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Jarana Regular user 183 Posts |
How do most of you handle it when you go to a party and find out the distance between your car and performance place is all grass or its very far and hard to roll your (Magic Carts and equipment, music, kids chairs, etc…) And by the time you’re done setting up you are even more sweaty from all the carrying.
Or having to carry your props inside with your custom/outfits on while they all stare at you, how do most do it?? Lately I have been thinking of going dressed like a normal person, bringing in equipment and once, all setup, going to the bathroom or a room to change and come out changed!! Any comments??
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trixy Veteran user sweden 320 Posts |
I always get to the gig in my ordinary clothes. I ask when they call me if I can drive up to the house and if not I ask for them to arrange some person that can help me and that have never been any trouble. I also tell them that I need a place to dress and it´s no problem to use a bathroom. I also tell them that I need the room by my self to set up the props.
Sometime the children ask if I´m the magician when I get there and I say.. NO..but my twinbroter is the magician and he get here later. |
Lyndel Inner circle wrote the theme to the TV show COPS! 1623 Posts |
OK,
I'm going tip something here that I have been keeping to myself for a bunch of years. Other than my Wireless Wizardry Mini Tech, this has been the best investment in magic equipment that I have ever made. The product is called a Rock & Roller Cart System. See it here: http://www.rocknrollercart.com/ It has pnumatic wheels that makes pulling or pushing it through the grass and absolute ease! It's heavy duty, yet light weight and transforms in to eight different configurations to move what ever type of equipment that you want to move. It's used by the music industry, major TV networks, news crews, and now - professional magicians... It has a stop brake on one of the front wheels if the parking area of your venue is not level. Their smallest model holds 350 pounds of equipment. Their larger model holds 500! The mid sized model itself only weighs 29 pounds, so it's light weight to easy to carry along since it folds up pretty small. I'm telling you guys, this is THE only way to transport your equipment from vehicle to venue. I can't rave about it enough! ...And no, I'm not connected with the company in any way. I just love this thing! Lyndel |
boppies2 Elite user Arizona 422 Posts |
Lyndel,
Thanks for the info. Which model do you use? Max |
Jarana Regular user 183 Posts |
Thanks Trixy and Lyndel
Trixy I think I'm gonna talk my wife into this, she is a bit against the idea of asking parents to use their Broom to change, but I think this will relieve a lot of stress, cause now we set up in our costumes (which I think is unprofesional) Lyndel which model do you use, small, mid or large? Jaime
Got a website? We can help--> www.clorus.com
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Jarana Regular user 183 Posts |
Also Trixy how long have you been doing these setups, like going in dress as normal person, ever had any complaints?
Do you know if most or some dressed up clown magicians do this as well? thakns again Jaime
Got a website? We can help--> www.clorus.com
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trixy Veteran user sweden 320 Posts |
I live in sweden and here I only know one person that travel with his stuff in his costume and the funny part is..he travel not by car..with subway... That we can call a god PR :o)
I heva never get into to my costume before I ge to the set up.. |
Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
I always arrive in costume as I find it far easier to do so than to find a place to dress. I have been performing at the same Medieval Faire here in Seattle for twenty five years now and it was a good decade into this tun before anyone at the faire ever saw me in street clothes. As I've stated in another thread my regular private party show packs into a single valise so packing it in is no problem. For my bigger library shows I use a handtruck or rolling table and can get the whole show in a single trip. Occasionally I have to perform one of these shows outside but it is never far from the car park. Most of my costumes have a vest so I just take that off as I'm loading in or out so if I do break a sweat it's covered by the vest. The biggest problem I see of setting your show and then having to go change your outfit is, whose going to watch your setup while your away changing?
If hauling your act in is becoming a major problem I'd seriously consider lightening it up to fit in a smaller container.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Jarana, to paraphrase one of my idols, Barry Mitchell...If it don't fit in one case, it don't go. The poor grammar is mine...not Barry's. His grammar has money! <groan>
Barry will pick a case that suits his needs for a given show format, then he'll select effects and equipment that will fit in that one container. If it doesn't fit in that case, it's removed from the show. For birthday parties, family & company picnics and commercial events, my entire show fits in or on one large Lefler table...including my sound system. My "Birthday Star" director chairs and backdrop attach to the outside of the table with velcro. The wheels on the table allow me to easily roll across any hard surface. If I have an expanse of grassy or rocky surfaces to cross, I have a folding luggage handtruck similar to Lyndl's with larger wheels. I bungee the table to the handtruck and roll on. A real lifesaver!! One of my strengths as a performer is that the moment I walk through their door I am ready to perform. Since there's no set-up to speak of, I can arrivein character ready to go. When the show is done, the case is closed and I'm ready to leave. No multiple trips to the car, no setup time, no struggling with heavy, unwieldy cases. My clients are left with the image of an organized professional. If you knew me, you'd realize how much real magic that requires! Take a serious look at your show and see what you can do to reduce the burden you're lugging behind you. Streamline your act. Full stage and festival shows are another story. I never set up my full stage shows in character. First, it's hard on the costume and it's difficult for me to remain "in character" while struggling to get things ready. I also find that children are less likely to approach me during the stressful set-up time if I'm not in character. I always arrive in clean pressed work pants and a polo shirt with my logo embroidered above the heart. I set up the show then return to my van to change. My van is set up as an air conditioned dressing room/office/break area for all day and traveling events. You can also change in a convenient restroom or side room away from public access. I schedule sufficient time to unload, set-up, take a 15-20 minute calming break then change. My fees reflect this time. If you have a problem find a solution that works...thus sayeth The Barry! Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
Jarana Regular user 183 Posts |
Thanks Skip again , I hope we can once get to the point where we don't need all the props for a good show- I feel that now -although I have liked magic since a Kid- we only have performed for paid shows about almost two years- so I feel I'm not that experience and need the extra props to make the show look a litte nicer and professional- and since we do bring a bunny and a dove, I defenetely cant take away a cart where I hide them to roll them in(that cart also has the amplifier that connects to the speakers with stands) and I have another cart where I have all my other stuff setup in order for the show.
also I bring in the little kids chair cuase it helps us keeping them in order. but with time, more experience and everyones help and tips here- I will get to the final solution!! thanks again, Jaime
Got a website? We can help--> www.clorus.com
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trixy Veteran user sweden 320 Posts |
Jarana wrote "I hope we can once get to the point where we don't need all the props for a good show- I feel that now"
It´s NOT the quantity you selling it´s the quality. I meen if you have 30 trick and not deliver them fine and magicial to the audiens it dosent matte how many tricks yoiu have. or just 5 GOD that you perform with 100% trust..this 5 tricks can sell you more than 30 bad performance tricks. I think that you chall not have to many or to few tricks..so you have to figure out how many tricks that fitz you...the chilren shall not bee bored of to many tricks.. |
Jarana Regular user 183 Posts |
I feel the same about
"It´s NOT the quantity you selling it´s the quality" well my show consists of about 14 effects, but what I'm saying that since I just started doing this, I'm not at the point where I can entertain an audience bringing maybe just suitcase. some of the stuff we carry that I feel I cant do without -Cage for dove and bunny (dove and bunny) -amplifier -profesional speakers with stands(feel help make a stage impression) -Balloon to Dove Tray -Dove Pan ( used with food) -Litte Chairs (helps organize kids, also help stage atmosphere) -Big Funny - surpise magic wands ( silly wands) -Dove to Rabbit Cylynder -Change Bag (in the future would like to take this out, feel its outdated) -Dream Change Bag-need space to put them away for after effect-cannot put them down and away in the regular format as they kids will see this) -PB $ J (need to get the good version) -Airborne -STRAT-O-SPHERE -Zombie (always carry it, havent had the courage to perform it, cant yet figure out how I would bring out the stick and hide it back after its done in a smooth manne, or sometimes if I'm outside I feel wind might blow zombie silk up and they will see it- but have to get to doing this one) - of course all the smaller tricks- like mouth coils, thum tips, silk to cane, wich fit anywhere but have them set up in special order in carrying magic cart so I don't think I can get rid of it for now at least. -and a bunch of extra items that I have as back up, cups and balls, ropes ect.. but yes Trixy my constant concern and reason why I'm always stressing upcoming shows- is cause I want to present quality not quantity" thanks for your tips Jaime PS: How long have you been doing it? do anything else on the side?
Got a website? We can help--> www.clorus.com
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Lyndel Inner circle wrote the theme to the TV show COPS! 1623 Posts |
I've got the R-8 Mid sized cart. Love it!
Lyndel |
Jarana Regular user 183 Posts |
Ok cool-thanks Lyndel
Got a website? We can help--> www.clorus.com
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trixy Veteran user sweden 320 Posts |
R-8 Mid sized cart?? is?
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Marvello Inner circle It's amazing how little I can say in 1612 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-08-03 15:54, Lyndel wrote: Lyndel- thanks for the info. I think that they look great- have you tried the shelf kit?
Never criticize someone else until you have walked a mile in their shoes. Then, when you do criticize them, you will be a mile away from them and you will have their shoes.
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-08-03 13:35, Jarana wrote: How long of a performance are you doing? I typically perform a half hour length show for Birthday Parties. A typical set is Cut and restored rope What's Next Die Box Linking Rings I also carry an egg bag for an extra effect just in case. My suggestion to you would be, dump the chairs, If you're not comfortable doing a Zombie Ball Routine then don't bring it along. Bring only one or two extra effects as back up. Unless you're performing for whole bunch of Kids, like a hundred or so I'd dump the sound system as well, particularly if your doing an in home Birthday Party. Work towards extending your routines. The longer a routine the less tricks you need to bring.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Lyndel Inner circle wrote the theme to the TV show COPS! 1623 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-08-03 16:16, Marvello wrote: Marvello, I don't have the shelf unit. Seems like it would take a little extra time to attach. I just stack my cases on top of each other on the cart and off I go. The side handles literally take just a couple seconds to lock into place. Depending on the size of show I'm doing I either leave the cart short or expand it to fit all my extra equipment (i.e. Fender Passport, speaker stands, extra cases, etc.) Again, changing the length of the cart is a snap! Trixy, the R-8 is the model of cart that I have. See the link above regarding the Rock & Roller Cart. Lyndel |
Jarana Regular user 183 Posts |
Payne we do a 30 minute show - funny thing you mention Linking Rings- I've never owned one- eventually I will get one and see what their all about.
thanks for your tips. Jaime
Got a website? We can help--> www.clorus.com
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p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
HI,
if I work a festival/fete/carnival I insist on parking by the performance area or as a pro I refuse the gig. for birthday partys I have a list of gigs I just wont do I think this is std with most UK pros I know I wont work town centre gigs ext. Phillip |
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