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Mark Tripp Regular user 148 Posts |
Ok Escape Artists; time to get ready, those that want to perform for money that is.
First, lets understand there are two kinds of markets for a performer. Active, and Reactive. Reactive is how over 90% of "magicians" book themself. You take out ads, you mail, you put an ad in the phone book, and you wait to "react" to what someone else does. Needless to say, that is a very bad way to make a living. Your fate is in someone elses hands. An Active market is one you go after. It is a market that you know uses your services, and you direct market to them to use yours. Birthday parties are pretty much reactive, as you can't know when Billy is having a Birthday Party. School Shows are active because you know they have people come in during the school year. Now, for the Escape Artist, we have a wonderful active market, that is the perfect place to perfect out craft. Let's be plain, a BIG break AND a BAD show, means YOU ARE DONE. You will never get another chance. So lets make sure you are ready. My secret market? Cub Scout Blue and Gold Shows!! First, trying to be a "magician" at those things just sucks. No matter what you do, they are going to view the show as a "challenge". Years ago I thought, "then why fight it, make it a challenge". Use the Houdini bit to our advantage. Think about this. They are going to try and catch you, a magician is dead. It doesn't matter if they have the correct answer as to where the ball went, ANY answer diminishes the performance. BUT; either you get out or you do not. If they say "I can do that", LET THEM TRY! Now, some of you are all ready passing this by for very silly reasons. Money is one, and the venue is the other. Fine, more for the people who can think. Because until you can knock the socks off this audience, you should leave the others alone. The reason for bringing this up now, is you have some things to learn, as you can not fake this show. You need to be a master of knots and knot tying. They know that stuff and you need to be better than they are. Some of the one hand knot stuff is killer. Over the next several days I will post the act, how to make up the flyers and letters, and the real key, how to make this an active market where you can line up a dozen or more of these every Feburary. Don't miss it. |
Mark Tripp Regular user 148 Posts |
Lets focus on the rope and knots. Understand these kids struggle learning these knots for their badges. If it looks like you can just "flick" the rope and get a knot, you are "cool".
Of course you need to know how to tie all their knots for real, any scouting book will teach you. If you can do it "under stress", (blindfolded, behind your back, etc.), you are going to look even cooler. You will open with all these rope stunts, (like the act I have all ready posted), and close with the tenkai rope through neck. Your GREAT joke is... "I almost got into trouble when I went for my first aid merit badge. They asked me what to do about a nose bleed... I said, put a tourniquet around their neck! (You are doing the tie as you say this) My scoutmaster said "You big dummy! You'll kill someone that way".... (do the trick, smile)... not the way I do it! OK, no more until I know you have gotten this far. Enjoy Mark Tripp |
Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
Took a gander at this thread just before I hit the streets to check out the doings at the “Hot Rod and Restored Antique Auto” show here in town. I decided that I’d be active and get a gig today. It was a perfect day and perfect crowd to do an escape stunt for. A bag, a length of rope and a set of cuffs and I was off!
I’ve posted my luck (and how I got the performance idea) here at: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......18&3 But it was this thread that lit the fire and made me get away from the computer and go for the gold! In a couple hours I will be doing a paid gig as a result of the parking lot stunt. I’m packed and ready to go and perform an escape act (much of it taken from an earlier Mark Tripp post). I’d like to take my Tripp Oil Drum escape but have loaned the trailer to a friend. So I will end with my Baker Challenge Belt. Mark, I’m ready for the next page!
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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Mark Tripp Regular user 148 Posts |
OK, lets talk about the act. Nothing new here folks, here is what you need.
A GOOD in/out rope tie A GOOD chain escape (do not look past the old siberian chain, Viano used it for years as did I, it served us well). A series of GREAT handcuff stunts (nothing in there that is not 100% examinable and able to lock up any loud mouth). Blue transport box effect (more on that later) Strait Jacket closer (could use the 75 foot, really 50 foot, rope tie). The Act I think you stay with "the act" as I posted it all ready. The handcuff on the arm gag with the Mark Tripp ungimmicked cuff escape is the best opener. Doing ropes next, add the knots, with the shoelace knot and the "nose bleed" finish is very strong. Now do an in again/out again effect. I think the one in the Mark Wilson course where the ropes go through your legs is the best. WARNING: I don't think I'd pull the ropes through in full view. It is too much like "magic" and you are an escape artist. You did one with the neck, I would just "escape" under the coat at the finale and move on. As we are paused. Have things ready for the "I can do that" or "I know how that is done." If you can put them in the item, do so and let them look foolish. It will end the problem. If it is something you can't put them in, too big or too long, here are your two answers, say this kindly, and smile, but they are crushing comments: 1) I know how you did that! I used to think that when I was young and foolish too. 2) I can do that! So can I, but they pay me when I do it. Say the line, move on, and when you get to the part where you have things to lock them up, in my case the handcuff section, then use them and let them try. This by the way is the reason for the blue box. This is a running gag with the scout master where you lock him up, give him the keys, and he tries for the entire show to escape. Of course he can not. The finish is the strait-jacket. By now you have won them over and silenced the brats; so pull out the stops! Now, I think you need a good sound system, I think you need music, and I think you need a backdrop. Magic Inc sells a book called "The Super Show" and you need it. More on the tech side, when I return. |
The Amazing Michael Veteran user 322 Posts |
Great info Mark. I got in with the Blue&Gold thing a long time back and you are right about there being money to be made with this venue. It seems like when you do a show with say, troop 177, the next thing you know, troop 177 has told troop 184 about you and the next thing you know you are doing a show for them. Word of mouth is great in this particular organization, but as you stated, you have to know how to handle the brats. I like the comebacks for the mouthy kids you suggested. If you want more cool comebacks for those wise-acres, I have a great resource. Watch the movie "Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" (Gean Wilder version), Gean has a ton of great comebacks for all the rotten little kids that went into his factory and tried to be disruptive.....it's funny stuff, I use a couple of them myself. All the best, Mike
*CAUTION* Does NOT play well with others!
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Mark Tripp Regular user 148 Posts |
Yes, and they need to be delivered in that "dry" manner.
OK, I ALWAYS had a challenge where they "might" not have to pay me. The 75 foot (really, only use 50 and call it 75. No one is going to measure) rope tie is king for this. The blue box should be wrapped up before this. Remember, early on you locked up the scoutmaster (that alone is a running gag worth doing) and he couldn't get out, even with the keys. Of course, for the next to closer, you do. IF you can do so, I think the wonderful version with the plexi box on the Cannon site is even better to make it "more of a challenge" for you. The grand finale of course is the "escape for the pay check" bit. YOUR CLOSING LINE!!!!! Get this, you are standing there panting, you have just won the race, you gave it your all. LOOK RIGHT AT THEM AND SAY: "Scouts, I couldn't have done ANY of the things I did here tonight if I did drugs, so don't you!" Point on the "you". Thanks them and say good-night, bow, and you are a hit. Tech matters: I have found a fender PA, with stands, an ipod, and an ipod remote works fine for me. If you want the showtech, go for it. I just don't need it. I have found the Lefler tables to work fine; although I have always thought building one of those folding night club tables out of peg board so you can display the cuffs and props might be a better idea. We don't need the table top, and you could use it for "cover" if need be. Now, do your homework. I am going away for a few days for R&R. I will be back at the end of the week to show you the EASIEST way to promote this show. SHHHHHHHHHH...... Do NOT tell the people in the kid show forum! They think I am full of beans! Mark |
Mark Tripp Regular user 148 Posts |
OK folks.
Let's hope you are putting the time in to this it needs. EVERY major metro area in the US has a headquarters building for the Scouts. They mail to their posts all the time. If you show up, and are nice, they will include your stuff in their mailing! Now you reach EVERY cub scout post in your town with your ad materials!!! It is that easy. Of course, if you stink, you are through brother. If you do not... it will open the doors for level two! |
Mark Tripp Regular user 148 Posts |
Do I need to spend any more time with the Cub Scout section, or are we ready for the next part, and venue?
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