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mrnavyblue New user 70 Posts |
hello there, the name implies all really, how long should a performance last?
I know that a lot of people will say it varries but I'm sure there must be a maximum time in which you can say there is a limit right? ... just taking it all in! heh |
Suzanne New user Minneapolis 96 Posts |
Hi Mrnavyblue,
I'm assuming you're asking how long you stay with a particular group of people, not how long a certain trick can be. There are two ways to tell how long you can stay with any given group. 1. Time/People ratio: If you're working at a restaurant and the night's slow and some people want you to hang with them, then maybe there isn't a limit. If you think there might be other people waiting to see you, then you would need to put a limit on the time. You could always check around and if there isn't anyone else who wants to play then you can go back to the other group. My situation is I only go to tables where I'm requested. If a group wants me to hang with them and I don't have any other tables on my list, I hang with them. The servers will know where I am and slip me a note if they need me. If you're working a private party and you've been hired for 2 hours and there are only 40 people there (doing the math) if 20 people are watching you at a time, you could stay with them for an hour if you wanted. On the other hand, if you're hired for 2 hours and there are 200 people, you'll need to keep your routines short so you can hit as many people as you can. Try to draw as many people in to watch as you can to increase your exposure. 2. Your audience's attention span What if you approach a group, they say they want to see magic but you get one trick in and they don't seem all that interested? Finish what ever trick you're performing at the time, thank them for their time and move on. Don't over stay your welcome. They are the ones who put the time limit on your performance. Personally I don't think there are any hard and fast rules but here are some guidelines: When you get to the show, assess the time/people ratio. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Keep an eye on your time so you can continue comparing the time/people ratio. Keep an eye on your audience so you don't over stay your welcome with any particular group. And above all be willing to be flexible. Hope this helps. Suzanne |
mrnavyblue New user 70 Posts |
Nice one thanks for you help
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EggMan New user 47 Posts |
Hi,
Just to share some experiences, I've done walkaround shows where I there were only 20 people in a little dining room and I had to entertain for an hour. I paced myself to do three routines while moving around the room and keeping the attention of about 5 people at a time. Finally, since it was such a small group, I ended with a little stand-up routine for the entire room. So the key word here is pacing. |
Cory Gallupe Inner circle Nova Scotia, Canada 1272 Posts |
But how can you do walkaround when there are only 20 people, IN ONE ROOM???
In my experience, reactions from one group cause all others to end up watching. Whenever I am in a situation like that, as oppose to walkaround, I do a stand-up or close-up show for the whole group. |
paymerich Special user Norwalk, CT 546 Posts |
At my restaurant last night it was dead .. I mean dead so I ended spending a lot (10-15 minutes) of times with each table that did show up . I even worked the bar which is something I have never needed to do. You really just need to learn to key into your spectators responses. If they are starting to talk amongst themselves, you have overstayed your welcome . Kids are different though , they will try to turn you into a trick monkey . You could be there all night if you let dictate your time .
Have a Magical Day!
<BR> <BR>The Maniacal Mage <BR> <BR>Pablo Aymerich <BR>Norwalk, CT 06851 |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Here is a good guide. Stay as long as the owner or manager says to stay.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
SoCalPro Inner circle Southern California 1634 Posts |
How long to stay depends on several things, assuming that you are talking about a restaurant:
1) (Private event) If there is only going to be 20 people at the event, (you find this out BEFORE hand) you recommend a stand up show or a close up show instead. 2) If you are working a restaurant and it is busy, you limit the time you are at each table so you can reach more "guests". You want to reach as many guests as possible because A. you want to keep them and the management happy and B. The more contact you have with guests, the more chances you have of gaining new clients (people who will book you and pay you 200% more that you are making that night in the restaurant. 3) If the restaurant is slow, go slow, do some magic and maybe get to know the guests. You don't HAVE to do magic all the time (you are there to make them happy.) Ask them where that are from, what they do for a living (maybe they could use you in their business) etc. On slow nights it is way better to be seen talking to the guests than to be seen flirting to a waitress and drinking a Coke. |
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