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Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
So far I've performed for birthday parties and libraries, with an audience size ranging from four to maybe 75. I think I could comfortably handle an audience up to 150-200. I want to expand to be able to do larger shows - I'm thinking mostly schools here, with the audience of mixed ages and up to 600-800.
I know I'd definitely need to invest in a sound system (mike, PA, music - none of which would be bad now). I probably have some routines that could play to that crowd with some tweaks, although a few larger illusions or props that could be seen and followed from the backof the crowd would also be good. The biggest challenge to me is making the transition in my mind. Right now, the thought of standing up in front of an audience like that puts a major scare in me! For those of you who have dealt with this kind of mind-block, how did you overcome it? How did you work through the process of transforming from a small show to a large show? Ed |
Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
You just get out there and do it. I never played large groups until I did school shows. JB Bobo and Fred Story encouraged me to go into that arena, and gave me tips on how to book, how to survive and make money, etc. But getting out there and doing it is no different than really doing it in front of a small group in your living room. Once you start it flows, getting started is 90% of it. Just go out on stage and start your act, it flows from there, plus in most school shows in auditoriums you don't really see the audience lights keep that from happening, but in others where you play the Caféteria or the like, it is just doing a birthday party, just get up and go.
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
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Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
Did you do the same effects with the same props as your small shows? What adjustments did you make at first?
Ed |
Mike Maturen Inner circle Michigan's Beautiful Sunrise Side 2726 Posts |
I personally use the extra crowd to feed my own energy. Larger crowds will naturally produce stronger and louder reactions. Feed off of this. Use it to energize you. You will soon find that you don't even notice the size of the crowd.
Mike Maturen
World of Wonder Entertainment The Magic and Mayhem of Mike Maturen 989-335-1661 mikematuren@gmail.com AUTHOR OF "A NEW DAWN--Weekly Wisdom From Everyday Life" member: International Magician's Society |
Leland Inner circle St Louis 1180 Posts |
I’ll never forget my first time getting in front of a large crowd.
I was booked to do a birthday party and I always ask how many kids will be there, mom said “oh around 25”. I’m thinking “oh that’s easy I’ve done more than that before”. I get to the event, it’s at a hotel and I walk in the hall where the party is being held and there is a stage with what seems like hundred’s of chairs facing the stage. I start to worry. I find mom and I ask where am I performing and she points to the stage. I ask how many guest do you have “oh there‘s around 350 guests.” I remind her that she had told me there would be 25 kids, she says “yes, there are about 30 kids and the rest are adults”. Talk about panic! I quickly find a place to gather my thoughts and decide that I need to call in a professional, someone that can handle that amount of people! The more I thought about it the more I realized “Hey, I am a professional”. I quickly reworked my show to include some adult theme magic and went to set up. I took a deep breath and went for it... I was in stage fright mode at first, but after the second or third act I was flying high off the energy in the room. I’m glad I didn’t talk myself out of performing. If during my booking she had said that there would be 350 guest, I would have recommended someone else for the gig. She was happy with the show and I was happy for the experience. Since then, I’ve done shows for 600-800 and it really is a great feeling being on stage. I get a thrill doing it. Best part is, I get paid more to do it! I still get nervous right before a show but once I’m on stage, I am on! I love my job!
Life of Magic!
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bbarefoot Regular user Johnstown, PA 122 Posts |
Without knowing what your standard routine includes, its hard to say if you should change it all or not. The first thing to do is figure out the average size of the venues, then either through the help of your hallways or yard set up your props and back as far away as possible. Are they clearly visible. Can you see all of the necesary details. Where you normally use only one or two volunteers in a trick, can you add more. For example I do a spoon bend on stage where I "Try" to teach the kids how to do it. The number of kids I bring on stage depends on the size of the audience and stage. I have had anywhere from 2 to 10.
With a larger crowd you usually gain access to a larger performing area. Rework that into your show. Make your gestures and movements fill the space, you cannot just rely on props for filler. As you patter and work maybe step to stage left for a part, stage right for a part, then center for the big reveal. I hope this helps some. Bradley |
Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
Ed:
Probably the most important thing you can do is to simply be sure that you have routines that will play to the larger audience. Reading your initial post...that's what comes across to me. Moving from close-up to parlor/small platform is in one sense easy, because mostly you will know what will work and it's clearly definable. Moving from small platform to a full stage is somewhat more problematic, because you want to plan for a much larger crowd. I'll say this: MOST of what will work for 50-100 folks will work for 500-1000. In some cases it's just getting larger versions of the same props. Small Chinese sticks to large Chinese sticks, etc. Or, a subtle change: Sub in RED rope for white. You would be amazed at how easy it is to see red rope even on a large stage. Once you have an act that YOU are sure will play to a larger venue a LOT of the angst about that venue will go away. From there you have to think of how to handle the slightly longer time it takes to get a spectator helper on and off the stage. Do you want house lighting or spots? Having your own sound can be a HUGE plus even if most large venues 'should' have it. If there's tests out solid you still have yours for backup. But, the down and dirty is that you HAVE to have an act that YOU are sure will play in that larger venue. Best,
Brad Burt
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Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-07-16 20:24, Brad Burt wrote: Yah, there's the rub right there. Hmmm - wonder if I could enlist the high school drama club. Gotta ponder that .... Thanks for all the input. Ed |
ThinkThurston New user 66 Posts |
Hi Ed -- Have you performed to the large audience yet? I'm a ways away from performing in front of a large audience and I'd love to hear how it went you. If you haven't done so yet, I wish you the best!
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Ekuth Inner circle Floating above my 1538 Posts |
Fear. The biggest de-motivator that exists.
While I haven't hit any large crowds yet, I had an improptu performance the other night that I would call my first real "show". I had a group of around 20 kids and their parents eating out of my hand for about 15 - 20 minutes... and this was utterly and completely unplanned. I had been out busking and went to pick up my kids at the rec center here in town- the woman who runs it had never seen me in my "work clothes" and commented on how snappy I looked. I replied "I'm a magician- of course I look good!" and did a quick effect for her. (Yes, I was loaded for bear- I never set foot out the door without at least one trick/effect on me... you never know!) The next thing I know, I was surrounded by kids and had an utterly captive audience. Then the parents showed up to pick up their kids and got in on it. The rec center closed 10 mins late that night. That feeling of wonder in their eyes, the joy and surprise- the respect they showed (we're talking pre-teens too) was intoxicating. All of which I would have missed if I hadn't just jumped in with both feet. I'm definately looking forward to larger crowds.
"All you need is in Fitzkee."
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