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J.G. the magnificent Special user Griffith Indiana 886 Posts |
I have been doing shows for a little over I think a year now. Right now there is not much profit but I am looking to do my best. A good show means people talking more and the more shows the better. Recently got a show for Haloween and realizing the act I had performed for adults in the bar wouldn't be apropriate for children. I had to change the routine thus purchasing needed things. More props is not always the answer but without these items my show would not be the full routine.
My parents were upset that I bought the things. Even though I would get the money back plus more for the gas when I did the show. If I half to buy more for a show as long as I am getting the money back with the show. Is it worth it or do I turn the show down? I mean isn't that part of going to bigger things, taking opportunities and trying your best to please the customer?
Jeremy Gates
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syko159 New user 23 Posts |
The way I look at it is that you have to invest into any business before you can start making profits. Don't pass up on a show. But props and items that you can continually use and soon you will profit off of them.
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Pzak97 New user 53 Posts |
That is a good way to grow your show. Typically, you would take profits and reinvest after the show, but in this case you have to gamble a bit that the show isn’t canceled. Just make sure you are comfortable with the new props when it comes time perform.
A one show pay back for new props is pretty good, business wise
Regards,
Mike Petryszak |
55Hudson Special user Minneapolis 984 Posts |
Jeremy,
You may want to come to an understanding with your parents regarding magic and how much time and money you spend on magic. One approach might be to split the money from your shows into three buckets - savings, contribute to the household /pay living expenses, and magic expenses. Included in magic expenses would be things like gas to get to the show, new props, lessons, DVDs and books. That way you would be treating magic more like a business - you won't find too many pros spending all they make on new props -- what would they live on? Regarding taking a show or not, think about what audiance you want to focus on and get really great at giving them a show. The very best pros do a few tricks very, very well. They know who they are, who their audiance is, and what their show is. Good luck! Hudson |
krowboom Loyal user Chicago area 233 Posts |
You first have to decide who you want to do shows for and what kind of shows you want to do. Obviously you perform different material for adults than for kids and for kids the difference in ages presents challenges as well. Being a magician means you are an entertainer. A good magician can entertain with the simplest of props or the most elaborate. You have to build the show around your strengths and what you like to do. Duane Laflin on one of his DVDs boasts being able to do hours of material with just a small case of silks. You could probably do a show for kids with just silks, sponge balls, and ropes. For adults you could add a deck of cards to the a fore mentioned items and have a great show. The previous post gave good advice as to doing a few tricks well and knowing your audience. Buy additional props sparingly and with lots of forethought. Evaluate how well it would play in the show, how many minutes you can get out of it, and what is its entertainment value. Props are only as good as the presentation and patter surrounding them. Hope this helps a little. Good luck
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Dr Art Regular user 170 Posts |
Look into getting a magic education and investing in books that have a lot of different effects using simple props. There are tons of rope routines that are really entertaining and rope is cheap. You can always invest in props to jazz things up, but also concentrate on learning tricks that don't cost much. eg. torn and restored newspaper.
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