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TheAstonishingLarry Regular user I aspire to more than only 183 Posts |
I need your advice. I just got a gig for a Labor Day, end-of-summer bash with an attendance of about 200 … I was told there would anywhere from 30-50 kids and that most likely some of the parents would want to watch as well. All is good, right? Well I’m a little more than concerned about the majority of adults who aren’t interested in a magic show and who would rather mingle and talk as I’m performing. I don’t use a microphone and I’m worried about competing with the background hum of conversation … as well as the affect these side conversations might have on the kid’s attention spans (Hey, if Mom and Dad aren’t politely paying attention, why should I?).
Any tips / ideas / advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! Regards, Larry
"If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe." - Carl Sagan
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jimhlou Inner circle 3698 Posts |
Hi Larry:
You say you don't use a microphone? With a group this size, why not? A wireless mic / amplifier might be just what you need for future gigs. I use mine in almost every show. Jim |
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AshleyW Regular user 174 Posts |
30-50 kids? You don't absolutely need a mic.
Depends on if your a "packs light" fellow. I have done these before (with & without mic) and I asked to be moved WAY to the side away from the commotion so the kids can hear & enjoy. How long of a show have you promised? Hopefully no more than 30 minutes. Hopefully it won't be hot as crap either. |
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Difficult to plug a sound system in outside and for a crowd of this size you really don't need one if you know how to use your voice.
As to how to get the adults to watch you. Do tricks that interest and engage them as well. If you're worth watching the will. If you're just doing PB&J and Hippity Hop Rabbits in the traditional manner they most likely will tune you out and start the dreaded talking amongst themselves. Were you hired to entertain everyone or just the kids? If you were brought in just to entertain the kids so the adults can mingle amongst themselves then it already is a lost cause in most cases. The adults will be looking forward to this away time from their kids and want to socialize with the other adults. If this is the case get the performance as far away from the main group as possible so that you decrease the amount of distraction a large group of adults can be.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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nucinud Inner circle New York, New York 1298 Posts |
You can get a Memorex wireless mic and sending unit for $20 at Target. The whole thing works on two 9 volt batteries. Also can worked plugged in. You can get a battery operated amp like the Crate Taxi $150 from Same Day Music or Zzounds, no charge for shipping and no tax.
They work great together for outdoor shows. I NEVER do a show without a mic and amp.
"We are what we pretend to be" Kurt Vonnegut, jr.
Now U C It Now U Don't Harry Mandel www.mandelmagic.com |
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TheAstonishingLarry Regular user I aspire to more than only 183 Posts |
Hired to entertain the kids for the most part. I'm not a strict "pack light, pack flat" guy ... I have a small amp to play music with my Fantasy Magician bit as well as The Thing. And I promised 45-60 minutes ... though I was already considering cutting the "show" down to just a few effects and throwing in some strolling, close-up magic to smaller groups to fulfill my promised time.
Thanks for your comments so far. Larry
"If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe." - Carl Sagan
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AshleyW Regular user 174 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-08-23 16:37, nucinud wrote: That is certainly your preference and your right. And I can see why, it saves your voice, it seems professional, etc. But I had a conversation with a mother not long ago who told me about the last magician she hired for her child's bday. This was held in their living room. She said it was "weird" how he used a mic and sound system. The kids were more intrigued by the microphone than the show itself. She said the adults were talking later and found it un-natural and weird to see that in a living room. But, different strokes for different folks, right? |
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12941 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-08-23 15:38, TheAstonishingLarry wrote: Use a microphone! John |
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rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-08-23 16:01, jimhlou wrote: Good heavens, I guess I'm too 'old school' - in basic dramatics class, they taught us to 'project'. I don't think my basic vocal equipment is anything special, and I have never had any trouble being heard in a crowd this size (even if there's a band playing across the park, or traffic noise). Remember, if they're interested and can't hear, they'll move closer. If they're not interested ... well, some of any crowd that size won't be (or won't have the attention span) - don't assume that a few people wandering off is due to some failure on your part. |
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Stevethomas Inner circle Southern U.S.A. 3728 Posts |
Yeah...but the Anchor "Mini-Vox" that my friend and Café member todd75 is selling here. VERY inexpensively, and has the microphone with it. Quality stuff from a quality guy. AND, you can plug a line into it to run your other music and SFX for the show.
AND...just for the record, I love using my Anchor "Explorer Pro", but wouldn't use it in a birthday party setting in someone's home. Steve |
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Rodney Palmer Inner circle 1317 Posts |
Larry, does your current budget allow you to purchase a microphone? If Not, then can you afford a wired microphone to plug into your amp? These are really inexpensive at Best Buy, Radio Shack or similar stores. They cost around $ 25.00 but this will help your show out a lot. It has been long said that TRUE Professionals will use a microphone to project so that everyone including those with hearing problems can hear you. Just a thought! If budget does not allow then set the KIDZ up in front 5 rows of 10 KIDZ each. then you will have a good stage to work from. Make sure the KIDZ are at least 5-7 feet from you. And DO NOT worry about the parents unless you are trying to sell your show for birthdays, etc.
Rodney
"Creating Memories That Last A Lifetime"
In order to keep "MAGIC ALIVE" Please become a Mentor to a Young Person. |
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derrick Inner circle I dug holes for 1044 Posts |
Use a mic and sound system if it is outside. It is tough to project your voice to that many people outside.
You may get away without a sound system inside but you will really need to project your voice. Having kids continually moving forward to hear what you are saying can also cause crowd control isssues. You can always rent a small system for around $50 bucks if you aren't ready to purchase your own. You do want the parent to hear your show? They are the ones with the money and the ones who will be hiring you later. A magic show has to not only be seen but heard. Good Luck Derrick |
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-08-24 00:49, derrick wrote: Not if you know what you're doing. I perform ever summer at a Medieval Fair where any kind of amplification is strictly verbotten. Never have a problem attracting and maintaining a crowd, sometimes of upwards of two hundred or so. I can be very well heard and understood by the entire audience. You just need to learn to project correctly.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Rodney Palmer Inner circle 1317 Posts |
Payne, I believe your Voice is Loud and Clear however others are not. It is also not a good idea to throw your voice. Why, too much strain on the vocal cords which can lead to permanant damage to your voice later down the road.
Get the Microphone, you will be glad that you did. Rodney
"Creating Memories That Last A Lifetime"
In order to keep "MAGIC ALIVE" Please become a Mentor to a Young Person. |
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Cesar Munoz Veteran user 370 Posts |
There's certainly more than one valid opinion here--so if you need help finding the answer that works for you--I would crack open--Strong Magic, Maximum Entertainment and Professional Magic For Children. You'll find that they would all encourage you to use a mic.
I use a mic for every show. The only exception would be an unusually small audience and room. In that case I can completely understand how it might be perceived as unnatural to use a mic. When working in someone's living room--you lower the volume so that they can hear the pa system--but they really can't tell where the amplification is coming from. It allows you to use your voice in a much more creative, diverse and interesting way--as opposed to constantly having to "project". I can and have successfully performed in reception halls without a mic--but it's less than ideal. The mic will also allow your volunteers to be heard, when approriate. It's not an ego thing--it's an entertainment thing. If what you are looking to do is entertain your audience--I encourage you to take the time to learn to use this tool properly. Also, anyone who has any trouble hearing you--will tune you out immediately. When they tune you out, they then become a distraction by engaging in some other distracting conversation or activity. When you use a mic you own the stage and the space and start down the road to entertaining more and more people in your audience. Cesar |
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TheAstonishingLarry Regular user I aspire to more than only 183 Posts |
Seems like I've started the ever-popular "mic or no-mic" debate. I do have a budget that would allow me to purchase a microphone and like I said, I already use a small amp. As Payne referred to his performance at a Medieval Fair, I can imagine the performers I've seen at our Renaissance Festival here in Colorado ... yes, I believe one can project their voice quite nicely ... and there's something quite theatrical about that aspect … like a Shakespearean actor or carnival barker.
On the other hand I've also read Ken Weber's Maximum Entertainment and know that he's a big proponent of the hand-held microphone ... and he has reasons to back up his personal choice. I guess, bottom-line ... I'll call the client, express my concerns, and take charge of the situation by requesting to be put as far from the main goings-on as possible (he was going to have me right on the deck in the middle of the shindig). The mic question will work itself out … I do like the idea of being able to amplify the voices of my assistants for all to hear. Too often they’re pretty quiet and with an audience that big will not be heard … and sometimes their reactions/responses punctuate the performance. Thanks to all who’ve chimed in. Larry
"If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe." - Carl Sagan
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
I look upon the human voice as an instrument and thus I eschew amplification where ever possible. It is my personal preference as I like the organic nature of an unelectronified voice. I also feel a microphone creates a barrier between you and your audience. I happened to be blessed with a very loud voice that carries well so I would be louder than an amplifier in most typical party situations. It's also one less thing to carry in and set up for a show.
I can understand why some would wish to use amplification but if you can do without it I really feel that this is the better choice.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Larry
If it is an outdoor show you should have no problem finding a shady spot to set up, and tell the adults that follow you that they are attending a magic show and that yours should be the loudest voice heard. If they don't listen tell the first one that interupts you that "there is a show going on sir, so please give me a break." That should strike fear in their hearts. I believe you are making something out of nothing. Mic or no mic a serious performer should have no problem holding the attention of 50 kids unamplified. You don't need a mike, but you should have a bottle of water to keep from losing your voice. If you have a multi-layered show the adults will be eating out of you hands too. BREAK A LEG Al
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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KC Cameron Inner circle Raleigh, North Carolina 1944 Posts |
I rarely use a mic for that size of crowd, but my voice carries well too. The problem is projecting takes more energy, and it is hot as *&*(&^ here and I need to conserve energy for the next show. Volunteers often are quiet, and if you do several gigs in a row, your voice could start going out. While I hate mics, there are very good reasons to use them. (BTW I have sound system that can make me easily heard across a football field, and $900 mics, so it is not for lack of funds or equipment.)
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Jeff Haas Special user 929 Posts |
The other advantage of using a mike is that it lets you talk to a volunteer in a quiet, calm way and yet the audience can follow along with everything you do. This is worth it if you've got a routine that uses a small child. Then you can get them up, sit down next to them and tone down your mannerisms and volume, and the audience is right there with you. This sort of moment can actually bring people's focus into the show.
I'd recommend setting the volume on your amp so it's just enough to cover the group of kids. When you get there you'll need to experiment. Then you'll have control over them and this allows adults to hang back and still watch, because some of the sound will carry past the group. It also has the benefit of giving you confidence that you're not fighting with the other sounds at the event just to be heard, and unless you're at a Medieval Fair, there's almost always amplified music and adults with beer talking really loudly. |
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