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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts 
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You guys are working too hard!
I do a 30 minute set and have never had anyone complain that it was too short a program.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts
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I shoot for about 45 mins. Sometimes I will go a little longer in length. It has worked best for me in my area of Philadelphia.
With many magicians in this area performing, my extra time is a feature they like and the benefit is that the parents get to relax for longer and the children get to have more fun. This in turn makes me stand out from others offering shorter shows. Besides, I love to perform. I love being aorund the kids and having a blast. i would stay all day if they let me. =)
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts
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Quote:
On 2003-08-04 14:10, ProfessorPickles wrote: The answer to that question is 'the one I am about to do!' I stay for one hour with 45 show + 15 ballons |
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Mike Robbins Elite user Anchorage, Alaska 447 Posts
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I give the customer the choice. I have three BD party packages: Basic (30 minutes), Standard (40 minutes + the rabbit), and Deluxe (Standard, plus a magic set for the BD child). All priced accordingly.
I had read about this approach many times over the years and decided to try it for the last year. It was my understanding that the end result would be to boost the "middle" one, which is the only one I offered in the past. Since I've adopted this pricing/delivery model, I have only been asked to do the Basic once. The Standard has been less than what I had. The Deluxe is what 80% of them have asked for. It's worked quite well. Mike
The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.
Shakespeare |
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p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts
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Hi,
I use the three show principle too 35 Mins magic show 45 mins magic show 50 mins show (35m magic + 15 mins punch and judy) this has worked well for me for many years I have three full party options too Phillip |
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts
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In his masterclass Paul Daniels referred to this as "Starbucks Selling". Give people a choice and they feel special. Really, the difference between a 45 and 60 minute show is small but the choice factor makes people feel special.
(even went so far as to say "offer the same show with three different names "Standard, Super and Deluxe") |
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Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts
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I do 2 basic packages,
2-Hour fun filled party:- 35 minutes of games, food break (I make balloon models while they eat ready for the end so they get to watch me make them). Finally the 1-Hour fun filled magic show. 1-Hour fun filled magic show. Most of my bookings are for the 2-hour party.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts
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On 2003-08-02 21:50, Futureal wrote: No, it's not Copperfield flying. But I do bring in the table made by Viking, several boxes with animals, a duck bucket, char suspension, 2 large chest/foot lockers containing: Indian dove chest, Square Circle, Dove from balloon Tray, Flaming Head Chest, Sucker Sliding Die Chest, Linking rings and a few more items, a perch with stand for my dove, two Eureka table bases tripods, a cross bar for my backdrop, two tripods to hold the back drop cross bar, a box with styrofoam letters I velcro to the back drop, and a few more items. My set up time when inside of a house is 30 minutes. It doesn't subtract time from the show. I want to change my mind about what answered I picked before. It's the kids interupting me while setting up is what I dislike the most. I figured this out from last Saturday. My first show was a Family Reunion, next was a birthday party. Kids did not want to go in the backyard while I was setting up in the front yard. I had to put my bubble machine in the back to help keep their attention back there. Last was a block club party. At the block club party a boy shot me with a water gun while setting up. Quote:
On 2003-08-03 19:17, Dave Campbell wrote: I never said I hate doing them. I explained what I disliked the most. |
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts
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Quote:
On 2003-08-05 06:27, Nicholas J. Johnson wrote: Actually I think a better definition of "Starbucks Selling" would be convincing your client to pay $500.00 for a show that was only worth $50.00. Being one of the only non-coffee drinkers in the Land O' Starbucks I am constantly amazed by the endless ques of people dropping four to five bucks for a ten cent cup of coffee. Quote:
On 2003-08-05 12:16, Dynamike wrote: As Darth Vader would say, "Impressive" If I may be so bold to ask, how long of a performance do you put on with this vast array of equipment?
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Dave Campbell New user Naperville, IL 51 Posts
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Well, at least now I understand why it takes you 7-10 trips to bring in your equipment!! That is one impressive set of apparati!!
How did you react to getting shot at with a squirt gun btw? |
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Ty Argo Special user Columbus, Ohio 525 Posts
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THAT!, good sir, is a very large Kid's show! I honestly thought you were kidding for a minute after you kept listing big apparatus. WOW! What kind of kids are you performing for that you need all that?
I'm sure it is a fantastic show, but haven't you heard of "Pack small, play big"? 
Dyslexics UNTIE!!
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mystic shriner New user Midwest, USA 64 Posts
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What a great post! Yup, Dynamike, sounds like you have a "Barnum and Bailey" on wheels. I bring in a suitcase and, yes, a ROLON TABLE!
 I've never had a problem with it yet, maybe it's because I growl at them (kidding). I just try and command some mystery and respect when I walk in, then I loosen up while their asking me questions during set up, I even do some minor tricks when I set up (appearing cane)"hmmmm, now where did i put my magic cane...I guess i'll have to use this handkerchief".
I don't use livestock...yet. I don't think asking about what irritates children's performers is basically putting you in the position of being asked "...then why are you doing this if you hate it so much." If you don't get irritated by a few of those "topics" then you must be a saint! I personally love the kids, and I can get really irritated by the little brats, too. And some of my favorite days are spent on the phone with parents trying to "haggle" with me. Sometimes I'll say to really bad hagglers "Do you let people treat you like this at YOUR job?", and that either ends the conversation or they actually take a step back and become nice. If they hang up I figure I probably didn't want to visit their home in the first place. This technique may seem a little callous, but after years of dealing with people I too find that the cheapskates are the worst clients to deal with. As far as set-up time....invest in tricks that are simple and easy to set up. I agree with Ty, "Play Big". Robert Houdin used to say that a Magician is an actor playing the part of a Magician. A good actor can bring even the worst prop to life and make their audiences cry for more! 
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts
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On 2003-08-05 19:39, Dave Campbell wrote: It was a lot of kids gathering for the block party magic show. So I had to yell towards the boy with the water gun trying to get his attention. He was ignoring me. I began putting my equiptment back inside my van. One adult plus the client told me they took away the water gun and the boy is banned from the show. I told the client he can see the show too, but no water guns. I next began setting up again. Everything went good the rest of the time. Quote:
On 2003-08-05 23:55, Ty Argo wrote: I have thought of it before. But I fell in love with the bigger props. I have been performing them for years. My schedules are not heavy this semester; (5+ shows on Saturdays or Sundays). Previous semesters when I had large schedules, I hire one or two teenagers. |
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Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts
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How do you fit all that into Mrs Smiths 15' x 18' living rooom complete with furniture and 30 kids? Sometimes I'm only left with a space about 4'x 5'to put my stuff and perform. the front row of kids on the floor are virtually sitting on my shoes.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
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Kool Kat New user New Zealand 25 Posts
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Dynamyke, I hope you are charging LOTS for your show! As for the times of shows, it varies from country to country, and by the age group catered for.
The British model seems to be "a la Mark Leveridge" - usually one to two hours, with games and all. In the US it's often only 30-35 minutes. Here in NZ it varies a lot. Someone on this thread complained about being asked to do a 3 year old party. Well, I regularly do one, two and three year old parties (specialise in five year olds, though). Admittedly, the magic is very simple, and is done by my rabbit puppet (with the help of the birthday child if he's over 3). Most of the rest of the show is puppets, songs and music. The first time I was asked to do a one year old's birthday, I laughed out loud on the phone - lost the gig, of course. Since then, I've done many, and of course most of the kids are older, and the show goes well. The baby usually sits in a high chair goggle-eyed through a lot of the show, and sometimes has to go down for a nap in the middle - that's fine, though - everyone else is still there enjoying the show. I usually do 35 - to 45 minutes, with most shows being 45 minutes (the lower figure is to give me an "out" if the kids are just too young to sit for that long). I like the idea of having different price options, and we're working on adding a games section, in order to offer a longer, more expensive show. The two parts I hate most are the promotion - getting the gigs, and the paperwork. I love doing the shows, though. Cheers, Kath Worsfold NZ 
************************
Bill & Kath Worsfold Kiwi Entertainers http://www.billkath.co.nz ************************ |
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts
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Quote:
On 2003-08-06 03:15, Emazdad wrote: Most times I move the furniture into another room after the client gives me permission. The room I dislike the most for my performance is the basement. I have a lot to carry down/up a flight of stairs. When my client tell me basement, I always tell them the living/dining room will be better. Sometimes they don't agree. Quote:
On 2003-08-06 05:04, Kool Kat wrote: Yea, Kool Kat. I am one of the most expensive magicians in my area. I don't mind charging a lot because I get calls from the Yellow Pages. The number reason new clients hire me is because of the 5 animals use. |
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Al Kazam the Magic Man Inner circle Living in Perth Western Australia 1042 Posts
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Interesting, very interesting. Blows away some of the pre-conceived thoughts on "Pack small, Play big". Surely it's got to be a case of "To each his own"?
JoJo
Magic guy in Perth Australia
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John Linoren New user Sweden 28 Posts
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Packing down, defanetly! All the kids coming to the stage and want to look at all the stuff. I'd even trapped one to sniffling around in my bag at a birthday party!
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts
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I'll say it again..
Create a show that doesn't require ANY set up at the house! |
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts
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Quote:
On 2003-08-07 17:44, Nicholas J. Johnson wrote: Oh, I'm sorry Nicholas, I didn't hear you the first time. I'm am trying to create a show like that from Jeff McBride's video, "The Commando Act." But the kids shows I want to keep the same mainly because of my dear pets. I need big props to put them in. I like to use the backdrop because I don't have to load my friends until last second where the audience won't see me. |
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Posted: Aug 4, 2003 08:13 pm 
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