Meet John the Street Performer

During the McNugget challenge I met a couple of street performers watching, killing time before their shift. One was Adrianne, who also tried the challenge. The other was her boyfriend John (note the matching glasses). Adrianne wasn't feeling too well after the challenge so I interviewed John about his job as a street performer. Here is my interview of John. I must say, I thought they made more money than he says they do.

Sorry. I didn't realize I was also in this video. Kind of distracting.

you gotta invest in a wireless microphone

Quote: rudeboyoi

Sorry. I didn't realize I was also in this video. Kind of distracting.

Downright rude, but not surprising given your name. :)

$40 a day? It was a little hard to hear. I have my iPad sound to the max and listened 3 times.... $40 in 4 hours?

Also it's a little surprising to hear he splits tips with the guys that own the costume.

I couldn't hear how much they made. Were they homeless? There is a bit on Arrested Development season 4 on Netflix about costumed performers getting in trouble for copyrights or trademark violations. I would want to know if any of it was true, but am mostly certain it isn't.

I also couldn't hear to well with my crappy tablet speakers. Was the $40 in 4 hours before or after he split with the costume owner. I didn't even know they needed permits. I also was wondering about their living situation. Maybe several renting one of those weekly places, or bouncing around the hostel? Seems like a tough existence.

I would hope $40 is after the split. You'd make more than $5 an hour at any job, even after paying taxes

Quote: onenickelmiracle

I couldn't hear how much they made. Were they homeless? There is a bit on Arrested Development season 4 on Netflix about costumed performers getting in trouble for copyrights or trademark violations. I would want to know if any of it was true, but am mostly certain it isn't.

He said that after paying the $4/hr costume rental he made $7-$8/hr, but December is a slow month. When I asked for an annual average he said $10/hr.

I didn't ask about copyright and trademark violations. He worked for one of two agencies who worry, or don't, about stuff like that.

Quote: kewlj

I didn't even know they needed permits. I also was wondering about their living situation. Maybe several renting one of those weekly places, or bouncing around the hostel? Seems like a tough existence.

I had heard they were supposed to have them before the interview, but wasn't sure if they actually bothered. I didn't ask about the living situation but at $10/hr, and working just four-hour shifts, it can't be that good. I didn't want to insult him with the question, but I've heard panhandlers make way more than that. Good ones can make $500 per day. Of course, I have a lot more respect for people who give back some kind of service to society, but if I could make a lot more with a cardboard sign and a coin cup I'd be tempted to.

His girlfriend, who did the McNugget challenge, seemed to mainly want to do it just to have something to eat, and she seemed to really need the $50 I promised for success. John was grateful to get the nuggets she didn't finish. By the way, terapined and I each gave her $10 as a consolation prize.

OK, now why do they only work a 4 hour shift? Did I miss something?

Quote: Wizard

but I've heard panhandlers make way more than that. Good ones can make $500 per day.

Has anyone ever seen that woman who begs for money at the Sahara/Las Vegas intersection? She's a great actress. She clasps her hands together and gives each driver this anguished look like she's about to die at any moment. It works too because I always see people giving her money! I've always wondered how much she makes. Whatever it is, more power to her...lol

Quote: Beethoven9th

Has anyone ever seen that woman who begs for money at the Sahara/Las Vegas intersection? She's a great actress. She clasps her hands together and gives each driver this anguished look like she's about to die at any moment. It works too because I always see people giving her money! I've always wondered how much she makes. Whatever it is, more power to her...lol

Beethoven9th I didn't realize you lived in Vegas any particular reason you didn't attend? I'm always up for meeting a fellow Bac system hater.

I got the feeling these kids were being exploited by this guy who was renting the costumes.(street performer pimp) They said as long as they worked for a company they didn't need a personal licence. I think he said they were just under 21, however they seemed much younger. I almost felt bad for them, I asked them, why they didn't just buy their own costumes. They said they could not afford the $300. I asked him, if I were to buy one and rent it for half the price he was paying now, would that something he would be interested in, he said absolutely. Advantage Pimp has a nice ring to it.

Geez, that's depressing. They'd make more money dressing
as homeless people and begging. Some of those people
make a decent living. I remember Stephen King had a story
of a guy who was a yuppie banker, and quit and dressed
up like a old Vietnam vet and made $1000 a day in NYC
selling pencils on a corner. It was fiction, but there are people
who do make good money at it. John Stossel did it in NYC
for 2 hours and made $32 I think, without even trying.

Quote: AxelWolf

Beethoven9th I didn't realize you lived in Vegas any particular reason you didn't attend?

I had $100 riding on the Challenge, and I hate losing at anything where other people have direct influence on the outcome. Sports losses are also tough for me to take. It's weird though because I never get that way when I lose at BJ, craps, baccarat, etc. But losing a sports bet? I go nuts.

That reminds me...gotta pay off DRich. Bah humbug!

To be honest, I bet you've probably seen me gambling at some point this year. In the summer, I was hitting the Strip every night on graveyard. So if you ever see a guy who kinda looks like the Wizard (only a little heavier), come say hi! :)

Quote: AxelWolf

I got the feeling these kids were being exploited by this guy who was renting the costumes.(street performer pimp)

Quote: EvenBob

Geez, that's depressing. They'd make more money dressing
as homeless people and begging.

I agree. At first I was looking forward to getting a good laugh when I first saw them, but then after hearing the guy talk, I realized that they're nice kids who are just trying to get by. That was pretty cool of the Wizard and terapined to give them a little money, too. I'm sure they appreciated it.

Quote: AxelWolf

I got the feeling these kids were being exploited by this guy who was renting the costumes.

Benny Binion used to say Vegas is a city
full of traps. And more are being invented
every hour.

I got cured of giving money to panhandlers a long time ago, but what can you say? It does bother me that most people think they are doing some good while in fact usually they are just Enabling.

Quote: Beethoven9th

That was pretty cool of the Wizard and terapined to give them a little money, too. I'm sure they appreciated it.

Well, once you get past the grievances and the feats of strength, isn't that what the Spirit of Festivus is all about ? Don't forget to keep the "Festive" in Festivus !

Quote: odiousgambit

I got cured of giving money to panhandlers a long time ago, but what can you say? It does bother me that most people think they are doing some good while in fact usually they are just Enabling.

Well the two individuals in this situation were NOT panhandlers, they were street performers, if you want to lump together that's fine. They didn't seem to have any drug or alcohol problems, they were just young and in need of any available work. I found it kind of sweet they were out working together and supporting each other while doing a low paying gig. They seemed very nice perhaps even innocent and almost gullible. I have a feeling they didn't run in the popular crown in high school. I wonder how fast downtown will corrupt them?

If I ever see them while downtown, I will offer them a comp or something.

Quote: AxelWolf

If I ever see them while downtown, I will offer them a comp or something.

Look for Elmo and Captain America.

I'd be interested in investing in costumes for them if you come across them again.

Quote: Wizard

Look for Elmo and Captain America.

I'd be interested in investing in costumes for them if you come across them again.

What about the running costs, like repairs and cleaning? Captain America may be able to go through the washing machine, but Elmo must run $100 to dry clean.

Quote: Wizard

Look for Elmo and Captain America.

I'd be interested in investing in costumes for them if you come across them again.

I too would like to contribute to that, Wiz. It was one of the first things I thought of as I watched the interview. Maybe we could take up a little collection and make that our WoV holiday grant. :-)

I gotta say, I was impressed with John. I volunteer at the youth homeless shelter about 8 blocks north of Fremont street, one morning each week doing laundry and often communicate with similar young folks and hear their stories. Most involve drug addiction at some level. First impression was that wasn't the case with John. First impression was he was just a young person living day to day, struggling to get by.

Quote: Wizard

During the McNugget challenge I met a couple of street performers watching, killing time before their shift. One was Adrianne, who also tried the challenge. The other was her boyfriend John (note the matching glasses). Adrianne wasn't feeling too well after the challenge so I interviewed John about his job as a street performer. Here is my interview of John. I must say, I thought they made more money than he says they do.

I thought it interesting that Adrianne was wearing a shirt that said, "Pierce". Maybe she's a fan of Mission146?

Quote: Ayecarumba

What about the running costs, like repairs and cleaning? Captain America may be able to go through the washing machine, but Elmo must run $100 to dry clean.

Are any potential copyright issues to fight off? What about "entertainer" licensing costs with the city?

Quote: wudged

Are any potential copyright issues to fight off?

How does copyright apply to a costume?

Quote: odiousgambit

I got cured of giving money to panhandlers a long time ago, but what can you say? It does bother me that most people think they are doing some good while in fact usually they are just Enabling.

I wasn't going to comment on this, because I didn't want to hyjack the thread, but your comments really bother me, odiousgambit.

It's true that many folks that are 'down on their luck' have contributed to their situation by bad choices they have made. But some find themselves in a bad situation by no circumstances beyond their control. I myself became homeless on my 18th birthday, when my mother's husband (I won't use the term stepfather as he us undeserving) kicked me out of the house with no warning. I finished my last 3 months of high school, living in a homeless shelter.

Now maybe my story is the exception. As I said most people contribute to their situations with bad choices. But I don't think anyone who hasn't gone through such a situation can understand how difficult it is. Everything is working against you at that point. It is hard to find employment, if you don't have an address of phone. Any money you do accumulate is at risk of being stolen in such an environment, as is any of your possessions. There is shame and embarrassment. It is really a difficult climb out of such a hole for most. So, I personally don't judge whether a person is in that position because of their own doing...their own mistakes. It isn't my place to judge.

Now to the 'enabling' comment. I give money directly to homeless folks. Most agencies discourage this, claiming as you do that you are doing nothing more than enabling. But they, nor I have walked a mile in these people's shoes. If I give a few bucks to some hardcore homeless person, living on the streets, with people spitting on them and talking down to them, and these folks run straight to the liquor store and buy a bottle of booze....I am completely OK with that. I can't blame them for wanting to escape for a few hours and am glad to help them do so.

Quote: Beethoven9th

How does copyright apply to a costume?

Under the assumption the costumes are of "known" characters and not something generic like "fuzzy red puppet," somebody owns the copyright to the character being portrayed and the street "performer" is making a profit from it. You can argue the money being made is for "performing" and not because of who the costume represents, but that's a very blurred line.

Quote: kewlj

Now to the 'enabling' comment. I give money directly to homeless folks. Most agencies discourage this, claiming as you do that you are doing nothing more than enabling. But they, nor I have walked a mile in these people's shoes. If I give a few bucks to some hardcore homeless person, living on the streets, with people spitting on them and talking down to them, and these folks run straight to the liquor store and buy a bottle of booze....I am completely OK with that. I can't blame them for wanting to escape for a few hours and am glad to help them do so.

Totally agree......but would prefer to see them smoke a harmless blunt instead of heading to liquor store......

Quote: Beethoven9th

Has anyone ever seen that woman who begs for money at the Sahara/Las Vegas intersection? She's a great actress. She clasps her hands together and gives each driver this anguished look like she's about to die at any moment. It works too because I always see people giving her money! I've always wondered how much she makes. Whatever it is, more power to her...lol

Yes, I've seen her several times. She opens her mouth and points into it, as she begs in front of your car or just outside of the driver's window. She looks so horrible. However, the last time I saw her begging, she looked as though she had put on some weight. I thought that she was mute, until I saw her talking to someone on the sidewalk. I could never tell if she was acting or if she was the real deal.

Instead of giving them dollars, I'm going to start giving them McDonald gift certificates.

-Keyser

Quote: treetopbuddy

Totally agree......but would prefer to see them smoke a blunt instead of heading to liquor store......

Lol. I would prefer to have them go buy a pair of socks or a sandwich.

Quote: wudged

Under the assumption the costumes are of "known" characters and not something generic like "fuzzy red puppet," somebody owns the copyright to the character being portrayed and the street "performer" is making a profit from it. You can argue the money being made is for "performing" and not because of who the costume represents, but that's a very blurred line.

Blurred? I've never heard of any street performers getting sued before. Are there any cases that you know of? (I'm genuinely curious about this)

Quote: Beethoven9th

Blurred? I've never heard of any street performers getting sued before. Are there any cases that you know of? (I'm genuinely curious about this)

I don't know of any cases but that doesn't mean it won't happen, especially if somebody found out they had a chance of gaining anything from it.

Thinking about this arrangement of renting the costumes, reminds me a little of the 'rolling chair' taxi business model in Atlantic City. The guys that push the chairs, rent the chairs on an hourly or daily basis and before they even get started are required to lay out money for a license of permit. I don't remember exact amounts, but both the permit and chair rental rates seemed very high to me. I wondered how those guys could make any money.