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Traveler Special user 549 Posts |
Strange people, customers...
Even though I clearly have a ouija board on my promo material, even though everything about me communicates that I'm not a "normal" magician (contradictio in terminis, I know), I still get requests for a) big, loug parties b) childrens parties c) strolling My question is : how do you deal with such requests : do you "make" a program for them or do you succeed in steering them in the direction of what you DO offer (ok, not for children, but still). I'd prefer the latter option, but I'm not sure how to convince people who had something ENTIRELY different in their mind. You could also plainly refuse or refer to a colleague, of course. I wonder... some "bizarrists" like Michael Fraughton are said to perform for only 20 persons at the time. So it must be possible. Since this artform is not mainstream I think this is the hardest part of it, since there are nearly no precedents... |
Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
If you are in the 'biz' and making money is part of your plan...adapt a seperate act so as not to turn down any of it...Result: afford more weird stuff.
If you are in it for your 'art' then get to know someone who can trade leads with you when they get one for a Ouija Board show.
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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Traveler Special user 549 Posts |
Quote:
If you are in it for your 'art' then get to know someone who can trade leads with you when they get one for a Ouija Board show. LOL ! Somehow I was aware THAT ain't going to happen very often. But it's true that I'm in it for the art, not for the "biz". I'm not a full-timer, neither do I want to be one. I guess I'm trying to open customers minds for alternative entertainment. Which works, but too many people expect... well coins out of ears and such... What I'm trying to say is that, over here, magic has some kind of "stigma" that is hard to remove and it prevents - not from doing shows - but from doing the shows I want to do. Aaah, perhaps I don't make myself clear at all. Typical for teachers, I fear. BTW, Doug, any idea where good weird stuff can be bought, in case I go for your first option ? |
Philemon Vanderbeck Inner circle Seattle, WA 4694 Posts |
I regularly perform bizarre magick for big, loud parties, children's parties, and strolling...
Professor Philemon Vanderbeck
That Creepy Magician "I use my sixth sense to create the illusion of possessing the other five." |
Dr Spektor Eternal Order Carcanis 10781 Posts |
Read Win the Crowd by Steve Cohen and decide -> sometimes it is better to focus on some areasd than to be all trying to do all things
"They are lean and athirst!!!!"
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Traveler Special user 549 Posts |
Dr. Spektor ,
I read that... It was this book that started me thinking along these lines. Philemon. That's surprising. I've never heard about people doing solely bizarre while strolling. Isn't it hard to set the mood when you can barely be understood ? |
christiancagigal Special user SF Bay Area 625 Posts |
Absolute Magic by Derren would be good too. Even Derren admit's....sometimes you gotta just be an entertainment monkey...not matter how much you hate.
But, if you're in a good groove with a crowd and you really have them on your side, in a strolling situation for example. You can then gently bring them into your world. So, maybe find a balance you can work with.
"Besides the known and the unknown, what else is there?"-Harold Pinter
www.christiancagigal.com |
Silvertongue Inner circle One day I will die leaving behind 2426 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-08-07 13:04, Philemon Vanderbeck wrote: Yup I believe Gene Poinc did as well...
For as long as space exists,
And living beings remain in cyclic existence, For that long, may I too remain, to dispel the sufferings of the world. -Shantideva Engaging in the Conduct of a Bodhisattva |
dough Loyal user Gee. . . 13 years, and only 238 Posts |
If you don't mind performing the normal stuff, I would say work up a separate act with a little Bizarre in it, then use that to promote your full bizarre act to those attending. Sort of introduce them to it and see what happens.
"One of the Last Ten in One Sideshows"
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Gede Nibo Inner circle 2447 Posts |
First, one would have to DEFINE what IS "Bizarre."
K I D D I N G (screams bloody helll) NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! leland, jonathan, chmara, bill, egergor, mystician, GET BACK IN THE DUNGEON! ehem. I perform in childrens hospitals and just bring my cups and balls. Oh, and "that look in my eye".... |
HauntingMagic New user Raleigh, NC USA 38 Posts |
I think the easiest path to success is to work on one act - just look at me!*G* I only have seven different acts . . . . And I may well be the most successful Magician in Garner, NC! LOL
I am trying to do bizarre kiddie magic with my "Thad S. Gross" site. I will start pushing it next month. |
Traveler Special user 549 Posts |
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On 2007-08-07 21:26, Gede Nibo wrote: I agree that "that look" can be the best reward, my friend ! |
Gede Nibo Inner circle 2447 Posts |
Ah. pic wont upload.
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Leland Stone Inner circle 1204 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-08-07 21:26, Gede Nibo wrote: Aw, Gede...you're the one who cracked the door open and disturbed the sepulchral stillness down here! We've not rattled each others' cages in a while...hope things are well |
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