|
|
Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
stannmaple Elite user 487 Posts |
My wife and I went to see a magician tonight. He's been doing magic for 25 years and he does table magic 6 nights a week I believe. So we went to see him at the restaurant. I didn't mention I did magic because I just wanted to see what he would do for a "regular table." He basically just came up, and did an ambitious card routine with a couple of added things. Then he made a balloon animal and left. Now, my question is would be, is this a typical thing for restaurant walk around? I'd like to get into it after I get some experience volunteering at some places. I just thought somehow I didn't know enough or wasn't good enough, but if that's a typical thing to do for one table- just one or two effects, I've got probably 50 that I can do pretty well and about 20 that I can do VERY well. If this question is posted elsewhere, let me know, otherwise, help is appreciated here.
Thanks Dann |
|||||||||
rsummer27 Loyal user South Carolina 225 Posts |
How much time you spend at a table depends on the restaurant. You want to entertain people while they are waiting for their food. Some restaurants take longer to perpare the food than others. You also have to decide if you want to hit every table, or pick your spots. Some restaurant managers like you to hit every table. Some like you to perform for a section at a time. Some don't care.
Think long and hard about what you want to do. How you want to work the restaurant. I wouldn't offer a free show in hopes of getting in. It cheapens the whole thing and makes it harder for serious professionals that need to work to find jobs. If you are good enough to perform, demand a fee. If you are not good enough, stay at home.
******************************
Giggles the Clown buys all of his supplies at www.madhattermagicshop.com Super Low Prices on Videos and DVDs! |
|||||||||
Jewls Veteran user Michigan-USA 360 Posts |
Ambitious card is a wonderful routine for a laymen audiences. Rsummner is right sometimes you can stay at a table long.
If you are at a restaurant any period of time you will be looking for new material before you know it because return customers, keep you on your toes. You can't really judge what other entertainers do by seeing them one time at your table. It may have been a busy night! He may have seen a new face and went with the routine he enjoys most.The magic window to visit a table really is very small. He may have seen your server coming, he may have thought you wanted time with your date. Tables that are really enjoying my entertainment tend to get a longer stay time permitting. I have been at one restaurant for almost 7 years, have I had off nights ... sure a few. He's been performing magic for 25 years 6 restaurants a week I think he is doing something the managers like. Hope this helps? PS I agree demand a fee!
Jewls
www.Jewlstheclown.com |
|||||||||
Whiterabbit Loyal user Kevin Mc Lean 278 Posts |
I think it depends on what the restaurant wants. In between shows, every Sunday, I sell balloons at the markets supported by magic (you might call it street magic, but I think it's not the same thing). I do ten minutes of magic an hour and the public love it and they pay well for the balloons.
Anyway, I make a heap of cash, and I do four things every hour that really hit the public hard - still I wouldn't judge my magic on that because I'm doing stuff for laymen. But that's why I make a heap of cash... Why not ask for his card, ring him and say you're an amateur and how much you liked his ambitious card and do coffee. If he's approachable, you'll be able to learn a heap.
May your fingers never lose their deftness,
May your tongue always lead them down the garden path... Regards, Whiterabbit |
|||||||||
stannmaple Elite user 487 Posts |
Thanks for all the replies guys, although I should clarify a couple of things. First I would never even consider doing table magic for free. I was talking about volunteering at a local hospital and retirement home. I'm going to be volunteering at these places in the next couple of weeks to get some experience performing for strangers (I've mostly done it for co-worker, friends, family and customers up to this point) Sorry that I didn't make that clear. Please forgive me.
I would never undercut other magicians which is what I would be doing by doing a restaurant for FREE! That was the main point, but there are a couple others I should clarify. First, the restaurant was very slow (only about 4 tables filled in the whole place) second, we actually REQUESTED magic, (which was why I was surprised he only did the one effect) Third, I specifically wanted to see it from a layman's point of view, in other words what he would do for the average person in that kind of situation, but it would be a good idea to give him a call now, I just didn't want to say "hey I'm a magician, because then he most likely wouldn't do his regular routine. The other thing was he didn't even do magic for the first hour. He just stood there as people came and went and talked to a waitress. Is this normal? After an hour he still only did magic for one table, then ours upon request. Then he just kind of wandered around the restaurant even though there were people coming and going. He was only there for 2 hours total, but of course shortly after our show, my wife and I left (so I don't know what happened in the last 45 minutes or so). I just wanted to get a feel for what table magicians actually do as far as routines, how many tables, aproaching a table, how long to stay, and he's the first one I've actually seen (except a friend of mine, but since he knew me and knew I did magic, he did some incredible top rate stuff and probably about 10 effects- because he knew he couldn't overstay his welcome) Anyway, those are my main points and questions. Thanks for the help though. There were some valid points. Especially the one about not doing too much otherwise, you're going to be in trouble when repeat customers come. Makes sense. Thanks again. Any more help is appreciated. By the way, what is the standard fee? (I live in Grand Rapdis Michigan) Thanks again. Dann |
|||||||||
mike gallo Inner circle 1341 Posts |
I'll play devil's advocate here. Let's suppose you weren't reacting the way a layperson would. This is something very hard for us not so common folk to do. Perhaps he 1)thought you weren't interested 2)thought perhaps he was doing something wrong...which in either case he decided to cut it short.
Mike |
|||||||||
Niko Special user England 599 Posts |
Maybe you should have talked to him afterwards about it!
-Niko
When you do something right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all.
|
|||||||||
stannmaple Elite user 487 Posts |
Very true Mike, it was very difficult to react as I knew what he was going to do next. Next time I see him I will most likely talk to him. I'd like to hear more about if it would be a normal thing to show up and wait an hour before doing any magic (see my last post) and what the standard fee is. Thanks for all the help.
Dann |
|||||||||
kinesis Inner circle Scotland, surrounded by 2708 Posts |
I think it's very difficult to critisize this magician as none of us were there and the full circumstances are not known. The magician may also be a member of the Café.
However you first impression of this magician has obviously left you less than impressed. I would pay a second visit when you know he'll be performing, be prepared to react well to his effects and give him the benefit of the doubt. It might be a good idea to take a non-magic friend and get their opinion on the magicians performance. |
|||||||||
stannmaple Elite user 487 Posts |
Thanks for the advice kinesis. I realize however, from your post, I must have sounded more negative and critical than I was trying to be. I apologize for that.
I actually met this magician at a magic shop a couple months prior, but my hair was longer then and I'm sure he didn't recognize me at the restaurant. He is a great guy and I've heard really good things about him. My main question was whether or not this was a "typical restaurant performance" as I have not ever seen one before. Also, I didn't know if the manager only had him do magic when it got busy or what. I definitely wasn't trying to criticize. I remember the first time I saw "ambitious card" before I even knew what a double lift was and it was the coolest thing I'd ever seen! He did it very well. I was just wondering if it is typical to do such a short set at a table and I was just writing to get information from those who are in the same business as he is. I appreciate your post though as it helped me see that what I said probably would come across critical if he is indeed a member here. I hope this clears up what I was trying to get across. Again, sorry about the confusion. Dann |
|||||||||
kinesis Inner circle Scotland, surrounded by 2708 Posts |
It just seemed to me, some of the posts were rather non-commital. A non-magic friend can let you know if they felt the entertainment lived up to their expectations. Length of performance being a contributing factor.
As a restaurant magician, I don't think it was typical. I do at least 2 - 3 effects. Sponges, rubber bands, coins and cards. Depending on how busy the place is and how receptive the table is I may do more. The only time I'm hanging around is when ALL the tables are eating (very rare.) If I can't work the tables then I work the bar area. If I'm not doing that then I'm trying out something new with one of the regular customers. If I'm there for two hours I make sure the management get 2 hours worth of magician. I don't do balloons, even for children, as once you do one EVERY child will want one. I'm not a children's entertainer. |
|||||||||
stannmaple Elite user 487 Posts |
Thanks for the help. It is true that my observation is probably biased no matter how hard I not to be.
By the way, is there a good inexpensive resource to learn how to make balloon animals? I've heard many places on the Café that this is almost a necessary skill to have especially if you're doing a family restaurant. Thanks. Dann |
|||||||||
magicsoup Elite user 461 Posts |
This guy may have had a bad night. If you have a bad (really bad) table it can affect for days. I also think that he could tell you might not have been dazzled. If people don't look interested I leave quick. When you look for work you should always offer at least one free hour. Kind of like a test drive. Balloons are great! I recommend using a balloon pump. It's more sanitary. Very young children don't like magic, but making balloons for them is a great way to keep busy. I believe there is a web site called Balloon HQ that you should check out. Stick to small animals that don't take up much space in the restaurant.
|
|||||||||
Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-09-07 02:18, magicsoup wrote: Right, Right, and WRONG! I do balloons as part of my restaurant routine. I only do 6 different restaurants during 5 days a week (Sunday I have 2 places 1 Noon to 4PM the other 5PM to 9PM) and have been at this for 5 years full time and two years befre that part time, just so you know where I am coming from. I always use a pump remember with a pump a balloon is a bag of air, if you mouth inflate it is now a bag of germs. Also the health hazards to YOU are very serious, http://www.balloonhq.com is the clearing house for balloon info, they also have a twisters email list that you should join. The last item, the only time I do a quick animal is if a child is afraid of me (I work in clown) and then I do it behind my back. (Yes you can twist any animal behind your back.) I do hats, LARGE multi balloon hats. I don't get carried away and keep it to 2 to 3 ballooms per hat. I get a lot of tips because of these hats so it is worth it to learn them. Peter |
|||||||||
Whiterabbit Loyal user Kevin Mc Lean 278 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-09-06 19:45, stannmaple wrote: They're useful, but it's hard to pick it up from a book.I think Tricky the Clown has an informative and fairly cheap (by magic standards) dvd titled 'Balloon Magic Made Easy' which covers about thirty or so of the most common ones. It started me off and I found it excellent. Careers or at least part time incomes have been made being able to make less balloons... Oh, I also recommend a pump and having a spare nearby. If you're going to blow a hundred ballons an hour at some gigs the lungs tend to tire out.
May your fingers never lose their deftness,
May your tongue always lead them down the garden path... Regards, Whiterabbit |
|||||||||
Dr_Stephen_Midnight Inner circle SW Ohio, USA 1555 Posts |
"I wouldn't offer a free show in hopes of getting in. It cheapens the whole thing and makes it harder for serious professionals that need to work to find jobs."
I've read posts by other restaurant workers who DO offer a free hour to demonstrate to the manager that they are worth hiring. I noticed the poster said "I wouldn't," as opposed to "I don't." Does he do restaurants (paid; not for tips)? I've never done restaurants, and I'd like to hear more on this issue before I pitch to them. Steve
Dr. Lao: "Do you know what wisdom is?"
Mike: "No." Dr. Lao: "Wise answer." |
|||||||||
magicsoup Elite user 461 Posts |
Hey Doc, I think at the opening of this thread he mentioned doing some volunteer work for experience. Some people thought he was going to volunteer at restaurants. He's actually doing it at a hospital or something like that. That is why people were telling him not to work for free.
To get a regular gig I think it's always good to offer a free hour or two. One place I work at (for 7 years now) was very uncertain about how magic would go over. They thought I'd aget in the way etc. After haveing a free hour (no obligation whatsoever) they decided to do every week. I think of it as a test drive for a car. Would you buy a car from a dealer who wouldn't let lyou test drive it? Why should someone hire you having never seen you? Especially if you are the one hitting them up for the job. |
|||||||||
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
If you decide to jump in and perform...
Quote:
On 2004-09-05 21:47, stannmaple wrote: ...skip those. Quote:
and about 20 that I can do VERY well. ...stick with those.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
|||||||||
MikeSpark New user 42 Posts |
Quote:
To get a regular gig I think it's always good to offer a free hour or two. Forget a free hour. Free nothing. If you offer a guarantee there is no reason to do it free. Why? Cause if they don't like the show, it's free. If they do like the show and want you regularly, there is no reason they shouldn't pay you. Do you think that General Manger applied to the restaurant and said, "I'm a great GM. I'll even work for one week for free." No way. DOn't do It for free. As for the starting thread - (Starsini is right) Stick with what you know BEST. Work on the other stuff on the side and add it when you're ready. As for "all he did was two tricks" if he's REALLY doing his job, he did a lot more than two tricks. He... -drew new people to the restaurant -performed for people waiting so they stayed in the restaurant -He performed a trick or two (three maybe) for given tables, and then chatted with them. Asked them how often they visit, the kids names etc. By doing this he becomes an ambassador for the restaurant. ANd thOse are just a few things he might do that you don't realize he is doing. Last point - if you do magic, you weren't watching the show, you were critiquing it. Mike |
|||||||||
Clarioneer Special user Ferndown, Dorset, UK 624 Posts |
Mike,
I disagree - you are not applying for General Manager - that is a post that exists - if there were a magicians post you then would simply apply... Where they don't already have entertainment they need to see a win win situation - saying one hour free during their sloooow period allows you to suggest a follow-up hour next week - if takings are up you get paid and work permanently/regularly - win - win...
catch you later
Clarioneer |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Table hoppers & party strollers » » Went to see a magician (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 0.04 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 < |