Public Paranoia and Crowd gathering Techniq

[Happy Pig]

This weekend the Sun decided to return to my small corner of the world so I took my show case for a spin. Stopping close to the pitch to pick up batteries I left it close to the door to avoid annoying other customers by dragging it around. In the 30 sec it took me to grab the batteries and reach the counter someone there was calling security to check out the strange case sitting near there door.
This is New Zealand. No body really thought it was a bomb. But it did get me thinking as I sat on the pitch and waited for something resembling an audience to show up....

Has anyone used a suitcase by it self as a crowd pull? Leave it by itself on the pitch maybe layout some yellow caution tape?

[Pele]

Chalk a body outline next to it and you have a winner my friend! [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

[Charles - Corporate Entertainer]

Hmm, a static crowd puller...

Now you've got me thinking, as we all know the Auckland crowds require a lot of 'education' concerning buskers.

How about using reverse-pyschology? A sign telling everyone to "go away, that there is no chance some crazy talented wierdo will start up a free show and then pass a hat around. It won't happen, so leave now before it's too late!"

Thanks, Sam, maybe see you at the juggling fest in Feb?

[jugglermatt1]

An Argentinian friend uses one of those mass produced squeaking chinese dogs . He puts it in his case with microphone , and returns every now and again to give it a whack with a big stick .I suppose you have to be there really , but he gets his crowd

[stickman]

Tend to leave my box alone and watch people try to steal it on a regular basis. Of course its so big most people canīt even shift it normally. More of a show for me then a crowd gather though. As for telling people to "go away" it can work beautifully. Decided to hand pick a crowd for a street show I was doing. Nobody else on pitch, so no time constraints. Spent an hour telling people to leave, since I definitly wasn`t going to do a show for them. Ended up with a brillant group of people who didnīt believe a word I said, used to that so it was great. Been using it on/off for years, doesn't always work but fun never the less.

Stickman

[ 01-11-2004: Message edited by: stickman ]</p>