Performing for terrorists and hooligans...

Sep 1, 2007
1,395
8
37
Belgrade, Serbia
Well, not really, but it's similar.

I will start working at this coffee place (hopefully), and it is a really nice, luxury, fancy coffee place. The people that goes there are really wealthy and generally older people (30+). But, they are all in some kind of underground business. Mafia, criminal, cigarettes, alcohol, etc. They are all former criminals or football hooligans. So yeah, we are not talking about one or two hecklers per night, we are talking about 90% of them being hecklers or not interested in magic at all.

How would you approach this situation, these kind of people, what kind of effects to perform, etc...?
Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanx
 
Jan 5, 2009
80
0
33
Small town Ohio
Well, you need to be very confident when performing for people like that.
If they catch a hint of you getting flustered than they'll most likely just keep heckling.
I guess I would approach them like I would anyone else. Friendly and confident.
If someone starts giving you a real hard time, then finish your trick and move on to the next people. It's their loss, not yours.
 
Sep 10, 2007
175
2
30
Co.Dublin in Ireland
Well there are actually lots like Stigmata, some ambitious card moves, a couple of ace routines really just effects that dont have your spectator handling any items.

The main thing that you should be looking for is some books or dvds about audience management.

Experience will help you with this.
 
just because they are mafia or w/e doesnt mean they are all hecklers. or terrorists. they may enjoy being entertained, with having a stressfull kind of job.
my doctor loves magic for that reason. he has to deal with people all day long, who are dying or sick or just complaining all the time.
he enjoys the magic because it takes him away.
just make sure you are confident and smile. you may get alot of gigs from this
 
Jan 1, 2009
2,241
3
Back in Time
A general rule of thumb is to know the place before you accept the gig. You can turn gigs down and most Clients would understand it (tho they might be bummed out.) but that way it keeps you from setting yourself up for failure.

The other thing is they could end up being REALLY good tippers and also could set you up for some really high paying gigs.

But if your gut is telling you that it's a bad idea, then you can easily avoid the trouble and turn it down.
 
Me and a buddy of mine have talked about something like with before without the chance of a shootout. He said when you have a lot of hecklers around just do self working tricks. They can't say you flashed or they saw or know the move because there was no move. But as for the performing for them, I wouldn't be in there. Just me.
 
Sep 11, 2007
235
0
34
Houston TX
I perform for narcs and mexican mafia people and they love it...i mean after all they are people too...when i perform I dont see them like that...I just seem em like regular people...and let me tell you sumthing they tip very good
 
Sep 1, 2007
1,395
8
37
Belgrade, Serbia
First of all, thank you guys for all these replies. I will try to make my self more clear while I address to them.

Well, you need to be very confident when performing for people like that.
If they catch a hint of you getting flustered than they'll most likely just keep heckling.
I guess I would approach them like I would anyone else. Friendly and confident.
If someone starts giving you a real hard time, then finish your trick and move on to the next people. It's their loss, not yours.
Yeah, I guess confidence is very important when working with older serious, business people. I will try to approach them like any other spectator, but it's just a little intimidating...
I have to ask.... "Why?"

That doesn`t sound like the gig will be worth the pay. You ARE being paid right?
The reason "Why?", is because I CAN work there. I know the manager and the staff, and I hang out there all the time, so it will be really easy to get a job there. And yes, it is going to be paid.
If you know that for a fact they are all hecklers(Being a gangster/criminal doesnt make you a heckler though) then why bother performing there at all?
Again, because I can get a job there and get paid. But I guess you're right, that doesn't make them all hecklers. We'll see.
just because they are mafia or w/e doesnt mean they are all hecklers. or terrorists. they may enjoy being entertained, with having a stressfull kind of job.
my doctor loves magic for that reason. he has to deal with people all day long, who are dying or sick or just complaining all the time.
he enjoys the magic because it takes him away.
just make sure you are confident and smile. you may get alot of gigs from this
I really hope that you are right. But it is whole different story when it comes to mentality of people in USA, and here (Serbia). But, I will try friendly approach with a big smile.
build routines about card cheating and poker.. mafia guys will like you or hate you..
Haha, I thought of that also. Some gambling, cheating and poker effects/demonstration for the guys, and some gentle/mysterious magic for their trophy girlfriends.
dont do any watch steals.

that could be bad.

by the way where are you from?
Haha, I won't. Maybe a gun steal? :)
I'm from Belgrade, Serbia (South - Eastern Europe; Balkan).
A general rule of thumb is to know the place before you accept the gig. You can turn gigs down and most Clients would understand it (tho they might be bummed out.) but that way it keeps you from setting yourself up for failure.

The other thing is they could end up being REALLY good tippers and also could set you up for some really high paying gigs.

But if your gut is telling you that it's a bad idea, then you can easily avoid the trouble and turn it down.
Well, being that it is I who is asking for the job, it is up to them if they will hire me. But, yeah, you are right, they should be a really good tippers, because they are all wealthy people.
Me and a buddy of mine have talked about something like with before without the chance of a shootout. He said when you have a lot of hecklers around just do self working tricks. They can't say you flashed or they saw or know the move because there was no move. But as for the performing for them, I wouldn't be in there. Just me.
Yes, great idea, that also crossed my mind. There are really good gambling/poker demonstrations that are literally self working, so I will start with that, until I see what kind of spectators they are.
I perform for narcs and mexican mafia people and they love it...i mean after all they are people too...when i perform I dont see them like that...I just seem em like regular people...and let me tell you sumthing they tip very good
Thanx man, than I guess you know what I'm going trough right now. In the terms of thinking and generally being scared (positive scared, like stage freight).
 
Jul 13, 2009
1,372
0
33
My question is are you sure they are black market people? I mean you don't want to approach them like they are some high class of criminal only to find out they are CEOs of funland. Any way if I were you I would just approach them like any other person I approach to do magic. I talk to them for at least five minutes and attempt to make friends with them.

If they are in fact of the underground criminal they may tip you very well, or through you in a river whichever comes first. Oh wait your in Serbia, Serious face. Just don't do anything to piss them off if you become a friend with them.
 
Sep 1, 2007
1,395
8
37
Belgrade, Serbia
My question is are you sure they are black market people? I mean you don't want to approach them like they are some high class of criminal only to find out they are CEOs of funland. Any way if I were you I would just approach them like any other person I approach to do magic. I talk to them for at least five minutes and attempt to make friends with them.

If they are in fact of the underground criminal they may tip you very well, or through you in a river whichever comes first. Oh wait your in Serbia, Serious face. Just don't do anything to piss them off if you become a friend with them.
I think it is best not to make friends with them, but being friendly towards them. There is a difference. Kind of like a Croupier (dealer) in a casino. Be friendly, but don't make friends with the people who are gambling. I'm there to do my job and entertain, and I think that they can understand that, being that they are all business people.
And yes, we do have a river.... ooops....
Do not flirt with theyr girlfriends. PERIOD!

Mikk

PS. If you ignore it then, it was nice knowing you...

So no "Fairy Tale Frogs" or "French Kiss" for them? :)
 
Jul 13, 2009
1,372
0
33
Tht would be awful, yet pretty cool I have always had a bit of fascination in organized crime.

Also Toby I didn't mean literally make friends yeesh that would probably end very wrong, but you have already posted what I meant so you get what I mean regardless.
 
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