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Jizmagic New user 85 Posts |
How long does it take you to get ready for a birthday party show? That is, before you get to the gig, how long does it take to get all your props ready? For me, I seem to take an extraordinary amount of time getting ready (between 1-1.5 hours). I go through each prop, making sure I have everything in working order, make sure the "boombox" is OK, along with the selections of music. I do not "pack small". I have RWR, Funhouse, Vern (Axtell Puppet); a Miser's dream sequence (ending with a money mouth coil, airborne coke, and a Sylvester 10 ft pole); The Thing, rope, change bag and silks,PB&J, and others. Whew! I'm just curious how long it takes everyone.
May the magic be with you!
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AndrewBarbour New user 71 Posts |
When I finish a show it takes me about 10 minutes to repack the effects in my case. I keep all the consumable items in one area so it is easy to replenish. I then take 5 minutes replenishing the consumable items and repacking those effects at home or in the car. Set-up for me is about 10 minutes to pull out the props and make sure they are positioned properly. The only thing that increases the prep time is if I am doing T&R newspaper (+7 minutes).
Hope this helps Andrew |
muzicman Special user LaCenter, Wa 989 Posts |
Organization is the key. I would say for the most part, 1 to 1.5 hours for your above list seems really too long. If everything is organized, it should take about 10 minutes to stage everything by the door. (Do not load until you stage). This will insure you have all items (which are on a checklist). The method of loading should be with the largest and flatest items first. All small items in the stage area should be in a stackable container. The fewer boxes, the fewer trips to and fro. Efficiency may take some time but if you strive for it, and work on it, you will find you can get in and out VERY quickly.
Some things like T&R are easier if you make a supply you can draw from. You can get an assembly line going on your off time and make up as many as you are willing. You will also find that you are able to make them more consistantly so each T&R feels and works the same. I am like you, I pack large and play larger. I was getting stressed at times trying to find everything I needed... Packing my truck without staging took a LONG time and there were times I forgot things (no list) There were other times things got damaged (not packaged right). Hopefully you will learn from my mistakes and avoid those pitfalls. |
danryb Special user 506 Posts |
Time is money. I prefer to spen more time and more money when producing my shows and make sure that 95% of all the props and comercial items I purchase will set up and pack up ultra fast. (not necessarily small items)
the above is for my evening hotel shows where I have to go from one show to the next within minutes and be ready to perform amediately. even though I waste a lot of money on items I may never use, for me it is worth it in the longrun. also, I use the same acts for performing birthday parties and enjoy the same luxury of having everything "ready to go" and being able to pack-up and be "gone" within a few minutes. this leaves me plenty of time to "mix and mingle" with the kids and adults before and after my show and helps me make more sales. more time to sell, more money being made. more money being made, more shows to produce and it goes on and on. set-up (staging) takes me aprox. 4 minutes pack-up takes me aprox. 6 minutes enjoy, Dani |
MikeDes Inner circle Montreal 1174 Posts |
I agree with most of the comments. If it doesn't reset quickly and easily then it will cost me money. My show takes about 3 minutes to organize and set-up. I often have to reset in the car between shows so it also has to be easy to reorganize things after the show. I have all the props for my birthday party show in one large samsonite suitcase, including my table stand and top. This and keyboard stand are the only things I have to carry.
Of course larger shows mean more equipment and longer set up time both at home and at the event. |
nucinud Inner circle New York, New York 1298 Posts |
I would say it takes me about 15 - 20 minutes to check, reset, or replace items and load up the car. After awhile it becomes a routine and it is just automatic. I also take five minutes when I get home after show to see what needs to be taken care of.
When you do shows back to back, you very rarely have a lot of time between gigs. So you learn to work fast. Sometimes I have an hour between shows. So I have to pack up, reset, replace, load up and drive to get there a few minutes early so I can unload and set up. Now my time is even less, but I prepair for this before the first show. I have set in place extras of any items that get used up, like cards, rope etc. I put my props in a suitcase, my table (taken apart) in a gym bag. I also have sound equipment including amps, mics, extension cords and a chair suspension. I make a few trips from the car. Most of the stuff fits in my trunk, except for one amp that I bring for the lager venues, fits in the back seat.
"We are what we pretend to be" Kurt Vonnegut, jr.
Now U C It Now U Don't Harry Mandel www.mandelmagic.com |
Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
I have 2 shows ready to go at any given time (one show is for 3-5 year olds, and the other one is for 6-8 yer olds). But I also use a checklist to make sure I don't overlook any details. As a result, it takes me a total of less than 10 minutes to get my show in the car. When I get to the venue, it takes me about 15 minutes from the time I pull up into the driveway, to the time I'm actually performing. With good prop management, each show is automatically reset and ready to go immediately after each performance.
When I perform back-to-back shows, it isn't the props that need resetting. It's me. I bring extra shirts and a toiletry kit with me. In between shows, I'll pop into a fast food restaurant and use their bathroom. I change shirts, and freshen up. Then I go out and buy a juice or something from the restaurant since I'm usually thirsty after a show (that also justifies my quick use of their facilities). That takes about 10 minutes. Then I'm off to the next client! Kent Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
I repack as I play, so reset time (other than the occasional cleanout and resupply) is zero. However, I have paid for that now and then (how DID the boombox get turned on so the batteries wore out, anyway?)
Of course, that doesn't count getting the bunny (including making the bunny come out of his bunny house, making him come BACK out of his bunny house, and now and then chasing the escaped bunny). But I do like to include extra travel time - I used to schedule shows very tightly together, but the stress and the failure rate was unenjoyable, so now I can take my time. |
JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Ross,
How much time do you leave between shows? Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
Because I offer a wide variety of shows, I often have five different shows over the weekend. This actually can work out nice and easy, as I can prep each show before the weekend starts, then it's just a question of putting them in the car ready to go. If there are props being used in two different shows, I may have a duplicate prop, or more likely I highlight that item on the second show list to remind me to include it before packing the car.
When I have to reset a show, I normally do it at the gig, while I'm packing up. The kids are usually having tea at that time, so no interruptions. I allow 30 minutes to arrive, park, bring in my kit, and set the show. With luck I may have time for a cup of tea as well. At a push I can do it in about ten minutes. A list of props and items you might forget is essential. (I have in the past forgotten things such as my treasure map, which was vital to the show - had to phone a friend to bring it to me; cloths, which I always use to wipe any mess up; soda cans and other consumables which it's easy to forget about. This is even when I have a list!) |
rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
JamesinLA, I allow an hour between shows, but that may not tell you much because around the country the width of people's service areas may vary, along with general travel conditions etc.
I can only add that I am willing to travel less far now, and much less willing to take shows for people I don't want to deal with (you know how you can tell much in the first 60 seconds of the phone call?) so that's on one side of the equation, but I still have to allow for "can't you wait till the last one gets here?" and "This just in, a tanker fire has I-95 closed in both directions." |
JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Thanks, Ross. It certainly helps me when I've got shows within 15 minutes of each other. Sometimes, though, I'm looking at a hour drive between shows. Also, I've got to deal with LA traffic, which can be okay or horrible.
As a side note, I remember getting completely lost and confused on Washington's "loop."
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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AragorntheMagician Veteran user Metro-Atlanta 304 Posts |
Starting with my 1st booked gig of the day I then do "Mapquests" to each other gig as I get their requests (not their booking). I look at the time needed and then add a "Fudge Factor" (we are talking Atlanta) and am able to tell them what time I can be there ready to go. Since I've started to do this I've had much less hassle/stress/upset stomach and make most of my times (again we're talking HotLanta).
The customers like the honesty and most adjust their time with no problem. For reset I like many others do it automatically during the routine and stuff goes back into their places in my case. If we are doing a follow-on party (we have now done our 5th generation party) and we advertise that each party is different my case has room for two different shows. Yours, Aragorn the Magician (still married to the Clown)
aka: I used to be BOB (It's Cellini's fault)
"All Right, Who's Volunteering to be Turned into a Frog???" www.aragornthemagician.com |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
I can usually set up my full 45 min show in about 20 mins tops and that includes my music and setting up my chair suspension illusion. A lot of that comes from knowing my show and from the method of always keeping things organized and set-up ready to go.
it does take me longer to break down and takes me time at home toget things where they need to go. However, I have always had the philosophy of always being as organized as I can and taking care of my magic props. I want to know where everything is at any given time. I also want to be able to do a show at a minutes notice by always being ready and prepared. kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
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