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BerkleyJL Veteran user Chicago, IL 397 Posts |
One thing that concerns me in the streets is having props grabbed when my attention is elsewhere. I don't worry too much about the hat, because when it's in play, that's where my attention will be...delivering lines and thanking people.
However, when I'm drawing an edge (I use juggling) my props may be as much as 5 feet away. Any tips on this?
I need a stage name.
Joe Berkley |
Jim Wilder Special user Birmingham, AL 954 Posts |
Cellini recently spoke about this in his lecture. He talked about having his props stolen. He said to learn to view them as- props... nothing that can not be replaced. Even though not part of his act, he told a story about a hat that he had with pins from all over the world all over it. He was in San Fransico (I believe) and looked down over a bridge, and a gust of wind took the hat into the water below.
As far as advice, always keep your eyes on your props, have on some good running shoes! |
BerkleyJL Veteran user Chicago, IL 397 Posts |
I understand that they're props and can be replaced...but some of them can be expensive (cups/rings).
I need a stage name.
Joe Berkley |
Dave V Inner circle Las Vegas, NV 4824 Posts |
I was wondering the same thing. Even though they can be replaced...eventually, even inexpensive props can ruin a show if they're not there when you need them.
Most of my stuff is mid-priced, but it still worries me. Like my cups, sure they're not gold plated, but they're not being made any more either. In my situation, my wife and stepson will be nearby, so hopefully at least one of them will be watching out for me.
No trees were killed in the making of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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JoeJoe Inner circle Myrtle Beach 1915 Posts |
Don't take your expensive props if your worried they will be stolen ... buy cheaper props just for your street show, saving your expensive props for locations with more security.
The other alternative (the route I go), is to not take anything that doesn't fit on your person. Whem I street perform, I wear a hip-sack and if it doesn't fit in the hip-sack it doesn't go. It limits you to a stand-up performance, but you won't be worried about your props being stolen.
Amazing JoeJoe on YouTube[url=https://www.youtube.com/user/AmazingJoeJoe]
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Frank Tougas Inner circle Minneapolis, MN 1712 Posts |
Use my LBS principal. Never leave anything unattended you're not willing to have lost, broken or stolen. We had a local magician here doing a big event, a corporate picnic, and as part of his after show he makes balloon animals. He had bags of the balloons preblown and in bags. Kids AND adults would forego standing in line and just take one or five of his balloons at a pop (no pun intended). I finally stood "guard" over those and the rest of his tantalizing props sitting nearby. To this day he doesn't know I was there or helped out. I wonder how many other things would have come up missing?
Frank Tougas The Twin Cities Most "Kid Experienced" Children's Performer :"Creating Positive Memories...One Smile at a Time"
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BerkleyJL Veteran user Chicago, IL 397 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-06-25 08:16, JoeJoe wrote: I use a backpack right now, but I have to take it off to get to the props. If I go to a magic supplier looking for a gibiciere, it'll cost a fortune. Anyone know where I can find a large enough hipsack to hold cups, finals, a few decks of cards and linking rings?
I need a stage name.
Joe Berkley |
BroDavid Inner circle America’s North Coast, Ohio 3176 Posts |
While you can't stop someone who is bent on theft, you can make it harder and therefore discourage all but the most dedicated thief. And frankly, except for the money, there isn't much a real thief wants from a magician.
For normal street work, I don't take much but my case table. But other times when I am working an "event" I use the same table case where things can go back into it when I am done, along with a "dump bin" made that is a spring open laundry thing I picked up at a discount store. It sits under the skirt of my table and is out of sight. (It is round and flat when traveling, and when you release the catches, it pops up to 2 1/2 feet high to resemble a small Oil Drum. I painted silver with orange radioactive signs on it, and I show the big Nasty Rabbit that lives in it as I put it in place. It works great for dumping stuff that won't easily go back into their places, and it was out of the way, and looks a bit foreboding when it is seen.) In other words, keep stuff where temptation will not be an issue. But as JoeJoe says, when doing the street, take only what you need. Between my case and my backpack, if it doesn't fit, it doesn't go. The backpack gets tossed under the table skirt, so I don't worry about that. And on the street, when I am finished with a prop, I dump it onto the shelf of my table case. Once again, out of sight, out of temptation. But that is just me. And I can see how a juggler with a variety of props might have an issue. So how about getting someone in the crowd to watch your stuff for you? Make a joke about not knowing what anyone would want with a "name it" but since they have been stolen before, yada yada (make up your own lines here) you need "name it police" to keep an eye on it while you are performing, and if they do a good job, i.e. the props are still there when you get done - they get a buck or a prize, or something. People love to be included, and it could actually help your tip in the long run. BroDavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
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Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
Great advice and suggestions here.
I’ve never lost a prop to theft on the street performing or at a festival/outdoor event. I have had at least two hats taken by guys on the fly (running by, grab the hat, and bolt off with the cash). In each case they out ran me. In both cases when I came back to my table there was someone standing by it insuring that nothing was taken. I treat the street and festival performances as more a stand-up venue and keep the props to a minimum (rope, shears, balloons, cups/chop cup with loads is about it) with a homemade tray-table and my pouch. On the other hand, I have had an entire case of props taken from my car. I was loading the car after a show and had to make more than one trip. I came back with the second load and my case was gone. Lost a set of Miller/Bertram cups among other things. I have had an illusion (my own home built version of a combination of the Doll-House and Temple of Benares) vandalized backstage once (I believe that another performer, not a magician, did it but could never prove anything) and the swords to my sword basket (real sabers, not prop swords) disappeared from a theatre following the performance of the illusion and while I was still on stage performing.
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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stephen secret New user mpls. 67 Posts |
I cycle a lot and find the "timbuk2" cycling bag a large easy bag to carry. You can have it on all day and forget you are wearing one.
This would give you more room to carry props and still wear the bag as you work. Sincerely, secret
sincerely, secret
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Partizan Inner circle London UK 1682 Posts |
The most likely type of thief you will encounter is the magpie.
These people are not true thieves, but opportunistic collectors. They want a freebiee or momento of the moment and forget it is theft. These people can be found anywhere there is a sign with FREE on it, or massive discounts, buy 1 get 1 free. Any opportunity that they can find to get a nice new shiny to take back to the nest. They make the best office stationary thieves too! Get a dog and train it to guard your props or hire a group of small children to observe the crowd and if they get a chance, empty a pocket or two. Best way is to take a friend or family member along. The option left if none of the above works is this... Locate a street person (homeless or vagrant) and ask them to watch out for you. Offer them a meal and drink or a % of takings if he wants cash. Make sure he is a non-mental or non-druggie etc. or he might just chase off the custom.
"You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus."
- Mark Twain |
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