So taking a few steps back and taking the advice of Mr. Mind-Pro I need some direction. As I said in my other post I am most experianced in resturaunt style magic having worked in the industry for about 15 years it was pretty natural to transition to that style of magic. My question is how do I take the individual routines I have been doing for years in restaruants and make them into a pollished show? What exactly is considered a "pollished show"? How do you know when your show is ready? Who do you perform for while you are getting your show pollished?

Need a bit more info

What kind of show.
Whom is the audience
Stage or close up

U mention restaurant magic so in going to assume more of a close up setting.

The key is to script everything. Not just what you say but how you move and how you get into and out each effect

Write down the tricks you want to perform
Then decide your open effect and your closer

Then work the middle seeing how you would get into or lead into each new effect. And how you will end each one.
You will find that some naturally flow from one to another and some will be harder to introduce.

But as your scripting it you will start to see what works and what doesn't


Then after 15 years of practice you should be ready!

LOL

The key then is to start practicing your whole show as you would for a real audience.
This is important so read this twice
Wear the same close you will be wearing in the show!
Use the same table or stand you will be using in the show
Practice like you are actually performing the show


Then it's real world time. Maybe start with some friends or invite some strangers out to see a "show in progress".
The important thing is get it going and work it. Only then will you really see what works and what doesn't

Hope this helps

Sam

So far its been all close up. However, I would like to branch out to doing corporate events also. And some stage performances too.

Thanks so much for the advice Sam

Corporate has many different types of performances and areas within it. "Corporate" is a generic term that covers banquet entertainment, hospitality suites, trade shows, sales meeting, conventions and conferences, keynotes, company picnics, holiday parties, motivational, etc.

I've noticed you speak in vague terms. Sam and others here are trying to get a clearer picture of your interests or at least understand if you have yet to learn these differences. Same for the wedding market and trade shows. There are probably another 6-10 areas within these markets as well. What exactly are you seeing?

Strolling, stage show?

Once you provide more specifics you will find yourself getting more specific answers that you will deem more helpful.

To start I am thinking about performing tableside magic for holiday party dinners, banquets, picnics, that local businesses and corporations put on for employees or clients. I always want to be able to perform a stage act by next year for next years LeaderCast conference. I have already been asked to do it by the director of the event here in Gainesville.

Also, I don't think I'm clear on what strolling magic is.

It's like everything I thought I knew is pretty much nothing. I almost feel like it's as if I have never touched a deck of cards. So I'm trying to really learn the magic business now because I really would like to use my talent to make a living someday.

Well if you are looking at table side magic then to put the routine together you have to be aware of your settings

meaning some tables you approach will have some space on them that you could use for a routine or two however many wont have space as there are dishes, glasses, womens purse etc etc.

so you need to develop a set that will play in any of those situations.

meaning be prepared to perform solo stand up with only your pockets to use.
but when the time is right you can perform an effect on the table.

i think you need to as I mentioned before write down the tricks you want to perform then practice them as if you were in the very situation you will be at these types of events.

that's where you need to start.

an by strolling magic we mean eventually what I said about working solo out of your pockets and no table to use. you are strolling around performing effects and routines with out any other props such as tables or suitcases etc.

do a search on POCKET MANAGEMENT there are a few threads out there on the subject.

one idea is you could purchase mini folding table that would fit inside your coat and you can magically make it appear then use it for a few routines if needed.

but for the most part at these table side events you will need to use people to hold cards, sponge balls, and more.

and finally keep one thing in mind.
when you approach these tables be aware of what is going on at the table.
meaning are then eating are they engaged in an intense conversation? you need to be aware of this.
as some times you will need to skip that table and come back later.

and if they are eating you need to be prepared to perform a stand up show using no table and no volunteers. sure you can ask them to name a card or think of a color or some thing but handing them a deck of cards to shuffle while they have their meal in front of them is a huge NO NO

hope this helps

sam

Best advice ever. I try to spend at least one hour a day rehearsing my show from start to finish so I won't have those awkward "what is supposed to happen moment" or "am I suppose to play music at this point", etc ...

Another thing I do is time my show this way. Get vid footage of your whole show, watch with with the 'stop watch' app on your phone, whenever a 'moment' happens (a funny joke, a magical moment, the final revelation, etc...), hit the "lap" button. It will show you the pace of your show, how many seconds have passed between each 'moments' in your show.

If you see a time in your show where you go on for a little too long without anything, then think of ways to tighten it or add a moment in it
Hope this helps!

Greg - did your restaurant work you did previously provide you with any opportunities outside of the restaurant that are the type of work you now seek? If not, what is your motivation in seeking these markets? Before you put a show together, you need to step back and start at the top of the funnel and work your way down. It seems to me that you would benefit from some additional descriptions about your past experience with respect to what talents you possessed that you best feel you posses and then seek markets that leverage those skills and allow you to develop.