Approachment

[KeenanO]

Hey guys. Lately Ive been trying to really get into the street magic thing. You know, going to Safeway or a cafe and just making people happy. Now this sounded great when I first started doing it, but after just a little bit I began to realize that it might be much harder than I thought..
I went out and did some stuff for some employees at a safeway. It went great, they loved it. So my morale was up. But with an hour, I had asked posssibly 15 people. All rejections. Now this was obviously depressing to me. It made me think I was a bad magician or something like that. But after I started thinking about it, I realized something.
The general idea of teenagers and magicians tend to not be good. Im just looking for practice, but people have trouble beleiving that a 15 year old kid came up to them and wasnt looking to harm them or take their money. Most of them got a very dark look on their faces and and very bluntly and meanly said no and pushed past me. Now all I would like from you guys is to know

What the hell am I doing wrong?

 

[saborfang17]

Hey guys. Lately Ive been trying to really get into the street magic thing. You know, going to Safeway or a cafe and just making people happy. Now this sounded great when I first started doing it, but after just a little bit I began to realize that it might be much harder than I thought..
I went out and did some stuff for some employees at a safeway. It went great, they loved it. So my morale was up. But with an hour, I had asked posssibly 15 people. All rejections. Now this was obviously depressing to me. It made me think I was a bad magician or something like that. But after I started thinking about it, I realized something.
The general idea of teenagers and magicians tend to not be good. Im just looking for practice, but people have trouble beleiving that a 15 year old kid came up to them and wasnt looking to harm them or take their money. Most of them got a very dark look on their faces and and very bluntly and meanly said no and pushed past me. Now all I would like from you guys is to know

What the hell am I doing wrong?

It may just be because they haven't seen you perform yet. I did this with my friend before. He'd be performing street magic, and I'd be acting like a spectator, getting all amazed (which wasn't hard to do, considering I was), and slowly, people stopped to watch for a few minutes before going on there way. It's like with musicians on the street. I've seen them throw their own coins and bills into the case so it looks like people have already come by and appreciated their music, so others will stop to listen.

Hope this helps.

EDIT: Either what I stated above or they genuinely aren't interested in seeing any of your street performances.

 

[Justin-Miller]

I talk about this in my lecture ad naseum. And its the most requested problem solving situation I get e-mailed about every week..seriously.
I have no idea if you are a "bad magician" or what your style is, but I can bet you this is most likely NOT your problem. Your problem (like sooo many others) is that you are trying to copy and reproduce something you have seen on tv and dvd demos. The term street magic before Blaine was just buskers, hat passers, people who have to gather a crowd and start doing their show, then pass the hat to collect money and make their living. Enter Blaine, he created a concept to pitch to the powers that be, and they loved it and he became the poster boy for "street magic" but before blaine it did not exist, at all, so you are trying to do something that was designed to pitch to a broadcasting company to sell his image.


Here are some reasons you are not getting that release you want:


You do not have a camera or camera crew with you. When people see a camera or crew, it becomes a big spectacual and most people WANT to be apart of whatever is going on becuase it feeds the 15 minutes of fame theory andy warhol coined.


Your not david blaine or criss angel, so there is no "wow" factor to you yet, When they see the magic that changes but how do you get to that part?

We live in a solitary community, we all are in close proximity to each other but we have no intention of getting to really know each other. So when you come up and say can I show you something, the red flag in our personal space system goes off and says 'who is this person and what do they WANT from me"

Magic in general (as a populous opinion) is equated to either clowns, kids, or con men..and it freaking sucks. So how do you get past that stigmatism that our society has placed on magic and what we do?

Those are just a few of the reasons why your not able to get people to respond in a positive way.

 

[Randy]

It also looks pretty creepy when a guy comes up to you and wants to show you a magic trick. Not everybody leaving a mall or a safeway WANTS to see magic. Hell, I can bet that most just want to shop and then head home.

You're best bet would be to just perform for your friends and people you know. You'll have a better chance of them saying and most likely will have a better time.

 

[SKSleighofHand]

Try checking out this link

http://forums.theory11.com/showthread.php?t=7383&highlight=street+magic+guide+approaching+people

 

[saborfang17]

Try checking out this link

http://forums.theory11.com/showthread.php?t=7383&highlight=street+magic+guide+approaching+people

That is a very interesting thread... And a nice way to get rid of hecklers. I would recommend it now that I've read it, it's bound to help you.

 

[Sk8r_St3v3]

No matter how hard you try, there are always going to be people who dont care and who arent interested. I can gurantee you that all the famous magicians like David Blaine and Criss Angel get turned down every once in a while, some people just dont want to socialise, or are afraid to.

The best way to counteract this productively, is to play with your cards in full public view. Maybe on a bench or by a shop, somewhere where you are surrounded by a multitude of people. If you arent into flourishing, then just do some shuffles, or even perform simple tricks that are understandable from a distance. After a while people will come up to you, and the great thing is they will be the ones who care and who are interested, so you naturally have a willing group of spectators. If you perform well, more and more people will crowd around you and eventually you wont even need to bother approaching anyone.

Everybody is naturally uncomfortable with being approached by a complete stranger who is offering something (in this case a magic performance) for free. They will try to avoid you because everyone else is, just as everyone will crowd around because they see others doing so. If you attract those who are intrigued from the start, you will not have to try so hard to keep them watching, and will get even better reactions than you expect.

Don't worry if people ignore you at first, just sit there, maybe with a magic book or something that denotes that you are a magician, and play with your cards, people will, gradually at first, approach and enjoy what you have to offer.

No matter what happens, don't let anyone get you down, not one spectator/laymen will know how hard you have worked on each trick, and how much frustration it has taken you to become good, but they will appreciate your efforts nonetheless once they lower their guard, and it will be all them ore staisfying for you.

 

[Randy]

No the best way to simply not look dorky or creepy. If you are sitting there with your cards or whatever. It will still look dorky and creepy, and people will still avoid you.

This has nothing to do with people not liking you or anything. It has to do with the fact that most people are usually busy when they are out and about. Trust me, If you were shopping and some kid came up to you and did the exact same thing. You'd most likely turn him down or walk away too. Even you are a fan of magic.

A lot of people who think street magic is great need to stop thinking that EVERYBODY should see their magic or WANTS to see their magic. They need to think like the people who they are going to perform for. What would YOUR reaction be to somebody who came up to with a deck of cards and said "Can I show you something?" if you were walking out of a grocery store or a mall?

As well as what Justin Miller said. It's also because most people here don't have a TV crew with them and even David Blaine has been turned down before on his specials. Some people just don't want to be on camera. Criss Angel doesn't get turned down, because the people he performs for get paid a few hundred bucks to "react" to his stuff.

 

[Sk8r_St3v3]

Therefore if you offer the image that you are a magician or related to magic on some form or other, those that have the time spare to indulge in your performance will wonder over and ask to see some magic, which is by far a better way than approaching people.

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

The whole 'sit there with a deck of cards' can work. However, it can also take a VERY long time. Hours, days even. I'm not exaggerating. I perform at a local farmer's market. The first time I did it, I was so nervous I couldn't approach anyone. I walked around for about three hours doing cuts and shuffles and stuff, trying to make eye contact and see if anyone was interested. Nada. I finally got to perform for one group of two girls and a guy (all about 16) because the guy did a little magic as well, and I happened to do a card spring as I walked past him and he said, "Hey! Are you a magician?"

It's gotten steadily better, and I'm now recognized by the regulars and vendors as one of 'the magic guys.'

My advice is first to examine who you're approaching. You're talking about approaching people at a grocery store. You're interrupting their errands, dude. No wonder they're rejecting you. I would too. Their minds are on completing a menial task that probably has to be done within a short time frame. I have no more than 3 hours to do all my grocery shopping, and I hit at least three stores in three separate parts of town to do it. No time to hang out and watch you fiddle with cards.

You need to find a hangout place. A place where people go and just relax and sit around and do nothing. Park, mall, whatever. Farmer's markets are great, because it's almost like a fair and people are pretty much guaranteed to have money (which is important for me but maybe not for you).

I have no idea what you look like, but that's a factor too. If you're all gothed out in your Hot Topic clothes, nail polish (on guys) and weird hair style, you're going to put people off automatically. Yes, it's stupid that people make assumptions based on image, but it's also stupid to ignore the fact that they do. If you want to walk up to random people and have them accept you, you need not to make them uncomfortable.

Adults are busy. Even if they're not actually busy, they probably think they're busy. They don't want to stop what they're doing because some kid walks up with a deck of cards in his hand and says, "Wanna see something cool?"

My last point is also this: Things need context. Things outside of their context don't fit right and that can make people either ignore it or be made uncomfortable. Read this article, it's a great commentary on the concept of something creative and artistic out of context: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html (Also just a really interesting article, I think)

 

[Sk8r_St3v3]

Well i guess its also partially relative to where you are performing, if you perform near a cinema or circus then people are there to watch entertainment and may be more encouraged to check you out. If you are performing outside a block of offices then its the opposite.

However Christopher is right to examine the kind of spectators in the areas you will be performing, as then you can tailor your routines and magic especially for them, and in the long run be more confident that you will provide a good piece of entertainment.

 

[Justin.Morris]

You could try using a table with a sign as a 'home base'. People walk by and see the sign, know what is going on, and a) they keep walking because they are not interested or don't have the time b) stop or show interest via eye contact, or c) they already know what is going on when you approach them and are not caught off-guard.

You don't need to use the table, but it is so much easier to work with it there.

This may also help the company that you are accosting people in front of, be okay with you being there.

(If you can't afford a nice table, something like this with a closeup mat on it, and perhaps a table skirt, will do.)

Also I believe someone mentioned before, that location is key. When I go shopping for groceries, I want to get in, get my stuff, and get home. Choose locations where people are meandering rather than dashing.

Good luck!

J

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

If you're setting up a table you'll probably need to talk to the management of whatever place you're performing. If it's a public place, then you might need a license. Having a table changes what you're doing, even if you perform the exact same magic.

 

[Randy]

Also a lot of stores will most likely say no, because you are pretty much stopping the flow of traffic to their store. They may also have signs that will say "No Soliciting" thus meaning you won't be able to perform there.

But if you are going to do it the right way, you should find a place that isn't privately owned by a company or store, and also see if you can get a busking license even if you aren't busking.

 

[emagician]

Hey man,

Don't get down. It's not your problem and I see that you've realized that. You're ready, but the people aren't. So wait for a big event to come around, like a fair or a parade that people MAKE extra time for and are more open-minded to that kind of stuff becuase they WANT to be entertained! That is what has worked for me and I know that it'll work for you. In the meantime, try to get a restaurant job and practice your material to absolute perferfection!

Best of luck and keep at it man,

emagician

 

[demo7]

I started magic older, a lot older, like 35 years old and now I'm 38.
You begin to read people better as you get older. You have to observe your potential spectators. What kind of conversation are they having, are they open to somebody performing for them, what does their body language say about their mood? People at an outdoor seating area or at an event is a great place to proform. The grocery store is not the place to be approach people.

You see this in a lot of youtube performances,, people who are uncomfortable or just don't want to be there.

I'll say that 85% of the people I approach accept the offer of magic and here is what I say, "Hi, my name is J###, I'm an amature magician do you have a moment for a quick trick", mind you I hand pick the situations to ask this.
Once you blow them away, then you have their interest , they might be thinking "ok this guy is an AMATURE???", from there, ask them if they'd like to see something else.

Introducing yourself is a great way to start. By asking them if they have a "moment" your projecting that you aren't going to take a lot of time thus disarming them. By saying your an amature gives a little info on you and that they might be helping you out by being the audiance.
9 times out of 10 I'm allowed to do the next trick. I've gotten a few party gigs from this.

I've been around these forums for a bit but havent posted until now, I'm also on D+D, UC,

Hope this helps

 

[CoryOOreo]

Well, to be completely honest - people don't care.

The entire premise of street magic is rude, obtrusive, and inappropriate. The thought that a stranger, let alone an employee who is supposed to be working, will be willing to spontaneously take time out of their lives to watch you perform is an entirely selfish notion and shows a complete lack of self-awareness. I can guarantee you that if the manager found out what you were doing, he would not be happy. Those within the magic community have been disillusioned by their own immersion within the art that they have built up a false illusion of its importance. If you were to ask someone to name twenty different forms of performance entertainment, I can nearly guarantee you that magic would not show up on their list. The simple truth is, magic is insignificant. I've been in your position, but now that I've removed myself from the context of the magic community for a number of years this veil has fallen for me, and I've come to realize the lack of respect magic recieves. With this blunt statement I understand I offer little encouragement, but I can only hope it will inspire you to pursue magic with class and dignity. Hopefully by doing this you can advance the art into a new era, bringing new respect from the general public.

Good luck my friend.