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snowboard New user China Shenzhen 86 Posts |
Hello!
It's to be Christmas . I'll have my frist banquet show in a large hotel at December 21st. It is an annual entertainment and Christmas party of the IBM company China. And it's my frist time to perform at a hotel and for a such BIG company. I got some nervous now~. Basically, I'm a closeup magician.But I also did some stage. And I am not a full time professional magic yet. But I want my show professional. I got the show from my friend who work for their. The Banquet Room is very big and the ceiling is very tall. The audience seat at the round tables having their food when watching my tricks. They give me 15-20mins for my performance. I've decided to do the following: The opener, Appearing bottle wine from balloon by David stone Real Danger by Aldo Colombini ( four bags for three spectators ,one bag contain danger) Jumbo Coincidence by Aldo Colombini ( a Jumbo Card trick ) 3 Linking Rings The Mentalist's Puzzle Set from Curtis D. Frye http://www.techsoc.com/puzzlesets.htm So,how about you think of the tricks? IS the tricks good enough for the show? I have not budget to add other high quality tricks or props. And I just have no more than 20 days to practice. For the presentation,Do you know some comedies ,jokes about the IT practitioner? (I remember that at months ago ,people like to add jokes on Dell notebook on fire) Lastly,I want get booked from IBM China Next year. I would appreciate very much of your suggestion. Hoffee |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
In my opinion with 15 to 20 minutes of performance time you should not need more than 3, ro 5 good stage effects, so go with what you know, and don't forget to smile.
BREAK A LEG Al Angello
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
I understand this is your first show, and good luck with it!
You did already have an act prior to booking didn't you? If you had an act, there's probably not much we can add to this. Robert
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,"
-The Declaration of Independence |
MrHyde Special user 810 Posts |
Hoffe
Al of course always offers good advice. One question before I offer a suggestion. Have you been to a similar style and size event where they had magical entertainment? I have never worked in China but from what I've heard you are going to be in a huge room, with a huge number of people, who will be eating huge amounts of food and talking very loudly. It seems looking at your possible show list, you have a large number of routines that require active spectator involvement. This does't work for me. One approach if you must do these type of routines is to try to pinpoint a well known "personality" within the company and involve them. Your client could be approached to make suggestions. Using them would help control the attention and raise the interest level. The second approach is to do more of your routines to music. Then you can do your time, keep smiling and not worry if the conditions are less than ideal. Where's the dove appear in the show? Good luck and be sure to tell us how well you did. timothy |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
If you are going to work with audience volunteers I always try to work with a woman, because a woman is more likely to cooperate with you.
Al Angello
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
ASK the person who booked you - "I have a very special routine [describe] ... can you suggest who might be the ideal 'volunteer' to call on?"
You might get the boss who (as the contact should know) is a good sport. You might get steered away from anyone who, for any reason, should not be called on. Having a specific name in your pocket helps get past they "Doesn't anyone want to come up here? ANYONE? Bueller ... Bueller?" |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
I agree with both Al and Tim. Three, maybe four, routines should be enough.
Use lots of music, particularly to open and close, and, if possible, to bring volunteers on stage. Don't ask for too many volunteers, however, as it could slow down the show. Getting a well know personality form the company on stage is a good idea. Don't try to add jokes that you haven't tried out elsewhere. Keep the show moving and use visual magic performed to music - torn & restored newspaper for example. Don't worry about adding "high quality tricks or props." They are hiring you. Just have fun and entertain them. It can be done with simple props and a strong personality, just ask Paul Daniels. After you rehearse your set, drop the weakest trick and the act will be ten times better. Leave them wanting more and they will invite you back! Jim |
snowboard New user China Shenzhen 86 Posts |
Hi there~
Thanks for all the responds. You give me many thing I have not thought of. Honestly,I haven't be booked in a banquet. And There are 3 tricks in this show are new to me. I haven't did these 3 tricks before, the bottle appearing,Real danger and the mentalist's puzzle trick. Now,I only have two trick with music,the opener trick and the linking ring. I think my audience will be very concentrative to my magic. Because ,it's very special with magic performs at a banquet in China.And I know I will be the only entertainer at there. So, 2 watching tricks and 3 interact tricks may be suitable? The I want to arrange the tricks in this order. 1 Open Bottle appearing (with music) 2 Real danger (interact) 3 Jumbo coincidence (interact) 4 Linking Ring (with music) 5 Mentalist Puzzle set (interact) Is this good ? The 1 ,2 ,5 are new tricks for me. I am thinking of whether should remove the third trick,Jumbo Coincident. It's a trick with Jumbo Cards and need a table. I think it is the least visual trick in the row. Thanks Hoffee |
jkvand Special user Johnstown, PA 658 Posts |
Congratulations on taking this step, banquets are a great market to perform in! I see in your last post that your opener and your closer are both brand new tricks that you've never performed before, and I would think twice before doing that. Your opener and closer should both be the strongest parts of your show, and I recommend you do something that you're very familiar with, and that you have developed a great presentation for. When I introduce new material into my act, it's usually one thing at a time, and typically in the middle of the show to test it before I risk opening or closing with it. Go with what you know! Best of luck, Jeff
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
To second Robert here I really wish that these were questions you had answered long before actally taking a paynig show.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Rocketeer Special user Westchester, NY 965 Posts |
Snowboard, I'm just curious. Will you be performing the show in Chinese or in English? Will everybody in the audience understand the language in which you'll be doing the show?
I'm selling my hardcover autographed limited edition copy of Jerome Finley's "Thought Veil"
PM me for info. |
snowboard New user China Shenzhen 86 Posts |
Rocketeer,I use Chinese.
Maybe,There will be some audience from U.S. But the mostly Audience They are Chinese.The Party is to entertain the IBM employee.So No Doubt using Chinese. jkvand,Thanks your advice.After thinking,I decide to find a gig to practise the new tricks. Performing is the best way to practise. Frankly,I only did few show that get paying at before. Now my job is not magic. But I am thinking of to change my career into magic. A friend found me and I got the show.I think this show is really important to me. But I don't have experience.I had thought that I should quit the show. Finally, I realized it would be a good opporunity to practise to be a good magician. So I decide to do my best with my current stuff to present the show. Thanks all the response. Hoffee |
Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
I'd think twice about the puzzle effect as it sounds like it needs be set up on an easel and thus only viewable for half the audience if you are working in the round. Other than that your set souds fine.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Andy the cardician Inner circle A street named after my dad 3362 Posts |
I would not perform a new trick.
Cards never lie
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snowboard New user China Shenzhen 86 Posts |
Hi Payne ,thanks for mentioning this.
Yes, The puzzle set need an easel. I will put it at the right side of the stage. Maybe some audience can't see the puzzle picture directly.But this is not important I think. The puzzle will be covered with a coth at the beginning of this trick. It will be uncovered at the last moment. When Before the puzzle would be completed and After it has completed, I can turn the easel a bit for mostly audience can see. Andy, I agree that a new trick should not be used at a new gig. But if you never perform a new trick,then how to make a progress? Hoffee |
Andy the cardician Inner circle A street named after my dad 3362 Posts |
Snowboard,
I always perform new tricks to a smaller, trusted audience and learn from their honest feedbacks. Close friends are a good choice . . . I never go out big time unless I am 100% certain. Andy
Cards never lie
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Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
I agree that it is very risky to open and close with new routines that have not been polished in front of audiences.
You should open with whatever routine makes the audience like you immediately. It's better to go with something you know well and have done for audiences before. You will relax and so will the audience. It will set the tone for your entire act. If you decide to open with the new material, get some experience doing it in front of a few audiences first. Volunteer at your local senior center, or hospital, or friends in your living room! Just get it in front of a few audiences so your can work on it. Same with the closing. Don't be afraid to try new material, just work out the bugs in places where it doesn't really affect you if it bombs. It is also a good idea to sandwich new effects between routines you already have down. That's how to add new material. Break a thread... Jim |
Al Kazam the Magic Man Inner circle Living in Perth Western Australia 1042 Posts |
I agree with all the above advice as well. From my vast experience from living and working in that part of the world I can see some things in play here. To refuse a gig like this is very hard for local magicians in China, even if they don't have the experience or act to pull it off. To be able to tell others that you did the big western company's party adds a lot to the performers resume. I've seen it a whole bunch of times.
I sure hope in your case Hoffee you've got your act together so as not to frighten potential clients off in the future should your act not come together to a high quality. I'm not trying to come down on you personally, but this is what you said you were: Basically, I'm a closeup magician.But I also did some stage. And I am not a full time professional magic yet. But I want my show professional. I got the show from my friend who work for their. I also suggest that you go to a : Yang Lao Yuen (old folks home) or a Lion's club or Rotary club meeting and offer your show and practise your show there first. All the best, JoJo ps. From my personal experience: If you don't really get their attention and start with a bang you'll lose them and they'll just keep on chatting and drinking and being loud while you'll be on stage talking and doing magic to yourself. The set up simple, the effects powerful and visual. I also have done many big company parties and performed only speaking Mandarin Chinese and feel I know what I'm talking about. If you can get the boss to get on stage and have some fun with him all the better.
Magic guy in Perth Australia
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Christopher Starr Inner circle Heart of America 1850 Posts |
snowboard
Best of luck on your engagement! It is great to hear from someone in China. |
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