New promo vid, would love som feedback

[charliekarl]

Hello there.

I've got a new video and would love some feedback. Check it out on:

http://www.catchmagic.com/video.php

Cheers
--
Charlie Caper

[Lee Nelson]

super effort

One of the nicest videos I have ever seen

well done

[Jim]

That was a great video.

I've never seen your act, but you seem very talented and likeable.

My only criticism... the "head-turn-kiss" thing has got to go. Not just from the video, but from your act. It's hack and un-necessary.

Everything about your presence says "A touch of class" and "professional" but when I saw that, I cringed. It doesen't fit your character and it makes you look like an amateur.

And I'm not just picking on you, I think every performer should just stop doing that... It's the oldest, tiredest, lamest, cheapest laugh in the book.

Seriously, though... everything else it great.

[Rachel Peters]

Hear Hear!
...Yeah, for a long-ish video, it's entirely full of content! I wanted to watch it all, to the very end, and then some more.
But cheek-kiss -- I concur. I always, always cringe at it. Probably even more than Jim, considering I'm a girl and a potential victim for it.

[scot]

I love the cheek kiss gag. You gotta get some play some way. You know, for ugly guys, it might be the only kisses they get. I personally don't need the gag because I'm funny, charming and attractive, but go for it if you need it.

I tried to be the firs to post a response, but my computer wasn't working well last night.

It's too long. Everything's great, but it's too long. each of the places you've been can be shortened and, instead of putting the location as a subtitle, make it a title -- right across the middle of the frame.

I wouldn't say that it's too long if it was necessary. You show a lot of good stuff, just cut out lag.

I can't believe Jim posted something.

[Jim]

Originally posted by scot

I can't believe Jim posted something.

Hey, I have strong feelings about the stupid cheek kiss, OK?

I do agree with Scot on the other stuff. It could be about a minute shorter if you tightened a few things up. You don't have to get rid of scenes, just shave a bit off each clip.

[Mike Weakley]

cheek-kiss bit

I may be in the minority here, but I say keep the cheek-kiss bit. Sure, it is one of the oldest, tiredest, lamest, cheapest laugh in the book; but the general public loves it. People watching a show still laugh when they see that. And when you're performing a show, who are you more interested in pleasing... the people watching you and potentially filling your hat, or a group fellow entertainers on a website in cyberspace?

[Jim]

Re: cheek-kiss bit

Originally posted by Mike Weakley
I may be in the minority here, but I say keep the cheek-kiss bit. Sure, it is one of the oldest, tiredest, lamest, cheapest laugh in the book; but the general public loves it. People watching a show still laugh when they see that. And when you're performing a show, who are you more interested in pleasing... the people watching you and potentially filling your hat, or a group fellow entertainers on a website in cyberspace?

You've just summed up what's wrong with the entire street performing scene...

"It gets a laugh, so I'll just keep doing it."

----------------------------
Don't stop to ask yourself if it's stolen.

Don't stop to ask yourself if it's cheap.

Don't stop to ask yourself if it's been done since the beginning of time.

Don't stop to ask yourself if it's actually "funny" or if the reaction your getting is merely an uncomfortable chuckle.

Don't stop to ask yourself if it looks professional. (It doesn't.)

Don't stop to ask yourself if it even fits your character. (It probably doesn't.)

Don't stop to ask yourself if there is a way to twist it and make it even funnier and fit your character better.

No, just keep doing it because it "gets a laugh." You'll be fine. Have fun working on the street for the rest of your career next to a dozen other acts doing the same jokes.

Damn, I'm turning into the Butterfly Man.

[Mike Weakley]

Wow Jim... you certainly do have some strong feelings about this. I admire anyone who strives to be original in their performing. There definitely needs to be more of that. But I see nothing wrong with an occasional cheap bit thrown in if it still gets a laugh. However, if the entire act is nothing but old, cheap, stolen bits, then that's another issue.

As far as the kiss-cheek bit being "funny" or just an uncomfortable reaction, it all depends on how it's done. (You know... it's not "what" you do, but "how" you do it). The reaction Charlie got in the video was definitely laughter... real laughter. The audience loved it! There was nothing at all uncomfortable about their reaction. I thought the way he did the bit was very professional and fit his character quite well. Not everyone could pull it off like that, but he sure did. As long as you can get that kind of reaction from doing an occasional cheap bit, I say keep doing it. Remember, if they laugh, it's funny. If they don't, it ain't. And... a cheap bit well done is a well done cheap bit.

[Jim]

Mike,

I guess we disagree. My honest opinion is that that one clip in his video weakened my impression of him. Everything was going along just fine and suddenly, he went for the cheek-kiss-bit and I immediately thought, "hack." I will say that he did it better than some people, but it's still a weak joke that he doesn't need! He's a strong, professional, likeable performer. If he took it out, his show would not suffer and people like me and thousands of other audience members and potential clients who have seen that bit a million times won't think he's a hack.

I'm not trying to be argumentative or start a flame war. I just wish more performers would take a look at their shows and edit out the tired, old, stock shit that doesn't belong to them. I know it's never going to happen... but if we could just get rid of the cheek kiss bit, we'd be off to a good start.

[scot]

Don't give in, Jim. You don't disagree.

Mike, quit it. Get rid of the cheek kiss gag. It's only a short burst of laughter. The stupidest person in the world could work for a week to come up with a replacement that got the same reaction. It isn't that you disagree with Jim, it's that you're trying to justify your own laziness.

Why don't you try to give everyone in your audience a fresh show with original everything (including tricks and jokes and setups and costume)?

that one second clip in his video will not make him more hireable, but it could make him less.

if you don't strive for originality, you don't admire it very much do you? You don't admire it more than say, being lazy.

[Butterfly Man]

turning into the Butterfly Man

The bitch is ugly ... if you want to keep the bit, just put a bag over her head first.

Better yet, turn her head into a coke can then stomp on it ... not original but it fits your character.

[scot]

ha

[Mike Weakley]

Jim,
Yes we do disagree, but that's cool. I was pretty sure I was going to be in the minority on this one anyway, but still wanted to voice my opinion. Like you, I'm not trying to start an argument here. One thing we do agree on is that from the video we saw, Charlie is a very strong, talented performer. He looked like he was having even more fun than his audiences were. I really enjoyed watching his video.

And Scott... you seem to have some strong feelings on this as well. By all means, you are entitled to your opinion. I know I'm not going to change you mind on this, and I'm not even trying to. I'm just giving my point of view on the subject. I do believe, however, that the one second clip you were referring to WILL make him more hireable. Did you hear the reaction from the audience when he did that? That was real laughter... they loved it! That's EXACTLY what potential clients want to see. Crowds of people laughing loudly, applauding, and truly enjoying themselves. If Charlie, or anyone else, can get that kind of reaction just by throwing in some quick, cheap bit, I say go for it. I realize you don't agree with me... no biggy. But please don't think I'm trying to start some sort of flame war with you because I'm not. I'm way too lazy to do anything like that.

[Lee Nelson]

i said it before

I am with Mike on that Charlie. It doesnt demean your video at all. It makes you more hireable in my opinion.
The kiss gag is perfect old school comedy. The true genius of the trick is not the kiss but knowing when is the right moment to do it. Anyone can do it but only experience teaches you when to maximise its effect. It looked like a pretty maximised moment to me in the show.
Sometimes I do it to men!! It provides an interesting twist on an old staple!
One other thing...I saw you perform about 3 years back Charlie. The video is you. It isnt an edited down video of you to make you look better. It is a true and accurate representation of what you are and what you can do.
I think that video will serve you well and if you are really lucky you wont have to change it for years!!

Good Luck
Lee