Somebody That I Used To Know
Before we get started today, I need you to take a moment and listen to the song below. It’s one you’ve probably heard a thousand times. The song is Somebody That I Used To Know By Gotye and Kimbra. However, the version below is by a different band . . . I won’t share who just yet. It’s all part of the plan. So when you listen, really listen. Put on your headphones is you’ve got ’em.
Close your eyes and take in all the music, the sounds, everything. Absorb it. Focus your attention more on the music than the lyrics. The music is the key point needed for this article. I want you to pay particular attention to how many instruments are in play.
I know I ask you to do weird stuff like this all the time, but please . . . don’t miss out on this opportunity. You’ll not regret it if you take the time to hear the song to the end.
WARNING: Do not click the link below until you’ve followed ALL of the instructions above first!
Ok . . . if you’ve followed all the instructions above and you have a number of instruments in mind, click the link:
Hopefully you’ve now watched the video and have been blown away. The first time I saw that, I was truly astonished. It was a beautifully moving moment. It’s all about team work. My guess it that you, likely, would never have suspected that it was possible to do that. Yet it was/is. Can people truly work that well together with that much harmony (not in the musical sense) and that much rhythm and timing. It’s beautiful.
What the heck does this have to do with magic? Simple. Although, we often work alone doing it all (i.e., actor, director, producer, marketer, etc.), we still don’t truly work alone. We work with event planners, clients who hire us, restaurant managers, spectators, etc., etc. Watching that video, you’ll notice how tightly crammed in they were, yet they still gave each other space and respect. You can sense the respect they have for one another. Do you have that kind of respect for your event planner? The servers at your restaurant? Your audience? The video you just watched was created by a band called Walk Off The Earth. They’re an amazingly talented group of people. In every video I’ve watched from them I’m able to sense that compassion, love and teamwork mentality they have for/with each other.
I know a lot of you work restaurants or close up in general. I could do a whole dissertation on getting along with and working with the wait staff . . . but instead I’m going after an even more common denominator . . . audience members. The melodic dance and pace that was demonstrated by Walk Off The Earth is a lesson in the rhythm we must have with our spectators. Don’t use magic as a weapon. Don’t make jokes (no matter how light-hearted) at the audience member’s expense. Don’t make them feel awkward. Make them feel welcome and glad that they met a magician today.
Don’t try to “Freak” their mind, or “Fry” them or “Destroy” them. Don’t “make” them anything . . . “help” them, “share” with them. Dance with them so to speak. Work in harmony with them to create and share a wonderful moment. But Jeff, this is the No Stone Left Unturned column. It’s supposed to be all about getting gigs, and being more marketable and the business side of magic. Yep. This subject (team work with the audience) is critical to the feeling left behind when you leave the gig, the next day at the office when they’re talking about the show last night . . . you’re trying to leave behind a feeling of joy and pleasure. You want people to enjoy the experience, not be destroyed by it. You want that positive feeling to permeate the event, the company, the restaurant, the [insert venue here].
Other than the obvious respect that this shows for your audience and the obvious fact that this makes for a better show for the audience, you’ve also got the goodwill left behind that should increase your ability to get rehired, increase your bonus and/or tips (depending on the type of gig). The testimonials you’ll get will be better; everything about this leaves behind a better “something.” This sets you above the rest. Most magicians come across as the court jester who isn’t even trying to entertain the king . . . just himself. No connection, no team work, just a bunch of stupid, hackneyed insulting one liners that have no meaning and no purpose other than to entertain the so called magician or insult the audience . . . or both.
Don’t be that guy/gal. Be the person who loves the audience and shows it . . . nay, proves it. Be the one who is talked about as the magician who “made me feel good.” You’ll grow as a performer and you’ll dang sure get more gigs instead of ending up as Somebody That They Used To Know.
Until Next Month . . .
Win a $100 Worth of Magic!
Take a moment to comment on this thread and you could win a Jon Armstrong DVD three pack ($100 value) just by posting a comment. All comments of substance (in other words, a simple “good point” or “I agree” doesn’t cut it) will be entered into a drawing on the last day of April 2013. The winner will be announced May 1st, 2013