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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
Wow, it has been a while since I went out on the sidewalk to properly busk. I have been doing festivals, and paid gigs every weekend. For the last month I have been "A full time pro." That is what you are when you make your entire income from magic right? Anyway, this weekend I didn't have anything booked so Saturday I took the day off and spent it with family. Today I decided to go hit the sidewalk for fun mostly. I ended up working for 3 hours. I tried some new material, Bill Abbott's The Thing, The Salt Pour, some coin stuff...I did the cups and balls too! I was surprised how easily the script flowed, the loads were all smooth. The looks of utter astonishment on my spectator's faces when I revealed the loads and the smiles they had even while I was hatting them!
WOW I FEEL ALIVE! I don't ever want to take that long away from the streets again!!!! |
MagiCol Special user Dargaville, New Zealand 929 Posts |
Gr8gorilla, the streets are great alright, for honesty from spectators and for seeing their reactions pretty close up.
A question to you: If you made the same income on the streets as from your other work [assuming you're working for big crowds - a stage show type presentation - overall, would you choose the streets over the stage? I've been on a big stage just once, long ago when I seemed to hardly knew what I was doing. But I do prefer the streets and other parlour-type settings. Getting to meet lots of different types of persons [I don't need the drunks] of all ages, interacting by talking to them as individuals and small group, etc. I'll take the streets to the stage, thanks. Ultimately, it's not about the money for me, and I'm sure that was your thinking too on that Saturday.
The presentation makes the magic.
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MagiCol Special user Dargaville, New Zealand 929 Posts |
Corrtetion: not "talking to them" - I meant "talking with them".
The presentation makes the magic.
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MagiCol Special user Dargaville, New Zealand 929 Posts |
Gulp, a typo! the first word is supposed to be 'Correction" - I speak English well, I type it a bit wonky at times.
The presentation makes the magic.
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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
First let me say this, I make good money when working the streets. Better than when I was working using my Computer Science degree, probably as good a lot of Doctors. The biggest problem for me is that where I live the foot traffic just isn't there consistently to make a living. I have 2 days/week when the busking is good enough to support myself. Even other buskers I know around here rarely go out more than a couple days per week. If I could work 5 days per week and support myself strictly from working the streets, I would. The old saying, "without money, there is no art" means that the artists starve to death if they don't have money to buy food.
So to answer your question, if I could choose, I would pick the street. It is awesome and pure and just the best. It is never the same, it keeps itself fresh. I am pretty sure that not matter what happens with my magic business, like so many other sidewalk guys, I will always find some time to to out and busk. I NEED IT! |
Mario Morris Inner circle Mario Morris 2044 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-11-10 23:01, Gr8gorilla wrote: First off let me say well done for getting out there keep on keeping on. I often herd this statement I earn as much a Doctor does. Now if we are talking on the hour or by a performance then yea sure. On the other hand I think this satment is missleading. We got take in the hours prepairing to get ready, including practise, rehersale, gettting our clothes ready, travel all of this and the overheads that are created by doing so. Not that I am being negertive, if we plan to go pro then the full waite of your time getting ready and your show must be weighed against your turnover and then you can work out how much you earn. The show is just the end result. The same as a booking I may get paid well to perform my show but the prise reflects evrey thing I put into that show including travel expences, my profit is what I put above all of that. Hear to help Mario |
Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
Mario that is very true. But if we take the Doctor in the same light and include the 8 years of school and various years of residency he spent before he started his own practice, I would say that some of us might even do much better than a doctor...
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Ray Bertrand Inner circle Ottawa, Ontario 1452 Posts |
Good for you Gr8gorilla. Keep doing what you are doing. It not only pays the bill but definitely seems to pay you in intangible ways that money cannot buy.
Ray
Mentalism in Ontario.
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Yellowcustard Inner circle New Zealand 1334 Posts |
Gr8gorilla first up well done.
I did a little research and about 17 Months ago you put up post 'First Day on the Pitch - Lessons learned' Since then you have asked question about signage begin seen. You have also put in some great advice. My fav is on a topic were someone is asking how to seriuos start busking your about 5-6 down the list yet your the first to say go out and busk. Also you shared some of the hard days as well. So good to read a post like this and keep going you seem to have the work life balance right.
Enjoy your magic,
and let others enjoy it as well! |
Yellowcustard Inner circle New Zealand 1334 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-11-11 05:53, Mario Morris wrote: Sorry to chop up your quote Mario but I feel its not negative and is very important.Early this year I was talking to a Uni student that started to do walk round and he was pretty good. But his pricing was low. He said he could not charge more for a hour. Then a bit like you point out what need to be done for that hour. He doubled his price and still got gigs. He has just recently add a bit more and he is busy as over Christmas. I think there should be more at convention and lecture about marketing and priceing. When ever I go to clubs magicians are very guard about there pricing. It one of the many things I like about busker there more open to talking about it. But I also know only believe what your told when you see it. Thank you
Enjoy your magic,
and let others enjoy it as well! |
Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
I have an "audition" for a corporate Gig today in about an hour. I was reading this before going and thinking about how much simpler busking is...
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Devious Inner circle 2120 Posts |
Many folks think that they can live a comfortable lifestyle by entertaining
the masses on the streets, but the truth is that you won't even come close unless you develop skills to carry over into private work as well. There are exceptions obviously, but for the most part not. Knowing this, you won't get wealthy, but you will gain the satisfaction of knowing that you are doing something that you truly enjoy. Many of us can name both buskers and "Indoor Magicians" who passed on in a relative financial straits. The key to avoiding that is of course multiple streams of income. It's obviously best, if magic can offer several of those streams, but that's a personal decision. Personally, I have other creative efforts outside of magia that offer me other streams. You have found happiness sharing your magic with the masses, but I think most medical professionals truly enjoy helping others to reacquire happiness through health as well. Financial gain is the lesser of payment. Some of us magicians may forget from time to time why we got into the business, but eventually we must return to that rememberance of bringing smiles by with our enthusiasm for the art, as we forget about a previous mishap or loss, The show must go on with or without us. To your point on the gig, The snooty guys at the conventions will tell you that there is quite a difference between a "Corporate Gig" and working at one. A true "Corporate gig", uses magic as the platform to convey a business or self-improvement message, etc...They also pay hundreds more. I wish you much success at the gig. I am also very proud of your clearly evident progression in this dynamic field of entertainment. First comes Acceptance, for the fact that entertaining folks with magic has become your calling, thus we must come to terms with our mission by acceptance of the conditions and the effort required. It seems like you have accepted your trade at this point. If "Enthusiasm and Inspiration" don't follow quickly behind your Acceptance, you may fall out of the trade in a short manner, due to burn out or lack of sincerity. Enthusiasm for magic and your groups is infectuous during your shows and clearly dictates larger returns. Knowledge of magic effects of clever lines are the wires in the electrical circuit, but Enthusiasm is the power in those wires that fuel the show. Inspiration is of course what you will give to those fortunate few at each of your performances. Many folks have the desire to also share their own talents and clearly find that inspiration from watching us in the field as we "Live The Dream." Shaun, It sounds like you have a healthy dose of all three at this point. Well done, for you cannot learn neither of them, they must come as a natural progression of your comfort presenting the material! You Got It Dude! |
Mr. Danny Loyal user North Central Louisiana 249 Posts |
Devious, YOU nailed it, dude!
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Motley Mage Special user 572 Posts |
Shaun--I am thrilled for you that you have found a way to follow your dream. I know how long and hard you worked to get there over the past couple of years. I'm also glad you are keeping the street connection as you get more inside work. Best of luck!
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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
Thanks for the encouragement folks! You guys are the best, really. Devious, I will have to read and re-read your words of wisdom because there are some great things in there!
I have had some people approach me on a couple of occasions, after watching me build and hat crowds on a busy day, and ask me about "Trade Shows." If I had ever worked one. I have not. I hear it is a hard business to get into but the fact that some people see the potential and those people are not me, it is something I have thought about trying, if I can find a way. |
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