Close-Up Standing Ovation

[Toby]

It's not asking for it because he's just having them stand to acknowledge that he remembered their name. They get the idea to clap all on their own. He never says anything about a standing ovation.

Yes, but it's still pretty obvious what he is doing and why he is doing it. Just like people can give me applause sitting down instead of standing up, so could he make them raise their hands up in the air instead of standing up. The goal is the same, it's visually more impressive.

Emotional Blackmail is basically when you make someone feel guilty so they do something for you. In this case, the line, "I never get it" makes them feel sorry for you, so they give you what you want to cheer you up.

But see, they DO NOT feel sorry for you. I may sound like a girl here but, it's not what you say, it's the way you say it. You need to deliver that line in a jokingly kind of manner, tongue in cheek I believe is the correct term. They need to be on the same page as you on this one. They will understand that the standing ovation that they are giving you is part of the joke, of the light heart mood that you set.
I'm pretty sure that you have in your mind a vision of a beggar asking for money. It's not like that. It's really difficult to convey my thoughts on paper really. But I'll get there eventually.

 

[Toby]

Do you ask for a tip by complaining about how you never get one?

Again, you guys are seeing it wrong, and I don't blame you, English is not my first language. You're not complaining. Up to that point, you already expressed your character, you got them on the train with you, you are hitting with every joke and one-liner that you have. Once you have all that, once you are all thinking like one person, they will understand that the standing ovation is part of the joke, it's tongue in cheek.
I'm starting to sound like a parrot.

 

[Steerpike]

Yes, but it's still pretty obvious what he is doing and why he is doing it.

You're severely underestimating the power of subtlety. While simultaneously overestimating the average person's knowledge of stagecraft.

But see, they DO NOT feel sorry for you.

How do you know?

Does this work for you on the cruises? I'll take your word for it. But this is not a one-size-fits-all idea. Way too easy to come across as a douchebag doing this.

Again, you guys are seeing it wrong, and I don't blame you, English is not my first language. You're not complaining. Up to that point, you already expressed your character, you got them on the train with you, you are hitting with every joke and one-liner that you have. Once you have all that, once you are all thinking like one person, they will understand that the standing ovation is part of the joke, it's tongue in cheek.
I'm starting to sound like a parrot.

Sounds like too many moving parts for my taste for too small a payoff. If this works for you, carry on. I'll pass.

 

[Toby]

The problem with it doing it in a restaurant is that usually people don't WANT to have to stand up and applaud you. They have gone out to have a good time and to relax. The standing ovation MIGHT work if you were a stage performer for obvious reasons. But at a bar, restaurant, etc.. It just won't fly and you could potentially end up with people constantly telling the staff to tell you to "please keep it down." Thus causing you to get booted from the place pretty quickly.

Really? Because not ONCE that ever happened to me. You probably think that I came up with this idea while flourishing in my underwear doing crotch shots on a web cam. I tried this out SO MANY times. Not ONCE did anyone ever complained to the staff, or to me, or to the other guests. And again, they don't HAVE TO do anything. It's completely up to them, and they KNOW IT. You just need to set the tone from the very start of the performance.

I get what you are trying to say. You want to have some huge obvious sign that the people at the place are having a good time and really like you. That's fine. The way you achieve that is actually a lot more simpler than having them give you a standing ovation. You simply turn down their tip and tell them if they really want to tip you, they can tell the general manager/host how much they really enjoyed seeing you. Problem solved and everybody still get's to enjoy their nice quiet evening out.

Well the number one reason I do it is because it's fun for everybody (yes, I know, weird right?). Trust me, they ARE having fun, and they really do it because they WANT to, not because I make them (because I don't make them).
Part of the problem with your solution is once you're gone, they continue (or just start) with their dinner and conversation. By the time they're about to leave, you are the last thing on their mind, not because you didn't do a good job, it's just that so much time has passed, and so many new things came to their mind, that they simply forget in the moment. Also what if the GM or the host is not there at the moment? etc.

 

[Randy]

I don't see the point in having people get up and give you a fake standing ovation. Specially in a restaurant or bar (where people are drinking or trying to enjoy a quiet night out.). It's enough that you have them laughing and enjoying the show while sitting down. That right there is pretty much the tip of the iceberg. Getting them to stand up and do a fake ovation is the equivalent of somebody trying to force people to give you a round of applause.

The other problem you run into is that the other groups at the restaurant are going to catch on to what you are doing. They won't see it is "Oh, he's just being silly." they see it is as lame and cliched. Plus, like it was mentioned earlier. Standing Ovations tend to only work when you are doing a stage show. Not a close up show.. Specially not one in a bar/restaurant or anything else.

 

[Toby]

You're severely underestimating the power of subtlety. While simultaneously overestimating the average person's knowledge of stagecraft.

I'm not the one underestimating anything here. And it's really not that subtle. Overestimating the average person's knowledge of stagecraft? So average person has never heard of a standing ovation at the end of a stage show?

How do you know?

Because I'm there.

Does this work for you on the cruises? I'll take your word for it. But this is not a one-size-fits-all idea. Way too easy to come across as a douchebag doing this.

You don't have to take my word for it, just try it out if you want. And I never said it's a one-size-fits-all idea. In fact, the ENTIRE time I'm trying to say that you need the right audience and the right mood and the right character. I know English is not my first language, but I'm not speaking Chinese either.

Sounds like too many moving parts for my taste for too small a payoff. If this works for you, carry on. I'll pass.

You write essays on business, write essays on mentalism, psychological subtleties, psychology, your every other post is 2 pages long, but delivering a two sentence line is too many moving parts? Alright.
And thanks for the support

 

[Toby]

I don't see the point in having people get up and give you a fake standing ovation. Specially in a restaurant or bar (where people are drinking or trying to enjoy a quiet night out.). It's enough that you have them laughing and enjoying the show while sitting down. That right there is pretty much the tip of the iceberg. Getting them to stand up and do a fake ovation is the equivalent of somebody trying to force people to give you a round of applause.

Now that's the other thing, if you don't see the point of it, then we can agree on that. But just because you don't see a point in it, or never tried it, doesn't mean it's not working or doing what it's supposed to do. Don't you agree?
And also, there are MANY different types of restaurants and bars. Are you trying to say that in EVERY bar and restaurant people are there to enjoy a QUIET night out? I'm pretty sure there are bars and restaurants where people go to have fun and drink and party.
I agree, it's enough to have them laughing and enjoy sitting down. But why not try something different, something more? Isn't that how new things are invented, by having an idea and trying it out?
I'll say this one last time, you are not FORCING anything on anyone.

The other problem you run into is that the other groups at the restaurant are going to catch on to what you are doing. They won't see it is "Oh, he's just being silly." they see it is as lame and cliched. Plus, like it was mentioned earlier. Standing Ovations tend to only work when you are doing a stage show. Not a close up show.. Specially not one in a bar/restaurant or anything else.

Again, I'm actually speaking from performing experience, not once did that ever happened. And also, just because YOU are seeing it that way, doesn't mean others do. I cannot tell you how many things are lame to me, but yet majority seems to like it.
Standing O only works in a stage show? Is that from your personal experience again? Try it out first before saying it doesn't work. If you don't like it, fine. If you think it's lame, fine. If you don't wanna do it, fine. But don't say it doesn't work without trying it first.

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

Too many moving parts in that X, Y, and Z have to line up and you have to say it just right, etc.

I think I see where you're coming from Toby, but I still don't entirely understand your motivation for wanting this to happen. I get how you're doing it, but why? What is the ultimate goal of having people stand and golf clap you?

 

[Steerpike]

I'm not the one underestimating anything here. And it's really not that subtle. Overestimating the average person's knowledge of stagecraft? So average person has never heard of a standing ovation at the end of a stage show?

Let me rephrase. Harry at no point asks for the ovation. He simply wants people to remain standing because standing up for a couple of minutes is easier than trying to keep your arm aloft for a couple of minutes. After all, that's what legs are for.

The audience get the idea to applaud on their own. In this case, they are adhering to the social contract, not to any overt prompting. It's actually a subtle distinction.

There's a line I use in my shows if a joke falls flat. If I pause for laughter, and there isn't any, I look to the audience, wait another second or two, and dryly say, "Courtesy laugh." It works but not because I'm asking them to pretend I'm funny. It works because it breaks the tension. The joke didn't work, there's an awkward silence, so in two words I'm basically saying, "That one didn't work, but if you'll just fake laugh we'll pretend it didn't happen and move on." Same principle.

Sure, some people catch on that Harry was directing them to a specific outcome, but most of them think to themselves, "That was really impressive, and since I'm already standing I might as well..." The manipulation was not overt, but instead appeared completely incidental.

Because I'm there.

I'm just saying from experience that it's not easy to read people. Look up the marriage studies of Dr. John Gottman sometime. You'll see what I mean. There's a lot of nonverbal communication that is extremely easy to miss and even highly trained specialists can't get 100% accuracy.

You don't have to take my word for it, just try it out if you want. And I never said it's a one-size-fits-all idea. In fact, the ENTIRE time I'm trying to say that you need the right audience and the right mood and the right character. I know English is not my first language, but I'm not speaking Chinese either.

I don't think it's right for every performer either. This does not mesh well with my own style.

You write essays on business, write essays on mentalism, psychological subtleties, psychology, your every other post is 2 pages long, but delivering a two sentence line is too many moving parts? Alright.
And thanks for the support

I mean too much setup for not enough payoff. It's a poor fit with my performance style. I'm less Rodney Dangerfield and more Rod Serling.

 

[Toby]

Toby - I don't think I got an answer to my question. What is your ultimate goal for having people give you this standing o?

Ultimately, fun. Reading all of the replies from you guys, I think I didn't get my point across very well.
You think I'm forcing them to do it like I'm holding a gun to their head - it's nothing like that.
You think they feel sorry for me like "awww poor guy, let's give him a standing ovation hug" - not even CLOSE to that.
It's just a fun little thing you share with your audience, and also better visual presentation. I've had people stand up immediately and I also had people who kept sitting down. To me and to them, it's exactly the same. No one was offended, no one felt forced, no one felt sorry for me. It's just one of those things.
Why do animators make people sing with them, dance with them, make them do ridiculously silly things and making fools of themselves (the audience, not animators)? Because it's FUN. And people DO IT, and they LIKE IT. You guys are taking this way to seriously really. I know that restaurant is a different venue then a club or what ever, but you just adapt to it.
Do you think that ALL the people stand up in a standing ovation in a stage show? Nope. I've seen plenty where only half of the audience stand up. And do you know why eventually everybody stands up? Because they're leaving. It's the end of the show, they clap and stand up, or stand up and clap, because they have to stand up to go since it's the end.

 

[Randy]

It's most likely a Serbian thing. I'm pointing out how it's much easier and better to just get them to applaud while SITTING down. It takes less energy and is a much quicker route than having them stand up for you. Like Steerpike mentioned, why go through all that effort such a small payoff. You essentially get people to do nearly the same thing while sitting down.

 

[Toby]

Let me rephrase. Harry at no point asks for the ovation. He simply wants people to remain standing because standing up for a couple of minutes is easier than trying to keep your arm aloft for a couple of minutes. After all, that's what legs are for.

The audience get the idea to applaud on their own. In this case, they are adhering to the social contract, not to any overt prompting. It's actually a subtle distinction.

There's a line I use in my shows if a joke falls flat. If I pause for laughter, and there isn't any, I look to the audience, wait another second or two, and dryly say, "Courtesy laugh." It works but not because I'm asking them to pretend I'm funny. It works because it breaks the tension. The joke didn't work, there's an awkward silence, so in two words I'm basically saying, "That one didn't work, but if you'll just fake laugh we'll pretend it didn't happen and move on." Same principle.

Sure, some people catch on that Harry was directing them to a specific outcome, but most of them think to themselves, "That was really impressive, and since I'm already standing I might as well..." The manipulation was not overt, but instead appeared completely incidental.

Right, gotcha. Apart from the fact that I do ask for it a little more directly, when I say "One last time for the standing ovation", it's not THAT much different. If you don't like the idea of doing that for the standing ovation, at least take the psychology of it and apply it to something completely different. The psychology being in implying something but in a way that they don't feel obligated to do it, and that it can go either way. If they do it, or if they don't it's the same from your perspective, since you also implied that you're not expecting it. It's kind of like a multiple out principle.
Also, if you wanna use it, here is my line when a joke falls flat. I tell the joke, no laughs, then I start talking to the back of the theater, like I'm talking to the usher "Can you please open the doors for a second so that the joke can go out". It also implies that you know that a joke fell flat and that you're admitting to it.

I'm just saying from experience that it's not easy to read people. Look up the marriage studies of Dr. John Gottman sometime. You'll see what I mean. There's a lot of nonverbal communication that is extremely easy to miss and even highly trained specialists can't get 100% accuracy.

Oh I know it's not easy. I've been trying for years now. Read everything by Paul Ekman, tons of body language books, psychology books, social psychology books etc. I'll look into it definitely, thanks.
But on the other note, you know that feeling when you just KNOW. Kind of like on a date. You're not consciously reading a girls body language or facial expressions (not that detailed anyways), but you know in a second that it's either going well or that you're going to fail miserably.

I don't think it's right for every performer either.

Of course not. But I think quite a few people can pull it off, it's really not that complicated as I made it sound. Maybe I should do a video

I mean too much setup for not enough payoff. It's a poor fit with my performance style. I'm less Rodney Dangerfield and more Rod Serling.

[/QUOTE]
I really wish I knew who they were.

 

[Toby]

It's most likely a Serbian thing. I'm pointing out how it's much easier and better to just get them to applaud while SITTING down. It takes less energy and is a much quicker route than having them stand up for you. Like Steerpike mentioned, why go through all that effort such a small payoff. You essentially get people to do nearly the same thing while sitting down.

Funnily enough, so far, I've ONLY done it in USA.
And I agree, completely, it's far easier and more comfortable to just keep them where they were, doing what they always do etc. But don't be scared to try out something new. When I watched James Brown, I was thinking "how does this guy puts on his pants in the morning with the balls so big?". It's because he's not scared of trying new stuff, being bold, being crazy really. I'm a big believer in stepping out of your comfort zone. That's how I got where I am right now.
My first EVER hypnosis stage show was for 700 people. And all 700 of them knew me, which made it so much more difficult. Prior to that not once did I do stage hypnosis, only "close-up" if you wanna call it that. But I got out and I've done it, and it was perfect (as perfect as it could be, meaning that nothing went wrong). I'm just not that scared to try out new things, I'm not scared of even looking stupid or silly or what ever, if it's gonna help me learn and grow.
Just try it out. Trust me, the pay off is exactly the same as the effort, I just probably made it sound a lot more complicated then it is.

 

[Steerpike]

I really wish I knew who they were.

Rodney Dangerfield was a comedian was very popular in the 70's and 80's. He was famous for one-two punch delivery and put-upon lovable loser persona. He was most famous for his routines in which he joked, "No respect, I get no respect at all!" Some of the jokes from those routines include:

"My uncle's dying wish was that I be sitting in his lap as he went. He was in the electric chair when he said it."
"I asked the bartender to make me a zombie. He said God beat him to it."
"My wife and I only smoke after sex. We've been on the same pack since 1973."

Rod Serling was the writer, producer and host of the TV shows The Twilight Zone and Night Gallery. His writing style was based heavily in science fiction and fantasy in which supernatural forces meted out some kind of cosmic balancing act with a recurring theme of ironic punishment and retribution. Twist endings were par for the course. As the host of the shows, he had a dry, intellectual delivery, setting the stage and introducing the audience to the main characters of the story. He was present in the scene, breaking the fourth wall, but none of the characters ever saw him or interacted with save for one particular episode in season 1 written by Richard Matheson.

If you haven't seen The Twilight Zone, the entire series is available on Netflix right now. I highly recommend it as it was one of the best-written shows on TV ever. Serling wrote most of the episodes himself, but he also had other writers working with him such as Richard Matheson, Charles Beaumont and Clayton Johnson.

I've been told I actually do a killer impersonation of Serling despite looking and sounding nothing like him.

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

Toby - While I understand you now, I think, this maybe wasn't the best example of the psychology you're trying to describe. I say that because of how most people see a Standing Ovation and the inherent characteristics of that.

But I get it. The reason I wondered what the goal is, is because I believe everything one says while performing should be towards an ultimate goal. Something like this could serve to break the tension, change the pace, etc. However, I think "just a bit of fun" is underselling it. Never do anything just because.

It is good to go beyond your comfort zone. For me, that's my entire purpose behind performing. I am a hard core introvert so every social interaction is pushing me outside the zone I prefer to be in.

Self-effacing humor is tricky. You have to have the right inflection, tone, pace, timing, etc. I use a lot of this when I'm performing. Like when I'm making references that no one gets because I read stuff most others don't, I'll pause a tic and say something like, "So .... I'm the only one that gets that reference, huh? Moving on." Sometimes I'll swipe a bit from Eddie Izzard and pretend to write something down while muttering, "Never make that reference in Tower again ..". Or if a joke falls flat, I'll say "No? No one? I'm the only one that thinks that's funny. Ok, well, moving on." Some times I'll try to do that on purpose. I'll make a joke that I know most people won't think is funny so I can break up a serious tone to move on to something more light hearted. The point being .. nothing is done just because.