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Magicdean New user 11 Posts |
Hi all,
I have been conscripted by my Aunt to play Santa Claus for a party of extended family members. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of quick, flashy effects in case a kid says, "You're not really Santa!" These are the things I have considered so far. 1. Wonder Bubbles; telling the kids I froze the bubble. 2. The old water to ice in a cup trick. It is pretty likely I won't be asked to stand up and do magic, but I do want to be prepared in case of the above challenge condition. If someone asks me to make it snow on Christmas, I'm already prepared to say that only the people at the top of the list get snow...but is that right? that's almost like saying "Kid, you're just not good enough." Being a newbie, I could use some advice. Leland Wilson aka MagicDean |
Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
How are you at floating cookies? Milk in a Wonder Glass can disappear, and you can burp afterwards.
If someone asks you to make it snow on Christmas, say, "What time do you want the snowstorm to begin?" If it snows, they'll believe in Santa another year... if not, they'll learn the truth a year early, but not when you are around to take the blame.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
I used to do a show as Santa who does magic. It was received well, but got complaints from all the other Santas who had to live up to a Santa who could do magic, so I discontinued for their sakes and the children who might be disappointed.
Some of the routines I did/came up with: D'Lite in the white gloves you'll probably be wearing. This leads into a Rudolph story so well. Insta-Snow. Turn a glass of water into snow. Santa's Suit (commercial effect available from most major dealers) I sang and did a Santa rap that I wrote (both the music and lyrics). Floating Snowball (ala Zombie...Styrofoam ball with added texture for snowball). |
Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
"Make it Snow? What do you think I am ... A MAGICIAN?!!"
Seriously though, why not work it the other way? When you make your appearance, wave to the kids and say, "Hi, everybody! I'm the Easter Bunny!" You can even hop around a little bit if you want to. When the kids yell out that "You're not the Easter Bunny!", look confused for a second, and then say, "You're right, I'm the Tooth Fairy!" You can even prance around a little bit like a fairy if you want to. The kids will yell out, "No, you're not!". Now, look really confused, and then ask them, "Well, if I'm not the Easter Bunny (hop, hop), and I'm not the Tooth Fairy (prance, prance), then WHO AM I?" The kids will yell out, "You're Santa Clause!" When they say this, string it along a little further by saying, "No, I'm not Santa Clause. Santa has a White Beard. I don't have a white beard." The kids will be quick to point out that you do, in fact, have a white beard. Continue by saying, "But, Santa has a beautiful red suit. I don't have a beautiful red suit." Again, the kids will be quick to point out your red suit. "But, Santa has a big, fat belly. I don't have a big, fat belly" When the kids point out your big, fat belly, look really hurt and insulted saying, "Hey, that's really mean!" Then, let the realization set in. "Wait a minute. I have a white beard. I have a beautiful red suit. I have a -slightly over-sized- belly. That can only mean one thing. I must be Santa Clause! HO! HO! HO!" Just a suggestion. Hope it works. Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
Kent has great ideas, and so does Mr. Bill.
Don't forget to turn one of the kids into an elf (paper hat tear to Santa Hat), plus some elf ears and a nose; and then, another kid gets to become Rudolph with antlers and a red clown nose. Check the costume stores for these props, and Eleazar Goodenough's "Tear-able Magic" book for the Santa Hat Tear (on my site). His hat tear routine also has a Christmas Stocking Tear, plus productions from both the hat and the stocking afterwards.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
Ryan Price Special user winnipeg, MB, Canada 641 Posts |
For snowing, you can use insta-snow. Of course, you won't be able to make a huge amount appear, but I little would be nice.
There is also change socks (change bag) that you can purchase. |
Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
A bare-handed snow production looks great and gets gasps of awe. Use insta-snow and a TT. A little practise is required to get the volume of water added about right. A large TT will allow you to pour snow from your hand for a good 30 seconds.
I also second the idea of the Christmas Stocking change bag and Christmas balloons. Enjoy! |
Magicdean New user 11 Posts |
Thanks, guys; all great ideas! I'm hoping insta-snow still has a little magic left in it, as local toy stores and a kids museum in another nearby town sell insta-snow as a toy. That's why I didn't mention it. The only Zombie effect I know involves a ladle, so I'll have to check into the snowball idea.
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Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
Magicdean,
The "Insta-Snow" I've seen sold in toy stores is different (and much cheaper) than the stuff supplied by magic stores. I bought some thinking I could save a few bucks, but it just doesn't work the same. Also, with a TT, the kids don't know you even have the powder, so it really does look like magic. |
flourish dude Inner circle from ? But I know where I am going! 1195 Posts |
I once did a show as Santa. When I snapped the balloon on my hand, all the kids went, "Santa, are you OK?" They were really worried. Don't do any thing that appears to hurt yourself if you are dresses as Santa.
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 |
Michael J. Douglas Inner circle WV, USA 1645 Posts |
Add a little "sugar, spice, and everything nice" into a dove pan, and produce candy canes!
Michael J.
�Believe then, if you please, that I can do strange things.� --from Shakespeare�s �As You Like It� |
Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
Magicdean, as your original concern was that some kids might say "You're not really Santa", it's a good idea for you to have a good comeback for that. Doing a magic trick doesn't actually go far to prove that you are Santa, as Santa isn't known for his magical abilities. But of course, Santa is a magical character. Magicman845's suggestion above is excellent. I think if you develop his ideas and add a cool trick or two, you will create a very unique Santa experience that will be absolutely enchanting. I hope you're able to tie up this thread (no pun intended) with a post to tell us how it goes in the end.
Yo Yo Yo! (That's what urban pirates say.) |
ClintonMagus Inner circle Southwestern Southeast 3997 Posts |
Each year, my wife hosts an open house for her music students and their families. They come primarily to see our trains running in the front yard, and she serves hot cider, hot chocolate, and snacks on our front porch (outside). The children range from one to seven years of age, and older siblings can also be present.
I am thinking about doing some simple magic for the people, but I am wondering whether the magic, added to the trains, would simply be too much to take in. I like the suggestions that have been offered previously, but I don't want to contribute to sensory overload. Amos McCormick
Things are more like they are today than they've ever been before...
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Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
That sounds like the perfect set-up for the old "head-on train collision illusion", where you have two toy trains running at one another head-on on a single track. They enter opposite ends of a tunnel at the same moment, and then come rushing out of the other ends of the tunnel after having apparently passed through one another inside the tunnel. I used to see this in train store windows around Christmas time.
You might have other magic directly related to the trains like this, so you don't take away from why the audience has come, but add to the experience of train watching; maybe a floating train, "the little engine that could" (where you keep adding another car to the train that is climbing up a steep incline), or if you really want a project and a half, make a Mark Wilson "Train Sawing Illusion" out of hardboard and duct tape!
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
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