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phranQ New user Denmark 47 Posts |
I have got some material that I know is ready for performance and I have read that one of the best ways to grow in magic is by performing for real people (as opposed to magicians). Also, I believe that my routines will get better and more polished by performing them over and over.
So where do I find my audience? Where do you find your audiences? |
mvmagic Inner circle Has written 1322 Posts |
Well, personally I find my audiences through my agent these days.
Do what I did in the beginning: perform everywhere. I am pretty sure you know some people who have some sort of event coming up. It could a birthday party, a housewarming party etc. Just tell them you could do some good magic. It is very rare in the beginning to get paid so dont worry about that just yet. The key idea is to perform every time you have the chance. You are right about getting better while performing. Technically you should be pretty flawless when you start performing, but the other stuff will develop. Naturally the technical stuff will improve as well. Almost every time you perform there is someone in the audience who will remember you and wants you to do something for them in the future. That is a very good way to get more gigs. Of course you could make an appointment with a talent agent and try to get gigs that way but that can be tough sometimes. So be active. Seek good opportunities to perform and pursue them.
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
PhranQ,
There are many venues where the beginning magician can perform for a "real" audience. Seniors' homes, veterans' hospitals, schools and libraries (just be careful you're not taking a paying gig from someone else!), churches, celebrations by family or friends, and so on. In almost all cases, tell the person in charge what you are offering and that it's free, and he or she will usually leap at the chance. That person will understand, as you do, why you are doing it but that won't matter. And, as you do this, word-of-mouth advertising will spread (it takes time, though, so be patient) and you will start to pick up paying jobs; these will lead to more, and so on. Keep us posted on what's happening. |
phranQ New user Denmark 47 Posts |
Thanks for the advice
I guess the main point is to perform not only as much as possible, but also for as many different types of audiences as possible? |
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Exactly!
Remember, the more you work, the more you work. |
mvmagic Inner circle Has written 1322 Posts |
Precisely phranQ!
The key is that you have to be "ever-ready". No matter what the situation, you have to be comfortable with it-you have to be able to adapt. Often things happen that force you flex one way or the other. I have come to learn that Murphy´s law is very often in effect. No two audiences are alike, but performing a lot for many different types of audiences increares your confidence. The best schooling I have had are my early years when I performed everywhere from a large auditorium to a small hospital room. One somewhat uncontrollable environment after another. It might be too early to say this, but no matter how much you perform and how confident you get, always stay humble.
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Callin Regular user Portland, Oregon 123 Posts |
When you are starting out, the best thing to do is perform as much as possible for non-magicians. Both Rudy Coby and Michael Ammar talk about working the "Nursing Home Circut" to get experience.
Though, the important thing to remember is to listen to your audience. This is the only way you will truly improve. They will tell you all about magic they remember as kids and how impressed they were when their uncle used to pull quarters out of their ears. You will hear the same stories over and over again, but soon you will begin to see patterns in the stories. You will begin to understand what magic means to non-magicians and what they expect and desire from magic. And, and this may be the biggest secret in magic, if you can exceed their dreams of magic, they will remember you for the rest of their lives. Thanks, Richard Green
Callin's House of Magic
The Pacific Northwest's Largest and Oldest Magic Shop. Established 1953. Visit us at www.callinsmagic.com Ask me about the New Jerry Andrus Movie "A Thing of Wonder" is Available Now! |
Steve New user Belgium 89 Posts |
Always carry a desk of cards in your pocket, that way you are ready to perform whenever the situation arrises.
You will need to get a feel for what works and what doesn't. Sometimes, a trick that you think is nothing special is the one they thought was the best. Steve And maybe I should add something ... work on your patter. That is at least as, or even more important then the actuall trick itself. I find that I change the patter or story around a trick as I perform the same thing over and over for different audiences. The patter will also aid to divert attention to whatever it is that you are doing your audience shouldn't be aware of. You will be amazed what you can get away with, just by talking to them ... Steve |
KingStardog Inner circle 2134 Posts |
PhranQ,
Steve is right on the money, they are impressed by things you will not want to perform. The one that raises my blood pressure the most: Hey, I saw you do that one a while back where you change four nickles to four dimes, can you do that for us? Please? (changing them to a mini marshmellow is a good kicker, then growing it to a fullsize and taking a bite is good too. By this time they will be saying "no way!" And I say What,what? Im hungry give me a break.) Anyways the stuff that looks good to them will make you cringe after a while, but its all about them, so you go along for the ride.
...think not that all wisdom is in your school. You may have studied other paths,but, it is important to remember that no matter who you are or where you come from, there is always more to learn.
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phranQ New user Denmark 47 Posts |
All of this is great advice -- thanks a lot.
I get the point: The more you work, the more you work. See you guys in a couple of years |
Steve New user Belgium 89 Posts |
Trust me, it won't take years ... once you actually start doing stuff for a real audience, word will spread ... anytime you go somewhere when there is one person present that saw you do your stuff, you will be asked to show it to the other people as well, this will rapidly grow your audience.
Sooner or later, one of them will ask you do do a performance for some private dinner party or something ... Steve |
Matt Graves Special user Huntsville, Alabama (USA) 504 Posts |
I've done magic for family and a few people at school, stuff like that, for about five years now, and I still never get asked to perform. Every now and then my ten-year-old cousin will ask me to show her a card trick, and then my mind goes blank! I guess you need a lot of luck to break in (or talent). Hopefully you'll have both. Just keep your fingers crossed. . .
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AllThumbs Veteran user UK 375 Posts |
I look forward to going to a nursing home and getting to see the next generation of magicians, and for free too!
Regards, Kris Sheglova
The above is all rubbish, except that which you chose to believe
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DarkKnight Regular user 151 Posts |
We started by doing a couple of kids parties for a cheap fee and word spreads from there ( obviously the fee goes up after the first couple ! ). Other than that you've just got to get out there and make yourself known.
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Bohemian New user New Mexico 6 Posts |
You could also take a queue from Mac King and Lance Burton, like a couple of my friends did. They would go to a friendly restaraunt, like Denny's or IHOP and when they were done eating. One would go to a table, usually other people their age, and tell them that his friend at the other table bet him $5.00 that they would not sit through 1 or 2 tricks. Could they help him out so he could get gas money from his friend. They would sit through because they were percieved to be helping him out and it was not costing them anything. Once done his friend would come over and hand him a $5.00 bill. By this time they had a good report(sp)with the spectators. Then they would get them involved by telling them they were going to do another table and when they looked back, all they had to do was wave. Everyone ate this up, because no one was paying for entertainment. Just a couple words of advice. Make sure the table u are approaching looks friendly and they are not eating their meal. And be carefull which routines you use. These same friends got bounced from another establishment because the sercurity guard saw them doing a Monte routine and figured they were conning people.
Respectfully |
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