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Kyle^Ravin Inner circle I slammed my head against 1070 Posts |
Hey folks! I do not usually post here and I'm posting for some sort of guidance in busking. I do commercial shows very regularly and it's interesting how busking becomes a totally different ball game.
This year, I have been hired to perform for the Singapore kite fest. A total of 8 shows a day. There are about 12 performers and I'm one of two magicians here. The rest of the guys are from Australia and the UK. Now, here comes my situation. When I did pack for the show, I did feel my material was busking material. Here is a list of the things Ive done today. Linking rings, Sponge balls, card magic, cut and restored rope, cups and balls, mouth coils, smash and stab and the straitjacket. Honestly, the crowd only starts forming when I start the mouth coils. I figured, I might not be doing the right effects for a busking type performance. We are given a small podium to perform on so it's no where near street magic too. My other two colleagues, on my left and right, consist of a mime and an acrobat style performer. Both are good. Within a minute of starting their set, they get a HUGE crowd around them, while, I'm stuck with barely 10 people. I probably already know it's the wrong type of material. With loud music in the backgrounfd, it's a challenge to speak as well. Some might add that it could be my performing style. My question is, is there an approach I should adopt for these busking type shows? What type of material is more suitable for shows like this, considering each set is 20 min. I still have one more day worth of shows and I'm hoping to revise my material and performing style. I need to gather a crowd effectively and hold it. Any suggestions? tips? Your help and time is greatly appreciated.. Thank you!!! Kyle |
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
It sounds like you are suffering from premature show time, It probably has nothing to do with the tricks you are doing but the way you are structuring your act. There is some great information in this thread from 2002 that should help:
http://themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic......&start=0 Peter Gross' post is just spot on. I toss in my two cents about half way down the first page as well. Lots of good stuff from everybody there really. I hope this helps. Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
bluemagic Loyal user 271 Posts |
Maybe turn down the music and come up 1 or 2 effects to draw the people.cards and rope as a idea.find some one you trust to sit on side and watch you .maybe it's what you are doing or saying.these are just ideas.even try with no music when your doing your act.
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Kyle^Ravin Inner circle I slammed my head against 1070 Posts |
Hey people! I'm back... By crikey Danny, your post( in the thread you recommended me to read) was worth a ton... Honestly, I felt things were a little better today. I did bring the sword thru neck... however, I didn't quite use it... Once out of the 8 shows. I changed the approach a little and it did get me crowds better. This brings me to my curiosity... are there any material out there on the topic of busking... whether or not its for money... Any leads?
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Devious Inner circle 2120 Posts |
Quote:
This brings me to my curiosity... are there any material out there on the topic of busking... whether or not its for money... Any leads? You don't really need to buy a dvd or book, for the most part just go down the list here and elsewhere on public forums and read what you are specifically looking into. In addition, busking not only applies to magicians, but to other creative disciplines as well. Mostly musicians. Try researching a diverse range of forums relating to busking advice. Mario Morris' "School of Busking" is a resource you can look into as well. The blog link at the bottom of my post, is an attempt to document busking experiences such as your own. Feel free to post your thoughts at the comments link, with your very own experiences. Peace not pieces! |
Kyle^Ravin Inner circle I slammed my head against 1070 Posts |
Thanks Rey!
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Devious Inner circle 2120 Posts |
I took some time to visit your website! It's very to read against the black backdrop. It's also very easy to navigate. Great job and kudos to it's creator and designer...The microcode guys don't get enough credit for the real magic!
Namaste' Punjabi~Rey |
Kyle^Ravin Inner circle I slammed my head against 1070 Posts |
Wow Rey... this is FREE publicity... Thanks mate!
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mpicard Regular user 102 Posts |
Wow that was a great thread on busking. I wish that was available to me 30 years ago lol.
When you say " commercial shows" you are not talking tradeshows I presume. |
Kyle^Ravin Inner circle I slammed my head against 1070 Posts |
Commercial shows A slang we use here for corporate gigs.
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Devious Inner circle 2120 Posts |
Thanks for the compliment Mr. Picard! My best to you Mr. Ravin!
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mpicard Regular user 102 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-09-06 23:36, Kyle^Ravin wrote: the reason I asked is because trade shows depend on the performer gathering a crowd using his or her skills which in turn allows the corporaton to pitch thier product. Just as you would be using your skills in a busking environment to promote your self ( you are the corporation). Maybe with what skills in busking you can then tyurn to the corp[orations you have as clients and then branch out to adding trade show performances. |
Kyle^Ravin Inner circle I slammed my head against 1070 Posts |
Ahh! Nope, we HARDLY get trade shows here...maybe on a national level 5 times? The only things that comes to my mind are Computer/IT fairs. Other than that, Im not aware of any. In fact here, one does need a permit to busk. Also at specific locations that are registered busking spots... of which, most which I have read on require some sort of extra arrangement between the performer and the management of the general area you intend to perform in. Then comes the fact that most buskers here get paid in coins...
I've walked pass some hats... and its very rare to see a dollar ($2 for Singapore) note . Most people give like, 50 cents to a dollar. Then again, I've only seen musicians here... Once I've seen a magician and once a clown. There is a juggler too but these acts were not interactive at all... They just had coins... |
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