instant resetting routine

[AnthonyL]

Hi, last month i tried street performing for the first time (in busking sense not the street magic sense) it started out alright but quickly went south as i realized i didn't have time to reset my tricks in between performances. i also had some angle problems but i was anticipating that so it was easier to manage.

anyway, the whole day was sort of a disaster and shattered my confidence, but i want to try again. so i figure the first step is to put together a new routine (that instantly resets)

any suggestions? i do cards, coins and usually finish with a rope routine

Thanks and much appreciated
-Anthony

 

[junkbox]

The ambitious card is instantly reset as there is no preparation. I think that you just don't want to do two card routines in a row. That will make it easier. If you have multiple decks set up for different effects, then do one and then transition to coins or whatever else. Then after that take out another deck. This way the deck is all ready to use and the deck switch is hidden. Also, it is instanly reset, as you are ditching the used things and taking out pre-prepared things.

 

[RickEverhart]

Welcome to the world of table hopping as well. I very quickly learned that I needed 3 sets of 3 effects that instantly reset because as you traveled from table to table you didn't have time to bust out a bang ring, or reset a stack within a deck of cards.

My best advice is use items that at the conclusion of the effect you are back to the beginning again or learn sleights instead of effects that require props to be preset up.

Anything that you absolutely will not throw out of your working set, that requires set up, then I guess you need to buy multiple items of said effect. For example: When I worked a wedding reception once I simply loved using Kostya Kimlat's Warning effect as an opener at a lot of tables, however I never had time to bust out a glue stick and re-stick flash paper. So what did I do? I went out and bought 8 black lighters that looked identical and had all of them set up and carried them around in my suit coat. Ha ha.

I know that seems extreme but here are some things that I use that are instant reset.

Mismade Bill
Crazy Man's Hand Cuffs
Biddle
Free Will
Peek Wallet
Paddle Effect
Magnetic Scotch and Soda

Look for things that as soon as your done with them, they are ready to roll again with no necessary work to reset, and they go back in the SAME pocket or area of your case that it came from. Good pocket management is a must. You'll catch on real fast if you don't. Nothing looks worse that a magician fumbling around in his pants pocket or suit coat pocket trying to find that coin shell, or thumb tip, etc.

 

[junkbox]

In terms of effects, there are plenty that you can do. Rubberband stuff is great, like crazy mans handcuffs that Rick said. There are loads of card stuff, just look around and search the forums. As far as money effects, Prophet by Tom Isaacson is great and has no reset hassle. If you are looking for effects, then just do research because there are plenty out there. If you know how to palm or cop cards away then gimmick tricks are easily disposed of. Then it is a simple taking the gimmick out of your pocket before the next group, and for busking you won't have to take it out again to do the trick again. There are plenty of ways around this problem.

 

[AnthonyL]

thanks for the help, i put together a short routine in my head
(twisting the aces,
Dr.daley's last trick,
grasshopper routine,
coin matrix)

but i quickly realized that would be too small for street shows, so now im thinking
Eric Jones' simplex three fly,
three fly to spectators hand,
Ring, rope, wand, (although i'll probably change this, i just wanted something that wasn't cards or coins)
ambitious card,
fiber optics.

 

[William Draven]

My street show isn't the hardest technical act out there but it works for me.

My act has 5 effects that can be tailored to play to a small group or massive crowd pending my needs at the time.

They are:

My personal trick Anytime Anywhere
My own version of a Lie Detector Test
A Tossed Out Deck
Bank Night
And I close with a strait jacket and chain escape.

Resets inside of 5 minutes. If I have a group waiting during the reset I'll give them a deck to shuffle. I won't tell tem why so it builds tension and expectation. Play time is about 10 to 13 minutes.

 

[JButterfield]

If you have a well-defined show that has an ending, it's no big deal... Reset as you do your hat lines and encourage tips. let everyone know that the next show starts really soon!

A problem I had early on was trying to do one long non-stop show, or one that ran into the next. It got much better when I stopped being afraid of ending one show and setting up for the next.

First time for most things is usually a disaster. Keep working it, read busking-specific resources and keep trying. The only difference between good ones and bad is when they stop trying.

 

[Randy]

I am going to go against a little bit of what Rick said and suggest that instead of having 3 sets, you should have one set with "Street wise" type of routines (Mileage may vary.. When it comes to busking/strolling there is going to be a ton of different advice you will get on how many sets or effects you need/should have.).

But, I will say that Kozmo has a really good DVD on Busking and I've heard that Bill in Lemon is a good routine to do for busking. (though this may depend on where you are performing and how GOOD and smooth you can get the actual routine looking.).

 

[JButterfield]

I will say that Kozmo has a really good DVD on Busking

"Tales From the Street" is pure gold. His thinking on how to structure the show, the qualities to look for in routines for busing, and his tips on crowd management are worth their weight in gold.

Modular routines, a race to build enough of a crowd to finish, managing the applause, and when to do hat lines (and how many) will help your show immensely.

I would work on one show, and polish that up before working on a second. I've been doing the same show for three years now.

 

[AnthonyL]

Thanks again everybody, just a couple more questions,

how long should the show be? mine was 20-25 minutes but William said his is 10-13 so im thinking maybe mines too long.

how to pitch for tips, i've always been bad at asking for money. Last time i was street performing i cleared a total of $12... so i think i need to work on that.

i'll definitely check out "Tales from the street".

but as for multiple routines i'm going to try and perfect one before i work on new material.

 

[RickEverhart]

Can I ask you something that may seem trivial? Do you have your tip jar sitting out preloaded with 5 and 10 dollar bills? Sometimes this is a visual reminder for people that gratuity is appreciated.

 

[AnthonyL]

Can I ask you something that may seem trivial? Do you have your tip jar sitting out preloaded with 5 and 10 dollar bills? Sometimes this is a visual reminder for people that gratuity is appreciated.

Ofcourse i had a hat out with spare change and a couple singles. i think the reason no one really tipped was because i couldn't pull and hold a big crowd (i thought i would pull by juggling clubs and calling out show times. it didn't work)

 

[JButterfield]

You can do a trickle show (with a tip jar out all the time) or a hat show (where you hat them at the end), and there's advantages to both.

 

[William Draven]

three minutes or thirty minutes it doesn't matter how long you perform for. You're still going to get paid the same. If you work too long you'll lose the crowd you initially gathered, and likely their tips. If you don't work long enough then people won't feel like tipping you because they didn't see anything of value.

I find that 10 to 13 minutes is just about the right amount of time. I can, in theory, kick off 4 to 5 shows in an hour. I keep my hat out at my feet when I'm working, and then i pass it at the end. I get the best of both worlds that way.

Honestly you just need to ask them for money. Strait up remind them that this is the only way you get paid, and you're rather fond of eating each night. I run a hat line once every other trick or so, or if I start to notice people getting itchy to leave.

Also work hungry. Nothing is a better motivator than being hungry and not having any cash in your pocket to buy a quick nosh.

 

[junkbox]

Spare change in the hat isn't as good. People are more likely to tip bigger if they see that others have done the same. Nobody wants to be the first or only one. If they see that is something that people do then they realize it is normal and are more likely to tip more. Also, partially empty the hat every show. This is another tip I have heard. People don't want to be the first to tip, but they also do not want to tip as much if that hat is stuffed already. It is about balance, just like the show time as previously mentioned.