|
|
Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
juan Regular user Brazil 178 Posts |
Hello,
I don't understand one thing, if you will be several days in the same ship how is the work in the cruise ships? Do you do the same show every day? Or must you have different shows? I have no idea. Thanks, |
|||||||||
Lyndel Inner circle wrote the theme to the TV show COPS! 1623 Posts |
Juan,
It depends largely on the cruise line you are with. Most cruises are 3-7 days. Most magicians will perform 1 to two shows during that time period. The rest of the time is yours to spend aboard the ship or ashore as you please (with the exception of the casino... most ships have rules about the entertainers entering the ships casinos) For the best information on the subject, I highly recommend Fred Beckers book titled, The Cruise Magicians Handbook." Fred has been there and done that and his book will teach you EVERYTHING you need to know to work in the cruise industry as a magician. You can check out his book and order it directly from him at: http://www.fredbecker.com/page19.html Regards, Lyndel |
|||||||||
Michael Messing Inner circle Knoxville, TN 1817 Posts |
Lyndel is correct, with one exception. He is describing cruise work where you are a guest entertainer. Most performers prefer this situation.
Some cruise lines, like Carnival, also use "staff" entertainers. In those cases, you still only do a handful of shows per week but you also participate in staff activities, like bingo, tours, etc. The number of hours you work staff activities varies by cruise director. I worked as a staff magician for Carnival for 10 months. I did a 35-minute illusion show once a week. (I did it twice in a night - once for the early seating and once for the late seating.) I also did an occasional midnight special. Other than that, I did about 6-8 hours of staff activities per week. I helped with bingo, I helped with tour sales and mc'd some contests. My assistant, who did not like using a microphone so she didn't want to mc anything, helped in the library for a couple of hours per week, as well as tour sales. I have a few friends that worked for Premier when it was affiliated with Disney and they did some kids' magic daily. They would go to the kids' areas each day and do something a little different. Then, they had their stage shows, as well. I don't know if Disney does it that way with their own cruise ships now. The staff entertainment position is not as bad as some portray it but most performers prefer being a guest entertainer. |
|||||||||
wizardofsorts Special user Chicago, IL 935 Posts |
Anyone know anything about "Cruise Book" by Jimmy Ray?
Edd Fairman, Wizard of Sorts is a corporate magician available for your next trade show, hospitality suite, client luncheon, or company event. http://www.wizardofsorts.com
|
|||||||||
templemagic Elite user Sunderland, North-East England 420 Posts |
I can second the recommendations for Fred Becker's book. It tells you EVERYTHING!!!
TM |
|||||||||
pikacrd Veteran user Florida 387 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-12-18 08:04, Magicmikey wrote: I would like to add something to this as I worked on Premier as the Staff Magician filling in for Fred Moore when he was unable to do it for a short time. On Premier, the Staff Magician mostly worked the different kid’s groups that ranged in age but did not do any other staff functions on the ship. When I did it there were 4 groups from very young children to Pre-Adult Teenagers. I was expected to do 4 short shows a night one for each of the groups usually 15-20 min in duration and 2 joint shows per cruse these shows were anywhere from 30-45 min in duration. For the short shows I had to come up with something that would play well for the different groups and change it each night. And I also had to come up with 2 longer shows for the groups of kids that I was working for. Keeping in mind that space is limited and the amount of props that I wanted to carry was not huge I just tended to do similar effects with different presentations. But to answer your original question I did different shows each night. I found that planning was paramount in making it work for me. Fred was and is a fantastic entertainer who did a great job on the ship and worked it like a master I learned a great deal from the experience and will say that if you get the chance to do this type of work it can be and is very rewarding. Kris
“Indubitably, Magic is one of the subtlest and most difficult of the sciences and arts. There is more opportunity for errors of comprehension, judgment and practice than in any other branch of physics”. William S. Burroughs 1914-1997 American Writer
|
|||||||||
waveman New user 78 Posts |
If you don't mind me asking, what was the pay like for the staff gig?
You can PM me if you wish, just please avoid the "It varies from Company to Company." A ball park would be a lot more useful. |
|||||||||
tctahoe V.I.P. Lakeland Fl. 731 Posts |
Guest entertainer (fly-on acts on Carnival) start at around $500 and you are usually on the ship from one to three days depending on the run.
hope this helps TC PS I do two different shows for Carnival a Family Show (30min) and an adult Midnight show (45 min) |
|||||||||
pikacrd Veteran user Florida 387 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-12-22 21:22, waveman wrote: Quote:
On 2004-12-22 23:13, tctahoe wrote: TC's post regarding pay is very similar to what I was getting when I worked as a fill in 9 years ago, and I was paid out at sea in cash with no taxes being taken out. I should also add that you have to take into consideration the non tangible “perks” of working on a ship as part of the pay in some cases those things can be free meals, the amount of free time that you will have when on board the ship, if you will have to do staff duties such as call BINGO or other events or preferably not, the type of room that they put you in and the fact that in some aspects it is kind of like getting to take a vacation even though you are getting paid to perform. I have found that doing these types of shows does take a bit of negotiation as usually the employer regardless of if it is a Cruise Line company or a Casino will have an amount in mind as the "Standard Rate of Pay" for a variety act unless you are a headliner and you may need to do some negotiations. Usually when I am booking a show of this nature I have a set amount in mind for my show and know what will be expected of me and dialog has taken place between me my booking agent and the venue host who is attempting to book me or who I am attempting to get booked with. It is during this dialog that my wages and duties are negotiated. I would prefer not to say what I make for a gig as it is irrelevant as to what you should be charging for your act, but what I will say is that if you have an act that is good, attempt to get paid what you think it is worth. This for most of us is easier said than done because to an employer in the entertainment industry variety acts are a dime a dozen and from time to time they will let you know this. What I can recommend is taking your act to an agent who works with magicians and variety acts and showing it to them and asking what they feel it is worth. You do not have to and should not always take their word as gospel but it is a good starting point in attempting to get a non-objective view of what you can charge for your act. I hope that this helps. Kris.
“Indubitably, Magic is one of the subtlest and most difficult of the sciences and arts. There is more opportunity for errors of comprehension, judgment and practice than in any other branch of physics”. William S. Burroughs 1914-1997 American Writer
|
|||||||||
waveman New user 78 Posts |
Very good info guys, thanks.
Was that $500 a show or for the cruise? Quote:
TC's post regarding pay is very similar to what I was getting when I worked as a fill in 9 years ago, and I was paid out at sea in cash with no taxes being taken out. I should also add that you have to take into consideration the non tangible “perks” of working on a ship as part of the pay in some cases those things can be free meals, the amount of free time that you will have when on board the ship, if you will have to do staff duties such as call BINGO or other events or preferably not, the type of room that they put you in and the fact that in some aspects it is kind of like getting to take a vacation even though you are getting paid to perform. Some good info, but this is the kind of vague post that I was hoping to avoid. I don't want to know what you charge per show, I'm just looking for a ball park low to high range of what the cruise magician makes. (i.e. I'm a Graphic Designer/Web Developer/Animator, working in New England the range of pay is $50,000 to $80,000) Before I invest my time, energy and money into chasing an agent, I want to see if the pay is there to support me, my family and the lifestyle we've grown accustomed to. Thanks again for the posts, and please quell the temptation to post a marketing/self motivational speach, just the facts ma'am. |
|||||||||
Carl Andrews Special user Maui, Hawaii 749 Posts |
Most good cruise ship acts make a six figure income per year.
|
|||||||||
TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
Gee wiz, I've NEVER made $500 on a ship. A LONG time ago, (MORE that 15 years now…) the least I've ever made was $1,500.00 and more like $3,000.00 and up a week. (No 'staff' duties... all passenger status too.)
As one said previously, that is all CASH paid in "international waters" with ZERO expenses so it goes a LOT further at sea. Just my .02 cents worth. Dean <>< PS There are already some KILLER discussion on the cruise ship life right here with load of ‘details’ for you to read. Do a simple search and learn to your hearts content. Woo Hoo!
Dean Hankey, *M.D. - The Dean of Success Solutions!
Serving & Supporting YOU and Your Success! "Book More Shows... Make More Money... SERVE MORE PEOPLE! - Not Necessarily In That Order…" (*Marketing Doctor) |
|||||||||
Michael Messing Inner circle Knoxville, TN 1817 Posts |
I worked for Carnival in the early 90s and made $850 per week. (I did do staff activities and I paid my assistant directly.)
At the time, the pay range for Carnival was $600 - $1,500 per week. Several of the fly-on acts were making considerably more. (They were the acts that were in demand.) Michael |
|||||||||
Fanatic New user Daytona Beach, Florida 12 Posts |
Do you guys/gals Know if there's anyone doing table hopping, strolling, Eason style bar magic on cruise ships?(non stage)Maybe with a little balloon twisting thrown in poolside for the kids? Do you think this is a sellable idea to the cruise industry? I'm curious if one could make a good living at it. Thanks..Mike
|
|||||||||
Murray Hatfield Regular user Canada 150 Posts |
I believe TC was talking about "Fly-on Acts" making a starting rate of $500.00 per week. A fly-on act is different than a regular act in that they fly in for 2 or 3 days, do their show(s) and fly home. They don't have to stay on the ship for the rest of the week just hanging out. It allows them the chance to work on land and at sea in the same week and allows the cruise line to have two entertainers sharing the same cabin on the ship - one flies in for the beginning of the week and one for the end.
I've got two friends working on cruises who have a contract for the entire year and they basically fly out every tuesday thru thursday and they're home for the rest of every week. Leaves the weekends for corporates and family time. Not a bad gig. It doesn't pay as highly as the acts that stay on the whole week but then they get to have a life too... Acts that live on ships for the full week, thus a 3 month contract means three months away from home, generally get paid in the $1500.00 to 2500.00 range. Very few lines pay in cash anymore (big brother is indeed watching) and prices dropped a few years back after 911. The really good acts are still making good money but there's no guaratees anymore. Just my 2 cents... Murray |
|||||||||
tctahoe V.I.P. Lakeland Fl. 731 Posts |
Yes, Murray is correct, thank you. Fly-on’s, for Carnival, start at about $500. (My starting pay was a higher, because the office had seen me live in Vegas. It’s always easier to negotiate when someone wants to hire you.)
Now, depending on your time with the company and you the style of act you do the pay can go up…way up. If you are good and easy to work with you can make a really good living working part-time. I am at home more than I am at sea. I have a regular run. I fly out to the Bahamas (an hour flight) on a Tuesday afternoon; I do a family show Tuesday night. Wednesday night I do a Midnight (adult) show, Thursday morning the ship is docked in Port Canaveral and I am home by lunchtime. I have worked for Cunard, Seabourn, Norwegian and I am sure there are others that I have blocked from my memories. Most all the other lines (even though most of them are owned by Carnival) pay more, I enjoy my working relationship with Carnival much more. I also do other ships for them. I just got back from the newest ship The Valor, beautiful ship. TC Tahoe |
|||||||||
waveman New user 78 Posts |
WOW Now that's WHAT I'M TALKIN ABOUT!
Thank you all so much for sharing, this is great information. Fanatic has a great question, is this an avenue for the pure close up tabble hopper? Or are they looking for Illusion shows only. One more quick compound question, How complex is the average cruise ship show? and is it a total nightmare getting your show to the ship? |
|||||||||
Murray Hatfield Regular user Canada 150 Posts |
Hi TC,
You're one of the friends I was talking about. You have a great gig - fly out for a few days and home for the rest of the week - every week of the year. Very cool! Keep it up. Waveman - personally I've heard of only one or two closeup guys who were hired for very limited contracts. The rest are generally comedy acts or illusionists or somewhere in between. The shows can be as technically complicated or as simple as you want...AS LONG AS IT'S A GREAT SHOW! All that the cruiselines are looking for are shows that will keep their passengers happy, entertained and satisfied with the cruiseline. You can count on your show being formally rated, each week, by the passengers and you are expected to maintain a certain "grade". If you do that then you will keep working. Drop below the "pass" line and you will get a quick trip home. The last time I went to a ship we carried Interlude, Origami, Blammo Box, Pole Levitation, Sub Trunk and Mini Kub Zag as well as numerous smaller items. Our lighting took 8 or 10 hours to program with the help of the lighting technician and we did a full rehearsal every week with lightman, soundman, two spot operators, stage manager and two additional helpers besides my partner. On the flipside I know of acts who fly on with a briefcase, no rehearsal and merely a mike check before they go on and then they destroy an audience (see the afore mentioned TC Tahoe...). There are no rules...just be great and the cruiseline will accomodate. Murray |
|||||||||
tctahoe V.I.P. Lakeland Fl. 731 Posts |
Hey Murray,
Hope your tour is going well... There are a few guys and at least one gal, who have big illusion show on the ship and do the fly on thang. They set their shows up, full rehearsal, then leave the their props on board. It's still pretty hard work, setting up the show every week and then breaking it down again. But you are spending more time at home than not, so.... |
|||||||||
waveman New user 78 Posts |
I can't thank you guys enough.
Murray, are the sound/lights and stage managers provided by the ship? I know at the theaters around me they supply them (with a fee of course.) You guys have put me on the path, I think after some hard work of putting a great show together, I'm really going to give it a shot. I assume the other things I'm going to need are some marketing materials. Did you guys use videos and if so did you produce them yourselves(home video style), or use some good equipment and a more professional production? |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Tricky business » » Working in Cruise ships..how it works ? (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.06 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |