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ryansmagic Regular user Reading, PA 147 Posts |
Here's my qurstion to you.
In a given year I would say that half, or most, of my shows are on a volunteer basis. Either for a fundraiser, charity, hospital etc... Now keep in mind while I do consider myself a "professional" magician I am not a "full time" magician. That is to say I have a real job that pays my bills, and supports my magic habbit. I found that volunteering to do magic can be great. You get a willing audience that most of the time is just happy that you are there, and you get great experence. What do you guys think of volunteering you time to do magic? Do you do it? How often? For whom? Thanks, Ryan |
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Volunteering is a wonderful way to use magic, as long as you keep in mind a few pointers.
I do volunteer work for places -- like serniors homes -- where there is virutally no budget for any form of outside entertainment. There are many places this will work, besides seniors homes: Hospitals, libraries, etc. But be careful that it is, in fact, a volunteer show; that is, that no one else is being paid, either. I have been asked to do various volunteer shows only to find, as I questioned the organizers, that the hall is being charged for, or the food has to be paid for, or the band is being paid. All of those are flat-out "no-nos". If the group can afford to pay for them, the group can afford to pay for you, too! Secondly, in those places where they can afford to pay for entertainment, be sure you aren't cutting out another performer who relies on this type of show to put food on the table: i.e., library shows, for example. But, keeping those two "caveats" in mind, it's a great way to use magic. :thumbsup: |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Peter is spot on with this one, especially the part about making sure that it is a genuine "no budget" show, so that you are not cutting someone out of work.
There are, of course, exceptions. A doctor I know did some very special surgery on me which was covered only partially by my insurance. I didn't have to pay the balance. But it was a life-threatening illness. I showed my appreciation by doing a free show for the doctor. Nobody was being cut out of any work, and the doctor appreciated what I did as much as I appreciated what she had done for me. There was a clown here in Houston who did more than 500 shows a year. Most of them were free shows, and a large percentage of them were for people who could have paid for them. He was one of those fellows who got on someone's "sucker list." And be careful to pick your charities. Some charities are charities and some aren't. When I am called by a charity that has been referred to me by another charity, I offer to do a "sponsored" show for them. It works like this. The person who is organizing the event finds a sponsor who can pay my fee. They get a sign that tells that my show is being sponsored by whoever pays for it. The charity gets their show, the sponsor gets their tax write-off and I get paid. This keeps you from being the fellow who works free at $500 a plate political rallies.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
filem New user 47 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-01-28 06:35, ryansmagic wrote: Who is it important to satisfy with your magic. The one *most* important is yourself. If you're happy doing something, then do so as long (as it doesn't affect others negatively of course). Personally I occasionally do charity shows. Simply because I want to, regardless if it is because I feel someone deserves it or if I feel I gain positive exposure or what be it. |
Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
Peter DID nail it. I've said the following before, but it's good to repeat: If you do free shows, and there's nothing wrong with it (see Peter above), you will almost always ONLY get free shows. If you are looking to do shows for money you should restrict yourself in the number of freebies you do. For instance you could do 6 a year or something like that.
They try to be nice and even honest when they say you will get 'exposure' out of doing the show. And, to a degree they are correct. But, that exposure is generally for folks that will latch onto the fact that you worked FREE and want the same. Again, that is not a critism. They should try to get top notch people to work for free if they can swing it...I would. But, it's a kind of game. All of us have worked a charity gig only to find that EVERYONE else was being paid. I mean EVERYONE else...except the magician. Why? Because enough magicians just starting out don't know to ask if anyone else is being paid! Do charity types take advantagie of the ignorance of folks that they want to get to work for them for free? You betcha. Just go in with your radar up and working. Ask lots of questions, etc. If others are being paid just say that if others are being paid then you feel that it is only right that you be also. Yes, you may give them a special price, etc. Note that a line they will use is that the food, band, etc. are paid, but the 'other' entertainment is not!!! Don't mistake this: It IS a slam at magicians. As if the music is REAL entertainment and magic is not. Musicians have to feed and clothe their kids, but magicians ... well, really don't we just 'magic' the stuff we need to live out of thin air? Best,
Brad Burt
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kirko New user 70 Posts |
Hmm, a lot of my magic back in the day was volunteer work. I went to children help centers, christmas events for less fortunate families, etc... It was a great experience for me, and for the families. I don't know that I got real recognition from it, other than I would be asked to do a lot of different events via word of mouth.
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rikbrooks Inner circle Olive Branch, Mississippi 1317 Posts |
Since I've moved up here I rarely do volunteer work. When I was in Texas I did once a month. In Massachusetts I've found that every place that I offered to volunteer wanted me to go 'through a process'. They asked me to fill out an application, take a TB test - a couple of them wanted me to take a class!
I told each of those places that I was trying to donate my time, not applying for a job, thanks but no thanks. I do volunteer quarterly for a nursing home though. They don't ask that I jump through any hoops to volunteer my time. When I move back south where people are genteel and civilized I'll go back to volunteering no more than once a month (except for special things like 'Grandparent's Day') |
DanielSteep Inner circle 1409 Posts |
All I used to do was volunteer magic.. but now I hardly do any volunteer.
out of 12 shows comming up only 2 are volunteer |
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