i don't use an amp.
i don't use a table.
i don't use any fire.
i don't do cups and balls or a straight jacket.
i don't juggle or break dance or play an instrument.
i don't do close up tricks, but all my tricks can be seen close up or far away or surrounded.
i don't need a cart to carry my stuff.
i can walk down the street with NOTHING in my hands, stop build a large crowd and do a show any where.
i can come and go into businesses like any other normal person with out lugging stuff.
i can blend into a crowd if i need too. and just walk away before being confronted by an authority.
i can pass through customs with out being suspected as a street performer comming to work in their country, because i don't have a massive rig to explain. and i don't have to deal with shipping.
i do large parlor effects and a large half circle show ONLY WORKING FROM MY POCKETS . i can do a show 3 mins. - 30 mins. what ever will fit my needs or the needs of the pitch or the customer.
with these methods it is difficult for cops or other authorities to regulate me. this is my main objective. THIS IS MY MAIN OBJECTIVE!
the draw back to my system is it is much more difficult for me to compete with the larger circle shows with amps and huge rigs and $150 and up hats. i can make these hats but not as consistantly as proper circle show guys can.
it's give and take because, i don't have to suffer regulation like those guys and there is ALWAYS a place for me to work. the big amplified circle show spots are drying up in america, there were never many to begin with. so i take a very, very, small cut in pay per show verses the big circle show but i'm always workin, year round, any town, any where.
i do not suck all the fun out of what i do, by doing a commercial show. i try and create original tricks to perform instead of the old stand byes like cups or silk vanish etc. these tricks are great and gaurunteed to be a success by any one.......but that's really the point why i don't do them.
i love the cups and balls it's my favorite street trick and in my opinion there is no better trick for the street....none.
that's why i love the chalenge of not doing it.
i think the great draw to the street is it's fun and chalenging and is a great place to create.
this is the draw to the beginning artist type to come to the street, and to tell this type of individual that he must have a commercial show, can only be described as the rehtoric of a bitter fun hater.
but for the those less artistic beginners who are only interested in MONEY my way of working could be fatal and should be avoided because my way is not a way to make huge hats. a money guy should definately persue a larger rig and a large amplified show for larger hats for more spectacle and delay and hat build.
i'm not saying i'm artsy, i never thought i was, until all the accussations by my critiques. frankly i never thought i was good enough to be artsy. our enemys will even compliment us if they have to, so they can insult us.
your pal jimmy
here's a day at the office, showing a pretty good example of some of the strategies i use.
THIS IS A MINI DOCUMENTARY MY TEACHER DOUG CONN MADE OF ME.
