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MichaelDouglas Special user Portland, Oregon 766 Posts 
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I've started to up-charge an extra $25 for outdoor shows. I just hate them. I get all sweaty for any following show. Ants crawl onto my stuff. Wind blows stuff around. Kids get distracted more easily. I could go on and on.... I know a couple of guys who just don't do outdoor birthday shows any more.
Do you still do outdoor shows? Do you charge extra for them? How do you discourage parents from requesting them? How do you adjust your show for being outdoors? |
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Red Shadow  Inner circle 1788 Posts
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I do them, but have decided just a few months ago to always get a deposit from them. I don't usually take deposits, but after several cancelled shows, all where I was to perfom outside got cancelled due to bad weather - I decided enough was enough and now the client must pay a deposit or they can't have me.
Steve |
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MichaelCGM Inner circle Oklahoma City 2286 Posts
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I started charging double for outdoor shows... but I hate them so much, I finally stopped doing them altogether. I'm much happier now.
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts
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Michael
We get paid lots of money to make people laugh for a short period of time, and if you don't like sweating on the job try an air conditioned day job, but remember after the first 40 hours week for chump change you will be happy to sweat like a pig for big bucks. The Summer time is when I clean up, and I do as many big bucks out door jobs as possible. Are you more interested in being comfortable or making money?????
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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Scott O. Inner circle Midwest 1143 Posts
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I do a few outdoor birthday parties -- but not many. The quality of the show does suffer at times due to the heat, wind, distraction, etc. I let the parent know up front that I prefer to do the show inside if at all possible. Then I explain why. Parents want the best for their kids, and will most times listen to my reasons and offer a space inside. It tell them that "even if the rest of the party is outside, you'll get the best show for your child's birthday if we can bring the kids in just for the magic show. It makes that part even more special -- like coming to a theater. Then once the show is over, out they go." Assure them it will be painless and better.
Still, there are some that just don't want the show inside for various reasons. So, I do a few outside. But at least the parents are aware of the potential problems.
Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest, if you do not give up. Galatians 6:9
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Ryan Price Special user winnipeg, MB, Canada 641 Posts
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I have recently decided to increase the rate for birthdays that are outside. Fairs and festivals are a totally different ball game as the starting rate is already much higher and are usually outside.
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wizardpa Inner circle The New Orleans area 1011 Posts
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I do them, but I don't like them at all. I'm not yet to the point where I can turn them down, or even charge more.
Maybe one day. |
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MichaelDouglas Special user Portland, Oregon 766 Posts
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Quote:
On 2012-07-30 12:33, ku7uk3 wrote: Thanks Steve. I collect a deposit on all shows except schools and retirement communities. Your post makes me want to revisit my Performance Agreement and add a clause in there about keeping the deposit when they cancel due to weather issues. I'll have to think that through. Quote:
Al, I'm sue glad that I have thick skin...lol. I run regularly and have no issue with sweating. My issue with outdoor birthday parties is that when I have a 1pm outdoor birthday party, then some of my gear picks up grass and bugs. When I get to my 4pm show then I'm tracking debris & possibly insects into someones nice home from the outdoor show at 1pm. Plus, I try to be very careful to not walk into my next gig smelling like I've just been outside for hours sweating in the sun. It's really more about trying to be as professional as I can be. Yes, I do take an extra shirt also. It's less about my comfort and more about the comfort of my audience and customers. Quote:
On 2012-07-30 13:24, Scott O. wrote: Scott, I love this line. Thanks for sharing that. Quote:
On 2012-07-30 13:43, Ryan Price wrote: I'm in agreement with you on this Ryan. I have no issue with performing for outdoor corporate/festival events...just did a 4 hour picnic last Sat. When doing those, I'm not leaving there and heading to another gig. Oh...yeah, and the money is certainly much nicer. Thanks so much for the comments guys. I love learning from all of you. |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts
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I am 100 timesa hungrier than I am fussy.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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Ryan Price Special user winnipeg, MB, Canada 641 Posts
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Of course Al's show is also different then the majority of us as far as I can tell. Isn't your show more of a busker style? If so it is built to be performed outside where as most magicians build the show to be performed indoors.
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MichaelCGM Inner circle Oklahoma City 2286 Posts
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Quote: That is fantastic - the theater part. Really innovative. Mind if I steal it, or use some variation of it? Really, really good stuff!On 2012-07-30 13:24, Scott O. wrote: I tell them that "even if the rest of the party is outside, you'll get the best show for your child's birthday if we can bring the kids in just for the magic show. It makes that part even more special -- like coming to a theater. |
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iwillfoolu Special user Upstate NY, USA 746 Posts
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I really try to influence the client to have the show indoors. I mention "bees, neighbor's mowing lawns, airplanes, the wind, and sunstroke" to put the image of their mind of all the issues associated with the outdoors, that can be prevented simply by having the party inside.
If they insist on having the show outside, I don't use my backdrop and I dress much more casually. I don't raise the rate, but I do end up providing less value. I make that clear to the client that they will get more for their money, and a better performance with an indoor show. Perhaps I should just turn down outdoor parties. I've performed at more than one that the bugs were relentless. Joey D |
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts
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Outside, inside, it makes no difference to me whatsoever. I design my shows to play anywhere. I just spent the weekend at my annual mediaeval faire where all the shows are done out of doors. Tomorrow I'm doing a library program that will be outside as well.
Outdoor shows just require a different mindset and must be designed to play where there will be wind, uneven ground, no electricity and various sorts of distractions.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Dr. Delusion Special user Eugene, Oregon. 733 Posts
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I also charge the same amount for both inside and and outside shows.
Since Al Juggles for part of his show I would imagine that he works up a bit more of a sweat than most of us ! Bob. |
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts
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A few years ago I was more for the outside door shows. I had me a full sized van. I would open the side doors and set my backdrop by attaching the crossbar to the side door. It was all easy to set up because it felt like I had a compact and portable magic show. I also had three car batteries hooked up on the van. I had a electric outlet (forgot what it is really called) hooked up to it to so I can plug in my AC PA system. I always tried to convince my customers to have the magic show outside in front of the house. I no longer have the van. I hate the weather now. I am using less props. Now I like going inside more, especially because of keeping my pets out of the heat.
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danfreed Inner circle West Chester PA 1354 Posts
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I despise hot weather, and I hate being in full sun(part vampire), but I do shows outdoors anyway. I consider it part of the job, and I'd miss out on half my work if I didn't. I don't have too many problems performing outdoors, and if it's hot I scale back the outfit. But I do like the idea of talking birthday moms indoors if done tactfully.
Dan Freed
AKA The Amazing Spaghetti https://www.magiciandanfreed.com/birthday-party-magician-for-kids http://thecaricatureartist.com http://danieljayfreed.com |
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Danny Diamond Inner circle Connecticut 1400 Posts
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I HATE outdoor shows with a passion, for all of the reasons mentioned previously...and just a few weeks ago, I got one new reason to hate em...
Halfway thru an outdoor bday show, I turn around and see the family dog lifting his leg and peeing directly onto my Lefler suitcase table. It sat in the 90° direct sun for the next 25 min or so until the show was over the mother came out and half-heartedly sprayed the table with some cleaner and then went back to tend to her guests. Ugh... That said, I DO take many outdoor shows each year because I enjoy earning and feeding my family - but I do everything in my power to convince the client why an indoor show is best.
You don't drown by falling in the water;
you drown by staying there. - Edwin Louis Cole |
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kenscott Inner circle 1869 Posts
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Exactly what payne said. I just choose not to do them. I know several other guys who would do much better outside than me and send the jobs to them. For me the outside birthday party suffers. To many elements to deal with.
Ken |
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billappleton Inner circle Los Gatos, California 1154 Posts
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Are any of you guys in the Bay Area? The outdoor weather seems great for magic during the summer half of the year.
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts
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I do outside or inside. I don't charge more for inside but maybe I should? Nothing wrong with finding a "reason" to charge more.
However, talk about sweating. I've been in some really hot living rooms! Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Posted: Jul 30, 2012 04:24 pm 
Laus Deo!
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