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Greg_Magic New user 53 Posts |
I have to say that since joining the café last week I have learned a lot about myself as a magician. After just a few posts and getting some feedback from you guys here I have had to take a good hard look at where I thought I was as magician and what I thought I was ready for. So after several critiques (Mindpro, you were instrumental in me changing my thought process) I realize that what I thought I was ready for and what I actually am ready for are two very different things. I THOUGHT I was ready to get it out there market myself as a corporate entertainer, get a bunch of gigs and make a pile of cash. Ok, that may be exaggerating a little but the point is I realize that I'm pretty much at the hobbyist/amateur level still. Sure I have had some paid gigs. I even did tableside magic at the Rainforest Café in Nashville, TN every Wednesday night for 2 1/2 years. I have done a few paid parties too. But in getting the feedback from my posts here at The Magic Café I realize that I don't have a polished show. I don't have an "act". It's a hard reality to face when you get up to the starting line ready to sprint and then realize that you have to get back on your hands and knees and start crawling again. So to that effect I am here really looking at what I need to do to become the entertainer that I want to be. I'm sure I will have a million questions and hopefully some of you guys can help me achieve my goals. And thank you to those that have already helped me to do that.
-Greg O. |
djjkarate New user Always Sunny in Seattle 56 Posts |
To take some pressure off, do a big gig for free.. Then you won't think about "did they get there money's worth?", "am I worth this much?" "am I worth more?"..
You'll have enough pressure if you think "this is my first show at this level"... Find ways to take as much pressure off your mind so that you can focus on your routine.. Then it will go better.. I performed in front of the computer repair guys I work for, and that was the hardest show I ever did.. It was for free at the end of one of our meetings, but all I had to concentrate on was the "show"... |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
I must say I am extremely impressed that you are able to come to this realization. So many, including some on here, can not accept criticism or HONESTLY step back and take a look at things form another's or an outside perspective. This is huge that you have.
When I am hired as a consultant, mentor or coach, this is one of the absolute first things I look at and consider. I can't tell you how many (actually the majority) I refuse and do not accept for this sole reason. They can't handle it, become defensive or are unable to step back and look objectively and accept a factual perspective other than their own. The will likely not understand, they're combatitive, not likely to make the necessary changes, not willing to take action and I am not willing to take their money or invest my time. Again, this is huge and says a lot about you. Secondly, so many performers "think" they are ready before they truly actually are. This does themselves no good and damages the entire industry. I have seen it first hand, time and time again. Any performer attempting to get into performance markets (ESPECIALLY PROFESSIONAL MARKETS) before they are ready, directly affects and impacts those currently working or making a living in those markets and in our industry. Attempting to do this before they are ready, or pretending they are ready when they are not (whether they realize it themselves or not) has consequences for everyone. Professionals working the markets understand this and the importance of this. Hobbyists, enthusiasts and armchair performers will always tell you otherwise (and often speak the loudest) by saying things like "just do it" or "it's okay, we all have to start somewhere" and so on. This is incorrect. There are ways, methods and places to learn, cut your teeth and breakthrough while you are in the process to do this, NOT in the real market, prematurely. There is a difference between "want" and "reality". Just having this understanding and perspective will allow you to progress much quicker towards your eventual goals. This is a great breakthrough for you and an excellent starting point. There is so much more to being a performer that most realize. Then, there is so much more to being an entertainer than most performer's realize. There is no magic (pun intended) pill to shoot you to where you want to be. As others have said, it's a process. And the beginning of the process is most important and yet normally not recognized and simply buzzed over by most. Likely what you did for the 2-1/2 years at the Rainforest Café was the same handful of magic, over and over again. As you said it wasn't a show or an "act". But it was a starting point. A starting point that in some areas, put you far beyond other beginners. You've had stage time in front of an actual paying audience. In a real working environment, for pay. Most are so nervous to even get in front of people. You've far passed this initial obstacle. You are on your way and this newfound understanding should (as we can tell by this post) have created a clear perspective. Now simply take this fresh perspective as use it as your starting point. You're asking the right questions. You're understanding and accepting the answers, even differing answers, and coming up with your own understanding. This is the answer to the question you posed last week - where do I start? You already have begun. |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
It is good to know the basics and build on them.
Working at the same place, hopefully taught you many things. Sounds like your are open to learning more. A full cup can not be filled. Harris now and zen, I get it right
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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