was just wondering. for all those people who are performing for people, how did you guys actually start? i am quite interested in actually starting to perform but have no idea how to start. i mean you prob can't just start charging people money for shows right at the start right? what methods are there for getting practical experience performing (excluding just walking up to people to do, etc.)? charity shows, community service or what?

Certainly is doing more shows, take up those charity events that SMC often will have, well the recent yellow ribbon just ended.

When money is involved, it always better to give a good show of a unique presentation than those seen anyway else. So if you are in experience and don't have your own routine, better don't start take up gigs that involved money, cause you might end up disappoint the organizers and yourself. Those charity gigs, ya you don't get paid, but the experience is worth it, though no sloppy routine is also supposed to be performed, but it gives you more room to explore what is good to you, and the organizers requirement also not that high,(Not all though)

If you doing streets, you really have to go out and try out, cause singapore weather will bring down people's spirit and also yours, cause I totally screwed up in the yellow ribbon. Indoor streets will be easier as most of the time, people will stop to see what is happening and you can perform without using big actions.

In short, unless you are willing to not charge for any spolit gig that you did, and be positive, you sure will get it going. I been a few, and I can say, I will feel better now on stage than before. :)

Larry

One thing you might want to note is to not perform too much to friends and relatives. Even if you badly need the practice. Why?

Because firstly, if you over-use them as "test subjects", they'll get bored of magic. Seriously. Very quickly.

(don't ask about "secondly") :P I think the first point was more than enough reason.

Edit: Of course, it's just my opinion. :g:

while on that note, i would also like to ask how to approach people if you want to do a trick on them. i know this might have been mentioned on other threads before, but just wanna know. because the one time i walked up to someone and asked them "sorry, do you have a minute?" the person looked at me as if i was going to rob her. (might have been the timing, it was evening and was getting dark but anyways) till now i'm still trying to figure out a line which brings across the right idea.

First of all the place had to be right. If you try getting someone walking fast on the street, chances are they will just ignore you. Even Daniel Garcia had problem getting those walking audience. :P I remembered one of them even started cursing him lol

Try to get audience in places where they are not moving, where they are relaxed,doing nothing and don't mind being entertained . Resturant is a good place, you can perfrom to the audience while are waiting for their food. Or you can perform to the waitress :P I tried once and she got scolded by her boss -_-

Next is how you approach them. Try to start a conversation related to the things they are doing at that time. If its at the pool table you could ask them "hows the game going?" Do a brief intro of yourself, then get to know their names. Most importantly you must smile. A face without any expression is not going to work.... unless you are David Blaine.

For me i would not introduce myelf as a magician in the begining. I would not say things like " Can i show you some magic?" IMO This might trigger the defense system of some audience. They might even go into heckler mode. -_-

I would normally start with something like "I'm going to try something...its quite interesting. Reach in here and just pull out a card."

Hope this helps :)

What would you expect if you were the spectator? If someone came to me and asked if I had a minute, I would probably feel he is trying to push me a survey which would eventually lead to me listening to him trash talk about some insurance policy.

Also it would depend on whether you are performing for a paid show or just trying to be David Blaine. The former has been throroughly discussed by Nique in a previous thread which I feel you should take time to look through. As for the latter, just say in a low monotonous voice 'Look here I'm going to show you something, watch.....watch'

Getting Shows is about how you market yourself, your interpersonal skills, but after you get the show, you need to perform well, which means that you need experience.

Try to go your charity events, like the one that SMC offers a few months ago, especially for SMC charity events, there will be alot of magicians, so firstly, you will not feel that nervous as you are not paid to do so. (But you still have to perform well) When other magicians are performing, you can get to see how these experience magicians approach a laymen, can get to learn alot from them. :)

Another way to start is by doing busking itself, it's a good way to start...

Approaching strangers would be the fastest way in acheiving what you want. As I'm pretty much new to this too, what i recommend is to start at your comfort zone and slowy build your confidence and reputation first before you hit the streets of big events.

If you are studying, like me, go around school and perform, be it friends, their friends, people you don't even know and even the staff (One of my Prof came up to me and said i couldn't gamble in school and i replied by saying I'm not and proceed and stunned him with ACR).

If you are working, try your colleauges or even the cleaner aunty will also do.

All these areas allows you to build your experience in an environment where you feel comfortable but at the same time allow you to step outside your comfort zone. If school/office events like bashes/seminars/dinner functions arises your can try performing or maybe be part of the program lined up and take this chance to showcase what you've got

At the end of the day, just don't think to much into it and have fun. You would come across to your spectators as a magician thats confident in his own court. Hope this is helpful.