|
|
Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
mormonyoyoman Inner circle I dug 5,000 postholes, but I have only 2440 Posts |
After two years of unemployment (small Indiana towns are unfriendly to 50-year old disabled vets) I decided to peddle my hobby last week. Though I received no promises (in three days) I interested a couple of car lots, two restaurants, and a McDonald district manager.
I've found a couple of threads giving advice for youngsters getting into this business. My concern is a bit different. People look at my obvious age (I try to hide the cane) and wonder why I'm just now starting this career. (It's rather obvious, I suppose, by the fact that I'm trying out restaurants and such.) Any advice? Or have I waited too long to begin a career in magic?
#ShareGoodness #ldsconf
--Grandpa Chet |
|||||||||
tboehnlein Inner circle ohio 1787 Posts |
Mor, do not use the age thing as a defecit but use it to your advantage; they do not know how much performing experience you have but talk about your real world experience & maturity level, remeber in a restaurant environment you are often called upon to put out or prevent fires.
|
|||||||||
Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
Sorry mormonyoyoman...but you're just a pup compared to some of us on here!
Have fun while you survive doing what you need to do. Luck to you kid. Doug
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
|
|||||||||
mormonyoyoman Inner circle I dug 5,000 postholes, but I have only 2440 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-08-15 21:40, darkrider wrote: Maybe, but not a pup when it comes to STARTING in this field. (Fool that I am to wait this long, eh?)
#ShareGoodness #ldsconf
--Grandpa Chet |
|||||||||
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
Show business is one field where your age does not have to limit you. As tboehnlein says, "Use it!" It worked for George Burns.
What is more important is if you have an act that rises to a professional level suitable for the markets you serve. Do you have a decent show? If you have that covered, then go for it. Most magicians in smaller towns begin by performing children's shows at birthday parties and for youth organizations. Eric Paul's course, "How to Be Your Ares's Top Children's Entertainer" can help you get started. See: http://www.epmagic.com Good luck. |
|||||||||
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Eric Paul's course is for sale on his other other website: http://www.moremoneywithmagic.com/
The website that Jim linked to, is Eric's regular show services site. - Donald.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
|
|||||||||
mormonyoyoman Inner circle I dug 5,000 postholes, but I have only 2440 Posts |
Quote:
Jim wrote: What is more important is if you have an act that rises to a professional level suitable for the markets you serve. Do you have a decent show? If you have that covered, then go for it. Thanks for the good wishes! Yes, my concern is building a professional act. Performance of individual routines, that I have -- blending it, subtexting my character, overall being entertaining - that is my concern. My mentor says I'm ready, so I've headed out into the cold and dreary world. Whether I truly am ready remains to be proven.
#ShareGoodness #ldsconf
--Grandpa Chet |
|||||||||
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
There is no place like the real world of paying audiences for polishing your routines. It can't be done without the feedback of a live audience. Magic is a "performing art" and that means you have to perform for real audiences.
Remember to listen to the audience at every show. They will tell you quickly whether you are entertaining or not. It something works for the audience, i.e. draws a positive response, keep it and/or build on it. If the bit doesn't score with the audience, drop it and try to find something better. In a small town, there are more opportunities to perform for children than for other audiences. If you want to perform a lot, put together a show for children, and start doing birthday parties, libraries, and scout meetings. You will also discover early on that, in the real world, it pays to keep it simple. Having a practical "club" act that can play just about anywhere, under nearly all conditions, for nearly any audience, beats a complicated, prop laden, technically complex show anytime. |
|||||||||
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-08-16 07:03, Jim Snack wrote: And remember to listen to Jim Snack too. He will quickly tell you how to be a pro! I've been a professional magician for 15 years (performing for 20) and I'm 25 years old so I'm lucky I got in early. As others suggested, don't hide your cane, age and so called disabilities! Use them to your advantage! Have a playing card engraved on the handle! Or make it appear! Or disappear! Also, just because you're starting NOW as a pro, doesn't mean you don't know your magic. How long have you been doing magic for in general? If people ask how long have you been in the business, then say 10, 20 or 30 years! It's not a lie! |
|||||||||
George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
Hey, Gramps,
Age has nothing to do with it. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Zero. The current Linking Ring has a piece on John Calvert, who's still going strong at 93. Granted he's been around for a loooooong time, but a lot of people are still seeing him for the first time. The trick is to be who you are and use what you have. Jimmy Durante turned a large nose into a fortune by calling attention to it (I think I'm quoting somebody here, but can't remember who), and many others have done the same. Don't pretend to be a kid -- be yourself. And don't think small; think big. BTW, I'm 53, haven't performed for over thirty years, and am thinking about getting back into it. If I do, I'll hit the ground running as what I am and will use everything I have. Good luck!
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
|||||||||
mormonyoyoman Inner circle I dug 5,000 postholes, but I have only 2440 Posts |
Well I got my first scheduled job.
In October. This is obviously not going to be an overnight success story. Meantime, I'll keep trying to find something a littttle closer to the present than that. But it was funny how I got the job. At the employment office, where I stopped to check on some friends (and see if there were ANY jobs in our area) a young lady overheard me talking to our veterans' rep - and walked over to his cubicle. Seeing me use an invisible deck on the vet rep, she wondered if "it would work on (her) too?" I suggested that we use her earrings instead, and proceeded to do the classic spongeball routine. After a couple of loud "Wha-?!" and scream-like noises, she asked if she could book me for her parents' wedding anniversary in October. It ain't much (I'm giving her such a discount, since she's a good friend and promises to find me more bookings!) but it's a start.
#ShareGoodness #ldsconf
--Grandpa Chet |
|||||||||
Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
Mormonyoyoman. My story. At 50 years old I was laid off with absolutly nothing to go on. No pension, no more insurance, no crap. A friend helped me start up a painting contracting business so for the next three years I painted apartments and houses to support myself until 3 hernias put me in the hospital. Thank God my (now ex) wife of the moment had insurance. When I got out and the doctor said no mre carrying the 5 gal paint cans anymore I got a job as a meat clerk in Krogers, my wife(?) turned 50 and left me and I found a new girlfriend in that order. OK I'm getting to point.
At my girlfriend's insistance (read B**ching) I studied clowning and attended a David Ginn, Patrick Sameul Smith seminar. I was 53 and fell in love with magic!!! Bought over $500 worth of equipment and practiced every night until I drove my girlfriend NUTS! (BTW she is now my wife and partner in this business.) Then a new restaurant opened up and I dropped in to see the General Manager. He auditioned me on the spot and I did some impromptu slieght of hand effects with some coins he had and he hired me I had turned 54 years old. I did this one restaurant part time for a year until Kroger laid me off too. When that happened I went up to the place and had a beer with the G.M. and told him I got laid off, he went into the office for about 10 minutes and when he returned he handed me a list and said "here is your schedule starting tomorrow night." I suddenly had 5 restaurants where I entertained and my income was suddenly taking home more money in a week than I grossed in a month at Krogers. 55 years old and suddenly a new career. I am now the BIG SIX ZERO yep 60 yrs old and have been doing restaurant magic and balloons full time for 5 years now. By the way I live in the Cincinnati OH area so we are not to far apart. If you want to see some of what I do go to http://www.scho-lan.com Not bad for an old guy like myself. Remember very seriously "whatever the mind of man can concieve AND BELIEVE the body of man can DO!" Never doubt yourself! Peter P.S. Sorry if this is too long. |
|||||||||
mormonyoyoman Inner circle I dug 5,000 postholes, but I have only 2440 Posts |
Paddy, this wasn't too long at all! You bring me hope of a brighter tomorrow!
As a matter of fact, your website was quite inspirational (When do you REST?) and I'll be PMing you as soon as I finish this. Update: I GOT A JOB! I GOT A JOB! I GOT A JOB! OK, it's only around $25 an hour (the manager said he'd have to get approval from Higher Headquarters for that much, and I suggested that 1/4 of my pay be in Pizza Hut coupons -- glutton that I am) and the manager was ecstatic. And I only did the simplest of sponge ball routines! I MUST remember that simple hits hardest. Thank you for your help! (Yes, my rates will eventually go up.) Update: Aug 27 2004 Three posts in a row from me? What conceit! On the other hand, I start tonight as a professional strolling magician. And haven't been able to sleep since 2:30 this morning, because of the butterflies. I used to get this way when acting in a play - but it's been a few years (the last time was "Annie" in Korea). Will let y'all know how it turned out. And I want to thank each of you for your good wishes. Not just in this thread, but the wonderful PMs you sent. In part due to your confidence, I'm confident. I'm ready. I'm also sleepy. Special thanks to Paddy! (Bummer that you were trashed on the pre-teen forum website.)
#ShareGoodness #ldsconf
--Grandpa Chet |
|||||||||
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Congratualtions!
I hope it works out really well for you! |
|||||||||
jrbobik Regular user Philadelphia 104 Posts |
Congrats!
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted"
|
|||||||||
mormonyoyoman Inner circle I dug 5,000 postholes, but I have only 2440 Posts |
Bittersweet victory!
The negative side? The manager told me, when I got there, that he thought I should only do an hour instead of five hours. Now if I'd known he only wanted me for an hour, I'd have charged him per night -- as it was, I'd only charged him $25 per hour. The plus side? This was my first public performance, much less one for pay. And it was SUCH a hit! I was astounded at how willing people were to suspend their disbelief, at how much they loved being shown that they were magic. And I was delighted that so many people told the manager that they loved the magician (not just the magic) and wanted to know when I'd be there again. I was happy that the manager wants me for other nights, and perhaps more hours than just one. How could I have guessed that people would react in such a way, that they would open up to me as if I was an old and treasured friend? How could I have known that the real magic was in the audience?
#ShareGoodness #ldsconf
--Grandpa Chet |
|||||||||
RonCalhoun Special user Independence, KY USA 599 Posts |
FIVE HOURS, Dude, thank the manager for cutting it back. Personal, I only like doing 2 hours at a restaurant. Second, if you have a bum leg (I have a foot problem myself) five hours would be tough. Also lets be honest about price. Working a restaurant and getting 25 an hour is great. You’re getting paid more per hour than any of the other at the restaurant. The good news is they are actually paying you to showcase and practice. Bro, you will learn more about what works for you by doing restaurants then anything else I know of.
One piece of business advice I would like to offer is to pick one market and only one market and promote it hard. If you go after too many markets you’ll find your always trying to catch-up on your promotions. I’m sure many will disagree. I’m speaking of my own experience. Until things get going its easier to keep track of only one pot on the stove. Brake a leg. Ron
Founder Heroin Doesn't Care. Find us on https://www.facebook.com/heroindoesntcare
www.heroindoesntcare.com |
|||||||||
Dr_Stephen_Midnight Inner circle SW Ohio, USA 1555 Posts |
Paddy,
So YOU got the Texas Roadhouse gig in Milford! I was gunning for that! Oh well, glad a good guy got it. Best wishes. Steve
Dr. Lao: "Do you know what wisdom is?"
Mike: "No." Dr. Lao: "Wise answer." |
|||||||||
mormonyoyoman Inner circle I dug 5,000 postholes, but I have only 2440 Posts |
Ron, if I weren't behind in car payments, utilities, and medical bills - I'd have balked at five hours a night at the outset. But we are in the hole, I'm tired of ramen and peanut butter (not mixed together!), and I've been unable to find any other employment. (It still blows my mind that I've been more successful with magic than I've been in two years with telecommunications!)
My one hour on Friday and one hour on Saturday, changed to one hour on Tuesday (and only Tuesday) tonight. Manager wants to draw some of the crowd from Fridays and Saturdays to Tuesdays - he's beginning a Family Night - and seems to be paying me out of his pocket until this promotion takes off. So I'm spending the next few days promoting (by any means I can think of) next Tuesday night. And Wednesday morning, I'll be looking for venues for the other nights. On the plus side, the customers seem to absolutely LOVE me. I've had a total of only four tables in the past two nights which did not want any magic. And one of them was a group of drunks who left (loudly!)when they couldn't get any beer.
#ShareGoodness #ldsconf
--Grandpa Chet |
|||||||||
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Haha!
Sounds like it was good! Congratulations! I think you learnt what it took me years to learn...that a great magician needs to be a good at being a PERSON before being good at magic! Although. people don't suspend their disbelief with magic. Suspension of disbelief is where their brains willingly switch off! With magic, we make audiences hearts truly believe what they minds can never accept! In other words, they KNOW you can't make sponge balls vanish from your hand into their hand but it sure as hell FEELS like you just did that! |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Tricky business » » Can an old coot begin? (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.05 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |