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marD Loyal user 274 Posts |
Jimmy - I have read a lot of the things on your blog and seen many of your videos. I love the ease of your misdirection! It's great! I also have been looking at a lot of parlour stuff. I had been thinking that parlour type of stuff would be more visible to a larger crowd (that's my hope talking...lol). I've read a lot of your blog and appreciate the time that you've taken to put all that into writing...I will keep looking at the parlour stuff (it's what led me to Martin Lewis, well, that and Whit mentioning him...) Are there any dealers that you would recommend?
Chad/Kevin - I hadn't thought of ballooning but I will definitely give it consideration. I actually knew a guy that could twist Looney Tunes characters...lol I have been looking at a lot of SFS stuff. Some for a closer show and some for a bigger show. I love the thought that goes into their stuff. Whit is the one that told me that as I start out, I need to find routines from different people so that I don't become a mimic but I still learn what a good routine feels like... Paddy - That's a great idea for bday parties...I can see the kids rolling as their mom blows on the rings and then tries to pull them apart....lol
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jimmy talksalot Special user new orleans 757 Posts |
I would recommend staying away from dealers now. instead buy old magic books for inspiration and make your own props.
I would also recommend NOT buying a packaged routine or trick. in this business, history has shown us, that to be great you need your own ideas and dealers sell you theirs. as far as buying quality equipment to our unique specifcations I would suggest http://theambitiouscard.com/ I also would suggest DUBE' and NILS POL they're juggling supplies that can be used for parlor......where do you think FAKINI'S balls came from? by the way denny's would be the best place for fakini's. to work the street is to get your mind out of the magic shop and into the performance artist's mind set. the hardware store is our magic shop. if your having trouble on the streets and your shopping and buying packaged tricks, that were designed by another performer, this is usually the culprit......because it wasn't designed for you specifically, the truth is the trick best suit the originator and that's why it looked so good when he demonstrated it. so design one for yourself specifically so it will look natural when you do it. |
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fireperformer911 Special user 547 Posts |
Thanks Chad I'll check Whit Haydn's Comedy 4 ring routine.
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johnnymystic Inner circle North Adams Ma. 1576 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-02-23 11:08, jimmy talksalot wrote: Amen brother! Folks Jimmy is so right on, once again, listen and learn young ones.
I drink cheap tequila and vomit
<BR>I cannot eat hot wings...acid reflux <BR>I never inhale <BR>I can put a field dress on a deer |
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marD Loyal user 274 Posts |
Jimmy - Thanks for the time and the tips. I have a lot of older magic books that I have been looking through. I will check out Hugard's Magic Manual too.
Thanks again! Mike
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Kevin Mc Lean New user Kevin Mc Lean 57 Posts |
Hi Chad,
You asked about how the balloons affect the magic show. Probably the first thing to say is that I'm in Australia, which is a little different culturally I suspect. What I tend to do is a ten minute doorway show and for me the aim is to get a balloon line at the end of it. A salesman once said to me "the thing about people is that people are vain, people are curious and people are greedy" - it's a pretty cynical view, but holds true in a lot of ways. At the end of the show I usually say "Well, folks If you enjoyed the show and forgotten your troubles for a bit, then I've done my job. So please feel free to drop a dollar or two in the can...(pause to get that event happening) ...and for those littlies who missed out on a balloon, line up (gesture to the side of the table)and I'll see what I can do." Now, that portrays me as a nice guy and I get a reasonable hat for the show. I should point out if it's just a crowd of kids with no parents around - that'd probably be a silly thing to say as young kids don't understand busking that well and probably don't have a lot of money anyway. With the end of the show, I usually get a reasonable take for the doorway show and in the right circumstances and place (eg. a market or festival) a balloon line that can last a couple of hours. Now the important thing about the line comes back to the "people are curious, people are greedy" quote: if they see a line they probably think "What's this about? It must be good if he's got a line?" etc. Consequently, there's sort of an art in working quick if you got a lot in the line, working a little slower and fancier and chatting to the crowd (maybe even doing some real quick magic) if the line's flagging. The aim is to keep the line at about three kids or so - not too much, not too little - enough to get the "I want one too Mum!" effect. Basically, I use the magic show as bait for the balloon line. Concerning the balloon aspect, I should point out that I can do over 500 different types of sculpture, a few tricks with balloons, have lot ot spoken lines to keep people amused in the line, and it's an art you sort of learn. Basically, at the start you'll do a show and get a line for maybe twenty minutes, do another show etc. But that's not necessarily a bad thing either. Another thing is to put business cards on your table for your children's shows etc. I also use a little screwed on wooden flap I designed on the side of my busker's table which doesn't interfere with the magic. It holds about ten balloon sculptures and it'll hold them in a reasonable breeze due to its design. Oh, I have several balloon sculptures in this holder that I give to the volunteers during the magic show for the envy factor - very important. Gearwise, aside from water, I carry a shoulder bag for the balloons, a couple of large pouches on my belt for the magic gear and a modified waiter's table with a weighted canvas flap (my sign) that rolls down when I untie it. I'm very portable - shoulder bag and fold down table. Anyway, try it out Chad, it works in Australia. You might have to modify it a little for the States, what'll it cost you a few balloons to give it a try. Hope this helps. Regards, Kevin Mc Lean. |
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gaddy Inner circle Agent of Chaos 3526 Posts |
Coins across, TT silk vanish, rope on ring, prof's nightmare, Cups & Balls. That's my show. Not a knuckle buster amongst the lot...
*due to the editorial policies here, words on this site attributed to me cannot necessarily be held to be my own.*
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FunTimeAl Special user 987 Posts |
Kevin,
Thank you VERY much for sharing your experience. I think balloons get looked down upon in some busking circles and I for one know that they can bring in the money. When I first started busking, I was just doing balloon lines, usually on stilts. I would average around $30 an hour. I sometimes would start with juggling or with magic and then go straight into the balloons from then on. At that time I had NO idea how to structure a show or give hat lines...I just tried to get someone's attention, do some magic, and then start the balloons. Sounds like what you're doing has a lot more structure than what I did. I had ZERO transition to balloons. Just "that's my magic show, I also make balloon animals!!!" ...and off I'd go. Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience. I for one benefited greatly from that post. |
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Kevin Mc Lean New user Kevin Mc Lean 57 Posts |
Hi Chad,
I sent you a pm, but I think for the average performer you'll make more with balloons at the start. You can do both a show and twist, but you have to almost wait until you've got the money for the show completely in before you mention twisting for those who missed out to get the line. The way I started (think it's around seven years ago now), I did balloons and threw in bit of magic occasionally. After a while, my magic was reasonable, orientated much more for the street and occasionally I'd get a crowd just doing magic and I then started to think about making the transition. I didn't cop the kicks to the ego (at least not as much) that you can get starting a magic show not really knowing what'll fly on the street and how to handle the characters you meet. So I think it is a fairly safe way for beginners if you do balloon busking and work in the magic at the start of your career. I also chose venues like markets and festivals as they seemed very friendly compared to others. Overall, it sort of helps you build up your magic and work on it to a stage where you can do a reasonable show without a lot of risk as you are basically twisting balloons. Also, balloon buskers in my experience seem to do okay money-wise even if they aren't crash hot at the start (I wasn't, I could do about twenty different sculptures when I began). Anyway, that's my experience. Hope it helps. Best wishes, Kevin Mc Lean. |
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DoctorCognos Elite user 413 Posts |
I usually start by walking around and doing card fans and flourishes with American Flag backed cards. And after I catch a few specs, I do paperclipped and use it to build the tip as I get everyone involved and yelling as I place the "prediction card with the paperclip" on my table and tell a few of the youngsters to scream if anyone tries to touch that card. I then act like I am going to reach for it, a few times to get them scremaing and drawing more to the tip.
I then do a rope trick, either a stiff rope with a routine I wrote that actually makes logical sense, or a I do professor's nightmare. I then close with a variation of Chris Capeharts 3 ring "in your face" routine. Of course I drop hat lines all through the act, and then I put out my hat and invite folks to fulfilltheir part of the bargain. My part was to entertain, and theirs is to applaud with their wallets.... And a good time is had by all.... ... .. . . . The Doctor
The Doctor Knows.....
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marD Loyal user 274 Posts |
Kevin - Thank you for all the information you've given on ballooning. I will definitely have to give that some serious consideration!
Chad - I have to laugh. When I watched your video and you did the little thing with the "poo", I expected you to eat it (ala a Raisinette...) lol gaddy - I definitely like the no knucklebuster thing you've got going...
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FunTimeAl Special user 987 Posts |
Heya marD,
I'm a very new busker (less than one year) but that little draw, along with a little bit of this-n-that I picked up from Don Driver's Building a Tip Bally DVD, hooks 5-20 people every time I do it. It's amazing. I can't imagine trying to start a show with anything else. Now, there are some key components to my draw that I am carefully leaving out...so that my show stays unique...but I'm also trying to give a little back to the greater busking community at the same time. I hope that little video offers something of a thought about how varied draws can be. That bit changes all the time too. I still fall back on the way that I do it on the video. But, not all at once like that. It's not all done on 1 knee...and sometimes I'm not using a t*p!t...sometimes I ditch to the pouch or pocket. Glad ya liked it though. Thanks for the kind words. |
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TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
Chad's a busker.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
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charliemartin Special user Rapid City, SD 779 Posts |
Busking is an art form and I have seen some incredible masters at this art. The Linking Ring routines that have been mentioned are good, I also recommend if you can find it..Jerry Salazar's 3 Ring Routine. I have seen all kinds of tricks performed on the street..from the cups to hippity hop rabbits. Have fun.
Charlie |
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Brian Proctor Inner circle Somewhere 2323 Posts |
Jimmy, I just subscribed to your blog. There is so much info packed into that page! Thank you for all of your insight here on the Café regarding this subject. It is truly helpful! I hope to apply some of what I have learned from reading your words.
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marD Loyal user 274 Posts |
Charlie - Thanks for the tip. I've not seen that routine before. I'll have to see if I can find it!
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fireperformer911 Special user 547 Posts |
Does anyone know where to find Salazar's 3 Ring Routine book? I google it no luck.
Thanks in advance |
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jolyonjenkins Inner circle United Kingdom 1181 Posts |
Quote:
I played around with this a few times but couldn't get it right. How many phases do you do? Do you start and end each phase with ring-on, or ring-off? Would be interested to know more.
Jolyon Jenkins
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gaddy Inner circle Agent of Chaos 3526 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-02-26 22:43, fireperformer911 wrote: awww, that's cute.... Jerry hasn't published it yet- he feels the magic community isn't ready for it just yet... I suggest checking out Cellini's ring routine for something similar...
*due to the editorial policies here, words on this site attributed to me cannot necessarily be held to be my own.*
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marD Loyal user 274 Posts |
Jimmy - I just picked up Hugard's from Lybrary.com and hope to look at it tonight (after designing a few more shirts...). Looking over the ToC, I'm really going to learn a lot from it!
Thanks for the tip! Mike
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