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RebelEntertainer New user John Abrams 73 Posts |
On a previous string someone had mentioned "How do you avoid burnout?" I thought it would be a good topic to discuss here.
For those of you that perform 200 plus shows each year, what the heck do you do to keep it fresh and avoid the monotony? Here are a few of mine: 1.) During the drive, listen to audio books. You can get them at the library (free) or go to any number of websites to rent them. (audiobooks.com or recordedbooks.com) 2.) During the show, be entertained by your audience's actions. I guess this is more of a philosophy than a "to-do" - I look at each child (I'm a family entertainer) and try to find the funny or touching or whimsical or "too cool" or completely insane quality and truly find it entertaining. This makes every show fresh & different for me. 3.) Add a new trick occasionally. An entire new show if I'm so inspired. Those are a few of mine. What are yours? John Abrams Rebel Entertainer and Guy that tries to avoid burnout |
Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-06-02 09:37, RebelEntertainer wrote: I've experienced burnout in several aspects of my life - yet, never with my magic. I guess your second point explains that. I had two experiences as a youth that seriously affect my personal code in that regard today. One TV idol was a burned out hack going through the motions with no concern for his young fans whatsoever. He all but shoved me aside when I dared to ask for an autograph one day. I never wasted another second watching this man on TV. The second was a very popular and busy TV idol who took time out from a busy schedule to stop and chat cheerfully with three young boys standing at the Cedar Point ballroom entrance, telling harried assistants trying to keep him on schedule to back off. That second fella, Linn "Barnaby" Sheldon, has been my guiding star since. I view each appearance as an opportunity to personally connect with each family who has taken time out of their day to come and visit with me. I am honored to be given the opportunity to bring a little laughter to their day. No matter how tired I am, what pains I feel or how irritable I may be, when I don my character's trademark wardrobe and step out in front of any child, my character takes over, my day brightens and life is better than great. I guess it all comes down to what Confucius said, "Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life." Now, if I could find someone to handle the marketing and paperwork, I'd be the happiest man alive!
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Like Skip I am greatful that I don't have to work for someone else, and charging three figures for a 45 minute show aint bad either. I waited my whole life for this kind of independance, and I absolutely love what I do.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
tacrowl Inner circle Maryland 1633 Posts |
Last summer I worked a gig that required 3 - 45 minute programs followed by a 30 minute show. Back to back. Got a whopping 15 minute break between each performance. This was everynight - and I worked a 6 day run, a 12 day run and a 14 day run.
Half way into the second run, I started to wonder where I was in my script. I wasn't sure if I was remembering an earlier show, or the one I was performing. Tony Award Winner, Jay Johnson, former star of Soap, offered me some great advice. He said to "live in the moment". I found by focusing on each moment and actually experiencing the show with the audience, things became clearer. Presentation became sharper. That simple change kept me from falling into a pattern of just going through the motions and doing a show. During the run I added new material, tried out new jokes and honed my act. This year I'm looking forward to returning to develop even more material. Tom |
Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
"Live the moment!" That pretty much sums up my entire post. Work from the heart, not the brain! Well said, Tom!
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
In a phrase, “Don’t rest on your laurels.” A new routine is all it takes for me to have something to look forward to, even if it doesn’t end up being very good. You don’t know unless you try it.
Furthermore, with competition the way it is, if you’re not continually improving your show, you are falling behind. A new routine even gives me that twinge of nervousness that I used to feel so much in the beginning. Nervousness equals excitement, and excitement is not boring.
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
Ola Loyal user Australia / Sweden 245 Posts |
I had this discussion with an actor friend. They also have to perform the same material night after night.
The difference is that we might do 20 shows every night. I performed at a 5 star, formal, function last night and enjoyed every one of my "mini shows" I don't have the problem you describe as I TRULY enjoy meeting new people. (Talking about close-up). Don't worry about the tricks you do it is ALL about the interaction with the guests. So, no two groups are EVER the same. I spent the last 15 min of my gig shaking hands, saying my "thank you's" and calling everybody by name. 1) I make it a game. Practise your memory skills by learning names. I often try to re-call names / faces after a gig during my "mental debrief" 2) Take a move / trick from your stage show and use the "critical" element and incorporate it in your close-up set. I get paid to rehearse. (I do a "name memory" thing in my stage show so... I can practise during my close-up work and it keeps in interesting. 3) Pick up on (& contribute to) existing conversations and see what you can do with it using your magic. 4) Build a HUGE toolbox of tricks & moves so you are free to jazz it. I never know where the signed card is going to end up. It depends on where me and my audience are going... Wallet.. forehead... under a glass... in an empty wine bottle... Under their bum on the chair.. etc... Because I knew the singer from last nights function it even ended up in her piano at one point. I also had a group yesterday of poker fanatics. Perfect! I can contribute to their passion for cards... 5) Look at the environment.... can you create something special for them. Something you might never have done before. It's amazing where a palmed card can end up. I have never done a "signed-card-to-piano" before. It makes it fun! Keep smiling! Ola
You laugh because I'm different. I laugh because you are all the same...
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jackturk Elite user 463 Posts |
If I'm in the moment... and really present for each show... then I'm open to new ideas and different ways of doing things during the act.
My act is pretty set... however, the way in which I phrase certain bits, the tone of voice, my facial expressions, the way in which I pose my body, little aspects of how I handle props and transitions, and ad lib lines that pop in my head during the banter and byplay.... all this feeds into my ongoing experience and helps me continuously test and improve. For example, today I did a gig and I realized during a certain segment of my rabbit in hat puppet routine that I was missing out a chance to be making faces at the rabbit during the interaction. During that phase of the routine, I was letting the puppet do it all -- which was okay -- but I realized that my reaction at that point in the routine could and should be beefed up. Hence, I did so. Even if you're doing pretty much the same act hundreds of times a year, it's like a piece of marble that you can still keep sculpting, polishing, and making even better. That mindset keeps it fresh for me. --Jack Turk
"59 Ways To Recession Proof Your Entertainment Business -- FREE!"
http://www.GetLeadsLikeCrazy.com "How To Make $25,000 a Year Doing Birthday Parties Part-Time" http://www.magicmarketingcenter.com/birthdayPT |
Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
I believe that "burnout" is a valuable asset. It tells us when we are doing something that is not sustainable over the long term. An asset, that is, if we recognize it and act accordingly.
I experienced burnout at a couple of "real" jobs that I had. Burnout from knowing that what I was doing was not something I was passionate for. I am grateful for that burnout as I was eventually able to listen to it and make changes to pursue what I was meant to do. As a runner, I have often experienced instances of physical burnout. Just about 7 weeks ago, I ran for nearly 4 hours while sick with a cold. The result was a good 5 weeks of barely being able to run for 30 minutes at a time. Luckily, being able to recognize the burnout allowed me to take the needed rest and am now nearly back to my old self for next week's marathon. My point is that burnout of any kind is your body talking to you. There is something in your life that is not in balance. Listen and make changes. Otherwise, it will happen again. |
Blair Marshall Inner circle Montreal, Canada 3660 Posts |
A couple of things that I do/have done.
I have several (6) different theme shows, I look forward to shifting from one show to the next. I'm in the process of bringing another theme show on-line for this Fall. I, also, like to "live in the moment" and enjoy each audience, and audience member I perform for. This keeps it fun and fresh for me. I also use each performance to try different "touches", they may be slight, it could be a change in stance, a flourish, a small change in timing, it helps me to keep learning, evaluating my performances, and improving. (It could also include adding a new effect) I schedule holidays and weekends off, they give me something to look forward to. NO e-mails or calls. Stress free "zones". I schedule in a convention (this year it's Dean's in Philly), no shows or bookings accepted for that weekend in November. This is a business refresher, and is great to be around like-minded folks for a whole weekend. Another thing I keep in mind is when I am in a run (ie. almost 40 shows this past Christmas/holiday - 23 days straight) is something that Lee Earle said in a lecture, and I am not sure if it is original to him, that you should always strive to perform your best, so that to that little person sitting in the audience for whom you may the very first magician he has ever seen, and in the future will compare every other magician he sees to you. It is your obligation to give him your best, whether it be your first show, or the last one of a run. And lastly, each and every time I go out to a show, when tired or down, I think about how blessed I am to be doing something I love and enjoy. And what other business could you be in that the sole purpose of your work is to bring joy and fun to other people? Blair
Visit My Facebook Fan Page At
www.Facebook.com/BlairMarshallMontrealMagician www.BlairMarshall.ca www.ShaZzamShow.com www.MontrealMagicien.com |
Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
Immense quantities of an alcoholic liquid works very well. Hey I'm Irish what do you expect
Paddy |
squando Elite user 444 Posts |
Too late, but It is never magic that gives me this feeling.
Frank
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jamesbond Loyal user 249 Posts |
Paddy booze does work, but long term meditation works for me... I never believed in it, but I have been meditating close to a year and it DOES help me be more in the moment aka not going through the motions if you know what I mean...
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Brent McLeod Inner circle 1792 Posts |
Some great points here
We were doing over 100 shows a year but none were for kids-Alll corporate & Private events! Burnout setting in-Yes Definetly Living in the moment of each effect etc was a good theme Creating different acts & varying between stage then strolling for large events was a good challenge to keep fresh Introducing a new effect & trying it out -kept you on your toes Cutting down to 60-80 shows a year -quality not quantity helped Getting good feedback from lay audiences meant you were doing something right-not sure what but something....... Having a break at certain times-no magic etc etc for a few weeks helped refresh the mind Watching other good entertainers- inspired your creativity!! |
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