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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Its ten minutes into your two hour gig and the WHOLE ROOM is watching you perform? Do you
a) Perform a two show b) Take a break and then come back to smaller groups and hope that people don't 'remass' c) Perform as long as you can, take a break and then come back to smaller groups d) Start crying. e) Something even better! |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Assuming you are talking about going to a gig thinking you are doing strolling and find yourself surrounded by everyone? I hate it when that happens, but option "C" is my usual solution. Go a reasonable length of time, getting as much applause and noise as possible. They will remember the "event". Take a break. Re-enter quietly and keep your remaining sets for small groups as low-key as the event can handle. This is a good time to magic less and mingle more. It has never hurt me to do that. They usually will not remass a second time, and will respect the fact that you are still working (conversing and entertaining), but not doing a "show".
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Daegs Inner circle USA 4291 Posts |
I choose "C" but rather just do about 20 more min(30 min show), since I probably could go the full 2 hours...
Build up to a reasonable final effect, get applause, then take a break and do some strolling with some cute closeup effects(and mention there will be a final "encore show" at the end). Then about 15 minutes before the end of the gig, do something again for the whole room that floors them and hopefully could be routined in with the first big show(I like card to box for this reason, I will give the locked box to someone to safeguard until the end of the night(make sure this is a host or someone the host knows well or you might lose a box with this method...), anyway, when doing last show you call attention to the box that has been out of your hands whole night and BAM it is a logical finish). Just a thought but I've never liked doing a "show" at the beginning but not at the end... rather end with a "bang" plus at the last show you can use inside jokes and whatnot due to strolling with them for 1:30 hrs. |
Alym Amlani Inner circle Canada 1464 Posts |
Let me guess...living room/house party.
You showed up with close-up material, they formed a big huge circle around you and suddenly you had to go through every effect you could think of. I've had this happen too and went with option C. I did about an hour of stuff, including a watch steal and some of my material that could later be repeated for smaller groups (ie same trick but different outcomes). I find a lot of mentalism routines lend themselves well to this type of situation. I also find that some effects such as the ID can be made to play very big for a big group of people...but anyone have any suggestions as to how to avoid this happening?
Logic Defied
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Daegs Inner circle USA 4291 Posts |
Why avoid? You should encourage!!!
Having the entire room's attention is not a problem if you change your viewpoint and see it as a good thing... First off, if you want to avoid it, contact ahead of time to see exactly how many people will be there, the schedule and where they will all be to see if you can determine whether or not they will flock to see you if there is nothing else going on. Anyway, I see this as a plus actually, as long as everyone in the crowd can see, I say bring em on! First off it gives you a chance to introduce yourself and establish yourself as a good magician by doing a short 20-30min set. Then you aren't approaching any of the smaller groups "Dry" because they know who you are, know you are good and also will have something to talk about already. Then you can work the smaller groups talking with them and performing some intimate magic while getting a feel for the people and learning what you can about the people at the group(Who reacts well, who doesn't, and also you can get the sterotypes of how other people in the room view others there, this is important). Then you can do a closing 15 minutes "encore" piece that will go over well because you know who will help out with a big reaction, you can make inside jokes based on how they view eachother, you can say goodbye and thanks to all at once and then amaze them with a closer that will leave them talking about you... Personally I LOVE walkaround/strolling jobs that I can get the whole room to watch, because it gives you many dynamics to work with... the group makes the individual better, and the small group/individuals make the large group better too. |
Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 5952 Posts |
I prefer to prevent this type of situation - I ask a lot of questions when booking a gig. If the conditions are such that this could easily occur, I prefer to do a standup show, instead. I also present a lot of close-up material, when I do stroll, that would be difficult for people at the other tables to see well.
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
It seems that the main idea is to be better informed going into it. It's often easy to overlook a few minor details when booking the show, and the clients usually don't understand that the best methods of incorporating a magic performance are sometimes vastly different from what they've initially invisioned.
The type of show that you sell them would naturally be based upon the conditions under which you will be working... assuming you know what those are ahead of time. I think Nicholas' concern here is more narrowed... what do you do when the unforeseen does happen? Most votes were for option "C", which does seem to offer the smoothest recovery method. I like Daegs' idea of capping the evening with a finale bit. Good thinking! That puts you in the center of it all at the very end of the event (or at least at the end of your contracted time). Strong!!! However, if I know this will be the "living room" type show alym described, I will ALWAYS try to sell a one-shot show. Here are a Baker's Dozen reasons why: 1) The situation that is the focus of this thread will invariably happen. The party goers will group around me all at once. This is a guarantee if the hostess announces my performance. I don't want to be a deer caught in the headlights, thinking more about dipping into the "B" material, than performing at that moment. 2) With a one-shot show, I am not limited to what I can carry in my pockets. I can give the client a bigger and better show. 3) Related to #2, I have a strong sales angle when the client realizes they will get everything I would normally do strolling, plus a lot more. It makes it easier to "ink the deal". 4) The risks associated with repeating the same tricks are completely avoided. Even more true if "cling-on" kids are present. 5) A single show gives my performance a higher status level. It creates a perception of importance by being just a bit less casual. 6) Unless the group is quite a bit larger, all the benefits and strengths of close-up magic remain intact. The "touchy-feely" intimate interactiveness of close-up is still available. 7) Believing that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, the reaction of the spectators is compounded by its volume. Laughter and applause are contageous. 8) I can perform with more energy, being less restricted to social decorum, as would be the case mingling with 2-4 people at a time. There is only one coversation happening in the room, and I am directing it. 9) Because I typically book this type of show for approximately 40 minutes, I am in and out in less time than strolling "by the hour", possibly leaving openings for another show that evening. This is very important during busy seasons like the 24 days leading up to Christmas. 10) Everyone sees me perform... never a guarantee while strolling. 11) I leave a stack of business cards with the hostess, and she hands them to everyone, once I leave. I find this to be much better than if I do it myself, and certainly better than waiting to be asked for one. Oddly, people view this as a gift from her, often coming complete with suggestions as to how to use me. This is taking advantage of the fact that the hostess knows her guests far better than I could. You'll never find a better "agent" than a hostess whose party is going very well! 12) Going back to #5, I can usually get a higher fee, as this type of show almost always is perceived as worth more by the client. I usually have no trouble convincing them that quality is the better option over time length. 13) I always have the option to stay for a few minutes longer as I am packing (what little there is), to converse one-on-one with anyone curious enough to approach. I make eye contact and perhaps speak as I am packing, with anyone who might be looking from a slight distance. That serves as an invitation for them to approach. Specific questions can be fielded, and good leads are often acquired. My intentions are to give my clients the best show possible for their event, and doing so not only benefits them, but me as well.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Daegs Inner circle USA 4291 Posts |
Quote:
11) I leave a stack of business cards with the hostess, and she hands them to everyone, once I leave. I find this to be much better than if I do it myself, and certainly better than waiting to be asked for one. Oddly, people view this as a gift from her, often coming complete with suggestions as to how to use me. This is taking advantage of the fact that the hostess knows her guests far better than I could. You'll never find a better "agent" than a hostess whose party is going very well! This is gold, thanks! I have always used a different approach, but for many reasons this works better(just as referer program works a lot better than cold calls)... very nice! |
UniversalPull New user Southern California 13 Posts |
This just happened to me yesterday! I arrived at the client's home, expecting to wander through several groups of folks, only to wind up working for one large group seated at a large table. I had my usual chunks of material designed for working restaurants and strolling. I wound up doing all of it, which was more like an intimate stand-up show. Then I made balloon creations for everyone. After that I bussed the table, washed the dishes and repaired the toilet in the guest bath.
The easy way is seldom the best way.
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steve j Special user Long Island, New York 559 Posts |
Whenever that happens to me I usually always have something. I just out of habit bring a lot more then I need, and I at least have two sets should someone see one of them because the were eavesdropping. However if I should draw a crowd I always keep something that plays big and as stated before I leave for a break and come back but perform more low key, small groups of five or six if I can manage it.
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BarryFernelius Inner circle Still learning, even though I've made 2537 Posts |
A complete 30-45 minute stand-up act is in the trunk of my car every time that I go out to do a strolling magic gig. When I suspect that I might find myself in the situation that was described above, I'm ready to go.
"To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time."
-Leonard Bernstein |
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
In the back of my head I'm always worried that If I do a 30-45 minute 'show' then people will not want to see anything else after that!
But that is more my insecurity then anything else! I did the same as Daegs in this case. Entertained them all, took a break, did a little walk around and then a great big show! |
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