This week reminded me once again of a current trend I'm seeing happening with performers. A trend that is working against performers in a time where many are complaining about not getting enough bookings.

I have been on my annual spring tour since March and it runs into June. This week at the midway point my staff (team) flew in to get together for an update meeting. At one point the topic turned to submissions for the week (performers that have submitted their promo and videos to our agencies for representation for consideration). We met on Wednesday, and up to that point, we had 8 submissions we'd received for the week that they brought with them. So we reviewed all of the promotional materials and viewed the 8 videos together.

While I remember feeling this weeks and months ago, it really hit us all this week when together that 7 of the 8 videos we received had absolutely no performance footage at all in the video. I am seeing this trend more and more these days and really think these guys have no idea how much this is working against them.

Most of these videos seem to be created with an illustrator-type software or app program that uses animation and photos only, most with a narrative voiceover. You know, the animated video where an animated hand with a pencil scribbles out the words or sentence, or an animated guy or girl pops in from the side or drops down into the frame from the top, then after this cuts to a still photo where the program slow zooms on the picture for a moment, then right back into the next illustrator graphics, rinse and repeat over and over for sometimes 2, 3, or 5 minutes or more.

That's right, in 7 of the 8 videos there wasn't a single second of performance footage to see!

It seems again technology and taking the easy way is prevailing here and the actual concept of a sample or demo video is being lost. As a prospective buyer for a consumer or professional event, they are viewing the video to see a sample of you in performance, not to see your editing skills in an animation or robotic program. No wonder these people are complaining about bookings and constantly looking for work and business.

I guess I could see this if someone was a very beginner and had no performance experience or footage, but for working performers, it is very frustrating. Do they not understand the real purpose of a prospective client wanting to see a video? Do they not understand the role a video can play in the perception aspect and the process of a booking?

Evidentally not, so I thought I would bring this to the attention of members and visitors here. I checked out the videos of some here and they too have this type of video, so I would like to get your take on this to try to understand your way of thinking in this. This isn't an agency thing, it is a general thing for anyone looking to book you.

In one of the videos, it talked about how this guy was the future of (their type of performance discipline) and several references to his funny personality and sharp comedy wit. Yet, none of this was ever shown, demonstrated or actually offered in the video. What's the point then really?

My partner Tom (who shot and edited my promo video) struggled with this. I do mostly Family Shows in @ a 100 mile radius so I'm a local act. I'm guessing you are aiming at acts with a larger range, bigger audiences (and higher aspirations).

We wanted to show video but not give away the climax of the tricks. We had noticed that when we did see some other videos the parts where the performers were talking were generally out of context and did not add much and were sometimes boring or annoying. We had certainly seen good video that came off well but we had a problem with not having great video and some of the really strong video also included Kids and we didn't want to include them without permission.

I would guess that someone working through a booker would probably have more resources to hire a better crew and set up a show just for recording with permission from the audience.

I know I would benefit from better video but getting good video is not easy for a variety of reasons.

In the end we used video with music over top to show the sorts of things I do, my skill level and the color of the show. We feel that the video underplays what they will get rather than oversells. that is not so good for selling the show but makes for happy customers after the show.

I do know the video has convinced many of my clients to hire me but I don't know how many have decided against me because they don't feel they got a real feeling for what my show is like. I have been surprised at how many times the Mom will say the Kids watched the promo video so I'm glad Tom cut out either the set up or the climax in the tricks.

I appreciate the post from your perspective. It is a subject I avoid thinking about because it is uncomfortable.

-Mary Mowder

I dislike when it becomes a showcase for the video editing software. That is always a bad sign.

I have nagged Mindpro about this type of thing I see in video and he is right. It us getting worse and to the detriment of performers.

To Mary's point I agree it is difficult to get good quality video. No doubt. Often it becomes a case where nothing is better than something.

I have always said that to properly get a promo video done you need to tell av story. Then storyboard it. Then set up the individual shots. Then post production. Then edit it together. It can take months just to get the shots you want.

But if you are doing video for birthdays and library shows is it necessary? Probably not. The return might not warrant the trouble. Each has to decide for themselves.

When we get video submissions most are a dumpster fire. Just bad. I used to make the mistake of trying to help them through the process and was met with anger and resentment. So I stopped that practice.

I find myself in an uncomfortable spot. I'm putting together a video for a project. I have not needed one for decades. When I was touring comedy clubs it was well before the advent of the Internet. I worked the same 30 or so clubs every year. No need for video. For the past decade or more I'm the guy people send video TO. No need to have one.

Now the above advice is true. But when you literally have video of EVERY show you ever have done you have the shots to do the video. The problem is that it literally is thousands of hours of video of yourself. Arghh.

Then to condense it to 5 minutes is a chore. But it is needed so I do it.

So it depends on your market I guess. But it is always true that you don't want to not show them what you want them to buy.

What used to drive me crazy (er) was the first 45 seconds of a guy getting dressed, then some quick cuts from different audiences, then testimonials, then written testimonials with voice over and then contact information.

If you had to describe the performer to a police sketch artist you wouldn't be able to based on the video. You couldn't pick him out of a line up.

To me this is just not what I would want to represent in my video. It is something that if you have not shown yourself in the first 20 seconds I am probably moving on.

This is just one point of view and certainly not universal.

Danny,

I just want to make sure I'm getting the right meaning from a quote of you. Could you check it and elaborate?

"But it is always true that you don't want to not show them what you want them to buy. " - Dannydoyle

On the subject of Comedy,
Tom (my partner/mentor) used to perform Magic in a couple of comedy clubs decades ago when Comedians would send in Cassette tapes. He said that there was no security and that the Comedians would be watching piles of full acts of other Comedians (not present) while waiting for their sets. That would be a problem for me if I were a Comedian.

-Mary Mowder

Mary I too think there is a little difference in selling yourself through a booker, who wants to know exactly what you will do, and selling yourself directly to the consumer.
Believe it or not, some buy for the part they don’t see. The goal is to fulfill the customers own perception of a magic show, which is made up of mystery and surprises.

Tom

I'm saying that you want to show them what they are buying. No matter who the buyer is, they should see what is being purchased.

I think that makes more sense.

The goal is indeed to sell to the buyer. No matter who that is. It is not always the same answer.

Thanks for your thoughts Mary. I think several different things are at play here.

First, it's sad that many performers have these misconceptions about agencies, event planners, etc. and often feel such topics don't apply to them as individual, self-represented/booking performers. I address this very significantly in my Working With Agents & Agencies book. Even though the context I used was in reference to one of my agencies, it is just as true as with independent, self-booking performers as well. I often get the feeling that many dismiss some of the topics and insights I offer because of my agency affiliation, falsely believing "that is an agency problem" or "that really only applies to represented performers. IThese are usually universal problems that pertain to all types of performers on all levels. The only key advantage that agents and agencies have (that independent performers should really learn and benefit from) is that prospects often tell us why they didn't hire you (you you specifically Mary, but independent performers in general) and the problems they are having when talking to independent, self-representing/booking performers. Trust me, we are like psychologists, as they spill their guts with the problems and frustrations they are having (which often is the reason they are to the point of contacting a professional agency to assist them).

In reality, just to clarify, most of the artists and performers we get and deal with (and most of those I coach and consult) are local performers. I'd say 80-85% or so. These are the videos we see the most and I am speaking of. I receive just as many submissions for my coaching which also includes me viewing their videos and I see this concern just as much there as well.

In today's current landscape, even those performers that do work with agents, still generate many of their own self-generated bookings. Few agencies these days have exclusive deals with performers unless perhaps for a single, specific market (college market, fair & festival markets, etc.)

The second issue, which has been a longstanding issue is performers not truly understanding the differences between a demo video, sample video, promo video, etc. Or the actual purpose of such videos. Prospects want to see you in action, see how you speak, carry yourself, your professionalism, etc. for kids performers, parents, Principals, and others want to see your personality, how you work and handle kids, how you speak, kids reactions, and other such indicators and deciding factors. They want to see your whole package and experience. Now sure a lesser video can be offset or overcome by talking to the prospect by phone as they can "get to know you" and develop feelings on these areas often by speaking directly to you as well, but in today's landscape many are trying to do online, hands-off bookings and do not utilize this live presentation aspect as much. Combine that with the videos of snapshots, and this is why it is concerning. Is that what you, the performer, really want best representing you?

I remember seeing your video Mary and there was live performance footage in it. I actually referred you for a gig a couple of years ago in Sunnyvale. It at least had performance footage. The issue I'm talking about are all still photos that really show little to nothing and I ask myself "how is this helpful to the client" and "how is this selling you?"

Thank you for your explanation of not wanting to reveal the climax of the tricks. I also agree that many magicians talking leaves much to be desired, and the out of context issue is also something that I see regularly that drives me nuts. Proper context that the viewer can easily understand is so important.

Sorry to make you feel uncomfortable with the topic, I completely undertsand it is a touchy and often frustrating one for many performers.

Thank you for the clarification, Danny.

I can definitely see that as a booker, you need to see the act to know what you are selling to someone else. Your reputation is on the line. The person buying the act for a committee also has his reputation on the line, so I can see him/her wanting to see more than a slick look at an act.

In my market I see people who are buying for a committee or Library who will never actually see my act in person. I don't mind showing them more of my act as it actually plays (although I do not currently have a video for this purpose). When I'm selling my act to a Birthday or Family group, I don't want the tricks "given away" because these people often show my video to my potential audience members (like the Kids especially).

"The second issue, which has been a longstanding issue is performers not truly understanding the differences between a demo video, sample video, promo video, etc. Or the actual purpose of such videos." -Mindpro This is so true.

Mind-Pro, thank you for the referral. I don't believe that they called me (but it may be that my video did not give them enough info. LOL) My problems with video are not because of you. I've ALWAYS had a problem with seeing myself on video or photos and getting older is no help.

-Mary Mowder

I don't EVER think it is a good policy to have tricks given away in the show. Tip to tail effects are not a good plan for a video.

It is about showing that "something" has happened and then how much fun the audience is having because of that "something". Sounds simple, but it certainly not.

For that market you may be 100% correct. I have NO idea and never would presume to pretend I do. But it certainly makes sense.

But more than showing actual effects, I am talking about them seeing what "the show" is. This can be done quite easily without giving away much of anything as far as content goes. Plus at SOME point in the video you do need to convey that you are a magician. Otherwise why have the video at all?

The part that confuses the heck out of me is "a picture is worth a thousand words". This is true. So video must be off the charts with what it is worth. So why do so many take up so much time with words in testimonials? I can read (On video mind you.) words about one person who had fun, or I can watch a thousand people having fun. Which seems like a better representation for what it is you want to convey?

Worse yet what dries me crazy is the interview of people. Oh again why not put in 20 seconds of an audience just having a ripping good time? Which says more about what you are trying to convey?

Also what will NOT hurt in a video is an over the shoulder type shot of the crowd. Having a video camera taking just a shot of people having a GREAT time! This will convey anything anyone in a video testimonial will try to say for certain. One reason I am not a huge fan of a video testimonial section is because it drags the energy back and forth up and down for no reason. It goes from the energy of a show, to one person talking. It does not help to tell the story.

This is one of the best examples of a promo video I have ever seen. It is a friend of mine, and no he is not a magician. Please watch anyhow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5D-OJP6YsI

Thanks for sharing that video Danny. Great to see a sample of what is being described.

Yes Danny’s video is a good example of how to provide a sample of the work.

Tom

I believe there's something to be said for having good skills as a video editor; however, it seems that many are spending too much time showcasing their video production/editing skills more than the product they are ostensibly looking to sell, which is themselves as a live entertainer.

Since I mostly (80-90% of the time) perform after-dinner shows in dimly-lit hotel and casino banquet rooms, getting good quality video is very, very difficult as many here know. I've even been told by clients that my videos don't really do me justice, and that I am way more entertaining than the videos would seem to show. I try to get video of me doing the very thing that clients are actually hiring me for (such as after-dinner shows), and I've tried to make the best of it as video isn't getting any LESS important these days. Working on a new video now, combing through ridiculous hours of performances looking for morsels. I'd much rather be studying video to improve performance, than digging around trying to find that tasty, five-second video snack for potential clients to chow down.

As far as the whole "showing yourself in a live performance" thing goes though, I believe there's absolutely no reason for a professional entertainer not to have at least a few instances of this; even if it is only a group of university students screaming at your card trick out in the quad in between classes.