Hi all! I will cut to the chase I am going to be out of work do to a surgery for awhile and figured I would start researching a new avenue of Birthday Parties! I know of 2 DVD'd Dan Harlan's Pack Small Play Big, and How to Teach a Birthday Magic Class James Munton, what are some other good instructional videos on the subject or reviews of these two videos.

Thank You

Kids magic is (in my opinion) the most difficult. A dvd won't teach you anything excdept the mechanics of the tricks and what one guys does at his shows. Only experience will teach you how to begin entertaining kids. I'll save everyone time and suggest you use the search function to find the answer. Another thing you can do is go to your favorite online magic shop and look at the DVD selections for kids they have. David Kaye, Tommy James, Ken Scott, on and on. Too many.

Here's the biggest secret about kid show magic. Instead of investing in props, dvds, etc. find out WHY kids are entertained by certain things and take your existing routines and fit them in.

Josh

My double DVD 'Pocket Full of Miracles - performing kids shows with minimal props' will be out in the next two weeks. There will be an accompanying book.

That aside, Seriously Silly was the best I have seen. Highly recommended. Short on tricks, long on advice and useful information.

Josh, your second paragraph is wonderful.

I second that Frank.

The truth is we've all bought the newest best prop, trick, book, etc. but my experience has always been to perform with simple props that kids know and are familiar with. I love David Kaye's Crystal Tube routine, but my cut and restored rope plays much better and gets a better reaction. I think it is because kids identify with the props; scissors and rope.

Just my 2 cents.

Learn about "Look; Don't See" stuff and "Magician In Trouble" (searches on The Magic Café will turn up loads).

These two principles account for 75% of the laughs in kid shows and make a so-so trick fun.

Tony, your first paragraph was excellent advice - and a good suggestion to both Prophet, and me. I had no idea you were releasing a DVD - Where can I get it from?

Stephen, it will be released in about two weeks time. The final editing is being done this week, and once I have it in my hands I will be trying to get dealers to stock it. I will also be selling it direct, but that is something I have not set up yet. I am kind of excited. I know you have gone down this route before, as have others. I hope I don't cringe when I see the final edit!

Oo, this is a good DVD for children's entertainers... Ahem...

http://www.practical-magic.com/index.php......temid=26

Or for lots of magic you can do with a puppet, with or without ventriloquism.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePgMk32voC0&feature=relmfu

I agree.

Maybe rethink the title, Diamond Jim Tyler has a very well-known DVD with the same title.

Thanks, Mick. Didn't know that. I googled it and only got a movie from fifty years ago. Any suggestions, guys?

http://www.diamond-jim.com/originals/ It is about mid way down. Tony do you have a promo clip of the dvd you are coming out with?

I will have the promo clip mid way through next week. The editor is working on all that at the moment. I will post it when I get it. Then let the flak fall!

I have several DVDs out there, but they are for the professional children's entertainer. Not really for beginners. They deal mainly in increasing work flow and filling out the diary, or fine-tuning a show with puppet routines and balloon modelling etc. So I don't think mine with help you.

Stephen

Does anyone own Bill Boley's school show DVDs ?
If so, would you advise to get them ?