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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On Feb 22, 2016, Dick Oslund wrote: DICK SPEAKS THE TRUTH! There are many venues where time is more important than money. They would gladly pay you full price for half the work than deal with the problems associated with a messed up schedule. Classes and lunches must stay on schedule. Buses run on schedules. Parents are lined up in their cars to pick up kids. Sometimes an elementary school might be next door to a high school or middle school. These usually stagger their times when kids are let out to avoid a host of potential problems. Schools are not the only places where sticking to time is critical. TV times are often to the second. Try to go over there and they will just shut you off... and never ask you back. Shows that have multiple acts at set times on the same stage want to keep on time. If one act goes long, then someone else has to cut their time to get everything back on track, or every act that follows will run late. Having to cut time short is sometimes because OUR schedules must be kept tight, and that fact alone can suck. But, tamper with someone else's time or resources, and you gain enemies quickly. Nobody likes a Bogart.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Very well said, Michael! I don't say that just because we both agree, but, because you explained the TIME situation so well.
I told several stories in my book about TIME. My first agent, in 1951, when I asked him WHY he was getting me so much work, said, "You do the TIME, that I tell you. Those other magicians in town, don't! They go on, until they've used every prop that they have in their prop case. THEY ALL "EARN" THE "CHINESE BILLING" (ONN TU LONG)!" I think I told the story the other day, of doing only one trick (presentation cut to "the bone")at a Navy Picnic. I did two minutes. There were five professional novelty acts on the bill. The ENTIRE SHOW RAN FIFTEEN MINUTES. WE all got full fees. I was able to send home to the bank, my Navy pay check, for almost four years. --I made enough money in my off duty hours to do more than just pay the bills. In a CIRCUS, when the ringmaster announces, "Mr. ROBINSON IS IN THE TENT!", the performers KNOW to CUT. In VAUDEVILLE, if you went one minute over, the theater manager would FINE you. In a school, especially if it's a HIGH SCHOOL, you will get a "FLEEING OVATION". TEMPO IS IMPORTANT...TIMING IS CRITICAL...T I M E IS CRUCIAL!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Howie Diddot Inner circle San Francisco & Los Angeles California 3288 Posts |
Billy;
The time crunch has happened to me a number of times. My show flows from illusion to illusion, so I can't just cut out something in the middle If there is a time element I solve the issue of running late by tossing the ball back to the person that has placed the time limit on me; I tell the organizer to give me a 10 minute warning of when the show should end by waving hands at me from the back of the room until I see him. I will then jump to the ending and without calling up a helper from the audience perform the rabbit appearance to end the show, This method has worked better than me looking at a watch because in one instance I was the only performer and the children were really enjoying the show so the person that limited me on time had allowed me to continue my entire show and cut his schedule somewhere else. |
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
All this talk is not to say that a show cannot be effectively structured as a long, continuous package. "The Magic Show", starring Doug Henning was one example. There was a definite story that was the connecting thread that ran from opening to closing. It needed every bit of dialog, plot, song, and bit of visual magic that was in it for the show to be complete.
But, this was a Broadway Musical. It played in the proper context at the Cort Theater. If you wish to build this type of show, fine. Just be sure you understand how you are going to market it. Most commercial magic shows are vastly different. They are supposed to fit within the context of a wider range of venues. This requires flexibility. A square peg has its place until one tries to make it fit into a round hole. The business of commercial magic shows is full of round holes, triangular holes, square holes, and about any shape or size hole you can imagine... even some that that you can't imagine. A good commercial show, one that must play a variety of venues for a variety of clients should not be written as a play or a novel. That makes it too rigid, despite how well it may be written. Think of a good commercial act as an anthology... like a collection of short stories, poems, essays, and even some random bits of business. While all of these have varying degrees of strength in contributing to the show as a whole, each is able to stand alone. None require the others for support. Because of this, the time can be manipulated almost at will. Take something out, leave some things in. Rearrange things if necessary. But, aside of the clock, always keep an eye on the two most important points in the show... the opening, and the closing. Most often, these will be different tricks, with any number of others in between. But, in some cases, they may be one in the same... a single trick that gets you on, and gets you off. Be prepared for anything, and you will work a lot more.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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danfreed Inner circle West Chester PA 1354 Posts |
I entered a stand-up comedy compettion once, everyone had 5 minutes. When your time is almost up they blew one of those emergency airhorns right at you and flahed a light at you. I was so focused on my act I didn't even notice and went a few minutes over till they finally got my attention. I'm guessing they thought I ignored them on purpose.
Dan Freed
AKA The Amazing Spaghetti https://www.magiciandanfreed.com/birthday-party-magician-for-kids http://thecaricatureartist.com http://danieljayfreed.com |
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Howie Diddot Inner circle San Francisco & Los Angeles California 3288 Posts |
Quote:
On Feb 23, 2016, danfreed wrote: Dan; Did you win the comedy competition? |
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Andrew Loyal user 285 Posts |
This thread reminded me of the days before I switched from being a musician to a magician.
Our band was performing for the Jerry Lewis Telethon and we were asked to perform for a certain length of time. We had our songs picked out and timed and played them just as rehearsed. At the end of the set, all the other musicians walked off with their guitars and as I began to leave (I had been playing piano), the director pointed to me and gave me a 'five more minutes' hand signal. With the camera focused on me, I began playing a song I had just written but not finished. It was finished that day in five minutes. I learned from that experience to always be ready for any impromptu performance situation. Makes life that much more exciting! andrew |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
....and that is one of the reason I still love live theatre.
Harris still 2 old to know it all
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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The Great Zucchini Inner circle 1347 Posts |
I've been asked to cut a show by a few minutes, but never asked to make it 17 minutes. That seems odd, and why they wouldn't reschedule and want a full show, is beyond me. 17 minutes? Why even do the show at that point?
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danfreed Inner circle West Chester PA 1354 Posts |
Howie, No I didn't win, though I got more laughs than anyone if I remember right - I had them laughing non-stop for 5 minutes with 1 bit, but then I was supposed to stop and didn't know it and did a few more minutes with some misc stuff, the last few minutes didn't work well. Maybe they disqualified me or were mad because they thought I went over on purpose. Or maybe they didn't like the last few minutes and didn't remember the first 5. Who knows, maybe the judges just didn't like my stuff even though the crowd did. Contests drive me crazy, that's the only non-sports contest I've ever done since I lost a yo-yo contest as a kid at the YMCA. I'd consider entering a contest for kids performers, but I'm not aware of any outside the UK, and I hear those may not be impartial?
Dan Freed
AKA The Amazing Spaghetti https://www.magiciandanfreed.com/birthday-party-magician-for-kids http://thecaricatureartist.com http://danieljayfreed.com |
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penitentialarts New user 7 Posts |
I have had that happen to me when I do storytelling gigs. I have never done that to a performer in my role as a librarian, but I have heard from some of them that schools are notorious for that sort of thing.
My suggestion would be to come up with a short, regular, and unexpectedly long version of your shows. Just come up with your regular routine, then a list of what you would cut out if you had to make it 10-15 minutes long, and what you could add if you somehow end up having to stretch it an extra 5-10 minutes. I do that with all my storytelling gigs, and it has saved my rear end several times. |
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gmsmagic1 Elite user 405 Posts |
The moral here is to always be prepared for every "what if" scenario that might arise. Otherwise, it can frazzle you and throw off your rhythm.
I've more often had clients ask me if I could extend my show for them, so I bring enough extra material to comfortably capitalize on that opportunity unless I've booked back to back shows and don't have the flexibility. I've occasionally had to cut shows short for reasons that were beyond our control. I hate when this happens, but I always make the most of the situation by cherry picking my favorite routines that I know will have the strongest impact. It's easy to argue that from a pure business perspective you win since you pocket the same amount of money in less time. But in actuality, everyone loses when this happens! The kids are deprived of being entertained longer, and I'm deprived the opportunity to make a more lasting impression on the crowd, which really hurts since I view every show as an chance to pick up more business. But the client ultimately calls the shots so you need to be flexible and just make the best of it. - Gary |
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
I recently experienced this cutting of time in a big way. I donated a show to a charitable cause because the story behind it (sick child) affected me strongly. After agreeing to donate the show, on a day I would have been plenty busy with paid work, I discovered the name of the charity behind the event. Had I known this first I would have walked away. They have a bad name. But I was committed so I honoured my commitment.
I arrived ready for a 4.30 start, to do an hour long show. I started at 4.45. Ten minutes into the show I was stopped because Princess Elsa from Frozen was arriving. I was annoyed but paused the show. At 5.10 I was told to begin again. I gathered the crowd and was just beginning my next effect when the charity boss swooped down and snatched the microphone and ran a raffle. Twice more I began and was interrupted, after which I announced to the crowd, at ten minutes to six (event officially ended at five thirty) that due to the actions of the charity director I was unable to perform, and I walked out. I feel quite proud that I didn't punch him. Other acts were treated the same way that day. A small band were left waiting, on a side stage ready to go, for two hours before being allowed sing just one song. Needless to say none of the acts who donated their time were thanked in any way, prior to or after the event, or were mentioned in any of the copious publicity material associated with the event. Worst case of my time being cut ever. Rant over. Thanks for sticking with me if you got this far!
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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gmsmagic1 Elite user 405 Posts |
Tony, I'm sorry to read about your bad experience, and I hope it doesn't cause you to change since the world needs more people like you. Your intentions were very admirable. Just remember that patience is a virtue, and positive Karma can last a lifetime.
After my daughter narrowly beat cancer, I started donating my services to Ronald McDonald Houses and other facilities committed to helping children. I encourage everyone to consider doing this in the future. The appreciation on the kids faces is priceless, and you will sleep much better at night. - Gary |
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Gary, I will continue to donate shows where the cause touches my heart. I have no regrets being there for the family of the sick girl. Unfortunately the charity that got behind the event have a history of financial irregularities and fraud. But that is not the fault of the people on the ground, or the family.
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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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 26, 2016, TonyB2009 wrote: Aside from their reputation in ways that did not directly affect you, it seems they also have little consideration for the people who really make these events, well... an event. I've heard many times that performers are often treated according to the value assumed, based on what they are paid (if they pay you nothing, they'll often treat you like you are nothing). Yours has to be one of the flagship examples of this. But, your heart was in the right place, and you did a good thing to add support for the family. Surely, they appreciated this. Too bad the organizers did not. You have my sympathy.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The little darlings » » Advice wanted, my set time was cut form 35 to 17 minutes, just as I was about to start! (9 Likes) | ||||||||||
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