Demonstrations

 

Carving as entertainment is one of the best parts of our jobs.  We get to create art work in front of spectators and see the OOOh’s and AAAAh’s on their faces.


In order to leave that wow factor for your audience you should take into account a couple of things.  They are:

  1. 1. People like interaction.

  2. 2. Spectators have short attention spans.

  3. 3. The parents will have fun if the kids are entertained.

  4. 4. They don’t know anything about what you are doing!

  5. 5. The crowds are fascinated by chainsaws.

  6. 6. They can’t believe that its ice.

  7. 7. To them bigger is more impressive.

  8. 8. ?


Please add something to my list!  Any Ideas?  Please share.

Carved by Trey Justice and Jarod Parker, Pictured here.

The crowd was amazed that it was colored ice!

The Crowd;  this is who we carve for.

We are paid to entertain!

  1. 1. People like interaction:  You can interact with the crowd a number of ways.  Simply answering questions is the easiest and best way to connect with your crowd.  Here are some simple ideas for letting the crowd interact;

  2. a.     Carve something interactive.  Throne they can sit on, a sculpture they can take a photo with, a motorcycle they can ride or a slide they can ride down.

  3. b.       Carve something they can decorate.  Carve a big snowman and have a box of scarves, hats, gloves and other winter clothes.  Now the kids can dress the snowman.

  4. c.        Make some ice games.  Putt putt course or an ice maze.  Thing about this one, its a lot of fun!

Interactive Ice Throne!


Please sit on me!

2.  Spectators have short attention spans.  Keep it quick.  The faster you carve the more they will see.  Rarely do people stand around and watch you carve for an hour or more.  Most people hang around between 5 to 30 minutes before moving on.  When carving for entertainment the quality of the sculpture is not the main focus.  People are mostly amazed at what it is and want to see how you do it.  Make it fast!

3.  The parents will have fun if the kids are entertained.  Pay special attention to the kids.  Talk to them and answer their questions first.  Put out an ice bowl in front of your display with some free candy for the kids!  A little candy can go a long way. 

“Hi I’m Frosty the Snowman, come and decorate me!”  Carved by John Kelly and Jeff Petercsak

4.  They don’t know anything about what you are doing! I noticed that when I was giving seminars to students at competitions that the people enjoyed coming to them.  Since then I realized the they are hungry for knowledge too.  Treat some of your demos like a seminar.  Teach them the 10 steps to 3D sculpting.  Take step one, stop and talk about what you are doing.  Then go to the next step, demonstrate and follow that up with an explanation.  They want to know. 

5.  The crowds are fascinated by chainsaws.  Keep the saw in your hand as long as possible.  Once you switch to the die grinder or hand tools you will notice a drop off in crowd interest.  If you can, carve the entire piece with just a saw!  It doesn’t matter that you think it could be better with all tools,  They will love it for the entertainment factor.

Tip: 

Remember when you are pricing a demonstration that you have to carve outside the shop.  This means you are packing up your tools, ice and more to make this happen.  This is more time consuming than carving a single block sculpture at your shop and delivering it with a drip pan and light.  You should charge appropriately.  Remember, you are the entertainment now!


The Never-ending question is finally answered!

YES, Its ICE! Touch it.

Anyone have pictures of some fun demonstrations for us to post?  Send them in... PLEASE!

  1. 6. They can’t believe its ice.  When your done with the sculpture let them touch it.  You will see the wonder and amazement in their eye.  Make sure you have a very sturdy and safe piece.

  2. 7.  To them bigger is more impressive.  Try to sell your demos for more money so you can use multiple blocks of ice.  Stack them and make something that is life-size or bigger than life-size.  Carve something small like a bug that is bigger than a child.  Watch as that kid looks up to something he usually has to look down on.

  3. 8. ?  We have shared some of our ideas, now its your         turn.  Send me some tricks you have used to entertain your crowds.  Please include a picture if possible.