25 RULES OF SHOWBIZ

Cherry-Bomb Productions · 12-14-2006, 08:17 AM

POSTED BY :CURT GRANGER ON THE BHAM-BUZZ

The 25 Rules of Showbiz
by: Curt Granger

There are a lot of general rules in the business and entertainment industries, but these 25 "rules" have endured through the Vaudeville era, P.T. Barnum, Broadway, Hollywood and into today's world of contemporary showmanship. A lot of these rules are still applicable for modern-day musicians, performers and entertainers. They're simple but powerful. Of course the saying goes "there are exceptions to every rule," so break these rules at your own risk:

Know thy audience.

Look & act the part.

Learn your lines. Prepare and rehearse.

Set out to entertain them beyond their expectation.

The show must go on.

Open BIG and end BIG.

The "star" goes in the middle and gets the spotlight.

Always speak into the microphone or look into the camera.

Make sure you give them what they paid for and came to see/hear. If they came to hear you sing your hits, you must sing your hits.

Never turn your back on the audience.

Never let the audience know you've made a mistake, but if they do, laugh it off.

He who fails and then succeeds gets bigger applause than he who succeeds every time.

Suit the action to the word and word to the action.

Develop your own style, act, and shtick.

If they like it once - they'll love it twice.

Never try to upstage a bigger star.

If you work with kids or animals, be prepared to be upstaged.

Never let them see/hear you out of context.

You need a nice hero that the audience can root for.

You need a mean villain the audience can root against.

Don't spoil the ending for others.

Always leave them wanting more.

Always go out on a high note.

Thank your fans and take your bows.

Don't believe your own PR. Don't read your reviews.

Remember, it takes talent, courage, and self-discipline to be a professional performer. There are a lot of "talented" people out there, but few who have the courage to be different, put themselves in a vulnerable position (on a stage in front of an audience), and the self-discipline to consistently give their all in their performances and never lose sight of their goals. Keep these rules in mind and apply them to your own unique situations when necessary. Most of all, be mindful of how your audience reacts , after all they're the ones who matter the most.

Mallozian · 12-14-2006, 08:24 AM

good advice...

Cherry-Bomb Productions · 12-14-2006, 12:32 PM

Curt Granger wrote that,he is the site administrator for www.bhambuzz.com,
a site very much like our own,but they don't have near the traffic that we do.he has several really good articles posted there.

guitarest · 12-26-2006, 06:39 PM

One thing I learned with Tops in Blue, its 70% showmanship and 30% knowledge. Always play song that are no more than 80% of your ability, so what if the song has only 3 chords if those paying to see your band enjoy it better than YYZ play it. I have found out that the only people who really like difficult tunes like YYZ, or other songs of this type no matter what style are other musicans. Most of those going to bars could not careless if your using a Gm13Ab chord they only care if they are having fun

Paul_of_ManDown136 · 01-03-2007, 06:19 PM

You don't have to dumb down your songs to get a good reaction, though. You can keep songs fun while showing off at the same time.

And tell me that main YYZ riff doesn't make you want to dance like a moron.

12-14-2006, 08:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
Cherry-Bomb Productions MODERATOR BY DAY / NINJA BY NIGHT GCB Senior Citizen Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: A Padded Cell Posts: 2,476 Rep Power: 44	25 RULES OF SHOWBIZ POSTED BY :CURT GRANGER ON THE BHAM-BUZZ The 25 Rules of Showbiz by: Curt Granger There are a lot of general rules in the business and entertainment industries, but these 25 "rules" have endured through the Vaudeville era, P.T. Barnum, Broadway, Hollywood and into today's world of contemporary showmanship. A lot of these rules are still applicable for modern-day musicians, performers and entertainers. They're simple but powerful. Of course the saying goes "there are exceptions to every rule," so break these rules at your own risk: Know thy audience. Look & act the part. Learn your lines. Prepare and rehearse. Set out to entertain them beyond their expectation. The show must go on. Open BIG and end BIG. The "star" goes in the middle and gets the spotlight. Always speak into the microphone or look into the camera. Make sure you give them what they paid for and came to see/hear. If they came to hear you sing your hits, you must sing your hits. Never turn your back on the audience. Never let the audience know you've made a mistake, but if they do, laugh it off. He who fails and then succeeds gets bigger applause than he who succeeds every time. Suit the action to the word and word to the action. Develop your own style, act, and shtick. If they like it once - they'll love it twice. Never try to upstage a bigger star. If you work with kids or animals, be prepared to be upstaged. Never let them see/hear you out of context. You need a nice hero that the audience can root for. You need a mean villain the audience can root against. Don't spoil the ending for others. Always leave them wanting more. Always go out on a high note. Thank your fans and take your bows. Don't believe your own PR. Don't read your reviews. Remember, it takes talent, courage, and self-discipline to be a professional performer. There are a lot of "talented" people out there, but few who have the courage to be different, put themselves in a vulnerable position (on a stage in front of an audience), and the self-discipline to consistently give their all in their performances and never lose sight of their goals. Keep these rules in mind and apply them to your own unique situations when necessary. Most of all, be mindful of how your audience reacts , after all they're the ones who matter the most. __________________ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- www.myspace.com/cherry_bomb_productions www.myspace.com/octavedownband नमस्ते ELEVATE,DON'T PERPETRATE Dip Me In Beer,And Throw Me To The Drunk Chicks.

12-14-2006, 08:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mallozian the rev slither of the church of malloz Productive GCB Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,134 Rep Power: 37	good advice... __________________ www.myspace.com/malloz or www.myspace.com/singingguitarist www.mallozband.com

12-14-2006, 12:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Cherry-Bomb Productions MODERATOR BY DAY / NINJA BY NIGHT GCB Senior Citizen Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: A Padded Cell Posts: 2,476 Rep Power: 44	Curt Granger wrote that,he is the site administrator for www.bhambuzz.com, a site very much like our own,but they don't have near the traffic that we do.he has several really good articles posted there. __________________ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- www.myspace.com/cherry_bomb_productions www.myspace.com/octavedownband नमस्ते ELEVATE,DON'T PERPETRATE Dip Me In Beer,And Throw Me To The Drunk Chicks.

12-26-2006, 06:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
guitarest Band Whore Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ms Gulf Coast Posts: 299 Rep Power: 20	One thing I learned with Tops in Blue, its 70% showmanship and 30% knowledge. Always play song that are no more than 80% of your ability, so what if the song has only 3 chords if those paying to see your band enjoy it better than YYZ play it. I have found out that the only people who really like difficult tunes like YYZ, or other songs of this type no matter what style are other musicans. Most of those going to bars could not careless if your using a Gm13Ab chord they only care if they are having fun __________________ Jocko

01-03-2007, 06:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
Paul_of_ManDown136 Band Member Band Whore Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mobile, AL Age: 21 Posts: 258 Rep Power: 31	You don't have to dumb down your songs to get a good reaction, though. You can keep songs fun while showing off at the same time. And tell me that main YYZ riff doesn't make you want to dance like a moron. __________________ Music is meant to pave new roads while paying homage to those who came before us, unique and with the spirit of the old gods. www.myspace.com/mandownofmobile www.myspace.com/paulofmandown