Technical Rider for a Hypnotist Comedy Show

An optimum performance space for a hypnosis show is 20′ deep and 30′ wide. This allows the stage hypnotist to line up 20 chairs in a row on the stage and walk around the chairs safely so he can remain on the stage at all times.

There are three ways to see the show:

• The show and the audience are on the same level.
• The audience is raised above the show.
• The show is raised on a stage above the audience.

If the stage hypnotist and the audience are both on the same level:

• The audience can not be over 100 people in size if they sit in chairs to see the show.
• If the audience sits on the floor (e.g. school shows) then everyone can see clearly because the performers are higher than the audience.

If the Audience is raised above the stage hypnotist (e.g. bleachers or lecture halls):

• The audience can be any size.
• Speakers need to be placed at a height that people can hear clearly.

If the comedy hypnotist is on a stage, raised above the audience:

There are two types of stages to consider:

• Small Stages – Small stages are only acceptable for audiences of less than 200 people. Visibility will be a problem if the stage is not raised high enough, or large enough for everyone to see clearly.
  • Small Stages do not need stairs if they are 18 inches or less off the ground. People can safely get onto and off the platform if the stage is less than 18 inches high.
  • If the platform is less than 12 feet deep and 24 feet wide, the stage must not be higher than 18 inches off the ground for safety and because the area around the stage will also be part of the space used to do the show.
• Large Stages
  • Stairs are needed for easy audience access. Center-front are optimum, side-front are acceptable. The more stair cases and the easier the access from the audience to the stage is always better.
  • A stage should also be 3 – 4 feet off the ground if the audience is over 200 people, or the audience will not be able to see clearly.
  • The stage must be a minimum of 8 feet deep and 20 feet wide if raised over two feet off the ground.
• Supply 20 folding or sturdy chairs with no armrests or wheels for the use of the volunteers to be hypnotized.
• Supply a small square prop table on stage.

TECHNICAL RIDER Sound Requirements

• Main speakers, so the audience can hear the hypnosis show clearly.
• Tripods or ceiling mounted are recommended so that speakers do not need to be placed on the stage floor.
  • Speakers on the stage floor can obstruct a clear view of the hypnosis show.
• Monitor speakers, so people on the stage can hear clearly.
  • This allows main speakers to be placed so the audience can hear them the best.
  • If a monitor is NOT supplied, the sound heard on stage is the sound bouncing off the rear wall of the room, which is muffled and distorted.
  • Stage monitor speakers are extremely important! Please line them at the front of the stage.
• Amplifiers for the stage monitors and main speakers, speaker wires and tripods.
• Supply one handheld wireless microphone and stand.
• Supply one Direct Input box on stage that can connect an iphone/ IPAD/ Bluetooth using a 3.5mm Headphone jack. This box must connect to a channel on the mixing board or supplied PA system.

Understanding TECHNICAL RIDER Speaker Placement

Sound system speakers need to be high enough off the floor that the sound travels over the heads of the first few rows of people. Sound does not travel through obstacles. Imagine that the speakers are light bulbs. You want the light to hit everyone.

Small round speakers built into the ceiling of convention centers and meeting rooms are NOT acceptable! They cannot handle music, speaking, and vocal sound effects at the same time. They are to small and they always distort and are not clear sounding. They are not made for a clear hypnosis show performance, they are designed for background music and announcements, not a show. This type of speaker will always distort and the show will be far less successful if you insist upon relying on them.

Note that movie theaters don’t use this type of speaker; rather, they use professional sound system speakers so the show can be heard clearly as intended.

TECHNICAL RIDER Sound For DJs: Instructions for DJs Or Sound Tech

Provide these instructions to any DJ or volunteer sound tech who is expected to supply the sound system for the hypnosis show:

Microphones

Supply a wireless handheld microphone or an input for one XLR or 1/4 inch.

Main Speakers

All stage hypnotists needs the main speakers placed on the sides and at the front edge of the stage, 28 feet apart from each other – similar to the way a band would place the speakers: This way the sound is coming from the entire stage area and the stage hypnotist and volunteers can be between the speakers without causing microphone feed-back.

Stage Monitor

Stage hypnotists require at least one stage monitor to fill the stage with a separate sound than the sound coming from the main speakers. It is important that the stage hypnotist be able to adjust the monitor volume independently (when possible) of the main speakers. The monitor serves to fill the stage with sound other than the sound bouncing off the wall to the rear of the theater. The stage hypnotist and the volunteers get a sound mix first hand, not second hand.

Lighting

General stage lighting with white light that can be dimmed as well as the house lights, is ideal, but most lighting configurations are workable.

Technician to make color wash transitions where possible

Someone will be needed who can meet the stage hypnotist during set-up to answer any technical questions.

THE SOUND IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF A GOOD HYPNOSIS SHOW.

Hospitality

Dressing room convenient to the performance area with bathroom facilities and ice water for the state hypnotist.