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cjl467 New user Los Angeles 71 Posts |
Tomorrow night is my first official restaurant gig! I'm less concerned with my material though -- what should I watch out for? What's going to be hard for a first time restaurant magician? (I've done a few strolling gigs, that's it)
Here's a line up of what I'm prepped to do: fiber optics - Richard Sanders state of the union - Sankey backlash - Harris (is that where the phone number and the name join on one card's back?) ring thing > stirring silver - Sankey recap > pen through dollar quicksilver - Gregory Wilson crazy man's handcuffs sponge balls (mostly for kids) maybe ambitious card and card to wallet Too much or too little? What isn't going to play and what will? Again, I'm more concerned with other issues that I'll confront as a rookie -- what can I do to prepare? |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Don't think of the sponges as a kids trick. Adults love them too.
You have plenty of things, provided you do them well. Glad to see someone who finally has an act before they take the job. Just go with the flow. Too late to worry about it now! Have a great night.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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whistleandthumb New user 7 Posts |
Hey, mate,
Here's the best advice I can give: Try to develop 2-3 effect-routines, so it doesn't just appear you are doing "tricks." Make little routines, and create 3 or 4 different ones... that way you can walk up and do one of these routines, then at the next table do something totally different. This way, tables near each other see something different, and you don't get bored. |
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cjl467 New user Los Angeles 71 Posts |
That's what I initially was thinking, but then I thought that people would get more excited if there was more variety. It's hard to tie a card effect to a rope one or something. Thoughts?
Anyway, I think it's too late to change around the routines, it'll probably be mostly off-the-cuff anyway. I'm going to see how it goes, but thanks a lot for the advice. I'll try to do that more next time. |
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Rob Johnston Inner circle Utah 2060 Posts |
I agree with Danny. Sponges are a favorite amongst adults.
"Genius is another word for magic, and the whole point of magic is that it is inexplicable." - Margot Fonteyn
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RicHeka Inner circle 3999 Posts |
OK, you asked. Here is my advice.
1.Performing in a restaurant, especially if it is going to be on a regular basis,is much more than the tricks you perform. Tricks well-done of course are important, but your interaction with the guests is AT LEAST of equal importance. 2.Smile 'sincerely' A LOT(with good eye contact). This will be a big plus for them allow you to enter their space. 3.Be friendly and conversational. Example: Ask for names and be complimentary. If there are kids at table ask what grade they are going into etc. I could go on, however, if you do these three things on your first night and combine them with some entertainig magic, you will be well on your way to becoming a fine restaurant performer. P.S. The other advice already given is excellent. All the best. Rich |
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Brian Lehr Inner circle Edmonton, Canada 1605 Posts |
After finishing at each table, encourage the guests to write a comment on the comment card, or talk to the manager, about how they enjoyed your mini-show. This goes a long way with the managers/owner, and helps to keep you there for a long time.
In the restaurants I work in, they include comment cards with the bill (or check, as it's called in some places). After I finish at each table, I say something like, "Thank you for coming to (name of restaurant). When you get your bill/check tonight, unfortunately I cannot make it disappear for you! (Said the right way, it always produces a laugh). However, with your bill will come a comment card; if you've enjoyed the entertainment tonight, please take a moment to leave a comment for the management. They always like to hear from their guests, and it would mean a lot to me as well." They always smile, and say "Absolutely!" After all, they're on your side! After every evening's work, the waitresses usually come up to me and say something like, "Wow, you sure got a lot of great comment cards tonight!" That's what I like to hear, and that's one of the things that makes a positive impression on the managers and owners (I actually got one restaurant back in December because of all the comment cards after doing a complimentary show; I'm still with them). Have fun! Brian |
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jolyonjenkins Inner circle United Kingdom 1181 Posts |
Let us know how it goes.
I'm particularly interested in how well Fiber Optics works in this setting.
Jolyon Jenkins
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Clark Special user 957 Posts |
In my opinion, if you use Sankey's Ring and spoon effect long enough (and it probably wont take long) a "real" person is going to be ****ed about the sound produced from their ring getting banged around on that spoon. I know it isn't damaged and I am going to be accused of being anal here, but trust me, your job won't last long at your gig if you have complaint even close to what I am mentioning. I'm not a fan of borrowing a ring in higher-class joints, it's asking for trouble. Who needs extra stress in their life?
Now if you use your own ring, different story altogther. Clark
“The key to creativity is in knowing how to hide your sources.”
Albert Einstein |
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Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
Be polite - even when the guests aren't.
Have fun - or seem to - even when you aren't. It's contagious. Laugh, but not too loud. Use breath strips - they are a godsend. INVOLVE people in a nice and fun way. Enjoy yourself. And let us know how it comes out! Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
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RicHeka Inner circle 3999 Posts |
That's great Lee, but what the #%$^& are breath strips?
Rich |
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mtso2000 New user 72 Posts |
Interaction with the people during the tricks is an important part of your act.
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cjl467 New user Los Angeles 71 Posts |
Thanks for all of the friendly replies -- unfortunately, it never went through.
I'm kind of mentoring another magician, and he had the whole thing lined up, but wanted to be there to kind of see how things went. Something came up, so we had to postpone. Wednesday night is the night now, so that gives me a little more time. In response to everyone's comments: Thanks for the tips on stuff besides the tricks, that's what I needed. I'll be certain to be extra friendly, sociable and gracious. If the restaurant has no comment cards though, do you think it's going too far to ask a table to simply mention me on their way out? Clark -- the comment about stirring silver is an interesting one, and perhaps even merits a separate thread all together. I never thought of that perspective -- have you had a negative experience with this? rjenkins -- what setting do you usually use fiber optics in? I know it tends towards stage, but I thought this was ideal for a large table where it might be hard to see a smaller effect. Lee -- I will definitely invest in some sort of breath freshener! |
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Brian Lehr Inner circle Edmonton, Canada 1605 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-07-01 13:00, cjl467 wrote: Not at all! Word quickly gets back to the management that the customers love you! Brian |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
OK, now come the tough questions. Sorry.
YOU are mentoring someone and this is your first gig? Does anyone but me find this as putting the cart before the horse? Man, these threads get more and more "out there" every time.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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RicHeka Inner circle 3999 Posts |
So the 'protege' told the 'mentor' "I can't make it, you will have to postpone"?
Sounds quite promising. |
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jolyonjenkins Inner circle United Kingdom 1181 Posts |
I was thinking that with fiber optics people sitting on the far side of the table might not see too well, because some of the rope hangs down quite low. And you need to stand back a bit, so the view might be blocked by other people.
Jolyon Jenkins
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Clark Special user 957 Posts |
Cjl467,
In all fairness to Sankey's effect, I have not had any sort of negative experience with it. As a matter of fact I have not used it at all. I have seen it performed by Sankey and by another local guy as well. I guess you could call me paranoid, but I just don't feel good about borrowing someone's ring and apparently cramming it onto the first available piece of silverware. Heaven forbid someone has lost a stone from the ring before they met you and hasn't noticed yet. In my opinion the fewer variables you give yourself for something to go wrong the better. One, I view every effect that uses someone else's personal property from a risk/reward perspective. It's going to have to be a heck of an effect for me to borrow something like jewelry which could be very expensive, have a high degree of sentimental value... or even worse, both. Personally, if someone borrowed my wife's wedding ring and started banging it against a spoon with a sharp jolting motion, I'd have something to say real quick. To me it just isn't polite to say the least. I guess the bigger point that I am trying to make is to get ready to meet all sorts of people when you start table-hopping. There will be nights when you are on top of the world and nights where you have to put up with people who couldn't care less about you and the only interest that they have in your magic to make it less enjoyable to every else around. Some of these types will identify themselves immediately to you and that is a good thing, but some you will only find out about several minutes AFTER you have started. if you have borrowed from these guys you are at their mercy. Once again, this is only my opinion and I'm sure many guys here will tell you I'm delusional and that you don't have to be so cautious... maybe they are right. Just something for you to think about. Spend a lot more time thinking about Danny's post, it's way more important at this satge of what you are trying to do. Best, Clark
“The key to creativity is in knowing how to hide your sources.”
Albert Einstein |
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cjl467 New user Los Angeles 71 Posts |
My mistake -- I meant to say that I am being mentored BY the other guy, not the other way around. Sorry for the confusion.
Clark, I get what you're saying about stirring silver and you're probably right. I think that it's more the type thing that I should just be ready to pull off if I'm really comfortable with a crowd and they're friendly and having a good time. Just like I wouldn't open with a pen through dollar or a coin bend -- psychologically, it just doesn't make sense to open by "ruining" something. But even more so with stirring silver, since it's potentially a wedding ring. Fiber optics: I don't think that view (below the table, others obstructing) would be that big of a deal. I forget where I read it, but someone said that in your restaurant routine you should try to have a trick that you can do right at chest level so that everyone can see it clearly. But I don't know, I'll see how it plays on Wednesday and let everyone know. |
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mrsmiles Elite user 442 Posts |
Good luck on Wednesday. PaleoMagi's advice is spot on and looked at another way is essentially about getting the audience to like you which is very important. Hence the importance of good interpersonal skills, verbal and non-verbal communication and having a sense of fun showing that YOU enjoy what you are doing. Here's a point for you: All the above these things sound easy to do but they are not easy (certainly with your first few gigs)!! When table hopping you have the pressure of approaching strangers, are conscious of the fact you have only 3-5 minutes and that the food could come at any time... You're also hoping that you've reset your tricks properly and have put things in the right pockets! For all these reasons another top tip is that when you are starting out is do material that you can do in your sleep. You absolutely do NOT need the pressure of having to think on your feet about a move or a sequence. If you're 99% sure of something - make sure it's not your opener.
Best wishes for Wednesday.
mrsmiles
(UK) |
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