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mdspark Special user 784 Posts |
I was wondering if this is a feasable market for mentalists....I know there are hypnotists that work this venue for obvious reasons.... I also read somewhere that Max Maven played Comedy Clubs earlier in his career...
Obviously, a bizzare or overly serious presentation would be out of the question..but what about a light hearted approach? Perhaps situtational humor or humorous presentations rather than "comedy mentalism" gags... I know a great deal of Kreskin's act involves humor..anticdotes etc.... Just trying to explore the potential possibilities for this venue...Anyone out there have some insight into this? |
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Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
You certainly can work mentalism in a comedy club IF, and only if, you keep them laughing throughout the routines.
Remember, you are hired to make people laugh, and are mearured by LMPs (laughs per minute). While I'm not an expert in comedy club magic, I do know that you need to be getting at least 6 LPM's (that's a laugh every 10 seconds). If you can do that while doing mentalism, then you can succeed in that venue. Otherwise, go elsewhere. |
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mdspark Special user 784 Posts |
Thanks for the info Jim!
Mark, P.S. I wonder how Max Maven got 6 LPMs?.... |
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cheesewrestler Inner circle Chicago 1157 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-08-26 00:19, mdspark wrote: You've obviously never seen his performance as "Whacky Maxie, the Psilly Psychic" ... |
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mdspark Special user 784 Posts |
No I havent...havent hear of it before either...did you like it?
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Michael Dustman Inner circle Columbus, Ohio 1220 Posts |
Kerry Pollock does a hilarious version of a magic square in his comedy club act. With all the music and sound effects he uses for the routine...it gets about 6 laughs every 30 seconds.
Probably twice as funny when I saw him in Cleveland when he missed the number completely and was searchig for an out. He pulled it off and I give him all the credit in the world. |
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cheesewrestler Inner circle Chicago 1157 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-08-27 00:52, mdspark wrote: Only in my imagination. It was hilarious ... |
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jlibby Inner circle 1044 Posts |
My 2 cents...
I think open mic nights at clubs are a great way to break in new material. I haven't been to our club in a while... I need to get back over there. Joe L.
My new FREE ebook on the classic Mismade Bill trick is ready for you:
https://funnybirthdayshow.com/mismadebill/ |
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RonCalhoun Special user Independence, KY USA 599 Posts |
Not meaning to change the subject, but. Does any one have advice about getting ready for an open-mic night?
Founder Heroin Doesn't Care. Find us on https://www.facebook.com/heroindoesntcare
www.heroindoesntcare.com |
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Dr_Stephen_Midnight Inner circle SW Ohio, USA 1555 Posts |
The Great Tomasoni did a hilarious send-up of a mentalist routine; no mentalism employed, but plenty of laughs.
Would I do mentalism in a comedy club? No. Steve
Dr. Lao: "Do you know what wisdom is?"
Mike: "No." Dr. Lao: "Wise answer." |
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ScottSullivan Regular user 103 Posts |
Comedy Clubs will hire a funny mentalist if he's good and also funny. You really don't have to reach the laugh count of a straight stand-up but you do have to get fairly close and you also have to entertain the audience. It's tough to do because mentalism requires thought on the part of the audience, many members of which will be in the process of getting drunk. Mentalists who also do hypnotism seem to fare better on the comedy club circuit.
It's a brutal business that, honestly, doesn't pay very well any more. You should look at the college circuit, cruise ships and corporate work before you consider comedy clubs. |
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Kenn Capman Regular user Southwestern Michigan 196 Posts |
You took the words right off of my keyboard Scott.
Comedy clubs were never a cash-cow venue, even for headliners. If you weren't a national name with a LOT of television exposure it was a dismal, viscious work environment. (there's a reason they call it being a 'road-warrior') Thankfully, I was fortunate enough to have seen the ins and outs of the business (thanks to MF and JD if you're reading this for all the sage advice) early on to avoid getting caught in the comedy club trap. It's a great and rewarding way of life . . . if you can survive the many pitfalls, stressors, surprises, and monetary issues. But it definitely takes a special breed of performer to thrive in that market.
"The thermometer of success is merely the jealousy of the malcontents."
- Salvador Dali - |
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R2 Special user 935 Posts |
I present my material using a lighthearted tongue in cheek manner. I perform before the headliner who gets the laugh count quotas.
I perform various bits-o-business which include; hypnotism, bill in lemon with a mentalist flavour, simple one-ahead sequences, simple book tests, ring & rope mass hypnosis effects, self deprecating mexican humour and above all "SIMPLE FUN" We will be doing it again; Rey~Rey's "Mexican Mysteries" Friday, Ocotober 1st 6:oo p.m "Bart's Comic Strip" http://www.laff2nite.com Cash Cows? Hardly, but it pays some bills and they all add up my friends! The key is to keep plugging away! Work begets Work! Best of fortunes, ~ere-dos~ |
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Kenn Capman Regular user Southwestern Michigan 196 Posts |
Your experience is similar to mine ReyRey. You are right though, even the little fees can add up.
Book in as an opener and let the headliner get the LPM count. The travel and adventure are fun and the money is a nice extra though. To reinforce ReyRey's point, leave the 'heavy' mentalism at home. You can seriously confuse, lose, or freak out a rowdy audience of drinking adults if you run mentalism with heavy drama.
"The thermometer of success is merely the jealousy of the malcontents."
- Salvador Dali - |
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R2 Special user 935 Posts |
Do you wish to work the circuit or just your local market Mr. Park?
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mdspark Special user 784 Posts |
Rey Rey,
My local market for now... just to get my feet wet...curcuit maybe later...Thanks! Mark |
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R2 Special user 935 Posts |
Everything that follows is offered on the assumption, that you have an entertaining, simple to follow, and funny presentation. You should, also be humble, likeable, and well groomed. (unless you are Andy Clay)
It also helps if you have a character that is unique to you. i.e. something that sets you apart from the pack. If you choose to do an open mic, it will be hard to try and get booked when they see that you are willing to give it away. Open mic nites are the fastest way in, but certainly not the best if you want to stay in the game for a length of time. Every headliner has an opener who takes the stage for a short set. A "Primer"! Some venues use a local comedian for the first act and then a "traveller" who opens for the headline act. You MUST "Position" yourself as a viable alternative when the local talent is unavailable. All of the booking directors have a local stock from which to choose. They are always in need of another choice on the list to fill in the gaps in times of need! "Their need". They need you more than you need them! This is the mindset that you should have. Kind of arrogant, but trust me it works. The key is to make them want YOU! If you don't then you will be lost in the shuffle of the open mic kids. How do you position yourself? Please bear in mind that this is the approach that worked for me. Others may or may not have had different experiences? Step One; Find out who directly makes the decisions to book local talent. Step Two; Send that person your best marketing materials. Don't just have one piece. Choose from a variety of materials that show your versatility. Clubs like folks who can show different masks. Step Three; When you perform at an event send the Club's Booking Agent a press release of the event. This will help to establish yourself as someone who "WORKS" Don't miss a beat on this one. Step Four; Follow up with a phone call to your contact and offer a sampling of your work via your promo dvd or live demonstration on a slow night. Step Five; Ask the club director to offer FREE Tickets to the club for volunteers in your performances on the club's slow nights. This will show that you wish to form a friendship which benefits both parties. Step Six; Many Comedy Clubs host private events for corporate entities. These events don't always look for comedians during the catered part of the event. They want strolling entertainment to allow for business talk during the event. "Light business talk, but still business nonetheless" Offer your services to the club director for these events. They are usually scheduled before the opening act. When the time comes for the opening act the doors are opened to the public. Step Seven; As part of your continuing new found relationship, be sure to frequent the club and don't try and get perks from the club. Show some class by paying for your meals, admission, and drinks. Try and go during the slow day of the week so that you will be noticed. Be sure to make your presence known to the director in a subtle way. Don't be overt about it or you will kill it. Step Eight; Now that you have shown that you are here to stay and play, "ASK" for an opportunity to open on a slow night to test the audience reaction to your material? You have gone through the extensive work to get to this point "DON'T BE SHY". Step Nine; Tell the folks in YOUR audiences during YOUR shows to visit the local comedy club for more entertainment just like yours. Tell them to mention your name and your show in a positive way if it indeed was. This will keep you on the radar and help to establish name recognition. I custom created a Clay Poker Chip with my name and phone number which is good for one free drink. I left some cash on a bar tab which gets replenished when low. I hand these out to my volunteers to use at the local comedy club venue. This idea alone is worth a small fortune to the club and yourself. Coming Soon; "What do you do if you get shot down at Step Eight?" "GO GET 'EM!" Fraternally, ~ere-dos~ (R2) |
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mdspark Special user 784 Posts |
WOW,
What great info Rey Rey!..Thank you! |
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R2 Special user 935 Posts |
You are most welcome Master Mark!
My "Schtik"? What if I could read minds? Fine then! Having to translate those thoughts from spanish to english, something gets lost in translation. The revelations are correct, but with a double entendre. I am fluent in spanish and make no secret of my Mexican/Spanish/Irish Heritage. The show "Mexican Mysteries" sets the tone previous to the presentation. Find a hook on which to hang your "Mental Masterpieces" and take it as far as it will carry you. Ride it all the way to bank Brother! R2 ~ere-dos~ |
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mdspark Special user 784 Posts |
Still lookin for what to do if you get shot down on step 8.
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