Just returned from a Christmas Party Gig

[RickEverhart]

Jacob, I'll try to answer both of your questions.

Who do you get to film you?

I normally have a magician friend because a layperson does not know where to be focused with the camera whereas a magician friend who is familiar with your routines knows when to pan up to catch the spectators reactions or knows right when the "magic" per say is going to happen. It is tricky though because many times if you are performing at a gig, you don't want to just show up with a camera guy if the client has not okay'ed it in advance. It can put a weird vibe in the room and some people may not want to be on camera or others like kids who are around will constantly be trying to "get on" camera. You could possibly approach the client ahead of time and ask if it is okay to have some footage for your website or try the route of it is just for your own studying tool to get better. I've tried both of those.

Your other question pertained to you "wanting" to perform for the adults but it seems weird after they've handed you a tip and everything already seems to have come to an end.

What I did last night (because there were young kids and adults at the tables) is that when I approached the table, I told everyone ahead of time that I had an effect that would be special for each one of them "including the adults". This lets them know that after I finished with the kids effects that they too were going to get in on the action. This went over really well.

Hope that helps some.

Pete, yes, I've seen your performances with Okito VooDoo Doll. It's not really my style but I know that you are very passionate about it and are good with it.

 

[Jacob L]

Jacob, I'll try to answer both of your questions.

Who do you get to film you?

I normally have a magician friend because a layperson does not know where to be focused with the camera whereas a magician friend who is familiar with your routines knows when to pan up to catch the spectators reactions or knows right when the "magic" per say is going to happen. It is tricky though because many times if you are performing at a gig, you don't want to just show up with a camera guy if the client has not okay'ed it in advance. It can put a weird vibe in the room and some people may not want to be on camera or others like kids who are around will constantly be trying to "get on" camera. You could possibly approach the client ahead of time and ask if it is okay to have some footage for your website or try the route of it is just for your own studying tool to get better. I've tried both of those.

Your other question pertained to you "wanting" to perform for the adults but it seems weird after they've handed you a tip and everything already seems to have come to an end.

What I did last night (because there were young kids and adults at the tables) is that when I approached the table, I told everyone ahead of time that I had an effect that would be special for each one of them "including the adults". This lets them know that after I finished with the kids effects that they too were going to get in on the action. This went over really well.

Hope that helps some.

Yeah it does help a lot, thanks. I don't try and "wait" for the adults, but once I'm done with the bunnies and I'm putting them away, they hand me the tip during that, so I don't really get a chance to perform for them. But I'll try your strategy. I use Benji's advice of saying "have you seen me perform before?" and that's worked out great for me. Thanks!

 

[RickEverhart]

Something else you could try is as you approach the table...put something down in front of one of the adults that you are going to use in an effect with the adult. For example: If I was going to do an effect with a business card / peek wallet, I might set a sharpie and a business card down on the table near the adult and just say something along the lines of, "We're going to try something here shortly....."

 

[Jacob L]

Something else you could try is as you approach the table...put something down in front of one of the adults that you are going to use in an effect with the adult. For example: If I was going to do an effect with a business card / peek wallet, I might set a sharpie and a business card down on the table near the adult and just say something along the lines of, "We're going to try something here shortly....."

OOOO very nice idea, that way they are anticipating what you are going to do with that so it sets you up nicely.

 

[RickEverhart]

Exactly...my friend.

 

[Luis Vega]

Great work buddy!! as always your "give more than you receive" policy works wonders...

Anyway...I am really impressed on how you manage a kids/adult gig... I think is great you tell us how you organize your pockets and everything...

Keep the great work man... personally...I think is about time you raise your price...just saying...

 

[RealityOne]

Something else you could try is as you approach the table...put something down in front of one of the adults that you are going to use in an effect with the adult.

When I saw Wayne Houchin lecture he opened by doing performance where he handed a bunch of props to audience members (a deck, some photographs, a crumpled piece of paper) to hold. The props were all used in his routine and there was some justification for giving them to the audience (one was a prediction). It is a great way to get the audience involved and as long as they still have a prop they know more is to come.

 

[RickEverhart]

Awesome...thanks for letting me know that. I will definitely continue doing that then.