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Street Life. Understanding the value of professional street performance. Street performance as a profession: pros and cons. Public perception Changing attitudes Common pitfalls Busker resources Maximising income Marketing. Increasing visibility
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Street Life Understanding the value of professional street performance
Street performance as a profession: pros and cons. Public perception Changing attitudes Common pitfalls Busker resources Maximising income Marketing Increasing visibility Developing a street show to fit your music Comparisons between street artists income and income from the record industry Specific skills required What my workshop covers:
Street performance as a profession: pros and cons • I talk in general terms about the benefits such as travel, artistic freedom, independence, lifestyle, exposure, income, honing performance skills, as well as numerous unexpected perks. • I also mention the downsides and the many mistakes that I and almost every other street performer I know have made, how to learn from them and avoid them.
When and where? • I explain general principles relating to choice of location and ideal timing, different types of crowd, why a quiet street can earn much more than a crowd of thousands, the attitude and appearance of the performer, choice of material, things to look for and avoid, acoustics, equipment, crowd attention span and more.
Public perception • I then address the subject of public perception, how we can alter the perception of the public from “busker” to “street artist” through various techniques. I also talk about the circumstances that can make the difference as to how a crowd considers a street performer.
Changing attitudes • I deal in detail with the different attitudes that I have encountered in different places and situations and my analysis of what can cause one set of people to greet me enthusiastically and another to largely ignore me, and the methods one can employ in the latter case to improve the crowds appreciation.
Busker resources • I explain how and where to find Festivals exclusively for street artists, associations, web sites, books, experts, locations, publications, fanzines and many other resources intended and created specifically for and about street performing.
Income • In my workshop I talk frankly about how and what one can earn based upon my own experience and that of others. Using comparisons with royalty incomes from signed artists I aim to demonstrate that taking street performance seriously is a very viable alternative or supplement to a musicians career. I also address numerous ways of maximising income.
Marketing • While many people see street performance as merely a means to make a few quick pounds, I show how valuable a marketing tool it is, and discuss ways of using your visibility in public as a way of gaining exposure, meeting and creating a fan base, and distributing marketing material as well as selling music direct to the public.
Increasing visibility • How to turn a musical performance into a street performance. I explain the ways in which the street is a unique medium and therefore needs a unique approach to get yourself noticed. By demonstrating my own techniques, and giving examples of other professionals I get students thinking about how to turn what they do in the studio or on stage into a street show.
Specific skills • I highlight the skills that are needed to become successful on the street that are different from those needed in other areas of performance, and discuss how to acquire and augment these skills based upon knowledge and experience.
Psychology • I talk about basic psychology issues, both of the busker himself and of his audience. Breaking down the mentality that busking is only a sideline or an in between step, and talking about numerous street performers who have had highly successful long term careers.
About me • I am a full-time professional street performer. • I have performed in over 30 countries including numerous street festivals in the last 2 years, been invited as accredited artist to the prestigious Ferrara street festival, won acclaim at Pelago on the road festival,
About me (continued) • Performed on national radio and TV in Slovenia, • Sold over 1000 copies of my CD album direct to the public, • Participated in a Vanity fair photo shoot • Been invited to teach and participate in Eu funded workshops on songwriting, Acoustic Music and street performance in Austria, Sweden and again Austria
Contact me • If you would like to discuss my workshop for your institution please call • +39 3271995504 • or email fergusjsmckay@hotmail.com
