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Devin Knight V.I.P. 2493 Posts |
This is a short essay that I have been wanting to write for some time. It is based on my performing over the past 25 years and more. I have noticed things that seem to foretell whether your audience will be good or bad. I have also determined what make for the best audience.
It has been falsely stated there are no bad audiences only bad magicians. That is a myth. There are bad audiences and it doesn't matter how good you are or think you are. There will be nights were you will feel like a flop and other nights to where you can do no wrong. Let's face the facts, there are people who DO NOT enjoy magic and sometimes are forced to sit through your performance. Let's look at this in a different light and take a different field as an example. I do not like Country Music. It makes me cringe just to hear it. I'm not knocking country music as I know many people love it and if that is your taste, then God love you. For me, it gets me in a bad mood just to have to listen to it. Let's suppose I am at a banquet and the entertainment is country music. I may be forced to sit there out of politeness, but I am NOT GOING TO ENJOY MYSELF.I don't care how famous the person is, I don't like country music; I will not react to his or her performance, at best I will give what is termed polite applause. Let's assume you are doing a banquet show. You can't assume everyone is going to like you because there will always be some people who don't want to be there and have no interest in your show. They have to be there because it is a duty or obligation. I've done more than my share of banquet shows where I could tell were people who had no interest in my show. They just sit there, not really watching or reacting to my act. Let's take restaurants strolling. I did this for over seven years and I know a lot of people don't want to bothered. They are there on a date and want to talk to the other person. I have had many people I could tell did not want to see the magic and in such cases you do a quick trick and move on. Yes there are people in restaurants who love magic and will watch you do it, but everyone doesn't want to see it. In working both strolling magic for festivals and restaurants I found out there are a lot of people who have no interest in magic. Despite Copperfield, Blaine and Angel there are still many people who think magicians are kid stuff and barely above the level of a clown. These people you will not win, no matter how good you are. So what conditions make for the best audiences? The ones where they CHOOSE to see you perform. I'll give you a few examples. My best audiences have hands down been at the big family outdoor festivals (not fairs)and amusement parks. There is a reason for this, the people do not have to watch your show. You are not approaching strangers and trying to show them magic, which they may or may not wish to watch. I'm talking about where you have a mini-stage and people can sit and watch your show. Now obviously the people who decide to stop and watch your show, like magic, they want to see good magic and are there to have fun. People who do not like magic will NOT stop and watch your show. Even while you are performing, they will walk on by because magic is of no interest. Granted, there may be a few people who don't like magic, but because they have kids, who do, they will stop and let the kids watch the show. I've notice in many cases the father who doesn't like magic, will asked me when the show will be over and leaves the kids and comes back later to get them. In my many years of performing I have found these audiences to be the most receptive and best audiences. Again that is because they choose to be there. No one is forcing them to watch your show and that makes all the difference in the world. I haven't found most fair show audiences to very receptive. It draws a different of audience. Your audience will often be full of rowdy teenagers looking to call out smart comments. I have also found that as a rule, fair audiences will stand around and not applaud. They will watch but are not very appreciative. Probably the best audiences are those who PAY to see you. These people like magic, otherwise they are not going to dish out money for tickets and take the time to come to your show. I know a lot of this may seem obvious, but sometimes it is not. I want to give you something to think about. The next time your show doesn't go over as well, think about the audience and WHY they are there. There are other things that can turn a normally good audience bad. Let's say you are doing a corporate banquet and the CEO tells people there will be major layoffs due to the economy. The people there, even if they love magic, are going to be worried about their jobs and if they will have a job next month. They will not enjoy your magic as a rule. I know as I had this happen to me before. Just some things to think about. |
stijnhommes Special user 568 Posts |
Wow. That CEO knows how to ruin a fun-filled night for all...
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Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
Very insightful Devin! I tend to agree with you on most everything you said. I do think that you sometimes get some people in the theme park audiences that may not really be there to enjoy a magic show. Sometimes the kids, or spouse may drag them in against their will, and in some cases they will come just for a place to rest and cool off. The large majority if theme park audiences are really good though.
I also enjoy school show audiences. They are usually large, and excited.....but in a controled environment. I love performing school shows! Regan
Mister Mystery
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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The April 2010 entrée: Devin Knight » » What Makes For A Great Audience? » » TOPIC IS LOCKED (0 Likes) |
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