How would one go about getting a contract doing magic on a cruise ship? Years ago I had a book on it, but never pursued it. But I think it would be interesting.



Bengi

Hey there Bengi,



Each Line has its own ‘booker’. Some go through ligament agents only and some will talk directly with individual performers. You will need, in most cases, an hours worth of material. Not an hour show mind you, but an hour of material that can be dived up into a number of shows.



One thing you need to prepare for is going out for six to eight months. Generally speaking the longer you are willing to go out for, the better. It is possible to go out for shorter periods of time.



For the past year and a half I have been, what is called, a Fly-On act. I am out on a ship three or four days a week and home the rest of the time (I know, great gig! Yeah, but the flying is getting old). I am on six flights a week.



OK, it’s 4 am and I am rambling. I hope this helps. If you are truly interested call the individual lines and ask to speak to the entertainment director, be honest and ask them what they are looking for, and be prepared to send them a video of Material.

How much stage material does one need? I dont really have stage material and I have not oriented my thinking towards stage work but still I'm interested in cruise work. I know a lot of close up; is this enough or no so as to pursue this venue?

You are going to need a stage act. Cruises rarely use even the BEST close up guys.

Actually, I have worked cruises a number of times doing close up. But I don’t like the time away.



Also, you are typically given the choice of going as a passenger or a crew member. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. I suppose that is better saved for another time.



If you’re interested in this type of work, you may consider starting with shorter haul cruises-- Mississippi riverboats, Puget Sound or San Francisco Bay, etc. Then if you like it and think it might be for you, try to book some of the big boys, who, contrary to what you might think, are always looking for fresh, new acts, provided those acts are QUALITY!

Oh, snooty me I didn't count a cruise on the bay as a cruise ship. Doh!

Just curious, which Lines give you a choice of Passenger or crew? It’s all been a sort of in-between status where I’ve worked. Thanks.

TC-

It's been a while back (mid '80's) on a line that no longer exists. If you are currently working cruises, you would know better than I.

I miss the eighties, big hair, big shoulder pads…



Yeah, now on the ships you are neither pax nor crew. To be more accurate, you are either pax or crew depending on what suits “them” at the time, but hey, it’s a living.



So, where is Star? I worked a few places in Idaho, back in the good ol’ comedy boom days. Yep, if a Black Angus had a comedy night I was there.

Star is about a half hour west of Boise. I worked some Stuart Anderson's in the 80's, too, but in Western Washington (Tacoma/Seattle area--most often at the one near the Sea-Tac Mall). Also used to do the Red Lion circuit. All of them around here were purchased by Doubletree and don't book much live entertainment anymore. Comedy doesn't seem as big around here, either, although the local Funny Bone does OK.

For a good book on cruise ships get Michael Rappa’s "Entertaining on Cruise Ships" How to take your show on the road ...by ship. I purchased a copy from Denny and Lees. It is an excellent book. There are 175 pages related to this topic. with a copyright of 1999, so it is a relatively new book.



If you are even considering Cruise Ships, than you must read this book. It will stop a lot of problems, save your doves from being killed, increase your weight (food is great) and set you straight on how to go about it and promoting yourself properly.



I have not done cruise ships, but after reading this book, I am considering giving it a try just to say I did it.









_________________

Dennis Dowhy (800) 927-6671

www.Magic-Magic.com

[email]DennisDowhy@magic-magic.com[/email]

Just a note:

I landed a job on a ship!!!

No.... not a cruise ship

But a local Casino ship... will go out a whole 10 miles from shore!!!

But to me it's a thrill!!!!

Maybe the next one will be the real thing!!!

I'll be going aboard for two nights the end of February. I have a complete stage show already.... but need to hear from anyone with any suggestions!!



Bengi

Don't get sea sick



Congratulations

OK, I'll bite. What's the difference between being considered passenger and crew?

Congratulations Bengi,



my suggestion is;

take a laptop so you can stay in touch with us here at the "Magic Cafe"



Mya

From my conversations several years ago with a chap who briefly did the cruise ship gig, you are generally considered part of the crew, which means you are not simply the
"talent", but also expected to be an entertainment director, ie, shuffleboard coordinator, etc. It’s cheaper for the line to get you to serve in as many capacities as they can get you to do.

Interesting side note, maybe not germain to the topic, but oh well, he also said that the way he made extra cash was thru a raffle. Seems that he noticed that many members of the crew would purchase, say a nice bbq grill, cheaply from one of the ports of call. He would then go around selling $2 raffle tickets, casually of course, to the guests. Obviously, the crew member would make 2-3 times what the grill cost, and the lucky passenger that won it was thrilled. My magician friend did this as well on every subsequent cruise. Why bother you ask? At the time he had to pay a 10-15% fee to the booker to get these gigs. He made back this money plus some in this manner. And it’s undeclared income. But I’m certain he reported it. eh, hum....

Also, don’t fool yourselves into thinking that this is an easy field to get into. Most of the lines have had some experience (probably bad) in working with magic acts of varying quality, and the opporunities that are available are competitively fought over.


-Chris

Hi gang,

In the MagicCoach archives available via

http://www.magiccoach.com

issue 44 covers a lot of tips on the Cruise Ship market.

I don’t think the above quoted "generally treated as crew" is strictly true.

If you have "passenger status" you are treated as a passenger, cabin, meals in the dining room etc. Crew status will put you in crew quarters for sleeping, eating in the mess etc.

It’s being on the payroll rather than as a contracted performer. Even with passenger status you will get asked to help out with things. Celebrity Panel etc.

My advice, get involved as much as possible.
The more people you can meet and befriend
in a pleasant way before your show, the better it’s going to go.

Because when you work the big ships there is alot going on. There will be a movie on, another show, cocktail bands, the Casino, all diluting your audience.

The previous post mentions a fund raising
raffle scheme. I would be extremly wary of attempting such a thing until you were well
established in your cruise career.

The Cruise Directors of most ships are God.
They speak- you obey. Get on the wrong side of one - you are in serious trouble.

If there’s extra money to be made on most
ships, they are the ones who run it. Bingo, Horse Racing etc.

However, there are ways to boost your income.
Back of the Room sales work well. Some performers teach Magic Lessons, comedy performers sell tapes etc.

Our masterclass "Multiply your Merchandising"
goes into this in great detail.

Most ships will take a cut, or you can do a deal with the Cruise Director.


Have to run

Here’s to a great 2002

Timothy Hyde

MagicCoach - The webs only free weekly
guaranteed to grow your Entertainment Business. Over 2000 readers world wide

http://www.magiccoach.com