New Promo Video

[Steven Ragatz]

Originally posted by Doctor Eric
<start harsh critique>
Windows media player sucks, ...

Your video is bland and boring. Nothing at all about this makes you stand out as anything other than the most mediocre of variety acts...

Also. Your crowd looks like it has 6 people in it. Your only funny joke is a subtle come-on to a young boy.

This video is crap. You should start over, I think you can do better...

I disagree. If the video is an honest representation of the show, then that is what should be presented. Yes, there are technical issues that can always be addressed, but I definitely got a sense for the act and for the types of venues where it would be appropriately played. Saying "you can do better" is of little help - one can always "do better".

Marcus, for the most part, I would ignore Eric's heavy-handed assessment. I suspect he is trying to help in his own way, but in this instance I don't feel that the hard-ball tactic is justified. One point you might consider is including some routine or trick that you do in your show that is exclusively "you". If you can feature some component that nobody else will have on their promotional video, I think it could help address the one important issue that Eric brings up.

Steven Ragatz

[Isabella]

You look like you are good at your tricks and handle the audience well. I agree that it's a fairly "stock" show, and you seem to have a strong enough stage presence to explore your own personality in your show more fully in the future, but as promos go, this is fine. And really, even if we've heard all the lines, the audience hasn't in a lot of cases.

I like the Tiffany joke I don't understand Scot's version. To me, this is a slam on yourself, so it's OK.

Maybe stop after the shot of the audience applauding and cut the shot of them getting up and leaving?

As a first video, go for it. I had crappy crap crap video my first year, last year's was a bit less sucky, this year's is less sucky still, but still not as good as I think the show is. Then again, I'm not hurting for work, so I've stopped agonizing about it.

I think you can be shorter. It flows nicely and gives the impression of your show, but no-one has the attention span we'd like them to have. I went from a 10-minute montage followed by full show to a 7 minute montage followed by full show to a minute and a half montage and they can call if they want a disk of the full show. No-one has asked for the full show. (Yes, I'm working all year)

If I was looking at your video to hire you, my impressions and questions -

Does he have other clothes?
Funny and sweet, not outrageous, safe for kids
I bet he's not too expensive
Willing to work outdoors for an attention-challenged audience
Good as part of a festival where there were a few larger acts and a few smaller acts, he'd be in the middle.

Break a leg

Allison

[Marcus Wilson]

Dear, Eric

I have been registered on P-Net for a little more than two years and have been reading the forums for longer than that. I'm not a person who embarrasses easily and it when people insult me it doesn't really bother me. I don't care what most people think of me as a matter of fact the only group of people who's opinion of me I really think about are other performers.

This is the first time I have posted something on here to be critiqued. The reason for that is because I didn't want someone to creatively tell me how bad I sucked in front of a group of people who I respect and admire.

I wanted my video critiqued which includes my performance and jokes. I appreciate your input and agree with a lot of it. But why do you have to be such a dick?

Stop and think about what you are doing. You are keeping people from asking for advice and help. I know you are because you kept me from doing it. You are making people afraid to use this incredible resource Jim created.

I was expecting you to post something insulting. I decided to put my video up and ask for suggestions anyways because I new I would have a better video because of it.

Don't get me wrong I am glad you give your opinion and are blunt. I find your advice very useful but being so insulting is destructive and doesn't help anyone.

[Marcus Wilson]

I'm just saying

I have decided to remove this posts lie this are not what I'm about

[Steven Ragatz]

Marcus,

Don't get defensive. Eric means well and I completely understand where he and Scott are coming from and are trying to do. The fact that you get feedback at all is a sign that the P.net crowd is supporting you and wants you to succeed.

Keep in mind that there are many different markets and types of venues out there for variety performers. Each has a different sort of feel to it, and each has different expectations. I tend towards family/theatrical entertainment, so the use of standard routines and structures doesn't put me off. I know that general audiences are going to feel safe with that sort of material and welcome the entertainment factor. However, Eric and Scott are both more in line with an edgier crowd, one that I would expect to not respond well to anything timid or "sweet". I don't think that either of them are wrong, but their opinions are based on the markets they are used to and the sorts of audiences they deal with.

I already posted that I felt Eric's suggestions were heavy-handed in your case, but I also don't think that it isn't in your best interest to ask for critique, then when someone literally goes to the trouble of saying "it sucks - do it again," to get flustered. Take the good with the bad - chances are everyone is right in the appropriate context.

Steven Ragatz

[Marcus Wilson]

Im not trying to be deffinsive and I am glad Eric commented. What I am saying is that he could have made every point he made with out being insulting.

Lines like

You set up the crappiest punch line ever for a minute and a half. I've pulled out most of my hair by the time you get there.
and
rookie comedy that makes me want to curl up and die.

Will not help me or anyone else and I believe he is keeping other performers from asking for help.

Eric,
Thank You for replying and for being honest and blunt. I just think you being so insulting when someone asks for advice is hurting these forums.

I have said everything I am going to on this subject. If I havent made my point now I dont think I will be able to.

If anyone else has any comments on my video I would love to hear it.

[Doctor Eric]

marcus, relax. You asked for a critique, and I gave my honest opinion. Being a performer is not about patting yourself on the back constantly, or getting defensive. If you haven't asked for help purely because you were afraid that someone like me would slam you, then that is an issue with your ego, not me.

I told you I think you can do better, and I believe that, if I was really being the dick that you're claiming I am, I would have just told you to give up.

This has nothing to do with "edgy", it has to do with quality. Steven's view of my opinion is completely off-base. I have never once judged an act poorly because of it's target audience. For instance, I'm a big fan of Dado. But I do judge fairly. I don't feel that your video is of quality at all. It looks like you just slapped it together. You can send it out like that, nothing is stopping you. Having A video, even a shitty one, is better than having no video. You will probably get hired by some people. And some will probably share my opinion, but not voice it. That's why you ask for a critique in the first place.

You're welcome.

If you're done feeling fragile, back to the point. WMV still sucks, it's bad, bad, bad. You still need to take out the stock material, it doesn't do you, or the viewer, any good. The shots of your crowd are poor, it still looks like there are only 6 people watching you. The titling and logo are poor, and do nothing but detract. I still think that your skills are being overshadowed. Being able to catch a bowling ball on your face is cool. Hearing you recite that 911 joke, albeit with a somewhat clever tag at the end, isn't.

In the future I would suggest listening to critiques honestly, rather than wearing your heart on your sleeve. As stupid as the things we do are, this is still a professional industry, and you owe it to your audience to be honest with yourself. If you want to be handled with kid gloves, go take a finger painting class. If you've payed any attention to my post's you've noticed that there isn't anything wrong with sucking, as long as you're trying to get better. Get over it.

//EDIT//
And yes, those two lines will help you. Big setups with small punchlines are the mistake that EVERYONE makes in the beginning. Any book on comedy will tell you that. I told you for free. You're welcome, again.

[Doctor Eric]

more free advice...

...don't take scot's advice on comedy. He never makes sense on stage.
And offstage is still 50/50

[Marcus Wilson]

Eric,

The reason I use wmv files is because that is what my software makes. If you know of some software that will convert it to another format and not cost a ton of money I would love to hear about it.

I agree about the 911 joke. I think it is hack, stupid, predictable and has never been funny I don't even think of it as a joke. I use it because I really like my go ahead and text it line at the end. I think your right about taking it out of my video though it makes my show look more stock than it is. I will eventually do that once I have another clip to go in its place.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to deliver the go ahead and text it that will be faster line without the 911 set up I'm listening.

Which joke has to long of a setup and how would you shorten it?

How would you improve the titling?

Allison,

You mentioned other clothes any thoughts on a costume?

[martin ewen]

Dr Eric is merely as jaded as most of the people you'll send the video to for work.

You must remember that the crit he gave probably took him a couple of minutes and was relatively kind.

bear in mind he has to live with scathing self analysis 24/7

[Doctor Eric]

hah! From defensive to inquisitive in less than 8 hours. The kid shows promise. I think Marcus has learned more than anyone that attempted to defend him today. Three cheers! It ain't always easy to suck it up.

I'll be back in a min to answer your questions, I have to watch it again, which involves opening up your @#!?ing windows media file again...

tell me what video software you have, I'll tell you how to convert it.

[Marcus Wilson]

I'm using Pinnacle 10.7

[Stephon]

I disagree about the 911 joke. It may be hack to us, but if you listen, the audience is giving it a respectable laugh. And it's worth doing a hack joke as a setup to the very solid texting joke. If your goal is to entertain, keep the joke. If your goal is to create art, then make your show about the plight of Iranian orphans with the juggling pins representing coalition bombs, and cut the joke.

I think the hat routine is still a little too long. Maybe start it from the edit point--it's still impressive and the foot-to-head is a good end point.

The audience likes the Tiffany joke, too. If it were me, I'd cut the "blouse" line; it's cleaner with just "Shut up, Tiffany! I happen to like the Care Bears".

I didn't actually notice the music until after I read Eric's post, which is good, 'cuz the video isn't about the music. The music you chose is upbeat, but not distracting. Rather than cutting it off abruptly, let it fade out at about the point you say "helpers". (BTW Eric, calling a kid "good looking" is only a come on if you're a pedophile; otherwise it's a compliment).

Take down the volume a bit on the audience shot at the end, and it won't be so jarring.

Transitions--if you are cutting from one part of a routine to a part from that same routine, definitely use a cross fade. Jump cuts are fine between unrelated segment of the show.

Hope some of that is helpful to you. Keep working on it.

~Stephon

[Daniel Zindler]

Eric,

I disagree with your comments regarding stock material. Yes there are some festival producers (example being busker festivals) who have heard it but this number is very few. What about all the other high paying festivals and fairs out there? Not to mention corporate events. For these types of clients (if the stock jokes are done well) it can help. Just my 2 cents.

[thatjugglingfool]

Regarding the length of the 911 set up for the payoff of the punch, the rules of stand-up don’t necessarily apply in this instance. Since you are actively engaging the audience with the stacking of your rola bola boards a longer set up works. Is it optimal? No. Does it make the show less enjoyable for your audience? Not by their reaction. Would I change it to a quick set up punch? Sure. You really don’t have to cut anything out. Just eliminate the time in between the lines. Make it one quick joke at the beginning of the trick and add a few more jokes to fill the time, maybe a midget joke and something about your problem with pedophilia.