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Scott Compton Special user Hampton, VA 747 Posts |
Which do you prefer working out of? If you aren't doing the C&B, then would it be as acceptable to use a bag, or in addition to a working area does a table help to bring status, and thereby a bigger hat?
Many times I work out of a small pouch. Does this lend to the effect that I am a strolling performer performing improptu, and not an established "bonafide" performer, thereby not deserving of a tip? In other words, does not having a table label you as a street performer in the spectator's mind, and not a busker worthy of tips? Thanks for any input you can give. Scott Compton
Magic is an art. I am merely a tour guide.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scott-Compton-Magician/160270640674735 "You are the magic" Jay Ose to Albert Goshman |
Dave V Inner circle Las Vegas, NV 4824 Posts |
Not working for tips I can't answer from experience, but from observations and my own feelings I think having a table serves as an "anchor" and establishes you and your performance area. The people I see walking around with a pouch or apron tend to be either making balloon animals or selling trinkets like squeakers rather than performing. Once you start to set up a table, people know to hang around to see a show instead of just walk on by.
No trees were killed in the making of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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ROBERT BLAKE Inner circle 1472 Posts |
Ypu don't need a table. al you have to do is place your props in your performing area. if you have a bag and pew props place them in front of you so you mark your space.
you are not getting more money because you use a table. YOu get more money because YOU are entertaining. so learn to make a crowd and watch other do it. it is you not a table. |
Dave V Inner circle Las Vegas, NV 4824 Posts |
"Marking your space" is just what I was talking about. It's easy for jugglers and performers with props. It's sometimes tougher if it's just you and your pockets.
But Robert is right, it's about you. But on the other hand, if they never know to stop to see you, then you can be the world's best magician and nobody would know it. Mark your territory. I don't care how, as long as they know you're not just begging for change.
No trees were killed in the making of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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ROBERT BLAKE Inner circle 1472 Posts |
Use 20ft of rope to make a circle
put down your bag put other stuff on a 3rd place I saw a guy (the amazing bramwells) who only had a small suitcase for his tt and bill to lighter trick. this little suit tell the audience 'i am theater' |
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
My buddy Jimmy Talksalot uses a very small bag and marks his area with a piece of rope. He does about a 15 minute doorway act that kicks backside! His finale uses the rope! Nothing is wasted in that man's act, nothing!
You do not need a table at all. It will be more difficult when you are learning as a table is a nice thing to hide behind and gives you a feeling of authority. In other words it is a wonderful crutch! I know I used it as such for a long, long, time. One way is no better than the other, both can work. Learning with no table takes a lot more nerve and has a longer learning curve but in the end you will carry a lot less stuff. I say go for it! Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
I love using a table followed by coming out from behind the table for certain effects.
I spend a lot more time now out in front of the table than I used to.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
FlippingWonderful Regular user 122 Posts |
A piece of rope works well for me, allows audience control too.
I also use a flash production table which fits nicely in my case, and then I place my case on top of this and I'm ready to perform... |
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Jono,
What are you using for a flash table? I have 3 and none of them are sturdy enough to hold my small doctor's bag with my stuff steady enough to work out of. I've spent a ton of money on some of these things and they are all crap for what I need. Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
Scott Compton Special user Hampton, VA 747 Posts |
Thanks for the great advice!
Man, I love this place....
Magic is an art. I am merely a tour guide.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scott-Compton-Magician/160270640674735 "You are the magic" Jay Ose to Albert Goshman |
FlippingWonderful Regular user 122 Posts |
Dan, I brought one of ebay - I don't know the make (its red with yellow tassles around the top) then modified the part where the table top fits the stand by making it tighter and longer. This stops any wobble.
I then put rubber on the table top corners to stop my case sliping when I place it on there. The outcome is a reasonably sturdy stand for my case at waist height. I guess you also have to be wary of your cases weight, mine is about 6Kg loaded which is easily supported. The only other option is something like a spider table which although doesn't fold up length ways does compact into something like the width of a soda can. You can then attach the fittings for the table top to your case and put you case straight onto the legs. Alakazam sell these spider tables, really nice idea. |
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Jono,
I know the table you are talking about and have one. I have the same wobble problem. How did you cure it? I also ran into a problem with it blowing over in the wind. I thought that was because the small legs that slide out on the bottom were too narrow but it also may have had something to do with the wobble. I thought about just putting some epoxy in the last joint that goes into the top with the spring, but that would also prevent the table from collapsing properly. I'd love to hear your modifications for the wobble of you don't mind sharing them. My case sounds like it is about the same weight. Thanks a million! Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
FlippingWonderful Regular user 122 Posts |
To fix the wobble requires a compromise, in the form of that the wobble is inversly proportional to the automated production of the set-up table.
i.e. the more wobble the easer it is for the table to be produced set-up, and so the less wobble the harder it is to go dah-na! and produce it. My personal compromise was that I was looking for a small easy to erect table rather than a flash production, and so mine take a few seonds of fiddling before it is ready to use. So, for the wobble, the issue is down to the connection between the piece of stand (a thin tube) and the fixing that tightens onto the bolt - and specifically the gap left between the bolt and the cylindrical nut, as well as the bolt's fixing in the table top itself. I first tried replacing the bolt with something longer than the half inch or so bolt already installed. This had two effects, yes it reduced the wobble as the bolt went further into the tube, but the production table never produced automatically as the longer bolt made it very much harder to get in the hole during the production. But when doing this modification I noticed that the bolt fixing in the table also wobbled but this was down to the cylindrical nut not being tight enough - so ensure your nut is tight. This can not be overstated. So to cure the tube in hole wobble I initially put tape at the end of the tube. Now learn from my mistakes here... if you do this, do this a little at a time, as if you put on too much it can be very difficult to get the stuff off. I found about three revolutions of tape around the tube made the fitting very snug indeed. Now if this doesn't help the problem enough, the next issue is the bolt being loose in the table top itself. The only solution is dratic. I eventually built a new top and put a new, slightly longer bolt on. The bolt's head was sunk into a matching size/shape hole on the table top. This top was also little thicker. Although quite a bit of work to do, it reduced wobble by about 80%. If you can't do this there are two other options... The other thing I tried was changing the elastic, but I'm still working on this and reducing its length a little also helps keep the table rigid but again reduces the production ability of the table. The other wobble is caused at the foot end, here the feet are attached to a ring that slides up and down a tube. Again, a bit of tape helps here too. One final top tip... if you are only placing light objects on your table, consider placing a board from a board game on it. This creates a large surface but isn't quite so strong. And finally, as you say, the table shouldn't blow over with your case on it, providing it doesn't wobble as you say. So to cure my wobble... If I get a chance to take the table apart and show you how I fixed the bolt I'll post some pictures. |
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Jono,
That is great stuff, thank you so much! I will start taping and lengthening this afternoon. I am also not terribly worried if the table no longer makes a magical production but I do like the fact that it folds very flat. Sounds like your idea will still allow that. I really appreciate you taking the time to write that up. Cheers, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
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