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bond19 Inner circle Blackpool, England 1338 Posts |
Hi folks,
I am putting together my first ever street show (I have never done this before..arrghh). Anyway I have read the Art of Krowd Keeping and I have watched all three Cellini DVD's. I have carefully considered what tricks to perform etc and I have decided on the plays big, packs small theory. I have tried to ensure my show can be flexible ie, it can play to a small doorway crowd as well as a huge circle crowd. The advise I have gained from the above resources and all the threads here on the Café have been invaluable (thanks to everyone concerned). However I need some advice on scripting and pacing my show for the doorway act versus the circle show. Of corse as a beginner I will start with the doorway show but I am unsure how the scripting, pacing and audience interaction should change between the two show types. I am more familiar with the circle show as I have watched these types of show in England and Spain before (but I have never seen a live doorway act). After watching Sonny Holiday perform his doorway act on the Cellini DVD am I correct in thinking a doorway show differs from a circle show in the following ways: 1. A doorway show should have some (but less) audience participation. 2. A doorway show should move at a faster pace due to the shorter nature of the show and be less focused on building to a dramatic climax. 3. The doorway show has less gags and lines etc again due to the shorter nature of the show. If you good people could help out and better explain the fundemental difference bewteen a circle show and a doorway show. Please bear in mind the acutal act is essentially the same. Thanks again for your great posts, they have been very helpful! Fat hats to all! Chris |
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RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
Here's the best I can suggest for the starting street performer. Though this very advise has earned me much criticism, it is the fastest way to learn.
Script your show and pacing the same way one of the majors does. Follow the pacing of Cellini, or Gazzo. I mean it. Even do their effects and jokes (though use caution with some of Gazzo' more risque bits). Now before Gazzo or anyone else bites my *** for that, there's a PERFECT reason why.... As a first time performer, what do YOU know about timing on the street? NOTHING. What did I know the first time I went out? NOTHING. So how is one supposed to learn...trial and error? Sure. You could go that route and spend the next 10 years getting it right. OR - you can "copy" outright, the masters. AGAIN...BEFORE YOU BITE... The purpose of copying is so you can learn the ropes and begin to understand what works and why. The trick is...as you begin to learn, grow more comfortable and UNDERSTAND the who, what, when, why, and how of the streets...then you begin to change your act and make it more your own. The bottom line is that if you ever wish to be a master, you must first be an apprentice. (don't take that to mean I'm a master...nowhere close yet Good luck and HAVE FUN! Robert Bloor
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,"
-The Declaration of Independence |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
If you do a doorway show, make sure the business is closed when you do it. Blocking an active doorway is the fastest way to be moved out of position during a show.
You would be advised to watch a lot of live performances before you try one. Apprentices served by doing grunt work.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
I wouldn't copy Gazzo.... I would HIRE him to coach you.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Mr Amazeo Regular user 186 Posts |
Also, when you are scripting and stringing together the routines for either show, have an element of some sort of natural build toward the climax. Start more or less small, and keep building. The first few routines are crowd builders, so keep promising something big is going to happen in 'just a few minutes.' Work on building the size of the group and keeping them up to, and certainly after, the hat line. You might be surprised how fast you'll have 50 or more people standing around, so keep playing bigger and bigger.
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Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
There is merit to what Robert says. Whit Haydn wrote an amazing article against originality (in learning).
BUT Copying a style that does not suit you is a sure fire way to make yourself look the fool. Learn the routines and the pacing of the script but I would avoid using them verbatim. I would also strongly encourage you to write your own jokes and bits and not copy any other street performer. Last summer my show was at the opposite end of a large mall where by the time people saw me they had already seen five or six other street performers. Many of them using the exact same lines. Let me tell you, almost 100% of the lines you have heard on most of the video tapes are being used by almost EVERYONE on the street. If I had followed suit I would not have made a dime. It took me a month or two to get rolling but by the end of the summer I had something nobody had seen before. I was therefore able to make money. Writing your own material (and it will NOT be funny at first) will at least be appreciated by your audience for the fact you are trying to be different. After a very short amount of time your lines will be funny because your act will have coalesced and become polished. If you do this with somebody else's act you will have a polished version of somebody else's act. When you are put in the position to change all of that (and you will) you will be forced to start from square one. Do it right the fist time and by the time you have put a shine on it you can stand proud by the fact that it is yours. About a year ago somebody put a video tape of a street performer who posts here doing one of his signature acts. It is based I believe it was based in part on Al Flosso's routine. But the guy who did it had all of his own lines and bits. IT was original. The video was quickly taken down I think at the performers request because I am sure he knew that before long 100 other guys would have been doing it. Be different, be clean, take the hard way, and make it your own. That way you will not only get good but you will have an act that will get you work anywhere not just on the street. If you do it long enough you will get good, real good. Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
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RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
Yes, I forgot Whit had written that article. Went back and read it and Whit worded his thoughts far better than I did in my previous post.
To reiterate - I don't advocate stealing outright a routine. If you're going to perform the technical aspects of anyone's act, buy their DVD or book etc. And, as Danny suggests, make sure things "fit" you. That's why I say to use caution when attempting any type of off-color Gazzo joke. If you want to do Gazzo's Cups - buy his DVD. Some people may not like you doing "their" routine. But if they're going to put it on a DVD, and get PAID to give aways their bits of business, it's not "their" routine anymore. That's just business. Robert
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,"
-The Declaration of Independence |
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four elements New user 91 Posts |
Can someone point me in the direction of Whit Haydn article against originality?
Thanks |
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four elements New user 91 Posts |
Found it, I was searching on to few words.
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Talking of Gazzo, Gaz told me once that if you want to be a street performing magician, you should go out with a deck of cards and just do card tricks for a year. At the end of a year, you'll be a good street worker.
Personally, I wouldn't aim so high as to try to pull off a circle show or a Gazzo-quality show. I would start small. Get used to working the street. Have zero expectations, but get the audience time. Your routines will morph and develop by just doing them 20 times a day. It's fun and amazing to see it happen. Another thing that nobody else says, but that worked for me is: get a partner and switch off on your pitch. It's good because it's moral and emotional support for each other, it's fun because you're both learning the ropes together and sharing the fun of discovery, and you can critique each others sets. Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Great advice from Jim, as usual.
Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
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bond19 Inner circle Blackpool, England 1338 Posts |
Hi Huys,
Thanks for all your replies, I guess I just need to get out there and start performing. I will probably be ready in about two weeks, and I will let you know how I get on. To help better explain, my act starts with a TT & silk routine, followed by Invisible deck, then a simple Do as I do card routine. Next I inflate a regualr black ballon and make a couple of comments on how it will play an important part at the end of the show. Then I move on to balloon swallowing (at the end I "cought" into a paper bag) and produce a balloon animal. Finally I borrow a bill and vanish it. I then build towards a finish with the sighed bill ending up in a balloon (which was inflated before the bill was borrowd - this is Mark Jenst's "Billoon" from Miracles whilst you wait. Just though I would see what you guys think my act. Do you think it should play well on the streets? Thanks again for everyones advice. This Café ROCKS!! Chris |
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Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Chris,
That sounds like a fun show! Once you start keep at it until that act shines! Best, Dan- "MT is one of the reasons we started this board! I’m so sick of posts being deleted without any reason given, and by unknown people at that." - Steve Brooks Sep 7, 2001 8:38pm ©1999-2014 Daniel Denney all rights reserved. |
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bond19 Inner circle Blackpool, England 1338 Posts |
Thanks Dan,
Can't wait to get out there and try out the show. Is there any footage of yourself in action? I have become quite a fan of yours through your Art of Krowd Keeping book and the clips on the Cellini dvd's. It would be a joy to see you at work. (can't afford to visit Boston just yet, but one day maybe!) All the best, Chris |
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TheWhiteye New user Chicago 29 Posts |
Hey guys-
Enjoyed reading up on all your tips. Last Summer I would stroll throughout the parks and spring card tricks on unsuspecting tourists... This year I'm steppin' it up and working out full routines. I psyche myself out quite a bit though. Something I can only fix by workin it more. Ill keep ye posted. |
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TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
I believe Whit's writing is in his "chicago surprise" booklet.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
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Ronnie Ramin Loyal user 233 Posts |
Quit working on the Perfect show...script whatever...A friend of mine just forced me to do it...I did and everything I worked out so perfectly went out the window. I did a sidewalk show and by the end of the first afternoon (20 or so shows) My ACT had evolved. I learned new jokes a new opening line and found a pace for what woked, and tossed two effects that didn't. I learned so much more than I did when I was perfecting my act. Set a couple of small goals for yourself, like: doing at least 10 shows no matter what... Don't make money your goal at this point. See if you can get a grasp on drawing a crowd...See if you can say your hat line without feeling like a beggar... The first 10 shows I did, I didn't even do a hat line if I remember...I just thanked them and layed my hat out.
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bond19 Inner circle Blackpool, England 1338 Posts |
Sure Ronnie, I get your point. All the practise in the world will not prepare me for the streets. I guess I will have to get out there and just try it out. I just wish I had a friend who would drag me out there to get me started. I like the idea of having goals. I will aim at 10 shows minimum and stick it out. I will then polish my act until it shines!!
Cheers Chris |
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RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,"
-The Declaration of Independence |
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Kozmo V.I.P. 5473 Posts |
Well not that I know anythng but I beleive that there is no way a street magician is going to be successful going out and trying to do a circle show right off....jugglers can but magi no...i think that if you want to be successful on the streets you should go out and do 8 to 10 minutes full of good magic and try to make them laugh...be entertaining...8 to 10 minutes...your goal should be to get 12 to 15 people to watch and pay you say $20 at the end....think about this this....$15 to $20 dollars for 10 minutes work...great money! (by the way I can make $50 on a small show, so it will get better) as time goes on and you go out and do 15 or 20 of these shows a day you will change...your audience will tell you what is working and whats not...pay attention to your audience...also as time goes on you show will grow...and it will get longer and then you will start doing larger shows that last longer...
heres some real advice for you.....if you have a great sidewalk show you will ALWAYS be able to find a place to work....circle show performers chase a pitch their whole lives....trust me on this one...i challange anyone to make more money on the streets than a guy who does a great sidewalk show....those circle show guys feel good when they get 3 shows a day becuase they end up rotating with other performers....but that guys who does that smaller show can go over in the corner and do that little show all by himself and make a ton of money.... not that I know a *** thing koz |
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