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p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
Hi,
I have read a number of posts regarding getting work in a restaraunt. However, in my experience (UK) these are not the best places to work as they generally pay less than half what you would get for a typical private function table hopping gig. I prefer to market myself to venues that hold functions regularly as the organizors of these events pay far more than a typical hotel manger would. Am I the only person that finds this? phillip |
Geoff Williams Special user St. Pete Beach, FL 617 Posts |
If money is the only criteria for "best place to work" then I'd have to agree with your statement above.
BUT... if you're looking for contacts for other, more lucrative" gigs, an excellent way to hone your chops on a very regular basis and keep your name and face in the public eye, I cannot recommend it highly enough. And it's just plain fun.
"Saját légpárnás tele van angolnák."
(Hungarian for "My hovercraft is full of eels") |
p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
quote:
hone your chops on a very regular basis Sorry but I do not know what this means? quote: if you're looking for contacts for other, more lucrative" gigs, You can do this at private functions too (it in it's self is more lucrative) and the people attending are usually of similar financial classification as the organisor. which often means quality leads and bookings. Of course money is not the only criteria but it is an important one if you are a full time pro and your standard of living depends on it. phillip |
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
"Hone your chops": Polish your material.
One of the major points of doing restaurant work is to showcase yourself to get the more lucrative jobs. The difference between doing this in a pub/restaurant/bar and at a private function is that the restaurant work is regular: same night or nights each week and you can plan around that. And you know the territory so you don't have to worry about angles and such every time you start to perform. Granted the money is not as good as private functions but it had the advantage of being steady. And it's fun! cheers, Peter Marucci showtimecol@aol.com |
Geoff Williams Special user St. Pete Beach, FL 617 Posts |
The term "chops" is a loose term for "skills" or sleight-of-hand ability.
"He's got good chops" would mean "He's technically skillfull", referring to the raw physical execution of a "move" and not necessarily the overall performance or entertainment quality of the trick. And, as Peter mentioned, it can also refer to your general repertoire. Hope this helps.
"Saját légpárnás tele van angolnák."
(Hungarian for "My hovercraft is full of eels") |
Jared Inner circle Rhode Island, USA 1573 Posts |
Phillip,
I think that we'd all agree that private functions are the most desirable and lucrative. But for many performers like myself (I have a full-time job in Sales and Marketing), the restaurant work is great because it saves me an enormous amount of time in finding private function work. Performing in a restaurant affords the luxury of meeting new faces (potential work) on a regular basis. It also saves me the time and expense of having to market myself to solicit work (ironic, huh- I'm a Sales and Marketing Manager, but don't feel like doing it on the weekends to support my passion!). - Jared |
Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
I work restaurants primarily to get outside work. It's true that they pay less than the one-time gigs; however, one-time gigs are just that--one time! I always get multiple nights (or multiple locations) at my restaurant gig. The last one where I worked had me one night a week at five different locations for a one-year contract! That means they were booking me, on the spot, for 250 engagements.
Because I was at different locations but at regular times, and because this was well-publicized, people would come to see me who were thinking about booking me, and I'd get those private gigs! (I had, as part of my contract, an agreement that I could have the night off if necessary to perform at a private function, although I scheduled around the restaurant whenever possible). Also, I made contacts I never would have made otherwise, who booked me for other shows. Finally, though the income is not as good, it WAS guaranteed, so even if I didn't book a gig for a week or two I still had money coming in (and $100+ per night for a two-hour shift ain't bad!).
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
Mark the Balloon Guy New user Tampa Bay Florida 27 Posts |
I find the best place to perform is where they will pay you.
Restaurant work is great place to be bad. I don't mean that literally, but you can work out the bugs of routines, rehearse it in front of live people instead of a mirror. The money by the hour may not be great, but think of it as not a one hour booking but a one day a week is really 52 performances. If you get $100 for a nights work guess what you just booked a $5200 show!! Restaurants are where the people are. It is also where the people are that can afford your services. One thing I am kind of proud of is that I haven't advertise in the Yellow pages in years, and I don't need to.
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark theBalloon Guy "Bad to theBalloon" |
Carl Andrews Special user Maui, Hawaii 749 Posts |
Working a restaurant is basically getting paid to advertise what it is that you do!
You also develop your performing style and gain valuable real world experience. |
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