Outside vs. Inside

[Rev]

So being in the midwest, the cold weather has forced me inside when busking. The venue I performed at all summer was nice enough to allow me to set up inside their mall as long as the show was fire-free.

I still make money, but it seems that inside crowds are an entirely different beast than outside crowds. They are more impatient, less likely to tip, more reluctant to volunteer, and in general just plain rude.

Has anyone else experienced this switch going from outside to inside? Any tips on how to combat it? At times it can be very frustrating.

I personally can't wait for Spring to hit.

[fracksfreakshow]

frack has experienced the same thing and would have to agree with you.

[Doctor Eric]

I would hazard to guess that your issue is more Mall/Non-Mall than inside/outside, although trying to do a street show inside is still tough. People in malls really don't want to be entertained, they want STUFF. But, if you figure out how to make it work, it will just make you stronger. Next winter LEAVE! Go somewhere where there are shows to be had, yer a street performer fer cryin' out loud... you don't stay home just because you LIVE there!

[ 01-25-2003: Message edited by: Doctor Eric ]</p>

[AJJames]

Excellent reply Dr Eric, all of that, malls suck! period. I used to travel south for winter, do Australia, or just over to southern Europe. Since my son came along 3 years ago I have stayed in England, tried to save up enough money from the summer festivals and from christmas gigs to make it through Jan, feb and march, I also teach circus skills with my partner in schools and youth clubs, which tops it up. But I agree , when you can pack your living into a suitcase it's crazy not to migrate for winter..crazy . But not as crazy as doing shows in malls. I have had several invites to do my show in a shopping mall, i always refuse point blank, for the reasons you mentioned. If I need money like I did yesterday after having bought a computer recently, I much prefer to work outside in the cold. I don't know how cold it gets in your neck of the woods Rev but I did a good show in about minus 3 or 4 yesterday.
Lucky Diamond said no one plays London when it's cold except the hard core Ozzie in a kilt but we brits are not all light weights that don't play in the cold .

[scot]

Work harder. Do better shows. It's possible to keep indoor crowds.

Working indoors gifts you with options of A/C outlets, added security and no weather. See if you can store some props there. Use a mic. Maybe used lights. You can have a bigger show. You can easily make banners and you look more legit if you're working inside. Use these things and perform better shows. Make sure you explain to people that the Mall doesn't pay you. Try to get sponsors within the mall. You could make it so that you don't even need tips.

Scott

[jugglermatt1]

Dont do it , dont suck up to those people , be free , like a bird and migrate , if you can fit everything on to a bycicle then cycle off , I did it , and look at me .

[worldwidese]

[ 01-27-2003: Message edited by: worldwidese ]</p>

[worldwidese]

Malls are better than OK. It's a matter of searching out the ones that are willing to pay you for your attraction. Each Mall has a Merchants' Association with a pool of money for Special Events.You have a signed contract or letter of agreement.
You do three or four shows daily in splendid comfort, on a stage they erect for you, with a PA system and lights if you ask for them, and you do your thing. DO NOT BUSK! Why spoil a good thing?
Maybe you won't get a contract timed for exactly when YOU want it, as Malls have their preset Marketing Strategy, but then again, we have often made a personal visit on spec, and told them we are passing through, and they had us right away.
We have done Malls in the US, Canada, France, Mexico, Caracas, Beunos Aires, Sydney, etc. We find the hardest are Malls in the US. They have a plethora of free stuff offering- the Fire Brigade, Craft Exhibitions, a Lego Display, or such promotions.
It's a matter of finding the ones that do pay.

[Rev]

I'd work outside in any weather, but my partner is kind of a wuss when it comes to cold.

Seriously, though, the crowds will not stick around when it's cold. Even on days when it is around 45F or so, we have to shorten the show to about 10-15 minutes.

It is not a traditional "mall". It's an entertainment complex with a movie theater, an Imax, a cabaret, and several restaurants. There are only a few shops even in there.

As far as touring... I wanna make sure I can make some money. I've heard too many horror stories of tours that made nothing, and I've got a family to support.

[Doctor Eric]

Horror stories my ass...
Anyway, you can make a crowd stick in cold weather, you just have to be good, how to get that good you ask?
Perform in cold weather, struggle, and enjoy it. (Although under 45 degrees, don't bother, I've never met anyone THAT good)
And it is possible to tour and make money, just not in rock clubs. The way we do it is for reasons other than immediate cash.

[AJJames]

I don't hate malls because I can't keep a crowd there, I can keep large audiences in malls , before x-mas i had a payed gig in a mall /entertainment center called X-SCAPE , it has an indoor ski slope, bowling alleys, cinemas, discos and restaurants, It has a better vibe than most malls , but it was still a mall, I have a child to support so I can't be as choosy as I used to be, I'm not in a position to turn down payed work in winter, but I would never ever busk in a mall there's some thing wrong with bringing street theatre into shopping malls , we shouldn't be supporting them, they are the enemy aren't they. I think so, entertainment centers are one thing but artificial high streets and artificial cities are wrong ,wrong ,wrong .unless you live in canada where it's freezing.
oh and rev , regards horror stories , i agree with dr eric again, . stuck in a mall sounds like the real horror story to me.

[ 01-28-2003: Message edited by: AJJames ]</p>

[fracksfreakshow]

under 45, we are that good. we've kept them way below that, as long as it isn't raining. would much rather be working at a mall though, then touring and hungry. hmmmm making $500 bucks an afternoon at a mall, or touring, hungry, and making $0. frack will pick the second one.

yep yep frack attack

[Doctor Eric]

Before the issue gets any more confused by gross exaggerations and tender egos, let me clarify Rev... There is a BIG difference between touring rock/comedy clubs and travelling as a street performer. No or little overhead is the first one. If you plan ahead, you can do just fine monetarily. Better than fine, actually. Sure, you have a family, so plan ahead. And I'll tell you a real good way to avoid these "horror stories"(If you consider the princess and the pea to be particularly horrifying at least...) When someone offers you the chance to tour nationally with them, and then warns you up front that there is NO MONEY IN IT then DON'T GO. Just travelling to other cities and busking, sure, you can make great money, touring clubs? Nope, that is for experience and name recognition, you don't make any money until you crawl past the 'nobody' rung on the American Entertainment Industry ladder. Waaaaaay past it.

[fracksfreakshow]

wow people would really go on tour if told no money up front? wow! if that's the case then everyone come work with frack, frack will pay you nothing, who all wants to take frack up on this? sign up now, spots going fast.

[Doctor Eric]

Now don't play dumb Frack, it will just make me feel superior.

[fracksfreakshow]

playing dumb? frack is serious, if anyone wants to come to cincinnati, not get paid any money the whole time here then come to cincinnati.

[Doctor Eric]

Hey Frack, yer buddy wanted some help, and was confused by some things, so I offered some help. I'm sure both parties have heard you complain plenty, so let his questions be asked and answered.

[fracksfreakshow]

hey eric, fracks partner did ask a question. but since this is an open forum and you are replying, and everyone is reading this and not just him frack was putting out advice for everyone else. and if anyone wants to still come to cincinnati and get paid nothing, frack is still waiting for replys.

yep yep frack attack

[GlassHarper]

Jugglermatt1 said: "...be free, like a bird and migrate...," which reminds me of a poem I read during my original research into street performing. It was in a book by a 1970's British busker, Alan Young. The book was a wonderful introduction to the art and history of busking -- unfortunately I can't find the details in my files for a proper footnote -- I think it went like this:

FREE BIRD SONG (no reference to Lynyrrd Skynrrd)

A bird sang in the forest
And flew from tree to tree
Careless songs of nothing
High and low and free.

Over hills and down by streams
And following the breeze
In summer he would sun himself
In winter he would freeze.

But as the seasons come and go
And the songs went high and low
He sang them as he pleased.