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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
I am planning on doing my show in different places this year! I am going to start by going to Savannah GA. I am going to try to do some spots in FL, LA, NY, SC, and maybe even Ohio! I took this semester off school so I could visit my wife's family in China and I am taking the Summer off too! I hope to take my wife on some mini-vacations that give me an opportunity to try my stuff out in different places.
Honestly, There are very few spots in Atlanta where I can just go setup and have a decent amount of traffic to do shows. Going to the same spot every time I go out to busk just makes it feel too much like a job to me. I want to get out and see some new places and do my show for new people! I will let you guys how that goes. It seems like everyone who gets serious about busking also does a Europe trip, I am not sure how that is going to work for me since I have a "ball and Chain" aka my lovely wife Xiaoxiao. But I will try to figure out a way to make it work! Any suggestions on that would be greatly appreciated! |
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Motley Mage Special user 572 Posts |
If you are in the Orlando area, let me know. I'd love to meet up. Your posts have been terrific to follow.
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helder Inner circle Portugal 1065 Posts |
Thanks for posting your experience Gr8gorilla. I'm loving reading it.
:)
My version of Eddie fetcher "Be Honest What's it?" it's available at Penguin Magic
Check my Facebook group: Mentalism Secrets Email: heldermagico@gmail.com www.facebook.com/heldermagico |
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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
The best thing about busking is that you always learn new things. The streets always have something new to teach you. Just the other day I had a mishap of sorts. I was loading my hat with the melon when wind blew it from my fingers and dropped to the ground, melon in hand. I simply squatted, covered the exposed melon with my hat, which I snatched from the ground, set it on the table as if nothing happened, and continued. I didn't miss a beat. This is very important. Only one single person in the crowd saw the melon, that was someone walking up as it happened. The rest of the crowd didn't see it and not a single one of them even remembered me dropping the hat, strange that. But an honest to God fact and a lesson you should take with you.
When you make a mistake, continue as if nothing happened. I promise you the audience will never know the difference unless you tell them! |
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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
I recently made a few minor changes to my case/sign. I made the background black and the letters white so they would stand out more. I used some premade paper letters that I glued onto the black poster board. Finally, I actually glued the black poster board backing to the case to make it flat and so the corners don't roll up and get ratty looking.
What do you think? Front Back |
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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
Working on a new act with Rocky The Raccoon and Coins! My Coin set with a Real Man's Coin Wallet! (From Todd Lassen)
This is a [ set with all remilled edges, C/S coin with Copper [ and matching Copper coin. The [s are both shimmed as is the C/S. The coins are wonderful for edge grip work! |
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samuel.boey New user 3 Posts |
Hi Gr8gorilla, I just wanted to let you know that it has been great following your posts here, and you have inspired me to do the sidewalk shuffle as well. I am also a university student currently. I have just gone for my first busking in Brisbane. I met two professionals, a juggler and another magician, who shared their pitch with me and also gave me invaluable lessons on crowd management and how to hat. I'm really glad that the busking community is really supportive and generous with information just as you are.
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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
Busking is hard work. It can be a lot of fun but is also hard work. I am glad you found something useful in my posts and you can PM if you have questions. I will try to answer. That goes for anyone trying to busk.
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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
On June 16, 2012 I started posting in this thread about my experience street performing. When I started busking, it was because I wanted to get back into performing magic professionally but had been away from performing for several years. I started looking into restaurant work, parties, birthdays, etc. and realized that I didn't have any promotional materials, working shows, or any idea where to start. I saw a thread by JimmyTalksALot and read his blog and decided that I was going to hit the streets.
My first day I planned on doing 3 tricks, I don't even remember what they were now. I went to where I planned to try the performing out. I scoped the area out and I actually did perform for a crowd or two. I was nervous like you wouldn't believe. I ran into problems with prop management. When I got my first and only crowd for that day I did my tricks and at the end a police man bothered me asking me what I was charging people for the tricks. I told him nothing and I ended up packing up and leaving. I tried that day and I learned a lot about what I needed to do to be more prepared. I went home planned out my show better. I practiced my routines. The tricks I took to the streets with me were: Linking Rings (Pop Hayden's Comedy 4 ring routine), T.T. and Silk, Sponge Balls, Invisible Deck, and my finale was Fiber Optics. I still remember the first day. I had no table. Just a rope to make a circle on the ground and small bag with my props. I didn't even have a sign then. The first day I was out there about 6 hours and I made $36. I was pretty happy with that. I didn't watch a bunch of Kozmo DVD's or read Jim Cellini's books. I read Jimmy's blog and then went out and performed. Soon I had whittled my show down to 3 tricks: Sponge Balls, Invisible Deck, Fiber Optics. By the end of July I was making over $100 each Saturday that I busked and one day I made about $200. I used that money to buy materials and I built a table. I borrowed tools from my dad, saws, squares, drill, etc. I also started looking for a good affordable set of cups for working the street. I hadn't done cups and balls in years but I saw how crowds reacted and liked the "Flash" of a table and the cups. I emailed Tom Frank and he had 2 sets of his TFrank Mint Cups with box, balls, and wand. I got a set for $200 which I earned busking. I spent the next 2 weeks practicing my Cups and Balls, final loads and hat load mostly. Then I took it to the street. I was still a little nervous doing loads but it wasn't anything 25 shows a day wouldn't cure. I then got into several local festivals and had some of the most amazing days busking. At one festival I worked for 5 hours and averaged $100/hr on tips. I became good at delivering hat lines, building a crowd, keeping the crowd, and getting the big bills. Then a strange thing started happening. People started asking me for business cards. They asked me how much I charged for private events. I had never planned on this. I went home and thought about it. I ordered business cards and decided on a rate. It is now 18 months later. I am going to create a LLC at the first of the year. I have done lots of private events. I am getting more and more through word of mouth. I am doing business events. I have been booked for trade shows, grand openings, birthday parties, office parties, and more. If I continue at the pace I am on now I should be making a 6 figure salary by the end of next year. I have come this far because I went out and busked. I had a passion for magic and little bit of natural talent and the street polished and honed it. I don't know if it will work for everyone but if you have the drive it can sure help to get you there! |
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Lundonia Veteran user refuses to read more than 321 Posts |
Wow! I was just about to ask for a summary. Thanks for all the inspiration Shaun! I will definately hit the streets as soon as the weather permits it.
"Only two things are infinite; the universe and human stupidity - and i'm not sure about the former" - Albert Einstein
www.jensmagi.se |
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Rui New user Tavira, Portugal 19 Posts |
Hey Shaun,
Hadn't read your progress for a long time. I'm really glad to know how far you've come since your first post on the diary. You've been an inspiration for me, and you have my sincerest respect. Cheers from Portugal. |
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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
I am glad that the documentation of my experience can help others. Starting off street performing allows you to have a skill that can always put some money in your pocket anywhere in the world. It allows you to work when you are not booked. It builds your skills and teaches you how to be a performer first and a magician second. I think it is the best tutor any performer can have!
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keeblem Inner circle Essex, UK 1167 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-12-21 18:21, Magician Shaun wrote: Great advice. Really enjoy reading your thread. Best wishes Mark |
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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
I have been performing The Final Cut a lot lately. It is the first Bill in Fruit that I have ever done. It leaves people floored. I feel comfortable doing it surrounded. This is a great trick for upping the hats on the street. If you are not doing this like Kosmo does then you are costing yourself money, for sure!
I have booked gigs because of the Bill in Lemon trick and you just can't understand how strong it is unless you actually perform it for people. It is amazing. |
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bluemagic Loyal user 271 Posts |
Thank you and please add more to the blog.
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troppobob Veteran user Crescent Head Australia 372 Posts |
G'day Shaun
Hope you are well. I see that you have not given an updte lately - how are things going with your busking????? I have found that this long discussion along with Jimmytalksalot's contibution are well worth a re-read from time to time - so I ambunping the pair of you back to the front page. Bob Latta (aka troppo Bob) |
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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
Thanks Bob,
I am busy performing paid gigs these days. I get out and busk when I need to test new material. As I get new stuff ready for inclusion in my show, I still like to take it out and perform it on the street. In a few weeks I can do the trick 100+ times in front of a live audience and really polish a routine. |
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troppobob Veteran user Crescent Head Australia 372 Posts |
G'day Shaun
Thanks for the update - all the best mate. Bob latta (aka troppo Bob) |
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MagicofDesperado Elite user 487 Posts |
I'll be back in the ATL over XmaS....We should get together finally:p
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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
Hey, how is everyone? I hope that new buskers are still finding this log useful?
I am about to start hitting the streets more regularly again. I am super busy but I have several effects that I have been working on and I am ready to add them to a show. I have always found that the best way to polish a show was to take it to the street. Would you care to hear what the effects are? In no particular order: 1) Silk to Egg with spectator - Tom Stone from his book Maelstrom 2) Exact Change - have been carrying it with me every day and getting AMAZING reactions every time! 3) The Thing - Bill Abbot - To music 4) The Salt Pour 5) Color Changing Knives - Mogar 4 Knife Set - Black and White 6) Stand-up Monte - Garret Thomas I have "The Intricate Web of Distraction" but I don't want to just copy the Hayden routine, as good as it is! I need to come up with some sort of routine for the knives that works well for me. What vanishes are good with knives, anything special? I think I can get 2 good 15 minute street shows out of those 6 effects and that is my plan! |
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