S5E12: Michael Rayner - Juggler
For\xa0this episode, I had\xa0the honor of interviewing Post Modern Vaudevillian, Michael Rayner about his career in juggling, mayhem, and on doing audience warmup shows! Yeah, he's one of the guys\xa0that entertains live audiences between takes during TV show filmings!
\nTo call Michael\xa0just a juggler would do him no justice, because his hilarious stunts range everywhere from balancing various objects on his face to spinning a cheeseburger on an umbrella.
\nAs an actor you may have seen his appearances on Judging Amy, Sesame Street, Late Night with David Letterman, numerous appearances on Nickelodeon, and on countless commercials. He\u2019s also a TV writer having written for The Game Show Network, E! Entertainment Television, and Nickelodeon.
\nFinally, he also warms up audiences watching filmings of sitcoms, but something tells me this is just scratching the surface of Michael\u2019s world. \xa0
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\nSuccess Mantra\nAnarchy! He\xa0really likes a show where literally anything can happen! \xa0
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\nAudience Warmups\nThis is a specific area of performing where you warm up the live audiences watching the taping of a sitcom.
\n\u2022\xa0Tells how he broke into this particular arena of entertaining.\xa0
\n\u2022\xa0It's not about you or how funny you are, it's about making the\xa0sitcom look as good as possible.\xa0
\n\u2022\xa0You have to scale your own performance so you're not funnier or more entertaining than the show.\xa0
\n\u2022\xa0Read the script to make sure you're not "stepping on any jokes or bits" or other material from the show.
\n\u2022\xa0How to break into doing warmup shows.\xa0
\n\u2022\xa0Targeting your resum\xe9 to warmups. What looks best on a resum\xe9?
\n\u2022\xa0What to do for your audition.
\n\u2022 How to prepare for your first night performing.
\n\u2022 Being able to estimate how long it will be between takes.
\n\u2022 Having enough material.
\n\u2022 Knowing the cast and the production team. \xa0
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\nFailure Moment\nSplitting up the Olsen Twins when announcing them during a warmup gig. You NEVER split up the Olsen Twins. Never. \xa0
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\nBiggest Professional Challenge\nRealizing that he doesn't have to be a "big name" to be successful. The fact that he's making a living means that he's won! (Plus, he married Mo from Nickelodeon's\xa0Guts, for the WIN!)
\n\xa0\nOther Topics Covered\n\u2022\xa0"Taking the offer" in improvising.
\n\u2022\xa0Found Object juggling show.
\n\u2022 You don't need a lot of money to start performing.
\n\u2022 His approach to creativity.
\n\u2022 The science and finer points of\xa0spinning a hamburger on a parasol.\xa0
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\nParting Advice\nFigure out how you can make things a little different and be open to new experiences.
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\nRecommended books and resources:\nNote: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we\xa0earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our\xa0podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our\xa0affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks! \xa0
\nResource:
\nPODCASTS!!! \xa0
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\nBook:
\nTrue & False by David\xa0Mamet \xa0
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\nWhere can we find Michael\xa0Rayner?\n\nTwitter @brokenjuggler | Facebook | Instagram\xa0| YouTube \xa0