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Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
I must say, with all of the COVID-19 talk and discussions, news, social news/gossip, fake news, and such that is going on continually, I have been having some of the best business discussions with performers of the past 5 years (or more).
While I hope we can all get through this soon and we can each somehow move forward, I really think this has caused performers to finally be forced to slow down (or in some cases stop) and reexamine this current entertainment and performing business. Many of us have been having great, more in-depth, discussions, email exchanges, and messages than I can remember in a long time. It seems to be forcing many to really look at their performing as a business, not take clients, customers and accounts for granted, to be looking more at having multiple sources of revenue in their business and shielding themself from such possibilities moving forward in the future. As mentioned in another thread, some are really starting to understand there are different business models other than what they've been doing and are starting to look at and consider other and different possibilities. Many have been working on their promotional material and websites as I am hearing "I've been wanting to do this for some time but haven't gotten around too it." While I wouldn't wish any of this on my worst competitor, but I will say it has been very interesting during this "mandatory or forced break" to see many putting priority effort on their business side of things. Sure some are also working on their performances and presentations, but seeing the efforts on the business aspects of things has been really exciting. And no, I am not just talking about my coaching students, clients, and venues, as I have been hearing fro performers I have never met or corresponded with before. In some weird way, it seems to have brought performers together in many ways. This is the most serious I have seen performers approach this in a long time. I think this alone will change many performer's approaches and operations as we come out on the other side of all of this. I've also noticed an increase here in TB as well. which I think is great as well. |
Decomposed Eternal Order High Desert 12059 Posts |
Good time to work on a book.
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MeetMagicMike Inner circle Gainesville Fl 3501 Posts |
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Good time to work on a book. Yes it is. I'm working on Moby Dick. |
Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
Sorry to disappoint you Mindpro, but I’ve been slowly going in another direction.
True, I did some improvements on my web site that I had been neglecting, but other than that I’ve been losing interest and motivation to do anything business or performance related. For the first time in more than 20 years I’m actually considering changing careers! The months of July and August represent 35% of my income. Those months were almost completely booked before this crisis hit and nothing has cancelled in those months yet. So, I’m still hopeful that life will be back to normal by then and there’s nothing to worry about. But I thought April 15th would be the end of this. The experts keep extending the date and saying things like is will never be acceptable to shake someone’s hand again. Any talk of opening is followed by, “with restrictions.” Lets face it, we are in a business in which large gatherings are the norm. Those restrictions will probably include large gatherings. New York City is cancelling events for all of June. Or how about having to perform all shows with a face covering? And all this talk of livestreaming? I have no interest in that. Perhaps I’m letting fear creep in but I’ve decided that the best use of my time is to NOT think about the future, for at least another month. But let me end this post on a good side of what’s happening. I have one of those cars that you can charge electrically and it will get about 35 miles on electric until it kicks in to gas consumption. It is rare that we go more than 35 miles in a day so virtually all driving is done on electric. I filled the gas tank up 4 weeks ago and the tank is still full!
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
Thanks, for your thoughts Ken. What you've decided is also a business-related decision as well. I think some others may be thinking along the same lines as yourself as well.
I agree there is a lot of fear creeping in. The fear of the unknown is what many have the hardest time dealing with which is understandable. Hey, we all have to make decisions that are best for us, our businesses, and our families. Even the posts here by some ae fear-based, panic-based and while it does make for content to post and debate, I always ask myself how productive or beneficial is it? Everyone has always had an opinion, but in these days many feel much more compelled to post it on a forum or the internet and then, of course, defend their opinion. I try to stay away from these people and the fear and panic-based perspectives. I prefer to deal in facts and realities. I will say since you shared your current situation with us, I personally am finding this self-isolation a very enjoyable and a welcome reprieve. I have been on the road 42-45 weeks per year for nearly 30 years. I've been doing my annual spring tour for more than 30 years, leaving in March and returning in mid to late June. Since I work the school market heavily, this time of year especially I am working 6 days a week with weekdays filled with morning and afternoon assemblies, evening events, and Saturday and Sundays for school weekend events. Some times it has been 7 days a week in the school market. So for me, this has literally been the first time I have been home during this time of year - ever, for more than a day or two. I can't explain how I am enjoying it. I have been so productive. Spending endless additional time with my coaching students and consulting clients navigating all of this and preparing of the rebound that is coming, finally being able to get back to by entertainment business course that, as many know here, I have been trying to revise and update for close to 6 years now. I am also making major strides with my program course and training of 2/4 Walling & Self-Produced Shows. Normally I take these projects on the road with me and work on them a few hours at a time when I can. But lately, I've been able to dive deeper into these for 7, 8, 10 or 12 hours at a time, which for me has been very different and exciting. Many of us in our 50s think about retirement in our future either by choice or a forced situation. I discuss this regularly with my coaching students as well. Most wonder what it would really be like. Well, I think this has been a bit of a sample taste for many. Some are just sitting around doing little or nothing. Others are being quite productive. Many are enjoying their hobbies and personal interests, while others are getting that spouse and family time there never seems to be enough of. People that know me know I have always been a very positive, reality-based, glass-half-full kind of guy, so I really am enjoying this and making the best of it. Now I know many are having trouble enjoying it because of the hit to their financial situation, which I can understand, especially for the gig to gig worker. Luckily I'm in a good place financially and spending much time working with others to get there as well. The one thing that this has made many do is to stop and finally be forced to think about is their financial future, the state of their current business, their current and future business models, and preparation for such unforeseen things in the future. I think this is good, positive and productive for everyone. I hope more would be willing to share their personal (entertainment/performing) situation here as it could likely benefit others. This I see has productive and beneficial, not posting a bunch of videos, some of poor performances that make this that much more troubling. |
Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
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On Apr 21, 2020, Mindpro wrote: Yes, I believe that is true. It is a purposeful decision. Pastor’s will take a 5 to 7 week sabbatical from time to time, school teachers take every summer off. Sometimes we just need to take a break, and apparently this my time to take a break! Quote:
On Apr 21, 2020, Mindpro wrote: I’m happy hear this. I feel the same way. Despite the occasional apprehension of having NO income AND losing 30% of my retirement funds, I am enjoying this, and feel very confident and positive about the future. There is a lesson here for all of us, and I suspect the lesson will be different for each individual. It would be a shame if one did not take away some wisdom from this, but rather blamed others for their situation.
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
thomasR Inner circle 1189 Posts |
One positive.... I’ve got time and as I go through my magic books I’m trying to actually learn the tricks, even if they aren’t something I would usually want to learn.
An example... I’m going through Tom Mullicas book... his 4 chosen cards under an ashtray. I don’t work at a bar, I don’t work with ashtrays, and the idea of having 4 cards chosen doesn’t appeal to me, so in the past I read it over quickly and moved on. This time I learned the routine and realized I could do the same trick with 4 aces and instead of an ash tray use the box of playing cards. That doesn’t directly apply to business... but still an example of how I’m using some of my time. |
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