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MagiCol Special user Dargaville, New Zealand 929 Posts |
Yesterday I was over at the nearest city busking with magic and selling what I twisted from long balloons. I happened to glance around at a few mid-teenagers walked past a lamp post that I had attached a few balloons to and notice a girl pull out a balloon sword from the display. I was annoyed at her behaviour. I raised my voice in the public mall and shouted out, "Hey put that back. Put that back or I'll report the theft!" The girl realized she'd been caught in the act and stopped and came back a bit as I strode over to meet her. She held out the balloon towards me but dropped it a few feet short of me. I picked it up before it burst and restored it to the display. No doubt the nearby people could see the action. She came up to me a few hours later with a couple of friends wanting a free balloon. I told her I charge for them. She offered me a small proportion of the money, wanting an inflated by not tied balloon so we traded. A good thing from yesterday, I make a reasonable hat and didn't realize just how much until that night when I counted up my money.
Another time, same venue, about 6 weeks ago a cheeky mid-teenage girl came up to my table which I had my hat on at the time and dipped her hand into the hat. I told her sternly , "Put that back or I'll report the theft!" She opened her hand above the hat and a couple of coins fell from her hand into it. I wasn't sure that she had actually grabbed anything, but turns out she had. My pitch is towards one end of a public street that has been closed off to through traffic. A group of what I call "lay-abouts" - mid-teens and up to 20-somethings - hang around under the enormous shade tree chatting and mucking about and sometimes wander over for something to do. I'd got fed up with them in the past and moved my pitch. But yesterday, at the time, I sought the shade of the edge of the tree to get out of the hot sun. It's the street!
The presentation makes the magic.
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Endless West Regular user A town called Malice 185 Posts |
Follow them home and make them watch you beat their parents bloody. That way everyone responsible gets a bit of punishment.
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TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
Those ages are easily turned into enemies.
they are also easily turned into rabid fans.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
Nate The Magician Regular user 159 Posts |
I keep my tip jars inside edge (pointing down) sharp so that anyone trying to remove something is caught red-handed.
Also, has anyone had people go running off with their wand/ proper props? |
Ekuth Inner circle Floating above my 1538 Posts |
Never had a problem with this.
Frankly, I think it comes down to audience management, especially with that age group. And Frank is right, it's better to make them allies than it is enemies. All that said, there is a reason that the bottom of my tip bucket contains 2" of concrete.
"All you need is in Fitzkee."
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MagiCol Special user Dargaville, New Zealand 929 Posts |
Nate asks: "has anyone had people go running off with their wand/ proper props?" I'm glad to say it hasn't happened to me. I imagine the dilemma is: do you chase them to get the prop back and risk leaving the greater part of your gear un-minded at your pitch with the possibility that someone will come along in your absence and take even more or your gear?
Unless you grab the thief or get you gear back while they're close to you, I reckon I would stay with the rest of my gear and at least have the bulk of my gear intact.
The presentation makes the magic.
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EVILDAN Inner circle 1279 Posts |
I've never experienced this problem either.
When I busk or work festivals, I usually have everything contained on my person. I use a table, and a pouch from Ambitious Card to hold all my magic. If I'm hatting a crowd, I usually hat at the end of a set. I don't leave it out for the trickle. When my wife and I perform, we will have a bucket out and a bag of props, but she wields a whip in our whip routine. People usually steer clear of her and our stuff. LESSON: Arm yourself or stay self-contained.
by EVILDAN....
"The Coin Board Book" - moves and routines with the coin panel board. - http://www.lybrary.com/the-coin-board-book-p-827955.html "SLASHER - A Horror Whodunnit" - a bizarre close-up routine based on Bob Neale's "Sole Survivor." PM me for more info. "Zombie Town" - a packet effect about how a small town turned into zombies. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nzJhcoJtyOM |
Nate The Magician Regular user 159 Posts |
MagiCol, the standard thing that happens to me is when I have someone holding sponge balls or a wand and they think it's a gift. (Sighs) At least those fellows you can just remind gently. Personally, though, I'd say that if somebody's trying to Italian job your props you should grab your case and teach the punk some manners (slightly joking)
It's why I always keep any props I'm not holding locked up in the suitcase alongside cash gathered in the last hour and my electronics. That way, no one can vamoose with my general equipment if I'm getting some back or getting a glass of water. |
D. Yoder Veteran user 376 Posts |
What is the meaing of "Italian job your props", Nate?
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EVILDAN Inner circle 1279 Posts |
Just guessing on this one.
From Wikipedia.... The Italian Job is a 2003 heist film directed by F. Gary Gray, written by Wayne and Donna Powers and produced by Donald DeLine. The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Seth Green, Jason Statham, Mos Def, and Donald Sutherland. It is an American remake of the 1969 British film of the same name, and is about a team of thieves who plan to steal gold from a former associate who double-crossed them. Despite the shared title, the plot and characters of this film differ from those of its source material; Gray described the film as "a homage to the original."
by EVILDAN....
"The Coin Board Book" - moves and routines with the coin panel board. - http://www.lybrary.com/the-coin-board-book-p-827955.html "SLASHER - A Horror Whodunnit" - a bizarre close-up routine based on Bob Neale's "Sole Survivor." PM me for more info. "Zombie Town" - a packet effect about how a small town turned into zombies. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nzJhcoJtyOM |
The Great Zoobini Elite user Boulder, Colorado 443 Posts |
Anyone familiar with Europe knows about the stereotype towards Italians and stealing. There are stories upon stories circulating about the different methods used. The funniest one I heard was thieves gassing the whole train car. Two girls supposedly woke up with each other's clothes on.
Meet you in Busker Alley
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Alexander Wells Veteran user 311 Posts |
Point of order!
"The Italian Job" is not a film from 2003...if that were the only film in existence with that name, it would not have entered into our national (British) psyche. The 2003 remake lacks not only the plot and cast but also the style of the original. The original starred Michael Cane and featured Noel Coward. Oh, and the Mini Coopers... "you're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!" Next you'll be telling me that "Psycho" was a film from 1998 directed by Gus Van Sant... ;) |
EVILDAN Inner circle 1279 Posts |
Sorry, but "The Italian Job" IS a film from 2003. Yes, it's a remake. It even says so in the description.
by EVILDAN....
"The Coin Board Book" - moves and routines with the coin panel board. - http://www.lybrary.com/the-coin-board-book-p-827955.html "SLASHER - A Horror Whodunnit" - a bizarre close-up routine based on Bob Neale's "Sole Survivor." PM me for more info. "Zombie Town" - a packet effect about how a small town turned into zombies. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nzJhcoJtyOM |
Alexander Wells Veteran user 311 Posts |
Heh heh, agreed...it IS a film, technically.
If you ask 200 people when The Italian Job was made, they won't say 2003. Unless they're American Teenagers that is. In England, The Italian Job is an established classic. Language and phrases from it have leeched into common use. I guess it's a case of cultural differences! ;p |
EVILDAN Inner circle 1279 Posts |
I don't think I've seen either one. Although if I had a choice, I'd go for the original.
by EVILDAN....
"The Coin Board Book" - moves and routines with the coin panel board. - http://www.lybrary.com/the-coin-board-book-p-827955.html "SLASHER - A Horror Whodunnit" - a bizarre close-up routine based on Bob Neale's "Sole Survivor." PM me for more info. "Zombie Town" - a packet effect about how a small town turned into zombies. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nzJhcoJtyOM |
Alexander Wells Veteran user 311 Posts |
Do! It's worth it for the suits alone.
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