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magiciandex New user White Pine, Tennessee 80 Posts |
I was recently performing at a kids show and it was a 2nd-5th graders. I was about to pull my hair out. None of the kids would sit down and watch, they would always stand right back up and coming running towrd me. The parents were also having a party so they were no help in controlly there kids. I could no go two seconds with out one of them saying, pick me, no pick me. I was not even needing volunteers. So, after about three minutes of this crap I gave up and walked off stage and whent up stairs to the parents and did close-up. Does any one have kid control advice?
IBM Ring 58
Winter Carnival Of Magic |
Joseph_Then Special user 747 Posts |
You should have explained to the parents that you would require parental presence in the show for reasons like kids going to toilet, looking for mama, etc. and insist on having a minimum of 2 parents in the show.
You need to be more firm in controlling the kids. What I did was I use statements like, "I'll pick those who sits down, crossing his/her legs and raise his/her hands". Usually it works. I have a similar situation like your, what I did was, I cut short the show, take the payment and walk off. The parent are so engross in talking with themselves and they didn't know I did 30 minutes shorter. I don't really care. They treated me like a childcare entertainer. |
gumbimagic Veteran user Too busy performing to have more than 311 Posts |
"Tie him up duct tape. And toss him in the basement.(Okay, Not really)", an excerpt from Silly Bill's new book, Seriously Silly.
oops......guess it was a them. Also, they were already in the basement. Just grab the duct tape and your set. I've never had this problem.....knock on wood! The book Seriously Silly has a huge section of information on this. As does the "Little Darlings" index under Audience Management. I suggest you start there. I think it will answer all your questions you could possibly have on the subject. I'm sure there are many other books available to give you great information as well. Good luck! |
kenscott Inner circle 1869 Posts |
Gumbimagic I agree!
The section that he is talking about is great and can give you some real useful information about controlling the kids. Ken |
Joseph_Then Special user 747 Posts |
I must say that David Kaye (aka Silly Billy) book is getting to be a MUST for all budding/seasoned kids magicians.
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MarkTripp Special user Michigan 618 Posts |
The simple truth is that you missed the true power you have. Your own words (pick me pick me) tell the secret.
I am in elementary schools daily for the entire school year. I have hundreds of kids sitting there and have never had the problem, Nor have I had it in any other performance with children SAVE toddlers. 1. Do not do shows for children who are not in school. You want them to have all ready learned how to sit still and listen, not be the one who is trying to teach them that. Now, someone is going to post why its ok to do that. Fine, let them have those shows. For me, I don't need them and it isn't worth the hassle. 2. Two older kids and a tape line on the floor. You tell the older kids they WILL get a special present from you if they man the goal line. Some places actually sell tape like police tape that says "magic line, do not cross". Anything will do. Tell the older kids that if kids cross the goal line it is their job to put them back. If you have a toddler, then you have them take the kid to Mom. If you must, tell Mom "I am really sorry, but I have to focus on my show and I am sure I am going to step on your child if you don't take them," The present is a magic trick or nice give away item. 3. General crowd control; well I am not silly billy, and I don't have a book out, and I have never put a diaper on a kids head, so perhaps this advice isn't any good. It only comes from 40 years working experience, so take it as you wish: "You know boys and girls, I have a problem, I brought all these really great tricks, but I can't do them by myself, I need people from the audience to help me!" Wait for the bedlam to quiet a bit. "Wait, wait, THAT is the problem! Too many of you want to help! I can't pick everybody, we would be here until Halloween! (or other holiday a long time away). Shhh... wait, I have an idea!" Now, you wait till they quiet down. Put your finger to your lips and wait. When they are quiet: "I am only going to pick the very best people. I am doing the picking, so I will tell you who they are. I only pick the people who are sitting up straight and tall on their bottoms." You will be stunned how quickly they adjust! "Great, now you have to stay that way, no getting up or jumping around because everyone wants to watch the magic! Now, my helpers have to pay attention, so I only pick helpers that are watching me, listening to me, they don't visit with their neighbors and they keep their hands and feet to themselves." With the above you have some hand signals as you point to your eyes, ears, and yourself. Now, some kids really don't want to help, after all you might make them look like an idiot as so many people here think its ok to do. So look at the little guys and say: "Now, you don't have to help if you don't want to, and I won't pick anyone that doesn't want to help. But, if you want to help, and only if you want to help, just raise your hand like this." You might have to say, "no singing mememememe, just raise your hand" "Then, when I pick someone, put your hand back down" You might, if they are slow with this, and you hope they are, have to say: "Down, ummm... down? Look this is up, and this is down. You seem confused" In any case you now go to: "Tell you what, lets prastice! While I am doing my first trick, and you are watching me, I will be watching you. The person who watches me the best will be my first assistant. OK?" Now, you do your best warm-up magic trick that will teach them how to applaud react to your magic, David Ginn's work is the best on this subject, and off you go. It goes quicker than it takes to write and read. If you'd like to see how well this works, Just go to my web site and read the applause on paper section. You can read exactly what people say about my methods. Mark Tripp |
magic 12376 Regular user Wilkes-Barre Pa 116 Posts |
I really haven't encountered this problem. I have been performing birthday parties for 18+ years and it just doesn't happen to me. When I start my shows I always announce that I have a few RULES for the show. The rules are as follows:
Good afternoon, My name Is Ron Romiski. For those of you who haven't already guessed I am a magician. Today we are going to do some really cool things. For a lot of these things I am going to need some helpers from the audience, So I have some rules you'll need to follow before we can start the show. The first rule is that I will only pick helpers who are sitting quietly with their hands raised. Second rule: this is a live show, not television, so you can't sit around here in your underwear, because that would be rude. The third rule is this..... Who knows what you do when you see something you like? (kids will reply clap, or begin to clap. if not begin clapping yourself, children will follow) OK who knows what you do when yo see something you don't like, (children will most likely boo, but without missing a beat begin clapping loudly.) (At this point I perform a rope to silk) The last thing I need to tell everyone is that what I am going to be doing today is magic, you may see the unexplainable! (rope stands on end) Also remember in magic things are not always what they seem to be! (rope changes to silk) So, now that we got all that out of the way what do say we start the show? So, you see it is simply a matter of setting the rules forth ahead of time while doing it in a way that seems funny to the children and undemanding. Also by leaving areas for the children to respond to you, you are allowing them to participate, communicate, and giving them outlets for their energies other than rushing your performance area. If the rest of your show follow these simple guidlines, "Audience participation" (sometimes involving the whole audience ,if even to only ansewer questions. And lots of audience vollunteers) "Comedy" (Just remember small children don't laugh at jokes but, rather situations.putting yourself on the spot always works) "Empower your audience" (let the children notify you things are happeneig when you pretend not to notice or other things of this nature. this makes the children feel empowered because they now see and notice things the mighty magician is to "stupid" to realize. As a side note I never ask that parents police the childrens activities nor expect them to be toddler wranglers, they just paid me to do a show and entertain these children, If I am trully entertaining these children, then by defenition they should be to involved with what I am doing To need additional entertainment or seeing to by the adults who hired me. Ronald R. Romiski |
MikeDes Inner circle Montreal 1174 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-04-16 20:38, Joseph_Then wrote: Sound advice!! |
Danny Diamond Inner circle Connecticut 1400 Posts |
A simple method of controlling the kids during the volunteer selection process, is to use the following line...
"I only pick volunteers who are sitting down with a nice, big smile on their face." This keeps them seated and if they have that "nice, big smile on their face", they can't be talking or yelling "me me me ooooh, pick me!". I think the line is from KidBiz. It's a nice way of telling the kid's to shut their mouth, without being rude! It works wonders for me.
You don't drown by falling in the water;
you drown by staying there. - Edwin Louis Cole |
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