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Neb Regular user 102 Posts |
As I'm sure is the same with all of you, at most of the events I work I'm enthusiastically welcomed into each group like an old friend almost as soon as I have introduced myself and explained what I do. Such is most peoples excitement for magic and mind reading!
However there are occasional events I am hired for where I end up thinking to myself - I'm not sure if they really needed any sort of entertainment here. For example tonight I worked at an in office event for a company launching a new online product, many of whom were not only in deep conversation with clients but almost seemed to be pitching to them. At most events if people seem to be having important discussions I can choose not to approach and pick another group. Unfortunately almost every group seemed quite engaged in business! The gig went well, lots of great responses and business cards asked for etc, but from my perspective it felt extremely awkward getting each group started when almost everyone seemed deep in important business for the duration of the event, not just the start. Usually I feel like a 5 star chef offering luxurious delicacies to guests, but tonight I felt a bit like 5 year old trying to get his parents to play with him when they're at their busiest! Like I said, the gig went great overall and the client was happy so its not a major problem. Everyone seemed to love what I did and I know I wasn't forcing myself on anyone. Perhaps I am just too used to the job being a little simpler and its just the case that certain events are always going to be more hard work from the performers perspective. However it would be great to hear how you guys deal with these sorts of situations as I found it quite stressful and I know there will be plenty more like this in the future! |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
I think this type of situation happens to all performers at one time or another. The only thing you can do is be sure to spend enough time in the pre-production efforts to not only get the who, what, when when and for how much, but also the "why?"
Sometimes performers are booked thinking they were hired for one thing/reason (perhaps to entertain the guests) when in reality they're interests may have been for another purpose entirely (just for ambinace, to support a theme, just in case any kids are there, as something to have in a specific area, or as an attraction before/after something else, etc. I always spend a lot of time trying to understand the why, their needs and interests, and most of all expectation. The problem is some of the times, they don't really know what they're interests are themselves. In this case you just have to take control and roll with it. |
David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts |
I think Mindpro is right. I work corporate events almost exclusively for much of the year. The one cardinal rule is: don't mess up ANY negotiation. If people are talking business, they're doing what the client wants them to be doing -- so I leave it alone.
Sometimes the client doesn't fully understand what's going to work best for them. And sometimes they don't really know how the event is going to turn out. I remember a time I was booked for a convention of hardware store managers. There were supposed to be 300 of them, so I saw no problem with a three hour booking. But there were only 30 of them at the event: the event planner made a mistake and there were a lot of entertainers on-hand and a wee clot of business types who had no idea they were that important. The best you can do is get the complete scoop on a) what the event is designed to do b) who's coming and c) what the client's vision for the event, and your role in it, is. I'll usually get to an event early to have a look at the crowd and also to ENSURE that I connect with the client. I let him/her know that if there are any people they want me to pay special attention to, they should just point them out. It sounds like you didn't have any other option for this night though. So shrug your shoulders and be happy that the client's happy. 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 |
vinh.giang Regular user Australia 132 Posts |
Howdy Neb,
Great post mate, I can definitely relate lol Let me share with you how I've avoided these situations for a while now, don't get me wrong they still happen but not that often at all. All this can be solved in the briefing session with the client, make sure you always ask in your briefing session what the event is about and if people will be selling to one another etc (the pitching you mentioned) if they say yes then this is what you can do. Tell the organiser that it's always best to have you arrive 30-60 minutes after the event starts, this lets everyone get the serious pitching out of the way and get some alcoholic beverages into their bodies haha I find that people are more likely to view you as the "5 year old" if they are in deep discussion and you are trying to interrupt them to watch a trick but if you arrive 1 hour after the event starts you'll find everyone is kind of bored and now wants to be entertained. Just some ideas Neb, this is how I avoid this and trust me I know it sounds simple but this took me a while to work out D: Good luck mate!
"Rather a mind opened by wonder, than one closed by belief."
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Neb Regular user 102 Posts |
Thanks guys for the input!
Basically the event was a concise 2 hour one and afterwards there was very little winding down. They weren't actually selling to one another, I just mean that they were clearly sharing ideas and had their own business agendas on their mind rather than just kicking back and enjoying the wine. I was there early but the event was what it was and in the grand scheme of things I am just a very small part of it so they were never going to change the schedule to better suit my needs. I have meetings with a good percentage of clients beforehand but due to a high number of gigs sometimes it can be like 2 emails and a booking, especially for last minutes. There was no real way of predicting the atmosphere in advance as the client had clearly been imagining something a little more relaxed and in most cases I know exactly what to expect. It may actually be an idea next time to suggest the "Mystery Room" approach if I find myself in the same situation again. There were plenty of free offices in plain sight and perhaps that way people can come to me when they are ready as I often do at house parties. |
saysold1 Eternal Order Recovering Cafe addict with only 10794 Posts |
I had the same kind of issue you described earlier this year myself - performing strolling at a party for a large national sports organization. The group was about 500 people ages 50-75 who had been competing for days from all over the country, and this was their ending dinner.
Anyway, the whole group was a complete dud - almost no one was in the mood for mentalism or magic. Many brushed me away - many made insulting comments - just overall a rough crowd. My take was that this was a high testosterone and competitive group - they seemed more interested in talking to each other than being entertained. Anyway, I chalk it up to experience. I honestly don't think there was anything I could have done prior - it was just the nature of that beast that particular night. The main point for me is there are group dynamics at play in almost any group - a thread which runs through and a kind of vibe.
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