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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
For years now I have been a "pack flat and play big" performer. Long gone are the days when I take in "all this stuff" and spend 30 minutes or more putting it all together.
For about awhile now I've been using an aliminum briefcase which holds 3/4 of my show and a multi-purpose cart on wheels. This has worked great but I wanted someting even quicker that will truly get me in and out. Here is what I am now using am am addicted to it. 1. A speedroller case which is made for camera stuff. It has all these need dividers inside of it that you can move around just about anyway you want. I've removed some of them to make more room inside! My entire show fits inside of this one case. I'm lovin' it! http://www.tamrac.com/5552.htm 2. A Airport Ultralight case which has my sound system in it (Anchor An130) and my 2 side tables which breaks down flat. http://www.southeasterncamerasupply.com/......ght.aspx Note: the picture shows a hard case and a sfot case (I am using the soft) 3. 2 Ultra lightweight side tables. One for a side table during the show and the other I put my sound system on. http://instand.com/CR3/cr3.html These are ny far the best I've found as far as packing flat. They are so lightweight there is nothing to them yet they are awesome. All of my shows now set up in less than 3 minutes! Nothing beats being able to walk in 10 minutes before the show and being ready to go almost instantly. Also, when the show is over I simply close the case and walk out in about 1 minute. Anyone else doing the same? I know Al Angelo and a few others that like this method! |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Todd
I think your set up looks great. I like the idea of making only one trip from the car, and three minutes later you are ready to go. My set up is the aluminum brief case, a wooden jump stool, and a juggling bag. My magic tricks consist of rope, scissors, ring, jumbo ID of cards, change bags, top hat, tubes, and lots of silks. I do about 35 minutes of magic, and 10 minutes of juggling. Most of my set up time consist of "where is your men's room", and "could someone get me a glass of water"
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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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
Mine too! It takes me longer to park my car and check in than it does to setup!
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Ken Dumm Inner circle 1239 Posts |
3. 2 Ultra lightweight side tables. One for a side table during the show and the other I put my sound system on. http://instand.com/CR3/cr3.html
These are ny far the best I've found as far as packing flat. They are so lightweight there is nothing to them yet they are awesome. I agreed with Todd on the INstand tables. I love them. Been using them for a few years. They look great and can hold a surprising amount of weight. Ken |
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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
I just starting using this new setup and was amazed at how fast it really made everything. Before it took about 5 minutes to setup my school, church and library shows. Now it takes about 3 and really makes things easy.
The INstands are the greatest thing since sliced bread- really! The pack so flat and weigh almost nothing. I can fit 2 of them in the front pocket of one of the cases. The Anchor PA system is also ultra small and fits inside nice and neat as well. The only thing I need from my client is a small table and I may soon stop asking for that. |
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jimhlou Inner circle 3698 Posts |
Hi Todd:
I think this is definitely the way to go. We now arrive at least 30 minutes before a show to set up everything. I think your efficiency is a result of the number of shows you do. I'm constantly looking for ways to streamline my show. However, I only do a fraction of what you do. Thanks for the advice. I look forward to meeting you in Tennessee in August. Jim |
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Dr. Delusion Special user Eugene, Oregon. 733 Posts |
3 minutes ?? Wow !! For a 30 minute Birthday show it takes me about 25 minutes, including 2 trips for the props. Our stage show takes a minumum of 1 hour, and sometimes a lot more depending on the size of the show. Maybe I better start learning more close up stuff.
Bob. |
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kesemd1 Regular user 101 Posts |
For me i'ts absolute mission impossible to set up in 3 minute !
I have birthday party show houre and half it take me 30 minutes - I have a lot magic trick to set up and it's colorful. |
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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
Please understand that I am knocking anyone here that takes longer than me to setup for a show or that has more than one trip to and from the car. I have found what works for me and I am sticking to it.
My rule when creating my programs is as follows..... 1. Everything (props, sound system, side tables, etc.) must be able to get into the venue in one trip. 2. If it does not fit in the case, it does not go in the show. 3. Everything must setup quickly and break down even quicker. Following these 3 simple rules forces me to be more creative in what I choose to add to a show and how I am going to present it. It works for me! The bottom line for me is that I was literally killing myself when I had 3 or more shows in one day which is common for me. Taking 30 minutes to setup, 45 minutes to do the show and 20 minutes to pack up meant an average of 2 hours per show. I can literally get in, setup and be gone in one hour tops now and move on to the next school, church, library or party. The good news also is that my back never hurts anymore. I have literally cut my work in half without taking anything away from the show other than large suitcase tables, big pa systems, etc. What I have always found interesting is that the person with the smallest setup usually makes the most money. Take for exmaple a comedian vs. a rock concert. Have you ever noticed that a rock concert has 3 or 4 diesel trucks, 2 or 3 tour buses, a dozen or more road crew members and has to arrive at the venue in the morning to setup for an evening show. Most of the time the tickets are going to be $30-$40 for all of this. Now look at a comedian and what they bring.... A stand up comic usually walks out on stage with a single microphone and a bar stool. That is it! Ticket price....$50-$75 for the show. A great example of this is Jeff Dunham. My wife and I saw him last month and we paid $59.00 per ticket. The stage was a black curtain and a large case where his "friends" stay until he brings them out. That was the entire setup. People don't pay based upon how much stuff you bring to a show. They pay for the show and the experience that you create. Last, several months ago I was headed to a school show in Dallas. I left almost 3 hours before my program was scheduled to start. It is not quite 2 hours from where I live. Once I hit downtown Dallas traffic was moving at the rate of about 10 miles an hour. At 8:00 a.m. I called the principal and explained that I was stuck in traffic but I was indeed on my way. I was scheduled to start at 8:30 that morning. Finally at 8:15 I called her back and asked her to start getting the students in line and moving down to the Caféteria. I pulled up to the school at 8:25 and started my show at 8:30 on time. She booked me on the spot for next year. Her exact response to me was and I quote...."I am really impressed with how fast you setup!" Yes, my client actaully said that! Well....I am off for a church program in a few hours. It starts at 3:00 p.m. and I'll get there at 2:45 p.m. |
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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
Quote:
For me it's absolute mission impossible to set up in 3 minutes! I totally disagree! Believe it or not I do a very colorful show as well. I don't do close up magic at all. No coins and no cards whatsoever! 90% of my shows are pack flat and play big. You'd be amazed at what I am able to carry to a show and how quick I am ready to go. FYI- anyone coming to Kidabra is more than welcome to discuss anything with me. I am always open to questions, etc. and am more than willing to provide answers to anything. |
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Todd,
Thanks for sharing. That's what I love about strolling gigs. I like walking in with a briefcase and my vest and that's it. I have three kid shows and even though the intro show brings a lot less money than my top of the line, I think I feel relieved that I don't have to carry all that stuff for my top show. I want to streamline my shows as well. Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
I think what Todd is not saying is that his show is all about the talent of the magician, and how he can put on a great show while only using simple props.
Todd Tell us about the kind of tricks you perform, and how many effects you do in a 45 minute show.
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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magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-06-08 11:50, todd75 wrote: How can you disagree with someone else's circumstances? He said me, you said I, I, I. Horses for courses, chief. George |
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kesemd1 Regular user 101 Posts |
I can't push all props to briefcase.
like - blow yur stack - Fantasy Magician . small sample - to set up Triple color changing (fantasio) - take me 2 minutes . |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Kesemd1
Welcome to the magic Café. If you must use large props then by all means use large props. No one is suggesting that you give up your favorite tricks. This is a thread for those who want to do it the easy way.
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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alexa Veteran user NJ 393 Posts |
Todd
Question about the P.A: I am looking for a light weight one and can't find one that seems "big" enough. On the website, the one you have says good for an audience up to 100 people. How does it weather school shows? Many thanks, Alexa |
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Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
Todd,
I love your Rock Concert vs. Comedian analogy. We could argue over who gets paid more though. The last rock concert I went to I paid $150 per ticket! Also, I do think David Copperfield and Lance Burton (large prop people) are getting paid pretty well too. The bottom line is: Tons of props can be great entertainment and profitable. A microphone and bar stool can be great entertainment and profitable.
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-06-08 11:50, todd75 wrote: What I meant was that anyone can have a quick setup if they choose to. You can't say something is impossible if you've never tried! I was stuck in the typical thinking of, "everyone expects big props and lots of stuff" and it was really hard for me to downsize my show without thinking it would not go over well. The fact is that it went even better than I ever thought it would and no-one has ever questioned me with, "where is all of your stuff?" A another performer that I know did a gig with me 2 weeks ago at a city festival. I did a 10:00 a.m. show and he did a 12:00 noon show. I went on with my one case and had a great show. He did his show but needed to be on stage at 11:30 to setup. He too did a great job but the stage manager was not too happy when he was told it wuld be 20 minutes before the stage would be cleared. Of course I helped out and got the other performer off as fast as we could but it still him longer to break down than it took me to do my show. He had a suitcase table, 2 side tables, a trunk, etc. etc. etc. etc. Again- if this is what works for someone, great! I think I'll stick to my one case and be done with it! As far as the effects I do....a few of them include: Nest of boxes (a good size prop) Cacoon Book (another good size prop)by Steve Taylor Super Slueth (a good size prop) by Barry Mitchell Sponge Balls, Mouth Coils, Rope, Silks, Etc. As far as the PA I am using and looks like I'll be sticking with is the Anchor An-130. Yes, it says 100 people but the truth is I've used it for school groups of 300 without any problems at all. If it is a huge room or more than 300, I need the client to provide me with a system. Quote:
If you must use large props then by all means use large props. No one is suggesting that you give up your favorite tricks. This is a thread for those who want to do it the easy way. I could not have said it better myself Al! |
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alexa Veteran user NJ 393 Posts |
Wow, thanks, I am going to have to look into that PA.
Thanks, Alexa |
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12938 Posts |
Sorry, but it sounds like Smaller show = bigger ego!
I create a show and what props I will use to punctuate it. Then, I find a way to carry them around. If I have to make three trips big deal. I get paid for making three trips. I get there early. The only folks that are impressed that you are walking in with a briefcase is ... uhhh, whomever is walking in with a briefcase. Some of you "Let's see how few items we can bring into the show." are doing it backwards. And then there's the comedian analogy. Comedians are just that...they tell jokes. They only need a mic. Magicians do tricks they need ... tricks. Yea, yea, yea, I know it's all about entertainment. but, magicians entertain with tricks and comedians entertain with jokes. If you want to really walk into the venue with nothing then become a comedian that works exclusively in nudist colonies. Geeesh! J |
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