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Matty Moriates New user 71 Posts |
Hello everyone,
I am very interested in performing kids shows. I have in the mail (as we speak) three books to start me out on my journey. These books are: Kidbiz, Children Laugh Louder, and 3 ways to book your shows. I am also going to get (when I finish those three books): Seriously Silly, The Birthday Party Business, and maybe Crash Course on Kids shows. (not sure about the last one though). I have been brainstorming some effects I could use and I do have some what of an idea. But I would love to hear some advice you guys have. What effects do you think are the best? Which books do you recommend me getting? Any advice you can give me is greatly appreciated. Thank you! p.s. I have learned that it is not necessarily the trick, but how you perform the trick. I know I asked for good effects, so I don't want anyone to tell me that it is in the presentation because I know that. But still, some effects are just great with kids and I am just curious as to what everyone has to say. Thank you very much!
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
What Magic tricks do you now have?
Here are a few inexpensive Killer effects: Miser's Dream Cut and Restore Rope with Comedy Scissors Rabbit Out of Hat with TT. Rope through the Body.
Dennis Michael
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Brian Lehr Inner circle Edmonton, Canada 1605 Posts |
Welcome to the Wonderful World of Children's Magic!
As a newbie to the forum, and to children's entertaining, I would encourage you to take some time to read through the "Little Darling's Index" (one of the top two links in this forum). It contains a wealth of information for magicians who are just starting out in children's magic. Several effects that play big with children, along with the ones already mentioned by Dennis, are the Coloring Book, Blooming Bouquet, and the Vanishing Bandanna. They are a lot of fun to do, and the kids really get caught up in the excitement. As soon as you can, get the book Seriously Silly. It will help you take whatever tricks you have to the next level of entertainment. Keep us posted on your progress, and feel free to share your successes and your failures. We've all in the same boat, and even the veterans still occasionally mess up. All the best, Brian |
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Rodney Palmer Inner circle 1317 Posts |
Lancer3, I just wanted to let you know that the Vanishing Bandana, The Blooming Bouquet (Ginn), and the Jumbo Sponge Ball to Square are very good and inexpensive items for a children's show. All of the above can be bought for around $70.00. I hopw this helps. If you have any more questions please feel free to ask.
"Creating Memories That Last A Lifetime"
In order to keep "MAGIC ALIVE" Please become a Mentor to a Young Person. |
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Matty Moriates New user 71 Posts |
Thank you all for your advice. I am in the process of reading everything in the longggg (but extremely helpful) post of the "little darinlings index". I will get Seriously Silly as soon as I finish the books I just recieved today. (kidbiz, children laugh louder, 3 ways to book your shows).
Can anyone give me some advice on an opener? I would greatly appreciate it. Even though I'm sure I will get some ideas from the books I will be reading, I love to hear everyone's oppinion. Thanks in advance for any help!
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johnjack New user Staten Island New York 38 Posts |
Lancer, I use scarf to cane. It is very fast, visual, and its magical. Start out with the scarf wiping your head like you are nervous (some good acting here) and ask for the magic words. (happy Birthday, abracadabra.....) Tell the kids if they scream the magic words loud enough maybe some magic will happen. This production is fool proof. It will lead you into your show, get the kids energy out, Because they will have plenty of it for you and it will get their attention and establish you as a magician. Good luck.
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Matty Moriates New user 71 Posts |
Thank you john. I was thinking about something like that. thank you!
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Brian Lehr Inner circle Edmonton, Canada 1605 Posts |
I used to start with the scarf to cane as well, but currently use the Miser's Dream. Sometimes I'll open with D'Lites.
Brian |
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Matty Moriates New user 71 Posts |
Can someone post these books in order from best to worst for me? (not meaning the last one is not a good book, but only that the others are better)
1.Seriously Silly 2.The Birthday Party Business 3.How to Perform the Perfect Kids Show Trick 4.Crash Course on Kids Shows I already have Kidbiz and Children Laugh Louder. Thank you very much!
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Rodney Palmer Inner circle 1317 Posts |
Seriously Silly
How to Perform the Perfect Kid Show Trick Crash Course on Kid Shows The Birthday Party Business I am not sure what The Birthday Party Business book is on. The best book for doing Birthday Shows is The Birthday Magicians Handbook by Dave Fiscus. I have this book for sale if you are interested. PM me and we'll talk.
"Creating Memories That Last A Lifetime"
In order to keep "MAGIC ALIVE" Please become a Mentor to a Young Person. |
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Matty Moriates New user 71 Posts |
Okay thank you!
I will probably end up getting all of these books (I am starting a collection of books so I want as much as I can get). Also they will all teach me something new. But, I want to know which ones I should get first. The ones that will help me out the most. Then I can start to put a show together, and with any extra money, continue to buy and read these books. So if anyone else has an oppinion I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!
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Cascade88 Regular user Sam 104 109 Posts |
Lancer3, before you go out and buy effects think about every effect you own or can do and think how it could fit into a kids show. Once you can figure out this You will know which effects you want and don't want. Just make it fun its not the effects that make the magic its how you present it.
"Once is magic Twice is education."
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Zamboni New user Australia 59 Posts |
Get Seriously Silly first. IMHO it is by far the best book on doing kids magic out there and makes most of the others superfluous. After that you need some business training. Also think about getting a couple of DVDs to see how other magicians interact with children.
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Matty Moriates New user 71 Posts |
Thank you guys.
I will be getting 5 Minutes with a Pocket Handkerchief eventually. I will be getting this for not only the routines taught on there, but to see how he interacts with the adience (;) zamboni). From what I hear, the Birthday Party Business has a good amount of "business" in it. So I will get Seriously Silly and The Birthday Party business first. Thanks!
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Matty Moriates New user 71 Posts |
Oh yeah, I should also mention that with Kidbiz and Children Laugh Louder, I got the only 3 ways to book your shows by ginn also. So I do have a book on business.
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Steve V Inner circle Northern California 1878 Posts |
You have books coming it seems, hopefully you'll read them. Do you do any magic?
Steve V |
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12945 Posts |
Remember this:
Kids (even adults) don't care how technical your expertise is. They don't care how much time you've put into a particular slight. They don't care how much you paid for your tricks. They will never see how technical you are. They will never see how much work a particular trick was for you to perform and they will never see the receipt(s) for your props. So, the point is not that "it's not the tricks, it's the presentation" I know we all know that by now ... rather, IMO it's a more judicious use of your time to find easy to perform effects you can perform with zero thinking (... well maybe a little thinking) and save yourself the performing headache and tension when your show finally arrives. There is going to be enough to worry about when the time comes to perform in front of people. Things that you didn't get to rehearse, things that you never considered could happen. You don't need to be concerned with whether or not your chops have been mastered. A good example is that trick where you give a child a dove pan filled with, say, peanuts (they don't see them yet) and tell them that every time you ask them a question they answer with the word peanuts. It starts to become very funny based on the questions you ask. Finally you have them place the top of the pan on and remove it and the pan is filled with peanuts. This is a very easy and VERY VERY fun and funny routine. It can last a short time or a relatively long time. I've never performed this but I've seen other local magicians perform it and it always entertains audiences. Or you can rehearse a zombie effect until you get it just right and hope that everything works out when you are in front of an audience. It's an entirely different world - entertaining - when you are in front of people than when you are in your practice room playing for the mirror. I have nothing against complex tricks and silk to cane, zombie, doves, dancing cane etc. My point is simply about being comfortable with one's self on stage. I guess there are certain personalities that cannot or are not comfortable in front of people so these personalities gravitate towards these types of silent tricks? Maybe? And maybe it's a good idea to identify yourself as one or the other. There is a magician here locally that works a lot and does a silent show, birdss, fire, rabbits, etc. I once asked a teacher about his show and she said, "He's good at his silent show but when he starts talking and asks kids on the stage he goes down hill." Then there is always the argument of improving yourself but I wouldn't do that in front of a paying gig. For that I would receommend some sort of outside group like toastmasters. Anyway, those are my ideas. John |
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Matty Moriates New user 71 Posts |
Steve V, I do perform for family and friends (and my 2nd period class on fridays )
John, Thank you very much for you words. I don't know what to say other then thank you!
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Steve V Inner circle Northern California 1878 Posts |
2nd Period Class....as a teacher or student? The reason I ask is age is a factor, experience is a factor, all that good stuff.
Steve V |
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Matty Moriates New user 71 Posts |
As a student. I am 16 years old. So by the time I get my kids show down I will be between 17 and 18. I know all of those are factors, but I will not jump into this unprepared. I am getting a lot of material, and I am talking to full time professionals for help. (besides this post ).
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