|
|
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3 [Next] | ||||||||||
Bryan Gilles Inner circle Northern California 1732 Posts |
Nine out of ten times when people look at my promotional materials, I hear- "Will your assistant be in your next show?"
My show runs a lot smoother when my assistant Summer or April are there (whether or not we are performing the illusions that require a second person). They do everything from putting away props to bring new props to me so I can focus on my audience more. I've gotten so use to either of them being on stage with me that when I do my solo performances, I feel more pressure on me. They are so familiar with the show that I can make the contacts I need to before or after shows with potential new-customers and not have the worry about my equipment not being ready to go when its time to load-out. I'm also a firm believer that when using an assistant, they should receive an equal portion of the earnings generated by the performance since without them, the show would not run as smooth. Just my two cents... -Bryan Gilles |
|||||||||
TaylorReed Special user Branson, MO 743 Posts |
If your just trying to be an act or specialty act, 10 to 12 min with birds or comedy, then maybe no girls...
But if your trying to put on a full evening show or a concert type of appearance you really need the girls to make the show more exciting. Not just one girl.. Use at least two to four girls and stay away from having a show assistant as a partner.... Like Rick and Lisa etc.... Because if and when you break up the show is F-----.... Your the magician and the dancers are your helpers period. And yes David was at his best when he had lady dancers.... that's what made him what he is today... The sexy type of illusion, dance etc... People go see his shows today and always complain about it not being what they thought it would be... They all remember him from TV from the past... Only the Magicians like the new style or the young ones who haven't seen him live and at his best back in the day... Taylor
www.taylorreed.com
www.usedmagicillusions.com taylor@taylorreed.com (979)482-0714 See: The Magic and Comedy of Taylor Reed, Live in Branson, Mo |
|||||||||
Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
Wow .. lots to cover here. Glad I see eye to eye with Ryan and Taylor .. the girls do make a difference. I'm really getting sick of the "All About Me" show concept .. enough is enough.
Now Bryan on the other hand thinks the assistant should get equal earnings .. I beg to differ. Unless they've got some financial investment in the show .. they don't get equal pay. That's just doesn't make any sense .. that's bad business and you'll never survive with that kind of plan. Hey babe, I need a little cash to cover my next illusion .. $6500.00 should do, oh ... and the case is additional. I also agree with Taylor about dropping the girls name in the show title. The girls come and go .. you are the star of your own show. I guess it is really .. all about me. Steve |
|||||||||
Frank Simpson Special user SW Montana 883 Posts |
No Steve, it's only mostly about you!
|
|||||||||
MrPrestoHypno Regular user 190 Posts |
Better watch "Documentary: Women in Boxes". Excellent!
rick |
|||||||||
w_s_anderson Inner circle The United States 1226 Posts |
I have a question for Brian. Do you actually mean to tell me that you get to keep half of what you make per show? My assistant takes about 99% of it, and lets me use the remaining 1% to buy her dinner. I guess it doesn't pay to use your georgous wife as your assistant ;-).
|
|||||||||
TaylorReed Special user Branson, MO 743 Posts |
I've never heard of a 4 or 5 yr old girl that was playing with the magic kit under the x mas tree and worked on the magic with that boy for 20 yrs and then became a team.... Magicians work on magic most of their lifes and then they meet a beautiful girl or a not so beautiful girl and give her equal billing..
I'm not saying that it's wrong to do so, but it's just not for me... A few yrs ago I had a guy approach me and he said that he could be my "Roy".... IN the show. That he had connections and could get us a lot of jobs and gigs.... He had never done anything in magic except he had been a stage hand before. He really didn't even like magic that much. So I asked this guy, what are you trying to accomplish..He said that he just wanted to waller around in the fame. He basically didn't want to work for it, he was just wanting to do it for the Ego. I told him very clearly that I didn't need a "Roy" in my show and to loose my number. I can't stand it when we as magicians work our entire lifes to become good and then someone jumps in and tries to attach themselfs to our success. Just my take on it. Taylor
www.taylorreed.com
www.usedmagicillusions.com taylor@taylorreed.com (979)482-0714 See: The Magic and Comedy of Taylor Reed, Live in Branson, Mo |
|||||||||
w_s_anderson Inner circle The United States 1226 Posts |
That's just the advice I needed to hear Mr. Reed. Now I'm leaving my wife...LOL...Just kidding!
|
|||||||||
w_s_anderson Inner circle The United States 1226 Posts |
On a more serious note, does anyone have any advice on what they pay their assistants. My wife and I are planning on having kids when I get home from Iraq, and I'm not going to be able to use her while she is pregnant. We have 2 girls that are wanting to take her place. I'm not sure if most pay a flat fee, a stepped fee, a percentage, or a combination of any. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, except the one that says..."well it all depends on you/your show/how much your making ect." Thank you!!
|
|||||||||
collective foundry Inner circle 1404 Posts |
QUOTE: Reed: I can't stand it when we as magicians work our entire lifes to become good and then someone jumps in and tries to attach themselfs to our success.
I understand that - some designers are doing this. Ticks me off. Imitation is no form of flattery. guess that's another conversation though. . . |
|||||||||
Dr. Delusion Special user Eugene, Oregon. 733 Posts |
There's no way I could do a large show with out one of my assistants. They add a ton to the show and with out them there's no way the show would run smoothly. As for pay, my assistant and sound man always make the same I do. The only time I take more is if we're performing out of town, I'll keep a few bucks extra for gas.
Bob. |
|||||||||
TaylorReed Special user Branson, MO 743 Posts |
I believe that the performer should always make the most!
Who makes more the owner of Mcdonals or the workers?????? Just my take on this stuff... Magic and Illusions, sound,trucks and all the stuff we need cost a small fortune. Why take the same as your workers. Unless they own part of your show and gear.. Just my take on it. Thanks Taylor Reed
www.taylorreed.com
www.usedmagicillusions.com taylor@taylorreed.com (979)482-0714 See: The Magic and Comedy of Taylor Reed, Live in Branson, Mo |
|||||||||
Ms. Morgan Veteran user The Garden State 399 Posts |
Ouch! Mr.Reed...
When you add the right woman to a good magican's act he becomes better. That is what a GOOD assistant does. Sure maybe the magican has been at his game for years but, good, well trained, box jumpers don't just fall out of trees. It takes years of work as well. Take a magican who's put in his time and an assistants who's put in hers and you get real magic. An assistant isn't a parasite. Ms.M
World Magic Award's "Escape Artist of the Year"
www.EscapeChick.com www.illusionbiz.com www.WackyDracky.com |
|||||||||
TaylorReed Special user Branson, MO 743 Posts |
I believe that assistants are a must... I love assistants..I just don't believe in giving them equal billing on the title..
That's is just my take on it, that doesn't mean it's the only way. If your a married team then of course your going to both make a lot of money.. I'm just talking about guys who hire new dancers alot, why give them equal pay.. And for the new young magicians trying to get a start. IF they are wondering about making an act with the new wife... Should I put her name in the title of my act or billing.. I would say NO>>>>>> Because what if they break up as a couple... Then you have problems... We've had two famous magic acts this yr that have been husband and wife teams that have broken up... One in Branson and one in Cal... That's all I'm trying to say... It just makes it hard and you have to start all over with your marketing and all....Such as billboards all over town with photos and her name printed all over it.. That's the case out here... It takes time and cost a lot of money to make those kinda changes... So my take would be why do it in the first place.. But all in all I love magic assistants and if you read my earlier post you'll see that I think Copperfield was at his best back when he had dancer assistants. I'm a big fan of having girl dancers in a magic show.. Taylor
www.taylorreed.com
www.usedmagicillusions.com taylor@taylorreed.com (979)482-0714 See: The Magic and Comedy of Taylor Reed, Live in Branson, Mo |
|||||||||
collective foundry Inner circle 1404 Posts |
You know Bill. Just fire your dancer and market your show as a topless magic show. Just don't wear a shirt. Its not false advertising if YOUR topless. . .
|
|||||||||
Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
Yikes .. we're all in trouble. I forgot Morgan is on the Café .. I will beg for mercy.
I do like the parasite reference .. funny stuff. Like I said before, the girls come and go .. so, don't get their name tattooed on your arm. That is a big mistake! Steve |
|||||||||
Ms. Morgan Veteran user The Garden State 399 Posts |
Steve, your butt would be a much safer place for a name tattoo.
World Magic Award's "Escape Artist of the Year"
www.EscapeChick.com www.illusionbiz.com www.WackyDracky.com |
|||||||||
collective foundry Inner circle 1404 Posts |
|
|||||||||
Dr. Delusion Special user Eugene, Oregon. 733 Posts |
I'll admit that when I first starting out I would always take more than any one else in the show, but after going through a few assistants, I hired one that really had a knack for it and really enjoyed it as well. I then realized that with her in the show it made that show so much better. That was when I starting paying her as much as I made. Having a good assistant to me makes all the difference in the world with having a great show. They work hard helping set up and tear down the show, and during the show they know excactly what to do if something goes wrong. currently I've had the same girl helping me now for about 3 years. After our show I sell magic color books and signed them. I always have my assistant beside me signing them as well. Last summer she got married and ended up getting pregnant a short time after. She's already talked to her folks and relatives and asked if they can baby sit her kid so she can continue in the show.
Bob. |
|||||||||
Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
Three years .. that's nothing. I've got two Chezababes that have been with me for over 15 years now. Valerie and Angel both remind me on occasion of how long it's been. Yes, the girls can make or break a show.
Maybe I should consider that tattoo on my behind like Morgan suggested. Steve |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Grand illusion » » Assistants.... (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3 [Next] |
[ 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 < |