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MagicDaveNYC New user NYC 35 Posts |
Hello everyone. I'm a long time lurker. This is my first post. I just did my first busking gig today in Central Park NYC. It was terrifying and exhilarating! I know it will get easier with time and experience. The fear was the biggest obstacle for me.
Jimmy's book was a huge help... So was Koz's video and the Cellini trilogy on street performing. I followed Koz's advice on engaging people and bringing them into my space. I gathered my crowd today by standing there with a thumb-tip and a red silk and saying hi to almost everyone that walked by... then telling them to "watch this trick... it's a so cool... or amazing... or etc." And people would stop here and there and then a small crowd would build. It's funny because I wanted people to stop of course... but at the same time... I didn't because then I had to actually do something and face my fear! I tried to engage people as much as possible and even told them in a joking way that it was my first time out and I had no clue what I was doing. This actually endeared people to me and got them on my side... funny. Anyway this community has been a tremendous resource for me. I come here often and read the posts. I'm so grateful to all you guys! Thanks. Dave |
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cbguy Veteran user 350 Posts |
Dave, Nice job. I'm glad to hear you got out there and gave it a shot. Kos's DVD is an absolute gold mine. I highly, highly encourage you to learn his one coin routine to stop them. It works really well. In fact, being brand new to busking, you should really learn his entire street act. He gives it away and it has literally been his bread and butter for his entire performing career. It put his kids through college. The reason I'm suggesting you learn his act is not only because it works, but also because it will help give you a solid framework of what works and why it works. Eventually, you can slowly replace Kozmo's stuff with your own, but don't rush changing it. Focus on doing it exactly as he teaches it. Anyway, good on you for getting out there and giving it a shot. Keep at it and it'll keep getting better.
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Yellowcustard Inner circle New Zealand 1334 Posts |
Two things I loved in the original post
1- It was terrifying and exhilarating! . 2- It's funny because I wanted people to stop of course... but at the same time... I didn't because then I had to actually do something and face my fear! i am a part time busker and I still feel like this and some old pros say they still get it some times. I think cbguy speaks a lot of sense. Because in some ways you don't want your act to be a copy of someones, but then if you copy stuff that works you get to see first hand how and why it works. But to be honest it sounds as if you have a plan and you have done the first thing and that's get out their. GREAT JOB!
Enjoy your magic,
and let others enjoy it as well! |
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helder Inner circle Portugal 1065 Posts |
Quote:
On May 7, 2017, MagicDaveNYC wrote: Nice job. Congratulations. Now do it again. Helder
My version of Eddie fetcher "Be Honest What's it?" it's available at Penguin Magic
Check my Facebook group: Mentalism Secrets Email: heldermagico@gmail.com www.facebook.com/heldermagico |
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Chatterbox41 Veteran user Atlanta, Georgia 349 Posts |
Awesome that you took the first step... I plan on doing that myself this year!
I've been performing for pay for over 40 years and have always wanted to try busking, but never have taken the time since Atlanta doesn't seem to be much of a busking town... hope to try it this summer though and look forward to learning from your experiences! Gary |
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Kyoki_Sanitys_Eclipse Inner circle 1513 Posts |
Congrats. I've only done it once but it was amazing. I plan on getting out there some more when I have time off the road
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MagicDaveNYC New user NYC 35 Posts |
Thanks for the positive feedback and encouragement. It means a lot to me!
In case anyone is interested... I didn't use a table and worked from my pockets. My show went as follows: Silk Vanish - to get first few specs Wand Vanish and appear in purse (ala Cellini) Sponge Balls on specs hands as table Ambitious card Rope Routine (Finale) Sometimes I added in Dan Garcia's Greed where I dropped the twenty into the hat with a joke that it should inspire the audience Next time I think I will bring a table and do my chop cup routine as the finale - but hate the idea of lugging a table around. I will go out again this coming weekend. I'm a high-school teacher so I will have the summer off to busk a lot... I used to teach summer school... not anymore. |
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Yellowcustard Inner circle New Zealand 1334 Posts |
There is a real freedom and benefit from working out of your pockets. I can perform at sevral locations in one day so beging ligth and free realy helps. I jump on my bike and move around. Also you if you can build a crowd with no eye candy then your learning a great skill. I look at other buskers and as soon as they pull out the 1000ft unicycle of fire the passers by imagination is pricked, a promise of something amazing is shown. I find its harder for magicians to do this however I find effect like Mario Morris, worlds most dangerous card trick help with this.
One thing I would suggest is choose your table wisely. Patrick Page use to get some one to hold a dinner plate for his chop cup whilst doing walk round.
Enjoy your magic,
and let others enjoy it as well! |
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Ish70 New user 38 Posts |
Awesome that you got out there, its a GREAT rush/high!
You mentioned doing a chop cup, check out JoJo's video with a Chop cup and the ground, no table. It may be of interest as it is a different, unique way of using the chop cup. |
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gallagher Inner circle 1168 Posts |
Hey Dave,
welcome in 'the gutter' (😊). "..it may be ugly, but here lies the Magic." I love your Post, ..because it inspired such great responces! Yellowcustard, really nails it. Helder, Kyoki, Ish, ..all really positive guys. Take their energy and run! cb also, is right on. Build your Show on a strong frame-work, then switch material out. In all honesty, I believe every sucessfull Performer, 'Street' or 'stage', has done this. hey Dave, I wish you well. I hope you keep reading AND WRITING,. in the Café; ....stories and thoughts, ideas and 'dreams' and "plans"(!); ...keep ALL of us rolling along, ..getting up and trying again,... 'coming back to earth', after a good day. Welcome, gallagher |
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Nickoli Sharpe Regular user Worldwide 160 Posts |
After doing a show sit down and write what worked and didn't work.
Use that as a guide on what to keep doing, take out what does not work. Try and do your show like 10 or 15 times in a day just bang them out. I guarantee you will get better. Then if your able video your last show of the day. Review before going back out. |
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Chatterbox41 Veteran user Atlanta, Georgia 349 Posts |
Quote:
On May 8, 2017, MagicDaveNYC wrote: Just curious... how long (time wise) was your performance? I'm retired from my "real job" and my wife's a teacher so am thinking about doing some busking as we travel this summer as well as around the home area when she returns to school. Gary |
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MagicDaveNYC New user NYC 35 Posts |
Hi Gary. I'm trying to do 10 minute shows... hat then start again over and over... I really need the practice as a rank beginner. Can't wait to go out again this weekend if the weather holds. I'm going to follow cbguy's advice and experiment with Kozmo's coin to eye to draw people in... I feel a little nervous doing the silk vanish since so many people seem to be hip to the method.
Thanks again to everyone for all the encouragement and helpful advice. Dave |
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Chatterbox41 Veteran user Atlanta, Georgia 349 Posts |
Quote:
On May 12, 2017, MagicDaveNYC wrote: I hear that 10 minute shows are the way to begin and that's what I plan on doing as well... I'm having a hard time doing multiple routines and keeping the time down to 10 minutes though... Gary |
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jakeg Inner circle 1741 Posts |
I haven't been on the street for years, but I do have Kozmo's fantastic DVD, wishing that it had been abvailable when I started out. So much pertinent info there,
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Chatterbox41 Veteran user Atlanta, Georgia 349 Posts |
Quote:
On May 12, 2017, jakeg wrote: I have Kozmo's DVD as well as those by Cellini, Gazzo, Pete Wardell... basically anything I have found in DVD's or books. Good info from all although not all applies for every pitch I'm sure. Love Koz's advice to start with three tricks... the problem I'm having is a lot of my routines last 4 or 5 minutes... I've been performing for over 40 years... and trying to get it down to 10 minutes is a challenge! Gary |
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jakeg Inner circle 1741 Posts |
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On May 13, 2017, Chatterbox41 wrote: Hey Gary, when we hit our age, the routines aren't long, we're just a lot slower. |
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Chatterbox41 Veteran user Atlanta, Georgia 349 Posts |
Quote:
On May 13, 2017, jakeg wrote: Oooooh.... twist the knife Jake! LOL! Gary |
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MagicDaveNYC New user NYC 35 Posts |
Well second time out today... better than the first time... but still a long way to go... While I'm on the pitch I can't really see what I'm doing wrong... I'm too caught in the moment. When I think through it later things become clearer. One thing I'm not doing is connecting enough with the specs. I'm not asking names and making it personal. As a result I'm having trouble building a large crowd. I just start rushing through the tricks. Then it's over and I hat. I need to slow down and connect more.
If anyone is curious I made $45 in 2 hours. But it could have been a lot more (obviously). I get totally exhausted after a short time. I didn't realize how tiring street performing can be. The pros make it look so easy. Also I'm no youngster I will turn 51 this year. I came late to the game. Thanks again for all your support and being a such a great community! Dave |
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Yellowcustard Inner circle New Zealand 1334 Posts |
I don't think the amount of money is good way to asses a buskers effort. The fact you went out there again and felt it went better then last. The fact you are aware of whats going on to self appraise your self and find what you need to work on next time are good ways to asses a buskers efforts.
Keeping a eye on all your stuff and surroundings. Your trying to pull in all those skills on how to stop, build and pay, along with remembering your patter and effects. so seeing what your doing right/ wrong at that moment is hard. Something that helped me early on was to build a small crowd with silk vanish pull them close with sponge balls. Then a card trick. The thing was once the card was chosen and put back into the deck and I mentioned it would jump to the top. The experiment was on. I would wait and see how long they would wait. This did not make me millions but I learnt a lot about people will wait and it is ok to slow down. Busking is tiring. Wear good shoes. Carry only what you need. Get a big water bottle and find the best coffee house near your pitch. Each time I busk I write out a plan before I busk. Then at the end I write what happened and what I plan for next time. Keep going and keep us up to date here this is a great little topic.
Enjoy your magic,
and let others enjoy it as well! |
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