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Chad Sanborn Inner circle my fingers hurt from typing, 2205 Posts |
I am doing a high profile gig this weekend. Its an afterparty with lots of a-lists. This will be my first time at such an event. I have been nervous all week. do any of you have tips on dealing with clebrities? Do you treat them as normal people?
Chad |
paulajayne Inner circle London England 1160 Posts |
Hi
Just perform as normal - treat them normal - do not fawn over them. Some of them will be the "Do you know who I am" type - I usually find that the best way to deal with egos is to "knock them off their perch" with humour. They are just normal people with some talent that got lucky - there but for the grace of God go you and I. Paula
Paula Jay - Magic to Remember -
--------------------------------- I once wrote a book on elephants, I think paper would have been better. ---- |
KerryJK Special user Northampton UK 621 Posts |
I haven't done this as a magician, but I have played functions involving celebrities as a musician. This still involved mingling with them afterwards, I just wasn't doing any tricks.
Do not, under any circumstances, "knock them off their perch", this is no more acceptable here than it is any other time you have clients acting like jerks. Basically, at these functions the celebs will be in network mode, and will not appreciate being ridiculed in front of their peers, nor will the other celebs in attendance who, for all they know, could be next. Just be respectful and treat it as you would any crowd you want to be on an even footing with. If you recognise someone in the group it can be taken as a sign of respect for you to refer to them by name; it would be dumb to ask Bill Clinton, for example, "What's your name, please, Sir?". Instead, maybe you've a trick that Mr. Clinton (not Bill) might enjoy. Find a way to refer to the celeb's achievements and claim to fame in a lighthearted way (they'll appreciate the recognition if it's presented right, especially when they're networking), but make it good and don't just reel off a load of catchphrases like a moronic superfan; they get it on that level every time they eat out, and not from people being paid to entertain them. Can you get a list of who will be at the function? Then you can have some suitable lines prepared to throw in if you find yourself performing for those people. |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
This is simply one of life's little tests of confidence. The rule is easy: treat common people like royality and royalty like regular people. In magic, our volunteers and our treatment of them is a direct reflection of the quality of the show. Help them be a star. It shines on you!
Bob Magic By Sander |
Rob Johnston Inner circle Utah 2060 Posts |
They are normal people...with exquisite skills.
Treat them as normal.
"Genius is another word for magic, and the whole point of magic is that it is inexplicable." - Margot Fonteyn
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Some are even ParaNormal!
Bob Magic By Sander |
Clifford the Red Inner circle LA, California 1941 Posts |
For most celebrities, fame is a problem. So don't contribute to it.
Greet them warmly and if they compliment your work, thank them sincerely. As part of my day job I'm around billionaire celebrities you would know and many you probably wouldn't know. Most are truly nice people.
"The universe is full of magical things, waiting for our wits to grow sharper." Eden Philpotts
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Brent McLeod Inner circle 1792 Posts |
Worked with many celebrities in the music world-
I found having respect for them & acting in a normal professional manner you'll have no problems! |
Dr.Maya Baalaamurugaan Regular user 163 Posts |
In my experience the more normally you treat them the friendlier they become towards you!
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mvmagic Inner circle Has written 1322 Posts |
Being normally friendly and polite as you would be in a normal performing situation would be right way to go. One of my closest friends is a really huge star and through her I've met lots of other celebrities (in both performing and non-performing situations) and I´ve always treated them as regular people-and made a few new friends as well. From my experience, they seem to enjoy they´re treated as normal, regular people. But of course, there´s always a few with an attitude.
Sent from my Typewriter
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MichaelCollins New user Colorado 5 Posts |
I did the Invisible Deck for Jerry Seinfeld. He was really cool about it. Seemed down to earth. I agree with mvmagic, just treat them like normal people.
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daffydoug Eternal Order Look mom! I've got 14077 Posts |
Ahhh yes. He was cool, but what I am wondering is was he amazed? (Or perhaps he just kept his cool facade and hid his amazement!
The difficult must become easy, the easy beautiful and the beautiful magical.
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magicofCurtis Inner circle Los Angeles 2545 Posts |
Bob Sanders has said it the best...
Cheers Cutis Eugene lovell II
Curtis Lovell II
http://www.CurtisLovell.com http://www.MagicofCurtis.com www.facebook.com/curtislovellii Los Angeles, California - U.S.A. |
ChrisJ Loyal user Lapeer, MI 226 Posts |
Chad: How did the event go off for you? Would liek to know more. What type of stuff did you do and how well it was recieved.
Chris |
Eric Leclerc Inner circle Ottawa Ontario 1185 Posts |
Did the invisible deck to Jerry Seinfeld?? Have you ever heard his thoughts on magicians? He hates them!!! And yet he "seemed cool about it"... See how much class that took of him? As an "important" person, he liked your trick even thought he thinks magic is stupid.. that's class... and that's how we should perform for celebrities and anyone we do magic to, with class..
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MattWayne Special user Manhattan, NY | Studio City, CA 624 Posts |
I've dealt with this too. These people are normal- just in the spotlight 24/7. If you perform well for them, then you've probably taken some stress away from them- and for once they could enjoy themselves. Not that they don't already, but some I'm sure feel stress almost constantly. Treat them normally, and when I've had the privelage of performing for a few- I've always discussed other topics; and not their profession, media, etc. Very often it's been about art, theatre, etc. If you get them talking, you might be invited back to chat with them. It's happened to me- because the celeb probably thought I didn't want anything from him personally; just wanted to act normal, perform magic, and entertain. I don't know if this makes sense to anyone- but it's what I do.
Matt Tomasko
Matt Wayne
The Celebrity Magicianâ„¢ www.CelebrityMagician.com / youtube.com/celebritymagician / twitter.com/RealMattWayne / Facebook.com/CelebrityMagician Creator of, 'Got a Light?' and others. Spokesperson behind, TouchTricks |
sullivanl Loyal user 277 Posts |
Just try your best to relax. I was very nervous before doing a close up show for George Bush Sr., but after the first 5 minutes or so I was calmer and more relaxed.
Celebrities are also very good at making you feel relaxed, because they know you will probably be nervous around them – whether you are a magician or not. This is what I have found when doing tricks for many celebrities, (Pierce Brosnan, Michelle Yeoh, David Beckham, Ronaldo, Jean Claude Van-Damme, etc..). |
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