Subject: Re: demonstrations

From: Mike Linn <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 05 Aug 1996 19:34:09 -0500

At 01:22 PM 8/4/96 -0800, you wrote:

< Big Snip>

>I know you asked for brief but, uh, oh well,
>	Frosty

Thanks Frosty,
         But isnt the dragon a bit time consuming for a demo item. The art
show afficianados here have an attention span of about 7-8 minutes. Most
will barely hang around long enough to see a leaf key ring made. Maybe its
my technique I dont know. I try to talk to the crowd, and to explain what Im
doing, but while Im getting a heat most people wander off. I guess thay want
action and dont want to see the sweat.

mike
                                    _///_
                                   /(o o)\
===============================o000o=(_)=o000o====
               Michael Linn 
            Artisan Blacksmith
              AFC Web Master
 http://www.the-matrix.com/afc/index.html
==================================================

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From: Michael Spencer <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 5 Aug 96 23:34:03 EDT

> The art show afficianados here have an attention span of about 7-8
> minutes. Most will barely hang around long enough to see a leaf key
> ring made. Maybe its my technique I dont know. I try to talk to the
> crowd, and to explain what Im doing, but while Im getting a heat most
> people wander off. I guess thay want action and dont want to see the
> sweat.

I haven't done any demos lately except for captive (but nevertheless
very attentive) audiences. But for the general public, I think a large
percentage have their perception knobs calibrated by television. If
it's not "like tv", it's not important or interesting. Every 2
seconds, *Somthing Happens* on tv -- dolly, zoom, fade, cut, sound
over. Every two seconds.

I'll jes stop there 'cause it's a 50k rant. :-)

- Mike
---
Don't outlaw guns.
How else are you going to shoot your tv?

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From: [email-masked] (Frost, Jerry)
Date: Mon, 05 Aug 1996 20:26:52 -0800

> action and dont want to see the sweat.

Mike:

Actually fullering the cable twist is the time consuming part. The 
dragon heads go pretty quick, maybe 5 min or so, for a plain one, eyes 
and nostrils.

I've never done an art show demo, I've only hit the state and local ren 
fairs and there the people will stand around as long as you're 
hammering. I do know about the art afficianados though we get a couple 
each day.

I'm a natural at pattering the crowd but there are a couple things 
that're particularly effective for me: Show a lot of attention to the 
kids, they ask the best questions. When you describe what you're doing, 
use a few obscure terms, this brings out questions, too many though and 
you'll lose them with the jargon. The "cable twist" thread is a good 
example. Cool term but what the heck is he talking about? A few jokes 
and friendly kidding go a long way. One of my favorites is when a kid 
asks the name of a tool. I reply with, Lucy, if it's a girl or Bob, if 
it's a boy. Then I immediately let them know I'm joking and tell them 
what it is, what it's used for, show them how it works, etc. Every once 
in a while I'll give the demo project to a kid, especially if they've 
shown a lot of interest, asked lot's of questions, etc. The kids are the 
key to holding the crowd, hook them and their folks will stay.

Talk to you later,
	Frosty
-- 
If it ain't forged
It ain't real
wrought iron is
The FROSTWORKS