The topic says it all really. Where does one acquire funds in exchange for the performance of a stage manipulation act?

Magically yours,

Michel.

Crazy Horse Saloon in France. Norm Nielsen worked their for many years as well a Tom Mullica, and Finn Jon.

The days of short acts is long gone, there use to be between stage setting for big gala shows in Las Vegas, don't think they do that any more.

What can be done is to place a short manipulation act into your show you book.

Cruise Ships offer a place for such an act still today, but you have to also have other acts as well.

What many magicians over look is that many manipulation acts in the hay days of vaudeville were talking acts.

Also manipulation magic can be incorporated into a good comedy act as well with funny patter. The magician that I noted has successfully done this is Fielding West, combining comedy patter with manipulation and dove magic.

Not everyone is a Lance Burton, Norm Nielsen, or Channing Pollock. So being able to change with the times, it is most important to keep working with something you love to do as a vocation in life. You just have to finger a way to make what you have to offer fit with the latest changes in the show business world.

In this business, you have to go where the work is, and do everything you can to convince them you fit their image.

YES!!!

I'm 85. (I should be 86, but, I was sick for a year.)

When I was 20, I did ball manip. coins, cards, silks, etc. I was trying to be "swayve & deboner". The members of Ring 103, who only did cans, pans, tubes, boxes, and red velvet bags on a stick, thought that I was a "god". I bought "white tie and tails" + white gloves, and a top hat, + cane to table.

An agent got me a "showcase" date. The audience was polite and appreciative. The agent asked me, "Can't you make 'em laugh?" I replied, "I think so." He answered, "Make 'em laugh, and, I'll get you lots of work!" I did, and, he did. I sold the tails, top hat, gloves, and, cane to table!

I started talking, and did lots of sleight of hand stuff. I still do. (well, I am retired, so, it's now, only an occasional "spot date".)

I produced a 45 minute show, and, booked it, on a part time basis for about 20 years. I even did an "illusionette" (arm chopper!) Finally, when an opportunity "happened", I auditioned for Lyceum work (school assemblies). For the next 50 years, I was never "out of work". (The managers called ME!) That area of the bu$ine$$, has changed. Only two of the, once, many companies, now exist.

$how bu$ine$$ is always changing! A performer must be able to produce a "product" that is salable.

Bill gave you the "facts"!

After I wrote the above, Michel, it occurred to me, that, since you appear to be quite "new", I might add a few more thoughts.

After I published my book, "Dick Oslund -- Road Scholar" two years ago, I received many requests for a DVD, that could help readers to more fully understand the show that I did.

I had several tapes of programs done in elementary schools. They are not "studio quality". They were shot by magic friends who were visiting. One (Duane Laflin) forgot his tripod so, every time that he laughed, we got a quick view of the ceiling!

The shows were presented in lunch rooms, gymnasiums, etc., with typical gym lighting, etc.

However the viewer will get a good idea of how I presented basically, sleight of hand, "non box" tricks!

The DVD sells for $20.00 + $5.00 postage, (CONUSA) I'm "running an April Fool Sale for the month of April (50% off the DVD price) So, the DVD + postage (CONUSA) is $20.00. If interested, PM me.

OOOOPS! My "educated fingers" didn't "do" it! Either that, or my brain's "mathematics function was not functioning!

That should be $10.00 for the DVD, plus $5.00 for the postage.

You csn do manipulations every where. I did it in my kids show. Now I do it in my pirate show as in my medieval show.

One option is to incorporate a manipulation _act_ into a more conventional platform _show_. Denny Haney does a great show with routines like the the Hindu Basket, Torn & Restored Newspaper, Malini Egg Bag, Girl on Sword Suspension, Razor Blades, Multiplying Bottles, Sub Trunk... and an interlude of card manipulation. The first time I saw Andre Kole's show for "Campus Crusade for Christ," he did illusions, apparatus... and an interlude of exhibition card fans.

Lay audiences appreciate a magician who does a little "magic-of-the-hands" along with the apparatus "box tricks" because they can sense when the magic is in the box and when the magic is in the magician.

----- Amado "Sonny" Narvaez

It is also possible to perform manipulation magic on the street like Jeff Sheridan, made his living in New York. Some find a monument or bushes as their background to help with angles. A manipulator should work the props more in front of the body in this performing environment. Some use a shoulder bag as a pocket to work out of, so they do not have to wear a jacket.

In addition:

You have to master your trade, be the best you can be.

Don't be a one trick wonder, you will need variety, Cards, Balls, Coins, Thimbles, CD's, Oriental Fans, Parasols, and the list goes on, as the time to master them is not when a client says, can you ...

Have a solid manipulation act as well as an hour show of magic effects.

Then is time to become a salesman, get out and get exposure of who you are and what you do.

Target Market the kind of shows you want to do, theaters, home parties, conventions, whatever you see yourself performing.

The rest of life will be a daily process of practicing the act and show, sell your services to everyone you come in contact with, getting information and building a prospect list.

Any new life requires money, and you should stop buying all magic, as you have your acts. Start saving, because when a prospect wants to talk to you or hire you, you will need the money to go and close the deal. It may even require moving, who knows.

This technique of incorporating manipulation into a larger show goes back quite a ways. Thurston did card manipulation in his show, which was otherwise illusions. Kalanag did a wonderful Billiard Ball segment in his illusion show.

I have always preferred to script my shows to include "vignettes", as I call them. These are isolated segments that break up the show and add variety. Very often these are done to music, and are often segments of manipulation.

Many performers I have seen will open with a music/manipulation act, and then transition into a standard patter-type act. I've done that myself.

That's the thing. You often have to open with the manipulation because of body loads. You couldn't very well do a dove act halfway through an hour long show.

I used two doves in the middle of a 45 minute show. The doves "did" 8 minutes. I had a girl, or an adult lady up. The first dove came from a dove bag. I used lots of 'schtick'. The second was produced from a couple of silks. (Stole bird from my prop table.)

I didn't consider doves as "manipulation". Manipulation generally involves cards, balls, or coins ("finger flinging"!)

I did all the flashy card "flourishes" (angle proof) ball "flourishes" and, the "Perpetual Balls", visible penetration of ball thru silk, etc. Coins was the Misers Dream (done with kids and a bucket).

Michael Fouche, it all depends on how you set up the manipulations. It can be as simple as working out of a box set on a table to body loads. If body loads, it is simple to just change your jacket or vest, an you are ready to go.

Neil Foster did all his steals out of his box table, as long as you have a reason to go near the box, steals can be made. Some manipulators use a hat. I think it is in Tarbell for the hand band load, the simple move of picking up the hat, a load an be obtained.

A pocket can be used in this same manner. There is no set rule for obtaining steals, you have to think outside the box.

Say you have to do an outside show, are you rally going to wear a vest or jacket in ninety degree, sun blistering day.

You statement, say you have not prepared yourself for all performing situations you will encounter. In other words, you are not ready for paid performances.

If you get a booking, and walk in, and find the performing setup not to your liking, are you going to leave, because the you cannot work in the conditions as they are presented.

Yes, you can make suggestions to a client, but you cannot make demands, and many times, your suggestions are not possible or accepted, and you are their, and have to fulfill the contract.

Right, Bill!

@Michel!!!

Neil Foster was a friend for many years, and, we "thought alike". I mentioned that I did school shows for 50+ years. "School shows" are "K Mart Show Business"! It's the volume! Neil did several seasons in schools, but, couldn't continue (health problems).

There's no time to change to "show wardrobe" (and, seldom a dressing room facility") When I started, I wore a "sharp" suit. That's what principals wore. In later years, I dressed more casually (A 'blazer" and nice shirt and pants). I remember a tour in the southern states, in late spring. I worked in a fancy tee shirt and Bermuda shorts and sandals!

Other than a silk and a TT, plus a few coins in my pants pockets, everything else was in the prop case. One or two props needed minor set up. Everything else was "grab & do". NO "DITCH" BAG! I could move in and set up in less than 5 minutes, and "pack" in less! The school wanted a 45 minute program. In the early days, it was 60 minutes.

There aren't many markets for an 8 minute "vaudeville" act!

Allow me to add, there are not many markets for 8 minute "vaudeville" acts in America....

the magician should always comes from another land....or at least seem like it. mystique and intrigue..

Yeah Nick!

THAT "worked" for Ching Ling Foo, or was it Chung Ling Soo!? and, others, too!

I do a ball manipulation act and everything comes from a little box. I did not wanted to have the loads on me. this way I pick up the box and start.

Me, too! --That's what comes from being a PRACTICAL professional!

What I mean is that in 2017, there's lots of places for vaudeville acts, just not so much in america.

and remember the pro is always from Dover, not hometown usa...

Like Dick I perform many many many school shows thru my national tours. I always open with a manipulation act that I designed that ends with my custom dove to girl Blammo. this sets the stage for the audience to know that this is going to be a great show. I use this act to open all my shows these days whether a college, church, casino, or where ever I always open with the manip act.

my show runs any where from 55 minutes to 90 minutes depending on where I am and what the client wants.

point is a manipulation act is a very nice set piece that will set the stage for whats to come. its the appetizer for the bigger show. as pointed out by Dick and others you need to talk and communicate with the audience.

if you are looking to just run a manip act of 7-9 minutes look into magic conventions or other touring shows that want a manip act. the illusionist and masters of illusion touring shows both show case manip acts.

but if its just a manip act it needs to be very strong.

good luck in your endeavors.

sam,