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Ray Pierce Inner circle Los Angeles, CA 2607 Posts |
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On Mar 15, 2020, Mac_Stone wrote: Most places that are closing now are listing that as their tentative opening date. Most people also believe that date to be unrealistic.
Ray Pierce
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David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts |
There's an excellent discussion about this in Tricky Business.
But all the talk boils down to this: whether or not you think the whole Corona story is Chicken Little stuff or not is irrelevant from a business perspective. All that matters from that viewpoint is the way the client sees the world. They have the media screaming PANIC at them. They hear about Broadway closing down. Sporting events closing down. Here in Alberta they have closed the schools, the gyms -- all events over 250 are cancelled. They hear the W.H.O. declaring this a PANDEMIC -- and, once they have finished up stocking up on toilet paper -- they will go home afraid. I have no bookings -- not one -- until at least the end of April. A sweet four day contact in the mountains has been 'postponed indefinitely.' I even have clients that signed with me in January for Christmas shows taking another look at their bookings. Is this something we, as entertainers, can control? Nope. So what are YOU going to do about it? It's time for every performer to think very deliberately about the steps they are going to take. My main market is Alberta. Oil country. A few years ago there was a fire in Fort MacMurray -- where much of the oil here comes from. All production was shut down. Then a provincial government that inexplicably had it in for the oil industry was elected and there followed years of draconian measures that drove some of the big companies away. I had to go further away to find shows -- so I did. The economy here was only starting to rebound when this thing hit. But this time is different. It's the same mess in the neighboring provinces. The same mess all around Canada. And in the US. I don't think I am alarmist in saying that this situation has the makings of an economic apocolpyse for our industry. Cruise lines, hotels, special events, airlines, restaurants, resorts, nightclubs -- EVERY place where people get together to celebrate or study -- the precise functions that hire professional entertainers -- are getting shut down. I am nowhere near as concerned about the flu as I am about how people are responding to it. It's easy to say "this too shall pass." Of course it will. But it will take people much longer to start having a level of confidence necessary to start having events again...even after the flu is long gone. Understand: I'm not saying "The sky is falling!" But I AM saying that as of right now...the fabric of our industry has changed significantly. I truly think it is going to get much worse before it even starts getting better. I hope not -- but I don't see another way this plays out. This truly has the potential to be very very bad for our whole industry. This is the point where professional entertainers need to square their shoulders and adapt to a vastly changed market. The tough and creative ones among us will hang on, think hard, pray hard and paddle hard and ride this thing out. I am certain it's going to be a rough ride -- rougher for some than others. But if performing for a living was easy -- everyone would be doing it, right? For my part I plan to finish some of the books I've been working on, and develop a new concept I've had in mind but just never had time to sit and design. I won't penalize a single client who cancels because they are scared of the virus...but I will keep a close eye on my client list. I truly wish all pros and semi pros the very best in this time. Hunker down and hang on. David
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except bears. Bears will kill you.
My books are here: www.magicpendulums.com www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com |
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Tom Cutts Staff Northern CA 5925 Posts |
David, “just relax”. Sound familiar? You got worries. People got worries. When YOU minimize the worries of others (calling concern over a potentially deadly virus “chicken little stuff” and telling people to “just relax” well you loose their concern for your worries. So Dave, “just relax”.
An economic apocalypse for the industry? Really? I dare say 911 was much worse. And the long time pros know this IS part of the fabric of the industry. It can be very fragile, but it does rebound. So how is that “just relax” feeling now? OK, enough playin’ the heavy. I empathize with your predicament. Is it the same as worrying your elderly parents might die if they contract this virus? Is it the same as worrying your child who overcame cancer and has a compromised immune system might die if s/he contracts this virus? The time right now is for concern over those who are far more likely to have grave consequences over this. Anything other than that is unempathetic to the very general public we claim to want to entertain. And yeah, there is no shortage of disdain for the general public on the part of entertainers of all types. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be thinking of how you will pivot to come through all this. But putting that worry of yours above the deaths that are happening and will happen is just trampling on the very real concerns of others. It is an unfortunate, but not unique downturn. I hope you find ways to make it through, or better yet knew this was possible and were prepared ahead of time to weather such a storm. 911, the dot com bust, the housing bubble/financial fiasco, this is not the last time it will happen either. There are some very clever people making very clever moves within the world of new technology. Even in financial disasters, fortunes are made. I dare say, so it will be for the smart and nimble ones in the magic and mentalism communities. Good luck to you all but understand that people are dying from this. Consider conducting one’s self in a manner which acknowledges that rather than dismisses it. |
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David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts |
Tom you completely missed the point. Again.
Relax. David
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except bears. Bears will kill you.
My books are here: www.magicpendulums.com www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com |
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David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts |
My apologies, Tom. I should not have made the above post. It was sarcastic and did nothing constructive. I am sorry.
I have PMed you. David
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except bears. Bears will kill you.
My books are here: www.magicpendulums.com www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com |
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Ravenspur Regular user Granby, MA 167 Posts |
It's a frustrating time.
I'm a high school teacher, out of school for the next at least 3 weeks. In my town, the Board of Health has shut down all the daycares in town. My daughter works a couple of nights as a bartender. She's down to working her day job now. My niece and nephew wait on tables. They've been laid off. Even if the COVID-19 were not a big deal, the closings and lack of work are having serious effects on people's income and the country's economy. These won't bounce back quickly. As far as COVID-19 goes, I take the word of public health experts. Wishing everyone the best of luck. |
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Silversleights04 Regular user Houston, Texas 182 Posts |
Table-hopping side work has been tabled itself for the time being. My mentalism "proving ground" performances are all canceled. Magic performance work is basically at a standstill. I'm grateful for my regular job outside of it, but I know not everyone is in the same position. Some of us were hit far worse than myself, I hope they can find some relief. I've heard of performers getting written acknowledgments of cancellations to possibly qualify or apply for emergency relief funds in the future. That seems like it stings to have to call back cancellations to ask for a written version of it, but we'll see how that shakes out for securing funds.
It's a great time to study and get creative, challenge yourself to something new, work on marketing, social media presence, polishing or scripting, collaboration, and revisiting old material. Stay active, stay positive, and stay safe friends. -Marco-
-Magic sees Magic-
-Marco V- |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
I agree, this is a great time to tend to things pertaining to your business that you never have time to seem to get to, projects that have been on the back burner or shelf, ideas that have yet to see the light of day, continued training and education, and of course dealing with the business side of things and operational aspects that need attention and implementation. Use this as an opportunity to dive into your business without distractions or interruptions.
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NeverMind Loyal user Right up there. On the stage. 279 Posts |
The OP question is putting it too mildly. This is not just 'impacting' out field, but riding rough shod over almost all businesses. Best wishes and good thoughts to all.
It is better to be trusted than liked.
Under promise. Over perform. |
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tomd Special user 747 Posts |
I get what you are saying..
To be fair though, an hour before I posted this thread the whole of the U.K. was business as usual, and the situation only changed to “oh, we may have a bit of problem” as I was writing. 5 days later, and it looks like no one will be performing for months, and every country is going to go into lockdown. I’m almost certain most the people who shared their booking schedules early on in the thread, have had drastic changes since then.. and if not, give it week. I know all of my plans have been thrown out of the window... My father in-law can’t even go to a funeral this Saturday, it’s got that bad here, and we aren’t even in lockdown yet. Like you said though, good luck everyone.. stay safe |
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NoxAeterna New user 12 Posts |
How can full-time performer survive, if he or she relies on income from gigs and pandemia will last for 3+ month?
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bevbevvybev Inner circle UK 2672 Posts |
3+ months? Make it 12 months. Once summer is over we'll have the seasonal winter peak on top of covid 19.
Plan to be out of action for at least a year, and if I'm wrong then it will be a nice surprise. I'd like to be wrong. |
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Philemon Vanderbeck Inner circle Seattle, WA 4694 Posts |
With many folks now stuck at home, the demand for online entertainment will increase considerably. Performers should explore the options of presenting effects via YouTube and other video streaming services. It is possible to monetize these streams, albeit it will take a great deal of work and dedication to build up the subscriber base to make that worthwhile. Of course, just presenting tricks/effects/routines won't cut it (there's already a glut of those), but the clever performer will figure out a way to create content that will consistently engage their audiences. Creating a Patreon account will help too, although with the economy crashing, there won't be a lot of spare money going around.
Professor Philemon Vanderbeck
That Creepy Magician "I use my sixth sense to create the illusion of possessing the other five." |
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Wesley5n1p35 New user Illinois 56 Posts |
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On Mar 17, 2020, Philemon Vanderbeck wrote: This is phenomenal advice. We are entertainers after all aren’t we we shouldn’t be limited to face to face contact. We alone have the ability to bring people out of this world if only for a second and we have access to the whole world in the palm of our hand. I foresee a lot of YouTube channels and website domains being created.
Home of the first Resin 3d printed nail writer!
Free Shipping Worldwide https://www.meticulousmagic.com/ |
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tomd Special user 747 Posts |
Depending on which country you are in, it looks like your government may soften the blow. As far as I’m aware: Ireland, France, Spain, and Italy have frozen all bills and mortgages, and are offering payments to self-employed workers in this tough time.
Other countries may follow this trend, but I doubt all of them will. |
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Wesley5n1p35 New user Illinois 56 Posts |
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On Mar 17, 2020, tomd wrote: While this will help those in need, where does the money come from? I’m afraid of the financial collapse afterwards. We all need to band together in this time and help our neighbors and communities.
Home of the first Resin 3d printed nail writer!
Free Shipping Worldwide https://www.meticulousmagic.com/ |
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tomd Special user 747 Posts |
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On Mar 17, 2020, Wesley5n1p35 wrote: It comes from the same place as the money that bailed out the banks in 08. |
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Yash Pataskar New user 68 Posts |
I agree about the fact that it might go over 3 months but we need to adapt. What can we do in a situation like this?
I would like to know, how many of us are dependent on it for our daily bread? How many of us have enough savings that can easily sustain ourselves for a year or more? Let’s rethink our strategy and what we can do now. |
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NoxAeterna New user 12 Posts |
Try not to worry about something you can’t control. You can’t stop pandemic, but you can stay calm.
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Chris K Inner circle 2544 Posts |
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On Mar 12, 2020, tomd wrote: This goes far beyond performers, at least in my area. And it's hitting everyone from all walks of life in all job types. Is it worse that a single college student doesn't have a job at Starbucks or a mother can't support her kids by working in the library right now? The answer, of course, is it is tough on everyone. Loss of life, I agree, is the big issue now. That being said, the fear of not being able to provide for one's family can be, for those people, more scary than loss of life. All my best wishes go out to everyone. And my personal shows are on an indefinite hiatus. I stopped booking shows early this year (it is a hobby that I get paid for occasionally, so I have that ability) but my day job is severely affected (it was in the city of San Francisco), so I feel the pain too. |
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