|
|
templemagic Elite user Sunderland, North-East England 420 Posts |
Hi,
I was doing a kids show today and I pointed to a child to get them up to help, and the child in front of them got up. What would you do in this situation when the wrong child stands up OR when several children all get up. I suppose in the latter situation you just try to use them all. Thanks, TM |
Leo B. Domapias Loyal user 297 Posts |
If you ask for one child to help, and another tags along thinking he or she was the one asked to help, don't send the other child back to his or her seat. It's easy to include the extra child in your routine without disrupting the flow of your program.
On the other hand, if you ask for one child and half a dozen children come up on stage, then you might have a problem. Unless you have a routine needing six or seven children (I don't), you will find that many kids are unwieldy to handle. Some magicians can probably handle that many kids all at once, but I know I can't. If something like that happens to me, I'd probably conduct an impromptu elimination game. (Oh, I need somebody this short, this tall, a girl with a ponytail, or a boy wearing a jacket, etc.) I'd then send the rest back to their seats with a promise they get to help later in the program. Yes, I know some of the eliminated kids will be disappointed, but that's the lesser evil to contend with. The bigger evil is watching six or seven children on stage with me from the corner of my eye while I struggle with the rest of the routine. Ben Benjay Manila, Philippines |
Neale Bacon Inner circle Burnaby BC Canada 1775 Posts |
If it is 2 kids, I would try to use them both. If it was a lot, I would have to say "Sorry, I meant this girl" and point.
Neale Bacon and his Crazy Critters
Burnaby BC Canada's Favourite Family Ventriloquist www.baconandfriends.com |
wizardofsorts Special user Chicago, IL 935 Posts |
If possible, usually it is at a birthday, I touch their raised hand so there is no confusion.
Edd
Edd Fairman, Wizard of Sorts is a corporate magician available for your next trade show, hospitality suite, client luncheon, or company event. http://www.wizardofsorts.com
|
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
I identify the child I wish to pick by describing what clothing they are wearing. "The girl in the blue sweatshirt that says G-A-P on it." As I point directly at them. This works very well for me. Reduces wrong children to almost nil.
If I get a confused child who comes up in addition to the child I singled out, I ask them nicely to sit back down, and tell them that perhaps later I could pick them (I do not promise to pick them later.) They are obviously not wearing the same clothing, and are just so enthusiastic / focused they are not really listening to me. I do not make a big deal about the wrong child coming up. But, I rarely have the problem, because the child is clearly identified. The Gr8 DonaldD.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
|
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Nicely stated Donald. That is exactly what I do as well. I have found that I should be descriptive in my selection of the child to help out. By describing their location as well as what they are wearing, it helps eliminate any possible problems.
If another kid comes up, or the younger brother or sister wants to get involved as well, I let them. I can always use them in my routines by having them hold things, use their own magic and help with the magic wands. I have done the routines so many times that changing the patter slightly is never a problem to accommodate this. It shows the parents that I care about making the party the best it can be and that I do not ever want to send a kid away crying. It usually always works out fine and I do not have a problem with it. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Mikael Eriksson Inner circle None of your business 1064 Posts |
It's very important not to "chicken out" and take the wrong child. Do not settle for any other child than the one you pointed at. Imagine how he or she would feel if they get "robbed" of the privilege. Children can take tremendous offense from things like this. I know, I have been a child myself.
That said, continue to point at the correct child, and he or she will come to you. If the wrong child doesn't get it, explain that you need the child you pointed at for this effect, and that you have something later that he/she (the wrong child) will be able to assist you with. One time a "catastrophe" was near. I use to joke with the children and say that for the next effect I need a "pretty girl". When I had said "For the next effect I need a..." a girl eagerly raised her hand. When she heard me say "pretty girl" she lowered her hand and looked disappointed and resigned. I immediately understood that she didn't think she was pretty. All the other girls raised their hands, and yelled "Me! Me!" but I pointed at the first girl: "You! Come up here!" She couldn't believe her ears, and her smile when she realized I meant HER was priceless. I'm so happy I could make her feel better about herself. Mikael |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Mikael brings up a nice point which I use myself. If you must only use the child you selected, point out to the wrong child that you will use him/her in another trick. Just make sure you keep to your word.
Mikael: That is AWESOME!!! Way to go dude! That is exactly the type of magic I call REAL magic. We really do have the power to change the way people feel when they watch our shows. We can make a difference in someone lives even for just a few minutes. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Mikael Eriksson Inner circle None of your business 1064 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-12-19 13:37, magic4u02 wrote: Yes, I was lucky to get the chance. Mikael |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
To be able to see a chance like that to make someone's day extra special, it is nice to know that we can do that and really make a difference.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
When that happens I use them both.
Dennis Michael
|
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
I also agree with Den. If both children get up, I know my routines well enough that I can just use both of them and not affect the handling of the routine.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
I avoid this by describing one of the items of clothing they are wearing as well as pointing.
"Lets have that fella there with the green jumper on. Did you knit that out of cabbages?" If they have name badges I just call them by name. |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
George:
That is a great method to use and I often try and do that myself. It really does help eliminate any potential problems. Does anyone mail out name badges to your parties before hand as part of a pre-party package? Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The little darlings » » Hmm, wrong child syndrome (0 Likes) |
[ 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 < |