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Brian Proctor Inner circle Somewhere 2323 Posts |
Hey, I landed my first corporate strolling gig this morning with a software company here in the local area.
It isn't until December. I want to hear what others have to say about their first corporate events. Anything I should watch out for? Brian And thanks to Seth and Ryan in their support of me getting this. |
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LeeDillingham Loyal user Las Vegas 263 Posts |
Make sure you find out what type of room you are working. There may or may not be tables. Make sure that you have several routines that work well without tables. Otherwise, good luck and have fun.
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MAGICBYTIM Special user Louisiana 531 Posts |
Ask about other entertainment, such as a band or DJ. These can kill you act in a heart beat. If there is a band or DJ, ask about other areas you can perform in so you do not have to scream over them.
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TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
Sounds exciting, Brian.
If you're worried about noise, see if you can do a couple of tricks silently, such as silk/TT, sponge balls, or Ninja Rings. Don't overload your pockets. Do the tricks you love the best. Leave them wanting more. If you find people that have great reactions, spend more time with them. If you find idiots, just walk away with a smile. I know it's a while off, but have a great time and let us know how it goes when it's over.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
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ldl1017 Elite user 476 Posts |
Brian,
Good luck with the gig. I've used TT, rope, sponges, and cards; lots of stuff from Carl Andrews and Bill Malone. Frank's right, have fun.
“I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.”
Billy Joel |
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meyegr Special user Only able to muster 800 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-09-18 17:53, Frank Starsini wrote: Of course, there will be idiots. It's a corporate event, and they are usually run and managed by idiots. |
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evolve629 Inner circle A stack of 3838 Posts |
Go slay 'em, Brian! A couple of DVDs that come to my mind is Martin Sanderson's Corporate Close-Up and Greg Wilson's Ring Leader. I've used both Martin's and Greg's routines with great results! I also love Martin Lewis's effects in a corporate environment. Good luck and have fun with the gig.
One hundred percent of the shots you don't take don't go in - Wayne Gretzky
My favorite part is putting the gaffs in the spectators hands...it gives you that warm fuzzy feeling inside! - Bob Kohler |
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Craig Kyle Regular user 197 Posts |
Important to find out if it's black tie or white tie. Otherwise, it can cause a kafuffle.
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Jamie D. Grant V.I.P. as seen in Ripley's Believe It or Not! Twice! 2413 Posts |
Hi Brian,
Congratulations! This is mostly all I do, so let me offer the one piece of advice I wish I had gotten: practice your introduction. You'll be approaching groups of people who won't know who you are and, since you'll most likely be dressed the same as them, won't know you're working. You need to approach them with confidence and introduce yourself, and establish yourself as the Magical Entertainment immediately. Once you get that past that first 15 seconds, you'll rock - I'm sure. Jamie D. Grant
TRICK OF THE YEAR: Industrial Revelation, BOOK OF THE YEAR: The Approach, The AIP Bottle, and my new book Scenic 52, can all be found over here: SendWonder.com
Kindness takes practice. My TEDx talk |
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Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
Brian,
Congratulations! I hope you're getting a good fee for this - corporate gigs are the cherries on the payroll tree. As to the gig itself - as some have noted, ask the client some questions. How many people are expected AT the event? How long are you expected to work? What kind of room will you be working is useful - tables, or not, will the guests be seated or not? Will there be alcohol served or not? When in the event will you BE working? Are you part of a hospitality suite, on the trade show floor, an after dinner/over the dessert performer, before dinner, during cocktail hour? Is the event a themed event and, if so, what's the theme? Will there be other entertainment and, if so, what? Other strolling performers usually aren't a problem unless they are doing something dangerous, like juggling flaming chainsaws or something, but a DJ or a band can cause some issues with your being heard, so plan accordingly. If not, no big deal. If you are up against loud music, be prepared to do your nightclub/rave set - as in, be prepared to work almost silently. Does the client want you to work from a fixed position? This one IS important, because some clients WILL use "entertainment stations" at some venues, where they have a characaturist, a tarot reader, a balloon bender, a magician, a juggler, and who knows what else. If you are going to work at a fixed station, ask for a floor plan and reserve a station position that works to YOUR advantage, if possible. Working surrounded, while siting at a small, round table with NO cover on it can be a very daunting experience if you're not prepared for it. Also, ask about the event's dress code. As an entertainer, you probably do not have to worry AS MUCH about the dress code as the guests because your garb will be considered a costume of sorts (unless you show up in a blue jean jacket and cutoffs of course), but it IS good to know if the client is going to require you to follow their dress code. Lastly, ask about storage and break areas if the gig is longer than two hours. You will NEED to get away for a few minutes at SOME point, and you will get at least ONE "magic groupie" who will attach himself to you like a barnacle. Getting some breathing space from those folks, well-meaning as they are - is often necessary for one's own sanity and good manners! Just some additional notes - As to material, treat the gig as you would a restaurant walkabout gig, if you've been hired to do strolling, because that's pretty much what you'll be doing. If you can work their company slogan, one of their brochures, or ad pieces into an effect, so much the better, of course. And if you "speak the industry lingo," then you're in like Flynn! Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
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Spydur Special user PDX, now San Diego...back to PDX 966 Posts |
Give me a call and we shall do lunch!
CONGRATS! C |
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Brian Proctor Inner circle Somewhere 2323 Posts |
Hey guys,
Sorry I have not updated since the initial post. I wanted to make sure the deal was sealed before posting. It will be 12/16/06. I am performing 90 minutes for a group of about 50-60 people. It is just walk around magic during their dinner. I realize that 90 minutes is long for a small group, but I will just have to pace everything. Dinner will be 60 minutes, and they want me to start 15 minutes before and go 15 minutes after dinner is over with. I am also up against the fact that it is a "Casino Night" Christmas party. |
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TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
Casino Night. That's a tough one.
With adults it might not be such a draw, but it was very stiff competition when I performed where there was also a Casino Nite for Grad Nite. I was doing a stage type show, and told the school that they needed to shut the casino down during my show since they were right next to each other. No separation at all, hence the request. That lasted about 5 minutes and they opened it back up. When they did, half my audience left for the blackjack tables... Not a lot of fun at the time.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
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Brian Proctor Inner circle Somewhere 2323 Posts |
Most people should be eating, but there will be some that will be up and gambling. So, I may not have too much of a problem.
Brian |
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RicHeka Inner circle 3999 Posts |
Hi Brian:
I hope you can pull this off. Performing while people are eating is about the hardest thing a close-up performer can come up against...Next to GAMBLING. Oh my god, this brings back a bad memory. Is this a buffet, or sit-down dinner? The better scenario, IMO, is a buffet. You may be able to squeeze in some entertainment between feedbag fillings. However, be prepared once the gambling starts, as it can be worse than a bunch of pre-pubescent kids with video games. Hopefully, there will be a cadre of non-gamblers for you to entertain. However, that wasn't the way it was with my Anniversary/Casino gig. It was a looong night. All the best. Rich |
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Michael J. Douglas Inner circle WV, USA 1645 Posts |
Brian,
My first, and worst, gig was a Christmas dinner party for a local lodge. Everyone was eating, everyone was talking, everyone couldn't have cared less that there was entertainment...I spent about 5 minutes between tables, and after 2 hours, I still hadn't gotten to everyone. It was a good thing I thought to stick a card to the outside of a window before I walked in. A simple corner-switch, and they were putty. I learnt a lot that evening. Good luck...and let us know how it goes.
Michael J.
�Believe then, if you please, that I can do strange things.� --from Shakespeare�s �As You Like It� |
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Brian Proctor Inner circle Somewhere 2323 Posts |
Hey Guys,
The gig was great! I had a lot of fun and so did the software employees. I ended up doing 2 hours total instead of the 1 1/2 hours agreed to. The people were just too into it so I stayed a bit longer. Everything went right. And I did not mess up once! Woooo!!! I have had my share of mess ups in the past, tonight... ZERO!!! Tricks: 2 versions of the bill switch... slop triumph shell coins across billoon vanishing silk sponge balls card to shoe, pocket twisting the aces 2 card transposition ambitious card macdonalds aces ring leader color changing knives broken and restored band crazymans handcuffs... It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to do another soon. All credit to my friend Seth in helping me land this. |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Hey Brian working while they eat "bites" if you will.
Very glad to hear it went well for you. Even happier to hear you stayed the extra 1/2 hour with no complaining. It shows you easy to work with, which will keep you in better sted than any 4 ace routine you can imagine. Congrats!
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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Brian Proctor Inner circle Somewhere 2323 Posts |
Thank you for the kind words Danny.
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landon Regular user Alberta, Canada 158 Posts |
Congrats Brian! Glad it went so well. I remember my first corporate walkaround gig. It was at a legion and by the time it was my turn almost everyone was drunk and heckling/unresponsive, etc. Part of the time I had to perform while they were eating and man did I get the cold shoulder!
A few weeks later I did a walkaround gig at another corporate party and it went awesome! So basically if they are drinking or eating, it can make all the difference IMO. Landon |
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