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drosenbe0813 Elite user Long Island, NY 405 Posts |
I would like to know if anyone has a different way of dealing with this situation.
I am often hired to perform for the children at an otherwise 'adult' event. Just last weekend I did a christening party, where there were 15-20 children of appropriate magic show age. There were about 40 - 50 adults. I did my show and the kids really enjoyed it, but most of the parents were not paying attention. (I have a sound system, so the kids could hear me.) I kept wondering if I should attempt to 'take control' of the room. The room itself was very large and not condusive to the show. My show does appeal to both adults and kids (I had done another similar show earlier that day, with the entire party enjoying the show) What do you guys do in this situation? |
RiffClown Inner circle Yorktown, Virginia (Previously Germany) 1579 Posts |
I do my show, collect my fee and make my exit. As long as they pay my fee, I'll perform to an audience of one child if needed.
I've encountered similar noisy situations and have occasionally had the children help me politely shoosh the adults who were disrupting the show. (The kids were actually shooshing to make the sound of a rocket balloon taking off but the adults didn't know that until the action had produced the desired effect.
Rob "Riff, the Magical Clown" Eubank aka RiffClown
<BR>http://www.riffclown.com <BR>Magic is not the method, but the presentation. |
kenscott Inner circle 1869 Posts |
Some times the parents just are not going to pay attention.
But first are you using music. That is an attention getter. Microphone? Entertaing for EVERYONE? Also do a trick where you use about 6 kids and pick them from different areas of the audience. Chances are you are going to pick there kid and if you do the parents are most likely will want to watch their kid and stop talking and get the others around them to stop talking. But make sure the routine is GREAT one because if you get the parents attention you want to keep it. Ken |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
You can also ask a parent to help during one of your routines. This will draw the other parents in. For me, ropes through person, with a child and their parent, works well. Or mental epic with an adult volunteer.
Not all volunteers in a family show need to be the children! - Donald.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
The short answer to your question is yes. You do need to take control of the room. When performing, you should be the key center of attention. Any distractions will not only affect your performance, but the overall enjoyment of everyone else as well.
The reaction of the adults that you describe seems to suggest that the parents don't feel sufficiently involved in the show and so, they drift off doing their own thing. The advice you have already received above would seem to address that issue. For me, whenever I am in that situaton, I make sure to use one or two comedy effects directed at the grown up volunteers. This way, the adults get involved in the show and the kids have a great time laughing at them.
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-10-13 11:44, kenscott wrote: Very good advice here. The idea of dragging in kids from all around the room is really good. I would add that you may want to do that near the head of the act, before adult attention has drifted too far away. I like to layer my shows so they contain elements that appeal to many sensibilities. The adults become interested on one level, while the kids are held by a totally different factor. One such routine I use is a torn and restored dollar with a mismade midpoint. The dollar comes from an adult, the rest are a bit glad I didn't take their money, one kid is helping me directly, and the other kids are laughing at the goofiness. Now to step into the other camp for a second... There will be times when you are hired to entertain children while the adults are doing something else. In those cases, do your job and keep your fingers crossed that they do not cause a disruption to what you are doing (your sound system should override that problem, anyway).
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
drosenbe0813 Elite user Long Island, NY 405 Posts |
Thanks for responses. I think in this case, it was just a bad room. I use music, I include parents and kids from all over the room. The mother seemed very pleased and paid my fee. As I wrote in my initial post, I had just done the same show to a much more attentive audience. Chalk it up to experience.
David |
Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
At these events you are not always hired as entertainment for all, but as something to keep the children happy, while the parents drink and chat etc. If this is the case it's very hard to ask the parents to shut up. As with holiday camps and other mixed events some will watch others will continue to drink and chat and it's an occupational hazzard you have to work around. Turn your PA up and drown them out.
At a birthday party however you are there to make the birthday childs party special, most adults who are there are not realy invited guests, but mum's that have stayed with there kid. At these parties I tell the parents off if they start to cause a distraction. On my party timetable and tips page it does state that adults are welcome to watch the show, they will enjoy it, but if they don't want to watch and would rather chat ask them to move to another room before they spoil the show for the kids and adults who are watching it. WWhen I start the show I show the kids the big balloon animal which goes home with the best behaved louest magic word shouter. I tell them this means they have to shout the magic word really loud, and no matter how silly I'm being they must stay behind the line and not jump up to show me things. I then tell them that if they do stand up the grown ups at the back wont be able to see, if they can't see they'll get bored, (At this point I'm looking at the adults and speaking loudly and clearly so they know I'm addressing them) if they get bored they'll start talking and if they start talking I wont be able to hear you, you wont be able to hear me and I'll have to tell them off, and we don't want to do that do we. If they want a chat there's a big room next door where they can go where we can't hear them. I then carry on, if someone does start loudly talking, (including the booker) I tell them I was not joking, this is the party room and the talking room is next door. I've been booked several times by people who said, I saw you at such and such party , I was the one you told off for talking.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
I don't let parents stand in the background. I'm pretty forceful about making them part of the show. Which, I believe, is the opposite of Emazdad so it could be a good discussion.
To me, it seems like a better show becuase the parents are entertained by the kids reactions, the kids are entertained by the parents reactions, both are entertained by the magic. And it brings everyone together. A few kids' shows ago, I had to get the kids to help drag the parents up to watch. I felt it was a risk I was willing to take. After the show, parents were asking for business cards, were shaking my hand, and thanking me. I believe it was the right thing to do. Get everyone involved. I honestly don't think parents ( or practically anyone) really knows what good magic is all about. I believe a lot of parents think it's just silly pull-a-rabbit-out-of-a-hat, stupid joke crap. And who would want to be involved in that as a parent. Look forward to your thoughts.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
John Breeds Veteran user England 336 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-10-13 17:33, Emazdad wrote: As far as I'm concerned Clive's comments are just about spot on. Here in the UK lots of Mums gathered together mostly just want to chat to each other. Sometimes, when I am on 'auto pilot mode' I can actually hear their conversations, DESPITE the fact that I am using a pair of Coomber 2085 Amps ie 160 watts (RMS continuous)! First; At the start of the show I politely ask them to come and join in with the children; and we'll all have some fun together. If they don't... Second; I stop the show; and then politely ask them to keep their conversations down or go into the other room to talk. I also explain that I don't really want to turn the amplifiers up too much to overcome their level as it would be too loud for the children. If they don't... Third: I start to get serious. I 'shush' into my mic (the sudden high-level of white noise is enough to make everyone shut up for a second). I then call upon every adults' undivided attention and address them head on. I just explain that I am just trying to make little Tracey's birthday something very special and memorable to share with her friends. Please would they stop talking or leave. Then ask; "Which would you like to do?" This usually terrifies them as no one before has ever stopped a show and confronted a whole bunch of noisy adults in that way. btw, don't try this technique unless you have an amplifier. Your voice and manner must dominate and catch them so quickly that they will follow your 'orders' (you are really hypnotising them). I have been thanked so many times by clients for bringing the party to order, and making it an enjoyable experience for the birthday child and friends. Cheers John Breeds |
taneous New user 70 Posts |
I know it can be really annoying when parents are talking during the show. On the other hand, if you're hired to entertain the kids then it might mean that the adults have that in mind - ie. you entertain the kids so that the adults can have some time off to have adult conversation. As a parent I appreciate times like that.
I know that when I perform I want to be the centre of attention. I'd like everyone to shut up and watch, But I need to get over that. I'm a kid's performer and while I want to be entertaining for both the kids and adults - I'm really there to entertain the kids. If they're happy - then I'm doing my job. That doesn't stop you from using parents as volunteers, or using techniques to draw them in to the show, but I wouldn't worry too much when that doesn't work. As long as the kids are really entertained. |
Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
The way I look at it is if you are performing a show at a birthday party, then for the duration of the show that room is a theatre, the adults should sit quietly and watch the show, (most do and enjoy it), You would not talk at the cinema, or theatre during the perfomance and should not do so at a party.
The louder the background noise, the more fidgety the kids get, because if the adults are talking the kids nearest them hear both you and the adults, they can't hear you properly and start fidgiting, this causes a distraction for the next row and so on. Cut out the noise and the kids settle. I had a lady come up to me after the show once, She said "You told me off for talking don't you think that's rude and an apology is in order?" I said, "Yes Madam your so right, talking during the show is rude and I do think you should apologies to Susan, (the booker) for your conversation ruining her sons party" She looked totally flabbergasted and walked off. What gets me is wqhen the birthday child, or a child who you know has a mum/dad present at the party, is up helping, and it's their parent chatting and not watching their kids bit of stardom. You see the kid looking at mum as if to say, "mum mum look at me!" and the mum totally ignores them. There was an article in one of the sunday papers a while ago about how good manners etc are on the decline, and it specificaly mentioned the use of Mobile phones, and people chatting at the theatre and cinema.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
What kind of parents are those that want to be in another room or talking in the background instead of being a REAL part of their child's birthday.
Sick! Emazdad, that was a bold move on your part and I applaud your comments to the lady. I wouldn't have the guts to say that.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
90 % of the people you ask to be quiet take it well, they realise they were wrong and didn't realise that there voices carried, A lot of church halls and community centres were built before the general use of PA and sound carries quite well.
It's only the minority, that cause the problem. You can have ten-twenty adults in the room, and only 2-3 chatting, the others are watching the show. What I've found is the adults watching appreciate why I did it. Their smiles of approval always make me wonder:- if the person talking was annoying you, why didn't you tell them to be quiet.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
Cheshire Cat Special user Wilmslow, UK 941 Posts |
To be quite honest Long Island poster, we could not care less if the parents start singing Rule Britannia during the party!
When I was a kid I imagined myself playing a huge white grand piano on a raised platform. During my short playing career this imagination came true, - only thing was it was in a nearly always empty club in Blackpool! As a children's entertainer one can imagine oneself working in a plush velvety little theatre seating about 100 kids - all little ones, and all laughing and responding to every move you make. Nice, but the real world is not like this is it? These situations rarely occur do they? We just draw a line at parents smoking, or anyone trying to interfere in our programmes. Some days it's lovely and quiet, others it sounds like London Stock Exchange! I must also say I've had people comment to me about other entertainers being obsessed with silence, and yes, (being the sort of person I am) I've capitalised on this and always state: "parents welcome to sing, dance and enjoy themselves". One nice little touch though, which I use whilst I am organising a little talent show at parties - I get the kids to all turn round, put their finger over their lips and give a big loud sschsss! The adults always seem to realise the noise they are making when a little 3 year old girl is holding the microphone and singing! Tony. |
ESP Magic New user 1 Post |
I do shows for adults and children. I had a problem like this once. My show was in a small room for the birthday boy. But this small room had a small kitchen in the back. As my show started it was all children. Then mom and her helpers came into the kitchen. When the parents got loud I asked the children to turn around and tell the parents this. Shhhhhhhh we are watching the magic show! How much funnier can it get? A whole lot. Because this is the part of the show where I use an adult to help me. Guess where my help came from? Guess who's help ran out of the room?
Try it! It's Fun |
Joseph_Then Special user 747 Posts |
Great post here! I believe as an entertainer you have the right to control the party. That's the reason why parents PAY YOU RIGHT?
I do go to the extend of re-arranging the tables and chairs to suit my show. Here's my contribution to deal with the talkative parents: 1) 5 minutes before the party starts, I will use sound system to annouce that the show is about to start and I welcome (actually insist) parents to watch the show. I use keywords like 'family show', 'a show for everyone'. I did it 2 times to get my message to their head. 2) I ask the parent's co-operation that when they see adult talking, ask them to lower the volume. It works! 3) For party organizing sake, I told the host that I insist that those who are late for the party have to put their presents silently to one side, join in the party silently and watch the show together. 4) My show contains music so that it creates attention. 5) Get kids to come on stage. I will ask the kids to wave and shout 'Hi!' to their parents. 6) If things get a little overboard, I will pause the show, tilt my ear towards the talking parents, bring everyone's attention to them and I said things like, "What? You support Kerry?", "Really, Wal-Mart going on sale again?", "How's the stock price going?". This will usually create a laugh and I give a silent gesture. This is effective and yet not embarassing. 7) When I select a volunteer, I will walk around the whole room and make special trip to the disturbing parents to make them know that they are disturbing the show by small gesture or just blantantly interrupt their conversation with my questions like, "Have you enjoyed the show so far?". 8) In worst scenario, I will BLAST MY SOUND SYSTEM SO LOUD that they cannot hear each other but to watch my show. |
Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
Some Pre-schools/playgroups and even schools won't let parents stay nowadays, because they spoil whatever the event is by drowning out the children with their chatter or crying babies. One of the questions I ask for any such event is are the parents going to be there, and more and more I'm getting a negative answer.
I've also talked to lots of people who have the same problem, Dance class teachers, Martial Arts instructors, and a variety of other children's activity leaders / instructors / coach's. They all talk about how the parents make their job harder. They often don't have the help of a PA system, and in an echoy gym they struggle to drown out the parents noise. They also encounter the same problems from the parents when they ask them to be quiet, they get looked at like they are an alien as well.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
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