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dorian_faust Loyal user Los Angeles, California 278 Posts |
I have been doing magic for a very long time now, and I have amassed quite a collection of tricks and books on magic. I recently decided that I need to buckle down and organize my tricks, along with a written script, into a show I could do for children. I have done a few children shows before, however they were done as favors to friends, so they were free. I had the tricks all practiced, however I would usually wind up going through the phase most beginning magicians go through where a order and script had not been set up before - hand, so I'd wind up coming there with my trunk of miscellaneous tricks and thinking, "Hmm, okay, I'll do this one next. Oh, they liked it. Okay, umm, this one next then." I plan on making a career from my magic now, so I need to get serious. Here is where I require your help, though: I know ultimately a theme, character, and patter has to come from me, however, I wanted to list the effects that I have that I could do at a kid's party, and ask the denizens of this part of the Café which ones I would be better off dropping, ones I should add, how long do you think I could make the show with these, etc. (Oh, and keep in mind that I don't know the names to some of them, so I'll just have to describe the effect for some.)
- The Axtell Magic Drawing Board (Talking head version with the hands popping out) : This one is currently in the mail. I don't know ventriloquism, so I figured I could make a recording of myself doing a cartoony voice. I would just move the mouth at the right moment to have a conversation. - D-Lights - A rope that becomes stiff, then you make it come down, and then you flip it inside out to make a handkerchief. - Diminishing milk glasses (I really need to buy the pitcher) - One trick (I've heard it called Jungle Juice) where I make what looks like Apple Juice, turn into Grape Juice, and then into Water. - A mechanism where you have the spectator select a card, you shuffle it to the bottom, and you put it on top of the mechanism. Then you blow up a balloon, put it through a loop at the top, whack the balloon downward, and when the balloon pops the card is shown in the balloons former place. (Obviously I would use that for older kids) - I have so many silks and thumb tips. I have been doing a routine where I take a red, blue, and white cloth, stuff it in, and pull out the American flag. When I pull it out, I have a kazoo in my mouth and I start to do the national anthem, which gets a laugh. - A flame wallet - For any of you Andrew Mayne fans, I made a copy of the Bob the Cockroach trick, but I'm thinking about making another one with shapes and colors, rather than for cards. Even so, the final reveal is best meant for older kids I suppose. - I have the Andrew Mayne Shrinker trick, although I need to do a LOT more practicing with that one. - Professor's Nightmare - Some red clown noses. I do a gag where (maybe I could incorporate it with the Axtell board) I draw a silly looking picture of my face, and I ask the kids what goes next so they can interact and yell "EYES! NOSE!" and what - not. I end it by drawing a big red clown nose on it, but when I turn around from the portrait, I suddenly have a clown nose on. The kids find it pretty funny. - A dancing cane - Floating card - A change bag - The effect where a child has a paper hat put on, not quite big enough, so it keeps getting bigger and changing colors until the child's face is covered with a monster face. - The water from any newspaper trick - A "third hand". (The fake fingers in the grasping position) That's all I can think of for now. Also, at some point, I plan on buying a chick pan. I don't have any animals for it, but I could fill it with candy or goody bags. I also plan to end each show with some balloon animals made for the kids. I can make a dog, a sword, and a flower. I would have the kids get into a line and ask each child out of the three which one they would want. Pardon the tone in which this was written, I was in a hurry. Anything will help. |
themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
Start by Dennis' thoughts in the stickies above about routining a kids show.Lots of valuable info there.
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Rule #1. Purchase "Seriously Silly" book or DVD by David Kaye.
Rule #2. Keep asking questions on the Magic Café. |
magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
Rule #3. There are no rules
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dorian_faust Loyal user Los Angeles, California 278 Posts |
I went through a lot of those stickies before I posted this, but most of the ones linked were made for specific people involving specific situations rather than one anyone could use to improve their act.
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themagicguy Loyal user Australia 280 Posts |
I felt the same way starting out, everything is confusing because you have so much to take in. The advice above is spot on get Seriously Silly and read through that, adapt your tricks to his methods in the book. Than go out and perform shows, make mistakes figure out what is working and what isn't. Come back ask specific questions read the stickies and before you know it you will have a good show and a better understanding of how to entertain kids. Worked for me. Good luck!
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The Mighty Fool Inner circle I feel like a big-top tent having 2140 Posts |
I'd think twice about using a fire-effect for kids.
The nose idea is great The thing with D'Lites is that they don't pack as much oomph when done in a well-lit area, like a school / daycare / outdoor party If youre doing the milk trick and getting a pitcher, you may want to look into the 'tape-cups' from SEO magic I hate the bongo hat....but that's just me. What exactly are you going to DO with the hand and the change bag? I second DynaMike's suggestion to purchase "Seriously silly"
Everybody wants to beleive.....we just help them along.
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dorian_faust Loyal user Los Angeles, California 278 Posts |
All right, so I just purchased a combo pack of the Seriously Silly book and DVD. I figured it couldn't hurt. I also own the book Maximum Entertainment which has helped me a lot so far with it's advice, but I understand that a lot of that advice isn't really geared toward kids only shows. I have been going through script drafts the past few days, and I have a lot of confidence to how all of this will turn out.
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Bob1Dog Inner circle Wife: It's me or this houseful of 1159 Posts |
I'm not the pro that you are dorian_faust, but I have done a few kids shows. I wouldn't dream of doing any show without a scripted set. My forty-five minute show consists of about eight or nine effects with various quickie things thrown in at the opening, and in the first half. But it's all planned. Sometimes I go off course if the situation warrants it. And sometimes a presentation will go long or short, so I always have a plan. I can't imagine going into any show without rehearsing and knowing my sets. But I'm not a pro and I don't do anything without setting up in my head in advance. All that said, the Seriously Silly Billy DVD will give you a whole show if you stay with it. His methods are brilliant. His magic coloring book routine is second to none in my opinion. I've used it and it rocks with the kids. Just sayin'.
What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
My neighbor rang my doorbell at 2:30 a.m. this morning, can you believe that, 2:30 a.m.!? Lucky for him I was still up playing my drums. |
Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
Besides many of the reasons listed above, the tricks are of little consequence. How will you ENTERTAIN with the tricks? What is your PERSONNA when performing? What is your CHARACTER?
You are not Silly Billy. I know that he has a lot of hero worshippers here, but he is successful because he knows who he is. If you know David's story, he once sent out "copies" of himself -- WIlly Willy, Silly Dilly -- to cover shows he coul dnot do. He discovered that there is only one Silly Billy. So many people -- particularly beginners in a particular area of magic -- get caught up in "tricks". The list of tricks is fine; after all, it IS a magic show. But put your character first, your own personality. Once you understand yourself and the feeling you are trying to convey, the show will come together much easier. |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Rule #4 never let them see you sweat.
Rule #5 Always be sincere, and a good magician can fake sincerity. Rule #6 Have fun.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-03-10 12:38, Al Angello wrote: Should be rule #1! |
Peter Cuddihy Veteran user Peter S. Cuddihy 369 Posts |
Be yourself.
One of the problems with relying too much on books and DVD's issued by other people is that they often have their own unique style which is probably not your own style. So, learn certain principles from others, but make the show your own. I am sure that you want to be yourself as opposed to a carbon copy of someone else whose style and persona don't fit you. There is only one you. Good luck! |
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