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sjballa147 Loyal user Tennessee 278 Posts |
Hi there my name is Shane. I'm 14 years old and I was reading through the post about close up venues and I was wondering what kind of venues would be good for me a 14 year old kid.
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Ben Train Inner circle Erdnase never had 4639 Posts |
Age, for the most part, has nothing to do with where you can work.
Obviously anything that doesn't allow a 14 year old in (such as burlesque and casinos) is out. But everything else is open to you. What is good though? Depends on how skilled you are. From your post, I gather beginer, so look for venues you feel comfertable in when NOT performing, and start from there.
If you're reading this you're my favourite magician.
Check out www.TorontoMagicCompany.com for upcoming shows, and instagram.com/train.ben for god knows what! |
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Parson Smith Inner circle 1937 Posts |
Wow Shane. That is a tough question.
Off the top of my head, I would probably suggest that you perfect a number of walkaround routines. Then visit with a restaurant manager in your area. Perhaps you could work for tips and get some real life exposure at the same time. Now, this might not be the greatest advice in the world and I would love to hear from others. It was just a thought. Peace, Parson
Here kitty, kitty,kitty.
+++a posse ad esse+++ |
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evolve629 Inner circle A stack of 3838 Posts |
I'd say birthday parties, holidays, and fund raising events at school. It all depends on what you do and your skills level. I hope this helps. Good luck.
One hundred percent of the shots you don't take don't go in - Wayne Gretzky
My favorite part is putting the gaffs in the spectators hands...it gives you that warm fuzzy feeling inside! - Bob Kohler |
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abc Inner circle South African in Taiwan 1081 Posts |
You can work anywhere where you are legally allowed to enter. Restaurants are a great way to get close up magic experience while fundraisers and birthday parties are a great way to get some experience working with larger audiences. Try both but make sure your act is ready for it. Since you can do 2 ro 3 effects in a restaurant and then move to the next table I do suggest you start there because you only need a few well rehearsed effects to get going. This would give you some valuable experience which you can later use to move onto bigger things.
Good luck |
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MagicDan21 New user California 51 Posts |
I'd go with fairs, farmers markets, anywhere were you'r not really 'hired' but more so strolling around.
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liam-j-gilbert Regular user Leeds, England 121 Posts |
Hi Shane
I am of the opinion that in order to develop into a good magician you need two disciplines. Practice and Experience. Forgive me for stating the obvious above... but I feel that the simple answer to this question is probably the best. If you have practiced enough then you are good enough to begin getting your experience. If you feel that you have a quality act then begin approaching some local restaurant managers (the restaurant workers handbook gives some sound advice on doing this.) If you don't feel that your ready for that, then I suggest following the other advice above - birthday parties, family events etc. As a word of encouragement, incase you feel that you are too young to begin semi-pro performance, I was 13 years old when I did my first performance in a five star restaurant. I have worked there for the last five years and I am now a full time professional and I earn a comfortable living. If you are good enough you are old enough. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Liam
www.liamgilbert.co.uk -- for info, booking or queries on Liam Gilbert
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sjballa147 Loyal user Tennessee 278 Posts |
Thanks a lot everyone for your help I just don't see many other venues that I could work besides a restaraunt and I don't wanna do stage magic at the moment so I'm just confused on other things. I was thinking about maybe doing daycare center shows. Those of you who have experience with daycare shows how do I approach a daycare center to offer my services also what would I charge for something like that. I was thinking around $50 for an hour of work. Is this too much or maybe too little? Is this a legitiment amount of time? Thanks everyone for all the help.
Magically Shane |
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Parson Smith Inner circle 1937 Posts |
Shane,
If you want to work Daycare Centers, go ask the director if you can do a show for the students for free. Ask for a letter of recommendation and ask the director if she will give you the names of other places and will she make a phone call for you. Explain that your fee is $50(or whatever you decide) but that you will do one for the kids if she will help you out. Some will say NEVER do free magic. But, I humbly disagree. This will get your foot in the door and give you some experience. Always get letters of recommendation. Peace, Parson
Here kitty, kitty,kitty.
+++a posse ad esse+++ |
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sjballa147 Loyal user Tennessee 278 Posts |
Thanks everyone, Are my prices and time of work legit I wanna make sure I have the time and prices around normal.
Thanks Shane |
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MattWayne Special user Manhattan, NY | Studio City, CA 624 Posts |
Shane,
congrats on trying to get started with your performing and all. I started 'truly performing performing' when I was 14 too. Now it's all totally out of control. So, good job:) As far as your age- don't let it get you down. Don't let anyone tell you that you won't be able to get work at that age. Heck, I was probably one of the busiest in my area when I was 14. I worked hotels. Doing restaurant magic. I loved it. Did it for three years really every other day. It took a lot of work, but payed off. Because now I'm well rounded in close up performing and performing for some interesting groups of people, etc. As far as Daycares. I can't really help you there. I market myself to adult audiences. I'm not much of a childrens show entertainer. My show is family oriented, but I've never directly dealt with childrens magic. Many on this forum have though. Try contacting: Skip Way he is regularly on here, and seems to be a guy that could help you out with performing for children. Also: magic4u02 (Kyle Peron), and DenDowhy (Dennis Michael) seemingly are entertainers who could help you out in that area. Prices. Hmmm- a subject that will have people 'heated' regardless of which direction you take. All I'll advise on this is; the price you stated of 50 dollars per hour is fine. Charge what you wish. Is that a normal price? When I started out- I got that. So, yes it is an ok price. This was the price before the restaurant gigs though. But- anyway, you're going in the right direction. Now, as far as doing it for free; Parson Gary Smith was correct: some will disagree. And well, I do in a way. I wouldn't do it constantly. But if you want experience; you could donate your time. Nothing wrong with it. I'd just do it sparingly. Other magicians will argue that you'll be stealing their shows if you charge nothing, or charge less than them. Now- this is true, if you don't do it sparingly. Also, speaking from experience don't wind up getting taken advantage of. This has happened to me. Don't get suckered into working for free. Regardless of how nice the place is; your time and performance is just that- your time. So, you should be able to get a compensation for your time. Always get something for your time. A free meal doesn't always cut it also! My recommendations: Old Country Buffet or a Damons---> I've worked for both. They didn't suite me very well, but for you- I'd recommend it. Both have their perks. But the enviroment just wasn't for me. Hope some of this helps, best regards, Matt Tomasko
Matt Wayne
The Celebrity Magician™ www.CelebrityMagician.com / youtube.com/celebritymagician / twitter.com/RealMattWayne / Facebook.com/CelebrityMagician Creator of, 'Got a Light?' and others. Spokesperson behind, TouchTricks |
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Parson Smith Inner circle 1937 Posts |
Matt,
I think that you are correct. I certainly did not mean to say that he should do ALL shows for free. But when you are first breaking in, you can use that to get references and also determine if you have a good enough show to continue in that vein. Peace, Parson
Here kitty, kitty,kitty.
+++a posse ad esse+++ |
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MattWayne Special user Manhattan, NY | Studio City, CA 624 Posts |
Oh I absolutely would favor and advise doing that.
best regards, Matt Tomasko
Matt Wayne
The Celebrity Magician™ www.CelebrityMagician.com / youtube.com/celebritymagician / twitter.com/RealMattWayne / Facebook.com/CelebrityMagician Creator of, 'Got a Light?' and others. Spokesperson behind, TouchTricks |
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sjballa147 Loyal user Tennessee 278 Posts |
Well what about restaraunt work I would like to get paid doing magic at a restaurant and I have one in mind I just wanna know a good price for restaurant work. I think $100 dollars for 3 hours is an alright price. Can anyone else think of when they started doing restaurants?
Thanks Shane |
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MattWayne Special user Manhattan, NY | Studio City, CA 624 Posts |
For a 14 year old- 3 hours- 100 bucks would sound good to me. At that age I would take that and buy a card college volume and go shopping at the Denny and Lee studio! I remember those times very well. Fun Fun.
You sure you want to start out at three hours though? I don't know about how tough of a guy you are- but three hours of continuous table hopping; even for me today is still tiring. Maybe that's a sign of getting older, but heck I'm not that old yet. But good luck; wish you the best. best regards, Matt Tomasko
Matt Wayne
The Celebrity Magician™ www.CelebrityMagician.com / youtube.com/celebritymagician / twitter.com/RealMattWayne / Facebook.com/CelebrityMagician Creator of, 'Got a Light?' and others. Spokesperson behind, TouchTricks |
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sjballa147 Loyal user Tennessee 278 Posts |
Oh no I work for like 4 to 5 hours at the restaurant I work at now I am defonitely happy with three hours of work. What should my letter consist of what would make them more apt to hire me?
Thanks Shane |
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sjballa147 Loyal user Tennessee 278 Posts |
I am just tired of working for free and I know its wrong so please don't give me the spill. But I mostly did it for the exposure and I want to have extra dough. So help is appreciated.
Thanks Shane |
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bishthemagish Inner circle 6013 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-11-27 21:23, sjballa147 wrote: Shane when it comes to restaurants and you are just starting out I suggest that whatever you can get them to pay you - is very good. I would suggest a family restaurant that does a family night and also a birthday party business. When I started out I did a bus that did birthday parties on a school bus called the Bud O Fun. I was the magician on the bus and got 10 bucks a show and did about 6 shows a week for them. 60 bucks a week a 11 years old was very good money in those days. And it beats mowing lawns. What you need is a place to start off in and get letters of recommendations that can help get you more work. I know magicians that work for tips and use the place to book shows. Remember the restaurant is only interested in what THEY get by having a magician. What is in it for THEM? It is a business and how does you doing magic in that Restaurant improve THEIR business! Good luck!
Glenn Bishop Cardician
Producer of the DVD Punch Deal Pro Publisher of Glenn Bishop's Ace Cutting And Block Transfer Triumphs |
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sjballa147 Loyal user Tennessee 278 Posts |
Yeah thanks for the help that's very good advice.
Shane |
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sjballa147 Loyal user Tennessee 278 Posts |
What did others charge just starting out in restaurants?
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