|
|
evanthx Regular user Seattle, WA 197 Posts |
I did a show last weekend for what was probably the largest audience I'd ever been in front of - I don't perform too much, so 200 people or so is big for me. I was the filler between a contest and the prize announements, so that folks would have entertainment while the judges decided. I was told it would be a half hour show, so I left a few tricks out, and went a little fast though a few other tricks to make sure I would be done in time. The contest had only taken about 15 minutes, so I figured the judging couldn't take that long.
So I got near the end, and they weren't ready. I had brought a few extra bits, so I went through them, and they weren't ready. So I pulled out a deck of cards and did some card routines - not good for stage, it was from my close-up act, but ... I was running low. I told jokes. And they weren't ready. So ... all in all, they left me on stage for about an extra half-hour. I was getting REALLY desparate...but I did manage to fill a half hour. I saved a strong trick so that I'd still have a good closer, that made me happy. So ... I think I won't get trapped by that again. I will start carrying more filler material with me and have some more speaking bits available (much to my pleasure I had several compliments later on my humor bits.) I'm trying to see what other lessons I can pull out of this to be prepared for the next time that happens... |
Partizan Inner circle London UK 1682 Posts |
You have your act and you keep to it. ****** the stage manager.
If you are booked for 5 then you do 5. If they want 10 then you want x2$ 1/2 hour show is a big slot to fill. In your situation I would have done my act as asked and then shouted "thank you ladies and gentlemen" bowed and taken my exit. Leave it to the stage manager to sort out his problem.
"You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus."
- Mark Twain |
TGENTLE New user Birmingham, AL 86 Posts |
Partizan is right. In fact that scenario should be spelled out in your contract.
If you were hired for a 30 minute show but only did 15 minutes, they would be all over you. Why then is it OK for them to expect you to exceed the agreed upon length for free? Don't get me wrong. Of course its ok to help out in an emergency, but you were clearly taken advantgage I have a plaque over my desk - "Poor planning on your part does not necessarily constitute an emergency on my part" Tom |
Nachtzehrer Veteran user Portugal 324 Posts |
You say half an hour is a long time to fill?? here in portugal working hotels and bars you are required to do at least 45 min to an hour show or they wont book you. I wish I could find a place where I was booked for 15 min.
Alex
Alex
|
evanthx Regular user Seattle, WA 197 Posts |
It's a good point...in this case, I was just hired to fill the time and they estimated it at half an hour. So I agreed. NEXT TIME I will know better and will have a fixed time length!
|
Cholly, by golly! Loyal user 251 Posts |
"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen! Good night!" The magician walks off stage leaving the stage manager holding the bag. The magician is never booked in that venue again.
This is a business, folks. The customer always comes first. If you don't wish to work this way...great! Guys like me will take those "troublesome" bookings from you. I applaud you, Evanthx. You took a difficult situation and handled it like a PROFESSIONAL. Bravo! |
MagicMarker Elite user 498 Posts |
Cholly By Golly is right, but there is another side to it.
If you do your routine and you're then left flapping in the wind for 10 minutes trying to fill with substandard jokes and B List tricks then that's what the audience will remember. Best to do your routine, get off the stage, then only agree to go back out if you think you have some more tricks that will reflect well on you, and make it clear you're doing the guy a favour. The lesson to learn from this is that if you're not told in advance how long you'll be needed for you better get it straight that your act is only so long. It's not like being an improv comedian, you can't just banter away with the audience indefinitely, unless you've got years of experience and lots of tricks. In which case you're probably not doing filler work in any case. -MM |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » What happened, was this... » » Surprise extension (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.01 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |