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YoelMagic New user 7 Posts |
A restaurant called me to do some table hopping... I've been working on some routines, but I want someone that can give me some advice on which effects to use and how to prepare for that.
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mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Hmmm...welcome to the Café!
What kind of magic do you already do, and what routines have you been working on? Knowing that might help come up with other ideas. Mark. |
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granata New user 10 Posts |
Hey Brother,
I personally work at a banquet hall as a coat check attendee, but usually I will go into the hall where the party is and start performing tricks to people at their dinner tables. I personally recommend impromptu tricks, such as pen thru dollar and fire wallet. Well, not completely impromptu, but gimmicks that look like ordinary objects. All the magic that I do is close-up material only. In my opinion, your best option is to stick to money and card tricks. If you do want to get a little wack with different materials, use tricks like Poker Chip Polka or a penetration frame. Don't bring the whole cups and balls routine trick because people want the trick to be short and good. One thing is, don't ask them if they want to see a trick while they are eating; but you can while they are waiting for their food and/or waiting for their bill. This is because they don't want to be bothered. Trust me, I had to learn the hard way. I have gotten cussed out once. Point is, stick to cards, money/coins, or not so wack objects. Cheers |
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Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
You prepare by practicing, rehearsing, and trying the tricks out on live people.
Hopefully, you have time to practice and rehearse the effects you're working on before performing. I'd hate to see you bomb because there was no time to really learn them well. There's tons of advice here in "Table hoppers & party strollers" on what to expect from restaurant gigs and which types of tricks are usually best. Creating sets of 2-3 tricks that last a few minutes, doing tricks that don't require a working surface, and being angle conscious are a few tips I've read here. Good Luck, |
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Adam1975 Special user UK 900 Posts |
A bag full of Tenyo items performed to classical music... Man, it slays 'em.
Ive upped my standards.Now,up yours!
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-04 12:06, Adam1975 wrote: Weeding out the competition, Adam?
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
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Adam1975 Special user UK 900 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-04 12:33, Skip Way wrote: Funny!!
Ive upped my standards.Now,up yours!
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Michael J. Douglas Inner circle WV, USA 1645 Posts |
Adam, it would be better if people who ask serious questions get serious answers, especially if they only have a couple posts. While YoelMagic may know you're kidding, some who come looking for advice may take what you say literally. From the rules: "You can't count on sarcasm and irony getting through...Even a or 'just kidding' won't always work."
YoelMagic, Jaz gives the advice to heed. Have 2-3 sets of 2-3 tricks that you know really well. The best type of effects have little to no reset, are able to be done at chest height and off the table, and are pretty angle-proof. Here's a question for you. What kind of restaurant is it, i.e. what are the ages of the patrons?
Michael J.
�Believe then, if you please, that I can do strange things.� --from Shakespeare�s �As You Like It� |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-04 10:55, YoelMagic wrote: To answer your question in complete fashion (and seriously as Michael has suggested, and by the way is right), could you give us a bit more information? I don't want to be flippant about the next statement, but if you don't already have stuff to do, how is it you got a call to do work in the first place? This is where my first little bit of confusion lies with your post. Do things you already know well, things which you are familiar with. Do NOT walk in with a bunch of new items you have just bought and routines you are trying out. You want to be working with things you already have a familiarity with, which you know work and get reactions you are looking for. No need to add anything till you are comfortable with what it is you already do. Choose items which suit your personality and showcase YOU, not the magic. One thing is as Michael said also, 2-4 tricks should be plenty. Less is often more in cases such as this. Let us know a bit more about the situation in which you may be in, and we can help a bit more.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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Adam1975 Special user UK 900 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-04 14:20, Michael J. Douglas wrote: Yes, just a little humour there. But I would say as Danny is sort of suggesting, if you're asking this kinda question, perhaps you're not ready for paid work...? But that said, everyone has to start somewhere I guess....
Ive upped my standards.Now,up yours!
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-04 17:36, Adam1975 wrote: Wait a second. I NEVER suggested he was not ready. I asked how he got the inquiry, and I told him to use the tricks he already knows. I have NO IDEA IF HE IS READY OR NOT, and neither do you. I simply want more information so I can give a better answer. Man, I get in enough trouble on my own! LOL. Please, no more help please.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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Hansel Inner circle Puerto Rico 2492 Posts |
Yoel:
Welcome to the Café!! Remember the thought I always said to you, "Less is More"...think of the "Bruce Cervon Elevator", Ambitious, and Sponge Bunnies!! Thanks, Hansel!
Follow Me...
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Hansels-Comedy-and-Magic-Show-929625643774678/ Youtube: HanselSP Twitter: @HanselSP Instagram: HanselSP |
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Paolo Venturini Veteran user Lucca (I.) - New York City 385 Posts |
That's right, usually the most simple tricks (as Invisible Deck, D'Lite, Sponge Balls) have a terrific impact on the audiences. So perform what you do best (in a second time, you could add something better) and be yourself all the time.
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Scott Compton Special user Hampton, VA 747 Posts |
Firstly, welcome to the Café!
Listen to Danny, and you will not go wrong. As you will learn, Yoel, there are some VERY knowledgeable magicians on here that have already been where you are and can save you plenty of despair. Michael, Paolo and Hansel give great advice. Now the question becomes, will you listen to them? If so, you can be successful. If not, you will most likely stumble along the way. These guys know what they are talking about, and they are kind enough to give you advice. If you listen and heed their advice, they will continue to help. If not, you might get advice like some of these other posts. Personally, I would check with management before I whipped out a fire wallet in a restaurant. Also ask yourself, what would you consider good entertainment if you were out with YOUR family? Also ask yourself, what would a bad magician do? A lot of the answers are in your head, you just need to draw them out. The fact that you are asking for advice is a good first step. A clue sometimes can be in the amount of posts that a user has. If you come on here with nothing to add, you don't last long. Trust these guys, and you are on your way. Personally, if I went to war, these are the kind of guys I want with me. Good luck! Scott
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 |
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YoelMagic New user 7 Posts |
Thank you to all of you for the advise. For those who need more information, I've been performing stage magic for about two years now, and I work some close up. I have three card monte, some effects with ESP chips, ambitious, and many other effects, but I just want to know if is better to do coin effects instead of cards and things like that. Maybe the part of how to prepare was misunderstood, so erase that part and go along...
Thank you, _yoel |
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davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3086 Posts |
-yoel
If you want the restaurant patrons to have a great time (that's the goal), then make sure sure they have a vested interest in what you are doing. By that, I mean they MUST be involved in the effect. If a card is to be signed, have a husband and wife or dad and son/daughter sign it together. Your presentation should be about the people that signed the card. I'll say something along the lines that when they sign the card together, something very powerful happens.........or.....when performing coin effects, or any effect for that matter, let them make the magic happen by giving THEM a magic wand to wave mysteriously. Encouraging them to snap their fingers during your Ambitious routine gets them involved. I was at a party supply store and purchased some drink stirrers that were available in a club, heart, diamond or spade shape as a decoration on top. It looks like a wand, and I use the heart shape one when I encounter a couple at the table. These little touches are what make your performances more memorable and enjoyable to the patrons.....so my advice to you is to evaluate what effects you have and do "well", and then sit down and think about how you can present them in a way that involves the patrons. Ask about birthdays, pets they have at home, upcoming anniversaries. I've come up with card routines where I draw cartoon characters on cards. It may be a little girl's pet fish. I draw a funny fish on a card. Guess who's going to keep that card??? Guess whose parents are going to call me to do a party?? What I've mentioned above is what people are interested in, NOT YOUR ABILITIES. (Although, you better have them.) People care about their own lives and what's important to them. So, go out and fulfill their desires. That, my friend, will result in a successful magic career. FWIW David Paul
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-04 10:55, YoelMagic wrote: What tricks did you perform for the manager that prompted them to call you? Since they want you, if we knew what you did for the manager, we could give helpful advice.
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
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mrsmiles Elite user 442 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-08 02:17, Christopher Kavanagh wrote: It's a fair question to the kid; in 20 years, a restaurant has NEVER called me up. Your information might help us, too. Mind you, I've cold-called restaurants (in person, not the phone) and been hired on the spot. However, I really would like them to save me the trouble and ring me instead. Tell us your secret, kid. Even with advertising, it's just private party work that pick up the phone to me.
mrsmiles
(UK) |
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derrick Inner circle I dug holes for 1044 Posts |
I got one of the current restaurants I'm performing at after the owner called me to see if I was free on that evening and, if I was, what would I charge him. No negotiations, just a done deal. I got the gig without even performing so much as a card trick for the guy. I'm not sure the guy even went to my web site. It was because I had worked with a waiter, who highly recommended me when he found out they were considering a family night at this new restaurant. Just another reason to be nice to the wait staff where you work. You never know when you might run into them again.
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mrsmiles Elite user 442 Posts |
Great - personal recommendation (from the waiter), the best form of advertising.
I think this is somewhat akin to getting into restaurants as already stated...either you cold call the restaurant, or someone who's seen you recommends you. In other words, you don't just get the gig without selling your skills - either you sell them directly in person to the restaurant, or someone who's already seen you (to whom you have therefore proved/sold your skills) does so for you to the restaurant (i.e. the waiter in this case). I doubt they'd just ring someone out of the blue otherwise.
mrsmiles
(UK) |
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