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
I'm always fascinated by comments like "this guy isn't a magician, so he won't get it."
People who make a living out of making commercials and promo videos "get" one thing, and it's the most important thing they can "get:" how to produce an effective sales pitch. A promo video for a magician is a sales pitch, unless of course, said magician just wants to put his work out on video for free distribution. I'm a set designer. If I were going to spend some coin having a video made of my work, I wouldn't go to another set designer because "he gets it." I'd go to a guy who knows how to pitch creative work.
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
I AGREE with you George 100,000%!
I rely on professional who do what they do BEST to get the very BEST results for the outcome we deserve and are looking for! Hire a PRO... I said that. I also agree that in my post referred Scott because this IS what he does for a living and so he does in fact "gets it" as well as the fact that he understands our industry as well... win win win as I see it! George, (on another subject) being in the Bay area (I lived and worked their for 25 years before moving and working in Reno) you must also know Michael Schmuen, (spelling) Pat & Jerry Compano and others in the biz who all do a ton of real show work! I peeked at your site and your work rocks! I *almost* makes me want to go back into producing casino, cruise ship and theme park review shows again! Excitant stuff brother! – I’m impressed! Let me know what I can do to support and encourage you and your success! I am at your service and In HIS Service, Deano <><
Dean Hankey, *M.D. - The Dean of Success Solutions!
Serving & Supporting YOU and Your Success! "Book More Shows... Make More Money... SERVE MORE PEOPLE! - Not Necessarily In That Order…" (*Marketing Doctor) |
George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
Dean, thanks so much for your kind words on my design work. Which reminds me... I need to update that Web site one of these years... And by all means let me know if you ever do get back into producing!!!!!
Actually, we've been in the Bay Area for only a couple of years, and I really haven't had much of a chance to meet local magicians, or to get involved in rings and things. Maybe things will slow down one of these days enough that I can pursue all that again. Best regards.
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
icentertainment Inner circle 1429 Posts |
ON My DVD I send to clients
I have a 2.5 minute highlights segment that pretty much shows audience reactions after reactions--some are laughing saome are wow and OOOh's Then on the main menu I have 2 complete routines which are comedy based and get great audience responce I also have a Just me talking and explaining things segment which just goes through a few things about the show including stage requirements, the how long the show goes for and I pin point moments with a picture in picture effect such as when I talk about personalised responces- I have a little window pop up and it views a personalised responce. I have had event managers thank me for explaning a few things on the DVD. which no one else never bothered to do. That being said There is the quick highlights for 2.5 minutes and then if they want more info it's just a click away on the menu. 3 minutes is a long time in highlights time- with just audience responce and a few lead ups 3 minyutes is a long time |
icentertainment Inner circle 1429 Posts |
I probably should show you a demo- it's 1.8 MB streaming (the fuller version in on my DVD) and it can be viewed here http://www.icentertainment.com/stagevideo.html it's flash steaming so your gonna have to allow Flash on your browser.
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rtgreen Inner circle Portland, Oregon 1322 Posts |
Sleightly off topic, but when talking with Stan Kramien about this recently, he had a great bit of advice. Print the time on the dvd and the package. This lets the agent or booker know up front that they won't have to spend a lot of time getting to the meat of the subject when they are watching. It also implies professionalism on your part by letting them know you understand that their time is valuable.
Thanks, Richard |
TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
Thanks for making this point Richard! This is of paramound importance! Good stuff!
George, Ah... reletively new to the area... got it! Michael and the Compono's are broadway and film type guys (REAL Pros!) in the area... ther are a TON of real nice magic types in the area as well! IBM Ring 216 in San Jose or SAM 94 in Palo Alto are both GREAT! Let me know if ther is anything I can do brother! I am at your service and In HIS Service, Deano <><
Dean Hankey, *M.D. - The Dean of Success Solutions!
Serving & Supporting YOU and Your Success! "Book More Shows... Make More Money... SERVE MORE PEOPLE! - Not Necessarily In That Order…" (*Marketing Doctor) |
George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
Thanks, Dean, and best wishes to you.
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
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