| Interview with Magician Bryan Dean | |
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Donna: What's the smallest size group you'd recommend hiring someone for?
Bryan: For kids, you need at least 7 or 8. Less than that, they are too intimidated to laugh, etc. Over 25 loses it's charm, too. For adults... any size audience, but, again, for shows... about 10 or more. And for hypnosis, you need close to 100.
Donna: Why?
Bryan: Well, you need about 12 subjects on the stage area. And, in a crowd of 100 you'll fill up the chairs. With a small group, like 25, half the audience will be onstage! I'm doing one in 2 weeks with 50 persons... it should still work.
Donna: What's the ideal amount of time you should hire someone to perform (money issues aside).
Bryan: Okay... the kid show I do is no longer than 40 minutes. Some want an hour, but it's WAY too long attention-span wise. And, for a kids' party, since most are two hours long, a 40-minute show is perfect. Then, cake, ice cream, presents and out the door!
For grownups I do a 35-minute standup show. OR -- a walk around performance which can go for hours. For any entertainment, one must know that it could "wear thin" for the guests.
Donna: That must get tiring.
Bryan: Well, I take breaks. For 100 guests, I usually suggest 2 hours.
Donna: How much do you involve the audience in your magic shows?
Bryan: Lots... but no one is embarrassed. By the way, they SHOULD ask if anyone is embarrassed because if they are, it's good to know ahead of time. A true PRO won't mortify the company president in front of his employees. That's very important.
Donna: Why would you want anyone embarrassed?
Bryan: I wouldn't. Some performers think it's funny.
Donna: It also makes the audience uncomfortable. Do you think most entertainers will tell honestly if they do that?
Bryan: Yes... unless they want to get a punch in the nose by the boss. The people who help me out on stage are my guests and I treat them as such. I have a friend who does a trick where the person involved ends up with a toilet plunger on his head. Ohhh. Can you imagine?
Donna: Yuk!
Bryan: Yeah... Then, there's the "Bra Trick". The performer ties two silk handkerchiefs together and stuffs them in a lady's blouse...... you get the picture. I don't do ANYthing like that. But, some do!
Donna: So, what would you say is the best kind of entertainer to hire for different events?
Bryan: Me!
Donna: ...assuming a magician is the best! What's your second pick?
Bryan: Well...Okay for kids...magic is great for ages 4-10. Clowns are NOT so good for very young kids as it may make them cry. All you need is ONE kid crying and it's all over. But, they are good for ages 5-7. Face painting is good as are puppets. I suggest a puppeteer for young kids. BTW, a "character" is a WASTE OF MONEY. That is, hiring a "Barney"-type character...in a costume will just get beat up by the kids. So, you are paying good money for a fuzzy punching bag.
Donna: I find the kids are often scared of them.
Bryan: That, too.
For grownups... NO STRIPPERS at a cocktail party. Yes... I've see this happen and no one knows what to do. The guest of honor is usually mortified.
Donna: You'll have to read my office party feature, I talk about a company where I used to work who always brought in strippers during working hours!
Bryan: Amazing..!
Donna: These guys were stock traders - very wild.
Bryan: Magicians are great for cocktail parties as are psychic entertainers. If there's the chance where the crowd is seated, like at a banquet, anyone doing a stand-up show is ideal!
Donna: Would you do a walk-around show at a cocktail party?
Bryan: Yes! The magician walks-around from person to person performing right under their noses!
Donna: That sounds fun.
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