On 2011-10-12 14:28, unilogo wrote:
Yesterday, was my debut; And, it was a fiasco... **Almost everyone can say this. It's what lets us know if we have the guts to press on.

You: Read, rehearse and theorize an original show... For, months. With, lessons from this forum and busker blogs. And, the masters are correct... Street magic, for money, is not easy. **You mean develop your own show from scratch? Eh. I don't think this is the best idea, especially if you don't know what will/won't work. Honestly, I'd repeat someone's show, and work my own stuff in, until it becomes unique. Go with what works. Don't reinvent the wheel, until you know how the wheel operates.

I, set-up, in the most solitary area of 'Fremont Street.' Here, in Las Vegas; A, bad location, intentionally. Because, I was afraid, of "creating" a big crowd. Why? I, remember, reading that a beginner should work a small (10) person, audience for $10. ** This is part of your problem. If a beginner can work 100 people, then he should work 100 people.

Were, people afraid, of the trickle hat... I, placed, on the floor? I, only, did that; Because, I, do not wear a hat. Is, there an alternative? ** Eh. You really need a hat. It gets attention. A box on the ground is an okay alternative, but... you really need a hat. It makes it more personal. Hats make a character. Busking is about theatre, and without a hat, we might wonder(or not care) who this person is.

I, was extremely nervous / terrified! Asking, people for money, psychologically, killed me... The, responsibility, to put on a good show. ** Yea. This'll come with experience. Close your eyes and repeat a very simple hat line. You must do this to not only get tips, but to become a better performer.


A, panhandeler approached, me; Asking, "If, I could make a dollar appear for him..." And an unattractive lady, from the red light district; Saying, when I had money, I should, set-up a "date" with her, to put it kindly; It is, Las Vegas... ** Yea. The more this **** happens, the better you'll understand everything around you.

So, tourists would ask me, what I was doing; Shouting, light-heckler, remarks. But, since, I did not have the courage to start... I, would lie, that the show would start in 5, minutes. In, reality; I, was scared to build a crowd. ** Yep. This is normal. If you have to, just do your show without acknowledging the audience at all. George Carlin did this quite often (this isn't necessarily a bad thing).

OR

THIS, WAS MY BIGGEST PROBLEM; I, did not practice how to build an edge..."To, Lure with Spectacle" In, my ignorance, I thought my props; Being, displayed and music from my amplifier, by saying "magic show" would be enough. My, props just received a fleeting glance... The, music in my amplifier, could not be heard over 'DJ' and 'Live band' sound levels... And, I was too scared, to even say "magic show" because, I felt it would not be enough...Eventually, I would be, correct. Ha... ** Stop with a start. Tell people to stop. Just start doing stuff, and acknowledge people (this is hard. Try it once. Maybe go get a little beer in you to calm yourself).

So, I stood there, doing nothing for an hour and a half; Thinking, of quitting... Since, "I will, re-work, an approach, to attract a crowd... Beside, my finale is impractical." (You, will read, about, the magic soon...) ** Sounds familiar. Even if it's just one trick, do it over and over, asking for money when you're done.

When, a magician, named "Adam Flowers" you can see him on Youtube; Was, infront of me. Asking, what, I would do... I, reluctantly said... "A, magic show." He said, he just finished his 'shift' on Fremont... And, after some small talk. I, went for it...

I, started screaming and he did too... But, nothing. Until, a group of 'mid-life' gentlemen, asked him what was the fuzz... And, they decided to stay and see, me. Then, a young couple, was standing, there. And... That, was it. First, show for five pedestrians and a magician / busker. Since, calling, people was yielding no results... With, my monotone "Magic, show... I, will also, recite some poetry... Bring, your kids this is a show for the whole family {There, were hardly any kids.. Ha} ... If, you do not like the show it is free." ** If you're going to say anything about a free show, say just that. FREE MAGIC SHOW, and at the end; if anyone questions your hat pass, tell them you lied.

Failure, time...

My, show was scripted so, that it would flow with my music. And, I knew my show would primarily appeal to ladies / women. And, it was more of a serious than comedic, theme... BAM! Very few, of my lines would work; So, I automatically, had lost half my script... 4, men and a couple would not work. I, required atleast a single girl or group of girls. So, I need to attract, that by force, next time. Loose scripts are best. People will **** up your show, and you'll be off your music.

I, started, with Bizarro's color changing, spongeball; The, men were, like... "Cool" and the couple were kissing. So, they did not see it. Since, I place it as a clown nose, when the girl saw me again, she pointed and started laughing... So, I did a poetic clown gag, with a balloon (You may, re-read, that; It, is written correctly...) It, went, ok. Then, did an origami animation by Robert, Neal... Not, that, magical... But, the couple liked it. The, group of men, were surprisingly focused. This, had all been rushed and compressed badly into 2-3, minutes... By, the way. I, felt awkward. And, I announced, my finale... They, were all surprised... Haha. "Already?" They, kind of chuckled. **sounds promising

Eugene Burger, is my biggest influence; Imagine, a student, of him... Street, performing, somewhat nervous and romantic. This, 'wreck' by my standards; Earned, me 4 dollars *2$? By, the magician*

With, a dumb, hat line I made on the spot. "This, is my first show ever... And, you are the best audience, I ever had." *That's not dumb, that's funny as hell!

I, thanked and asked "For a dollar or two" Which, may be, what I deserved... Or, not. Ha... *At least you asked. That's important. IF you have the will, go do it again!

Called, it a day. Knowing, I need to learn: How to build a crowd, script so I do not require my music, get girls to watch the show too and change my finale. ** You only learn by doing. Other than the occasional new trick, study time is over! It's time for practicum.