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Majake314 Loyal user Australia 245 Posts |
Hello my name is jake and iam new to the Café
I am only 12 however I am very eager to start kids magic I would very much appreaciate any advice on starting out as a junior. There is no magic clubs within 100km of where I live ( in australia), so that is out of the question I know dvds would be a good place to start, but which ones????? thnks in advance for the advice |
curtgunz Special user Only 99% of users have more than 784 Posts |
Welcome Jake,
I wish you great success in magic. Three great rules of magic (you probably already know these): 1) Never reveal how a trick is done. 2) Don't perform the same trick for the same audience 3) Practice until you can do all the moves without thinking about them. Doing it in front of a mirror really helps. Here's a few bonus tips. 1) Have fun!!! If you have fun your audience will have fun. 2) Learn as many basic skills as you can before you spend money on props or specific tricks. 3) Your local library may have some books that will help you. Here are some books you will want. Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic Magic: The Complete Course Now You See It, Now You Don't! Magic for Dummies 4) Watch other magicians (online or in person) and see what they do well and how you can do those things too. 5) Perform! Magic is a "performing art" which means you have to do it or this is no art. Do magic for your friends, for school talent shows, at your church, at a nursing home, and ANYWHERE you can get an audience. The more you perform the better you will get and the more fun you will have. There is so much to learn and do with your new hobby. You are in the right place on TheMagicCafe forums. Learn all you can. Try all kinds of magic such as cards, coins, props, funny magic, stage magic, try it all. Over time you will find a type of magic that suits you best but try out everything and learn as much as you can about all kinds of magic. I bet most of us on this forum started magic when we were within a few years of your age. Some of these magicians you will meet on this forum are the best in the world. Learn all you can. You are in for such a fun time.
Click for Free Resources for Performers
YouTube channel specifically for family & kids show magicians. Click -- You need to subscribe. |
jimhlou Inner circle 3698 Posts |
Hi Jake:
You've started something that you may not be able to stop. I started magic when I was about your age, and now I'm 63. The Professor's advice is spot on. My first book was "Magic for Boys", which I checked out in the library. PM me your address, and if it's not too expensive, I'll send you a good beginner's magic book. There are a couple of well known professional magicians in Australia, and sometimes they comment here on the Café. Try to visit here on a regular basis. Have fun - magic is a wonderful journey. Jim http://www.UncleRedMagic.com |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Welcome, and I hope it goes well for you. Your initial post seems to imply that you want to go into children's magic. So the DVD I would recommend is Seriously Silly by David Kaye. More useful than any other I have seen so far.
Mark Wilson's book is invaluable too. I don't know your exact location, but if some sort of local drama group exists, join that, or any school drama or debating class. The real key to magic is presentation. It is by far the most important aspect of the art.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
bowers Inner circle Oakboro N.C. 7024 Posts |
Ha jake also check out david ginns website he has a lot of utube videos to watch.
and some great books dvds and products. todd |
mike storz Inner circle Orange, CT 1353 Posts |
Welcome Jake!
You have some great advice from the above guys. I would start with that. That will keep you busy for a while!!! I started young too and I cannot give it up. Magic is sooo much fun. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! |
Bill Hilly Elite user 449 Posts |
Hi Jake. Welcome.
My humble advice is to of course read everything on the Café in Little Darlings. And my list for you is for the books and DVDs by: David Kaye (Silly Billy) - I don't have the DVD yet but the book is one of the best you could have in your library. Sammy Smith - I have everything he's published. He's pretty laid back (think Mister Rogers) and is mainly for the preschool ages. Sammy's "Daycare Manual" book and CD set is a must-have for that market. The Great Zucchini - Again, younger/preschool. I have his "Rock Star" DVD. He's the opposite in character as Sammy but his thought processes are very well worth paying attention to. He is very approachable through email too and very helpful David Ginn - I have everything he's published too and have spoken with him on the phone a few times and through email. David's been around since Merlin invented magic, so some of his scripts and jokes are dated, and some of his stuff is not exactly politically correct today. But his logic about what kids like, how to entertain them, and many other aspects of putting shows together are absolutely first rate. As are all of the above really. Tom Boleware, a member here at the Café - has literally written the book on working preschools. Tom owns a preschool too which makes him a very valuable resource fir both sides of the situation. Tom is also very helpful through the Café and email. I refer to his book often. All of the above guys materials will give you a wealth of info on routines and routining, how kids think and react to those routines, and how to approach the centers, schools, and other such venues in a business-like way to make it a positive experience for them to deal with you. There are others of course that you can learn great stuff from. But for my 2/100 of a dollar, those will give you an unbeatable start. Good luck on this wonderful and rewarding path, - B.H. |
The Mighty Fool Inner circle I feel like a big-top tent having 2140 Posts |
If you're in Australia, you've got some pretty stiff competition, but your age should give you a small edge in getting early gigs, even if some are for free. The aim is to get your name out there, and if one or three free shows is what it takes, so be it. Also, I don't know the laws in Aus., but your age MIGHT allow you to sidestep the insurance issue for now. Try starting with daycares/preschools...they have the perfect age-range, and it's a controlled enviorment with staff on-hand. (better than parents ANY day!)
AS to the dvd's, I agree with all the suggestions thus far. I'd like to give you some more specific advice though.....how much are you willing / able to spend? Do you have any particular skills? Where in Australia do you live?
Everybody wants to beleive.....we just help them along.
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
I started at 12 too. Do not invest a lot until you are sure. You will never know until you try. Get a cheap magic set with 10 to 20 tricks. Do not try and overdo it by trying to make it a job or profession over night. Keep it as a hobby. See how you like it. If you still have the interest, expand your tricks and knowledge.
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
All, very good advice above by the others. Study it.
I can only add, 'stay in school.' Learn all you can about the non-magic subjects too. The tricks is only a small part of being a good magician. Understanding and being able to talk/deal with others is very important. Study people and their lives. Get a good education. Become a likeable person. Ask questions, listen and learn. The more you know, the more you can grow. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
At 12 I found it easier to do shows for adults. They see you as a novelty whereas you may lack some of the gravitas you need to control children at your age.
4-7 year olds will look at you as older but I would say it would be very hard to perform for children near your age at house parties. Doing shows at schools and scout groups may be easier too where there is an adult presence and you can concentrate on your act. |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-03-21 14:41, TomBoleware wrote: :applause: |
Magic_engineer New user Plymouth, MA 66 Posts |
Jake, the first serious magic book I used - a long, long time ago was The Amateur Magician's handbook by Henry Hay. I still think it is great. It will provide a serious handling of slieght of hand and a wide discussion of all magic. I think all of the previous comments are excellent.
http://www.lybrary.com/the-amateur-magic......565.html |
curtgunz Special user Only 99% of users have more than 784 Posts |
One favor I'd like to ask on behalf of all of us on the forum here, please keep us updated on shows you are doing, tricks you are working on, what's happening with you in magic.
As you can see from all of these posts we all are pulling for you and want to help. Also, it is really encouraging to us "old geezers" to hear about how a smart, enthusiastic young man like you is doing with magic. Again, best of luck. Feel free to send any of us a private message and post any questions you have on the boards.
Click for Free Resources for Performers
YouTube channel specifically for family & kids show magicians. Click -- You need to subscribe. |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
If you go the youtube route, look to performance/entertainment, not just how to do the effect/trick.
Bringing in stories and other things I like to my magic, works for me. An example is musical instruments and puppetry. If I was into science, I would add it to my magic routines for that age. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
Magic George is quite right - at your age, it's really tough to perform kidshows. I know, because I did that, even for kids older than myself. I started performing magic aged four years, and by the time I was 8, I had a kidshow. It wasn't till I was 10 that I took my ADULT show around the working men's clubs. It was SO easy to entertain adults at that age, compared to other kids who viewed me with envy and jealousy. They were a very harsh audience.
Nevertheless, you are the first magician of your age to ever post such a question here at the Magic Café. We all wish you the best of luck. If you're serious, you will become a very well-rehearsed entertainer within a short time. Listen to the advice from the many working professionals, who are rooting for you. Good luck, and work hard if you're serious about this. Performing magic for kids is a rewarding and well-paid profession. But it requires dedication and hard work to create a feasible character and show. By making your interest known here, you will be no doubt surprised at the number of folks who are eager to see your progress. We have been lucky to find ourselves where we are, and no doubt, most of us would dearly love to have had the opportunity to gain a wealth of information via the internet - which didn't exist when most of us started out. Potty |
Majake314 Loyal user Australia 245 Posts |
Thankyou everyone for the advice
I wonder why I didn't join the Café earlier!!! I have read hundreds of posts in the little darlings section and I have learned a lot I have benn researching good tricks, watching other magicians on youtube, looking for good dvds and of couse reading on this website Public speaking/Talking to people is definately not a weakness. (I am in the school drama club, debating team, I was a lead at the school play, I was the school captain last year...0 Thankyou so much for all the response I have been wanting to get seriously silly for a couple of months( but being only 12 I can't just punch in my credit card details and make it appear) however I think it would be a good place to start Jake |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Drama and debate classes will be an asset for you. What roles and plays have you done? They will also help you in other career paths I encourage you to continue those and other studies. Improvisation classes and work with and Improv troupe my be worth looking into.
Enjoy your journey and pass it on. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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