|
|
ldrosenblum Regular user Los Angeles 103 Posts |
Hi Folks-
I'm a newbie and performed my first mini, living room show (20 mins) last night to five 6 yr old boys and their dads. It went pretty well, but noticed that while I held the attention of the kids, most of the dads looked pretty bored. I've read posts in this forum that if you play to the kids, parents usually simply enjoy watching their kids have fun. But I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas, approaches, or general philosophies on simultaneously entertaining young kids and their parents - especially in a smaller group context. Thanks in advance, -Larry
Check out my new book on our 'perceptual superpowers': www.LawrenceRosenblum.com . It discusses new research on the psychology of misdirection and the neuroplasticity behind expert motor skills.
|
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Lots of humour helps. I never use double ententres, but I often throw in a gag for the adults. They will also watch when you are using their child; so early on in the show involve two or three of the kids.
Also, use lots of eye contact. It is hard to ignore a performer who is maintaining lots of eye contact.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Think Rocky & Bullwinkle - Road Runner & Wiley Coyote - Bugs Bunny & Daffy Duck - Three Stooges - W.C. Fields - Abbott & Costello
These characters specialized in crossing age barriers with slapstick humor aimed at the younger viewers and word play aimed at the oldsters. Visual humor appeals to the younger group while cerebral asides draw and hold the parents. Kick back and watch a few of these videos with your kids. Watch closely and you'll often see them laughing at different times than you. It's an art that takes time and practice to develop...but it can be done!
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
revlovejoy Special user Pennsylvania 765 Posts |
You could break the rule of no-danger-in-kids shows and get one of them to volunteer their Dad for a hand chopper or other similar routine.
|
ldrosenblum Regular user Los Angeles 103 Posts |
Great advice guys-
I didn't think of using multiple kid volunteers for an early routine, -just one at a time over the course of four routines. I'll try multiples sooner next time. And regarding eye-contact, I really did concentrate on the kids since I was mostly directing my patter at them. But if I incorporate some more grown-up humor (as per your recommendations), I can let that guide my eye-contact back and forth between kids and adults. I do need to learn the 'Bullwinkle technique' - it will take practice. Interestingly, I did have a few lines directed at the grown-ups, one of which I probably shouldn't have made: (holding a dove pan) "Now kids, we're going to make magic cookies! Not to be confused with magic brownies." The dads laughed, but I'd feel awful if the kids asked their dads about magic brownies on the way home. And I really like the idea of having the kids volunteer their dads for some pseudo-dangerous effect - as long as it's clear that it's all pretend. Thanks everyone!
Check out my new book on our 'perceptual superpowers': www.LawrenceRosenblum.com . It discusses new research on the psychology of misdirection and the neuroplasticity behind expert motor skills.
|
jackturk Elite user 463 Posts |
Agree totally with the premise that you should script your show on multiple levels. But you don't have to use double- entendre or the like, you can simply do cultural mentions that the kids won't get, but the parents will.
For example, when doing a balloon animal I sometimes twist the head around several times while saying, "look, I'm Linda Blair!" (Now that's for a definitely older crew...) Or you can make fun of the local sports teams. Or mention a local store that has been taken over by a multi-national corporation. Or you can get a little political, for instance, when doing Run Rabbit Run, I'll toss in the line, "Okay, he's going be on the Left Side now... whatever, left, right, right, left, I don't care what side of the aisle he's on, I'm not political." Tossing in these little bits throughout the program keeps it surprising for adults as well, who, quite frankly, should be having a great time just watching their kids having fun! Finally, I always like include in my kids party program at least one routine that involves a parent. In my "Mind-Reading Skunk" routine, which uses an invisible deck and an adult volunteer -- I typically will select one of the dads in the audience or grandpa... and I like to get grandpa if possible because they generally have a great attitude and the family starts pulling out cameras when grandpa's up in front. Pictures of grandpa at the party creates a memory, and that's why we're there, right? --Jack
"59 Ways To Recession Proof Your Entertainment Business -- FREE!"
http://www.GetLeadsLikeCrazy.com "How To Make $25,000 a Year Doing Birthday Parties Part-Time" http://www.magicmarketingcenter.com/birthdayPT |
Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
Think Shrek as opposed to teletubbies. There is a reason why Shrek has more success and appeal.
|
ldrosenblum Regular user Los Angeles 103 Posts |
Thanks Bill and Jack-
These are great, funny examples. And I definitely get the Shrek premise. It will take a bit of practice for me to plan on being funny for adults - I've never felt comfortable with scripted humor when I lecture - I'm much better improvising in that context. But it's becoming clear to me that unlike lecturing, magic patter is an important part of the choreography of the performance. So a bit of prepared humor makes sense, and it's what I'm doing for the kids anyway. Thanks again. PS - I wonder if Linda Blair ever did a guest spot on Teletubbies . . .
Check out my new book on our 'perceptual superpowers': www.LawrenceRosenblum.com . It discusses new research on the psychology of misdirection and the neuroplasticity behind expert motor skills.
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The little darlings » » Amusing the kids, boring their dads? (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.02 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |