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swiftshifter New user Philippines 94 Posts |
I have recently applied for a job at a local Starbucks branch here in the Philippines. The thing is, they did not even ask me to show what I can do. This was true for the other three restaurants that I tried out for. So what do I do? Is it alright if I just take out my deck and start doing a trick or two? Another thing, I work exclusively with cards but I find that most people are receptive to it;is there a reason to diversify, or is it okay to stick with cards?
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Jeff Hayden New user 88 Posts |
It's OK to stick with cards. Especially if you are comfortable with them. If that's YOU, then do what you like. If you are just entertaining people at
a coffee shop then you will only do one or two effects per customer anyway. Just a handful of card effects will be fine. I do recommend that you experiement with other things. Coins, sponge balls, PK, there are lots of fun ways to branch out when you are ready. But if you just have a handful of card routines down, then that's fine to get started with - go with it. I don't really understand what you mean by trying out. If you didn't perform, how did you try out? -JH
Did you see that?
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Cameron Fisk Regular user Vancouver, BC 194 Posts |
I'm not too clear on a few things. Are you applying for a job at the restaurant as a staff member or as the restaurant's magician? If you are working as a staf member and you start doing a card trick or two then I don't see the problem as long as the boss sees it the same way.
If you enjoy doing card tricks then stick with it. There is no solid reason for you to diversify your stuff if you like what you do already. Cheers, Cameron Fisk |
Mike Wild Inner circle NY, PA, TX, MA, FL, NC 1290 Posts |
Cards are cool, however, you may want to look at the possibility of working in one or two non-card related effects, just ot break things up a little bit. Not required, but worth thinking about.
Coffee shops are a great venue BTW. Quiet enough so your spectators / customers can easily hear you speak, but just hectic enough to cover those occasional mis-cues. Best, and good luck, Mike |
swiftshifter New user Philippines 94 Posts |
Yeah, I was looking for a job as a performer. By trying out I meant, tried to get a job by talking to the manager.
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Flec Special user UK 585 Posts |
I suggest that you talk to the manager. Ask him to let you perform for your customers, rather than for him. Then tell him to concentrate on peopels reactions, rather than watch your tricks. If he watches from the otherside of the room, he'll be able to hear clapping, laughing, cheering...whatver your act includes...he wil be able to HEAR people having a good time, rather than se the quality act.
I think people have made it clear, you don't have to be the best performer in the world to entertain people. The manager might not be impressed with your act (he may have seen better) but if he see's his customers having a good time, then he can hardly see no. It is also advisable you do this "audition" for free. If you hand out your business cards, you could make gigs from this free show, to make up for the "loss" of money. And everyone needs exposure, so don't be afraid of working for free, only for 2-3 hours anyway. Hope this helps, it has worked for me in the past. |
Rob Johnston Inner circle Utah 2060 Posts |
Swift, people like different things. You have to be ready to please any audience.
I am mostly a coin worker, but have learned a few great card effects to appease the card audience.
"Genius is another word for magic, and the whole point of magic is that it is inexplicable." - Margot Fonteyn
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Dr_Stephen_Midnight Inner circle SW Ohio, USA 1555 Posts |
Personal note:
I tried doing strolling at Barnes & Noble booksellers (which has a Starbucks inside) and it didn't work out. People book shopping or reading abhor interruptions. On the other hand, I did strolling for a smaller coffee shop and it worked out, though the income potential (via tipping) was not enough to justify my continuing in this venue, and the management wouldn't pay an hourly rate, due to the limited sales income of a small coffee shop. Just a personal anecdote and a heads-up. Steve PS: As I am a mentalist, one employee (a local youth minister) kept tearing down my fliers.
Dr. Lao: "Do you know what wisdom is?"
Mike: "No." Dr. Lao: "Wise answer." |
Mike Wild Inner circle NY, PA, TX, MA, FL, NC 1290 Posts |
RE: "I am mostly a coin worker, but have learned a few great card effects to appease the card audience."
Rob?!? I thought you and I were the only holdouts left on the card front!! Just joshing. I've been working a lot more with those little cardboard rectangles lately as well.... Oh yeah, I owe you and Todd that ace assembly medley thing don't I? I'm still trying to write out the bent penny thing. No time lately man Anyway back on topic... diversity is good, not required in some circumstances, but always nice to have a backup plan. Mike |
swiftshifter New user Philippines 94 Posts |
So a performer that works excluxivelly with cards, and generates a respectable income is unheard of? I know that I am far from being able to hold a two hour spectacle with nothing but cards, but I am aiming for it; is this too small a possibility?
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Werner G. Seitz Inner circle 3131 Posts |
Just a very few thoughts..
It doesn't matter what you do for ENTERTAINING, be it cards or coins, whatever.. When I mention *entertaining* I -at the same time- think of stuff using cards, that can't avoid to entertain the audience.. Like f.ex. the *Potty Prediction* -that can be done at restaurants, wherever, or the *Banana-split* routine. I very seldom do the Potty, but rather the Banana, but that solely is due to the locations I perform.. The larger the audience, the better *Potty* is. Now, what I actually wanted to say and what was the reason for entering this thread is this.. All that counts, is one is going out and does perform under fire..for real ppl. THAT is what results in polished performances, sooner or later.. One WILL have flops, this is part of it.. I'll finish with something that SHOULD be food for thought.. One of the greatest ENTERTAINERs ever, JOHNNY PAUL, started dabbling around and got the advice to quit magic.. He didn't..luckily.. And the result was, he still today, is remembered as one of the most oustanding entertainers with (mostly) cards..and NOT only for his entertainment qualities, but also for his technique used to do his stuff.. His cards across with 2 ladies, his topchangeroutine, done ad lib,..his bill stuff, simply everything he did (just look at his Cups&Balls) is the very best stuff one can do.. I mean *watch* it get done..don't steal any of his routines, because nobody can do them better, but one can use some of his ideas to get to the wished for result.. Re ENTERTAINMENT, combined with good technic, there are very few ever able to compete with Johnny Paul.. Remember, he started out dabbling with this stuff, but he just did it, he *worked* and as a result (combined with his intelligence) ge got one of the TOP entertainers of the world.. Food for thought..!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go out and dabble, go out and flop, AFTER you have done your best in practising and rehearsing your stuff !
Learn a few things well.....this life is not long enough to do everything.....
( Words of wisdom from Albert Goshman ...it paid off for him - it might as well for YOU!!!- My own magic is styled after that motto... ) |
dynamiteassasin Inner circle Naval Air Facility, Atsugi, Japan 1158 Posts |
Mahal kong Kapatid (sorry for all those who don't understand) ,
I'll be coming home to the Philippines in a few weeks and I too would like to start a job there. You might want to visit Pepetons Bar in Quezon City every Wednesday nights at 9p.m. They have a weekly magic show there till midnight. Consider it like a weekly magicians' gathering. They have a show and after that, all they do is have pure magical fun. You might want to ask the magician's there with regards to your problem. Do you mean table hopping in Starbucks? Do they allow it? If you have no luck with it, my math teacher before, also once a magician worked at Kenny Roger's Roasters and T.G.I.Friday's. You might also want to try Burgoo. I'll contact you when I get to the Philippines. I hope we meet brother.. |
swiftshifter New user Philippines 94 Posts |
All those are in Manila; I am from Tagaytay, about sixty kilometers away. In maybe a year or two (after I graduate) I shall be staying in Manila. At present though, I am trying to find a job in my locale. Thanks for the advice.
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