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Flec Special user UK 585 Posts |
I have just invested in both volumes of “The Magic Menu” and before I star I would like to strongly recommend these two books to anyone who is interested in restaurant and bar magic. To those starting out, or even those who have been in the business for years, these two books are full of priceless information about the job. There are many tricks, but it is the advice itself (how to get the job, keep the job, advice on tips, etc etc) that makes the collection unique.
My dilemma is this. I am a 17 year old magician who has been working in restaurants in my area since I was around 13. Whilst reading THE MAGIC MENU it is not the first time that I have been advised that I should learn BALLOON ANIMALS for the children. I totally understand this point; balloons make happy kids, therefore happy parents. As a restaurant magician, my routine consists of cards, coins, sponges, and where possible, items on the table (knives, matches, sugar packets etc.) As with most restaurant magicians, this is not the ideal routine for a child, due to the lack of colorful shapes and fluffy animals. Some effects work just as well for kids as for adults though (cards across, sponge bunnies, coins from ears, d’lites etc.) These effects are what I revert to when faced with children. I am willing to take Jim Sisti’s advice (author, THE MAGIC MENU) in that balloon modeling should be learnt. However (now I’m getting to my point, he he) balloon modeling would not suit my act one bit. I am willing to learn, but it just wouldn’t suit me and my act. I panic at the sight of children and try and do the table and get away as quick as possible. It is becoming apparent though that business is there to be taken, and I must not overlook family audiences. I consider myself an adult performer, due to the nature of my act, and also some of the patter I use. What are the thoughts on balloon modeling here? Like I said, I am willing to learn, but I fear that it would lower the level of my act and make me look silly. I don’t want to learn how to model balloons just for the hell of it. Advice welcome, thanks in advance. |
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
It depends greatly on the type of restaurant you are working in.
For example, an upscale, white-tablecloth restaurant would not be a suitable venue for balloons, while a family-style "wings and ribs" type of place might be. I used to do balloons while table hopping, for a variety of reasons: Keep the kids happy, they're visible and let people know you are there, etc. But more and more we are finding latex allergies (most hospitals won't allow balloons for just that reason) and what happens if a balloon pops and the pieces fly into another table's meal? Origami, bead-animal modelling -- there are many things that can substitute for balloons, work just as well, and be infinitely safer. If you were just starting out, it would be one thing; but you are experienced in the restaurant field and you know what to do (and balloons aren't one of those things, otherwise you wouldn't have asked!) You've been successful so far without balloons; I believe you will continue to do so, without balloons. They are fun, they are colorful, and they are highly visible; in short, they are great for street work. But in a restaurant, they are bulky, they are noisy, and they COULD be dangerous. |
Flec Special user UK 585 Posts |
Very true, but there are strong aruguemnts FOR using them.
I'm arguing both sides here....silly me. Is it wise changing my act just to compensate for balloons? Do you think it will be an investment? |
Michael238 Inner circle 1192 Posts |
Peter is a true pro, take his advice and run with it!
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EricHenning Loyal user Laurel, Maryland 218 Posts |
Flec:
Glad you like the Menu books! As for the balloons, where I am located we have magicians, and we have balloon guys. They work restaurants as separate types of performers. It works fine, and some restaurants have one of each, on different nights. I have never done balloons in restaurants, for the same reasons you cited. Trust your instincts here. You have been performing long enough to get an idea of your style. Now is the time to make everything you do fit your performing character. If balloons are out of character, leave them alone. There's another reason here, a marketing reason. In most professions, the big money is made not by generalists, but by specialists. This makes sense, because people inuitively know that you can't spread yourself thin and still be excellent at so many things. This is why I cringe at magicians' business cards that say things like, "SPECIALIZING in birthday parties, Bar Mitzvahs, trade shows, hospitality suites, motivational speeches, face painting and balloon animals." ARRRGHHH!!! So be great at magic and let someone else specialize in balloons. |
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
Just as you should do more than cards tricks (at least I think so) why not add balloon animals to your repoitoire as well.
I remember back when... I was telling myself I was only going to do card tricks. Then I saw Jay Sankey do Tenkai Pennies at the Magic Store on Video and I was blown away. I distinctly remember whispering to myself... "SHI*, now I have to learn coins" That was the best decision I ever made regarding magic, in my opinion. To branch out and try other stuff. Obviously, there's so much stuff that you can't do everything and neither should you try to do everything. Do what makes you say "WOW. That's awesome" For that reason, to this date, I've never tied one single balloon animal. If you don't like it...don't do it. Maybe it will thrill you later. But for now, learn what you're passionate about learning. On the other hand (I think that's 4 hands altogether by now) if you keep getting turned down for gigs because you can't do balloon animals then you've got a business decision to make. Frank
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
flourish dude Inner circle from ? But I know where I am going! 1195 Posts |
Well it is nice to do just magic at times but the kids always want a balloon. Sometimes I will be in the middle of a routine and a kids will say "Can I have a dog?" like he has no care about the magic. Adults also get a kick out of it as well(If your good). The bottom line is it depends on the needs of your restaurant. You are a service to them. They are not there for you. If it will bring in more people and make the restaurant more money then you should learn a few balloons. If you don't want to do balloons then look for a more adult place.
4 simple rules when it comes to restaurant magic: 1. Be simple 2. Be different 3. Be good!!!!!!!!! 4. Be yourself.
Nothing of the same will bring any change, take action today!
Just taking a step, is a step in the right direction because when you stop working, your dream dies. www.magicalmemories.us |
Flec Special user UK 585 Posts |
Its been playing on my mind for some time.
one side of me is saying "you can never have too many skills. be prepared for any situation, if the magic isn't working, a balloon might be the easy way out, plus its a time consumer." but the other is constantly saying "i cant imagine myself doing a balloon animal. I would love to do it, but my personality does not suit it." maybe I am thinking to deeply, but as a 17 year old magician, looking to go proffesionally in the future, I am prepared to take wot it takes. the question nwo arises to "is it better to perfect one skill (close up magic) or is it more business minded to have a number of skills (close up, cabaret, mentalism, comedy, balloons, illusions, etc). |
rsummer27 Loyal user South Carolina 225 Posts |
In my own personal opinion, you can never know too much. There are times balloons come in handy and there are doors that balloons will get you into that you wouldn't be able to get into otherwise. However, balloons can also be a trap. Everyone wants a balloon sculpter and if you can do it you will get jobs to do it. Before you know it, your twisting balloons six days a week and you never get to do magic or juggling or any of the other things that you like.
Ralph
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Giggles the Clown buys all of his supplies at www.madhattermagicshop.com Super Low Prices on Videos and DVDs! |
dogwood86 Regular user Vancouver 124 Posts |
Flec,
I have been thinking about the same thing. I'm seventeen years old as well, and I prefer to entertain older audiences. Think about possible cute effects for children. Michael Close's Frog Prince, which you may have to shorten in a restaurant setting, depending on your table time, is a great effect, considering they can remember a card. How about a simple two in the hand, one in the pocket with... the folded frogs from Close's trick. Frogs jump...why not from your pocket. I've never tried it but this may be fine. How about a professer's nightmare routine. Jon Allen has a wonderful handling finishing with the ropes returning to their original state completely in the spectator's hands. A silk routine would be great. Jim Pace's with a fingertip is wonderful. However learning a few balloon animals is not hard... perhaps you can only create them on demand. perhaps we can PM some Ideas back and forth. Nathan Actually, don't make them demand a balloon animal from you. It would leave a great impression if at their request you can gratify it. Would it be possible to use Bob Read's bottle production with a balloon pump? Nathan |
armagician Regular user 146 Posts |
Do some spong balls
Scrath that idea Sorry its late |
Flec Special user UK 585 Posts |
I have no problem selecting effects and performing routines for children, I just tend to panic and not spend as much time with familes as with just adults. at a restaurant I tend to do 3d rabbits, cards accross, d lites, insurance policy, invisible deck (depending on age) and somehow get a coin from their ear.
my thoughts are mainly is it worth learning balloon animals for someone like myself, who I consider to be an adult performer? |
dogwood86 Regular user Vancouver 124 Posts |
Might as well learn a few then. However this doesn't change the situation of you not spending as much time with families and panicing
Nathan |
abc Inner circle South African in Taiwan 1081 Posts |
Balloon animals are a nice addition and if you really get into it you can make some incredible stuff but if I understand your act is more aimed at adults then don't fix what is not broken.
If you do want to get into giving the kids something Peter mentioned Origami. I love it and I have some incredible stuff in PDF Format so if you want to PM me and I will mail it to you. Takes time to learn and remember and is a lot more difficult than balloon models but it is awesome. |
Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
Re:
"Well it is nice to do just magic at times but the kids always want a balloon. Sometimes I will be in the middle of a routine and a kids will say "Can I have a dog?" But is this simply because they have seen you doing balloons at other tables? There is nothing wrong with balloons. If you want to add it to your repertoire as an allied art that's fine. But it is not magic and is not a neccessity for a magician. Remind me, is balloon modelling covered in Tarbell? Paul. p.s. Check out the "Bill Abbott Performs Close-Up For Kids" DVD's. |
Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Hi Paul,
While Tarbells doesn't include balloon modeling I seem to remember there is an effect on the Linking balloons. Someone (probably the magician) would have had to blow it up in order to do that effect. So while not modeling it can be argued that yes they are listed in Tarbells. :O) Although I agree not in the context which you mentioned as modelling. I agree with most of the posters, that you don't need to know how to do balloon modelling for table hopping work. Still, I think that there is a fine balance with trying too many things to the other side of the coin and only concentrating on one thing, thereby limiting your choices of employment or being hired. You know yourself better than anyone and can judge when you've mastered something, whether to try something new. As long as the person doesn't keep jumping from different areas of magic without mastering something first. Exploring different avenues will allow you to see where your possible strenghth lays. Although this isn't quite what you may have been thinking when asking about balloons. A little bit of variety keeps one from getting bored. |
Vincz New user 59 Posts |
I perform magic and balloon sculpting seperately, so it really depends what my clients want. totally magic, or totally balloon, or they can take both (and I give them a discount).
Star Gazer Sponge balls Cardtoons All this works well with kids =) |
Dirko Loyal user Michigan 287 Posts |
I do not perform balloons in resteraunts. I do do balloons at birthday parties but not at resteraunts. I currently work a children's night at a resteraunt and still do not do balloons. I told the manager up front and he had no problem with this.
I believe it is important that you have something for the kids but it does not need to be balloons ( in my opinion). The bottom line is this whatever you decide make sure you are great at it! I think this is why I never did ballons at resteraunts I thoiught it didn't fit my charachter. Good luck in whatever decision you make Flec! |
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