|
|
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3 | ||||||||||
Al Kazam the Magic Man Inner circle Living in Perth Western Australia 1042 Posts |
Hey, I'm sitting here at 2:30am in Taiwan and thinking about how I'm going to slay the crowd tomorrow at the park we go to on Sunday afternoons and evenings. I get a lot of inspiration and motivation from the threads in the Sidewalk Shuffle.
Gotta agree with most of the advice given so far on this topic. I feel too, that the show starts when I'm getting my stuff together at home, getting into character, getting in the mood, and envisioning the great time I'm going to have and you know all of that stuff. JoJo
Magic guy in Perth Australia
|
|||||||||
Kozmo V.I.P. 5473 Posts |
Danny...we are inspirational...WOW!!!
who da thunk it... I take that as a great compliment! thanks koz |
|||||||||
Pokie-Poke Special user Bensalem, PA 883 Posts |
1:00 am, don't do it man! Are you crazy? Read my first post to this topic! Wait till some one is awake!
www.pokie-poke.com
The Adventure cont... |
|||||||||
rkrahlmann Regular user 168 Posts |
On getting the money...
Before I ended my final trick, usually something with an invisable deck, I would ask everyone in the crowd to pull out at least a dollar and have it ready. Jokes and patter went along with the request. I found this worked better than asking for the money at the very end of the show, when some people might walk away. I could end the trick, thank the volunteer, and send out the hat to collect the bills. Much cleaner than ending the show and making then making the pitch. |
|||||||||
Leland Inner circle St Louis 1180 Posts |
Oww! what a thread. You've armed me with all the information I need to go out and do it. Now I just need to go out and do it!! See you guys out on the streets!!
Life of Magic!
|
|||||||||
JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Rkrahlmann,
You mean having the audience pull out a dollar was part of the next trick they thought? Like, "Pull out a dollar bill and watch me turn all your ones into fives," or something. And once they're out, and you're done, "Here's my hat." I think that's a good idea. Jim Leland, don't forget to let us know how your first time goes!
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
|
|||||||||
kasper777 Regular user 144 Posts |
For those who care, I am hopeful that I, too, will join the ranks with some of you by hitting the bricks soon. I have applied to the for a street performing permit and hope to have it soon. My routine keeps getting redone and is almost there. The only thing I need now are the guts to go out and do. There are some street festivals starting next month, which may be my debut, since there will already be plenty of people out and about. Thanks for listening.
|
|||||||||
rkrahlmann Regular user 168 Posts |
JamesinLA,
Asking for dollars wasn't part of the trick, although it occures to me it might make a good final line ("And now for my last trick, I'll turn your dollars into my rent!" so something to that effect. Work the line until it gets a laugh--people love to give money when there smiling.) I would make the request along the lines of "Before the ending of this trick, I'd like everyone to reach into their pocket and pull out a dollar. Even two! That's less than a cappucino. And be ready to put it in hat when it comes to you. Now I'm not saying you MUST put it in, just be ready to when the hat comes around. You decide if you've had at least two dollars worth of entertaimment. Besides, my mother needs a new kidney. Not that it should be your concern. You just stand there and enjoy yourself." Then I'd go back and finish the trick, which took about 3 minutes. The pitch changed all the time--I'm an improvisor by training and motormouth by nature--but the basic idea was to get money in hand, get them smiling, close big, and pass the hat while they were still enjoying the last bit of magic. |
|||||||||
Kozmo V.I.P. 5473 Posts |
hey...if you ask for a dollar that's about all you likely will get...might want to ask for more....
its amazing....when you leave here today youa re going to tell your friends you saw this magician...he did the greatest trick i've ever seen with a cup a ball and a stick...right?...they yell yes...and he was funny right?..they yell...and it was amazing, everyone in the audience gave the guy 5 bucks, right?....some yell...its a little funny...but it gives them the idea of giving more.... koz |
|||||||||
rkrahlmann Regular user 168 Posts |
Tedb,
I agree; ask for as much as you can. See what works. If hinting at $5's gets a bigger hat, great! I usually asked for a couple of bucks (this was a few years ago) because people would readily part with it. However, I can see where asking for $5 would get some people to hand over fives where they usually would give 1-2. |
|||||||||
Kozmo V.I.P. 5473 Posts |
well if you ask for a $5...its likely you they will give you at least more than a one...but if you ask for a $1./....you might get change...which i promtly throw at them and tell they should npot have gotten to see the great kozmo...that they didn't deserve it...give the great kozmo change...who do they think they are
danny, sound familar koz |
|||||||||
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
I always ask for a "few" bucks. If you ask for ones you will get ones or change. I hate change. This is important, you will get what you ask for if you believe you are worth it.
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. |
|||||||||
Pokie-Poke Special user Bensalem, PA 883 Posts |
I like that one Koz. I am sooooo steeling that one (with your permition, ok?)
Often If I get a $5. I will make a big deal over the fact that Mr. Lincon dosent go to the theater mutch any more, and that I'm pleased to see him. I've done this at ren fairs!! Fancy that history buffs at a ren fair! All wase "prime the pump" buy anouncing the fact that you are about to pass the hat after the next trick. If you don't you may as well not pass the hat, It can make that big a diferance!
www.pokie-poke.com
The Adventure cont... |
|||||||||
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Pokie, If you are talking about this bit “its amazing....when you leave here today youa re going to tell your friends you saw this magician...he did the greatest trick i've ever seen with a cup a ball and a stick...right?...they yell yes...and he was funny right?..they yell...and it was amazing, everyone in the audience gave the guy 5 bucks, right?..” It’s Gazzo’s not Kozmo’s.
Koz, does Gazzo know you’re giving away his act here? The change line sounds VERY familiar. I laughed out loud when I read it! I thought he was there with you. 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. |
|||||||||
Kozmo V.I.P. 5473 Posts |
danny....i new you would laugh at that one...but hey...i changed it a little.....just to hide whos it really was....i like th getting them to yell thing...kind of funny...i don't think gazzo does that...does he?
koz |
|||||||||
Mr. Bunkley New user 68 Posts |
Hi guys,
Are any of you using a porta PA? If so, how small have you gotten it? what's the best headset mike, etc. . Do you use music at all? Thanks, Daniel |
|||||||||
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
I have been known to use a Fender Ampcan and a $20 wireless Lav. set up that I bought on Ebay.
It is not the best in the world but a lot of buskers uses them. The most popular rig with most pros right now seems to be the Crate Taxi or Limo and a Samson wireless. You will need to make a battery pack for that mic setup. Very easy, one $20 trip to Radio Shack. If you decide to go big let me know and I will send you plans for the Batt pack. 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. |
|||||||||
pepijn Regular user Utrecht (the netherlands) 134 Posts |
WOW!
This is one increadeble pile of very inspiring information for a beginner/sleightly getting in to magic kinda person. WOW man! I took a little break from learing out of my chemistry books for the university, but I just learned a lot here. Different but an lot!! I have always been intrested in performing on the streets because I just really enjoy getting a smile on people's faces. I am starting to get comforteble doing magic to people that I hardly know and I am planning to start some street stuff pretty soon, or at least start perfoming magic which Is a little better for street perfomring (at the moment I am a little more into cards, but I just started cups and balls and some rope stuff) and I got some great tips here. I am definetly going to take a close look at the Celini stuff, that's for sure! Thanks a lot all you helping magicians out there adding to this really good thread. Pep |
|||||||||
ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
I guess I actually had the misfortune of having an (almost) good first time out! I was in Times Square, I started talking (I don't even remember what I was actually doing) and I got this one guy with a look on his face that said; "I've been hearing about street performers and now I'm actually going to get to SEE one!"
As people started to gather around my first spectator, I started the actual routine. Ropes, silks, easy stuff (I'm probably the Saliari of magic.) and he and the rest of the crowd was digging it. Then I started Color Monte. IMPORTANT POINT: Never do ANYTHING resembling a 3-Card Monte trick in New York City! Up pops a friendly police officer who stops my performance. Didn't accuse me of gambling, but broke up the crowd and then stopped me as I was packing up (I'm no fool, I don't argue with the police!) to give me a lecture on how he had a right to run me in for loitering! I made about six bucks for the first 15 minute show (never even got to pass the hat). The next two shows in Central Park were dead-ends and I haven't done anything since then. (This was the last '70s.) I didn't think Newport Rhode Island was open to street performers (I did some stuff at the Clam Chowder Festivals, but that was a set show in a booth.) And I wasn't too certain about Providence, where I currently live. I've since gotten a license (which states clearly that there is to be "no solicitation" of funds, we've been discussing the ways around that on another thread here.) and when the weather gets warm again, I just might go up to Thayer Street (Our College Area, the closest we have to a "Village Scene" where street performers can be found) and give it a shot!
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The side walk shuffle » » First Few Street Performances (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3 |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |