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Oliver Ross Inner circle Europe 1724 Posts |
Hi everybody,
I don't know if this subject is in the right topic groupe, but I hope so. I'm trying to put together a seated Close Up show for adults and another one for families and wonder what would be the best length of these shows to give the audience enough, but aswell not too much. I've heard that 45 minutes would be enough. What is your experience ? Are there any "official" rules for this ? Thank you very much for your help in advance. Oliver. |
Mick Ayres Special user Hilton Head Island 998 Posts |
Oliver,
It all depends on how entertaining you are. If your show is well-scripted, thoroughly rehearsed and professionally delivered, then 45 minutes will not seem long enough to your audience...but is probably perfect. However, if you are just demonstrating one trick after another with no cohesion or worse, a lack of intelligent scripting...then 45 minutes will be an eternity in Hell. Best, Mick PS: One more point: 45 minutes is way too long if your client has booked you for 30. ---Best, Mick
THE FIVE OBLIGATIONS OF CONJURING: Study. Practice. Script. Rehearse. Perform. Drop one and you're done.
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Oliver Ross Inner circle Europe 1724 Posts |
Thanks for your answer Mick.
I do agree with your comments. Speaking of the best average length of a Close Up show I took several well known magician as reference. Bill Malone's states on his website that 45 minutes is the average length of his show. In all books is aswell written that we should leave the audience wanting more. My parlour show length is 1h15 minutes and people still think it should be longer (I've asked the audience in a questionairy). For me the problem would be that the in a seated Close Up venue you generally show tricks with coins and cards and the effects are never really sensational to keep the audience interested for a long time. Thanks again for your comments Mike. Any other thoughts on this issue. Oliver. |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
There are many excellent 25 minute shows hiding inside good 45 minute shows.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Oliver Ross Inner circle Europe 1724 Posts |
Michael,
Thank you for your reply. if I understand right you mean that sometimes a shorter show is better than a longer show ? Oliver. |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Oliver,
Potentially, but not necessarily. I mean that you should not calibrate your show according to how many minutes you need to, or want to fill, but how entertaining of a show you can present. Put together a really great show, and then see how long it runs, so you'll know what to tell people who want to book you. Doing so, ensures that the show is comprised of "A" list material, with no fillers. Leave out your "B" list material until such time that it either improves to "A" list caliber, or other stuff comes along that does. As more "A" list material becomes a part of you repertoire, it can be added to your show, thereby making a bigger and longer show. This is said with an understanding that on occassion, you may add a routine into your show before it is finely honed, with the intent of honing it in front of a live audience, and not merely to add time to the show. Mick's suggestion of sticking to the client's needs for time limits is very true. However, if they ask for more time, I think you run the risk of presenting a show with less overall impact if some of the material is not your best stuff. Now, if you already have enough material to do a really great 90 minute show, you can certainly sell it as such... or you can sell it as two completely different 45 minute shows, or three different half hour shows, etc. Sometimes this is beneficial packaging that allows you to expand your versatility, work repeat gigs for the same clients, etc. ~michael
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Oliver Ross Inner circle Europe 1724 Posts |
Hello everybody,
First let me thank you for your help on this issue. Michael, your detailed answer will help me a lot to put my act together. So I'll work first on an excellent 30 minutes show and extend it later when the rest of my material is on the "A list". I'll better have an excellent 30 minutes show which is entertaining than a 45 or 60 minutes show that gets boring... Thank you again. Oliver. |
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