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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
What do you do when an extra kid or two come up on stage?
I know you can minimize it by stating the color of the shirt, for example. (Don't say the girl with a plaid dress in a Catholic School! They all have plaid dresses.) Lets hear some of your responses before I post mine. Dennis
Dennis Michael
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ROBERT BLAKE Inner circle 1472 Posts |
Depends on the situation. if a very small child comes to the stage (3year old)i will do something and go on with the original routine.
if it is a 7 year old I simple say I mean her. and use the kid for another routine later on. |
Loual4 Special user Montreal, Canada 670 Posts |
With small children (2, 3,4 years old...), I must say it happens quite a bit. They are quite excited to see the magic, and once they realise they do not have to be scared of the big stranger in front of them, they want to come and see! Personnally, I improvise a little with the situation and see what I can do to use them as assistant. I f already have an assistant, and can not use another one, I will sometime tell the little one to "keep a close eye" on the other kid assisting me, in case he/she needs more help! That ususally keeps the little one happy, involved, and remarkably quiet!
If it is an older kid, then I tell them I will need another assistant later on, he/she will have to be patient just a little more. That usually works pretty well to! Have a nice day! Louis Jutras |
honus Veteran user 354 Posts |
In Kid Stuff Five, Bobo said, "Use them." His primary point was, everybody wants to help, and kids can get very disappointed if they get sent back to their seats. He even wrote about a girl who got all dressed up, hoping to get picked, and didn't, and was so upset that the teachers told Bobo she was still down about it the next year when he came back.
Obviously you can't use all of them, but you also can't say, "No, not you, Fatty Four-Eyes, I mean the cute one over there!" Honus also known as Fatty Four-Eyes |
Owen Anderson Loyal user A sturdy fence needs at least 231 Posts |
Often it's a younger sib following their big brother/sister.
I keep a couple of extra wands, oversize props, handy to give them something to hold.
Owen Anderson
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Agreed, I too do not send them back. Many years ago when it happened, I could see the teary eyes filling up, and I called her back. Yes, if one comes up or even two I will use them. This is why I carry so many comedy magic wands. It's great bit-of business and in a pinch they can be used to assist. They wave the wand as well as the intended assistant, both are happy!
I've never since ever sent one back. I'alos may have read it in KID Stuff 5, because I did read all of the KID stuff and Bobos books many years ago. It seems that such a kind act plays well on the paying client. Remember a kid get very excited when they think they are picked, and it would break their little heart, to hear NOT YOU. I know because when I saw my first magician, and he picked my brother and not me, I was really hurt. I wanted to be picked so bad. It became the fire that turned me to magic and I've been in it ever since! One never knows how one effects a child!
Dennis Michael
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flourish dude Inner circle from ? But I know where I am going! 1195 Posts |
Walk out and get them. They will be holding up their hands all you have to do it touch one. Granted it does limit you to who you can "get to" but there is NO problem with who you picked.
Nothing of the same will bring any change, take action today!
Just taking a step, is a step in the right direction because when you stop working, your dream dies. www.magicalmemories.us |
DanielSteep Inner circle 1409 Posts |
When I am picking my "volunteers" at a larger show I go right out into the audiance. if its for a birthday party show you usually can point right to thw one kid.
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Brian Lehr Inner circle Edmonton, Canada 1605 Posts |
When the volunteers have their hands lifted up, I will look at the one I want to choose and ask what their name is. Then I invite [name] to join me in the magic zone.
Brian |
KV Magic New user Missouri 58 Posts |
Just had to share a great story about extra kids. Last Sunday at a birthday party, I was picking volunteers for a rope through body routine. The first person I picked was a boy about 11 years old, then turned to the other side to pick some more volunteers.
When I turned back, the older boy asked if his little 4 year old brother could help instead, since the 4 year old was upset about not being picked. Of course, I really needed the older boy to make the trick work, but because of his willingness to let his brother come up, I had them both help! It was really touching to see an older brother consider his little brother first. Keith |
TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
If it’s a little one that drifts up front, you can say “looking for a front seat, huh,” then you find them a seat right on the edge of the staging area. If they get up again, you move the seat to a different spot. Possible make a running gag of it. The audience will look over a small child wandering and won’t think hard of you directing them in a fun way. Having moved a toddler several times, I have walked over to the older kids and whispered in a loud voice, “we need some rope.”
If it was an older child that came up by accident, I too would try and find something for them to do. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
chris mcbrien Inner circle Chicago 1235 Posts |
Bobo has it: "use them". I carry extra props with me, and have leway in my routines, just in case this happens. Another thing you can do is remember to pick them (and tell them you'll do this so they feel better) for the next routine.
"you know what, you must be a mind reading magician! How did you know I was going to pick you for the next trick? Wow! Give her/him a hand! Can I call you up next? Ok, great! Be careful going back to your seat! Well, now all of you can look forward to (name) coming back up in a few minutes! ,...." Just an idea. Chris |
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Chris,
Although I don't know, I wouldn't underestimate the logic in these kids. I'll run up next time he asks for a volunteer. This is a possiblity, however, if it were true, you wouldn't be using that approach.
Dennis Michael
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chris mcbrien Inner circle Chicago 1235 Posts |
I"m not saying I do use it that much, usually I just use them all, it's much easier and takes less time to adjust. If it's one of those routines where it just doe'snt work, then you may have to use something similar. However, when I do use it they never run up later....however, I'm a tricky magician and I won't share with anyone why they don't! (i'm laughing as I write this, I mean it in half jest...the other half is that marketer in me saying "don't say too much!".
:) Chris |
rickmorse Regular user Flushing, MI 131 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-01-19 17:16, flourish dude wrote: I respectfully disagree. Just give the extra child or two something to hold, or ask him if the other child is doing what you asked. Sponsors LOVE this, since you're being kind and thinking fast! Now, if a dozen extra kids come up, that's a different story! Easy elimination without hurt feelings goes like this: "I need a helper wearing a pink shirt. If you have a pink shirt, stay here. If not, please go back to your seats." Keep this up until you whittle them down to the child you wanted originally. Sure, it takes a minute or two, but it is a GAME in the children's eyes. My two cents. |
Tony S Special user New York 582 Posts |
I do whatever I can to keep the extras on stage. Usually the ideas already presented here work well. Ask a younger one to make sure the older one is doing it right, give them a magic wand, have them pick a magic word and yell it out when it's time, etc.
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