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drosenbe0813 Elite user Long Island, NY 405 Posts |
File this under 'this person takes themselves way too seriously!!'
I did a Blue & Gold dinner last weekend. In talking to my contact person, I requested that someone bring an extra neckerchief, so that I could do David Ginn's cut & restored neckerchief, which I do regularly at Blue & Golds. I mentioned to my contact that they would NOT get the neckerchief back and briefly explained what would appear to happen. Well I get to the gig, request the neckerchief and my contact brings over the scout master, who proceeds to tell me how the scout uniform is one step below a US military uniform and that it would be a violation to cut a neckerchief. I re-explained the concept of the effect (that the scout would get his neckerchief back...unharmed), but she was insistent...and I respected her request and did not do the routine. The show went great anyway...but....the scout master really needs to get out more. |
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MagicRabbit Regular user 176 Posts |
I have had a complaint before about mis-made flag as well. They thought it should not be used in a magic trick - it was one guy...one lonely guy.
You did the right thing by just smiling and moving on in this situation, but in my situation I will not change something because 5% of the audience has an issue. Same thing with peanut butter magic - I don't care about your allergy-kid, there is no real peanut butter. Same thing about rabbits - I don't care that you think I am being cruel to my pet rabbit, then don't hire me. I love my rabbit and take care of her. You , on the other hand should be in a cage. Same thing about gospel magic - I don't care that you think it's saten's work, I love my God and your hatred for me and my magic and my message only angers him, it will not anger me. etc., etc. Again, I would have done the same thing in your loafers, but as a general rule, I think we could care less about their opinions. |
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
The important thing is that you adhered to the clien's wishes and talked with them ahead of time even if their wishes were a bit strange or bizarre to you. As a solutions provider for my clients, I often times will have to bite my bottom list and just do what I can to please them. I save the laughter and the "you have got to be kidding me" talk until I am back in my truck headed home. You did the right thing in trying to talk with them ahead of time., letteing them know what to expect and then adhering to their wishes.
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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James Munton Inner circle Dallas, TX 1199 Posts |
David,
I think asking someone to bring an extra neckerchief and telling them they won't get it back might have contributed to the problem. Our job is to make life easy for the client - you gave the client an extra chore. Just something to think about. Best, James |
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threecardmonte Loyal user 278 Posts |
I wonder if anybody who uses Mike Bent's Hankercheif trick has had any problems.
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drosenbe0813 Elite user Long Island, NY 405 Posts |
I"ve never had this issue before. I always ask the troop to supply their own neckerchief because some troops use 'unique' ones. I also charge less for blue and gold shows than my normal fee, so I don't feel bad asking the troup to contribute a single neckerchief.
I do think that if I had my own neckerchief and just went into the routine, I would not have had a problem...but on the other hand...I could just see this woman (the scout master) stopping the whole show in the middle!! |
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Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
MagicRabbit,
Even if you don't care, you have to create the illusion that you care. Whenever a potential client calls me for a show, I ask them if any of the kids have any allergies because I want to make sure everyone has a great time at the show. If the client says any of the kids are allergic to peanut butter, the PB&J trick gets eliminated. Even if real peanut butter isn't used, I'd be creating psychological distress for the child and the client - and that isn't magic. It's better to let the client know you are sensitive to these issues and that you take proactive steps to ensure the safety of everyone at your show. Just my two cents. Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
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MikeBent Regular user Boston, MA 174 Posts |
I've never had a problem with cutting a neckerchief other that the kid getting really upset. That's why I came up with Nutty Neckerchief. The color and size changes are funnier and more magical.
Mike Bent http://www.mikebentmagic.com |
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drosenbe0813 Elite user Long Island, NY 405 Posts |
Wow....some strong opinions here....I have gone both ways over the years. I believe that you have to be sensitive, but at the same time I do believe that we (as a society) have gone too far to the side of being afraid of offending a few, so that what we end up with is pablum.
One of my mentors said that the worst thing you can do is try to be liked by everyone, because you will end up being mediocre to everyone. I have a few lines in my show which are for the adults...nothing offensive, but they do have 'double' meanings. I have had one show in all my years that someone commented on them. I have had many more customers say that they appreciatted the additional humor for the adults. Should I have cut those lines to avoid offending that one person? At this point in my career, I am confortable with my character and either you like me or you don't. I get enough recommendations, tips and repeat bookings to let me know that I should keep doing what I am doing. |
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magicalaurie Inner circle Ontario, Canada 2962 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-03-14 09:18, MagicRabbit wrote: The audience is not likely aware that there is no peanut butter. And as some individuals can have a SEVERE reaction to just inhaling fumes from peanut butter, it's understandable that alarm bells ring at it's mere mention. Life and Death concern for them on this one. Psychological distress, as magicman845 mentioned. |
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MagicRabbit Regular user 176 Posts |
Let me clarify - the person who PAYS me is king, and I do what suits them.
I am talking about the extremists in the show who simply LOOK for something to complain about. I could care less what the small % thinks or tries to change around them. As drosenbe0813 said above, if we cater to every whim, we are nothing in the end. My specific point was the mismade flag, some of YOU would have removed it from your show by now if that guy had complained to you. And for that you are at fault, not him. And on allergies: I highly DOUBT that the lady who booked your show has a medical history of the 35 kids that will be at the party. People like you who are spooked by this should simply not perform PB&J, or anything with plastics, or anything with flowers, or anything with latex, or anything with dyes, etc...etc...etc |
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thegreatsantani New user L.A. 57 Posts |
It was a GREAT world when the majority ruled, now if one person don't like it we care, (I don't). We left England because one person ruled and we are going back to that. One person complained at a resturaunt I worked at because she (50+ yrs old) did not get a balloon. I only do balloons for those 3-18 eating with their parents. I do not have time to do for all so I don't do for any with the exception of the birthday adult. I got let go cause this person complained. The Mgr said a lot of customers loved me but he can not have complaints....go figure. I wonder how many complained I wasn't there anymore????
TGS |
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Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
MagicRabbit,
We are in a service industry. It's our job to cater to every whim AND put on a great show. When we are being INVITED into someone else's home or venue to perform, we are the GUEST. If we ever want to be INVITED BACK, we must respect that. You also have to remember that every other guest at the party is a potential client or source of referral for you. They become your "warm market" because they've seen you perform. You can either leave them with a positive experience and have them say great things about you to one or two other people; or you can leave them with a negative experience and have them say terrible things about you to ten or twenty other people. If this means I need to design my show to respect the needs and sensitivites of others, I do it. That's part of my job. My show is my product and I offer customized products to my clients. Anything less is simply pushing product. Although the lady who booked you may not have the medical history of every child attending the party, you may have just put the bug in her ear. Maybe now she'll ask the other parents, or she'll take away that platter of nuts. But by simply asking the question, you are providing a service. Maybe you saved a life. I'm not saying that's the way everyone should approach magic. That's just the way I do it. Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
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kenscott Inner circle 1869 Posts |
Would totally agree with James Munton on this. I don't think you should ask for them to bring you one. The hankerchiefs are around 4-6.00 a pcs.
If I remember when I did this effect you don't need that much material to make this trick look effective. So if you bought a hankerchief on your own I am sure you can get many shows out of one hankerchief. I think Mike Bents new hankerchief scout trick is perfect for this since nothing ever gets cut and to me I think the routine a lot funnier. I often thought there are better things to do with their neckerchief than cut it half. How about using it to produce a pine derby car etc.?? Ken |
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Steve V Inner circle Northern California 1878 Posts |
>>We left England because one person ruled and we are going back to that<<
Unless you are refering to your own reasons for leaving England you are incorrect. That isn't a historically accurate statement. I do agree with the sentiment though. >>The audience is not likely aware that there is no peanut butter. And as some individuals can have a SEVERE reaction to just inhaling fumes from peanut butter<< That is also an inaccurate statement. The aroma of peanut butter does not contain the protein which is the component the lil' bugger may be allergic to. Why this can't seem to penitrate is beyond me. I do agree some may over react to the aroma due to ignorance. Now if I had a kid who had such a severe allergy I certainly would educate myself to the basics of the dang allergy. Obviously there is a connection between peanut allergies and stupid parents. Now to the magic! Go to the store that sales boy scout supplies and get some neckerchiefs so you can do your lil' cut and restored. I also suggest you make your own 21st Century Silks out of 'em. Oh, one more thing. I was in the US Military, the Navy, and wore a neckerchief and we could cut, shred, or do whatever we wanted with the thing as long as when we had one on it was clean, undamaged, and worn properly. Same with a neck tie or cap. There was no point at all where we were told any part of our uniform was sacred nor that it couldn't be tossed into a garbage can when it wasn't needed or being worn. The person from the Scouts was full of poop. Steve V |
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MagicRabbit Regular user 176 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-03-14 12:43, magicman845 wrote: Bullcrap. Are you are the type of magician who will allow adults to chitter chatter away over your show and for kids to run amuck? Food to be served during your performance and ANYTHING they want to do is OK? I have been doing this 16 years and for the most part, what I say goes. I just do it in the appropriate & professional way. Look, don't mistake my bluntless on this forum with my clients. I am the nicest guy they know, but I have standards, I have rules and I have a lovely way of getting done the things I want done. The original point was, and I will never waver from it - I will not change what I am doing because of a small % of whiners. Any problem you read in to that, is your problem only. |
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Steve V Inner circle Northern California 1878 Posts |
I'm marking MagicRabbit down as a good guy....
Steve V |
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Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-03-14 13:31, MagicRabbit wrote: Well, there's an intelligent response. How does the allowance of inane background chatter relate to issues such as using a flag in an effect or the cutting of a Scout bandana? There's absolutely no basis for the extreme comparisons you are trying to make. In fact, if you re-read the posts in this thread, nothing even comes close to that comparison. I'm talking about respect and responsiveness twoards the sensitivities of your client and potential clients as it relates to how you structure and routine your show. That's very different from letting others disrupt and interfere with the show itself. Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
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MagicRabbit Regular user 176 Posts |
When I re-read the post YOU said "It's our job to cater to every whim"
Now unless your backing down from that statement, I have read & responded correctly. If their whim is to talk, why would you disagree? If their whim is to interogate your fake peanut butter jar why would you disagree? Yes, we are talking extremes, that was the point of the original poster. He wondered how he handled it, now If YOU would re-read the post & get off your white horse you would find that I WAS THE FIRST to tell him he did the right thing. But it doesn't mean we change everything we do for the few. Check you head & quit writing something into my post that isn't there or I'll throw peanut butter at you. |
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Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
If you want to quote out of context, go right ahead. Was there anything up to that point talking about inane bacground chatter? No. But there was a lot of talk about client sensitivites. You obviously fail to see the difference between people disrupting your show and people expressing concern as to the content of your show.
It's easy to dismiss these people as "whiners". It's harder to realize they may be giving you valuable feedback on your show and suggesting ways to make it better. All I'm suggesting is that you listen to what these people have to say. There can be real nuggets of gold in some of those comments. You want to use an extreme example? How about a mismade flag effect in a veteran's home? That's the kind of sensitivity I'm talking about. I would have no problem at all adjusting my show to be sensitive to that type of audience. In fact, I consider it part of my job to anticipate those sensitivities in advance of the show and structure my performance accordingly. Even it is just "one lonely guy" in the audience voicing that concern, it's still a real concern. He may have just come back from overseas, protecting his country. You don't know. Is he a "whiner" or is he a patriot? You don't know. So give the guy the benefit of the doubt and the respect he deserves. I really don't think I'm "writing" anything into your posts. Instead, I've now responded to your previous comments concerning peanut butter, allergies, and the mismade flag. And I've done so without using a single profanity ("Bullcrap), throwing a single insult("get off your white horse"), or waging a single threat of bodily harm ("I'll throw peanut butter at you"). Healthy debates are good for the craft, and I don't expect to change anyone's opinions on topics of importance. But let's keep things civil. Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
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