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Montana76 Inner circle I hope I one day reach 1177 Posts |
So happy that it is going so well! Keep on keeping on and HAVE FUN!!
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Levi Bennett Inner circle 1778 Posts |
Thanks Montana! I actually have extended my hours already and we're adding another day once summer starts to wind down, our Tucson winter visitors come back and we add another band on Wednesday. I'll be working Wednesday before the band. I mentioned to him that we might consider a stage show in the future and he spoke to his partner and he's all for it. So in about 6 months to a year I may very well be doing a stage show 1 night per week.
Thanks again for the kind words!
Performing magic unprofessionally since 2008!
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Greg755 Regular user 126 Posts |
Theodore said... "I got the gig! I'm so excited to be a part of this restaurant! I'm proud to be working here. Great food, great atmosphere and an awesome vision for the future that they want me to be a part of. I feel so extremely blessed!"
If more people had this attitude you would see more people working. Who doesn't want to hire that guy???? Good job Theodore! |
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Levi Bennett Inner circle 1778 Posts |
Thanks Greg!
Performing magic unprofessionally since 2008!
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eatonmagic Special user Orlando, FL 737 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 5, 2014, Theodore Lawton wrote: Hey Theodore, Congrats on your happiness. It always makes me smile to see someone pursue a passion rather than a "job". My question to you regarding the above statement is exactly HOW are you able to prove you have increased his business? Can you track it down to the penny or is he just telling you? Again, VERY happy for you |
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Levi Bennett Inner circle 1778 Posts |
Michael- Monetarily or by tracking covers, no I cannot. I've read on the Café that you have a pretty complicated system for doing this, but for me I just look at bodies coming in the door. When I can point to people that wouldn't have come there for any other reason than to see me then I consider that increasing his business. Oversimplified and probably inaccurate, but I'm still bringing people in to see me and drink and dine at the restaurant.
And I have made some upsells by suggesting items to customers. I also have new people wanting to come back simply because they are fans of magic, are excited that one of their local restaurants has a magician and only just found out I was there. He is also is excited with all the positive feedback he's been getting about me; he says people talk to him about me all the time- again, not an accurate tracking method, but it's encouraging. We'll be adding me to the website soon and are developing a showcard for the waiting area. But if you have some advice in this area I'd be happy to learn from it. I want to be a major part of the team at this establishment that contributes to its profitability- it will be a win/win for both of us. I'd still like to talk to you about your costs for a website as well. Pm me about your hours of availability. Thanks! Theodore-
Performing magic unprofessionally since 2008!
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james prince Loyal user England 233 Posts |
Coming in late on this one, as not often in the Café these days - but would like to add my congratulations
Any specific concerns or questions, feel free to PM me for another opinion Best Luck James |
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Montana76 Inner circle I hope I one day reach 1177 Posts |
I have a question Theodore!
Are you going by 3 sets of 3? How have you put your effects together? I am really struggling to make sense of my sets.. Opener and closer and all that... |
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Levi Bennett Inner circle 1778 Posts |
Montata- No, I don't do 3 sets of 3.
I re-read this after typing and I apologize for the length- hope you get something out of this post you can use. I usually do my 1 cup routine as an opener and see how the vibe is from there. Actually- let me rephrase that and start from the beginning. I have been really working on my introduction- giving the folks a really heartfelt welcome and a thank you for choosing our restaurant. They usually think I'm the manager. I feel the introduction sets the stage and opens the door and is extremely important. Take your time, be genuine, welcome them, thank them. Then I explain that I'm part of the entertainment and tell them what it is that I do. If they want to see magic I then will usually start with my 1 cup routine. Follow up tricks will be determined by audience reaction and the general vibe, as well as how much time I think I have before their food should come out. This will be determined by watching when they placed their order, feedback from a server, or just asking the guests and explaining I'm asking when they ordered so I don't interrupt their meal. Sometimes I only have time for two tricks. My cup routine and maybe an ACR to wallet. Other times I have several minutes or maybe it's a table full of children and I'll spend 15 minutes or so with them showing them many effects and having lots of fun with them. I do; however, have powerful tricks that I consider openers and closers and try to fill out the in between time with my other stuff. That said- I think all my effects could really be an opener or a closer because I want it all to be powerful if I get cut short on time. I really think that is the best way to go- make them all openers and closers and you can't go wrong. Make all your magic powerful, that way it doesn't matter if you have to quit when the food arrives. I also do have effects that work together using a theme. For instance- when people ask me the standard questions about money I may go into a C/S/B routine and follow that with my Color Monte routine because they are both about me and my ability to lose and/or not keep track of my money. Sometimes I will open with the cup and then follow it with spongeballs because they are similar objects. I personally don't feel a strong need to have to have effects linked together into a definite chain that "go" together though. I've noticed that if people are entertained and having fun, they don't care what you show them and they don't have to be inextricably linked. No one has ever complained about a poor segue into another trick. "Well, I can't believe you followed your cup routine with a card trick!" lol... I also have noticed that I will rarely perform for 1 table and then go to the table right next to that one. I will usually be going all over the floor. And even if I do a table right next to the one I was just at, they weren't paying enough attention to ruin the magic. They might have seen I was doing magic, seen and heard people clapping and laughing and usually remark that they saw fire- my business cards, but I never need to have a completely different set because people were staring at me from the next table. I imagine for walk around parties it might be different, but I just don't have that issue come up. I also love the freedom to jazz and keep it in the moment. Once you're in the trenches performing this will become second nature. I've learned more about people and performing in the past month of performing at the restaurant than I have in the last six years of practice and the occasional odd gig. Here's what I usually carry: My cup and balls for a 1 cup routine Spongeballs or rabbits C/S/B A plastic card wallet containing Color Monte, blank cards for signing, B'Wave An ID Sometimes a TT and silk if there are lots of children in the dining room A deck of cards I also have a flaming business card wallet- Hot Leads, a Sharpie and my Real Man's Wallet. Most of the evening I will be doing my cup routine, spongeballs and ACR to wallet at every table. When I want to mix it up or I see that I have more time I will go into the other effects. Again, this will vary with the table- if they start out asking about money I might go into the money effects. If it's kiddos I might open with the TT. I just jazz it and play it by ear. Sometimes I will also carry a deck containing Double Back and a 3 1/2 of spades for variety for me. And I am always ready to grab a deck containing Anniversary Waltz if the need arises. And I'm looking to start doing Stand Up Monte more often and adding To The Max when I finally feel comfortable doing it, but these will replace something else and I am comfortable with what I have for now. Hope that wasn't too rambling and you got something out of it. Theodore-
Performing magic unprofessionally since 2008!
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Montana76 Inner circle I hope I one day reach 1177 Posts |
Thank you for taking the time to answer! That was excactly what I was looking for!
May I ask what one cup you are using? I am looking into getting one but I find the Mini Chop Cups at RNT to be quite expensive.. I have the regular three cups penguin brass set, but I am guessing that will not do.. Thanks again! |
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Levi Bennett Inner circle 1778 Posts |
I use a Morrissey aluminum chop cup, but I do a routine that doesn't utilize the feature- it's all straight balls. So you could do a 1 cup routine with just one of your regular cups. I've seen Christopher Lyle do a 2 cup routine as well, if 2 cups is something you'd be into.
Many people like this one: http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/S13457 but if you get it I would recommend getting some adjustable RNT balls. I'm the guy who left the poor review of this cup on Penguin because I had to SLAM the cup. I didn't know about adjustable balls or I might still have it as it easily accommodates large loads and has a recessed base for holding balls while upside down. I bought my Morrissey right when I heard they were going out of business so I don't think you can get any of their large cups anymore, but I also have one of their mini coppers that I love! Here is a link to one of the few remaining mini aluminum ones that I know of: http://themagicwarehouse.com/cgi-bin/fin......OP%20CUP This also looks promising: http://themagicwarehouse.com/cgi-bin/fin......OP%20CUP
Performing magic unprofessionally since 2008!
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tommyellison Regular user 159 Posts |
Nice gig and great looking restaurant. One idea for you to try... ditch the suit and wear slacks and shirt with vest for props. The restaurant looks very informal. You may be more comfortable as well.
You may also try wearing a referee's uniform to fit the sports theme of the restaurant. Working the bar where people are awaiting a table - you patter about being a "line judge"... Use 'em or lose 'em (the suggestions) Tommy |
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Magic Patrick Inner circle Minnesota 1591 Posts |
Very Awesome!!! Thank you for sharing your victory and journey. Congrats to you!
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Levi Bennett Inner circle 1778 Posts |
Thank you!
Performing magic unprofessionally since 2008!
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