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ptbeast Special user Oregon 831 Posts |
When we opened Theatre Macabre last October, I had to adapt from performing primarily close-up to shows in which I performed for up to 50 people at a time. We performed up to 12 times per night, starting a new show every half hour. One of the things that I discovered was that I could tell within the first 30 seconds whether or not it was going to be a good show. Not by how I began, but by the energy in the crowd. If the audience came in with energy and was ready to temporarily suspend their disbelief, then it was a great show. If, on the other hand, the group did not come in prepared to be entertained then the show fell flat from the beginning. They didn't have fun, and neither did I. Fortunately, there were many more of the first type of audience than the second.
What kind of things can we do prior to the actual performance to assist our audience in reaching the proper frame of mind? I look forward to hearing your ideas. Dave |
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tommy k Regular user 144 Posts |
One of the things that I have had great success with is setting the mood with the subliminal suggestions.
I worked close up for almost three years in a restaurant that was an old church (built in the early 1800's). They had a downstairs room that was wonderfully festive - if the lights were turned up! Once the lights were dimmed and "dark" music was played, it became a different room completely. It was unreasonable to use fog machines but if you could, that room would be complete for any type of bizarre show. (You could probably just say BOO! and collect your money). I can't recommend background music strongly enough. Not too loud, just enough to set the mood. Adjust it with the number of guests so that it is not too soft either. Another thing is to set the mood with the unsaid. I won't give away my act but I will share a prank that I used with all of the new waitstaff. Before doing Jim Pace's "The Web", I would have an empty box with holes punched in the lid in my close up case. Next to that I would place a small pill container of sawdust that was labeled spider food. The clincher was a picture of a large spider coming out of a similar box that I had laminated and paperclipped to the top of my case. Have I set the "stage" for you yet? When I would perform the trick I would simply open the case and start talking to them (none of the magic props are visible in the case that I use). I would then begin to look for the cards, pause, and begin talking about anything but spiders. They eventually noticed and only once was I asked what is in the box. It was the perfect set up and I didn't have to utter a single word! Once I did the trick and the cards turned to webs you could just watch them cringe. I don't think that I need to describe the impact that the spider had once it was revealed on their hand. (I got a lot of mileage out of a trick that cost me less than $15. I hope this helps to illustrate the importance in the "unspoken" and "subtle" use of EVERYTHING in our performance arena. Good luck! P.S. I know that spiders don't eat sawdust but it is a subtle suggestion of what creepy crawly things might be living in the bottle. |
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Osiris Special user 610 Posts |
Check out the Virtual Tour of Rick Maue's CHAMBER and, if you can, join us at the closing tour of said "legendary production" at the end of August (contact Deceptions Unlimited for details and availablity.) This may give you some ideas as to how to create mood.
Ambiance really is a key to such experiences. For most of my "Private Party" work, the experience and psychology thereof, begins with the mailing of the invitations (I do an RSVP approach that is very effective at multiple levels.) The other thing I do is a little something that Rick, Docc Hilford, myself and others have been "studying" the past ten or so years... we market what we do as Interactive Theater and NOT a "Magic show" or demonstrations in apparent psi phenomena, etc. Why? As an attraction that is promoted deliberately as THEATER you gain certain advantages... in other words, you and get away with effects that are more phenomenal. Secondly, you can use "character" as well as added characters within the format of your offering. That includes the act of establishing the facility itself as an entity... let's face it, if you have the opportunity to exploit local legends and use an actual piece of real estate involved around that legend, 90% of your work is done! BTW... it's perfectly fine to "invent" some elements of local lore around a piece of property as well. I've invested months of pre-event time, sewing seeds in the minds of locals that pertain to a given piece of property I'm allowed to exploit. Even when I first approach the owners of a Bed & Breakfast I use bits like PK Touches and my own Spirit Writing bit to convince them that the Spirits of the property really do want to speak and help them in their business success. Bottom line... plant the seeds from day one till opening night and beyond. You won't regret it! Hope these few insights help you out. Feel free to touch base with me should you have any further questions. |
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
You can have a discussion between two of the performers, just out of earshot, about a "problem" that happened earlier that day. Naturally, everyone in the audience will be aware of this.
A few well-placed air jets, blowing small streams of cool air, softly, against some of the audience members, can also add a lot of atmosphere.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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Kaizen Magick New user Torrance CA 72 Posts |
Tommy K- Love your presentation of Jim Pace"s "The Web"! Setting the mood properly is so crucial. Essentially your guests scare themselves....with a little help from your spider, of course! Well done!
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drwilson Inner circle Bar Harbor, ME 2191 Posts |
I'd suggest looking over all of your promotional materials, press releases, publicity stunts and so on to create a consistent theme for your event. Use good art and effective local "hooks" to make the theme simple to understand. I think that people expect a fairly good idea of what they will encounter at an event these days. Look at the way movies are marketed. For some of the comedies, all of the good jokes are packed into a two-minute trailer! For an action picture trailer there is a lot of action and no talking except for the gravel-throated voice-over.
So when people show up, you don't have to "sell" your show; these folks have already "bought" it and they are ready to have the good time that they have been anticipating since they saw that first poster. Having said that, I love the other suggestions on this thread as well. Yours, Paul |
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ptbeast Special user Oregon 831 Posts |
I'd like to thank everyone for their responses. I think that a lot of our problem was the venue. We were co-located with a series of haunted attractions.
Some people seemed to think that we were a haunted house. Many thought that "Theatre Macabre" meant that we were a movie. We did a poor job in creating a proper expectation in our guests. Most of the shows went very well, but guests, not knowing exactly what to expect, took time to warm up to us. While I appreciate all the ideas, creating the proper atmospehre inside the theatre was not a problem, preparing the guests for what they would encounter inside was. That said, there were some great suggestions in the posts above. And Paul, I think you hit the problem on the head. Thank you for your comments. Any further ideas greatly appreciated. Thanks, Dave |
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Laughing Otter Loyal user Behind you! 205 Posts |
How about some framed pages, articles, and/or posters regarding mystics and mysticism in the waiting area?
I would avoid anything that brings up de-bunking, of course; that's a seed we don't need to plant. The artwork could go a long way in setting the tone, and would give the group something to do/discuss as a group while they wait. |
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Clifford the Red Inner circle LA, California 1941 Posts |
I saw a great lesson in Pre-show at Knott's Berry Farm Theme Park in Southern California. They have an attraction that presents mysticism within a Native American Lodge. They manage to bring people in from the frantic park, place them in an anteroom with a nice setting, beautiful drumming playing and no seats. It's amazing to see the crowd becomes respectful to the sacred setting. They speak quietly and most sit patiently on the carpet. I've been several times (love the presentation!) and the audience reaction is always one of tremendous respect and reverence.
The show consists of a Native American shaman relating some tales with a moral about living your life fully and enjoying your friends and family as they are your true wealth. Along the way, there are some wonderful magic effects with images in smoke and the vanish and reappearance of the Shaman. A very wonderful piece and it plays very well.
"The universe is full of magical things, waiting for our wits to grow sharper." Eden Philpotts
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Slim King Eternal Order Orlando 18012 Posts |
This is one of the most informative threads that I've read in a long time! I love this Café'. A special thanks to you all!
THE MAN THE SKEPTICS REFUSE TO TEST FOR ONE MILLION DOLLARS.. The Worlds Foremost Authority on Houdini's Life after Death.....
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Midnight333 Veteran user 353 Posts |
Any one with suggestions on how to pitch mountains of maddness?
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Laughing Otter Loyal user Behind you! 205 Posts |
Not sure I understand the question, Midnight333.
Please elaborate... |
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kaytracy Inner circle Central California 1793 Posts |
The venue I am doing it at is a party setting where I have created a mystery game to go along with the general Miskatonic alumnus event, the performance piece is worked into the after dinner setting, after all have had some time to work on their goals for the mystery game.
This allows us to get everyone into the mood for the evening, they will dress their parts, and be ready to support the mythos that we are proposing. The package I have put together includes props for the individuals to use through the evening, as well as their personal backstories, so when the time comes for the performance, they will be "tuned in" to the charachters for the performance, as we will have been helping to facilitate the events thus far. At least that is my method! (I regularly facilitate mystery dinners, specifically the ones that TSR used to create, where everyone has a goal to achieve, and there is not an individual who "wins" or guesses first, everyone participates and is sucessful. To this end I have had to write a few for my regular clients who have played the other ones in my stock!)
Kay and Tory
www.Bizarremagick.com |
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Midnight333 Veteran user 353 Posts |
What I mean is press release, posters and what to tell prospective clientel to expect.. Also, has any one been able to charge the suggested 35 dollar ticket price? It seems a bit high.
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drwilson Inner circle Bar Harbor, ME 2191 Posts |
Midnight 333 is referring to Doc Hillford's Mountains of Madness, a sort of parlor seance based on Lovecraft.
As for the ticket price, it is all in your level of confidence and your clientele. If you are performing this at a swanky resort hotel, consider that having a glass of orange juice brought to your room in the morning might by $6 plus a tip. A regular breakfast might be $20-$30 if brought to your room. What is a $35 ticket in that setting? Of course, if you are trying to do this, promoting the event with crudely-drawn artwork that is photocopied onto flyers with the date written in by hand is not going to cut it. If you are performing this to a less well-heeled crowd, and you are just starting out, start at a lower ticket price. Try two or three times the price of a movie ticket in your market. Yours, Paul |
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Osiris Special user 610 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-08-25 15:47, Midnight333 wrote: Hmmm... you could follow Docc's suggestions in the manuscript and simply 4-wall a banquet room, promote the thing yourself, sell the seats, put the majority of the cash into your pocket... that's how most everyone else that's been doing this kind of promotion over the past couple of decades... Sorry, but that's just how it works! If you're looking at ways for putting seats into the seats however... well, that's (pardon the expression) "tricky business". It means having some ties to the local theatrical and arts community and being able to appeal to that over 35 crowd that would be willing to buy seats at theater prices in order to have such an experiential encounter. Feel free to touch base if you wish to brain storm some things. |
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drwilson Inner circle Bar Harbor, ME 2191 Posts |
Now that we are brainstorming, why not move to Providence and start a church? No taxes that way.
Just kidding! Yours, Paul |
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Osiris Special user 610 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-08-27 09:22, drwilson wrote: Ya know... many members of my family have made small fortunes doing just that kind of thing (Tent Revival Shows)... I just have too much integrity in my being to stoop so low. Nope! I'll stick with doing Readings, the ocassional Seance, and my shows... it's far more honest and fewer folks get hurt (bilked, ripped off, etc.) |
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Midnight333 Veteran user 353 Posts |
Yeah, the information in the book is a good start. I'm just not sure where to start promoting. Docc has a book called "Secret Venues". Anyone know anything about it? How much revenue can I actually expect? I mean I know I get out what I put in, but those who have gone before me, please enlighten me.
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Scott Xavier Inner circle 3672 Posts |
Larry Becker's Stunners Plus has some excellent pre-show tools that are super easily made.
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