So every worker knows that eventually if you perform enough shows, things are going to happen beyond your control.
Yesterday I was performing at a 4 year olds birthday party which the client insisted be outdoors and the weather looked fabulous for Ohio weather...ha ha. They wanted a half hour show followed by balloons, which is the typical show I do most of the time for $125.00
I arrived at 4:40 and the show was to begin at 5:00 p.m. in the back yard. I set up by Ultimate Gig Case and side table, setting out my props: Stratosphere, Change Bag, Spongeballs, Rope, Jumbo Cards, etc. I'm 20 minutes into my show and am starting my cut and restored rope routine. Everything up til this point was going well.
I began to feel a few sprinkles of rain and the clouds started to roll in. Oh crap. This doesn't look good. I cut the rope and as soon as I restored it and held the piece up in the air as one....BAM...down came the rain as hard and fast as you could imagine. Kids took off running in all directions....Parents were gathering up things in the yard....and there I stood holding my piece of rope getting drenched....THIS WAS A FIRST....ha ha.
The client ran into the house and came back with a big golf umbrella and held it over my head while i frantically through props back into my case as fast as I could without breaking or damaging them. What a mess! The client has now seen the extra ball in my stratosphere tube, and a few other gaffed props, ugh....there was nothing I could do.
We carried all of my things into the house as kids were running around soaked and the parents were just standing there staring at me like, "Now what?". The wife of the child looked pissed off and I graciously told her I would continue the show in the living room. She declined and said, "Just please start making balloon animals for the children..." I busted out balloon swords, hats, flowers, dogs, etc. and soon all children were happy again. My suit was drenched. Afterward, I packed up my things and apologized to the client about what had happend and felt terrible that the rain had ruined the last 2 effects that were yet to come in my show. I felt so bad I even offered 25 bucks back to them but they said, "No...please...it wasn't your fault."
The husband helped me load my gear into my explorer and I drove home feeling horrible. Here are these people who just paid for a show and balloons and the rain ruined the last 10 minutes. I called 2 of my professional working buddies and explained the situation and they said NEVER offer money back to a client based upon the weather.
They told me to think about the time it took me to pack, drive their (gas), set up time, 20 minutes of show, balloons, tear down and drive back home. And...they asked me, "Did you offer to continue the show indoors...?" I replied, "Yes...but they declined." My buddies said that I had done the right thing and to don't offer money back. I still feel horrible
Luis? Draven? Reality One? Have any of you had anything similar to this happen? If so please share.
Yesterday I was performing at a 4 year olds birthday party which the client insisted be outdoors and the weather looked fabulous for Ohio weather...ha ha. They wanted a half hour show followed by balloons, which is the typical show I do most of the time for $125.00
I arrived at 4:40 and the show was to begin at 5:00 p.m. in the back yard. I set up by Ultimate Gig Case and side table, setting out my props: Stratosphere, Change Bag, Spongeballs, Rope, Jumbo Cards, etc. I'm 20 minutes into my show and am starting my cut and restored rope routine. Everything up til this point was going well.
I began to feel a few sprinkles of rain and the clouds started to roll in. Oh crap. This doesn't look good. I cut the rope and as soon as I restored it and held the piece up in the air as one....BAM...down came the rain as hard and fast as you could imagine. Kids took off running in all directions....Parents were gathering up things in the yard....and there I stood holding my piece of rope getting drenched....THIS WAS A FIRST....ha ha.
The client ran into the house and came back with a big golf umbrella and held it over my head while i frantically through props back into my case as fast as I could without breaking or damaging them. What a mess! The client has now seen the extra ball in my stratosphere tube, and a few other gaffed props, ugh....there was nothing I could do.
We carried all of my things into the house as kids were running around soaked and the parents were just standing there staring at me like, "Now what?". The wife of the child looked pissed off and I graciously told her I would continue the show in the living room. She declined and said, "Just please start making balloon animals for the children..." I busted out balloon swords, hats, flowers, dogs, etc. and soon all children were happy again. My suit was drenched. Afterward, I packed up my things and apologized to the client about what had happend and felt terrible that the rain had ruined the last 2 effects that were yet to come in my show. I felt so bad I even offered 25 bucks back to them but they said, "No...please...it wasn't your fault."
The husband helped me load my gear into my explorer and I drove home feeling horrible. Here are these people who just paid for a show and balloons and the rain ruined the last 10 minutes. I called 2 of my professional working buddies and explained the situation and they said NEVER offer money back to a client based upon the weather.
They told me to think about the time it took me to pack, drive their (gas), set up time, 20 minutes of show, balloons, tear down and drive back home. And...they asked me, "Did you offer to continue the show indoors...?" I replied, "Yes...but they declined." My buddies said that I had done the right thing and to don't offer money back. I still feel horrible
Luis? Draven? Reality One? Have any of you had anything similar to this happen? If so please share.
remember, you learn something new each show>!
