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Jolly Roger V.I.P. Sedona, Arizona 1667 Posts |
Just thought I would check in to see how you are all doing during these unusual times. Are many of you doing virtual shows, and are you taking live bookings for the summer....libraries, daycares, summer camps etc., in the current uncertainty of how this year will play out? Do you find people are booking live birthday parties, and if so, do you continue to do audience participation with the kids? Also, what about school assemblies? Most of the schools are closed in Arizona where I live. Thought it might be interesting to start a general discussion on this. JR
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Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2391 Posts |
Its nice to see you here Roger!
In early July, I started doing some outdoor shows. September through December were horrible for business, but surprisingly I’ve been booked for 4 birthday parties in January. I refuse to do virtual shows and there has been absolutely no interest in school assemblies. Do I plan to do shows this summer? I am full of optimism on that question. Last week I sent an email to all of my summer customers as I do every year. But this year I added a paragraph about covid. I said if the covid situation is still an issue and they need to cancel, there will be no cancellation fee and I won’t even take a deposit. This was well received and many of them are starting to book. I am hoping by July 1st the country will be completely back to normal and the 2021/2022 school assembly season will be back to normal also. But this coming from the person who thought for certain this would be over by July 1, 2020!
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
danfreed Inner circle West Chester PA 1353 Posts |
What's up Roger? Since early November I've only been doing Zoom shows. Before that I was only doing outdoor shows. I still get 2 or 3 requests a week to do in-person shows but I turn them down and offer the Zoom show, though they usually don't go for that and just get someone else. I haven't been getting requests for summer stuff yet, but I'll give them the option to cancel and not ask for deposit, like Ken does. I'm curious to know how many are doing indoor shows now, I'm no expert but that seems very unsafe, even with masks and social distance. In my experience at the outdoor shows I did, it's very hard to control that social distance thing at some parties, some kids and adults do a good job, some don't even bother trying.
Dan Freed
AKA The Amazing Spaghetti https://www.magiciandanfreed.com/birthday-party-magician-for-kids http://thecaricatureartist.com http://danieljayfreed.com |
Jolly Roger V.I.P. Sedona, Arizona 1667 Posts |
Great to hear from you both Ken and Dan. Personally, I don't think I would ever turn down a show because of Covid concerns, as I feel that if the client is OK with booking me, then the show must go on. I refuse to live in fear like so many, and I believe the kids need us now more than ever. I have always been a risk taker, and the current situation is no exception. I would also refuse to perform wearing a mask. I have zero interest in doing virtual shows, though I have been asked. Like you, Ken, I am optimistic that things will start to get back to some sort of normality by the summer! JR
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Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2391 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 9, 2021, danfreed wrote: Well, that's the question of the year, isn't it? I don't think anyone knows for sure. There are opinions, of course. Science is simply an educated opinion, but still an opinion. For the record, I wear a mask the entire time I do my show. The reason for this is my respect for other's that are sensitive to this issue. I personally have doubts about masks being effective. But that is an opinion. I don't know this to be a fact, and therefore I will do what is respectful to others.
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
danfreed Inner circle West Chester PA 1353 Posts |
When I was doing outdoor shows I wore a mask at most shows. One time I got lazy doing ventriloquism and just talked as usual, but they could see my mask moving and I got busted! I joked at the begininning that the mask would make vent easier, but it's harder cause they don't see your mouth NOT moving so they assume you are doing the voice and the illusion isn't as good. Plus, it's hard to breath while doing a high energy show.
Some of you might want to try doing Zoom shows, it's harder, but you will make the parents and kids happy while making money. I do 30 min shows online instead of 45 minutes. I only do Zoom shows when most kids are 7 and under, I haven't gotten around to doing something that would work well for older kids cause my magic for older kids mostly requires in-person volunteers.
Dan Freed
AKA The Amazing Spaghetti https://www.magiciandanfreed.com/birthday-party-magician-for-kids http://thecaricatureartist.com http://danieljayfreed.com |
Jolly Roger V.I.P. Sedona, Arizona 1667 Posts |
The reason I would never perform wearing a mask, is that I rely heavily on my facial expressions. Naturally I clear it first with the client. JR
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danfreed Inner circle West Chester PA 1353 Posts |
Roger, as you know, you can get very similar reactions while wearing a mask, and it's sort of an interesting little new challange to adapt to. People can still tell your expressions anyway from your eyes, your mouth moving around under the mask, and voice and body language. You can even get some gags out of it (mask snaps you in face, wear oversized mask at first, etc.). having said that, it does suck to wear them while performing, especially on hot days.
Dan Freed
AKA The Amazing Spaghetti https://www.magiciandanfreed.com/birthday-party-magician-for-kids http://thecaricatureartist.com http://danieljayfreed.com |
Russo Inner circle So.California / Centl.Florida / retired Florida 1163 Posts |
I've been having a lot of fun when found could print a picture of my face from the nose to below chin on a cloth mask -Special paper is available to print the photo on - ( if you have a printer) cut it out to fit mask and iron it on the cloth mask. Got a lot of 'thumbs Up" - when grocery shopping - along when Entertaining. You have to have a good face photo - keep enlarging it until it fits your nose to chin (that is if your printer enlarges)- use plain paper first (both sides - no waste) until you get the right size - then print 'it' on the special iron on, paper. I hope I made my self understandable - (:->) Ralph ( an 83 year ol'man / 70 years in Magic ) Best to all isolation'ers ( is that a word ?)RR
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Jolly Roger V.I.P. Sedona, Arizona 1667 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 11, 2021, danfreed wrote: I hear you Dan.....but it is not for me. I will not wear a mask for shows, but as I say, I always make this clear to my clients in advance. If they will not book me without me wearing a mask, I totally respect them for this, but politely decline the gig. JR |
Al Kazam the Magic Man Inner circle Living in Perth Western Australia 1042 Posts |
Hi Roger,
Just out of curiosity, how many shows have you done this month of January? I also have no interest in doing Zoom shows, and thankfully don't have to as we haven't had any community spread in the city I live in for 9 months and parties have been booking very well. Al
Magic guy in Perth Australia
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Jolly Roger V.I.P. Sedona, Arizona 1667 Posts |
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On Jan 29, 2021, Al Kazam the Magic Man wrote: Glad to know I am not the only children's entertainer on the planet who is not doing zoom shows Jo-Jo. JR |
Roberto Juan New user Sacramento, California 45 Posts |
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On Jan 10, 2021, Jolly Roger wrote: Amen. Kids need us now more than ever! I ride my bike thru local parks with a backpack full of fling rings and various balls, and have two 6 foot colorful streamers mounted on the back of my bike. I don't do magic for the kids, but I juggle and play games and organize fun activities with balls and fling rings. I give many balls away - the colorful 5 inch foam balls at the dollar stores are a huge hit! Yesterday I was riding my bike and saw a father with his son kicking a pine cone to each other in the street. I stopped and threw them a ball and they were so appreciative. Most parents take their kids to the park with nothing to play with. I've seen kids at the park bored to death flipping sticks or throwing empty water bottles to each other. My dollar balls are a big smash. When I throw the kids a ball and hear them holler I feel like I won a million bucks. |
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