Presenting audience with a character vs being natural/yourself.

This thread is a discussion on the pro's and cons of using a character for public peforming rather then just being yourself.

Im not to familar with theater so Im not sure if that's the right terminology. To elaborate what I mean by putting on a character is either adding a element of drama or comedy or presence to your performance and crowd interaction, vs just being yourself.

I think the pro's and cons would be diffrent for diffrent invididuals. personally I have never done much public performance, but I am more confident with dealing with the public in a casual, natural attitude rather then putting on a act.

But other people may have better stage presence then I do.

You know it's funny, because if not for acting people would pretty much assume that I'm the most outgoing person they know.

I do agree that it depends on who you are, but sometimes it can be fun to be a character other than yourself.

Seriously though, depending on the situation I'm in, I'm usually never myself, which when you think about it, really means that I am... but.... Aw hell it's way too confusing.

In other words, I know I'm an introvert, and I get really anxious about public speaking or performing, but I throw on a smile and do it because I love to see people smile, make people laugh, or amaze someone with a simple maneuver. People would never know otherwise unless in a situation like this where I say something.

Enough with my ramblings though, I do think being in character (maybe you're the angriest spinner in the world *shrug*), or if you're being yourself, it's important to be comfortable, because if you aren't people will pick up on that.

what if you're a fruit loop on stage and a fruit loop in person?

Then I spose you need some milk, bender.

I dunno anything about my performing... only ever performed once, apparently I look angry when I twirl just freely.

What, exactly, do you mean by putting on a character ? Are you talking something like slapping on a fake moustache and bowler and being a Charlie Chaplin type ( a recognisable character ) or dressing up "theatrically" eg a matador ?

If your aspirations are to busk, you're going to need a whole act which is not so much costuming as it is coming up with a routine that entertains the audience with *more* than simply manipulating your toys.

I work with a group of professional jugglers and they accurately describe what they do as "stand up comedy with props" and fully acknowledge that skill alone isn't enough to fill the hat ( in North America anyway )

Every year, I come across people trying to busk with just their toys, without a routine that involves interacting with the audience and every year I watch those buskers fail.

I'm not trying to be overly harsh here, it's just that after years of seeing this pattern repeated I'm suggesting that you give some serious thought as to what your act is going to be all about if you want to make money.

well, I don't mean a costume.

What I mean is if I were to interact with a crowd using my 'natural' self, my sense of humour is pretty dry and average people wouldn't enjoy it, also my natural self would tend to be more informative, like a tour guide.

I could teach myself to put some more mainstream humour into a performance, and act more out of my natural way of being. Which wouldn't be sincere, that's what I mean by putting on a character (one other then myself)

If that makes any sense. Im not very articulate sometimes, especially when im haggard from drinking to much.

Well it sounds like putting on a character is what you want.

Thing is, busking is ridiculously hard work..if you want to make money, and in the end it's all about making money so what you want to do is put together an act that's entertaining.

The idea of simply manipulating your toys id fine, in principal, but at the end of the day "the hat" might just be less than you expect for what amounts to a day's work.

You may want to consider insulting various members of your audience ( yes, this is making jokes at another's expense ) and talking about "the donation" starting half way through your show. Heck, even offer "subtle" suggestions about just what that donation should be, like holding up five fingers when telling your audience this is what you do for a living.

I heard an interview with Alice Cooper once where he explained that "Alice" was nothing more than just an act. He stated that he tried living that act as a lifestyle but found it "wasn't really him" and then went on to explain how he could turn that persona on and off. In the end, you'll still be you, but your character will become part of your job.

cheers

I'm never myself when performing, unless it's for close friends and I'm 'jamming'.
But any other performance I have my "I'm a sexy awesome chick" hat on or my "I am totally tough and macho" hat or my "innocent gentle movements" hat.

Even when teaching fire things I wear "responsible fire teacher" hat.

So.. Pros for Hats
Never feel nervous or that people are judging you.
Can be as sexy as you want because not worried people will think you're a slut.. because they're only judging the mask.. not you personally.
Bigger range
More confidence
Not emotionally involved.. so if a trick effs up, you can react according to your hat.

Cons of hats
You need to practice them or they can slip.

I prefer to spin as myself but aparently when i am spinning i am a more confident person so i suppose somtimes it brings out a natural charector if that makes sense at all..

I'd say for performance you don't necessarily have to change who you are, you just need t orecognize that you need charisma. It's not really a character, just an effort to charm people. Simple example are buskers like "Space Cowboy." He doesn't strike me as putting on an act but he makes an effort to be funny, and present positivity to the crowd. He gets a lot of applause (and gets around) so it must be working for him.

part of the problem is, I have a general dislike for the general public. It's hard for me to be charming or nice to average people unless im bold face lieing through my teeth. I can and would do this as I would like to use my poi skills to make money.

I guess maybe if I just be a hilarious arsehole (not to grateing to alienate my audience or be inappropriate infront of children and uppity sensitive sort of people)

I guess the only thing to do is experiment.

Also I don't need a whole lot of money, Im pretty adept at living off of very little and my needs are minimal. I spent a lot of time being homeless and relying on pan handeling and squeeging car windows for money. Now that im growing out of that but not out of my lifestyle, im seeking alternative means of money makeing to support my free life style. My poi skills are the most obvious thing to turn to.

hahahaha yea i think it would definitely aide you to have some kind of character.

alot of buskers use what is called 'persona' which is a slight exaggeration of certain parts of themselves, kinda like the Hats natasqi talked about. It makes you able to be out of your comfort zone without having to stay 'in character' for a whole show, which can be very hard if it doesn't come naturally.

a character/ persona also allows you to leave your performance at your pitch after bad shows. Its not you personally that the crowd didn't like it was the performance.

Bottom line, if you want to get a lot of money you gotta be likable and being funny helps.
If you are not overly concerned with that you could get some mileage with a ridiculously cynical character/ persona.
I would love to see a busker that hates people

Good luck! it can be difficult, especially at first.
They say that, in busking the first 100 shows don't count. So just getting out there and doing it is 99% of learning in this game.

Yeah. I mean a sort of

"I don't know why I even wake up. FINE I'll light myself on fire for you lovely high-tipping folks..."

I'd say in that case it might be wise to try writing material before hand, and get familiar with some lines. Be able to recall a good joke without fumbling on it. It could work, it is just plainly unconventional. Who ever said that mattered though.

That could be fun....

*mental note: must come back to this after work! Now we're talking!*

In general as long as your not a complete loser with your skills people are more concerned to be entertained than impressed. But if you really don;t like the general public, busking is not a good career choice. They will surround you, heckle, walk on your pitch, come up and talk to you afterwards, ask dumb questions, all sorts of people type things. Busking for money is about about pleasing THEM not yourself. Practicing in the back yard is about you and even then you might be worth adopting a character like 'perfectionist' or 'adventurer' to get you out of your comfort zone and into something interesting.

Patter, involvement, suspense, wit, a bit of 'wow what cheek!' all that helps entertain. One of the best buskers I ever saw had a 30 minute lead up to one acrobatic trick. Worth every moment, the trick was great and the patter, audience involvement (kids can be your enemy if not engaged), sexy flashy cheek, suspense building, costume, costume changes etc were terrific. 'Grumpy' buskers and audience insults have to be based on an vibe of actually liking people and the job or its just a turn off. Check out some vids of the Black Street Boys... an entire show on commenting on the audience with a tiny bit of dancing. People were running to give them $20 notes cos they had a good time!


But straight sarcasm that reads "I don't like you and resent being here' or self deprecation that reads 'like me I am insecure' sucks. Why should people give you money if you don;t actually make them feel good about themselves and you? Cos you can do some trick? Na. They can go online if thats all they want.

Also having some product can increase the $$ potential.. poi, vids, comedy handcream, postcards, whatever.