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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » New to magic? » » Starting A Show At High school (1 Likes) Printer Friendly Version

Robbie_Sales
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26 Posts

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Tips and how much should I charge
1 hour long show
Room for 1,000 people
Tips on starting and finishing touches I should do.
Yellowcustard
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New Zealand
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Read the approuch http://www.sendwonder.com/
Join a local magic society,
Search here at the Café,

Also give us more information regarding what type of act you do and experience you have including how long you have been doing magic as well as how long you been performing for?

Knowing very little about you it hard to help but we are here to help.
Enjoy your magic,

and let others enjoy it as well!
spatrick
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Tom Sawyer let me whitewash these
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First and foremost,

get a good sound system. Speaker, PA, input for music, and a mic set up. You may even want someone to control it for you during the show.

With a room of up to a 1000 people you want to make sure you are heard.

I second Yellowcustards advice,

Do some research here on the Café, and join a local magic club if you can.

Without knowing how long you have been in magic, we don't know your experience level.

Simple formula : Start strong and flashy. Establish your character. Tell a story with background and character development, build a plot, introduce some conflict, solve the conflict, then do an encore.

Start strong, take the audience on a ride with many ups and downs, and then finish strong.

I hope this helps!

S. Patrick
MichaelJae
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Spatrick nailed it. First and foremost, Sound. Ive seen so many great performances being overshadowed by the lack of a quality sound system. This cannot be stressed enough. Its probably the most important piece of equipment a stage magician Requires. To answer your original question, whatever uou think your worth.
Thorn
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These comments and advice definitely nail it on the head . I don't have any experience being a stage magician but I can't imagine seating through a whole magic performance with no music or poor music like Michael stated. I would find myself becoming extremely easily distracted. Music can add so much different elements to a show which include but not limited to suspense,humor, or action.
Dick Oslund
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Quote:
On Oct 12, 2014, spatrick wrote:
First and foremost,

get a good sound system. Speaker, PA, input for music, and a mic set up. You may even want someone to control it for you during the show.

With a room of up to a 1000 people you want to make sure you are heard.

I second Yellowcustards advice,

Do some research here on the Café, and join a local magic club if you can.

Without knowing how long you have been in magic, we don't know your experience level.

Simple formula : Start strong and flashy. Establish your character. Tell a story with background and character development, build a plot, introduce some conflict, solve the conflict, then do an encore.

Start strong, take the audience on a ride with many ups and downs, and then finish strong.

I hope this helps!

S. Patrick


It is apparent (at least to me!) that he doesn't even have a SHOW yet! (See his "questions" in the three fora he has posted in, in the past several weeks

Most schools of any size, HAVE A SOUND SYSTEM. Your comment is well intentioned, (here comes the 'but':) but, before he can even think of performing, he needs to learn the fundamentals of producing a show. IMO, (judging from the questions he has posed in the three fora) he has not the slightest idea of show production, or presentation. (In one of his comments, he asks about a CAR VANISHING ILLUSION!)

Yellow Custard asked some GOOD questions, and offered some D--- GOOD ADVICE.

Joining a magic club is a "nice" idea, I suspect there is no such club in his area. (I may be wrong!) If one does exixt in his vicinity, he would be LUCKY if anyone in the club could help him, considering his apparent general attitude, and rather apparent level of talent/ability. --Plus his rather poor ability to express himself!

Again, I'm sure you mean well, (here comes that 'but' again:) but, you mention that you don't know how long he has been "in" magic, or what his experience level is. Therefore, I seriously doubt that he has any ides of what you are talking about, in your next two sentences. So, even though you hope that your post helps, I fear that your sincere wish to be helpful, isn't going to help--unless, perhaps, your comments MIGHT help him realize how UNREADY he is.

I will wrap this up,and come back shortly with directions to the other 2 fora in which he first posted his question(s?)
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
Dick Oslund
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I'm back~
Robbie Sales, on Oct.2,in GRAND ILLUSIONS, made a post, asking for "any ideas". Oliver Ross,John Wllls, and Terry Holley (me, too) asked some questions, gave him some advice. Read the thread!

Check THIS forum--NEW TO MAGIC--"Starting a Show in High School" for the OP's post. He got some thoughts from my friend,Oliver, et al.
Read that thresd!

On Oct. 6 "Need some New Ideas", Robbie posted and got comments from Jay Leslie George 1953, and, me. Read that thread!

I rest my case! ("You cannot smarten up a chump!")
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
Dick Oslund
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Quote:
On Oct 16, 2014, Thorn wrote:
These comments and advice definitely nail it on the head . I don't have any experience being a stage magician but I can't imagine seating through a whole magic performance with no music or poor music like Michael stated. I would find myself becoming extremely easily distracted. Music can add so much different elements to a show which include but not limited to suspense,humor, or action.


First, see my post to S. Patrick above.

IMHO those comments by Mr. Patrick (though certainly well intentioned) missed "the nail" by a foot or two.

Now, to your comments~~~
I HAVE a about 20 years experience as a part time professional, stage, snd/or platform performer, and over 45 years experience as a full time stage, platform performer. (Around 20,000 shows) Most of those shows were in schools, from Kindergarten through Senior High Schools (and a bunch of colleges, too) Thousands of those high schools sent in reports to the booking offices. The reports "said" EXCELLENT, or WELL PLEASED, or SUPERIOR! (Many, further stated: "Best program we've had from your office.") I received my share of STANDING OVATIONS. Many of those appearances were REPEAT ENGAGEMENTS.

I NEVER HAD ANY MUSIC ACCOMPANIMENT!

Music accompaniment can certainly add much to a show. (here comes the "but:) But, musical accompaniment is not the "SINE QUA NON"!

Dic you ever see AL FLOSSO? JAY MARSHALL, BILLY McCOMB? (to name only a FEW!)

Music can augment a talented performer's show. (here comes that "but" again! But, a full symphony orchestra wouldn't have helped the "magician" I saw last month.

Dick Oslund,
sneaky, underhanded, devious, and surreptitious itinerant mountebanc! --and soon to be certified as a genuine quacksalver.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
Dick Oslund
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Quote:
On Oct 15, 2014, MichaelJae wrote:
Spatrick nailed it. First and foremost, Sound. Ive seen so many great performances being overshadowed by the lack of a quality sound system. This cannot be stressed enough. Its probably the most important piece of equipment a stage magician Requires. To answer your original question, whatever uou think your worth.


Sorry, SPatrick needs a bigger hammer!

Sound is most definitely important, but it's not always necessary to use a sound amplification system. IT DEPENDS ON THE SIZE OF THE AUDITORIUM, AND THE PERFORMER'S ABILITY TO PROJECT.

The late Charlie Edwards, old, pro. busker, was asked what he "got" for a show. He replied, "I get what I'm worth!" (And, he did!)

I was 13 when I booked my first (part time)professional show, in 1945. I worked on percentage. I did 40 minutes. I made $26.00. A lot of grown men were working all week for that, in 1945! In today's money that would run about $250 to 300. --But, I HAD A SHOW!!!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
Robbie_Sales
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Thanks for everyones input. I really appreciate it.
JayFredericks
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Robbie, having done quite a few shows on a school stage, let me offer up a few pointers.
First, the school probably has a sound system. Make ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that you have someone who knows how to work it there to assist you. Sound is not just music, it's also your mic, and if you're performing in front of a thousand people, then you need one unless you've had voice training.
If you can, use some of the students in your show. Not as spectators, but IN the show. If you have students in the show - even just to assist you, then their friends and parents will attend.
Besides the sound, don't rely on the school to help you with anything, even if it's their event. They might say they can do this or that...best not to believe it.
Next is a question...Are you performing for yourself or the school? What I mean is...why the school? Is this a fundraiser? Do you have some sort of arrangement with the school to just use their auditorium/theater? This is important because you asked about what you should charge and that question is impossible to answer without knowing what expenses there will be. If it's a school event, they will advertise it, and you should see what the school typically charges for similar (IE Theatrical) events and charge similarly.
Also, who is your audience? The students? The parents of students? Just the people in that area?
A ton of other questions come to mind that I will leave out, and just close it up with offering up my best wishes for a successful event!

If it's YOUR event and you are just using the theater, then
Robbie_Sales
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It is my event and I am just using the schools theater. My audience is the people in the area of the school.


I decided that my opener trick would be the Enchanted Rubric Cube.
Dick Oslund
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>>> Jay Fredericks!

Your pointers re; sound system, are good advice. But, does he know HOW TO USE A MIKE? The best system is not of any value,if the speaker/performer does not know proper USE of the mike. I have seen far too many amateurs DIE on stage--and their "show" died with them because of improper mike technique.

You say,"If you can use some of the students in your show." From what I've observeed in his responses to those who made suggestions, HE DOESN'T HAVE A SHOW! (See his last post, just above. He has decided on an opening trick!

How will his friends and parents KNOW, WHO will be "in the show"???

You are right regarding help from the school, unless you are willing to pay for their help.

I have been in $HOW BU$INE$$ most of my life. Is he "four walling" this production? Who is paying LIABILITY INSURANCE? Who "has" the "front door"? Who is in charge of "promotion"? ETC.???

You ask a sensible question, "Who is your audience?"

You offer up your "best wishes for success"! --So,did those on the dock when the TITANIC left port!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You didn't finish your last sentence......

Ah yes! Fools rush in, where angels fear to tread!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
Dick Oslund
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Many who read these threads, may think that I'm a negative old curmudgeon. They are certainly welcome to their opinions.

I've been "at this" for most of mhy life, I've seen MANY young kids with "stardust in their eyes", but no "sawdust in their shoes", spend a lot of money, foolishly, because they had no "business plan", or show experience.

They would jump into the pool (there aint no shallow end in this pool!) before they knew how to swim, and they drowned! TOPS magazine had a column and every month a young fellow would be named, "magician of the month", or would have his picture on the cover. Only sbout 2% of them were ever heard of again!

Neil Foster charged them $1500.00 for the Chavez Course. They would learn a lot about stage deportment. They would learn MANY sleight of hand "moves", MANY of those moves were overly "contrived" and definitely out dated moves. They would graduate, and then come to me, to learn how to get booked! That, they expected me to do for FREE!

I'm discussing some of this in the book.

They would hand me their card, which had their name and "member of IBM and/or SAM, and/or "graduate of the Chavez Course", AND, "professional magician"
printed on it.

My stock answer is/was: "Take your show on the road for a season. Get a a 95% 'good show' ratiing from the agency. Be classed as a 'standard act',
Come home with,your health, sanity, money in your pocket, and ready to hit the road again, next season! THEN, you are (perhaps) a PROFESSIONAL!

I'm writing this, not to discourage ANYONE. I'm writing this to AWAKEN young Mr. Sales (and others who may be contemplating "jumping into the pool" before they even know how to tread water.

A salesman must have something to sell! A magician (is also a salesman!)needs a SHOW to sell, and perform!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
Oliver Ross
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Dick,

To support you, I must say that you're not a negative old curmudgeon ! Not at all !!! And I insist. To me, you're like a guide and I love to read your experience her on the Café.

My opinion is, that is better to give young people the real world expertise and reality facts straight on, then leaving them in their clouds of dreams...and that's what you do.

I prefere someone hitting me with a rock telling me that I'm totally wrong, then someone who just says it looks nice, in the way not to hurt me.

Onjective critic is more important and valuable in my eyes, and that's what you give...and you're not the only one. Others here on the Café are aswell, like John Willis, Bill Hegbli and Michael Baker, just to name a few. Those are the critics and advices that I personally appreciate a lot.

Even international well known magicians, like David Copperfield answer those question with your stock answer : The best way to get better is to do shows and continue to work on it until it's really good, polished and that the audience feels that you're professional.

Working in a vacation resort myself, I do my show once a week and it's the same show since three years...but it polishes the show and helps me to be even better. Only now I start to change a few effects, but not everything so the people coming back get something new next year and I still got a good show until the new effects or new show parts are completely polished.

By the way I forgot to thank you for refering me in the other post of Robbie_Sales, when he asked for advice on new effects. Please forgive me Dick.

To close I really emphasize on the fact that I believe that you're 200% right, that young people should start to listen to the old school people. And I would call myself old scholl aswell even though I have half the age of the people here in the Café, I referred earlier in this post, at least I believe (By the way I'm not that sure about John Willis concerning our age difference Smile )


Oliver.
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