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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Mine use to be nice, playful and easy going. But the problem was the kids would try and take over me and touch my tricks. I now believe in being a little firm so the kids won't think I'm as nice as they suspect. I found out Mark Leveridge does the same thing after watching his Magic Party Video.
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RoyHolidayMagic New user New York 85 Posts |
Yup...I changed my attitude as well after viewing Leveridge's video. His technique (well...this technique) is working very well.
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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
I have my show set up in my Rolon Table, ready to do. I walk in, get the kid's sitting down, open it up and start.
The only set up is to replace my balloons stock when needed and get some new rope every couple of weeks. At the end of the show, everything packs away in less the minute, ready for the next show. Its like a factory. I have such a crazy personality that the children all come rushing over and its just not fair to tell them to go away or to sit down while I get ready. Once I walk in the door, I am on stage. BTW if you are hired for one hour does that hour include set up time or do you stay at the house longer? |
Frank Tougas Inner circle Minneapolis, MN 1712 Posts |
I arrive at the house and first go to the door. It is at that time I deliver the balloon animals to be passed out as kids leave the party.
I am businesslike and professional. I ask to be introduced to the BD girl/boy and am warm and friendly. I usually get someone to hold the door for me as I bring my stuff in. Mom takes the kids out of the room to play games, usually one of the games introduced in my promotional book, "The Unfopgettable Birthday Party Planner" which arrived in the mail a few days before my arrival. My set up is six minutes (I got that down). When the kids are ushered into the room I am on. I am the big kid at the front of the room. Playful, friendly, and maybe just a bit mysterious.
Frank Tougas The Twin Cities Most "Kid Experienced" Children's Performer :"Creating Positive Memories...One Smile at a Time"
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Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
I am Emazdad from the moment the kids see my car arrive outside, I talk to them make jokes, meet the birthday child. We have fun while I set up and make the pre show balloons and wait for the guests to arrive. After the show I'm Emazdad right up to the moment I close the car door and drive off.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Wow Emazdad,
I might move to your friendly country. lol |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
I agree with Emazdad and also Nicholas. I am my professional and funny self the moment I get to the person's house till the time I leave and am in my car.
What I think is important, that some have mentioned, is that you try to make your set up time as little as it can be. This allows you to spend more time with the kids and enjoying yourself and their company. My type of personality on stage is different then how I am in real life. With this in mind, I need a warm up to be able to get into character prior to my performance. For me, it does not make much sense to be one person before the show and a different person while the show is going on. If I am in character from the moment I get there, the kids relate to me better and want to have fun with me. I do not become the scary adult figure. I can understand kids being curious and wanting to be around you. But, I find this a good thing. If they want to be around you, it might be because they like you and feel comfortable with you. All I do is act nice and polite and tell the children that I must set up now and have to have room so that we can have the best fun we can have. I usually also tell the parents before hand that while I am setting up, it is a perfect time for the kids to play games etc. This usually works quite well.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
zombieboy Special user Connecticut, USA 889 Posts |
I have structured my show so it doesn't need setup. It all works out of my case, and is instantly reset. However, I am always in character as well.
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Zombie:
That is the best case scenario for sure. To be able to walk in and immediately perform is a great thing and keeps your time down. that way you can book more shows in a day if you decided to. Do you also reset your stuff while you are packing up or do you wait till you get home to do that? I have seen and done both my my new philosophy is to be as neat and organized as I can be. I always take the extra time packing up to make sure evrything gets reset and back in it's proper spot in my Rolon Table. It seems like a lot more work, but it is so nice to be able to get home and place my stuff away. It also means I am always reset to go for any last minute show and it helps revent my props from getting damaged.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
<<<<<,Wow Emazdad,
I might move to your friendly country. lol>>>>>> I wish they were friendly all the time, I get the little devils as well, but I get the kids to help put the magic line down and firmly but nicly nail the troublemakers at the start, I let them know the secret. The secret is that I watch all the kids from the moment I arrive to pick my helpers and only the very best will get a chance to help with the show. <<<<<<BTW if you are hired for one hour does that hour include set up time or do you stay at the house longer?>>>>>>>>>> Generally if I'm booked for just the 1-hour (which is rare these days) I'm always booked for the final hour, which means the kids are eating when I arrive, so they get to watch me set up while they're eating. For a 2-hour i'm normally there before they arrive, so it's just the birthday kid any siblings or early birds, the kids start to arrive 10-15 minutes before start time and they get to watch me set up, dance to the music, which is the first thing that I put on, or just watch me make the balloons ready for the end of the party. I talk to them and have a laugh all the time. It also lets any shy kids get to know me before the show. For a 1-Hour party I aim to be there about 1 1/2 hours, 20 minutes beforehand and 10 mins after. For a 2-Hour it's 30 minutes before hand and 10 mins after. It only takes me 5 minutes to set up, the rest is used to make my large bribery balloon and knock out the balloons ready for the end. I could pre-make them at home, but if I'm going to use the time to make them it's better done there as the booker thinks there getting extra time.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Clive:
I like your stuff. very nice. I also think that by ytalking with the kids early you establish yourself as a nice guy and hopefully as their friend. They will get to like you and trust you long before the show starts. If this happens, then it usually makes for a much better performance.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
"For a 1-Hour party I aim to be there about 1 1/2 hours, 20 minutes beforehand and 10 mins after. For a 2-Hour it's 30 minutes before hand and 10 mins after. "
Wow! I am there for an hour an a few minutes! I like to pack in as many shows as possible in a day and I don't want to spend too much time do no profitable things like setting up or packing away. After each effect I usually end up with the prop back in reset postion and I just place it away in the case. |
p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
Wow! I am there for an hour an a few minutes! I like to pack in as many shows as possible in a day and I don't want to spend too much time do no profitable things like setting up or packing away. After each effect I usually end up with the prop back in reset postion and I just place it away in the case.
HI, I arrive at least 30 mins before even for a 30mins show (I can be ready in 5mins) However I like to give my clients peace of mind knowing that I am there. for my 30, 45 or 50 mins shows I always book them at 2 hour intervals (unless there is clearly some exess driving involved which is unusual these days) Normaly I will not book more than 3 kids shows a day less if one is a 2 hour full party. Phillip |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
I agree with Phillip. I try to plan out 2 hours a time slot. This is unless I am performing my outdoor fair illusion show, in which I am there way in advanced to do the sound checks etc.
For a kids show, I like to be there 30 mins prior to the event and then 30 mins following the performance. I too want the person to feel relaxed that I am there ahead of time and ready to go. It also helps me to get to know the kids I am performing for and get to know the b-day child a bit better. For me, it helps make my shows more enjoyable. I to spend time after my shows packing up again so I am reset. But, I also spend time after the show to talk to the kids, thank them, give out magic wands and coloring flyers and then thank the parents for having me there. It is stuff I probably do not need to do, but I do it because they remember me for it later on. It is that extra something that I give my clients that not a lot of others in my area do.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
<<<<<<Wow! I am there for an hour an a few minutes! I like to pack in as many shows as possible in a day and I don't want to spend too much time do no profitable things like setting up or packing away. >>>>>>.
I used to try and pack as many in as I could, but then it turned from fun into a job, I hated being at a great show with great kids and having to watch the clock to ensure I got out on time, so I increased the time gap between shows from 1 hour to 1 1/2 so I wasn't rushing around to much. I also started arriving a bit earlier so I could set up, do the balloons in a nice calm manner, and not be rushing trying to do stuff. The extra time also allows me to take bookings from Mum's who have just been pestered by little jonny that's he wants me at his party, thank the birthday child and booker and leave without looking like I'm in a race to leave. I often get offered a cuppa after the show so if I've got time I stay for a quick chat. The extra time even allows me a bit of leeway if there is traffic problems. I usually aim to get near the venue about 15 minutes before I need to enter, I've never been late for a gig and don't wish to start. That 15 minutes somtimes gets eaten up in traffic, if not I have a paper to read and I sit in the car round the corner and relax, or find a place to practice my golf swing. It hasn't worked, I'm still too busy. I did 48 shows altogether in July, and I've got 32 so far for August and that's with having a weeks holiday. I think it's nearly time for a price increase to thin out the work a bit.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Clive:
That is a great position to be in for sure. I basically follow the same reasoning as you do my friend. I get there early and stay a bit afterwards. I like them to feel they are gettiong more then their monies worth. It also allows me to rest and take my time with things, meet the children, talk with the parents and possibly make some additional contacts for more shows while I am there. I like the time to enjoy myself as well.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Ron Reid Inner circle Phoenix, Arizona 2732 Posts |
For practical solutions to many of these issues, I recommend Mark Strivings book, "Anatomy of a Successful Show". He offers many excellent tips on overcoming many of these challenges - plus, there are some terrific routines to boot! This book has been a big help to me, and has changed the way I approach doing local shows. Try it...you'll like it.
Ron Reid |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Ron:
Thanks for the book advice. I may have to look into that at the next convention I am at. It sounds good. Most of what I currently do now somes from years of trial and error. I have found what has worked for me and learned from my mistakes.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
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