As I write this, I am at the Hilton Gardens in Indianappolis. When I climbed off the plane yesterday it was 18 degrees. But it was a dry cold...
I constantly hear from other ventriloquists about their adventures in the sunny tropics aboard their latest cruise. I get to freeze. That's not to say I don't get to head South, but usually it is the middle of summer when it is so hot you catch fire walking outdoors. Or hurricane season.
The last couple of entries discussed a situation I am currently facing. I'm not certain how much it has improved, but everyone involved seems to be working on it. It will take a lot of time, and patience. In the meantime, I have a corporate show this evening, then fly home to work on things again. I'm tired.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
You've Got To Laugh
There have been some moments of light since my last post. They were shattered by more darkness. It is tough to go on-stage, completely torn inside, and trying to make people laugh.
Last night was about 14 minutes of true accomplishment. I did my job. You've got to laugh, because sadness can overwhelm you. Thankfully last night the audience gave me as much therapy as I was able to provide them.
Right now, I am giving space to someone who needs to do a lot of inner reflection. I am purposely not contacting this person. I'm not sure it is the right move, but it is the only way I can think of to make them think about what can be lost. When I offered my support, they slipped immediately back into old destructive patterns.
I am currently surrounded by long time friends who are providing me their support and I want to thank them. Again and again.
Last night was about 14 minutes of true accomplishment. I did my job. You've got to laugh, because sadness can overwhelm you. Thankfully last night the audience gave me as much therapy as I was able to provide them.
Right now, I am giving space to someone who needs to do a lot of inner reflection. I am purposely not contacting this person. I'm not sure it is the right move, but it is the only way I can think of to make them think about what can be lost. When I offered my support, they slipped immediately back into old destructive patterns.
I am currently surrounded by long time friends who are providing me their support and I want to thank them. Again and again.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Alcohol Kills
I've read about alcoholism. I've seen the problems it can cause. I've seen extended family members deal with it. This week it finally touched me in a most unpleasant way.
No, its not me personally, but someone very close. Its killing a relationship that I've valued for years. And the truth is, I'm not certain the alcohol is to blame entirely, or if that allowed issues to reach the light of day so they had to be examined. One thing is certain - I'm not looking forward to the period ahead.
No, its not me personally, but someone very close. Its killing a relationship that I've valued for years. And the truth is, I'm not certain the alcohol is to blame entirely, or if that allowed issues to reach the light of day so they had to be examined. One thing is certain - I'm not looking forward to the period ahead.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
2010 Looking Good!
Only a few days in and I've got "flying dates" on my calendar which means I get to travel! I just scheduled the first of my Beach Street dates for the summer. I will be performing there June 11 - 22. If you are interested in visiting Virginia Beach, come and see me then. It's still early - but I've got a good feeling about 2010!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Technology
Wow, I am finally just behind the wave! After years of feeling a phone should be a phone, my "personal device" is now able to answer e-mails, check my calendar and surf for trivial information - all with just a touch of my grimy, screen smudging finger. I'll be out of touch for a while until I learn how to use it!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Corporate Entertainment - Heading Forward
With 2009 winding down, I took a long look at what brought me the most joy (performance-wise) during the past year. Without a doubt, it was the corporate shows. After dinner programs at conventions, awards banquets, and parties were by far the most rewarding. I enjoy working with my clients to customize the program. When the show hits that personal note, it draws the biggest laughs.
As I look forward to 2010, I intend to increase my share of the corporate market. I hope as it rebounds from the economy, that I can not only enjoy the ride, but perform more of the shows that suit my act best. Creating an atmosphere of comedy where my clients, audiences and I can thrive.
To get things rolling, I started by reworking my web site:
ComedyVentriloquist.com
Here is hoping that 2010 brings us all the things we work for and the chance to succeed at what we love.
As I look forward to 2010, I intend to increase my share of the corporate market. I hope as it rebounds from the economy, that I can not only enjoy the ride, but perform more of the shows that suit my act best. Creating an atmosphere of comedy where my clients, audiences and I can thrive.
To get things rolling, I started by reworking my web site:
ComedyVentriloquist.com
Here is hoping that 2010 brings us all the things we work for and the chance to succeed at what we love.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Hiring Horrible Entertainment
(Warning: This post will offend the parties involved and their friends. I am sorry, it must be said.)
Some people should not be on-stage.
This past week I read a forum post from a "ventriloquist" who discussed a major Christmas gig they did last weekend. This "ventriloquist" talked about the adventure getting there, the accomodations, the beautiful theatre, how the client was disorganized, but how well their show was received.
I happened to know this event was contracted through a company called Gigmasters. They provide client feedback that links to each entertainer's profile. When you do a show, the client can let others know what they thought of your performance. The information is there for everyone to see - especially potential clients.
Since I had bid on this event, I decided to check the client feedback on this gig. It was horrible. The client was embarrassed by the quality of the show, people had left, it was without a doubt the worst review of an act I have seen on the Gigmasters.com system. The performer left a long winded response defending their act - but what is the true story?
The true story is that the client and the "ventriloquist" are both to blame.
First, the "ventriloquist" has an un-realistic view of their act. Perhaps the most telling, is the fact they posted how well the act had been received BEFORE the client posted feedback. If the act had bombed as the client said, shouldn't the "ventriloquist" have known that? Now the same "ventriloquist" is saying they were injured and in great pain during the performance. Funny how that was never mentioned in the original, very detail oriented forum post.
Wait a second Tom! Maybe the client was just a jerk and wrong about the act. Maybe the ventriloquist was injured and it affected the performance. Did you ever think about that?
Yes. But put aside the claims, put aside the "ventriloquist's" credentails and READ all of the client feedback for this particular act. This act has a history of poor shows. I've seen this act live - it isn't pleasant and it isn't entertaining. But what about the laughs on their video? Sorry, just because the audience was laughing, didn't mean they were laughing at the jokes.
So if the act is bad and shouldn't be on-stage, how is the client to blame? An act who can't achieve decent reviews at a birthday party and has failed miserably at larger scale events should never have been hired for that event. The client FAILED to do their job. They looked at their budget, the price of the act, and hired this person. If they had read the reviews and really watched the video, they would have realized this act was not appropriate. They deserved to be embarrassed by the outcome of the performance.
So how do you avoid hiring horrible entertainment?
First, read the act's feedback and reference quotes*. Next, watch the act's video. Can you actually see and hear what the act looks and sounds like? Does the act engage you? Is the material entertaining? DOES THE VIDEO FIT THE QUOTES?
*-WARNING - Don't assume quotes are real, acts have made them up. If the video lives up to the quotes, then you can bet they are. If not, ask for information on these previous clients and contact them.
Just because an act fits your budget doesn't mean they are suitable for your event. It would actually be better to look elsewhere or go without that particular type of entertainment rather than just hire someone to fill the slot.
The key here is to DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Don't be embarrassed by your entertainment!
Some people should not be on-stage.
This past week I read a forum post from a "ventriloquist" who discussed a major Christmas gig they did last weekend. This "ventriloquist" talked about the adventure getting there, the accomodations, the beautiful theatre, how the client was disorganized, but how well their show was received.
I happened to know this event was contracted through a company called Gigmasters. They provide client feedback that links to each entertainer's profile. When you do a show, the client can let others know what they thought of your performance. The information is there for everyone to see - especially potential clients.
Since I had bid on this event, I decided to check the client feedback on this gig. It was horrible. The client was embarrassed by the quality of the show, people had left, it was without a doubt the worst review of an act I have seen on the Gigmasters.com system. The performer left a long winded response defending their act - but what is the true story?
The true story is that the client and the "ventriloquist" are both to blame.
First, the "ventriloquist" has an un-realistic view of their act. Perhaps the most telling, is the fact they posted how well the act had been received BEFORE the client posted feedback. If the act had bombed as the client said, shouldn't the "ventriloquist" have known that? Now the same "ventriloquist" is saying they were injured and in great pain during the performance. Funny how that was never mentioned in the original, very detail oriented forum post.
Wait a second Tom! Maybe the client was just a jerk and wrong about the act. Maybe the ventriloquist was injured and it affected the performance. Did you ever think about that?
Yes. But put aside the claims, put aside the "ventriloquist's" credentails and READ all of the client feedback for this particular act. This act has a history of poor shows. I've seen this act live - it isn't pleasant and it isn't entertaining. But what about the laughs on their video? Sorry, just because the audience was laughing, didn't mean they were laughing at the jokes.
So if the act is bad and shouldn't be on-stage, how is the client to blame? An act who can't achieve decent reviews at a birthday party and has failed miserably at larger scale events should never have been hired for that event. The client FAILED to do their job. They looked at their budget, the price of the act, and hired this person. If they had read the reviews and really watched the video, they would have realized this act was not appropriate. They deserved to be embarrassed by the outcome of the performance.
So how do you avoid hiring horrible entertainment?
First, read the act's feedback and reference quotes*. Next, watch the act's video. Can you actually see and hear what the act looks and sounds like? Does the act engage you? Is the material entertaining? DOES THE VIDEO FIT THE QUOTES?
*-WARNING - Don't assume quotes are real, acts have made them up. If the video lives up to the quotes, then you can bet they are. If not, ask for information on these previous clients and contact them.
Just because an act fits your budget doesn't mean they are suitable for your event. It would actually be better to look elsewhere or go without that particular type of entertainment rather than just hire someone to fill the slot.
The key here is to DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Don't be embarrassed by your entertainment!
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