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VinceMagicMan New user New York City 52 Posts |
Thought this would be a topic that might invite many different views. We all have had the person that wants to entertain themselves at the expense of the magician. You all know the type, knows how everything is done, refuses to follow direct, grabby etc... I have several ways of dealing with these fine folks but thought that others might enjoy and benifit from some discussion.
Vince MagicMan
(Nuff Said) |
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MacGyver Inner circle St. Louis, MO 1419 Posts |
Stop performing for them or just ignore them.
Don't give them directions or a place to grab things. Just walk away, and either you can start on another table, or the other people at the table will tell the heckler to shutup, and you can then perform in peace. |
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Larry Davidson Inner circle Boynton Beach, FL 5270 Posts |
MacGyver's advice is sound.
Alternatively, perform the WEB for him. |
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Alexander the Magician New user 77 Posts |
No, I think you meant Punch them in the nose. And I agree with you.
Or use the Ricky Jay line from X-Files: "Shall I come to your job and heckle you, making sure you count out the requisite number of McNuggets?" Note: DON'T DO ANY OF THE ABOVE! Be polite and leave. The rest of the table will understand and give the person enough crap about it themselves. I actually had a guy come up to me later as the table was leaving and apoligized. His wife must have been on his case! |
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Frank Tougas Inner circle Minneapolis, MN 1712 Posts |
Be polite and professional. They are guests of the establishment. They have come to eat and not necessarily to be entertained. Thank them for coming and hope they enjoy their meal. Then...move along. We look for an audience we are not making converts here.
Frank Tougas The Twin Cities Most "Kid Experienced" Children's Performer :"Creating Positive Memories...One Smile at a Time"
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keven Regular user Apple Valley Ca 106 Posts |
I would say if you are in a home of a friend or some place that you can get away with it I like "THE MAGIC DING DONG" mess up on the sponge ball part and let them think there on to you mess it up and then let them have it with the ding dong . That should shut them up or get them mad at you .
Or yet another is the Bra and silk's My brother and I had one over the 4th of July and we did that one on him and all of his friends were so hard on him he would not say another word to anyone . But only try these if you know you can get away with it . and don't try it if your at a show. kind of a low key thing .
Penn & Teller "God Bless Them"
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Bobcape Elite user Rapid City, SD 470 Posts |
Nicely said Frank! Sometimes we let our egos go unchecked and forget why we were hired in the first place. It certainly was not to make the customers feel uncomfortable! The quality of the customer's evening at the restaurant comes first, that should guide our actions.
Bob
Be Amazed! + Enjoy The Magic!
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Jared Inner circle Rhode Island, USA 1573 Posts |
The above advice is great. Don't challenge the spectator...stay cool and professional. If the customer is extremely difficult, then just cut your set short- thank them for coming to the restuarant- and MOVE on. There are always better people to perform your art for!
-Jared |
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Andy Charlton Veteran user Palma Nova Mallorca Spain 311 Posts |
Make the Guy your Friend.
For instance, I usually Start with Invisible Deck, Pick the "Ringleader" type guy, Make him the star. My last line, as I'm putting the cards away is always, "That is all down to Mike's imagination, without Mike I couldn't do that trick." After 5 minutes of being the centre of attention, he will be your friend for life. (or at least 10 minutes, which is all you need.) Cheers Andy
"Keep that smile on your face, that excitement in your eyes." - Don Driver
Check out www.andyandjeansbigadventure.com or www.andysmagic.com |
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Chris Berry Special user 831 Posts |
Bill Malone has a great tip in his On the Loose set.
I believe it is volume 4 where he address's this issue. Chris |
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Evan Williams Elite user 439 Posts |
If it is walk around and table hopping magic, it is very simple:
If the people are nice and enjoying the magic, stay a little longer since you might get a gig out of it. If the people are hecklers and are not exactly enjoying the magic, then finish your trick, thank them for coming, and move on. For me, this is my basic plan for all people. BTW, MOST people should fall under the first categ. which will mean you will get some nice payinh privet gigs! |
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japanjazzy Regular user Crestview, Florida 139 Posts |
I usally do as everyone says and walk away. But there has been the times when even after I walk away the one person from the other table is trying to ruin it for the others. At this time I usally have to put him in his place by a simple do as I do trick with tying a knot in the rope with out letting go. I don't usally have to give him a hard time at all. The rest of the people that were getting tired of his mouth take care of it for me.
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VinceMagicMan New user New York City 52 Posts |
I had a guy one night (drunk) grab the cards right out of my hands. He demanded to shuffle the deck, needless to say he was doing a very poor job of it(damaging, bending the cards). I extended my hand and asked for the deck back and he slapped my hand away - instead of acting on my New York/Italian up bringing I thanked the rest of his party and left the table. Went to the car, composed myself, got another deck - I wanted to "deal" with him in a much different way but that is why I got into magic, tired of digging them holes and hiding the bodies - ha ha!
Vince MagicMan
(Nuff Said) |
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Christopher Special user 531 Posts |
I just had a heckler this weekend during my rubber band routines. He kept saying to the entire waiting area crowd "It's obvious how he's doing this...this is kid's beginner magic...etc." during the entire routine. Finally at the end, I said that I performed extra slow so that everyone can see just how simple magic can be (no one had a clue how to do the effect) I said just to prove that anyone can learn magic, my new friend would now continue to entertain them while I attended to the next group. I handed him the rubber bands and thanked him for taking the time to explain it to them for me and walked away. I overheard his wife saying "Come on honey, show us just how easy it is..." to which he just stood staring confused. Later his wife came up and apologized and gave me a nice tip, she said his smart alec remarks had been troublesome all night and that he was completely quiet for the entire dinner.
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Michaels Elite user 412 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-07-11 21:52, Frankft wrote: Nicely put Frank- I usually add as I'm leaving, "If you would like to be entertained a little later in the evening please let your waitress or waiter know and I'd be happy to return to your table". I find this approach doesn't leave the customers feeling embarrassed. The magician's message is made loud and clear just by cutting the routine short.
"Our technology is ahead of our humanity"
Albert Einstein |
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Sometimes a heckler does not equal a jerk. Often they just don't like being in the audience seat and want to be a part of the show. (obviously, these people should be made to look good).
The hard part is figuring out which is which. ...and then punching the jerk in the nose. |
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Dano Loyal user Centerville, OH 240 Posts |
Punch first, analyze later. Just kidding, but wouldn't it feel good sometimes?
"Magic" is merely an illusion, but "Perception" is reality!
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Ty Argo Special user Columbus, Ohio 525 Posts |
Jerk or not, audiences should not be abused...physically OR verbally. I feel strongly about this issue. If you were kidding, I apologize and that fact (kidding) should be made clear. You deal with them best you can and move on. Just my input.
-Ty
Dyslexics UNTIE!!
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DougTait Elite user Sebring, FL 492 Posts |
The misdirection of the larger movement (the punching statement) directs one away from the smilie (winking eye) which, I assume is the tip-off that this comment was certainly in jest.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men [and women] to do nothing."
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VinceMagicMan New user New York City 52 Posts |
Christopher,
Nice handling of the rubber band idiot, to boot the wife made him look small and you walked away with your head held high (and a tip).
Vince MagicMan
(Nuff Said) |
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