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MiNiM Regular user New Zealand 111 Posts |
Does anyone do a chop cup routine for kids?
I've several queries : usually I work to kids sitting on the floor, so it seems to me that action taking place on a table top would be out of their sight lines, which would encourage them to stand up to see, then get closer and then take over. I suppose one could work on the floor or on a very low table, but that could have it's own visibilty problems. I'm working on a tableless, in the hands, approach. Anyone got any other ideas? The other thing is that the basic plot of most chop cup routines seems to be : 'where do you think the ball is? whatever you say, you're wrong - nyah nah nah nah nah!' Not really my idea of entertaining magic, especially for kids! I have in mind lots of wiggling fingers and magic words to make the magic work, perhaps with preliminary failures if someone's not trying hatd enough! As I say, this is what I'm trying to work through - has anyone else already trodden this territory, and perhaps can give me some tips. Are there any published kidshow CC routines I should check out? Thanks, Bill
He asked me if I liked card tricks. I said "No." He did three. (W. Somerset Maugham)
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Bill:
A nice idea and I think this can work for you if you handle it in the manner that you have suggested. The idea is to make it simple and entertaining and perhaps do the effect by the telling fo a story. This would work nice because kids are used to sitting down to hear a story.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
0pus Inner circle New Jersey 1739 Posts |
Bill,
For visibility, why not try using a surface that is angled down toward the audience. Then every time you lift the cup to reveal the ball, it will roll down into the audience (or be caught on a lip on the surface). The ball rolling down will be great misdirection, and you could probably load a pineapple into the cup after a reveal. I would also suggest you look into the Mike Caveney Benson Bowl routine. He uses a small plunger as the cup/bowl, the wooden plunger handle as a wand, and a sponge ball. It is very funny and, even if you don't do the Benson Bowl effect, portions of the routine could no doubt be applied to your Chop Cup routine. 0pus |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Opus:
Good stuff. Just keep in mind that you are doing this for children. I would never use a plunger in a kids performance. To me it just says the wrong things. I would stick with things that the children can relate better to and key your performance around the telling of a good humored story. I have often found that if you give names to the props being used in the routine, the kids love it, laugh and seem to get into it more. Give it a shot and see what happens.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Phred Regular user 118 Posts |
I saw, somewhere, a suggestion that you glue little googly eyes that you buy in a craft store to the balls. They look funny, and would make a good final load.
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Frank Tougas Inner circle Minneapolis, MN 1712 Posts |
Instead of the usual guessing game, try the premise of the little ball that wouldn't stay put. This opens up all kinds of patter ideas kids will relate to.
The kid who instead of going to school always wanted to go fishing, or wiggly Walter ho no matter how hard he tried could never stay in his seat. That way you can use the large load balls to demo wiggly Walter all grown up, and his brother too! As far as direct experience for kids. When I have performed it for children I do it sitting at a table. Very traditional. I also use a time travel theme - something which I see has been routined and sold on the market, but at the time I just sort of made up a story line about a time machine. Kids like sci-fi and fantasy. The last time I performed it for a group of kids, 7 - 12 I was in Morelia Mexico. Now my Spanish is extremely limited but the visual alone got lots of oohs and ahhs. So go for it, kids will love it. I also don't use the gimick exclusively for the behavior of the ball but often use cup and ball moves to make the magic happen. Best of luck and let me know how it goes. Frank
Frank Tougas The Twin Cities Most "Kid Experienced" Children's Performer :"Creating Positive Memories...One Smile at a Time"
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Frank and Phred. I love both your thinking on this. Very creative. The eyes on the final load ball would be cute and help the kids to relate to Wiggly Walter. The idea of this also teaches the kids a moral lesson but in an entertaining way that the adults would appreciate. Clever ideas. Keep them coming.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
MiNiM Regular user New Zealand 111 Posts |
Thanks for the ideas, guys!
I've also thought of loading a Judy mouse puppet in for the final load and going into a bit with that. Or using a lemon load for a sort of signed bill in lemon effect. We designed some fake bills with a drawing of me on it for Billoon - I give an assistant a felt marker and invite him to 'improve' me; if he thinks I'm perfect already he can just initial it or mark it. This gives plenty of room for 'indignation' at their choice of improvements! I like the 'story' suggestions and the joggle eye addition. I'll work on it. Thanks, Bill
He asked me if I liked card tricks. I said "No." He did three. (W. Somerset Maugham)
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magiker Loyal user Sweden 283 Posts |
Just a thought.
Maybe a Harry Potter quidditch twist with the ball being the snitch.
Magiker
Believe in the possibility of the impossible |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
When I used to perform at birthday parties I would bring a small squarish footlocker box which I placed on the floor directly in front.
I covered it with a piece of velvet and started my show kneeling on the floor with the children sitting around. I did my Sponge Ball Routine and a few other close-up routines before standing up to do the larger stuff. Sometimes I would go back to the trunk for more close-up later in the show. The trunk served to mark the separation between performer and audience area, with children sitting behind it. The trunk also served as a place to ditch props, the cloth cover discouraging children from peeking in while I was busy. You can find these trunks at your local Wal-Mart (where else). |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Jim:
I like the trunk idea. Thanks for posting that suggestion. It gives a barrier between you and the children and also keeps your props in one spot and a place to ditch items. It can also work well into the story telling by calling it your magic box or even your toy box you had as a child and all the fun that is locked up inside of it.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Shadow Regular user Akron, OH 171 Posts |
Chopping up children?
How else do you get them in the little box? Just kidding.... I do Cups & Balls for kids all the time, but I have never chopped one yet. |
Vibono Magic Special user Växjö,Sweden 647 Posts |
try the neilsen tea chop cup. It is made out of china and uses a wooden ball the move used is a sort of bell move so the audience will hear the ball arive under the cup. you can also do the chop cup in the hands of a kid or have the kid hopting a smal try on wich you preform the chop cup.
Jonas Karlsson Vibono Magic Sweden
Vibono Mirage
Magic entertainer and Balloon artist |
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