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Tim Friday Elite user 485 Posts |
When I began to search for a magic gig at a restaurant, I quickly ran up against a chicken and the egg type dilemma.
People in the magic community say if you want to get good as a magician just go get a restaurant gig because you get lots of experience. Yet in order to get a restaurant gig, you already have to be good, right? So which comes first, the chicken or the egg? As I would approach restaurants the overbearing question in my mind was am I good enough? I was constantly doubting my abilities, and at some level I still have frequent doubts about myself as an entertainer. But I came up with a solution. The solution and my response to the insecure questions in my mind is: YES! To get a restaurant gig you already have to be good, right? YES! I already am good enough, at least to get started and I will keep getting better! Which comes first, the restaurant gig or having skills as a magician? YES! I will go out for the gig and the skills will continue to improve! Maybe you should practice more instead of going in that restaurant today. YES! I will go in that restaurant today and practice some more! No one will ever care about your success as an entertainer more than you. If it is going to happen then it is up to you to say YES! This is going to happen. And one way or the other, it will. |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
You are correct - if you are seeking restaurant work or any kind of paid work you are expected to be good. However, there are many places one should perform BEFORE even thinking of approaching a restaurant or any other paid performance. They are called free bookings for gaining experience. They are the best way for you to actually become good rather than just telling yourself you are good. Offer your service to community groups, kids hospitals, peer groups, special needs groups. etc. They appreciate your services, you network and make contacts, and most of all you are gaining actual performing experience in the process. If you are poor or make mistakes it much more acceptable as you have donated your services and they are not paying for it which creates accountability and expectations.
It's not really a chicken or the egg scenario, one truly does come before the other. Also check out Scott Wolf's post here: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=44 |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Here is some advice. Ignore it because it is from me.
You are right you start somewhere. No doubt. But since you will be better in 5 years than when you first start do not approach your dream restaurant first. Get the bugs out. Spend time working less than ideal places. This way when you approach the dream place it is as an established commodity. Comics run into the problem constantly. Open mic at places and then later want to work them as a headliner. Often the owner never looks at you as anything more than what he saw you as. This is not an absolute, but it can and does happen. Just a thought. Hope it helps. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Tim Friday Elite user 485 Posts |
Mindpro and Danny, thanks for your reply. You both bring up good points. Gaining experience through free gigs is very good advice. Not setting a precedent at a venue of being free and then getting stuck with that perception with the booker is practical advice.
My intention with my post was to address things more from an 'inner game' stand point. I heard somewhere recently that the entertainment business is the rejection business. For my experience so far, this is true, I have had many more rejections or no response (also a rejection in a way) than positive response. What I mean by inner game is I must condition myself, my mind and attitude in advance otherwise I will allow the rejections, my mind, insecurities, and doubts to get the best of me and I will have defeated myself. Maybe it was unclear in my first post, but this is the idea I am trying to share. |
David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts |
Not sure what your level of experience is. Keep in mind that restaurants are very busy places and that working them is quite complicated. You need to consider possible opposition from the wait staff who will fear you're cutting into their tips or getting in their way. You need to think about how you justify your services to the always budget conscious restaurant owner.
Your timing on when to approach a table and how quickly to perform what you're doing needs to be impeccable. Having said that, it IS true that a restaurant booking can be wonderful. You get to perform for a broad cross section of people: drunks and families, dating couples and convention goers. You can also get some wonderful referrals for real world gigs. What you need to consider is this: do you have four effects suitable for this environment that are STRONG? If so, go for it. Sandwich (pun intended) your "newer" material between two solid routines so you can work it in front of audiences. Constantly be refining your work. You'll come out a much better performer...hopefully with some solid bookings to boot. Jim Sisti offers a book. I believe it's called The Magic Menu -- a collection of excellent essays about working restaurants. Good luck to you! Let us know how you get on with this project. David
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except bears. Bears will kill you.
My books are here: www.magicpendulums.com www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com |
lou serrano Special user Los Angeles, CA 671 Posts |
Tim,
You are right on! When I first started my magic business 20 years ago, I had been learning magic for about a year. I started doing it professionally when I picked up my first restaurant gig. At the time I had a total of 8 tricks in my repertoire. Many magicians told me I wasn't ready. They said I needed more experience, and more routines. I didn't listen. I felt I was good enough, and I picked up my first restaurant gig which I kept for 9 years. The experience made me a better magician very quickly. When I performed at my very first major trade show back in 2002, I was told by other magicians that I wasn't ready. That I should give the gig to another experienced magician, because if I did a poor job, I would ruin things for all the professional trade show magicians out there. I didn't listen. I felt I was god enough, and the only way I would get really good was to go out and do it. I kept that first trade show client for 8 years, and they hired me dozens of times throughout those 8 years. When I first started performing at the Magic Castle, I had been learning magic for about two years. Other established magicians told me I had to pay my dues to earn the right to perform there. I didn't listen. I believed I was good enough. I auditioned for the Close-Up Gallery and I've performing in that room for about 18 years. Since that time, I've performed in every showroom at the Castle numerous times. So you are correct. No one will care about your success as entertainer more than you. If you believe you're good enough, take action and make it happen. You may find that you grow into the successful entertainer that you aspire to be. I'm wishing you the very best! Lou |
Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
The nice thing about restaurants is you only need to be good at about 4-5 tricks ... at the beginning. That and an engaging personality can keep you going for quite a while.
Consider adding one trick a week ... or even one a month. You will improve, not only learning more effects but improving your performing personality. |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
I don't believe you need to perform for free to build up experience. You can find paid gigs at a level below what you are aiming for, and hone your skills there. You could do kids birthday parties, busk, etc. When you do it for money, you are under pressure to improve. When you perform for free you are under no pressure to be any good - and you probably won't be. And the free gigs take work from the professionals, and force the price down for everyone.
If you really need performing time, try acting classes, public speaking clubs, or talent shows.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
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