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Gonzalo_nvdp New user Spain (Madrid) 24 Posts |
Hi, I think it is very useful to know the spectators thoughts after your act.
How many of you obtains this information? How often? and How? The most obvious way will be to ask a little later, what do you think?. Negative aspect can be that they start to apply reasoning to what the have seen. but you can also direct the conversation if they start analysing the "how" What do you think will be the most important things to know? : their feelings, if they have a theory of a method to achieve it,... Other idea can be to interrupt a presentation and ask What are you thinking?. But of course this I will do only to somebody of great confiance (it can be done with magicians fellows, but the answers will be of course different than for lay people) (however, perhaps something interesting can be learned?) Have anybody apllied to know if they are directing the spectators thoughts as he thinks? Any comment will be interesting |
Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
I've actually thought about handing out cards or a program, and pencil, with a review section as people enter.
What was your impression of the magician? 1)Bland. 2)OK. 3)Friendly. 4)Charismatic. The magic presented was.. 1)Confusing. 2)So so. 3)Entertaining. 4)Excellent. I felt the act.. 1)Was not very magical. 2)Needs improvememnt. 3)Included some really good magic. 4)Amazing. It would depend on what you want to know. End the act by asking that the questions be filled and returned. |
Greg Arce Inner circle 6732 Posts |
In the past I made it a point to randomly ask. Sometimes I ask total strangers who had seen something I'd done and sometimes friends whose opinions I trusted.
I still hang out after the sets I do and like to talk to the people that just saw me to get some reactions. The great thing about doing sets at the Castle is that you can get immediate feedback from the hosts who will get unsolicited comments from the groups that just saw you. Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
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Mark Rough Inner circle Ivy, Virginia 2110 Posts |
I went to a Paul Daniels workshop a few years back where he suggested that you camp out in a stall in the bathroom and listen to what people are saying. I can just see him doing it too.
Mark
What would Wavy do?
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
You have to be careful about terminology. Camping out in the men's room is what got George Michaels in trouble.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
Terminology aside, that actually works (although it's certainly not original with Paul Daniels--it's a very old show biz idea). Might be tough to get feedback from the opposite sex without being conspicuous, though! And of course, it wouldn't work well in a "one-holer" or a private home after a close up show!
I figure that, if I'm getting lots of response during the show, an ovation at the end, and repeat/referral bookings, I'm doing OK. For those starting out, though, a performance critique, filled out anonymously (so they can be brutally honest without inhibition), can be a very effective tool.
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
Patrick Differ Inner circle 1540 Posts |
Plant an agent. Have the agent listen. Your agent then shares the information with you.
Will you walk into my parlour? said the Spider to the Fly,
Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy; The way into my parlour is up a winding stair, And I've a many curious things to show when you are there. Oh no, no, said the little Fly, to ask me is in vain, For who goes up your winding stair -can ne'er come down again. |
JimMaloney Inner circle 1184 Posts |
The eyes are the window to the soul.
-Jim
Books and Magazines for sale -- more than 200 items (Last updated January 17th, 2014. Link goes to public Google Doc.)
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Big Daddy Cool Inner circle 1604 Posts |
I have my tech crew hide out in the bathrooms. I don't trust anybody to give me an honest response anymore.
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Jaxon Inner circle Kalamazoo, Mi. 2537 Posts |
This is a very touchy topic for me. With me being deaf I can't always tell if they are applauding or laughing loudly or just applauding to be courteous. Sometimes after a show I don't feel I did as good a job as I could have but later found out how strongly people where reacting.
I never ask what they though but I do try and spend time with people afterwards. Sometimes they share there thoughts. Other times I just try to get a feel of what they thought by the way they are acting toward me or with each other. I agree with BDC in that you can't always get honest feed back because sometimes they are being courteous to you. If they do that they may have liked it but you can't always tell if they just like talking to "The entertainer" or if you really did make a good impression on them. Finding out what they think of it without them knowing you're going to find out would be the best way to get the true reaction. Ron Jaxon |
Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
I can offer some suggestions from my college days.
People would come to the dorm room and many came back to bring friends for shows. I took requests from repeat audience members. I refined my repertoire by listening to feedback in the lunchroom when people would tell the tale of what they saw. Without some sort of willing audience to provide feedback, you may as well bug the bathrooms and hallway. The problem with doing so is you might also get all sorts of information that is confidential, compromising and generally awkward.
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
When I do plenary talks(A Nearly Normal look at ____)I usually get tally sheets from the convention organizers. The written comments usually are worth more than the 5 out of 5 scores. They rate things other than the magic, such as use of media, handouts, will this help you when you go back to work....)
Repeat work and referals also tells me something. "We" have 21 Laughology Programs booked for June 2005. Harris Deutsch Laughologist
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Marshall Thornside Inner circle chicago 2016 Posts |
Ask them to join your mailing lists and have a
comment section on the form. Ask for your previous clients or friends to write a review of your show. That's what I do.
you will remember my name
World's Youngest Illusionista 7th greatest pianist in the world Go Red For Women and Stroke Ambassador www.mai-ling.net |
qwism New user 76 Posts |
I think you could judge from the performance itself and how they replied...I usually try to find my weakest effect/lag is there are any. But if you must ask...then just do it.
You could usually start off the feedback by commenting on an effect that totally blew them away..then just casually add if they liked the tranposition you did with the other effect you had...or when the card flew over 3 spectators heads and it landed in your hand...stuff like that. |
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