|
|
sjballa147 Loyal user Tennessee 278 Posts |
I was offered a job with a magic/juggling/etc. shop. He wants me to do some magic in a pedestrian mall (outside his shop) to promote his shop and products in it. I will be limited to performing the things that he sells. He said he would pay, but what do you think he will pay in this situation. Has or is anyone else doing this. What are/were you paid.
Thanks in advance. Shane |
Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
If I were you, I would take the job no matter what he is paying, just for the experience and knowledge you will acquire in the process. It's like getting paid to go to school.
If things don't work out or you begin to get dissatisfied with the situation, you can always quit... but you can't always get an opportunity to start like this.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
Chappo Special user Bris Vegas 754 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-05-27 08:55, Spellbinder wrote: Quoted for truth. Well said.
The rules of a sleight of hand artist, Are three, and all others are vain,
The 1st & the 2nd are practice... And the 3rd one is practice again - 'Magic of the Hands', Edward Victor (1940) |
Justin Style Inner circle 2010 Posts |
1) Yes, he wants you to demonstrate HIS products, ie pitch his items. he does not want you standing there promoting yourself to his potential customers. Your charming personality will do that all by itself. Your job as the front line man is to demonstrate how cool the tricks are and how anyone 7 and up can easily learn them.
2) If you don't negotiate your salary BEFORE you start, then you deserve to get ripped off. It doesn't matter if you are being paid in balloons or dollars, you want to know how much and WHEN. If you can't do that, how in the world are you going to be able to direct customers into the guys shop? As the great philosopher, Ben Stern said: Don’t be stupid ya moran! Or, as the great chef Ramsey says; Get a pair of Bullocks! Good luck. |
Mithrandir Regular user Long Island N.Y. 111 Posts |
I pretty much agree with everyone so far. I wouldn't expect to get paid GREAT $$ , (I wouldn't do it for free either) but it is experience. Why don't you just talk to the guy?
|
sjballa147 Loyal user Tennessee 278 Posts |
Thanks for the help guys. I know what my purpose would be, to promote his shop and products. I was just wondering if others have done this and what they were paid. I have never done this or been asked to do this so I am inexperienced in this field.
Thank you, Shane |
sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
Shane, this would be a great opportunity for you because you will get to perform the same tricks over and over again for different spectators. This is the kind of audience opportunity that many amateur magicians dream about -- through repeated presentations, you will learn very quickly what works and what doesn't, improve your misdirection, be able to perfect and polish your patter and delivery AND get paid at the same time.
I pitch Svengali Decks and other classic pocket magic (Money Paddles, Magic Worms, etc.) at street festivals, fairs, flea markets and craft shows. The repeated presentations have definitely made me a better magician and performer, and taught me audience control, too. Don't pass this up. BTW, in the money department, think about suggesting a hourly rate plus a small percentage of sales. It's my experience that a good demo helps to sell the product, so if you help to move some stock, then you ought to be paid accordingly! It's worth a try, anyway. SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Shane, put together an agreement with the owner first. It would be good to give out your own business cards if a spectator ask you for one to perform at a party. But the owner might not like you doing that if you give out your own cards because he probably wants only his passed out. Like I mentioned earlier, set up an agreement with the owner first on how he and you would feel comfortable so there will be no last minute plans.
|
chias Regular user 144 Posts |
Negotiate your pay before you start any job.
Anyway, as others have said above me, don't worry about the pay. It's great experience and exposure for you. Not to mention you may get to try out more gimmicks and improve on your presentation! |
michaelmagicart Loyal user 254 Posts |
I started working in Phil Thomas' Yogi Magic Mart,in Baltimore, at 13 years of age in the early 1950's. I would have paid him to work there! It was a dream come true. I was paid in "credit" towards any magic I wanted in the store. I wisely stored up my credit, and with Phil's guidance, I "bought" things that he knew would help me. The experiences and memories from that shop can never be taken away. I don't know if the owner of this store is such a gentleman and magician as Phil was, but if he is, then go for it. It could be an experience of a lifetime.
|
sjballa147 Loyal user Tennessee 278 Posts |
Thanks a lot guys I appreciate the great help. I am going to go for it.
Thanks Shane |
pradell Special user Alaska 560 Posts |
When I was a kid at Hank Lee's Magic Factory in the 1970s there was a guy behind the counter hawking tricks named Phil Goldstein. You may now know him as Max Maven. Having a steady job in this business is a great experience and sometimes difficult to find. But I agree with the advice above that you must negotiate with your employer before you begin, preferably in writing. There are many issues that need to be discussed. Some of them include the following:
What are your hours? What breaks are there? Is there an outfit you must wear or can you create your own character? What is your rate of pay? Do you work for money or magic goods? If money is not what you are earning, how will he and you report to the IRS your income or "income in kind?" Are you working "over the table" or "under the table?" Think twice before deciding on the latter option. Any health insurance or other benefits? Can you promote yourself or must you only promote the store? Does the owner already have permission from the mall for you to stand in the public mall in front of his store and perform? Can you keep your own business card or other promotional materials displayed either inside the store, in the window or near or on your person to pass out during performances? Will he advertise your promotions on radio, newspaper, tv, etc? Will you be his exclusive mall performer or does he intend to have others also promote his store? Answers to the above questions may be helpful to you in determining whether and how you are going to work with him and at what price. Good luck! :magicrabbit: |
sjballa147 Loyal user Tennessee 278 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-05-28 22:09, pradell wrote: Thanks a lot I was going to try to sit down and figure out what I needed to ask him, but thanks to you I have already gotten a start. Thank you, Shane |
Tom Cutts Staff Northern CA 5925 Posts |
Keep in mind that when he wants you to work and the time people may ask you to work a party, may overlap. What happens if one Sat. you have been asked to perform at a party?
|
sjballa147 Loyal user Tennessee 278 Posts |
Tom,
I have kept that in mind too. That is just something we will have to work out. Thanks for the reminder! Shane |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » New to magic? » » I was offered a job! (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 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 < |