Negotiating fees really can be one of the most confusing things about being a working magician because how do you charge someone for something that you would gladly do for free . It ’ s always a little tough because as artists we don ’ t have structured pricing . Also all of us performing are on different levels . I charge more than the seventeen year old lugging around his circle square on the bus to gigs but I recognize that I am not going to be able to demand the same fee as someone that has been on Fool Us or the Grand Prix Champion at FISM .
In , 99 I was asked by a friend to do a Christmas show for some kids . I figured that this was a small party for a few families so I said that I would do it for the cost of a tank of gas and getting my tuxedo dry cleaned , which at the time was $ 89 . Magic wasn ’ t my full time gig at the time but this gig was on a Saturday so six weeks out I committed to doing this show for a few kids for $ 89 .
The weeks went by and I made sure that I had my hat tears and mouth coils ready to rock . Friday afternoon before the show , I got a call from my boss asking if I wanted some over time on Saturday . Now this over time shift was for 12 hours which would equate to 3 day ’ s pay . Even back then , $ 89 was a fraction of what I would have been earning , but , I gave my word and I was committed to the show so I declined .
“ WHEN WE ARE BORN , EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD IS MAGIC . EVERYTHING FROM THE SOUNDS WE HERE TO THE MOVEMENT OF OUR VERY OWN FINGERS IS WONDERFUL AND AMAZING .
The day came , I got dressed , loaded up the minivan and drove to the private club where the party was supposed to be taking place . In my normal contract , even back then , a parking spot was part of the rider . In order to keep me from walking miles to the venue and lugging my equipment down the sidewalk , I always wrote that in . Because this show was for a friend , I didn ’ t make out a contract at all . There was no parking spot for me . When I arrived , the parking lot was packed . It was ok because I wasn ’ t doing a “ big ” show so I didn ’ t have my sound system or back drop and just had my Lefler table . It was still an awkward hike through the parking lot .
53 VANISH Magazine www . VanishMagazine . com