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Carlos Hampton Veteran user 363 Posts |
I would like to get advice as far if is a good thing to pass your hat after you are done, or right before your grand finale??
Please elaborate. |
Bfrancabandera New user 50 Posts |
I have always seen the hat passed after the performance was completed. Therefore, you ask for money right after you blow the socks off of your audience. Also if you pass the hat right before your Grand finale the spectators might miss something while they are looking for their money.
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Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Carlos,
A lot of the questions you are asking can be found by doing a little searching in this area. Also Jim Cellini's video gives excellent instruction. It will answer all of your questions. "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. |
rkrahlmann Regular user 168 Posts |
I had them get their money ready during a break in my final trick, which usually was something with an invisible deck and a volunteer. While they were pulling out their money, I'd cover with a 30 second-1 minutes worth of humorous patter about why I needed the money or comparing two dollars worth of entertainment to overpriced coffee or what it cost to see a crappy movie. Using this pitch, the audience didn't miss any of the trick. Once the money was in their hands, I'd go back to the trick.
I don't know how Cellini suggests doing it, but pausing the final trick/requesting money/making jokes/final trick/send out the hat while they're smiling worked for me. The key is to keep rewriting a pitch until you find out what get the most money in the hat. |
Carlos Hampton Veteran user 363 Posts |
Thanks everyone for the response. I do have Cellini video and he does it at the end, I was looking for different inputs.
I think it might be a good idea during the last trick as explained above, you will still give them something else after they pay, and you are still holding interest so they want to stay. If you finished, the only thing you have is simpathy, but no more interest. Just a point of view from a complete clueless in the subject. Carlos |
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Carlos,
Removed from the context of the show your observation makes a lot of sense. They know the last trick is done why should they stay, listen to your pitch, and then pay? This is probably the most important part of show construction. Your entire show has been a build up to this moment. You have connected with them, entertained them, and made them like you. At this point they should want to give you money even if you don’t do a big sexy hat line. Sonny Holiday’s set on that DVD is a perfect example. He just uses a brief hatline and tosses out his hat. They give him money. Guys with a bigger show usually do a bigger hat line or pitch. If you have 50 or 100 people standing there they will have more coverage for their escape and the guilt factor goes way down. In order to get them to pay you have to give stronger proof as to why they should pay. You can do it with comedy, drama, or downright begging. But you have to do something or you won’t get the maximum donation. It is easier to pitch before the finale to be sure. You are in reality saying, “I have a great trick but I need to collect $100 before I show it to you. If you don’t pay the rest of the show has been free have a nice day.” This can work but it really depends on the location. Some people are put off by this type of pitch and won’t give as much. You also run the danger of short changing yourself out of a bigger hat if you leave it up to them. This last type of pitch can even be done before you start the show at all! I remember seeing a juggler who refused to do anything until he had $100 in his hat. He was very funny and it took him almost thirty minutes to collect but he got the hundred bucks. He then did his show (which was great) and then pitched the hat again! He said it was for all the people who missed it the first time around. I could never pull that off, but this guy made it work. He must have been doing it for years. So, I guess to answer your question as to what is better it depends. It’s too bad you missed out on that Cellini lecture. He covers a lot of this if you ask him. 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. |
Carlos Hampton Veteran user 363 Posts |
Yes Danny,
it was too bad. Probably out of the whole group I am the only one that regrets it. But there is nothing we can do about the past. Just learn from it and move on. That is my intent. Anyhow, please know that I really appreciate your comments and pointers. Regards, Carlos |
Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
You bet Carlos. It's all about keeping it alive and making it the best we can.
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. |
JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Is Cellini giving lectures? Is there another one scheduled? How about Gazzo? Also, does anyone know if Gazzo's book covers stuff not in his dvd?
Thanks. 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 |
Hi Jim,
Cellini is still booking lectures. He was just out on the West Coast a couple months ago. Information on his tour can be found here: http://hometown.aol.com/magiclecture/cellini.html Gazzo’s book contains less information, but it also contains some different thoughts. It is more of a bare bones approach but I own both and I think they complement each other greatly. I also think it is easier to follow along with the booklet when rehearsing. 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. |
JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Thank you, Danny. I will monitor the Cellini lecture website to try to catch him when he comes within striking distance of me. I agree about books vs. videos. Take care,
Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Kozmo V.I.P. 5473 Posts |
If you want to have Cellini lecture at your club, please contact John Luka or myself and we can arrange that..
They call it New York style...collecting the money before the final trick is done...lots of guys do this...including Johnny Fox....I have never done it this way....I kind of feel if they want to give they will If you give money I thank you...if you have no money, please come and tell us you liked the show....and if you liked the show...have money and don't give it.....when you get home I hope puffy is dead! koz |
Scott Xavier Inner circle 3672 Posts |
I say, while doing bill to lemon or a dollar switch! Those are some great times to remind the audience, you too have to eat. Darn it, look at my avatar, I'm skinny!
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Danny Hustle Inner circle Boston, MA USA 2393 Posts |
Dr. Zodiac,
This is great advice. Anytime during your show when you can remind your audience that you will be asking for donations when you finish is usually a good thing. It keeps them from feeling sandbagged when you pull out the hat. When you let them know beforehand they are more likely to be generous when you make your pitch. 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. |
Devious Inner circle 2120 Posts |
Folks, I thought this was a great discussion topic. Perhaps THE most important one, if you wish to remain in the game, so I'm bringing this back to the top people.
Cheers! |
tomhankins New user 1 Post |
Larger display of the guy, usually a larger hat lines do or booth. If you have 50 or 100 people standing there, they will have more coverage to escape their guilt factor, all the way down. In order to allow them to pay, you must give proof of why they want more. You can use comedy, drama, or outright begging. But you have to do something, or you will not get the maximum donation.
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Yellowcustard Inner circle New Zealand 1334 Posts |
All great advice above. Here is what I do. I have a box out to take trickle money as a Diablo and as I build a small edge I then do 3 tricks. The second trick is sponge bunnies and I do a joke about it cost to look after them. Then as I get the third trick ready I make hat line. then as I finsh I hit the hat line again with a thank you for watching.
Enjoy your magic,
and let others enjoy it as well! |
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