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citizenc New user Winnipeg, Canada 80 Posts |
Here's the situation: I've never had a restaurant gig. I've been into magic casually since I was around 13 (I'm almost 24 now). However, the last 9-10 months have been solid magic. I'm all over close-up (cards/coins/money/some future-prediction/etc), and have secured representation (talent agent) to start getting me bookings.
I'd LOVE to have a table-hopping gig in a local restaurant. I've been reading through the forums here, and I think I've picked up some excellent advice. o Have 3 or 4 different 5-10 minute routines. When done, let the guests know that I will come back after their meal for one more effect. Have a few whoppers in my back pocket that I can do once their meal is over. o Don't beg/ask for tips. Graciously accept them if offered. o Don't perform during the meal o When approaching the manager, offer to come in for a night or two for no charge, so (s)he can see what I can offer o Hourly rate, as a professional, should be between $50-$100ish/hr Here is my question: as somebody who has never done this before, am I missing anything? Is there any other advice some of the more experienced members could provide? |
citizenc New user Winnipeg, Canada 80 Posts |
Another question: what is the audience's perception of several effects with cards? Will they see each effect seperately, or will they see the whole routine as "a bunch of card tricks"?
Is having several card effects in one routine OK as long as they are distinct, or should I have close-up effects that cross several mediums? (What, with variety being the spice of life and all.) |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Wow we begin the debate again.
I can give you an "opinion" if you like. Keep in mind it is only that. First thing I am not a fan of "doing a night for free". If you expect to charge a professional rate it may be tough to get after a "free" night. Learn to sell better if you have to resort to this. The last thing you want is a owner who gets "busy" on the night you have chosen and has no idea what you did or didn't do. I know guys feel this is the conventional wisdom, but really it makes you look like your begging for a job and should be avoided. (that is everyones cue to start disagreeing with me) Lets say you get the job in this fashion, how do you then tell the manager/owner your worth 100 per night? It is counter intuative to me. Tell them your features and benifits. What your talents feature for them and how that benifits the place. As far as cards your completly missing the point. What I mean is this. "Entertain" the audience period. IF you do this nobody will say "man he was good, I just wish he did anything but card tricks". Cards, coins, ropes, cups and balls, and all magical aparatus are simply tools. It is you who makes them come to life and entertains them. Don't focus on the tools used as much as the result of what you can build with those tools. A master carpenter can build some unbelievable things of beauty with simple tools, look at the Amish. I personally could have any tool in the world and never come close to the beauty of what is offered by a fine craftsman, no matter what tool used. In short become a master craftsman, and your tools will be inconsequential.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
citizenc New user Winnipeg, Canada 80 Posts |
"Become a master craftsman, and your tools will be inconsequential."
*Nods in complete understanding* |
flourish dude Inner circle from ? But I know where I am going! 1195 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-02-05 10:09, citizenc wrote: First of all let me say this. I have been working 2-5 nights a weeks at restaurants for the 5 years. This is my full time job. o Have 3 or 4 different 5-10 minute routines. When done, let the guests know that I will come back after their meal for one more effect. Have a few whoppers in my back pocket that I can do once their meal is over. If it is a busy restaurant then DON'T offer this you will never make it back. Plus the staff will not want a table waiting for you after they are done eating. They want a new table to be turned. If they are already eating this will be the only time you will go back after when they are done. o Don't beg/ask for tips. Graciously accept them if offered. This is correct! o Don't perform during the meal Sometimes they want you to but If you walk up to the table and 10 seconds after the food comes you say "Well you don't want to eat a cold diner so when your done ask your server to come find me and I'll come back." They will appreciate this, but If they came to see you and it is a busy night they might say go ahead and perform. o When approaching the manager, offer to come in for a night or two for no charge, so (s)he can see what I can offer You will only need to do this if they are questioning the idea. In the past five year I only did this once. Get Michael Ammar higher fees tape you only need to use this if they are not 100% sold on the idea. If they flintch" o Hourly rate, as a professional, should be between $50-$100ish/hr Depends on your area. If you live in a small town you will have a hard time getting this fee. Also see what others a getting in your area. I would say the average fee is 2more like $25-$50 per hour. Remember this is weekly not a one time shot. You could also add dinner and gift cards to your fee to help increase what your getting paid. Most full time people I know get $100.00 for two hours. Becareful who tells you what. A lot of people know theory by reading books and the such. They have a lot of advice but don't have any real world expericance. The best thing to keep in mind is to be flexible. You may be at a table for 1 routine or you may have to do 5 routines. For example my first night I had all these sets worked out of 3 tricks each, well when I got there it was so busy I could only do 1 trick per table. All that planning went out the window. I mean the planning helped sure but it was not real world. You going have to just go do it. Each restaurant is different, each manager will want you for different reasons. Try to fill in for someone to get the feel of it. Other than that be flexible and go for it. If you have never done any table hopping before then a free night might not be a bad idea. This will help you as well. Danny is correct it does not matter what you do it is how you do it. Card are a tool to entertain. Sometime I open with a card trick sometimes cards are all I do. After awhile you will be able to read the table and you will know what to do. Here is my suggestion. Have 3 card routines Have 3 coin / money routine Have 4 "Other" routines, chop cup, sponges, ring/string, TT routine ETC.... This will give you 10 routines that you will make yours. Do them like no one else does. Nail them! Work out every detail and you'll be set. You will have 10 workers that you can always fall back on. Sure I do more than 10 routines but I do my 10 workers the most. So I would say have your 10 workers first. Another thing is I like to have non gimmick card and coin stuff. That way I am never unable to perform. I can use any deck or any three coins.
Nothing of the same will bring any change, take action today!
Just taking a step, is a step in the right direction because when you stop working, your dream dies. www.magicalmemories.us |
davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3086 Posts |
Dannydoyle is obviously "spot-on"....here are just some non-magic related tips.
Perspective restaurant magicians seem to focus on "magic-related" issues as mentioned in your opening posts and don't think about...... You will (whether you're the magician or not) be part of and representing the restaurant, so you have to be sensitive to the needs of the waitstaff, the kitchen personal and most importantly the guests. When appropriate, greet people as they enter the doors and make a point of thanking people as they leave. Invite them back. "Be Observant" If you see a guest look like they need something, just inquire. You are not the waitstaff so notify the appropritae person to satisfy the need of the guest. If you see some litter, or silverware etc.. on the floor don't step over it pick it up. I did this and the manager went out of her way to thank me for helping out. ( That's a good thing) Try and remember names. If you encounter friendly people and they live in the area, write the names down in the little note-book you are going to keep in your close-up case with extra effects and duplicate items that will get lost. (wink.. wink... hint... hint) Get a table number chart and memorize it. Susie the waitress is busy and tells you table #37 would like you to stop by, and then she leaves quickly. You say to yourself: "Where in the heck is table #37?".....All this is to say that there is a heck of a lot more to being a "successful restaurant magician with a long stay at a restaurant than your selection of effects and pay rate. When you walk through the door of the restaurant for your 2-3hour set, you want the staff to be happy you've arrived. DO what it takes to make that happen and you will be successful..... David Paul
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3086 Posts |
Heed the wisdom of Flourish Dude above. He obviuosly knows what he is talking about.
David Paul
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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Cory Gallupe Inner circle Nova Scotia, Canada 1272 Posts |
Once I get going, I will be charging $100.00 for 4 hours. 2 hours on friday night, 2 hours on saturday night. Then, once I get those going, I will go to another restaraunt and see if IO can get a higher price, or see if I can get a raise.
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Brian Morgan Regular user 185 Posts |
All your questions can be answered in Pace's "Restaraunt Worker's Handbook."
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wsduncan Inner circle Seattle, WA 3619 Posts |
Except that Jim's book is out of print at the moment. In the mean time Hermetic Press sit has Kirk Charles' in print book.
Other than that it sounds like you've got what you need Cary. If you do feel like you need to offer a 'freebie' to get the ball rolling don't call it a free shift. Offer to come in for "an hour or so" and "audition". Put in that context it won't sound like you're giving something away, but rather doing what ALL PROFESSIONAL PERFOMERS DO to get a job. If you just offer to "work a shift for free" that puts you in a weak bargaining position. By calling it an "audition" you reinforce the idea that you are an entertainer and not simply staff. |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Wsduncan is right.
I never thought of it as an "audition" it makes sense if you have to do it that way to then call it something other than a "free" shift. It steers it away from you "having to give them the shift for free" and puts it in the context of almsot a job interview. Very good idea. I still would not do it personally, but it is a great way to get arround that particular problem indeed! I like it.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Paolo Venturini Veteran user Lucca (I.) - New York City 385 Posts |
I must second dannydoyle about free shift, and flourish dude about cards's routines. I do 3 routines: Tattoo Tale "Amazing, lets try again!", Magic Marker lots of laugh, I.D. "WOW! You're good!"; and I do also different stuff. If to the end of the show (I.E. like a party) they want more cards, ok! but I like to show different effects.
Buy the books and DVDs they tell you but there is not Bible to "Restaurant Workers", never take them letterally, because everything change with the country you are. Go in the restaurant when you are sure you can find the manager and few customer (There is not book or DVD that can tell you the time), talk about you and benefits you can apport and offer you to demo your skills with the reactions of the customer (That's your audition!). Charge what you are worth for (price will not be the same in a "diner" or in a "fine dining"), go for it, be yourself, and from your mistakes you'll grow experiences and next time will be better! About me? I'm 34 years in show business and I've never find a talent agent... |
LarryTaylor New user Miamisburg Ohio 72 Posts |
One routine per table is good and then when they are regulars have something special for them, be prepared to have that effect for the person that you have performed for several times. I do my sponge balls and coins for the younger folks and the cards for the older or those who think they are older and I try to bring something new too.rates in my area are $40 to $50 an hour, forget the raise you should use the venue to generate other work, birthdays, banquets, weddings etc.
Some places do not like you to give out cards I work and have worked at several restaurants and have never been told not to hand out biz cards, however I will say very politely, "May I give you my card?", then I do a vanish and production of the card and give it to them. This works well for me.
Magical Entertainer,teacher and creative consultant.
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