William Corey's Psychodynamic Entertainment
Frequently Asked Questions
The following is a list of frequently asked
questions proposed to William Corey's Psychodynamic
Entertainment. All questions contained within have been directly
responded to by William Corey.
The questions listed below are linked to the respective
answers.
I've never heard of "Psychodynamic
Entertainment". What is it? Did you come up with the term, and if
so, how?
I've noticed that there is a lot about
magic, the supernatural, and things considered "occult" on your
site - how do you respond to those who find this
disturbing?
William, I would like to have you entertain
for my group, as your Psychodynamic Entertainment offerings seem
really new and different from what we have seen before - yet, I'm
concerned that you might be a bit too serious for our group. Can
you settle my concern?
In what languages can you perform?
I work for a non-profit charity and
wanted to know if you would be willing to donate a performance
for our group?
Why don't you list your prices on your
website?
Why do you have so many questions on
your performance form?
Do I need to fill your performance form out
completely in order to hire you?
How far in advance do I need to book
you to perform?
Do you keep your performances exactly the same from year to another? For example - if I were to hire you for “The Wizard / Wizardess Magical Discovery Workshop” as my child’s entertainment one year, would it remain the exact same show the next year?
I’ve noticed that for some of your performances, namely the titled shows, there are approx. time-lengths listed - yet, they do not fit in with my plans - how flexible are you when it come to adjusting them?
I found out about you through another
website several months ago. Since there was no direct contact
information given, I wrote to you using their form, in hopes of
getting you to perform for us - having just found your site, I
want to know why you have never responded to my writing?
Are you a part of any social-networking
sites? If not, why?
Q. I've never heard of "Psychodynamic Entertainment". What is it? Did you come up with the term, and if so, how?
A. As far as I am aware of, the term "Psychodynamic
Entertainment" is unique to me. Even though I am not a
psychologist, I came up with this unique description of my
performances while studying psychology. Sigmund Freud used the
word "psychodynamic" (taken from his study of thermodynamics) as
a metaphor to explain that the human personality has three
distinctive and interacting parts. His theory was based upon the
idea that energy can be neither created nor destroyed, while
emphasizing the influence of the unconscious mind in regards to
ones' behavior. Carl Jung later expounded upon Freud's ideas.
While learning about this aspect of psychology, I was also
reading history and thinking about the way various myths and
legends seem to be repeated time and again throughout various
cultures. The correlations discovered, combined with other
artistic endeavors I was involved in, led me to develop a
performance style that is a mix of cultural / philosophical
beliefs, psychology, history, myths, legends, and ancient
understandings that, when communicated, touch upon and can access
various layers of the psyche in regards to behavior and
motivation. As an entertainment art form, I have found that this
mix can be a very powerful experience for an audience. Since I
could not find another description that concisely exemplifies
what I do - "Psychodynamic Entertainment" was born.
Q. I've noticed that there is a lot about magic, the supernatural, and things considered "occult" on your site - how do you respond to those who find this disturbing?
A. I realize that there can be some hesitation in
regards to my offerings, as the prospects of magic, the
supernatural, and things considered "occult" - especially if
one's personal belief system regards these subjects as taboo.
Yet, all too often in today's world, the trend seems to be that
people often disregard things that cannot be seen or easily
explained by science as being fantasy and / or superstition -
having little to no relevance in ones' life. The fact is that the
ideas of magic, the supernatural, and things considered "occult"
are intrinsic within human history and is the basis of religion
and all sciences, as mankind has sought to find answers and
reasons for our personal existence and the workings of the world.
As much as one may desire to relegate such notions to the
un-enlightened, many great thinkers have found power,
inspiration, and new outlooks on various problems (both internal
and external) by opening themselves up to things as Einstein once
described as "the mysterious". In this manner, my performance
goal is to not only entertain but to offer the opportunity for
others to regain the magic that resides within the self and
surrounds all.
Q. William, I would like to have you entertain for my group, as your Psychodynamic Entertainment offerings seem really new and different from what we have seen before - yet, I'm concerned that you might be a bit too serious for our group. Can you settle my concern?
A. I understand this concern, as my form of
entertainment is new to those who have not been in one of my
audiences, or participated within my performances. For better or
worse, my style of entertainment is not as easy to classify or,
for want of a better term, as predictable as, let's say, a
singer, dancer, juggler, or clown may be. As a performer, I know
there are times to be serious, times to be light-hearted, and
times just to have fun. As such, you may be relieved to know that
much, but not all, of what I do can go in any direction.
Depending upon the type of performance desired, I have a tendency
to play off of those around me. As such, separate audiences might
have differing thoughts as to what Psychodynamic Entertainment is
- concerning the presentation style. Granted, you know your
friends and acquaintances better than I do, so if you are
concerned about the performance in this regard, feel free to
contact me and I'll be better able to assist you in determining
which offering will best fit your group's needs and
personality.
Q. In what languages can you perform?
A. Unfortunately, I am not gifted with the skills,
nor ability of a polyglot - so all spoken communication relied
upon within my performances are in English. Having stated that,
based upon the type of performance requested, if you can provide
an interpreter - then I am not opposed to working with one. Also,
it may be of interest to learn that I do have performances
available in which verbal communication is not a necessity. Alert
me to your needs and we may be able to work out something
suitable.
Q. I work for a non-profit charity and wanted to know if you would be willing to donate a performance for our group?
A. Much to the dismay of some, I do not work free
of charge. The compensation I request is based upon several
factors and is outlined within my website's performance form. I
do, however, take into consideration any charity / non-profit's
requests and needs when determining the fee. Once booked, paid in
full, and after the performance(s) requested has / have taken
place - I am not opposed to the thought of giving a portion of my
fee, and in some cases more, to said non-profit / charity.
Q. Why don't you list your prices on your website?
A. In this day and age, finances are tight for many
people and it is my belief, as it always has been, that one
should not be forced to pay for things not needed. More often
than not, when a performer presents a fee - not knowing or
understanding what is truly needed - then they have no choice but
to set their fee higher than necessary in order to cover all
eventualities. Although having a catch-all price makes it easier
for those hunting for the lowest price, it does not address the
quality of entertainment offered, nor does it say a lot as to how
much that entertainer cares about your wishes. The fees I charge
are based upon the needs, wants, and desires of my clients. As
such, no one is ever asked to pay more than what is needed when
booking me directly (however, within my performance form there is a
section entitled "Entertainment Budget" that will give you an
idea of the parameters I can work within).
Q. Why do you have so many questions on your performance form?
A. The Performance and Psychic Forms found on this
site are there to help me to help you. If you are planning a
party or event, then you have a pretty good idea of what sort of
entertainment you are looking for, as well as the environment,
location, date, time, a general idea of the number of people you
are expecting, etc. These are basic questions which anyone
planning a party or event will need to answer at some point or
another. Your responses also assist me in determining a price
based upon your needs.
Q. Do I need to fill your performance form out completely in order to hire you?
A. It is understandable if not all aspects of the
event are decided upon at the time the form is being filled out -
especially if the event date is several months away and is still
in the planning stages. If such is the situation in which you
find yourself - the "Other thoughts, comments, questions,
clarifications, and additions …" section on my forms can
be used for this purpose. Likewise, you can write, or call me
with your concerns and I will be more than happy to work with you
to figure out the best course of action to take in regards to the
planning (based off of past experiences). It should be noted that
a request for a performance, and a positive response to such,
does not constitute a booking - not until the agreement is drawn
by William Corey's Psychodynamic Entertainment, accepted and
signed by both parties will a booking be made active.
Q. How far in advance do I need to book you to perform?
A. My schedule does fill rather quickly - so, when
planning a party or event, it is best to inquire / book no later
than a month prior to the engagement (in fact, some book a year
ahead). The sooner, the better is often the case for inquiries
and bookings.
Q. Do you keep your performances exactly the same from year to another? For example - if I were to hire you for “The Wizard / Wizardess Magical Discovery Workshop” as my child’s entertainment one year, would it remain the exact same show the next year?
A. Generally speaking - my bookings, more often than not, are generated from those who have seen me perform or who have booked me previously. So, with that, I try to keep aspects of my performances fresh. As such my performances do change from time to time regardless of the theme (show title). This is not to say that all of the elements or the context itself will change, but the content and the format might and often does.
In regards to the entertainment offered for children - well, what is presented and / or the way it is presented for let’s say a seven year old will differ from that of a nine year old - simply because, more often than not, their understanding, life experience, and general knowledge has grown. However, it should be noted that within such situations wherein a child is in the audience of those younger or older than him / herself, they will still enjoy and get a lot out of the performance (just as many of the adults present will, if they allow themselves to do so).
With that stated - my performances for children, even within the same age group, do go through changes more frequently than my other offerings, simply because some children have a tendency to be invited to several parties.
Q. I’ve noticed that for some of your performances, namely the titled shows, there are approx. time-lengths listed - yet, they do not fit in with my plans - how flexible are you when it come to adjusting them?
A. In the event a shorter or longer performance is desired, despite the timeframe listed, then (if possible) the performance offering will be adjusted to comply with the requested duration. The same thing goes for a performance wherein a set number of people present is listed, and it is requested that the offering be adjusted to accommodate a larger group. In such cases, the performance itself will invariably differ in content and format, yet, will remain true to the context outlined.
Q. I found out about you through another website several months ago. Since there was no direct contact information given, I wrote to you using their form, in hopes of getting you to perform for us - having just found your site, I want to know why you have never responded to my writing?
A. There are a few websites that offer a list of
performers from a variety of states, allowing you to find,
question and / or book an entertainer. Some may list the
entertainer's contact info. and/or link to that provider's
website. Others do not - offering instead to contact the
entertainer on your behalf via their own online form. Depending
on the site, the entertainer may be presented with a teaser, then
given a chance to pay for, or bid on the complete information.
William Corey's Psychodynamic Entertainment does not bid on, or
pay for such information. Likewise, requests received from sites
that require such will go unanswered. (Note: problems can and
occasionally do occur with the sending and receiving of e-mails
and on-line forms. So, when using these methods of contact, it is
a good idea to locate a phone / fax number to alert the party of
your request - especially if it has not been responded to in a
timely manner.) If you are seeking entertainment, contact the
entertainer of your choosing directly or find an agent who cares
enough about you, as a client, and their talent to ask the right
questions and provide you with someone who will meet your needs
properly.
Q. Are you a part of any social-networking sites? If not, why?
A. There is a lot of information, both pro and con,
in regards to being part of a social-networking site. I have
heard it can be a great way of keeping in touch with others, as
well as improving the reach of ones business / organization. Such
sites do have a place in cyberspace, however, it takes a lot of
work and time in regards to posting updates and providing new
information that others will want to read. One must be willing to
devote a good portion of energy to any endeavor of this nature.
Those who know me, understand that I will not allow myself to do
something half-heartedly (and to be honest, I don't care much for
typing). As far as keeping in touch with others - I prefer
face-to-face communication. Barring that - phone, fax, e-mails,
letters and notes are preferred rather than having my
correspondence with friends and acquaintances available for
anyone to read and comment on. The business pages and, to some
extent, personal pages that I have been introduced to of the
social-networking variety, seem to have lost their way in regards
to the original objective. This could be attributed to burnout or
time constraints, but unfortunately now seem to provide little
relevance to anyone aside from its creator and a small group of
contacts who are willing to make comments on a fairly constant
basis (generally amongst themselves). This is not meant to be a
criticism of those who have social-networking pages, can keep up
with them, or of those who keep in contact with others via such
sites. However, for me, I will not (in good conscious) take on
something that I cannot devote myself to in the manner I believe
to be necessary.
-- Contact William Corey --
Write: P.O.Box 73693
Metairie, LA 70033-3693
Call: (504) 887-0530
(If not in, leave a message)
Fax: (504) 456-1482
E-mail: Info@RegainTheMagic.com
(Louisiana Based - Serving The Southern U.S.)
This page was submitted by C. Fields
All Pages, Text & Images © William Corey