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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
OH to be Young again...
Have you a desire to do theme parks? Well This months Genii Magazine (Jan 2006) had an Interesting ad. OSBORNE SHOWS... is looking for young college-age magicians, comedians, and improv performers located in the Northeast to work in major theme parks during the Spring and Summer months. For information contact Osborne Shows 214-631-8414 Check out the web site: Osborne Illusion Show Employment Opportunties My heart flutter like a little kid in the candy store, but I will be 60 this year and just a tad to old to do this. What a learning experience, an instant push into the world of magic from the Osborne perspective. And here is the cool part, you don't have to pay to learn, they will pay you. Most likely the work is intense, six days a week a couple of times each day. Why am I posting this here? Because I've read numerous Café posts on how does one get into theme parks, well here is an opportunity that comes around once in a life time. Go for it! Move to this area, and like a sponge learn from it! Best of Luck Dennis Michael
Dennis Michael
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johnnymagic Regular user 114 Posts |
Your never too old and if they think younger is better they are mistaken I'm sure. Not to say that there are not talented young magicians out there but experience has got to count for something.
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
It's an appeal thing, the people who attend theme parks the most are teenagers. Do you think a 60 year old gives them sex appeal? Comedy, well that's another thing.
Dennis Michael
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DavidCaserta New user 81 Posts |
I've worked with Paul on several of his shows and found it to be the best and most rewarding experience. It is an opportunity I would recommend for anyone looking to work hard and improve their magic.
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carbone1853 Loyal user RI USA 239 Posts |
I worked as a magician at a theme park for a summer many years ago. It was a great experience. Before the gig even started it forced me to tighten up my show and come up with a better finale. (I got the gig 3 or 4 months before I had to start) The biggest learning curve was holding an audience with an amusement park going around me. Some amusement parks have a stage in a secluded or sheltered place. This was not one of those. The stage was out in the open surrounded by games, food, rides and people walking around. Add to that the sun and heat and keeping an audience was quite a challenge and required me to develop as a performer.
So, anyone taking this gig will certainly have an opportunity to develop their performing skill. |
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Hopefully, this posting will give a couple of new commers a boost to their career.
By the way, if you do go to their website or do a search you might find other places looking for a theme park magicians. Nows the time to get started, not in April, when the weekend performances begin. Look at a season of hard work as a lifetime experience of stage work. Here's a little tip: In the world of entertainment, negatisim won't get you far at all, be positive and look for the best in everyone. It's easier and more rewarding then critizeing.
Dennis Michael
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Brent McLeod Inner circle 1792 Posts |
I hope someone listens to you DEN!!
What a brilliant opportunity for a younger performer, Create an act-work hard, learn your lessons,improve,fine tune & finally present an act that through trial & error will be enjoyed by a lay audience! Do we really have people that wouild want to do this??- or are are we all Blaine clones & finger flickers unable to accept this challenge.If only we lived in USA!! Cheers |
Paul Arthur Regular user 196 Posts |
The other factor to consider is that if you are cast as a theme park performer (especially in an Osborne park show) you will most likely not be performing your own material, but rather effects/illusions that the producer already owns and puts in the show. This will be a turn off for many wanting to do their own material/show, rather than someone elses.
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Zakari Asiago Regular user Panhandle of Florida 183 Posts |
Den, you are never too old to do a theme park. Ralph Adams did them when he was older and so did Vince Carmen.
Zakari Asiago
401 South Ave. Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 |
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
I have Ralph Adams tape and it is in BW, a time period long, long ago.
As least you keep my dream alive.
Dennis Michael
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carbone1853 Loyal user RI USA 239 Posts |
I suspect the people trying to talk Den into trying to get the theme park gig have not worked at a theme park. 3 to 4 shows a day 6 to 7 days a week, most probably in the sun, make the gig very tough work. This added to the fact it is also low paying makes it best suited to the beginner. The beginner is most in needed of time in front of an audience and the theme park will give that. The beginner also has the time and energy to devote to the task.
Most people do not know how hard (physically) that type of gig can be. Doing one show is not that hard. Doing two or three in a day gets a bit more difficult. The real difficulty comes when you have to get up the next day and do it again. And then again the next day. 10, 15, 20 shows a week can be a grind especially if you have to do it again next week. This is not to say you should shy away from the gig it can be a great experience, for the right person. |
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Can you say Cardiac Arrest?
Dennis Michael
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BtheDreamer Loyal user 246 Posts |
I did one Summer myself and I have to aggree with Carbone. it is tough but the best thing I ever did for my show. I was competing with 4 of the top 25 coasters in the world, other great shows (that were airconditioned unlike mine), games, and great food. trust me if you had 30 secs of so so show you knew it right away because your audience was gone. I did 5 to 6 shows a day 5 times a week and boy did I fine tune every joke and every move and best of all learned how to keep things moving. Since then I have added a lot of new material to my show and I have been thinking about going back just to have the 5 shows a day again (and not traveling every weekend is nice too)
It is a great oppetunity, for some of you, you will take a pay cut (I did) but it is sooooo worth it! Good luck to all those that apply either with Paul or somewhere else. B
Teach By Magic - Lessons with a magical twist
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makeupguy Inner circle 1411 Posts |
I did Paul Osborn shows for 3 years...,. any questions? Feel free to write to me..
makeupguy13@yahoo.com |
BaseballMagic Regular user 101 Posts |
Too bad I'm not a few years older!
-Michael |
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Michael,
Start now and lay the ground work. Your website looks great and I'm impressed. Who knows what response you will get? Your enthusium may carry an exception. Otherwise, when you do apply when of age, you will not be that unknown person. Good Luck, Dennis
Dennis Michael
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makeupguy Inner circle 1411 Posts |
Some asked..so here goes.
I worked for Paul in 1987,88,89.. and have to tell you I had the time of my life. There was drama galore with fellow members of the cast.. and with the park in a few instances. Carbone has it right.. in Seattle I was working 3 shows a day 7 days a week.. and I was also in the Puppet show, the 50's rock and roll review, the rain maker show.. and often a part of the puppet show. As the show manager of all the shows in the park, I also understudied the game show and the flea circus!! I think in Dallas we were doing 8 shows a day 6 days a week. I got paid very little.. I think at my peak I was getting $1500 a MONTH!! That was in 1989.. so I'm sure the price has gone up.. but then again.. that was for a 'premium" show and not part of his original park season.. I think my top price for a regular park show was about $1100 a month. Now I make more than that in a week! Housing was NOT included. I had to move to Rhode Island, Seattle and UpState NY and find my own housing.. the park was very little help in any of these locations.. (most helpful in Rhode Island) I have to say.. that despite the incredible lack of cash.. the shows were invaluable... I got incredible compliments from Paul on my show management skills and my ability to change the illusions to suit my own performance style. I never used the costumes he sent.. and once I repainted a very expensive Chalet Prop (I did a great job and he loved it.. and it was a more deceptive prop).. My only regret is that I never really took advantage of the fact taht I did 3000 shows and I didn't rotate the small magic as often as I should have. You can REALLY break in a huge amount of magic doing it 3 times a day in front of a real audience...Just trading out new small effects in between the illusions he sends every 2-3 weeks and you can polish new stuff at a pretty good clip. |
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