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derrick Inner circle I dug holes for 1044 Posts |
You should at least fly in on a helicopter.
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jakeg Inner circle 1741 Posts |
I travelled from Pittsburgh to Lakewood NJ to do an outdoor show. When I arrived, there was only the booking agent's car in the parking lot. He reached out of his window, handed me a check, and said 'see you next year.' It's the most money that I ever got for not doing a show.
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Magic Mike Japan New user Yokosuka, Japan (U.S. Mailing Address) 98 Posts |
My experiences with outdoor shows hasn't been heartwarming. My biggest problem is the wind blowing everything tricks over, or sending things unexpectedly in the wrong direction. Can't use silks, that's for sure and you're usually surrounded. You have to be very selective about what tricks you use.
"There's no limit to what one man can accomplish, as long as he's willing to let someone else have the credit." (These words were inscribed on a small brass plaque which sat on President Ronald Reagan's desk in the White House during his second term.)
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Look at the positive side guys. At least you all got paid didn't you?
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Danny Diamond Inner circle Connecticut 1400 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-06-06 19:45, Dynamike wrote: Of course, I am not complaining really, just sharing a funny show story. I laughed about it as it was happening. There was certainly nothing I could do to compete with a frikkin helicopter landing nearby - so why stress over it? Gotta laugh about stuff like that.
You don't drown by falling in the water;
you drown by staying there. - Edwin Louis Cole |
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Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
Strangely enough, the helicopter thing is the only time I've had an outdoor show ruined. It was a local private school Summer Fayre, and they'd got one of the dads to provide his helicopter for rides. The chopper was taking off and landing every ten minutes, it was horrendous! The thing just about went out of earshot for a couple of minutes, and it would be coming back in! And though it was about 500m from where I was performing, it was landing in a dell, and I was at the rim of the dell. The noise was overwhelming, and my poor little amp didn't stand a chance!
After my stint, I was thoroughly exhausted. In retrospect, I should have cancelled my show and offered balloon modelling instead. |
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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
I did outdoor shows for several years but decided that just were not for me any longer. I would not take one now if they paid me double my fee...seriously!
There always seems to be at least one issue that never fails....no electricity, the stage is in the middle with kids all around, etc. etc. etc. It is hot, windy.... always something! I also found 9 times out of 10 that outside events are ALWAYS UNORGANIZED in one way or another. Just my thoughts! |
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
I have learned to simply adapt to the situations as they present themselves. I perform both inside and outside every year. Part of the reason for learning to be adaptive is that my wife and I do a lot of festivals and fairs and specialize in that market a lot from April till October every year. Just from being in this market, I have really learned that one must adapt to any situation when performing outdoors. This can range from weather to bad angles to sound and being heard to what type of performing area or stage you have to deal with.
But I find that because I have learned to adapt, I can offer more solutions to my clients. There is less problems for them to deal with when they book us because I have it already taken care of. I have also learned that their is some very top dollar money just sitting out there for those who can do outdoor performances. The market is there for those who choose to tap into it. A performer must learn to adapt his or her show to deal with certain weather elements. They must also be able to handle performing in vastly different staging and sometimes with bad angles or even in the round. They must also be conscious of the fact of direct sunlight on the magic they perform as well as learning that they are now performing for family-style audiences and not just children. These are all important things to remember or take into consideration when doing outdoor events. When you are outside you really must take mother nature seriously at all times. This means having protection from the elements whether they be the sun, wind, rain etc. I always bring tarps, ponchos, speaker covers and a lot more for every show we do. It is our weather kit and it always goes with us. I can talk more about what goes into this kit later if anyone is interested. It is always near us and allows us to know exactly where things are when we need them in the event of wind or rain. My biggest thing I carry and insist on is WATER and plenty of it. You must stay hydrated and cool during the day and performance. With the adrenalin going the way it does, you burn off a lot of electrolites and can get yourself feeling lousy if you do not take the time to cool yourself off. My wife and I pack a cooler of water and ice for every festival we do. It is always near us and always on stage during a performance. Weather is the biggest factor with outdoor shows. The 2 biggest problems you will be faced with in ourdoor work is Wind and Rain. You must learn to adapt and come prepared for both. With the wind, I made sure to adapt my show so that I take out as much of the problems faced with the wind as I can. If I am using silks, I can solve the problem, by taking a black elastic band and having that stretch across my roll on table from one side to the next. This then allows me a place to place the silk and it will hold it there for when I need it without the worry of it blowing away. If I am using my quickshade awaning for my own staging, I make sure I pack the weights for it so that it is weighted down in the event of heavy wind. For rain, I bring ponchos for my wife and I as well as a small umbrella and cases and tarps that are water resistent. These are always kept in their own case and within easy access in the event rain is a problem. But this is not all that hard to do. Any performers (inside or outside) must learn to adapt to itsuations and always be prepared for things. The good performer covers off on things ahead of time and is ready for any situation. woth working outdoors, it just becomes a matter of adapting your show and making sure you take control of the process from the first phone call to actually getting there. if you are woried about loust stages.... simply ASK. this is the one things people consistently tell me about outdoors shows. they do not enjoy them because of so much heat and uncertanty. The problem is that a LOT of that can be directly sontrolled by yourself if you take a proactive appaorach and simply ask the festivals and fairs this stuff ahead of time,. They never mind you asking them and many of your needs can and will be addressed. Hope some of this helps. 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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Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
I love performing outdoors, and I agree with you Kyle, that it's up to the performer to make sure the show is adaptable to varying conditions. A very important point is to be power-free, use a rechargeable amp, or whatever. Organisers would much prefer not to worry about supplying you with mains electricity in the middle of field!
The only other bad experience I had was last summer I did a show in a park for a playgroup. There were loads of activities going on, and because I was only there for an hour, I was given a pitch right in the middle of the park, on a large cemented area surrounded by high cement walls. It was a very sunny day, and the cement was dazzlingly bright. After the show I had mild snow-blindness due to the intense light. NEVER again! |
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Thanks so much Doug for the kind words. I do appreciate it. Although my wife and I come prepared for any possibility with things loaded into our performance truck. We have learned over the years to adapt to the conditions we choose to pewrform in. However, what may seem strange to must is that in almost every single festival or fair we perform in, they have access to electric for me to tap into. now I bring extension cords and such as aprt of the show, but it is also in my contract and tech rider that alectricity must be close by for me to gain access to. If you ask you will be amazed at what the festivals will and can provide to you. =)
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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