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Hart Keene Inner circle Eugene, OR 1486 Posts |
Hello Sir,
You made a few comments earlier regarding your early days in magic and how you approached groups. So what do you do now? Being a worker I am always interested in what other guys open with and what they say. If you don't want to tip it you don't have to but I was just wondering... Also, are you part of the school of thought that says never open with a card trick? |
Cody S. Fisher V.I.P. Austin, Texas 1194 Posts |
Hey Hart,
I don’t mind sharing anything…that’s why I’m here! When I approach a group my primary focus is to start building rapport as quickly as possible. I always introduce myself by name and immediately start to ask their names. A persons name is very important to them. It seems simple but just by me asking…it shows that I care about them. I also try to “use” their name as much as possible during the routines. I have different opening for different types of situations…however I suppose that most readers will be more interested in my restaurant opener. I’ll write it out below then try to explain it piece by piece. I used the following opener while performing strolling magic at Dave & Busters. I worked there Friday and Saturday nights…get this…for 5 hours each night…for 5 years! That’s a lot of practice! Anyway, here is how it goes: Hi my name is Cody…is everyone here having a GREAT time tonight? (Wait for response) Fantastic…and what is your name? (Get names) Well it is certainly my pleasure meeting everyone here tonight. Like I said earlier, my name is Cody Fisher and I am the Dave & Buster’s complimentary magician…(pause)…it doesn’t mean I get to compliment you…it just means that the magic you are about to see is FREE. I can see that you have already started enjoying that appetizer and your food will be here shortly…do you guys have any room for a little magic? Great… (First trick) Well that’s it…I can only imagine how many times I have said that! Let me try to explain it the best I can…because when I wrote it I had pretty specific reasoning behind almost every line. Line 1: Hi my name is Cody…is everyone here having a GREAT time tonight? (Wait for response) The reason I would always ask this…is because if there was a problem at the table…I would need to address it before trying to do some magic. If they informed me they were have a terrible time…then a card trick is certainly not what they need. This rarely happened and when it did…I would try to solve the problem at hand. Management would see this…and that is what kept me there for so many years! Line 2: Fantastic…and what is your name? (Get names) Like I said earlier…it’s very important to establish rapport as soon as possible! Line 3-4: Well it is certainly my pleasure meeting everyone here tonight. Like I said earlier, my name is Cody Fisher and I am the Dave & Buster’s complimentary magician…(pause)…it doesn’t mean I get to compliment you…it just means that the magic you are about to see is FREE. The “complimentary joke” always got a little laugh and helps to make the introduction a little funny. When I say the “magic you are about to see” line this subtly tells them that they will be seeing my show…as opposed to do you want to see my show. It’s just a little subliminal wording that has increased my “success” rate over the years. Finally my mentioning that the magic is FREE…this takes a lot pressure off them wondering if they have to “tip” me. Line 5: I can see that you have already started enjoying that appetizer and your food will be here shortly…do you guys have any room for a little magic? Great… This just reminds them that our food is good and that they are enjoying it. It’s a little NLP…but not too overboard! I remind them that the food will be here shortly…this always subtly puts them in a good mood as that’s the reason why they are there! Also, if they were having doubts about me being at their table…by saying their food will be there shortly…hits that my performance won’t be that long! Finally…I don’t like asking if they want to see my magic…it’s too personal. I put it into the context of the restaurant environment by saying, “do you have any room for a little magic”? Again…emphasizing “a little magic”. I used that as my opener for almost 5 years and it worked 99.9% of the time. I knew that all I needed was my foot in the door so to speak. Once I started performing…they usually didn’t want me to stop…even when the food came! I put a lot of thought into it…but feel free to use it if you want… I hope that helps, Cody S. Fisher
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davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3086 Posts |
Thanks Cody,
You have addressed some issues here that have been controversial in other threads. One being the magician solving a problem at hand at a table if mentioned. The other not asking if they want to see magic. Thanks for your input. This might be a question for Harry Lorayne, the memory guru, but you mentioned about asking for peoples names and using them in performance. I sometimes avoid asking for names because I know I won't remember. Do you have any tips on this. It's obviously a plus as a performer to develop this skill. Thanks Cody, again, David Paul
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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Cody S. Fisher V.I.P. Austin, Texas 1194 Posts |
David,
I had no idea I was so "controversial"! Let me clarify that a little bit. When I say "solve problems"...I am referring to simple problems. If I were to approach a table and they were complaining about not having enough silverware...instead of bothering the wait staff...I would just solve the problem and get them some silverware. I would always make some sort of "magic joke" about it...but the point is...I made the customer happy. If they needed ketchup...I would get it! The wait staff really likes me being at their tables. Some magicians may feel that these "extra duties" are "beneath them"...for me it was just part of the job...I was hired to make people happy and to take "stress" off the wait staff. Trust me...when management sees you doing things like this...they know you truly care about the establishment. When I worked at Dave & Busters for 5 years the GM stopped calling me "the magician" and would often introduce me as "their ambassador of good will". As it turns out the GM and I became really good friends and still keep in contact to this day. On the other hand...if there was a serious issue...I would always get the manager...it is certainly not my place to comp food and such! You just need to know your limits... Oh...almost forgot...the name thing. While I always ask names...I certainly don't remember everyone’s name. I try to remember a 1 or 2...those are the people I have decided to use as my volunteers. Here's another tip...an easy way to remember someone’s name is to have them sign a card! ;-) Take Care, Cody S. Fisher
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davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3086 Posts |
Thanks Cody :
Here is the thread I was talking about: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......5&10 I totally agree with you....some other well respected members do not. (and that's fine) Dave
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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Cody S. Fisher V.I.P. Austin, Texas 1194 Posts |
Wow...I had not seen that thread yet. We are all entitled to our own opinions and that's great. I can see how some people may not feel comfortable with it...and that's fine. I can only speak from personal experience having work restaurants for many many many (too many) years!
Cody S. Fisher
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Hart Keene Inner circle Eugene, OR 1486 Posts |
Thanks for the reply Cody!
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Hart Keene Inner circle Eugene, OR 1486 Posts |
I know you do a fair amount of stage stuff as well Cody. Can you talk about your thoughts on opening a stage act? I don't want you to tip anything you don't want to tip so if you don't want to give specific lines you use or effects you open with please don't think you are required to just because you are the guest.
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Cody S. Fisher V.I.P. Austin, Texas 1194 Posts |
The opening to my stage show or stand up show is completely different than close up. For one...it is a professionally recorded introduction. It is not done in my voice but by a professional voice person. It sounds really professional and sets the tone of my entire act. I would highly recommend to anyone to have a professional introduction produced. It will immediately set you apart from anyone else and will make you look like a true professional in the entertainment business!
I hope that helps, Cody S. Fisher
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Thomas Okey New user Lakeland Florida 50 Posts |
Cody,
Thanks for the tip on using a professional for your introduction. Great tip! I used a similar line when approaching a tabel by stating my name and asking them if they were doing OK. I would tell them that I was hired by (insert restaurant) to show them some magic. So if you would like to see a litte magic it would be my pleasure and Hey, it's already paid for. You could see every one look at each other for a split secound that's when I would quickly insert the It's already paid for line. I rarely got turned down using that line. Tom |
MoonRazor Special user 843 Posts |
Thanks Cody for a great table introduction.....
Just off the top of my head I thought that after your line, "it doesn't mean I get to compliment you".... I might turn to the mother or lady of the party, address her by name and say, "But I must say, You look marvoulus" (Billy Crystal style). Not sure how it would flow. As a bartender I'd like to agree with you about solving any problems at the table.... if you don't have a fork why would you want someone to find your card. I also really enjoyed your column in MUM and have incorporated many of your ideas. Thanks, Tom |
Cody S. Fisher V.I.P. Austin, Texas 1194 Posts |
Tom...I REALLY like the Billy Crystal line...I may give that a shot next time I am strolling!
Cody S. Fisher
To Sign Up For My Members Only FREE Monthly Videos Visit: www.CodyFisher.com/store
Cody's Comedy Confabulation / Silk-2-Egg / Killer Prediction / Tossed Out Deck / Comedy Book Test / Las Vegas Aces / Three Ropes & 1000 Laughs |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The April 2007 entrée: Cody S. Fisher » » Opener? Opening lines? » » TOPIC IS LOCKED (1 Likes) |
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