|
|
Go to page [Previous] 1~2 | ||||||||||
Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
Friday's show was a 2-Hour party for 5 year olds, 25 kids, 23 were brilliant, 2 were total nightmares, I've had troublesome kids before, but usually they respond to one of the arsenal of control methods we all use. These 2 didn't respone to any of the contol methods, Being told only the best behaved children get a balloon model at the end or gets to help with the show had no-effect.
I tried to include them in the fun and got hit for my trouble. they just weren't interested from the start and just wanted to run around wildly jumping on the hall furniture. All the parents did was watch shocked at their behaviour, During the games it wasn't too bad as their behaviour didn't spoil the fun too much , they didn't win anything though, but during the show when they should be watching their antics got worse, They pulled up the magic line, they threw things at me and the other kids, they also tried to run in and hit me. Finally I had to stop the show and made them sit on a chair next to the adults, 5 minutes later they were off again. Twice I did this, They were spoiling the show for the other kids who were great. I couldn't wait to finish and cut a good 7-8 minutes from the show so we finished early. At the end of the party they came over to get a balloon model and I refused to give them one as they'd been so naughty, one then went and got his mum, she came over and I told her what he'd been like and why there was no way on earth he was getting anything. She took him away, but I didn't hear any harsh words from her. It was the hardest party I've done for a long time. The bookers sister was a teacher and told me afterwards that she was glad I stuck to my guns and not given them anything. The worst of the 2 Alex was the last to be picked up, the birthday childs grandparents commented on how it's always the one who causes the most trouble who gets picked up last, the booker fell over herself to apologise and told me she'd told Alex's Mum what he's been like. Her answer was "Oh I'm not surprised he's always like that at parties" she made no apology for her brats behaviour. If either of them ever turns up at another party I'll refuse to even start until they're removed.
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. |
|||||||||
Jon Gallagher Veteran user Elmwood, Illinois 395 Posts |
When I was younger, I took every show I could get my hands on. Now that I'm older, I know my limitations. As a result, I hardly ever have a problem with audience management.
When someone calls for a birthday party, I ask a lot of questions. How old is the birthday child? Five? Then in all honesty, they probably won't enjoy my show. I then give them the names of other performers in the area that may be interested in doing a five year old. Six? I take the show, but not before asking a lot of questions. Will the audience be kids older or younger or the same age? Will there be a lot of adults, or am I going to be handling a bunch of kids on my own? My availability for the even hinges on the answers to these questions. Why? Because if I take a show that I know I can't handle, it damages my reputation. Heck, if another magician takes a show that they can't handle, it makes it harder for other area magicians to book a show as well. I had one school district tell me this year that they'll not book a magician this year because of the one they had last year (he had NO control of the audience). Also, when doing a birthday party, you have to let them know right from the get go, who is in charge, and that's YOU. I used to do Hippity Hop at the front end of my show, but learned that if you're going to do a sucker gag early, you're setting yourself up for a large headache later. Amaze them first, then go into the comedy. When I was 18 or so, I thought all I had to do was show up. Now, almost 30 years later, I realize there's a lot more to doing kids' shows than just doing the tricks. |
|||||||||
Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
My lowest age limit is 4 year olds, Kids like Alex and his mate James who are just pure trouble are rare.
How many times have you gone to a birthday party where your told all the kids are 7-8 only to find the birthday child has a younger toddler sibling and mum has invited a couple of his friends to keep him happy. You then end up with the problem of loose toddlers getting in the way and causing a distraction. I was in the middle of a show once when I was interupted by a loud squealing noise, I looked to the back of the hall to see a toddler pushing a chair round and round mum's chair, it was very loud and all the kids turned to see what was happening, "OK Tom " I said to the helper "As soon as the removal firm at the nack has finished, you wave the wand say 123 and everyone wil say the magic word" The toddlers mum look at me and said "I think you'll have a long wait, she's really enjoying herself" "Don't worry I said I've pleanty of time, I'll wait" and just stood there waiting, all the parents were staring at her and she didn't do anything to stop the kid. After another 4-5 very noisy scheechy trips round mum, and a lot of nasty looks from the other parents she got the hint and finally took the chair away and the show continued. I couldn't believe the ignorance of the women.
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. |
|||||||||
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
I do three year olds sometimes and they are always GREAT! They are never naughty but are sometimes confused (they don't know what a 'show' is) and get up and wander around! (even though their eyes never leave me).
I have learnt a few important things from my 2000 children's parties. 1) You are not a failure or a bad magician if you have to reprimand or lightly scold a naughty child. It is the parent's job but they don't always do it. Mainting control of a children is a ongoing process. 2) It is better to set up the conditions of good behaviour then try and fix bad behaviour. Tell the kid's from the get go that the best magic helper WILL win a prize! 3) If you lose your temper, you doing something wrong. 4) The importance of the things in the room go 1) your live stock (i.e. if my rabbit was threatened in anyway, I WOULD leave) 2) the children 3) the parents 4) you. |
|||||||||
Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
I agree nicholas,
My top priority during a party is the enjoyment of the children, and have a large arsenal of methods to 1, set the boundaries of behaviour & 2, maintain them. Isn't it ashame that the parents often fail in their responsibilities. At most birthday parties the toddler is only there because Mum has decided to stay, rather than go and return later, the toddler is not an invited guest, it's bored as it doen't understand what's happening so gets fidgey and whiney. These are the problems I've learnt over the years can happen if a toddler is not kept saftely on mums lap. 1, they run into your performing area and grab your stuff. (I've even had one grab my crotch) 2, they run into the audience and start playing with big bro/sis. 3, they run around behind the kids, which can makes a noise as they usually have hard soles on the shoes and a lot of venues have wooden floors also the less discaplined children in the audience get the signal it's OK to run around and may want to join them. 4, The girls in the audience get all maternal and get up to play with this living doll. 5, to amuse the toddler the parent will start playing with them behind the audience which also can cause the less discaplined children in the audience to join in. 6, they get hurt, when they wander into the kids playing the games as they are invisable to the excited older children. 7, no matter how many times you ask the parents when they retrieve the toddler to keep them on there lap, they always release them as soon as they've sat back down. I've even had one show disrupted once when a mum started to breast feed a baby while sitting at the side of the room, the baby's older sister who was sat on the floor next to her then called all the other girls over to watch the baby feeding, as the audience was 90% girls it meant I was left with an audience of 2 boy's.
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. |
|||||||||
El_Lamo Special user Canada 589 Posts |
I just finished a birthday party.
It was Harry Potter themed. It went very well except that when I began the show (14 children 4 - 8 years old), the parents retired to the other room for wine and cheese. I didn't realize that I was babysitting !!! And they left Terror (not exactly his name). My balloon pump was destroyed before the end of the show and I had to speak to him a few times about pick fingering my props. But everyone enjoyed the show and it was great fun! Thanks for all the comments here. It is very helpful. cheers - El Lamo
Life is a system of circumstance presented coincidently in an illusory way.
|
|||||||||
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
El Lamo,
I know how it feels too. But as long you did your job and everyone was satiisfied, no problem. |
|||||||||
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
It is so nice to have an evil rat puppet in situations like this. It will keep the younger ones at bay!!
As they approach, "Now where is that nasty rat!"
Dennis Michael
|
|||||||||
Beowulf Loyal user Thomas A. Lilly 284 Posts |
Did a Kids' Club yesterday morning, children on carpet squares, moms with them or in chairs. Finished the Big Surprise routine (MAGIC) with the spider and then the spring snakes. Lots of squeals and laughs, and then the children gathered up the snakes for me, and I tossed them onto the jumping stool placed upstage. As I started the next routine, a mom and her reluctant son stepped into the stage space, crossed between me and a side table, and then behind me to pick up a snake. "See, it's not real! You can touch it!" Mom shook it about, tried really hard, but the boy wasn't buying. Meanwhile I got to use the 'just a stage she's passing through' line, and the rest of the kiddies got a lesson in audience participation. Ah, what they learn at momma's knee...
|
|||||||||
adrianbent Loyal user 210 Posts |
WOW. I don't envy you guys who have to do this for a living. I think the best enjoyment would come out of knowing, "I don't need this gig... cram it".
|
|||||||||
Cheshire Cat Special user Wilmslow, UK 941 Posts |
Note your comment Adrian. On the other side of it though just think about how many hours a week us full timers actually work. What will you be doing this coming June Monday morning at say 10 a.m? I'll be either in my garden or sat in the glasshouse that backs onto my garden reading a newspaper with a coffee. Also think in terms of £25 to £35k. a year (convert that to your currency) for a full time pro. kids entertainer, for what? -
12 hours work a week plus travel, plus preparation? Better not say any more . . . as the old London Punch and Judy man once wrote: "we don't want TOO many people in the business do we?" I'd also question how many of us "have to do this for a living". I'd say most of us WANT to do this for a living. At least our problems are only SMALL ones . . . |
|||||||||
Hill Inner circle 1164 Posts |
Think positive thoughts. Settig out rules is the only way to go. a parent must always be present, this should be stipulated in the contract.
|
|||||||||
Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 5952 Posts |
I have set rules when I do a show, but you have to have a rapport with the adults at the party otherwise it won't work. The kids look to the parents as an example. That's why I have to give them pointers. The adults are required to be in audience with the kids, rather than in the back of the room talking with each other.
I loved that envelope in the mouth idea to keep the kids quiet! I may use it sometime. I keep the birthday child busy during my show by having them participate in many of the routines. The kid's parents are paying me, afterall. |
|||||||||
rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
I once was convinced by the Mom thet little Jimmy was VERY into magic, so please do a special grownup trick for him.
I did Scotch & Soda. Making him look good, of course, as the one who knew which coin was in which hand. "WAAAAAAAH! HE DIDN'T DO THE SAME FOR ME AS HE DID FOR THEM!" (Meaning the other two spectators, who come out getting fooled. |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The little darlings » » Spoiled little brats (2 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page [Previous] 1~2 |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 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 < |