talkmagic.co.uk

Evenning all,

I write this seeking advice/guidance. I have recently had the idea of making magic my vocation in life, the pipe dream of all us young and naive magi..... don't get me wrong i know I'm no copperfield or blaine.... but i am pretty skilled at what i do and i feel i have the ambition and drive to make a success of myself!

Which leads me onto the point of this topic..... last year myself and a few friends went on holiday to Malia. I took with me a deck of cards and during my stay impressed a few people with some effects.
Now, i know this may sound stupid/naive to some... but my trail of thoguht is that i would ideally like to book a one way ticket to somewhere like, Ibiza, Malia, or any other holiday hotspot..... and go and work for tips
My idea is that during the day i would roam the beaches and towns and perform for tips..... and on the night times (when everyone is drunk and generally f***in idiots..... i would enjoy myself with a few cold suds.

there are ALWAYS people at these holiday destinations (well, for about 6 months of the year), new people arriving every week or other week....... the prices of hotels in Malia is about 15 euros per night if you're a worker, so living expenses wouldnt be that great.
And it's not something i think of doing permanently... just go somwhere for the holiday season then return home after.

Only thing is it's not something i'd like to do alone (sad i know)

I wondered if there was anyone out there who had ever had this idea.... or had ever given it a go as im sure im not the first person to think of it

so yeah, from the elder magi out there, i am seeking some advice, have you had any experience in this kind of situation??... do you think this would be a wise move??

to the younger magi.... is there any of you that would consider making that move?? taking the chance and seeing what adventures could be had on the way?

thanks for taking the time to raed guys and look forward to hearing peoples opinions

I did something similar about four years ago, I got a gig at a music and arts festival in Sweden and thought I'd try to hitchhike home busking as I went.

I damn near starved to death, I went days without sleep, I was propositioned by big scary men to prostitute myself twice and seriously considered it once and on two occasions I could have died violently.

That being said I loved the trip and plan on doing it again. I met interesting people, sharpened my social and performance skills and now have a good story to tell.

If you do decide to do this have at least £300 bail out money in the bank or with someone you trust to wire it to you, have a really safe place to put your passport and money and do a long weekend practice run in Europe.

Also you might want to look into couchsurfing, but if you do firstly be aware there are risks and if you do couchsurf don't take the * and don't be a sponge.

thanks for taking the time to reply jean

i can't say the thought of being propositioned by big hairy men fills me with confidence lol

but by the sounds of it, it was a good experience for you.... which to be honest is what I'm looking for right now. The adventure, trying new things, meeting new people.... and if i can do that and perform magic at the same time that would be brilliant!!

and as i mentioned i want to get into magic full time and i think that by going out and doing a few tricks to strangers on beaches or whatever would be a good way to build my confidence and skill up even more so that in a couple of years, i will be able to comfortabley perform at big functions and stuff.

and you know what, that is a fantastic idea.... couch surfing..... ive heard about it but i didnt even give that a thought
it would save a lot of cash and makes the possibiliteis of where to travel endless!!

again thanks for taking the time to reply mate

I don't know about your plans, I've worked abroad doing this, but not in the same way. I've not been one for strolling magic, or magic with drunk people, or in bars, but it would be an awesome experiance. Perhaps if you're targets are going to be younger people drinking and having a good time, go out to places where the people are going to be similar and trying it out a few weekends running. Practice your magic with complete strangers so that you know what to expect and to get things down.

Like I said, I've not done this before, but I did have a small gig at a hotel in Austria for a while during the winter once, and that was amazing, I loved every bit and also met some amazing people also traveling.

It would be a great thing to do once in your life.

hds02115 wrote:I don't know about your plans, I've worked abroad doing this, but not in the same way. I've not been one for strolling magic, or magic with drunk people, or in bars, but it would be an awesome experiance. Perhaps if you're targets are going to be younger people drinking and having a good time, go out to places where the people are going to be similar and trying it out a few weekends running. Practice your magic with complete strangers so that you know what to expect and to get things down.

Like I said, I've not done this before, but I did have a small gig at a hotel in Austria for a while during the winter once, and that was amazing, I loved every bit and also met some amazing people also traveling.

It would be a great thing to do once in your life.

thanks for the reply hds..... the plan was to go and just perform at the beach and around the local towns, maybe until early evening. I don't think i could put up with drunken idiots whilst trying to perform so the nights would be for myself

did you do something similar to Jean and perform for people on your journey home????

No, I was a bit of cop out in that respect and just flu back, but that would be interesting. I do love traveling, and that kind of thing always turns out some amazingly funny/scary stories.

As for the stolling side of things. I'm not sure if that's the best way to go about it if you're thinking of this paying your way out there though, or even a majority. If you want a sure thing, parhaps try to find a resturant, bar or hotel that would be interested in hiring you, this way, you'll know you've got the work and you'll be getting atleast x amount of money out of it. I just couldn't see how you could make money otherwise just from strolling. I do know that you can get away with not buying a drink though this way, even a simple colour change can be enough sometimes to convince a bartender to give up a free drink.

(Edit)

I'd like to add, perhaps what you could do is fly out there and ask around, if there's nothing, these sorts of places are so cheap to fly to and from, it wouldn't be a huge loss if you had to come back again.

i see your point, it isn't a sure thing so there's no garuntee you could make any money out of it. But when i was over in Malia (cant speak for anywhere else) there were people in the street doing all kinds of s**t for money.
I think to be able to live over there without any worry i'd need to make like 40 euros a day..... so maybe i am being a bit presumptuous and being a bit naive.

But im the kind of person that likes to throw caution to the wind and see where it takes me.... because as you and Jean have both said, you had great experiences doing what you did (though you did different things obviously) but thats what i want right now, memories and experience......anything else is a bonus

Sure thing, hell, I'm never going to say no. You always get the best experiances in life when you're living right on the edge of it. I'm sure that you'll make it if you want to. I've tried to live life with the motto everything works out, and no matter what, it always seems to.

I'd say do it if you want to just have an amazing summer, I'd just say like Jean, definatly atleast have money for a flight home and maybe a weeks worth of food and accomodation, just as a back up for that worse case moment.

C.L.Ward wrote:and you know what, that is a fantastic idea.... couch surfing..... ive heard about it but i didnt even give that a thought
it would save a lot of cash and makes the possibiliteis of where to travel endless!!

And would also increase the possibilities of waking up with a sore behind and/or death ha!

Also, I am of the age group I believe you would be focusing on if you were planning to go to malia/ibiza whatever. Now, I've been to Ibiza and its bloody expensive. The last thing I would be doing is dishing out a couple of euros on the beach to a magician as a tip. It could have bought beer! I think that the plan would be flawed in this respect, but I mean it would still be awesome fun and an adventure ha!

So the perfect time for you to perform would be at night when inhibitions have been lost. But by then I've spent all my money and passed out.

Why not try and get a rep job, and do magic during that? Then at least you know you will be able to survive!

When I was in ibiza, we spoke to a couple of girls who had flown over and were just looking for work. Apparently its an absolute nightmare, and the only jobs are crappy bar PR jobs where you get paid less than what the rent costs per night. So make sure you have a half decent plan!

Personally, I think this is a great idea. I would really urge you to formulate a real and solid business plan though. I know that sounds like a headache but you need to aproach the adventure (and that's what it is ) with open eyes. It doesn't need to be a big formal thing, you're not going to be presenting this business plan to anyone, just some solid notes so you have an idea about what you need to be doing/earning as a minimum.

I also think you'd need to drop your reservations about working bars at night - I see this as your main income. Imagine having a few nights residency at a couple of bars, there's an income. During the day you can go out and stroll for tips and at the same time pass flyers for where you're performing at night. That's a big selling point to the bars you'd be approaching, not only do they get you in performing on quieter nights but you'd also be doing PR for them during the day.

Back in the day I used to run a bar in Spain and saw a LOT of guys n girls doing the same as this albeit looking for bar work not as magicians. It can be the best summer you'll ever have so long as you're careful. Earlier advice about emergency money, a safe place for your passport etc. are vital and is very very sound advice indeed. The only thing I'd add to that is never s**t on your own doorstep - ie don't party where you're being paid to work when your stint is done. Do your thing and go party elsewhere. I've seen far too many people do the opposite and it never ever ends well, it's unprofessional and a recipe for disaster.

I really hope this is something you decide you can do, if my own magic was more appropriate for this market - visual, snappy, not so cerebral - then I'd be considering this myself for the blast. Good luck

ace of kev wrote:

C.L.Ward wrote:and you know what, that is a fantastic idea.... couch surfing..... ive heard about it but i didnt even give that a thought
it would save a lot of cash and makes the possibiliteis of where to travel endless!!

And would also increase the possibilities of waking up with a sore behind and/or death ha!

Also, I am of the age group I believe you would be focusing on if you were planning to go to malia/ibiza whatever. Now, I've been to Ibiza and its bloody expensive. The last thing I would be doing is dishing out a couple of euros on the beach to a magician as a tip. It could have bought beer! I think that the plan would be flawed in this respect, but I mean it would still be awesome fun and an adventure ha!

So the perfect time for you to perform would be at night when inhibitions have been lost. But by then I've spent all my money and passed out.

Why not try and get a rep job, and do magic during that? Then at least you know you will be able to survive!

When I was in ibiza, we spoke to a couple of girls who had flown over and were just looking for work. Apparently its an absolute nightmare, and the only jobs are crappy bar PR jobs where you get paid less than what the rent costs per night. So make sure you have a half decent plan!

Waking up with a sore *rse AND/OR dead....... jeez, people these days, can't be happy with one or the other

ibiza is expensive??? in mailia you can get slaughtered off 15 euros i kid you not..... its dirt cheap and as i say there were people there doing all kinds of naff sh*te in the street and getting money!!
but i think ill be crosing ibiza off my list then by the sounds of it

again another idea i never considered, having the rep job to rely on would be a cracking idea!!! wouldsave the haedache of worrying about where the enxt meal is coming from!!

we met some people who were working out in Malia and they said the same thing about finding jobs.

and i see what you're saying about having a decent plan.......but one thing we were always told when i was in the army is no plan survives the first contact!!!! so any plan i make is gonna go tits up anyway

thanks for advice bud, i appreciate everyones input

Vanderbelt wrote:Personally, I think this is a great idea. I would really urge you to formulate a real and solid business plan though. I know that sounds like a headache but you need to aproach the adventure (and that's what it is ) with open eyes. It doesn't need to be a big formal thing, you're not going to be presenting this business plan to anyone, just some solid notes so you have an idea about what you need to be doing/earning as a minimum.

I also think you'd need to drop your reservations about working bars at night - I see this as your main income. Imagine having a few nights residency at a couple of bars, there's an income. During the day you can go out and stroll for tips and at the same time pass flyers for where you're performing at night. That's a big selling point to the bars you'd be approaching, not only do they get you in performing on quieter nights but you'd also be doing PR for them during the day.

Back in the day I used to run a bar in Spain and saw a LOT of guys n girls doing the same as this albeit looking for bar work not as magicians. It can be the best summer you'll ever have so long as you're careful. Earlier advice about emergency money, a safe place for your passport etc. are vital and is very very sound advice indeed. The only thing I'd add to that is never s**t on your own doorstep - ie don't party where you're being paid to work when your stint is done. Do your thing and go party elsewhere. I've seen far too many people do the opposite and it never ever ends well, it's unprofessional and a recipe for disaster.

I really hope this is something you decide you can do, if my own magic was more appropriate for this market - visual, snappy, not so cerebral - then I'd be considering this myself for the blast. Good luck

thanks for your reply Van,

yeah at the moment as i say it's all just a pipe dream and im aiming for going next summer if all goes well and i decide to do it!!
I will definately be making some form of business plan.... like you say for budgeting etc.
in terms of whats going to happen, what exactly im going to do and approach it will obviously be determined when i get there..... as i said to AOK, we were always told in the army that no plan survives first contact so i wont be getting into too much detail with any plans i make.

and its a very valid poiint you make about performing at night..... im assuming you mean go to a few bars and try and find somehwere to give me a slot??
my only reservation is that people can be idiots when drunk, so maybe not the best people to perform too...... but i have no experiecnce in this so i could be wrong.
what have your experiences with drunken spectators been?? i have seen on a few of my DVD's people performing their effects to drunk people and they haven't been that boystrous...... but Brits are a different class of people when drunk so not sure it would go down like it does for our colonial cousins

Yeh i will definately be having some kind of safety net in place to get home should the proverbial hit the fan....... don't wanna be gettin propositioned like Jean lol

to be honest it is something that i will be doing no matter what.... im a very determined person and it is something i truely want to do (though im sure there are the nay'sayers who think its a stupid idea) but i cant stress enough that im not going to try and find riches.... i want the experience and the adventure

again thanks for your advice van,

Out of interest can I ask how old you are and what experience of magic and performing you have?

C.L.Ward wrote:and you know what, that is a fantastic idea.... couch surfing..... ive heard about it but i didnt even give that a thought
it would save a lot of cash and makes the possibiliteis of where to travel endless!!

Yes it would, it also means you won't end up in a new city with no one to talk to, and since they're locals they can show you around the city and avoid the tourist traps.

However as I said don't go into it with the attitude of getting a free place to crash. If you just turn up drop off your bags and head out, you'll get a bad reputation fast.
Remember you're not a lodger or a tenant, and you're not at a hotel, you're a guest in someone's house. Spend time with your host, be enjoyable company for them, don't stay for more than 3 nights if possible and pay for your own food and toiletries.

Also do be careful, couchsurfers generally just want to travel and meet people, but there have been problems. I would recommend showing your passport to your host and looking at theirs.

taffy wrote:Out of interest can I ask how old you are and what experience of magic and performing you have?

you may indeed sir..... im 23 years young and as far as "experience" goes.... i guess i have very little, i only really perform for friends relatives and the like.
however i am very skilled at what i do and i have confidence in abundance so approaching stangers will not be a problem..... like i say one of the reasons for wanting to do something like this is for the real world experience........ get confident at approaching strangers and pulling of a few quickfire routines, which will hopefully stand me in good stead should i ever get the chance to perform at big venues n such