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MagicalArtist Veteran user Hobart, Indiana 378 Posts |
In reading the other threads on this forum, its seems that many magicians hate performing outside. In their birthday party contracts, for example, they specify that the show should be indoors. They cite the heat, changeability of the weather, insects, and the various distractions you get outdoors. It seems that such performers have also mentally ruled out doing summer festival shows, as these are always outdoors (any shelter you can expect, at best, is a dusty tent).
Is it wise to rule out this kind of a show? True, outdoor performances can be uncomfortable. At one of the annual summer festivals in my area, there is always a children's stage where magicians are hired to perform. The children's stage has no canopy, so the performer is always working out in the hot sun (the audience is often staring into the sun). I have worked this stage in the past and I have found the temperature and the discomfort level to be considerable, but this is not atypical. And of course, any walkaround performer at one of these festivals has to be willing to put up with the heat and dust of such a venue for hours on end. Of course, as working performers, we can't always choose our ideal working conditions. Do you guys find that the summer festivals and other types of outdoor venues, such as shopping center grand openings, etc. to be worth the hassle? What percentage of your income comes from this area? |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
You ask whether it is wise to rule out performing outdoors. That depends upon how commercial you want to be and how much you want to work.
Fairs and festivals represent a major source of work for magicians, and if you want to work full-time, it would be wise to have a show that be performed under just about any conditions. At one point approximately 25% of my income in a year came from fairs and festivals. Was it worth the hassle? You bet! It is challenging, but it can also be a lot of fun. Jim Snack |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Are festivals and outdoor shows worth it. In my opinion YES, YES and a HUGE YES. =)
Almost 90% of my magic income now comes from outdoor shows such as festivals, fairs and other outdoor strolling events. I have been able to decrease my amount of shows I perform while doubling if not tripling my annual income just by performing for these markets. Is it easy? No it is not always. A performer must learn to work this market and adapt his or her show to deal with certain weather elements. They must also be able to handle performing in vastly different staging and sometimes with bad angles or even in the round. They must also be conscious of the fact of direct sunlight on the magic they perform as well as learning that they are now performing for family-style audiences and not just children. These are all important things to remember or take into consideration when doing festivals or outdoor events. But here is a staggering thought and stat that I found out when doing research before going into the festival and outdoor markets I perform at now. Think of how many towns and townships you can name off the top of your head in your area. Let us say only 10 come to direct mind. Now for a staggering stat. On average I have found that most towns and townships host through their chamber of commerce or their parks and recreation depts., and average of 3 outdoor style festivals and events geared towards the family. If you take your simple number and multiply by 3, you see real soon that there are now 30 possible gigs waiting for you if you decide to take action and get them. The number of possibilities for performances is really quite large. I could go on about this market, but I will leave it at this for now and let others chime in on their own opinions as well as tips and suggestions. Hope this helps. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
Think about getting down off the stage and working on the ground so they won't have to stare upwards directly into the sun.
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chris mcbrien Inner circle Chicago 1235 Posts |
I love to work outdoors! I always stipulate, though, that I "would like" some kind of "shade" as protection for myself, and need to make sure my sound equipment stays dry! Outdoor fairs and fests are wonderful and can bring in some major money!
Chris |
Jizmagic New user 85 Posts |
How do you go about setting a price for your outdoor show? Do you discuss this with other magicians in your area, or is is based on a multiple of your private party fee?
May the magic be with you!
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chris mcbrien Inner circle Chicago 1235 Posts |
I have a basic fee that covers all shows, unless the shows are outside my 100 mile diameter and then it's $50 per extra 100 miles.
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
If you are working a festival, often times the stage is set up ahead of time and you have no control over its location. However, I always make it a point to discuss staging and usually I can even offer solutions to the festival person as to what may work out best for the entertainers and the patrons.
In many cases, you will find that festival entertainment chairpersons are appointed for the year and really do not have the exstensive knowledge that you have. This is where you can listen to their needs and then go and provide solutions to their needs that benefit you but also benefit them in the long run. As far as keeping stuff dry, I always invest in traps and covers for all my equipment. It simply is a must for the outdoor performer. I have covers for my sound system and waterproof bags and cases for most of my props. A simple tramp can be used to cover anything else that may be out in the event of rain. Fees for festivals will really vary based upon your location, whether it is a festival or fair and also on extraneous overhead costs such as hotel, gas etc. I have a 100 mile radius I do my festivals at and this aloows my wife and I to be able to sleep in our own bed at night and not have to add that cost to our day rate. The best way to price your festival shows is through a day rate package. The reason for this is often times the festival and entertainment decision is not based upon only one person. It usually is several folks voting on you. If this is the case, your job is to make their decision as easy as possible. If you hit them over the head with too many options, it becomes confusing and they move on. Create a day rate package and let them know what that day rate package includes and the benefits it gives to their outdoor event. This is a great way for them to simply say yes or no. You can always add more shows later if they want them or add in strolling magic also. This keeps it simple for them to say yes we want you. Hope this helps. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
MagicalArtist Veteran user Hobart, Indiana 378 Posts |
I will have to give festivals a second thought. I guess it's fair to say that you can charge much more for a festival show than you can for the equivalent amount of time performing at, say, a birthday party, since a town or city has deeper pockets than the average parent!
When I was working festivals, I would stipulate in my pricing scheme that the second or third show, if scheduled within a couple of hours of the previous one, would be given at a steep discount, because it would be worth my while to hang around in the area while waiting for the next show. I had two totally different half-hour acts so that if some members of the audience were present at both shows, they would not see the same routines twice. |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Festivals are a great way to do less performances and gain more income by doing it. Of course this is to say that you have done your hoework, know what to expect and have adapted your show for the outside and festival crowds.
With this said, you can easily and realistically make double if not triple your b-day party pricing and still do essentially the same amount of performance time. In my day package, I do 2 30-min. performances at times they choose throughout the day. I can include additional 30 min shows if they like at an additional reduced rate or add in strolling magic between my two performances. Now since I am there all day anyways, I make the most of it by having them include a vendor space for me in my contract as part of the agreement and at no cost to me. This way I get the best of both worlds. I have a place close to the stage that I can be under shade, protect my equipment, rest and also sell my BOR sales items when I am not on stage. This is a great second source of income at festivals and I use it a lot. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
Regarding pricing your show, I started a new blog last week and just posted an article on pricing your show a few minutes ago. You can read it at:
Click Here I love working outdoor shows in the summertime. Who wants to be cooped up indoors on a beautiful day anyway? Jim |
JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Jim,
Thanks for sharing that great blog. Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Jim:
many thanks for posting that. It is always great to hear your words and suggestions. They have been instrumental to me when I first started thinking of going into the outdoor and festival markets. I am stgill learning from your information and from just going out there and getting it done and taking action upon myself to do it. This year my wife and I have set all time records for the amount of outdoor festivals we are doing while retaining the festivals we have done last year. It just keeps getting better and better for us. We have found a golden rule is that if I can solve the needs of the festival prospect and go out of my way to listen to those needs, my perceived value to them increases ten-fold. This value is what gets them coming back to me time and again. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
Kyle,
Thanks for the positive feedback. Pennslyvania is a great state for working fairs and festivals and it's wonderful to hear of your success in that marketplace. You are a positive role model for others looking to build their business and move up the ladder of success in the world of professional magic. Fairs and festivals are a major market for entertainers and anyone who wants to earn a decent living as a performer should be able to work them. T Jim |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Thanks Jim. I do appreciate it. If not for your words of encouragement and your tips and suggestions, I may never have ventured into this great market as I did a few years ago. In such a short time, I can not believe the difference it has made in my overall income while still doing the same amount or even less shows then I was doing before. More money and less shows seems to work for me. =)
Fairs and festivals are now a HUGE part of what my wife and I do and we simply love it. Is it for everyone? Certainly not. You have to have a knack for it and be able to adapt your show to working outdoors and ijn different situations. But if you do, it can be very rewarding. Thanks again Jim. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
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