How To Approach In Street Magi What you dont see on those magic TV shows. The camera is on the magician approaching an unsuspecting member of the public and asking them to check out his magic trick. The spectators love it and the camera films their reactions, before moving on to the next scene. There is a LOT more going on than this! Street magic TV shows show the audience at home, exactly watch the director and producers feel will be the most entertaining footage to watch. The reality of stopping people on the streets to show them something is very, very different. If you went out now, to your local high street and started stopping people you will hit these problems: People are busy and dont know you. Normally, people watch magic because they choose to do so. They may be at a party or dinner, or even have gone to see a show. Entertainment is the primary activity of the evening. Compare that to a busy high street, and you can see why performing magic in the street is not easy. You become a distraction and a nuisance. Stopping people in the street is very different to putting on a magic show like a street performer. They are attracting a crowd, who stop to watch by choice. The spectators made their own minds up to watch some magic. If you intend to stop people from going about their business and ask them to watch you instead, you need to be ready for a lot of.. Rejection. A great experience for magicians thinking of performing on the streets, is to try their hand at high street market research. Its a very quick way to grow a thick skin as you deal with constantly being rejected. Its likely that you will experience this as well when you try to stop people on the streets to show them magic. This is one of the aspects of filming a TV show that doesnt get shown. Even famous magicians with an exciting film crew set up get rejected over and over again as they stop people. If you are new to performing, we usually warn against street magic, until a good level of confidence has been built up, as the rejection can be very depressing and demotivating for beginners. You may need a license to perform. Street magicians can sometimes require a license. How to approach people to perform street magic If you intend to stop people in the street and ask them to watch some magic: 1) Make it very clear who you are. Make sure you are dressed appropriately. If you are wearing normal street clothes, some people will think you are approaching them to cause trouble. Make sure its clear you are an entertainer. Carry your playing cards or a prop and have some signs that you are not about to mug them. 2) Look official An idea that a few magicians use with success is to wear an ID pass on a ribbon around your neck. The pass can just have a photo of you on it, your contact details and that you are a street magician. People are less worried when approached by someone, who looks like they have an official reason for stopping them. 3) Smile and be friendly. The person may well be the 20th you have asked to show a trick, but its vital you dont look cross, bored or resigned to rejection. A warm smile and a polite question will really help you. 4) Have someone filming. Its a great opportunity when you do get a person happy to stop and watch, so make sure its on film. This will also look more official and fun for many spectators. Make sure you get permission to film from the spectator as well as the venue. 5) Remember its a numbers game. The more people you ask if you can show them some magic, the more will stop and watch. Dont be put off if it takes ages to get a taker. Just keep on going. 6) Be polite to people that say no. Remember that its their choice to watch your magic. Just because you are going to the effort to be there and perform doesnt mean they have to watch. As people ignore you and walk past as you ask them a question , dont take it as an insult. It really isnt. They are busy and dont want to engage with you. Its their right to choose. Just smile and wish them a good day. Being confident approaching people to show them magic. Gaining confidence in your performance and how people will react to it, develops slowly. Everyone will be nervous at first. The best way to overcome this is to just go out and do it. Performing to the public takes guts at first. Its going to be terrifying the first few times you do it. but very quickly, you will learn its not as bad as your fears build it up to be. Finding It hard to perform magic in front of a crowd If street magic worth doing? Yes and no. Its a good way to gain experience of approaching people. After all, you will be doing that all day and being rejected. It can toughen you up very quickly. However, we would suggest there are better venues to start when you first begin to perform for the public. Seek out local events and charity fundraisers, where you can perform to people who are expecting to be entertained. Thats much easier and can build up your confidence. Question: Have you been out on the streets and tried your hand at close-up street magic? How did it go and what did you learn from the experience?
Posted on: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 05:56:43 +0000
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