|
|
Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
S2000magician Inner circle Yorba Linda, CA 3465 Posts |
Today I did a show for a six-year-old girl's birthday party. Unbeknownst to me, there was also a clown hired, to lead the children in games after the magic show.
I finished the show by having the birthday girl help me magically bake a birthday cake. She put in all the ingredients, waved the magic wand over the pan, and I uncovered the pan to reveal a pretty little cake, decorated with a crown (the birthday girl was dressed in a princess outfit). The other kids started to crowd around and I was about to lead them in a round of applause for the birthday girl when . . . . . . in burst this woman in a clown outfit with a huge birthday cake, saying, "Here's Angelica's birthday cake; let's all sing 'Happy Birthday'!" The kids sang and then scuttled outside for cake and games. I've never seen such rude behavior at a child's party in my life. She stole Angelica's applause; it was not only rude, it was utterly unprofessional. I'd suggest that you always find out whether you're the only act on the bill, and, if not, make certain that the other entertainers don't spoil the end of your show by jumping in before you've finished. In fact, this sounds like good advice in general: make sure that the host knows that you will signal the end of your show, and that nobody is to take over before that. My wife and I are off to the tack store to buy a new saddle for her horse. If they know what's good for them, there had better not be any clowns along the road between here and there. I'll plead temporary infuriation. Interesting, now my wife is offering to drive. She never offers to drive. Inexplicable. |
|||||||||
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
Good advice. It's a shame the clown was such a clown!
I know why your wife offered to drive. She wants to stop by the tack store everytime you pick up a check from a show. A saddle, eh...that's a lot of shows! Jim PS: My daughter has a horse and shows... we practically live at the barn! |
|||||||||
paulajayne Inner circle London England 1160 Posts |
Did you have a word in the Clows ear.
I would have - so unprofesional. Paula
Paula Jay - Magic to Remember -
--------------------------------- I once wrote a book on elephants, I think paper would have been better. ---- |
|||||||||
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Keep in mind that it MAY not have been so much the clowns fault. yes the clwon should have had the common sense to know you were not done yet. However, maybe they thought it WAS over. I am not defending the clown or his or her actions, but we must take responsibility ourselves to make sure we ask all the right questions when we are talking with our clients. Find out if they have other entertainment that day and mention that if they do, to give the client a signal when you are done. Another tip, is to meet the clown or other entertainer when they get there and arrange to discuss how each of you can help each other out to minimize problems.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
|||||||||
S2000magician Inner circle Yorba Linda, CA 3465 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-03-20 20:39, magic4u02 wrote: Only if she were blind and deaf. I was still talking to the children, and getting the birthday girl to pose for a picture. At the very least the situation demanded that she ask if I were finished, rather than assume I was and launch into her routine. Quote:
On 2005-03-20 20:39, magic4u02 wrote: You're correct, of course. In many ways this was the worst experience I've ever had with a client. My discussion with her made it sound as if she had a very small budget; the idea that there would be more entertainment was inconceivable. Quote:
On 2005-03-20 20:39, magic4u02 wrote: Good advice, circumstances allowing. In this case, the clown arrived about half-way through my show, so that wasn't an option. Quote:
On 2005-03-20 20:31, paulajayne wrote: Again, I hadn't the chance, without dragging her aside during her routine. I talked with the birthday girl's mother, and let her know how unprofessional I thought it, and strongly urged her to talk to the clown. |
|||||||||
steve_seguin New user London, Ontario 70 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-03-20 22:13, S2000magician wrote: I'm not sure if telling the mother the other entertainer was unprofessional was the best way to go. I've never spoken poorly of another entertainer booked at the same event as me. I don't think there is a way to do it without making me look bad in the process. If the performer is bad, the person who booked the show will know it. Plus, it's a birthday party. It's supposed to be fun. Why bring the mother down by complaining to her and asking her to pass on your complaints to the clown? She's probably stressed as it is with a house full of kids. Why add to it? I think you would have been better off asking the mother for the clown's contact information without specifically saying why you wanted it. Get his or her name, phone number, business card, or whatever the mother can give you. Then call the clown direct and voice any concerns directly. |
|||||||||
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Woofdy...
I have been a variety entertainer of some sort my entire life. Having an act submarine yours is not only common in some situations you can count on it in a lot of venues. If you ever work in a stand up comedy club rule number one is never leave your props set up and unattended. It is a guaranteed lock that some comedian will think it is "funny" to mess with your stuff and hose your act. With only one exception in almost 30 years as an entertainer I have never said a word to the rude act or performer. I am gracious and magnanimous. The test of true manners and character is how you act when confronted by individuals that lack both. When applicable I have had a word with management and the one exception occurred when the guy became so angry that he couldn't get a reaction out of me he took a swing at me assuming my non response was an invitation (Boston comedy clubs were great in the 80's). Anyway, it sounds like you did the right thing. You got the check and cleared out. It might be worth your time to touch base with the customer in a few days and see how they liked things. If their reaction is positive you might want to make a note in your contact information about the incident so that you can tip them off if they book you next year. I also think your idea about asking if you will be the only act is a great question to bring up when booking for two reasons. 1. To avoid the situation you ran into. 2. if they are booking two acts they probably have the disposable income to book your deluxe show! Good on you for being a pro when they were not! As good as it would have felt in the moment to point out the clown's lack of manners you would have kicked yourself on the ride home. I did a kid show this past weekend where one of the kids I pulled up on stage was a real handful. Wouldn't listen, grabbed stuff, was mugging like an idiot, and did everything he could to suck the entertainment value out of the routine I was doing. Inside I was seething and wanted to perform a rhinoplasty on him with my breakaway wand. But, I held my cool, muddled through the routine, and hoped for the best. When I got home and looked at the tape it played smooth, got a great reaction, and the kid was happy. I was shocked. On stage as it was all going wrong and the flop sweats were filling my shoes I thought it was the most miserable experience imaginable. The audience was thinking I was a hack, and Damion the demon helper had risen up from the lake of fire to derail me. My perception as the entertainer and what the audience saw were completely different. I guess what I am trying to say is the audience probably didn't notice that the clown threw you under the bus and they probably thought you and your finish was great. This is why I love video tape. Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
|||||||||
S2000magician Inner circle Yorba Linda, CA 3465 Posts |
"Woofdy"?
This wasn't at the girl's home, so the stresses of a houseful of kids weren't there. As I wrote earlier, this was one of the most difficult clients with whom I've ever dealt, for reasons I won't enumerate here. I thank everyone for their suggestions here; I think that, given the circumstances, I did the best I could with the situation. My comment to the mother came in response to her questions, so I think she was already aware of the problem. The upshot is that she gave me a generous tip, so I think that things are fine with her. |
|||||||||
rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
"this was one of the most difficult clients with whom I've ever dealt"
Some people just GOT IT IN THEIR BRAINS, that image they thunk up, and reality will never ever intrude ... "I know! I'll have a magician AND a clown, and the magician can do his magic show and meanwhile the clown can ... I dunno ... he can CLOWN!" - no thought that the clown has a ROUTINE or an ACT, or might be a distraction just as much as having 2 televisions on in the same room! But, like they say, "some people, if they don't know, you can't tell them." I had this happen ONCE in 25 years - I'd be surprised if it ever happened again. |
|||||||||
Ross W Inner circle UK 1779 Posts |
I did a freebie Church gig recently. The other entertainment was another magician! I walked in and saw his stuff set up on the stage and dammit he had some nice lookin' props... ooh my heart sank!
Anyway we had a quick conflab and (astonishingly) none of our routines conflicted. He was on first, then tea and games, then me. Poor kids, I think they were a bit sick of magic by the time I came on. Worse, the other performer, although doing different tricks, had a performing style that wasn't a million miles removed from mine. The only overlap came when he asked the kids for magic word suggestions and one kid (who had seen me boefore) called out mine - and it was used for the rest of his act! He didn't know of course, but I was aghast! I bumped into him the other day and we had a laugh about the party with too many magicians... |
|||||||||
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-03-21 00:19, S2000magician wrote: "Woofdy" is my gasp of empathy when I see an unattractive situation that a brother or sister performer has been in that I have personal experience with. Kind of an, "I hate it when that happens, sorry it happened to you" expletive. From your description you really did handle it like a pro and that is the most important thing, but brother, I am sorry that you had to deal with it. That stuff really stinks. Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
|||||||||
triadsong Regular user Long Island, NY 170 Posts |
I did a fundraiser show last year for a boy with an inoperable brain tumor knowing another magician was booked.
The Good News: we know each other and our shows and styles are different. The Bad News: Without our prior knowledge the event organizers had us booked immediately back to back. Despite our polite suggestions the organizers could not change the bill (due to bands that were booked for later on) but did have us in different areas of the room and we managed a 15 minute break. Well, saying a prayer and putting our game faces on, we went for it. I was up first and sent the kids to watch Jack at the end of my act. Fortunately there was enough turnover of people to justify having us both there and, since Jack and I know each other there were no egos in the way of making it a good day for those present and for the family -- and heck, my wife even won one of the prize baskets! I guess it just comes down to always being a professional and keeping the communication open and don't forget -- as I never will forget agian -- to make sure the acts are spread out ahead of time. Peace, Vinny |
|||||||||
Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
I did a batmitzvahs once with five other strolling magicians. we each started in a corner of the room and sort of rotated in the same general direction. One of the magicians gave out slum magic as he went so the rest of us were inundated by demands from gaggles of free roaming urchins to give them something too. Once they found out we weren't going to shower them with tawdry bits of shiny plastic they would storm off in a huff and zero in on another magi in hopes of having him meet their demands.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
|
|||||||||
Stanyon Inner circle Landrum, S.C. by way of Chicago 3433 Posts |
Bill,
It just appears that you had a run in with a clown in a Clown suit. Unfortunately the Clowning profession suffers the same fate as does Magic. Buy the gear, buy the business cards and there you are. Probably would have been funny to see the clown take a header into the cake. Cheers!
Stanyon
aka Steve Taylor "Every move a move!" "If you've enjoyed my performance half as much as I've enjoyed performing for you, then you've enjoyed it twice as much as me!" |
|||||||||
Terry Holley Inner circle 1805 Posts |
S2000magician:
In case you haven't seen it, you may want to check out this web site (and the links)! http://www.coulrophobia.com/ Terry
Co-author with illusionist Andre' Kole of "Astrology and Psychic Phenomena."
|
|||||||||
Popo Loyal user Valparaiso, IN 219 Posts |
It is a difficult situation. Yet, we can only control what we can control. Namely, our own selves. It is hard to swallow the anger because the snafu reflects on us as well. The hostess cannot be held at fault because she is the consumer. If she pays for the entertainment then she is entitled to it. The clown was highly unprofessional. Believe it or not, the hostess, whether you think she can understand it or not, will see from your behavior who is more professional. Then again, you could shuck all of this and just chalk it up to bad karma!
|
|||||||||
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Now you know why I gave up kid shows.
Between this kind of thing and delayed dosages of ritalin, I couldn't handle it any longer. However, let me offer some sage advice. Deposit the check. If it clears, then it wasn't the gig from Hell. Maybe the gig from Heck, but not the gig from Hell. The first rule of the gig from Hell is "any gig where you actually get paid is not the gig from Hell." You have my sympathy. Now I know why you wish you had been at my lecture, instead!
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
|||||||||
S2000magician Inner circle Yorba Linda, CA 3465 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-03-22 03:46, Bill Palmer wrote: You don't know the half of it! (The (other) half of it is that I would have found your lecture - and you - fascinating!) |
|||||||||
jtcavataio Regular user 174 Posts |
This is why I don't trust clowns!
|
|||||||||
Joseph_Then Special user 747 Posts |
I would say that nothing in this world is perfect.
The clown may have thought (in his 'own professional way!') that this is the best to appear. It could be the mother who signal the clown to appear at that time. As for the client, if she's THAT character that you don't like, so be it. Nothing is perfect. We make the best out of everything. |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The little darlings » » When You're Not The Only Act On The Bill (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.06 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 < |