talkmagic.co.uk

I'm finding myself in a bit of a dilemma at the moment.

A few months ago I took a booking for table hopping at a 35th birthday party. I was told that many of the guests would have small children, not really a problem, I've got plenty of routines that can play to families.

Talking to the client a while ago, I was explaining some of what I had in mind, his comment was 'oh the children will really enjoy that'. A little worrying I thought but perhaps I'm reading too much into it.

Last night I spoke to him again and he's suggesting that I have a table and the children can come and watch 'my show. Oh but of course the adults will like it too. I once again said that I'm not a childrens entertainer and most of my routines while will play fine to a family in a table hopping situation are totally unsutable for a childrens show. 'Oh um I'm sure you'll be fine', was how the conversation ended.

Now I'm in a pickle, the gig's in a months time. I don't have the time, the skills or even the want to put together a childrens show together but it looks as if that's what I'm being asked to do. The main thing that's keeping me going is that the money is very good, but I don't want to be put into a situation that I can't perform.

I've made it clear that I'm much happier doing table hopping or even a platform performance for all the guests but not a childrens show.

How should I play this? Throw it all in and let the client down with little time to find a replacement, I really don't want to do that. Or make it clear that I'm only going to do table hopping and am not prepared to act as baby sitter, although I don't think he's going to listen and regardless of what we agree on I'll still worry that I'll show up and be expected to do a childrens' show.

What do other people think?

I think the best thing you could do would be to have an open and honest conversation with the client about your concerns, and offer guidance as to what you believe to be the best use of your skills. Explain to him (I'll assume a 'him' due to the implied arrogance) that you are not a childrens magician/entertainer and, if that is what he is looking for then it would be in his best interest to find someone who specialises in that area rather than trying to force a square peg into a round hole.

I'm sure nost people would appreciate the honesty. if you still can't get through to the client I've found that kids under 8 never get bored with coin productions from behind their ears!

He made the 'suggestion' that you set up a table and the children can come watch your show. I would take control of the situation. Here is how I would spell it out. Your mind set should be "I am the professional here, I'm the one being paid I know what works and what doesn't"

I would suggest to him exactly how you wish this gig to go. That as previously stated you are not a 'childrens entertainer' but the magic that you do plays to all audiences.

That being said you explain that you don't put on a parlour type show. The magic is very much close up in the hands and because of that you need the parents to be with the children when you are performing. If the guests are seated you will approach them in thier groups.

Further when you agreed to take on this job it was explained that this was a show for a 35th birthday party and many of the guests would be bringing families which included children. Which is not the same as a childrens party where the style of magic would be vastly different.

Basically these folks are looking for a babysitter while the grown ups have their party. You are in for a world of hurt if you set up a table and let the kids just come running up to watch the magician. It will however be an interesting learning experience.

You could also suggest as an alternative is that you will not stay for the entire party. you can come in do a small stage type show, all you need is a corner in a living room (or whatever) and you can do a 'cabaret' style show for everyone at the same time. (basically doing what you would have done table hopping, just remove the table and be in front of a sleightly larger group).

In the end I worry that you are going to be a glorified baby sitter.

This is one of many reason why performers need contracts. You can state exactly what you are going to do and when the rules change you have a legally binding contract to refer too.

Lady of Mystery wrote:'Oh um I'm sure you'll be fine', was how the conversation ended.

Argh! Assumption is the mother of all c*ck-ups.

I have a nasty feeling this guy is one of those who'd engage a Meatloaf tribute act because he likes Meatloaf, but when they arrive he insists on what he really wanted: that they sing ABBA all night, saying "but you're a singer, yeah? What's the difference?"

I'd call him, tell him you're worried he's making an assumption about what you will do on the night and how flexible you can be. State what it is you'll be providing, and honestly explain that if he wants something extra or different that he tells you now so that you can either get something together or suggest an act more suited to his needs in plenty of time. Follow it up with a confirmation email. Then, if you get there and you're expected to be Becky Poppins, you have a legitimate reason to give him a shinning and leave.

Contacts, Lommie, contracts...

I never undertake any job—design, web, magic etc. without laying out a 'contract' in black and white and making sure they agree to it. Otherwise... well, you know the story!

What you *should* do is put your foot down and explain "the act is THE ACT" and you cannot or will not change it. Tis the only way really, if you're uncomfortable with the options given.

Random thoughts, did the client book you from your website or from seeing you somewhere else? If so, is there any way he could have reasonably assumed you to be a Children's Entertainer? I'm assuming the answer to both is 'No' so you need to contact him and firmly but pleasantly point out that there seems to be a misunderstanding and that you are a family magician, i.e. adults and children not children on their own which is a very different kind of thing. Your current act assumes that any youngsters there will be looked after and supervised by responsible adults and that these adults will be the main focus of the performance and will join in the magic. You'd rather this be understood at this stage rather than see the booking result in disappointment all round, as a professional entertainer your prime concern is that the client is happy with what you provide and if it's now for children only you'll both be disappointed. If you took a deposit then you might feel obliged to return some or all of it. If he's assuming you'll be doing something which you don't do then not only will he, the kids and everyone else there be less than happy, they'll probably make a point of telling everyone they know how awful it was - even though they won't know, or probably care about, the full facts of the situation.

Agreed that a formal written contract is the starting point, I used to do this when doing discos (the deposit was clearly understood to be non returnable!) and even then there were misunderstandings but at least there was a piece of paper in existence to show what the original booking was for, the venue, the times etc. It saved a lot of argument and, on more than one occasion, fisticuffs.

All the above posts offer good sound advice, so I'll add no more to them. However this does raise the ugly spectre of how most adults view magic - "ooh, the kids'll like it." Aaargh!

One thing that I hate (it doesn't happen so much these days now that I'm 90% readings) is approaching a table, introducing yourself as the magician, to be met with "Oh there's some children over there. I'm sure they'd like to see some magic." It was at that point that I would do a standard "find your card" routine but say I got the info from their dead mother.

Well, actually, I never did. But I wanted to. Idiots.

'Oh um I'm sure you'll be fine'

Remember the Italian Job?

Freaked-Out
Insecure
Neurotic
Emotional

Doesn't particularly apply, but pah.

Possibly a bit late now, and I dont know if you would have the resources to hand, but a short 5-10 min demo DVD of you performing table hopping or one of your silent routines or whatever floats your boat (edit out and kids running around trying to be aeroplanes!!!) and enclose that as part of a hand out for potential clients. A picture paints a thousand words.
Just a thought!
Dave

Probably not the professional thing to do but how about: try to get the money up front then go right ahead with what you were going to do and if they don't like it, point out to them very politely that you've been telling them what you do all along...!

To be honest Lommie, when you meet this person or talk to them it's on a one to one basis where the only real matter at hand is you and your show. On the night there will be food, guests, music etc. to worry about and as long as you are showing people a good time ( ) I doubt you'll get many complaints.

If you've agreed a figure it would be very churlish of them to actually refuse to pay you at the end of the night, even if the ideas they've falsely formulated about what you'll be doing don't quite come to fruition.

i say as he originally booked you for table-hopping, thats what you were employed to do - anything else, or the changing thereof...

either hike up the prices and employ a kid's entertainer too, as well as your fee...or...

just tell him that you were booked on the understanding it was for table-hopping - if he wants something else, hire someone else...

short and swift, like a kick to the shins...

I think Seige has the right idea. The goal post should never move. If it does, it calls for the renegotiation of a new contract. You can not be forced to baby sit. I don't think you need to be shy, although diplomatic, about telling them that you do not do that sort of thing. Make it clear what you are willing to do, put it in writing, and have them approve it. Or, I would walk (desperation NEVER pays off - next thing you know, everyone at the party will be calling you to book kiddie shows...)

Shufton wrote:(desperation NEVER pays off - next thing you know, everyone at the party will be calling you to book kiddie shows...)

This is a very good point...

When I set up my own design studio earlier this year, I did a lot of 'filler' work for people I know, just to keep busy. A good friend of mine asked me to do some work for a charity ball (which I did for free) much to my trying to wiggle out of it... next thing I know, I'm being asked left, right and centre to help out with charity stuff.

Which, as we know, is great for the charities, and helps me feel I've satisfied my annual Samaritan-like contributions, but hey—it's not what I do, and it makes me no money.

Once you get tarred with a certain brush, it's hard to wash it off. If you put your foot down, most of the time you get respected more for having principles and professionalism.

In this instance, your easiest line of retort is to simply mention "I wouldn't have agreed to a kids' party, because it's well outside the gamut of my capability and showcase".

Sometimes, it is far better to stand firm and lose a job than it is to loose your principles. Especially if by taking on the job, you end up like a fish out of water and give yourself a negative reputation!

Thanks everyone for all your advice.

The contract is a brilliant idea as is the DVD. That's something I'm going to seriously think about as well as maybe putting together some other promotional material that I can give out so people know exactly what I'm about.

I think that I'm going to have to give the guy a call to clarify all the points and reiterate that I'm a closeup performer and not prepared to be the baby sitter. Then after that I'll turn up on the night equiped for a table hopping routine.

I was having a drink with a teacher friend of mine last night and she mentioned that if I was going to perform for children, I should have a CRB check. As I've not got one, I could refuse to perform under legal grounds.

Thanks all, certainly a lot to think about and lessons to be learnt.

Lady of Mystery wrote:I was having a drink with a teacher friend of mine last night and she mentioned that if I was going to perform for children, I should have a CRB check. As I've not got one, I could refuse to perform under legal grounds.

I've found this area to be a bit grey, actually. We have unCRB'ed people helping with our kids all the itme, but they cannot be left unsupervised, that's all.

If they all had to be checked, we would exclude a vast amount of expertise from people who don't need (or cannot afford) a CRB check for their usual jobs.

If you follow.

Good luck with it all.


EDIT:

Mandrake wrote:A formal written contract is the starting point.... It saved a lot of argument and, on more than one occasion, fisticuffs.

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