talkmagic.co.uk

hey there

I've been asked to provide entertainment at a big event in scotland. i've given the quote (the biggest of my life lol) and they have accepted. They are now wanting me to send out a contract to them but it's not usually what i do so don't have any handy.

How would you create a contract? what would you put in it? etc

You accept no liabilty and all that jazz. Also that they know if a spec trips up on there carpet, there stairs or falls over one of the venues chairs its all the venues fault and not yours. Cacellation fee is also a good idea and also detail how many hours of entertainment you will provide. Try to get a dressing room or some where to store your props too.

This *might* be of use:

http://streetmagic.info/contracts.html

There was a good example on Online-Visions a while back now, but I can't seem to find it.

thats really good cardza i'll cut and paste the required bits cheers

Not having any experience whatsoever with magic contracts you may want to disregard this but I do spend a lot of my time in my real job writing quotes to people.

What I've found is that the best thing to do is be extremely specific about everything you're planning to do. I'm a decorator and I detail everything down to how many coats of which brand of paint are going on which wall, etc. It's saved my bacon a couple of times, feels a bit pedantic but when you're working for yourself time is definitely money and you need to know right where you stand from the outset.

PM me your email address and I'll send you one back that's been checked by a contracts specialist for you to have a look at.

make sure you get public liability insurance & mention it in your contract too

yeah i was thinking about public liability insurance but how relevant is it to a magician? i mean the worse my specs can get is a papercut from the cards lol

Figo wrote: how relevant is it to a magician?

Most corporates and large gigs will require you to have it. Anything could happen which you could be sued for - burns from flash paper etc., latex allergies from balloons, any injury or damage to a spectator or their belongings (you accidentally step on their foot, breaking their toe, they trip over on the way to the stage, you knock their drink over their designer clothes, lose their ring etc. etc.)

It will make you look more professional and cover every possible eventuality. The UK is becoming more of a litigation culture.

Better to be safe than sorry !

I'd also be very specific when it comes to payment. A friend of mine who is a magican played for someone's restaurant but the owner didn't pay him for about a year. It's little things like that often trip people up.