Where in the world am I today?: North Vancouver, BC, Canada
Prologue: I first met Anders at the Provincial Exhibition in Brandon, MB back in 2000 I believe it was I drove out to Manitoba in my freshly painted 1968 Checker Cab (Taxi Yellow with Purple Hot Rod Flames) and did a few gigs in Manitoba including the Provincial Exhibition, The Red River Exhibition and Canada Day at the Forks. Here’s what Anders remembers from our meeting…
I knew who you were through Robin Chestnut and I believe the first time I saw you perform was at the Winnipeg fringe. I remember seeing your Scooter finale and I was blown away with the response. In Brandon, I saw a rare opportunity to hang out with a true professional. I worshipped your performing prowess. I thought I would just see how long I could hang out with you and see what nuggets of wisdom I could glean.
Gee… He makes it sound like I actually knew what I was doing when we met – HA! Anyway, thanks in large part to the C.A.M.P. program that’s put on in association with the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival I’ve had the chance to hang out a lot with Anders and have enjoyed the friendship and watching his show evolve over the years. Good guy!
STATS
Name: Anders Boulanger
Birthday: May 24, 1977.
Place of Birth: Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.
Started Peforming/Working in the Industry: Started in Magic in 1982, First Paid Gig 1989 for a $5 fee. Full time professional since 1999.
Discipline: Comedy Magic
Websites: www.andersmagic.com www.TheInfotainer.ca
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/user/andersboulanger
Venues Worked: Everything from Dairy Queens and Machine Sheds to Luxury Resorts and Convention Centres.
Hot 10 Questions:
- What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream and why? • Chocolate. More exciting than vanilla and yet not too exotic so it’s readily available. Unlike Dr. Pepper in restaurants grrrrr!
- Name one movie that would make it to your Top 10 all-time great films. • Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and Princess Bride.
- What was your favorite toy from childhood? • Fisher-Price Magic Set of course!
- Who were your biggest inspirations when you got started? • Dean Gunnarson, Brian Glow, Paul Daniels.
- From the world of animation what one character do you most identify with or see yourself in? • I’ve been told I look like Fry from Futurama, but I have always liked Robin Hood (the fox) in the old Disney version.
- Name something that scares you. • Boo!
- Apart from the entertainment industry, name one other job you’ve had. • Provincial Park Hiking Guide.
- What’s something you haven’t done yet that you’d like to try? • I always wanted to drink a Zima. I have never seen them in Canada.
- What’s your least favourite thing about being a performer? • I love travelling and yet I hate being away from home since the birth of my daughter.
- If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? • “Wasssszz Uppppppp? “ It would be reassuring to me that God wasn’t too serious.
The Nugget:
Pick one nugget of wisdom you’ve picked up from your career in Show Business to share with the World.
“After the show, no matter how much you charge, if you do a good show and the client is happy, you are worth every penny they paid you. The trick is to convince them you are worth that amount before the show.“
–Anders Boulanger
