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jcrabtree2007 Special user 627 Posts |
Hey- misery loves company. So maybe this will make you feel better. Did 2 shows at the community center yesterday- Doing my cups and balls routine. Got my final loads in and this kid comes up on stage (blindsides me) and reveals my load by lifting the cups. He looked surprised ( he later apologized) said he just wanted to see the cups. Stuff happens- especially with kids. I just tried to play it off "wow- how did you do that? That's even better than I can do". Mistakes happen- with experience - it'll get easier to play them off.
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dearwiseone Inner circle Portland, OR 1143 Posts |
Arthur,
I have to disagree with you too. Even though Silly Billy is a goofy character and his shows are crazy with kids going wild, that doesn't mean this kid couldn't learn something from his book. In his book, he discusses so many principles of entertaining that apply to any character. You can still be gentle, but use the principle of "look don't see." You don't have to be loud and pushy to understand what kids enjoy seeing. Silly Billy's book isn't about how to create a "kind of brash and pushy" character, it's about principles you can use to entertain kids. Alex could clearly have used some of David's advice. The book also discusses so many other aspects of the kid's entertainer, it's unfair of you to say that David Kaye's stuff "won't help you." This guys a beginner, and kids entertainers from every level benefit from David's book. I'd avoid David Ginn's material, I personally didn't care for much of his kids stuff and it's quite outdated these days. Alex, as with any failure in life, use it as a stepping stone to get better. You've got to do your research though. Don't just run out and start performing paying shows, do a little research, read some books, get advice from other kids entertainers, and do plenty of free shows. Then you'll get some experience from those and you won't make basic mistakes in paying gigs! Best Wishes, Kevin |
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jcrabtree2007 Special user 627 Posts |
Yeah- 2nd show. Did Robert Baxt mouthcoils routine (great routine BTW). Practiced and had the whole blowing the mouthcoils from mouth down flat. Until the show- the routine started great- blowing coils from mouth . But then I blew the whole coil package out of my mouth like a rocket and hit a kid in the head. Ooooops. I think the kids thought it was part of the act. The point is- I messed up but the kids had a great time and they got a good show. So who really cares if I got a trick wrong (as long as it doesn't end up on YouTube )
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jcrabtree2007 Special user 627 Posts |
Great advice from Kevin. Do some charity shows for free to get some experience. It'll take the pressure off of you.
And I totally agree with Kevin on David Kaye's materials/ teaching. His principles apply to all children's magic. There is only one Silly Billy. And that character is a bit over the top for my wife (she'd divorce me if I wore those pants:) ) but the principles he teaches can apply to all children's magic. He made my shows better. Interactions per minute. Look don't see. Magician in trouble. |
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NYCTwister Loyal user 267 Posts |
I think that the most important thing I got from Seriously Silly was an understanding of the differences in the psychology of kids of different ages.
If you need fear to enforce your beliefs, then your beliefs are worthless.
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Before you are are great, you gotta be good. Before you are good, you gotta be bad. Before you are bad, you gotta try.
I perform balloons at my shows. When the balloons are given out first, it loosens the kids up so they will be rowdy during the magic show. That is why I do balloons last. But last week I did make the balloons early because I had to kill time because families were arriving late. When I started my magic show I told all the kids to take their balloons to their parents or place the balloons at the tables where they were eating previously, next come back. Every crowd is not the same. There are going to be individuals you will run into that are more challenging by either being harder to please, or going to be more willing to bust your secrets, or going to be rowdy in need of attention. Check out the challenges Silly Billy had to go thru in the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF9DAHbHe......direct=1 1. He kept individuals attention before he started his magic so they would not wander away. 2. A child ran across his performance area during his show. 3. His volunteer did not look impressed the last moment. 4. A heckler asking where is his balloon during the performance. 5. Individuals standing behind him distracting the kids. 6. Dealing with the possibility of a kid's balloon popping from the heat of the sun. His next crowd there was probably more hecklers or none at all. That is why you will have to be flexible with each crowd because everyone will not be the same. You must be prepared. |
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Leland Inner circle St Louis 1180 Posts |
Your first show went better than mine!
Now that its over, learn from it, then sweep it under the rug. In a few years you can revist it and laugh about it. Always move forward.
Life of Magic!
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TrickyRicky Inner circle TrickyRicky 1653 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-10-13 16:49, kimmo wrote: Spot on Kimmo. Sound avise from a true professional. Tricky Ricky |
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MichaelCGM Inner circle Oklahoma City 2286 Posts |
Quote: It would be hard to find better advice than this! Bravo, magicgeorge! The ONLY thing I would add is to script each show and plan for failure. I would be comfortable suggesting that the vast majority of new entertainers believe that they can wing it, when it comes to patter and performance. By scripting your shows, and keeping a record of the scripts as they evolve over time, you have a great resource and place to keep your planned escape floorplan. When scripting, ask yourself what you might do or say if any number of bad scenarios occured. Add your answers as footnotes to your scripts. You'll then be more than ready for when they do pop up... and they will.On 2013-10-13 11:38, magicgeorge wrote: |
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A Show By Joe Elite user Long Island 405 Posts |
Congratulations on the show! It can only get better with practice. I agree with most here. Balloons should for the most part be after the show. Also script out everything! It will give you more confidence.
Like most said with kids, it is more the entertainment factor than trying to wow them with technical stuff. Yesterday I attended a lecture by the great Aldo Colombini and his wife Rachel. He said that it is more about the effect, than the method. Some of the best effects are done with easy methods. No one has a love for magic more than Aldo. He reminded us we are there to entertain, and if we mess up, so what. He said jokingly, " is this your card? No? Who cares ,I still get paid".. Just as long as you have fun, and enjoy every minute of it, it will show to the audience. Good luck, and practicing! |
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krowboom Loyal user Chicago area 233 Posts |
Another suggestion, learn ventriloquism so you can work puppets into your show. Kids love puppets, they're funny, and you can act goofy with them. Going back and forth between magic, puppets, your juggling, and finally balloons makes it a fast moving fun show that should keep the kids interest. If you screw up a magic trick don't worry about it just bring out a puppet and have the puppet make fun of you or whatever.
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MrG New user 72 Posts |
What a great, encouraging thread with loads of ideas. I think most would agree that you are going to have to find you and what you are comfortable with. I still don't consider myself a "magician" - I'm just not good enough. That is okay because I know what I am good at. I tend to agree with Kimmo's perspective, because it fits me, what I like, and what I do well. I can "bring it" with a couple of good magic routines because they work for me and my persona on stage. Maybe you are a juggler and balloon artist - make this (and comedy) the focus of your show...it's YOUR show. Have fun designing it and practicing it.
Read everything. Watch as much as you can. Go to some conferences if possible. |
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Brent McLeod Inner circle 1792 Posts |
Welcome to the real world of starting out in show business..
Any confidence for you-just read about many stand up comics who died on stage with tough audiences, many perservered and are now at the top of their game..same with musos & bands-weve all had early day bad gigs.. Thanks for sharing Brent |
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vincentmusician Loyal user Toronto 265 Posts |
When I started out, I did not have a clue what I was doing. I was uptight, and nervous. It took me years to develop better routines and Magic Shows. Your audience will teach you what to do. You get better by doing and listening. With experience you will begin to know what material to do for each audience and situation. Good Luck.
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ezystreamlive New user Australia 35 Posts |
Every show sucks the first time you do it. and even the next show but you learn
My first show was dreadful everyones is. you should really expect it Looks to me if I were you- you are strong with balloons, your opening magic worked well I'd open with magic next time instead of ballons- if the shows not going well- switch to balloons also pick a good age to do magic shows- I have been doing kids shows for a long time- I can't stand 8 or 9 year old boy parties- I normally refer the customer elsewhere- life is too short and theres plenty of work for me 5, 6 and 7 year olds great ages to perform to 8 & 9 suck and then they become good again at age 10 for me the 8/9 year olds are split between kiddy magic and older magic so its not always easy I have been doing magic many many years and I still do the occasional bad show due to whatever reason normally the kids and I just don't gel- or its in a park and I have had to walk a mile to get to the event and as I am overweight I am exuasted and not in the best mood but if you are of age- when you get home start off with beer first and if you do enough parties you'll be drinking scotch in no time happens to all of us- the question is do you give up or do you pick yourself back up, dust off yourself and try again this is a moment that can effect your future- think carefully what you do to clarify - don't give up because of 1 failure that's not a good mindset to have in life- but we all think it from time to time-thats OK we all think why do I do this, but we do keep doing it welcome to show business |
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