When to take on real, paid gigs:
This goes for kids shows, corporate events, stage shows of any kind, parlor shows, walk around:
Basically if your getting paid for your service…
First we will cover free gigs- i.e.; library shows, free b-day parties, etc.
These are great learning moments. You can gain a lot of experience and knowledge out of them.
Many of you new comers, old and young, seem really dead set on performing kids shows and what not, right away. But that just isn’t going to happen, it shouldn’t.
You must first get experience. Places like the library and close friends parties are great places to begin.
But only take these on after some amount of studying and a lot of practicing. Practice not only your tricks, but also your patter, presentation and A ROUTINE. Once you have a routine down, then you can go perform the free shows. Get a few under your belt. These will allow you to test your material, get to see how kids act, what they like and hate, how you react with them, what can be changed for the better.
That’s what these are for. You don’t want to do this for paying people. (Granted every show, you usually see and find things that can be changed, you don’t want to do that right away for paid people).
Ex: When a company builds new item, they create prototypes. Many times they give these to random people; to see how it works, what the people like and dislike, etc. The creators don’t charge these testers, just so the creators can find the bugs. After many tests and re-makes, its finally ready to be sold.
This is like you and your act. You’re the creator and the act if the item and prototype. You build an act/routine, you test it out numerous times on the audiences, make the needed changes, until its ready for the real world.
--Kids shows are one of the hardest to attempt in my mind. So I wont go into too much detail- because I haven’t done a lot of shows. I have worked at camps, so I am basing a lot off that knowledge. {If people would like to tackle this and add some.. it would be very appreciated.}
Kids are hard- they have short attention spans, they like shiny and color full objects, they love comedy, they like to be hands on, and participate.
You cant just go in an perform a show with cards and a few mouth coils. Its not going to fly.
You have to do research, you have to get into a child mind. There are plenty of books on this.
--Routines
Routines are a very big part of magic. They give sense to the chaos that we create. They allow us to perform multiple tricks with very simple ease.
That’s why they take time and lots of effort. They must flow in some fashion- effects into effects or by patter. (There are other ways, but those are the most common).
A routine is not like your homework, that can be thrown together the night before. You need to understand that.
Before you can even make the routine though, you have to get to know the effects you own, find your style, and presentation. You have to find how can I link these two tricks, so that I can move from one to another smoothly and effortlessly.
I originally thought I could do with out a routine, but I learned after a few shows, that’s not going to fly. You need some kinds of structure, some kind of sense to make of it. It makes life so much easier once you have accomplished it. Its also nice to have more than one.
Study the masters videos… see how they flow throughout the show. They aren’t jagged.
When picking tricks, think: how could I use this? Would I use it? Does it fit me?
Those are just a few questions to ask.
This also goes for restaurant and walking gigs. Even if your going from table to table, the tricks should flow. Pick your tricks wisely. Don’t pick them because they are “hot” at the moment, or because they are brand new. Pick ones that you think you an truly use. Would they work for that venue you work?
To get ready for these kinds of gigs: (restaurant and walking):
Go to your local restaurant on a Friday night, when they are busy and have lines. Perform for the people waiting. (Of course ask the manager first). Same goes for the mall, go on busy days, nights, after noon’s. (Ask for permission). Do not ask for tips, do not asked to be paid. This should be just like the example I gave for kids shows routines. This is a time and place for you to practice, work on your routines and presentations.
I will go into more detail later. I know I have left a lot out so far. Feel free to add some. Help my brain.
