Open your video with several visual effects... Then go into one routine then show a few pcitures then put up the bumpers.. 2 to 8 minutes.... You should have two types of videos.. the when I jsut said and another video that shows a fulle vening show several full evening shows combined.. Becasue agents, cruise lines etc want to see your entire act(s)

Cheers
Curtis

The key here is to keep interest in your work.
People with means don't have that much time. So try to work on a few minutes teaser on the DVD and have a longer section, that one can refer too if really interested.
Get to the point !

If you can't hook them in the first thirty seconds and have them sold within three minutes... forget about it. Fast cuts, hot music, your best bits and at the end, offer a graphic saying the longer version is available. You want to leave them wanting more.

If the quality isn't first rate, you have two strikes against you from the start. If you aren't serious about your business, why should anyone else be?

Good luck!

While I agree that a tape needs to be high quality I would not say it is the most important as others think.
"Can you entertain and make my event a success?" is what they really want to know!
Which would your rather see if booking someone?- a slick 3 mintues of fast moving images in HD quality tape or someone who have them oohing ahhing and falling out of there seats? I was taught long ago that when somone books you they need to know you can affect the audience. All the slick flicks do is show you are good at Desk top editing.

This is why many booking agents need a copy of your entire show. They want to see and hear how the audience reacts to your show.
They would rather see a good show on a home camera than the clip show.

Different markets will require different tapes.
For direct clients that do not expect a video- a 3 minute clip take will be just fine.
Don't get me wrong. I love teasers and movie trailers. And for some markets that is just fine.

But others need more.
You could blend the content. Start off with your preview and then have them stay tune for a full routine. Pick a good one with a ton of audience reaction. Really that is what you are selling. You could do a great trick for the camera with out and audience but leave the prospect wondering how a large group will like you and your style.

And as I said, others will need a full tape of the show they are going to pay for.
The agent might need to select a routine to show the client.

I would not do this for a birthday party but for big clients you should not feel like it will spoil the show since only the a few people will see the tape.

I have to say, I wish I'd read this excellent topic before I shot my video gallery on my website - fantastic advice I wish I'd had.

Regards,

Doug

I would have to agree. I am an agent/producer and recieve videos from the finest magician, singers, and variety acts in the world. I just last week recieved a demo solicitation from a headlining magician in las vegas wanting in on a spot we were filling in a reno produciton. NOt only did he have some crappy footage that was hard to make out, he also had very lousy print media. The extent of he print was a nice letter and some photo copys of las vegas magazines with his photos and articles.

If it were not for knowing and seeing him live he would have been trash canned......

Oh and another thing. Get a website updated with at least a 3 minute video clip..... I have a inhouse production studio with produciton capabilities and can help if you need assistance PM me .....

As WebWizard mentions, a bad video only strengthens the image that you don't care about your image. It's analogous to appearing at an awards dinner wearing torn jeans and a sweatshirt. How you project yourself has a direct relation to how your client sees you and, if you've done it all right, how much compensation you deserve for your services.

I have gotten several inquiries regarding how to produce a promotional video on a shoestring budget. Now, I think my belief has been shared with many on this forum in other threads regarding this issue. You can only help yourself if you educate yourself in the field of video production (not just the technical side, but composition and motivation).

In this vein, last year I wrote a 7 part course on producing a promo video and uploaded it to the Reels in Motion website (I specialize in video production for entertainers). It covers technical, artistic and commercial aspects of a promo video. If anyone is interested, please help yourself it the course. It's there for anyone who wants it, no strings attached. All I ask is that you eventually post your results here and let us know how your video turns out and how effective it is for you.

Warm regards,
Scott Sullivan

P.S.
Here's the link to the course. The course is in a box on the right side of the screen.

http://www.reelsinmotion.com/index.html

[quote]On 2004-04-10 00:54, RobertBloor wrote:
What are you promoting? And please don't say "my magic show."

Robert Bloor



Why shouldn't he say that he is promoting his magic show? Whats wrong with that? If the guy's promoting his magic show why should he feel intimidated by you into denying it? I imagine most great magic shows were promoted at some point or other. I don't get you.

Dean Atkinson

Robert makes an excellent point. You do have to ask what you are promoting. Most magicians I've seen promote their magic show. However, Robert, I believe, was hinting at a greater cause.

For example, FedEx is famous for delivering packages overnight. In fact, that's their line, "When it absolutely, positively has to be there." They own the overnight market. But it's not because they sold themselves as a delivering service.

They sold assurance. That was their main difference. As entertainers we need to do the same thing. Why should a client hire us? Is it because we make their employees laugh? Is it because we can make sure they will have a good time? Those who understand the marketing side know they sell the sizzle (to overuse that darn cliche). Those who are successful are selling success, laughter and fun. They are not selling a "magic show." After all, magic shows can easily (and some already have) become a commodity. But laughter, that's priceless.

So I applaud Robert's question. He's got some very insightful comments and like a true goldmine, it's buried safely in an innocent comment waiting to be discovered by someone who understands it's importance.

Warm regards,
Scott Sullivan