From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Mathieu_Ren=E9?= <creaturiste-AT-primus.ca>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2007 22:26:58 -0400
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Getting Gigs


Lost in my little temporary bubble of agressivity (physycally dangerous 
puppets is a pet-peeve of mine)
I forgot to mention an easy gig to sell:

If you have an interesting and impressive and colorful enough large puppet 
or outfit, some big events will hire you for crowd entertainment.  Concept 
and story do not need to be very elaborate.
A short audition and you have the gig.
At my first attempt with a friend (two puppeteers on a human size puppet 
with feet connected to one performer's), we got in as crowd performers at 
the Montreal International Jazz Festival.
We did a good job and had lots of fun, although my puppet (my first attempt 
of the kind) was a bit clumsier than I'd have wished.

A lot of other performers that year were not that much more experienced. 
They did have interesting props or costumes. Basically, this type of crowd 
pleasing is secondary, kind of an extra little thing to have, but not 
considered a priority by organisers.

Still, it adds to the flavour of an event, and can provide many great 
learning opportunities for beginners.
For instance, I learned that a few of those perky performers, especially the 
clown, were rather negative-thinking people when being themselves during 
breaks.

And I also learned that when you really love what you do and do it as best 
you can, most people you meet in those crowd-interaction situations 
appreciate it and play along.

Of course, you also need to learn patience when dealing with the 
unwell-meaning teenagers who try to sabotage your act... ARGH, and I meant 
to finish this post with something positive!

...seeking positive ending...

Oh yeah! It rained on the last day of our Jazz festival gig, and all 
perfomers were paid even though we couldn't perform. Instead, we had an 
impromptu musical party in the performer's tent.




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