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Mitchell.Stafiej New user Quebec 61 Posts |
I started this thread to help the new Street Performers on where to perform and the dos and don'ts on performing at these locations.
The Mall: -I find the mall an excellent place to perform, you can almost always except to attract a large crowd, but watch out for security, you will attract shoppers away from stores which is not what the mall wants. If this happens, get permission from the mall to perform. When performing with a video camera at the mall make sure to get permission from your spectators to have their faces seen, this goes for any place where you are filming. The good old streets: -The streets are personally my favourite place to perform. You can walk up to anyone. Although watch out for people in a rush, they will ignore you and treat you like you have 3 heads. Remember do approach with a calm tone and be very nice. The train, metro, bus or subway: -Don't expect to get a large crowd here, people will want to keep their seats. Only perform when it isn't jam packed with people, or else you will have quite a tough time performing. The one downer about performing on the train, metro or subway is that you might fall over as well as your cards, so take caution. Movie Theaters: -I strongly suggest not to perform here, I have gotten kicked out many times and I found it very hard to get permission here, if you can get permission, you will be happy here, people waiting for movies can tend to get bored. Restauraunt: -Restauraunts are a great place to perform because the customers will be bored while they are waiting for their food. But you will DEFINITELY need permission to perform here, you probably will even get paid if the owner accepts, that isn't to shabby now is it!? If you guys have any other places for the modern street magician to perform, feel free to add. Mitchell |
Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-06-06 21:16, Mitchell.Stafiej wrote: Get permission FIRST. Otherwise, the mall has every right not only to pitch you out on your ear, but to also press charges against you for panhandling, which is a misdemeanor offense in many areas and carries a fine and, in some places, mandatory jail time as well. Word to the wise. Quote:
When performing with a video camera at the mall make sure to get permission from your spectators to have their faces seen, this goes for any place where you are filming. In writing. Use a model's release form, which you can find online with little difficulty. Without it, you run a minor risk of someone getting ticked off at you. Quote:
The good old streets: Before you take to the streets - CHECK THE LAWS first!!! In some areas, busking, as it's called (and we have a forum devoted to just that here on the Café', by the way) is ILLEGAL or requires a LICENSE. Make sure you know the laws and follow them to the letter. Also, get to know the OTHER buskers in the area as some of them can get pretty nasty of you try to horn in on theyr turf. Be advised. Quote:
The train, metro, bus or subway: Again, KNOW THE LAW on this! Many rail carriers expressly prohibit busking and will have you arrested and prosecuted for a bunch of things, ranging from being a public annoyance to attempted fraud (misdemeanor charges to felony charges that carry serious jail time and heavy fines). Remember: many rail carriers are NOT public institutions, but are PRIVATE companies and can play by their OWN rules, including things like enforcing trespassing statutes - some rail carriers even have private police forces with arrest powers - again, be advised! Quote:
Movie Theaters: If you even try to perform without permission, other than showing your friends a trick while standing on line, you are asking for trouble. However, if you CAN get "in" with a theater manager, go for it, but the days of long movie lines seem to be few and far between right now... Quote:
Restauraunt: If you work for a restaurant and DON'T get paid, you are CRAZY! Restaurant work is PAID work for magicians. If you work a restaurant gig for free, you are actively screwing it up for those of us who make our livings doing restaurant and bar work by lowering the standards (which are low enough. Visit the forum on table hopping for more insight. Quote:
If you guys have any other places for the modern street magician to perform, feel free to add. Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
Tommy1324 Regular user Pennsylvania 104 Posts |
Mitchell,
I think it a wise idea to heed to Mr. Darrow's information in his post.Make sure you understand the local laws so as to not wind up in the pokie.Not everyone likes David Blaine imitators. So be careful.
Tommy1324
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tanselkaya Regular user 139 Posts |
I must say this applies to US and certain parts of Europe, where regulations are more strict and people are less friendly to each other. I have performed in NYC, Istanbul, Prag and Amsterdam and got no complaints from anyone. As long as you approach people friendly, get their attention and entertain them, you shouldn't be getting into trouble. I never ask for money and this adds to their surprise. I have a conversation with them, perform, say goodbye and leave.
I would like to hear your trouble stories. Surely not having experienced anything doesn't indicate there won't be any. |
MattWayne Special user Manhattan, NY | Studio City, CA 624 Posts |
Mitchell,
I think you should take Mr. Darrow's advice and consider every bit of it. He wrote it out like it is. Also, I totally support what Tommy mentioned about the Blaine imitations. As one magician told me lonnng ago when I thought I created a few fancy card flourishes- do your homework. I learned that nothing I 'created' was indeed mine, but were just minor variations of others work. Don't get caught up in what is 'the cool magic thing to do' like street performing, 'Blaine' style. You'll be sadly disappointed- real quick. Street perfoming overseas though is credible. I currently travel to Tokyo, Fukokya, and Sasebo street entertaining. Over in Europe/Asia- street entertaining is just that: entertaining. But I didn't go into the street entertaining with the notion of being Blaine. I got into it by accident! One trick for a Japanese national- and then there were 20 of them around me. But anyway- take the advice and use it. Apply it. best regards, Tomasko
Matt Wayne
The Celebrity Magicianâ„¢ www.CelebrityMagician.com / youtube.com/celebritymagician / twitter.com/RealMattWayne / Facebook.com/CelebrityMagician Creator of, 'Got a Light?' and others. Spokesperson behind, TouchTricks |
mzr9mm New user Bistrita, Romania 93 Posts |
Well, I went out today on the street with a fellow magician and a camera and we decided to shoot something for out personal record, we aproached the people very friendly but didn`t realy gather a crowd, and still despite our friendlyness people treated us like morons why were trying to make fun of them. Perhaps they missunderstod us.
PS. and we did not bend any lws neither (just cards ) |
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