I always ask them, well what would your show look like, and what would it be about.
The other thing I tell them is, that if you know the structure of a show and you know your Character, that Character will write the show for you, the Show will write itself, especially with enough stage time.
If you know the basic structure of how a show works, stage time will grow your show into a full time show.
They usually look at me, like a deer in the headlights, and that's when I realize, they do not know what a Show Structure is, or how to move the pieces around to put one together. So I thought today, we would take a crack at it, at least as I understand it.
It should also be understood that the method and breakdown here described, is for the spoken as well as the unspoken performer (mime) doing a magic show.
If one looks at the numbered breakdown of the show below, one will notice the word Transition quite a bit. This is because a Transition is the vital glue that holds a show together.
A Transition, is how a show is strung together. A Transition, is the thing that leads one routine into the next routine, keeping the show on it's path to the Grand Finale.
Transition example:
If you're doing a coin trick and your next trick is a card trick, before you end the coin trick, pull out a deck of cards, and mention that the next trick, the card trick, will blow their mind.
This makes it easy to go directly into the card trick and not have dead time between routines.
Comedians do it all the time, sometimes after doing a bar joke, they'll say, "Same bar different guy...etc"
Any way here's the breakdown for the Sidewalk Magic Show;
1. THE BALLY ROUTINE-
Transition-
2. THE INTRO ROUTINE-
Transition-
3. THE BEGINNING ROUTINE-
Transition-
4. THE MIDDLE ROUTINE-
Transition-
5. THE FINALE ROUTINE-
Transition-
6. THE FINAL HAT ROUTINE-
Transition-
7. The Final Call Forward-
And here's their explanations;
1. THE BALLY ROUTINE-
This is a routine that is designed to repeat over and over (if need be) to attract attention and bring the people into an edge around the performer. This routine should finale with a transition into, THE INTRO ROUTINE.
2. THE INTRO ROUTINE-
This is a routine designed to make the people feel as though they are a group. This is done by informing them of what is happening, how long it will last, and who the performer is. This routine should finale with a transition into, THE BEGINNING ROUTINE.
3. THE BEGINNING ROUTINE-
Strategically the Magi should put his second best magic routine here. By putting his second best routine here, this gives him room and rapport, because of the strength of the routine. This routine should finale with a transition into, THE MIDDLE ROUTINE.
4. THE MIDDLE ROUTINE-
Strategically the Magi should put his third best (or least best) magic routine here. This will give him a strong finish at the end of the show itself, when he does his best routine. This middle routine should finale with a transition into, THE BIG FINALE.
5. THE BIG FINALE-
Strategically the Magi should put his very best magic routine here. The performer should do the big finish trick, then transition into, THE FINAL HAT ROUTINE.
6. THE FINAL HAT ROUTINE-
This routine is designed to convey to the audience why, how, and how much they should pay him. It should also bring the audience forward to pay him. This routine should be as strongly entertaining as any of the other routines in the show.
Very Important Note About The Final Hat Routine:
Many, if not most Buskers, have a slightly different order here. Instead, they may use the anticipation of the big finish trick as an anchor to get the audience to stand and listen to Their Hat routine.
In other words, first they hat them, then they do the big finish trick.
After they do the big finish trick they immediately do The Final Call urging the people to come forward, usually with a stream of funny lines until the crowd has finally dissipated. This is a great strategy, but depending on your show, or the pitch, it may not even be necessary.
And don't get me wrong, most of the shows I have myself, written and performed, used this anticipation strategy, it just depends on what you want to do.
But remember your writing your own show, you can now do what you want, your not locked into a canned show. A canned show, may force you to do it the way it was written for the original performer.
In fact this is only one way, and only one strategy buskers use within Show Structure to get the audience to do what they want them to do. The more advanced the performer gets, and the more familiar he becomes with the structure of his show, the more he will figure out little tricks of the trade he can do.
7. The Final Call Forward-
This is The part of the show where the Magi calls all the people forward, usually in a fun way to come and put money in the hat, and he keeps calling them forward urging them, until they have all paid or walked away.
This is, in my opinion, and the opinion of the late Great Stuartini, is the True Finale of the show. Because if executed right, this is the climax of the whole build up of the show, when all the people come together to participate in joy, satisfaction, and support.
The Final Call is important if you want to get paid, so don't be shy, let them know they are welcome to pay, but say it in a way that makes them happy to pay. I use humor.
And this is where I think we are going to end for now, but I will be writing more on this subject in the near future.
Also I have some articles coming up, on where to work in your hometown, as a permanent secure stable location, like a full time job, and stories about myself and my friends and the trouble we would get in to.
All coming up, so keep an eye on the blog until I see you again.
If you want to tip me, drop a donation in the HAT HERE.
Your Pal.
Jimmy.
