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yosef_dov Loyal user NYC area 242 Posts |
Greetings.
Wasn't sure where to post this... I did 11 shows last week in 3 days, whew! For 3 days I left home by 6:30 AM, and got home at night after 10PM (first night got home about 12:30AM). The killer was the last show on Wed. afternoon... Xmas eve traffic... took me 4 1/2 hours to drive home 30 miles. Was it worth it? YES!!!! I made enough dough to pay rent for January! Combining info from Jim Snack's and Dave Dee's books, along with other info gleaned here and there (mainly from the incredible knowledge bank that are the users here at The Magic Café), I was able to put together a brochure and sell a special holiday show to religious schools in the area. I now also have testimonials, video footage, and a bunch of requests for other educational shows... Also learned a heck of a lot just doing the shows! The Axtel Vern bird puppet (with arm illusion) was the hands down (or up) winner of the shows... children from 2 to 10 years old ALL were excited about the bird. They wanted MORE of him. The funniest moment was one time when I first brought him out and some kid goes "oh it's a puppet" then I start my routine and another kid goes, "It can't be a puppet- it's TALKING!" The arm illusion is great-- even adults don't know what to make of the bird. And I am NOT a vent! I just use a headset mike (I found the headset works great, and has NO feedback, even on top of speakers). Oh, one of my speakers got bashed on the last day, but I'll be needing to invest in a more massive sound system (the last show was in a gym for about 300 kids- have good sound or don't bother! Luckily they had a sound system in house.) Joe P.S. The most expensive item in the show was the bird puppet. I built a "squared circle" themed for the show, and used several other relatively low cost items. |
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Andini Special user Columbus, OH 685 Posts |
Wow! That's awesome! I'm glad you were able to get so much work and it's great that you learned so much along the way. I have Vern and the arm illusion but I haven't used it much (I'm afraid of transporting it. I also can't figure out a good way to put it on. It's kind of big and hard to get on quickly, quietly, and without making a scene behind my suitcase table!
"It can't be a puppet- it's TALKING!" That's just so funny! Well, congrats once again and I hope you can stay busy! |
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Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
Knackering isn't it, but it proves what we say all the time, do a good show and people will fall over themselves to book you. Well done.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Well Done! It goes to prove that if you are willing to learn marketing ideas, have a great show and take ACTION-ACTION-ACTION, you can do most anything. Wonderful to see that you used some of the ideas in Jim Snack’s and Dave Dee’s courses. There is valuable information in them as well as on the Café and on the dean.net.
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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nums Veteran user I have a life, or I would have more than 366 Posts |
Holy moley, 11 shows in 3 days. I feel for you. I have done 5 birthday parties in one day and it is killer to unpack, perform, and pack, then drive, unpack, perform, then pack, over and over, but on Monday when I do not have to get up in the AM to go to work, it is so worth it. Keep up the good work and one more thing -- 11 shows to pay Jan. rent? You either need a cheaper place, or to charge more for your shows. Hehehe.
Jeff |
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Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
Joe,
That beats my personal record of 10 shows in 3 days during the holiday season, but I know exactly how you feel...tired, but happy. When you do so many shows in a short period of time, you have a wonderful opportunity to discover bits that work and begin polishing routines. It sounds like you were able to do just that with the puppet routine. That's how you build your routine. Nothing beats "flight time" in front of an audience. Good work! Jim Snack PS: Thanks for the plug. I'm pleased to see you are applying what you have learned. That's a key difference between the working pros and the "wannabees." Best wishes. |
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
I find it easier to do LOTS of shows then a few. Once I get into the swing of it, I just knock them over one after the other. But give me a three-hour break between two and I get exhausted.
You can't beat adrenalin! (P.S. I managed 16 over four days this years whilst also acting as agent on 12 others!) |
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
It is funny the mention of adrenalin. I find that as long as I am doing the shows and staying active with them I am fine. But get me home and the minute I sit down it is as if someone just instantly pulled my plug. Hehe. It is amazing how much the adrenalin keeps me going, but once the gig is over, I always feel a lot more tired and such. All the performers know what I am referring to but lay people never quite understand it.
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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p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
Just checked my diary and for the week Monday 26th January to Friday 30th January. I have 27 school performances for Pembs Coast National Park. Should be fun!
Phillip |
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yosef_dov Loyal user NYC area 242 Posts |
Nums,
You're right about the rent! I live in northeastern NJ, which has to be one of the most ridiculous places in the country to live (cost of living among other things.) Joe |
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Joe:
I live around the Philadelphia area. I think we may have come across each other at some conventions or something. You certainly do look familiar to me. PB: That is great. Good luck with those shows. How did those shows come about if I might add? Are they themed differently?
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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p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
PB:
That is great. Good luck with those shows. How did those shows come about if I might add? Are they themed differently? Hi, They are Puppet shows I have been performing (I also wrote them) them on beaches 2 days per week (6 shows per day) through the summer and at several agricultural events for the last 6 years. The shows are environmental and cover park issues (not disturbing seals, litter, dog fouling, etc.) Because they are paid for by the parks education budget (not entertainment), fees are good. Anyway last season they had some sort of internal assessor at several events and they reported that the authority was not spending enough of the budget on educating people that would not normally attend park events (holiday makers and school kids), so they have booked me to perform the shows in schools. A ranger then talks to the kids. Because the park pays and not the school, they tend to have a show and talk for each age group, so I normally do about 5 shows per school. After April (new budget) the park is publishing a book and I have been asked to write/perform a further show with the new characters. The puppets belong to the park. I just bring my booth and perform the shows, so I have little ongoing costs. phillip |
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Phillip:
That is great. How wonderful an opportunity for you. I wish you much success with it. How did you get into the whole puppet thing? Seems like a great idea and a nice way to be able to get messages and themed shows out to the children in your area. You certainly are fulfilling a need of your clients, which makes you valuable to them. 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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p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
Hi Kyle,
Well lots of people used to ask me if I did Punch and Judy shows and I found that the nearest P&J performer was 60 miles away. I saw a gap in the market so I rang Eric Sharp one of are top P&J professors, and he kindly taught me (I did buy a booth from him), though he does not normally teach people P&J. I was told by several people that I was honoured that he taught me. Anyway as usual I got some newspaper publicity from it and then the Park rang and asked me about shows for them after seeing the article. Made the front page of are local paper last week too, though for my magic show this time… nice photo, me, the bunny, some kids with balloon sculptures, and the Mayoress. Phillip |
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
That is wonderful. Kids here would not even know what P and J is. Hehe. That is also good that is shows the power and importance of publicity and coverage in newspapers and other media.
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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yosef_dov Loyal user NYC area 242 Posts |
Kyle:
I lived in Melrose Park for a while and sometimes hung about Hocus Pocus... also attended Wild Man Bob's Super Sundays. Joe P.S. I even visited that character in that strange old "Magic Fun Shop" in Northeast Philly a few times. |
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Yosef:
Hehehe, I know every thing that you mentioned. It truly is a small world. If you have been to Bob Little's then you certainly have seen me. I head up the Philadelphia SYM club and we often had a table near the front door. We also have had a lot of the sym members perform their stage acts over the years. They are a great group of kids. 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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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Thanks all for sharing.
I agree about the Puppet. My Nearly Normal Magic and Puppet Shows could probably be more correctly named the ... Puppet and Magic Show. Nigel Rocks and brings people to my telephone and me to their event. Even doing walk around I find Vent and Pervis my 50's Rock and Roller Marionette (Mastercraft Creation) a nice balance for my strolling magic. This is especially true if I am doing a holiday event where there is also a D/J or a Band. One event had a delightful pianist who took a fancy to Nigel, The Puppet that Rocks and Talks. Have a safe and profitable new year. Thanks for sharing your magic with your consumers and with us here at the Café. You are all appreciated by, Harris. P.S. I noticed our own Mr. Snack will be featured at the Humor Workshop in New York side by side with Goldie Hawn. Cool Gig. I wish they had the seminars in the Kansas City Area. P.S.P.S. I think it is Joel Goodman’s (of the Humor Workshop's Birthday??)
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
Harris,
You are right, the Humor Project is run by Joel Goodman, and Goldie Hawn and I will be there, although I wouldn't say we will be working side by side. She's doing a keynote and I'm doing a breakout session. I'm hoping that she joins us for the private presenter's dinner, but there is no guarantee - I've seen her contract rider. While we were negotiating with Goldie's people, I was trying to convince Joel to consider Harry Anderson as a backup presenter, but as it turned out we booked Goldie. The International Conference on Humor and Creativity is attended each year by nearly 1000 people from 22 countries. Also each year, I am pleasantly surprised by a well-known magician in atendance. One year it was Tom Odgen, then Gene Anderson, the next year Doc Eason, then Steve Bedwell. It's always a pleasure meeting and spending time with other magicians at the conference. If anyone wants more information see http://www.humorproject.com/ Happy New Year! |
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magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
Am glads business is going well for all.
I had a little look in the diary to see if I did 11 shows in 3 days at all in December. 5-7 dec 14 shows. Kinda cheating though as I did 6 shows in the same venue on Friday. The most impressive part is the first day I got off in December was the 24th which I spent doing all my Christmas shopping. On Christmas day I fell sick. I seem to remember the same happening last year. I think all the work might cause this. Does this happen to anyone els?. How do you avoid knackering yourself out and over-working over Christmas? Should I just turn away bookings for my own health? Next year I'm thinking of taking flu jabs before the festive season gets under way. |
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