This came up in the "women EA's" thread, but I feel it deserves a seperate discussion and the general WEAR thead is getting a big long.

As we know the provisional date for the WEAR event is 29-30 October, the weekend closest to Hallow'een and also therefore the weekend nearest the (79th) anniversary of the death of Harry Houdini.

The question is, would this be a good angle to emphasise for publicity purposes? It's perfect copy for newspaper reports, which never fail to mention Houdini when reporting on escape attempts anyway; "On October 31st, 1926, the legendary escape artist Harry Houdini passed away; 79 years later, thousands of escape artists across the globe celebrate his legacy and the art he popularised by performing the biggest co-ordinated sequence of escape attempts within a 24 hour period". It could then go on to say, for example, "Flying the flag for the event here in Bonkerstown is local escape hero Joe Blow, who will be attempting to escape from a giant jiffy bag sealed by disgruntled postal workers.." etc. etc.

Just a thought, anyway; it could be a good angle to use. It also gives us a reason to do this thing every year if it's a success this time around.

I think this is a very excellent idea. and a great gimmick. to be used to get good pr for wear.

The name houdini still invokes the idea of perfection in magic in the minds of most people. The average man in the street knows nothing about his faults and some of the downright evil things he did to his competitors. So using his name is wise. I also have been working on ideas for a press release and I'll let you know what I come up with.

I've already done it and it was the perfect combination to get the theatre on board as partner. They (the theatre) also saw the power of selling this type of show and we agreed to do the show for a percentage of the gate.

We are going to sell the Houdini and Halloween angles as well as the Guinness Book of Records angle (we have advised the theatre that this is still to be determined, if it is to occur at all). We expect all of this to be a big draw for a smaller community and hope to get a lot of local press out of it to help with the promotion.

Pat and I are already writing the script and coming up with a unique show that will have drama and comedy. The curtain opens with me suspended upside at the microphone wearing a straight jacket. I welcome the audience like a normal emcee and then ask for some music and do the escape. The show builds from there keeping the "Tribute to Houdini" theme going with (order to be determined)sack escape, mail bag escape, comedy shackles escape, second sight/medium routine (from Houdini's early days)and ending with Metamorphisis. As well, I will be doing a running commentary about the history of Houdini and his escapades between effects as seguays and introductions to routines.

This type of show, themed as it is, is a first for Pat and I and we're having a lot of fun putting it together.

All the best to the rest of the WEAR participants.

Rob

This is a great angle. It is also National Magic Week for S.A.M. members; Houdini was the first president. National Magic Week emphasizes charity performances in hospitals and nursing homes. Pre-WEAR publicity could be a free performance for shut-ins somewhere, at least for Americans who are in the S.A.M.

Ask a layman to name any magician. Most will say Houdini.

Yours,

Paul

LOL Jiffy bag & postal worker !
Helen...want to be my media agent ?

~Rick~

Very excellent time to maybe say or tell the people that the spirit of Houdini will all be watching us that day.

Can it be concluded that the 31st is the deffinate date.?
Do we really want to do this on the back of Houdini,,again,its 2005 would it not be time to try and stand on our own merit.
Just an observation.

Oo oo! Maybe do a whole spiritualism thing and supposedly invoke the spirit of houdini to help you escape. Hee hee.

I think Pual has a great idea in that pre-WEAR publicity will be crucial for the event itself. Several out there are promising to call in a few favors for national/international press but for maximum exposure we need to be intentional at the local level as well.

As part of the planning of your escape, begin to develop a scheme for promoting it wherever possible. As Paul was saying, doing a smaller escape for free before an audience who would benefit from the entertainment enjoyment would be a great start.

I'm not saying that these suggestions are mandatory for participation but if you want to stregnthen your link in the chain, begin writing up a press release for your area. Write a brief one for a few weeks ahead, a longer one for two weeks a head, etc. until you are calling and faxing the newspapers, radio and tv stations on the day of the event. I have found that making contact with an individual at the radio/tv/newspaper helps to improve follow-through on their part.

In the end, this event will only be as big as we make it. Once we hear from the Guinness folks we'll know the details better until then however we can still plan in general ways. Let's make it the biggest escape event the world has ever known!

Clyde

Not only a nice guy and wonderful showman, but, also a great motivational speaker.

I still think 29-30th would be better. Doing this on Halloween itself might hamper us in regards to crowds and media presence.

Any other thoughts?

Steve

I'm with Dr. Midnight on this. If we do the escapes on the 29th, you can set it up to ride the wave into a Halloween seance, if that is your thing. There is too much human interest news on Halloween itself. Your escape will be competing with a bunch of cute kids in Halloween costumes getting candy at the community center trick-or-treat party. Dr. M. is also right about crowds. Everyone will be taking the kids somewhere, unless you are handing out candy at your event you are not the destination.

Kondini, it would be great to stand on our own, but even if you don't mention HH, the press calls the event a Houdini-style stunt, so we might as well just embrace it.

Yours,

Paul

I agree with Steve on this one as well.

Trying to do the shows on the 31st, especially here in North America IMO would be a strategic disaster. The little ones would be Trick n Treating and the adults would either be escorting them or staying home to hand out the goodies. Travel by car that night is also not recommended because of the safety concerns for the children. Anyway you look at it, I believe that attendance for shows would be down and there would be less media coverage.

I vote we stay with the 29th.


Rob

One more voice here in favor of doing the WEAR close enough to promote but not actually on Halloween. Doing Halloween I think we have to share too much limelight with other people and things.

-Ed

I second the 29 or 30 vote.

I'm Planning on having a Spooktacular time.

Look, here is Don's serious face. :o)

Of course one needs to have fun while performing. plus entertain the audience.