Show set up

Started by Billy Wiz, March 21, 2010, 10:27:45 AM

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Billy Wiz

I'm about to get some new banners printed for use at various events, sometimes using both, sometimes just one behind me when balloon modelling etc.

My question is . . . . do you think it would it be OK to use at bigger events like holiday camps etc? What I'm unsure of is the 'Available for...' section. Do you think it does any harm to advertise this when working on stage?

Obviously when I'm booked through an agency I wouldn't use it, but when I'm booked direct, is there any the harm in advertising what you do? I get quite a bit of work from people who see me at bigger events like these, but many people still don't realise I do 'smaller' parties, and I think the banners would inform them.

I've added a photo below of what the banners will look like when added to my normal set up. I'm interested to hear your views, thanks.

Billy Wiz

#1
Here's the banner again closer up . . . . .

Stefan

#2
i have no experience in this what so ever so won't comment on it - I will however comment on that rabbit puppet - LOOKS BRILLIANT!  :P  :lol:  :D
Twist, twist, squeek, squeek, POP........ah pants.....

Billy Wiz

#3
Quote from: "Stefan"i have no experience in this what so ever so won't comment on it - I will however comment on that rabbit puppet - LOOKS BRILLIANT!  :P  :lol:  :D

haha, thanks Stefan. To be honest, I'm bored using it after so many years, but he's a massive hit in the show so I can't drop him. The kids are constantly asking when is 'Dusty rabbit' coming out????

Graham Lee

#4
The setup looks nice Graeme, a good place to advertise, after all you are doing one show to get another.
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Neil

#5
Hey Mr Wiz!

Like Stefan, I have no experience either - but since you've asked for views.....  ;)

Quote from: "Billy Wiz"Do you think it does any harm to advertise this when working on stage?
On one hand, I don't think it does any harm to put suggestions into potential customers heads about where they could use you.  For example, someone who might not have immediately thought of you for a shop opening, say, now has that idea in their head - so when they open their shop, hopefully they'll think "Actually, I'm not just going to stick a couple of balloons to the door myself - I'll get Billy Wiz!"  The advertising is free and has worked.

However, on the other hand - I think most of the others on the list ARE occasions that people generally would associate you with, so does it really need said anyway?  In the same vein, I think your banners and props make it obvious you are talented, professional, established and successful - the obvious advertising maybe slightly counters this, perhaps?  (I dunno - I don't do shows so I've no idea what I'm talking about  :oops: )  

How about a collection of smallish photos of your work from the events you've listed, then the advertising is more subliminal, and gets round the unease when doing larger shows?

Just my tuppenceworth - hope this helps!

--Neil
"I don\'t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody." - Bill Cosby

Fuzzy

#6
Good set up....For an exhibition!

It is far to busy to have an impact.

I have seem so many of these banners which say look "I do this"

when all they should be doing is enhancing  you presence and increasing you name awareness.

Could one day somebody will see your picture of you will all your puppets....Then after the event moan that you did not use them all.

Billy Wiz Magician...Then you have a picture of puppets.

Can people at the back read your phone number or web address?

Fuzz

Billy Wiz

#7
Hi Fuzz, thank you for your comments, I obviously like to hear positive as well as negative, all helps to improve. Here are my thoughts to your comments . . . .

Quote from: "Fuzzy"Good set up....For an exhibition!Fuzz
Not quite sure what you mean here. Are you refering to just the banners or my set up in general.

I know some people like to pack small for a show, I'm the oppisite. Customers are paying me good money to entertain at their parties, so I like to provide a top quality show which for me includes a good set up. This whole set up actually only teakes about 6 mins to set up.

It might look like an exhibition as you asy, but thats what I want, after all, isn't my show an exhibition?




Quote from: "Fuzzy"It is far to busy to have an impact.Fuzz
I didn't think it was too busy, far from it, I thought the oppisite, everything is readable with not too much. I know what you're saying, but I purposely kept it less, at least I thought I had, would be interested if anyone else felt the same.



Quote from: "Fuzzy"I have seem so many of these banners which say look "I do this"
Do you mean the extra photos with the balloons on the left banner? I like having these, they are also on my balloon walk about box and is always a great talking point. I feel it shows how professional you are with our art.




Quote from: "Fuzzy"Could one day somebody will see your picture of you will all your puppets....Then after the event moan that you did not use them all.
The puppets are used in every show.




Quote from: "Fuzzy"Billy Wiz Magician...Then you have a picture of puppets.
My show is normally billed as 'The Billy Wiz Magic & Puppet Show'




Quote from: "Fuzzy"Can people at the back read your phone number or web address? Fuzz
They should be able to, the banners are very tall.



Once again Fuzz, I do appreciate your comments, good or bad, it makes me think about what I've done or maybe need to do/change. Cheers :) :)

Billy Wiz

#8
Thank you also to Neil for your comments, you've broght up some interesting points/ideas

Thanks :) :)

Fuzzy

#9
QuoteGood set up....For an exhibition!

Not quite sure what you mean here. Are you refering to just the banners or my set up in general.

Take the banners out and this would look lost in a exhibition but great on stage.

Example:

You go to a theatre to see a show....Where do they display future shows?

QuoteIt might look like an exhibition as you asy, but thats what I want, after all, isn't my show an exhibition?

No, you are there to entertain/perform.

What would it look like if Paul Daniels had banner advertising his business workshops or his shop.


QuoteI didn't think it was too busy, far from it, I thought the oppisite, everything is readable with not too much. I know what you're saying, but I purposely kept it less, at least I thought I had, would be interested if anyone else felt the same.

Can you honestly say that you web address can be read from the back in a packed out hall?

Take out the banners and I would say most can bee read.

Stick .biz on the end of everything Billy Wiz & you raise your profile subtly without the banners.

QuoteDo you mean the extra photos with the balloons on the left banner? I like having these, they are also on my balloon walk about box and is always a great talking point. I feel it shows how professional you are with our art.

Good that you like them but what relevance has it to the show?

QuoteThe puppets are used in every show.

That good.

QuoteMy show is normally billed as 'The Billy Wiz Magic & Puppet Show'

Why not have a sign saying that.

QuoteThey should be able to, the banners are very tall.

Details are at the bottom which are lost when you are performing even if  nothing is going on on stage they probably would not be seen very well in a packed house.

If you want people to see it then raise it, if not do not have it on there at all.

Fuzz

Krazy Kev

#10
This was mine Graeme before I purchased a spiderframe backdrop at blackpool. Don't have one of my new set up as yet!

wayne

#11
I really like the set up.  Mine is similar although I do not have pics as of yet.  I have a custom made purple backdrop with banners as stage wings.  This is almost what you have doen Graeme although I would bring the banners into the centre just that little bit more so that they cover the edges of the curtain when you are looking straight on.  This then creates a real theatre setting.  We all know that as childrens entertainers alot of venues we get booked to perform at are terrible settings and preparing our set up in this manner with the curtain at rear and the banners creating stage left and right it really does add alot to your show.

At the moment my banners do not have my contact details on, this is purely because of working with agents.  I am planning to get another banner done with contact details but I would agree with Fuzzy that in the pics the contact details seem very small.  I would definatly make them bigger!

I really like the pics on the banners and I think the pics of the balloon work is quite important as most adults think that balloon modelling is all about little dogs and flowers so showing that you are different is a good thing.

Another thing I do as part of my branding is by using a colour scheme that I stick to religously.  You might want to look into this.  Paul Megram's (Colonel Custard) DVD (The King of Custard) covers this topic and he has done very well from it.