Ok guys,

The first performance of the CCF on 14 aug have come to an end. So this is what i observe or experience during this period.

Well, first of all, the place is not really very organized, my first impression is not the CCF, but jean yip. It looks more like a jean yip promotion than a CCF, but eventually things was cleared up by the host and the performances.

Second, Its abt the dress code, i feel that the dress code is very important during a performance, so talk abt today, i saw most of our guys wearing jeans and doing their show. Hmm, to me, i dun feel that it is professional enough. Cause when u suddenly approach someone for magic, the first look will tell them whether u are a serious one or a normal teen. So if u are wearing a tee and a jean and walk around doing magic, you will loss some of the effects. My point is, at least wear a pants and have a coat or a jacket. First, it wont be nice if u need to carry ur bag around for ur stuffs, and it is easier for u to get ur stuffs with a jacket or a coat. If u wan to be a cascal performance, at least look smart. And the first look is important, whether people will want to see some more or not.

Thirdly, the timing, well, its a bit messed up because the organizers delay a while but seriously, i dun think it affects us alot

Fourth, is the area of performance, most of all thought that we are able to performance around the whole mall, but in the end, we are constraint to the area of the CCF thing. Which is bad, when inside is filled with jean yip people and CCF volunteers but not much audience.

Fifth and the last one is the host, i seriously have problem talking to the people with the host on and off shouting for encouragement. If they have allow us to walk around the whole place, it wont be an issue. But in that area, the speaker is the loudest and we juz using our own voice, which is bad. But in the end, i do a real close up conversation with the audience.

Overall, i have fun doing all the stuffs, i managed to do some of the new things i have, but the timings and the host thing makes me go back to faster and simple tricks. I nearly did a trick to the 3 judges for the superstar in U channel, but the host cut off my performance. Thats sad. And surprisingly, the jean yip people are real entertaining.

Good job nick and jonath.

Larry, what was the objective of having magicians there at the event? I'm not talking about Pam, but the other street magicians there. Or perhaps Ning or Jason could answer this?

Or any of the magicians who were there?

Farid, we are suppose to be the ones linking up for CCF... let's say got groups of ppl standing arnd there looking not very sure of wat's happening, then we can go approach them, keep them entertained, make them wanna check out the event further, n lastly hope that they will be kind enough to contribute to charity in watever means...

yeah... my experience... i had fun.. not lots of fun... enough fun to keep me going. i had quite a number of audience who stayed almost throughout my whole 2hrs there. i said thanks n took my leave, went to target another group, and they hang around still to watch me. well... mayb they were out to find out how i did my routines. haha... but anw, they were a real gd bunch.

but.... i did come across this group of 18yrs old teens.... hmm... i got heckled.... 3 times in a row, i forced a card.. i am pretty sure i got the card remembered correctly... but they either say i got the colour guessed wrongly or the suit is wrong... in the end, i realised that they were out to heckled me. but gd thing i kept my cool... on normal days, i would probably whack the shit out of them. (dun think they can bully me just because i am short n small sized... hmph!)

anw, some of them thought i resorted to black magic when i did my fork bending routine.. very much like "liquid metal"! haha... i got a whole lot of gd response n i m looking forward to next week.



larry! u haf a point. i agree with u larh. my dressing kind of lack the professionalism... well... i got no money to buy a decent jacket. haha... anw, i pack small n play big... dun really need the jacket. but i m happy enough with wat i get from today.

well, this was e first time doin charity work, and also doing stuffs n meeting ppl frm SMC for e very first time, first of all, i would like to say u guys are not very scary as i imagained earlier, ha! :lol: u guys r gd ppl man!

well, during e walk around,, i knew that e first one would be an ice-breaker for me n i will surely tremble quite a lot, so i pick on kids, who know, the kids multiply somehow n i was like fumbling here n there a bit, e worst thing is i dropped my d lite!! because i was trying to finish clean n by shirt kind of get into e way. But however i think no one knew that because they are all kids, and was kinda "blind". so i was like "phew"..

anyway, after that i woke up n calm myself down, n e rest of e performance came out fine, no fumblingsssss. and i really enjoyed it. :)

comclusion:I enjoyed most of e events and will keep myself calm in future, plan my routines and pack my stuffs accordingly so i wun have to dig my bag for a marker or deck or so on.... and NO MORE D lites for me.. too scary, haha!

Fume

Well actually I felt the gig was kinda ok. There were many people to entertain and I managed to try out my latest NFW variation.

Regardless of whether the gig was a dud or not, we all managed to go home with a cert and a cool t-shirt. Come on folks, its a charity gig so we shouldn't feel upset when the gig didn't turn out the way we wanted it to be.

I thought it was great and I'm looking forward to next week's event.

Farid,

The street magicians there are to create the awareness of people and bring them to the CCF, encouraging them to donate and stuffs like tat. I manage to convince people to donate after my performance. But the key thing to the problem is, we are not allow to move outside of the area, which breaks the purpose and it disturb wat was going on at the stage.

To me, SMC is not exploited in any way, its for charity and even though yes we are free, they hired us to provide entertainment to the crowd, which is wat our purpose is. Like i mentioned so far, it takes 2 hand to clap, no matter how good we are in terms of street performing, if the organizers dun help out by moving their volunteers out, or dun allow us to roam around the mall. Then the results will be minimized.

Well, my experience was great, but the process wasnt really what I expected.

The main problem was that we were only restricted to a certain area, and the area is the stage area. Since we're there to let them know that there's such a event going on and get them to donate, in other words, publicise or advertise, why do it in that area? Its like advertising your shop to someone, when he/she's already INSIDE your shop.

And when I approach someone, I felt that its like I'm disturbing them, as they're actually watching the stage, be it shaving or a certain particular performance. In other words, people are more interested at the stage. Well.. Using common sense also can predict right, lol.

Also, the speakers, as Larry mentioned earlier, were really loud and disturbing. Afterall, that cannot be avoided, but I was like doing mute magic, lol. "Okay, why not you pick a card?" And they dont react, which they obviously cannot hear what I've said.

TM was kinda youngster paradise, and no offense, but youngster were really hecklish. "You took two cards. Show me the 2nd card." UNFORTUNATELY, I did not meet any of these people, or they will be so dead. I saw a couple of magicians from SMC getting hecked by some youngsters, and I was like, "Come on man, do a top change! He says the card is at the top? Man, do a pass and make it go to the center where it should be!" Lol. I was like so tempted to budge into the performance to prove those idiots wrong, but it isnt really polite to whoever is performing; wont mention who.

Ah, I do hope the one at Wisma Atria next week wont be like this one. I'm not saying that this one at TM is bad; the stage still has to be there; the speakers still must be as loud; there'll always be hecklers everywhere, but at least I do hope we're allowed to wander around the entire mall, and like half the problems will be solved. Also, if we're allowed to wander the entire mall, I'm sure most magicians would be needed, so if lets say someone has already finished their shift, they'll still be able to continue, afterall its such a huge place and how can like 3 or 4 people per shift cover that entire mall? Lol.

But afterall, one hella experience. Cheers. ^_^

Bad day for me walk up to someone and kinda rejected so many times... I was like wat the .... this is the first time I am rejected so many times hahahaha.. and the area is really restricted.. But anyway I hope 20 aug will be a better day for me lol... :D

Hey guys,

Did you guys perform magic to relate to CCF event? It'll be good change your usual patter to relate to the CCF event. Rather then keep snapping your finger to do your magic. It'll be better to make your magic relevant to the charity event.

Larry did mentioned a good point on the dress code.

And I have one more thing to add. Don't keep riffling/springing your deck when you're walking around to find someone to perform to. Its look so awful... Makes you look very unprofesionnal. Basically, you look like a showoff in that manner.

Ya Pseudo is right. How many of us perform in Charity events and do magic relate to it?

Lets bring it straight, we dun talk abt wat others can do for us. But wat we can do for others.

In this CCF event, i believe that the goal to entertain and to ask the crowd to donate is good enough. If you not a magician, it is similar to go around and asking people to donate. But since we are magician, we have a upfront to people, and our performance to people can encourage them to donate.

Like before the start of the performance, did anyone of us ask for their donations?? Actually u should, tell them, if they feel that our performance is good, please kindly donate a small amount to CCF.

Anyway, my point, dun juz go for a charity event and in the end, you onli want to show ur magic skills to people. But how u can use ur skills to make the public contribute to the foundation.

Hope it clear things out here as i feel that it is unfair for CCF also. They are non profitable and they cant "paid" us for our entertaining job.

If i ever offend CCF in any way during my posts of review, i will say sorry to them. Cause i feel its right to say out the pros and cons so that all of us can improve.
If i ever offend any other magicians in my post here, i will also say sorry to u. But think abt wat u wish to do at the event and wat u can do for the event.

I only have 3 things to say.

1. This is a community project for a non-profit organisation which is trying to raise funds and awareness for their cause. Why is there "exploitation" when everything was clearly laid out on the table to begin with?

Was SMC doing a show for Jean Yip where they charged $$$ for people to watch free magic shows performed by clueless folks of SMC? No. That was not the case.

Granted, Jean Yip was CCF's official sponsor and their branding was splashed all over but that is justifed. It was still very much a CCF event with shavees, etc. on stage as previously mentioned. Really now...Were you expecting an all star magic show?

Extracted from dictionary.com:

char·i·ty - n. pl. char·i·ties
Provision of help or relief to the poor; almsgiving.
Something given to help the needy; alms.
An institution, organization, or fund established to help the needy.
Benevolence or generosity toward others or toward humanity.
Indulgence or forbearance in judging others. See Synonyms at mercy.
often Charity Christianity. The theological virtue defined as love directed first toward God but also toward oneself and one's neighbors as objects of God's love.


2. SMC is not the main star, as stated- our supporting role is to chiefly help CCF in regards to their awareness drive. Walkarounds is and has always been a 'background' role, save for Pam's brilliant show on stage. The purpose of this event had already been defined in the earlier posts - it's entitled HAIR FOR HOPE.

If you were assuming people will fall at your feet, begging to be shown a trick, I'm really sorry. I believe you got it all wrong to begin with. Walkaround magic is tough- it's not as easy as how David Blaine or Chris Angel would have you believe. This is where you learn a great deal of things such as audience management, how to handle stupid hecklers, what works, what doesn't, how do you approach/ exit and what routines are most suitable, etc, etc. It's a learning curve.


3. CCF liked us after our charity gig for their New Year Day's event and invited us to help them for this round. SMC has never forced anyone to join in any charity work, we've encouraged yes, but never made it a compulsory thing - we are afterall, just a forum- an unofficial group of Singaporeans who just enjoy the art of magic.

I want to know.

Why is it that the people who didn't even perform at the CCF gig yesterday have so many negative things to say when they weren't even part of the group of the performers trying their best at doing what they're trying to do?

A majority of yesterday's performers shared with me that this was their first every public experience and I'm proud of them especially after the gig, we had a break and we were all relaxing and talking.

Performing publically and willing to do it in the name of charity (accepting that the non-proft org doesn't have $$$ to pay you) is something to be highly respected. There are so many selfish people out there who wouldn't want to do what you guys did!

Also, who are we to criticise on the way CCF works on their event & logistics? We're not running their business now are we. So please don't talk as if we have a thumb in their pie. They're a wonderful bunch of people and it isn't easy doing what they're doing.


Everyone who did their job yesterday at Tampinese Mall, I'm going to say this again - Good job & well done. You guys deserve a good pat on the back :) It wasn't an easy task with the given logistics, location and crowd besides all other factors but you survived and I'm sure, you've learnt much from this experience (along with getting a free CCF t-shirt in your size, along with a cert).

To end, all I have to say is this.

Participate for charity shows here only if you are willing to be a volunteer. Don't expect to be treated like the main star or magic celebrity. Most of the time, non-proft organisations can't pay. If they can, count it as luck that your transportation is being reimbursed, etc. But that is not to be expected since it's not a paid show to begin it. It's charity. Scroll up to see the defination again.

If you don't want to be a part of the volunteer team, it's cool too. Just, please, don't make such irresponsible sweeping statements on a public forum or dampen the spirits of others who believe in its causes or are grappling with the pressures of real outside performances. It's also extremely unfair to the organisation involved.

I have been shut up by Ning. :) Sorry to have offended anyone and everyone who were at the event.

My humblest apologies.

Nothing personal Farid, just don't want people who stumble on this forum to get the wrong impression of things after reading this thread.

You're still my favourite cup & balls man :wub: :wub: :wub:

Ok here's something important. I don't think it was wise to do tricks on folks who were watching the dudes being shaved. The point of SMC being there was to get the passer-bys to take a look at the actual event. So it's better to perform outside the square box thingy where many guys were walking past.

And, here's how I related my magic to the actual event.

Nick: Hi, I'm a volunteer with the CCF, would you like to watch some magic? * I start with a box opener before the folks can react *

2 girls: Right, sure.

Nick: * I'd do NFW *

2 girls: * giggle giggle * How did you do that?

Nick: Its magic. Anyway, we're having an event going on over there * point at the CCF thing *. Do drop by if you are free , and thanks for your time.

Thats it. And, if someone doesn't want to see you perform, its normal. Out of every 2 groups I asked, 1 was interested to watch my magic.

When some folks see someone with that t-shirt approaching they thought you are gonna ask them for donation or shave their heads, they shun you immediately. I guess that's normal.

I think it's important to tell them know we're only here to entertain them. After that we can let them know about the event or encourage them to donate. But I'm sure if we were able to perform outside that square box thingy, the effect would be even better.

Anyway, good luck to those performing next week!

aww damn. anyone caught that line in blackwings post?
2 GIRLS :
can we renamed that word with
" 2-jean-yip-girls-with-one-asking-your-number?"
hahahahah , blackwing , if ur lucky you'd probably see "her" again at the next event ^^

Lol. She said she was 15, or was it 25?

Kinda impossible being 15.. Lol.

Eh, why so kaypo.

Blackwing,

Thanks for the tips i will do this your way, but not only to 2 girls but all the girlssssssssssssssssssssss.ha..ha..

joke a side, Blackwing this really a good tips for me.

M.A.D. B)

like I said folks, it ain't right to give someone your phone number if you've got a target already. Hee hee. Anyway, that girls name was Kelly I think. She ain't going for the next event. I asked her already. :rolleyes:

lol dtjk , had to be 25 no way can she pose of for a 15 yr old -.-"
blackwing gd luck to our next event hope we can flourish with our eyes ^^lol

Lukold, has Ning know that you switched slots with Blackwing?

Yeah Ning knows. I reminded her bout it a few days ago.

Gordon is hot man.

Ok la, i think all of us understand what gordon wants to bring out. He mean no harm.

Sorry, lots of things to read above and I honestly don't have to time to read it word for word as it almost seems like a courtcase argument.

Whatever it is, yes. It is true. Everyone's entitled to their own opinons and since this is a public forum, people say what they want. I don't wish to start a debate over something like this really.

Anyway. I've decided.

This will be the last charity gig I'll organise for SMC.

Truth is, it isn't easy to do all the planning and co-ordination & I don't feel that my efforts are appreciated. Most magicians I pass paid gigs to also don't say thank you, and I've never took any comission or profit.

I guess I'm really tired of putting in so much into this group and all I get are complaints, critique and such. I suppose there's only a limit to how much a girl can do this.

Aloy, I sincerely hope you can find someone else who can do a better job in this events & charity/ pay it forward section. Someone who can also handle the expectations of everyone and make all happy.

To those who had given much of your time and effort because we share the same passion for giving, I thank you for the support all this while. It was great working with you guys.

Best regards
Ning

For charity gigs, if you think you're doing it for a good cause, then do it. If you think you're exploited, then don't do it.

Some people don't do it because of good cause, some do it for experience. So use your initiative to decide whether to do it or not.

oh great. This is bad.

Ms Ning, Please dun do that. We all know that u are the best person for this job. Ya, alot of time, people in the end wont say even a thank you to u. Including me.

I very sorry that we have made you feel this way. At the start, i shouldnt have start this thread.

But hope that u can calm down cause we need you for the job. At least i will be supporting u. :) If you need help, i will be more than happy to help you. But please dun mention such saddening words.

I believe that work, personal life, The Little Magic Shop as well as SMC events all add up to a huge load of stress. Please people, be more understanding.

Gordie I'm sure that your views on the CCF event means a lot to all of us at SMC since it provides us with valuable knowledge on what was happening. However perhaps the words chosen, especially 'exploited' was too strong in nature. We know you mean well for everyone and we thank you for that. Posting a long thread certainly makes reading very tedious though :wacko:

As for Ning, let bygones be bygones k? I second Larry to the fact that you're definitely the best person for the job. Keep up the good work and don't give up! Cheers! :D

What?! Man, Ning, I do hope you dont mean what you said.. This is only my first charity gig and I'm enjoying it!.. If this is the first and last one, thats damn sad lor..

Keep up and pls continue the good work, Da Jie. Dont let words, bring you down.

gordie , as a matter of fact i only read the part that says what has pam's show got to do with the event.
i think that from what they tell us is that pam's show was to attract and lure the crowd and then would later know what the event is actually for .
i understand that a forum exist for where arguments exist.
but seriously i do not think that critique and dis-encouraging post should be put here. even if as such you are saying SMC is being USED , we volunteered to be "USED" .
the purpose in our heart is usually to help out in charity .
somethings are better left unchanged.

Ning has created many opportunities for us to gain experience thru charity events . we should actually be grateful and thank her , but not all of us actually ever did it , including me i suppose.
Ning , please continue creating opportunitys for us i suppose there are alot of us out there who are more than willing to help out.
peace.

True a forum is a place where "free speech" exists. Opinions can be voiced and problems can be raised. But please do spare a thought for the people who made these events possible. Using strong language and blatant critique only shows how insensitive our members can get.
The forum will then become a courthouse full of ruthless lawyers.

About the charity issue, I agree with what some of you said. If you want to perform for charity, just do it and stop criticising. Usually charity events are not so upscale due to budget and availability of sponsors. The CCF event was pretty big due to strong sponsorship by Jean Yip. If you want to participate in charity events, why get so bitter after that?

About the event itself. I felt the place was a little too crowded for us to give our best. There were events going on on the stage and people will naturally be more inclined to look at the shavees or dancers. As a charity show, which is free, people's attention was also divided. On the whole, I felt the event couldn't provide good performing opportunities for us but of course, a lousy show is also a good show as it allows us to gain experience and handle difficult situations. So it was still worth the time for me.

OMG.... Wat happen I just come in and saw this... shit.... Ning you are the person for the job.. I don't wish to see you quit because of this issue.... We as a perfromer choose wat we wan to do even for charity gigs... If as a perfromer for the event we did not complain y should those who did not perfrom complain so much.. We are out there to gain experience and have fun....

Come on guys give ning a break she is already so stress up with lots of stuff already...

I always thought that Ning was the best candidate for the job, for any job.
I mean, she had always did her best in organising stuffs. And furthermore, its not an obligation.

Oh well, Ning, i seriously do appreciate what you had always done for us. but if you really want to give up this responsiblity up, i guess its only right for you to do so. I guess.

ning,

i do appreciate the efforts of everyone in smc for the group. i guess it is just me to only point out only what is bad. but we all know ning has always done a very good job.

i've yet to see any decisions anywhere in the world which makes every single person happy. its too idealistic and definitely not what i expect.

my purpose in saying all these is not to dampen the spirits of anyone, or to criticise for the very sake of it, that i hope u guys at least understand.

we all recognise all the hard work u have put in, and as this is a fully voluntary action on ur part, noone here has the right to demand u to do or not to do this.

similarly, i am but providing a review of that event, and just merely requesting a look into the event to decide as a group if anything can be improved.

sorry for any bad feelings caused, it was not my intention.

in any case, i would like to now express my sincere thanks to ning for all that she did, as it was done well. i will be behind whatever decision you make regarding this.

Ouch, thats a shocker. Seriously, I enjoy performing charity gigs. Ning are you serious about this? Man, this is terrible. Anyway, I'm sure its really stressful to organise charity events so ummm would you like me to help you out? I mean, seriously, I could always try to help you in the administrative stuff.

Please please think this over. Sheesh, we've got over 500 forumites in this forum. I think its time for some of us to take up more responsibilities.

i have explained in my posts on the prev page my exact reasons for saying what i said.

it is not to attack the organisers (smc and ccf) because im bitter or anything just for the sake of it. u are misrepresenting my stand, and i urge u to read what i said then, again, and comprehend.

should we just leave things as they are because they are fine? it is through criticisms that improvements are made.

again, i stress that i am not being personal or highly on the offensive (although i may seem to be). please do not feel bad. take this as a debate (because it is) and not as a ruthless attack by me.

Gordie you missed my point. What I meant was please choose the words you use. Outright and overly direct opinions will never go down easily on anyone. I am not doubting your intentions but urge that you be more sensitive in your posts. Criticisms can be written in a lighter and more friendly tone.

got it, thanks! :)

Oh yeah, the gig was sweet. It ran really smoothly and I met my first heckler. Haha. Anyway, the reactions that I got were fantastic and I still can't believe I pulled off the hot shot in front of such a large crowd. haha, it was really fun.

Dear Ning. Your efforts are appreciated. Rest in Peace. Don't do free work anymore.
Friend, Justin

overall of todays event was simply GREAT!!
yups, we all gained loads of audience management and experience .
we had a few first timers there but they pulled of great.
the audience was soooo much more alive then the ones at tm ning. they were going "WOW " "OMG"
and loads of stuff.
not to mention blackwing who got heckled by a lady and lead to her own deception.
for me it was a kinda nice experience at least i dun stutter and tremble when i do stuff now. =)
i bet all of us there had a great time yea?
oh yea. we're gonna upload pictures soon. stay tuned!