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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Do people like to have a plot for their kid's show or just a bunch of tricks.
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
It's just as important -- if not more so -- to have a plot line in a kids' show as in an adult show, even if the plot line is not recognizable as such.
A bunch of tricks strung together will only look like a bunch of tricks spun together. The plot line doesn't have to be complicated (in my birthday shows, it's about getting ready for the birthday party and how birthdays are magicial) but one trick should follow the previous one with some LOGIC. Too many magicians throw some tricks in a case and head out for a kids' show. Then they wonder why it didn't go over as well as they expected! Doing kids' shows -- WELL -- is probably the hardest thing to do in magic: You have to be magical yet simple; mystical yet clear; work on their level yet stay on your own level; etc. But let's go back to the wording of Nicholas' original question: "Do people like to have a plot for their kid's show or just a bunch of tricks?" I suspect that performers would LIKE to have a plot. But I also suspect that the vast majority simply do a bunch of tricks. If most performer put as much effort into routining their kids' shows as they did into learning their 657th sponge-ball routine, or the latest useless way to palm a card, then magic would be much better off. |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Themes are very useful.
Nearly Normal Examples I have used include: Reading is Magic,(Elementary) An Imagination Celebration (Elementary and Middle School) The Art of Illusion (Middle School) Choices (Elementary and Middle School) Red Ribbon Week Celebration(Character Ed and Substance Abuse Prevention) Friends around the world (developed for the International Student Affairs office for the University of Missouri at Kansas City-"College Students from around the World") Currently, I am working on, next Summer's and Fall Shows,"Nigels (The Puppet that Rocks and Talks) Nearly Normal Summer Camp". Steve Taylor has a few booklets on the subject of how to write educational kids shows,including how to outline them. Let us know how adding themes changes your show. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
Hi,
My kid and adult shows certianly do not have a plot and I would not want them to either if by plot you mean a theme. they do however follow a structure or format. that I have found gets me the best results. I have certain criteria that effects in certain parts of my act need meet in order to make a succesful show. Much like Pop songs tend to follow a verse,chorus verse,chorus. Bridge, chorus, formular. phillip |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Repeated phrases can also be a link.
After awhile, kids or the adults will fill in the rest of the bit. Running gags, or call backs are fun, as long as they aren't over done. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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