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Justin Stebbing New user 13 Posts |
This may seem like a curious subject line, but I feel it could make for an interesting discussion. In my opinion, there is plenty of work out there for an average children's entertainer. All that is needed are some good dealers props, and a pleasant personality....along with a good rapport with the children. If you have a good website, run an ad in Parenting magazine and Yellow Pages, I am sure you will make a reasonable living. In other words, many people could give up their day jobs, and become full time children's entertainers. I have even seen advertisments on this forum suggesting this. I have also seen people suggesting that if you invest in an expensive prop like, say, an Axtell remote control puppet, you will become a better entertainer. This is, of course, absolute nonsense! This is not to say that Steve Axtell and other dealers do not have some wonderful props, but a prop does not make an entertainer memorable. An entertainer makes an entertainer memorable!
So, what makes a great children's entertainer? How can we elevate this wonderful art form to be something truly magical? Are you content just to have a full date book, or would you like to leave this planet with a legacy? Are some of you seeking to elevate your art on to the next level...by being a truly great children's entertainer? |
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The Great Smartini Inner circle 2280 Posts |
Good topic...I think that for me the most important thing is to love what you do. In Juan Tamariz's book The Five Points in Magic he talks about how the eyes are really a window to your magic soul. Some people that you meet have a wonderful spirit and their face and eyes almost seem to glow. My beautiful daughter Hannah looks like this. If magic is something that you truly love and want to share then this is the non-verbal message that you want to share with your audience. Your eyes/face need to convey the message that the magic you're about to perform is wonderous and special. If you can create this connection your audience will be much more likely to want to join you in your magical voyage.
jeff |
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Tony James Inner circle Cheshire UK 1398 Posts |
There are two parts to this Justin. You need a good basic business knowledge coupled with marketing, sales and promotion and it helps to know about territory planning and time management.
These are skills you may well have acquired through commerce and industry experience.If not, then check out your local learning facilities and go on some basic courses to acquire those skills. They are transferable skills, fundamental to running your business, regardless of precisely what that may be. In a tough economic climate - and don't kid yourself, it's going to be tougher than we hope - we need every advantage going. There are plenty of excellent books but do have OPEN SESAME on your shelf. You are perfectly correct about big flashy props. They work well for many, especially those who are gaining experience but odd to say but perfectly true, a good children's entertainer will often derive more entertainment value and fun from a couple of silks and a magic wand than all the other flashy items put together. It will help you greatly to acquire some theatrical experience even though you may never perform from a stage at all. Indeed, wherever possible keep right away from stages. They create gulfs between performer and audience which can be difficult to bridge. In fact, the gulf isolates you and can actually make your essential control less easy. Being on the floor and in close proximity to the audience can make control far easier. Nevertheless, theatrical understanding and stage rules generally apply equally to any form of entertainment and when applied, the difference is noticeable. How you enter, stand, move, turn - do you go left or right? One way is strong, the other way weak - does your helper stand to your left or right? Again, one way is more effective than the other, - and a myriad of other proven right/wrong ways which all go to making the difference between an 'alright' show and a brilliant one. And it has nothing to do with the size of your props! Likewise, add some voice production lesions, learn to breath and project and for home shows at least, leave the PA behind. Be natural. That's what scores at home. And if you follow all of my advice will you be a great entertainer? I suspect so because you've identified already the one prime bit of essential knowledge: "An entertainer makes an entertainer memorable!" You said it!
Tony James
Still A Child At Heart |
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TRUMPETMAN Special user Naples, FL 705 Posts |
Tony, could you plese tell us who wrote that book ? I tried a Google search once before, and could not find any info on it. Knowing the author would help.
I would love to get a copy. Even a worn and tattered one would do. Mark
Mark Pettey
Naples, FL facebook.com/robbietheringmaster |
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Mark, Tony is referring to Open Sesame by Eric C. Lewis and Wilfred Tyler. He's referred it several times and I can't thank him enough. I found a pristine hardbound edition through an old book seller in Australia several months past. While some of the information is quite dated (Copyright 1947) the general content is priceless. Tony is right on - if you're serious about performing for children, this reference needs to be on your shelf alongside your Tarbells and Ginns.
It looks as though Amazon UK has a couple of softcover editions in stock and a search found a couple of book dealers with the hardbound listed in Australia.
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
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Justin Stebbing New user 13 Posts |
Skip Way is correct about it being 1947. I was one year off. I also regretfully mispelled the publisher, whose name should have read "Goodliffe." I have just taken the book off my shelf, and I see it was illustrated by "Dennis". No surname is given. Could that be Dennis Pattern? The book is 154 pages long, and is a masterpiece.
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Tony James Inner circle Cheshire UK 1398 Posts |
Eric Lewis and Wilfred Tyler. Try Magic Books By Post who have re-located to Yorkshire I think it is.
Eric left the UK and worked as a dealer and prop maker in the USA and I believe his son continued the business in America. Wilfred continued as a children's entertainer in the UK creating a number of effects. But it was the accommodating approach of their magic for children which held so many of us and as I mentioned that first chapter. There's a checklist there against which you can compare any of your routines and it will highlight deficiencies in the routine. Sometimes those missing bits are just the ticket to make a routine complete. Other times you can check a perfectly good routine and realise there is an element that is deficient. Change it and that good routine becomes even better. And the strange thing is that we don't always instinctively get things right and balanced. The more experienced we are, the more capable we are of spotting weaknesses in our own routines, correcting them and because we are experienced we make routines work. Or at least, we think we do. Then run it past the checklist and lo and behold, there's an area where it's a bit weak. Bone it up and that routine works all the better. Regardless of experience, I have not known of a routine that has not benefited from running it past the checklist. And for less experienced people it is a Godsend. Instead of trying a bit of this, add a funny prop here, a gag there, you know - find something, find anything to make it go better, you check out Open Sesame and you can see the areas which need attention. Bo more hit and miss. Now, it's not going to do it for you, you still have to come up with a correcting remedy but at least you know which of the ten basic factors (and their variants) is deficient in your routine.
Tony James
Still A Child At Heart |
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Justin Stebbing New user 13 Posts |
Tony, is Wilfred Tyler the same "Tyler" who created the incredible "Tyler's Silken Saga?"
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Tony James Inner circle Cheshire UK 1398 Posts |
No, it was Denis Harle I think it was spelt. Dennis Patten is still going strong. He came to one of my shows last July in London.
Confusing as both Dennis's were illustrators and magic illustrators AND worked for Goodliffe who published the World's Only Magical Magazine Abracadabra which was first published in 1946 and has never missed a weekly deadline. Some magazine, eh?
Tony James
Still A Child At Heart |
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Tony James Inner circle Cheshire UK 1398 Posts |
Don't start the Silken Saga ball rolling again for goodness sake. Yes. it is he. Or was. He's long gone along with Edwin Hooper.
Obviously the way these posts are rattling around we're all on the site together. By the way Justine - who's the ugly bloke resting his head on your bosom?
Tony James
Still A Child At Heart |
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TRUMPETMAN Special user Naples, FL 705 Posts |
Thanks so much for the plethora of info on this guys ! I have been trying to find this book for some time. Now I know exactly what to look for....
Mark
Mark Pettey
Naples, FL facebook.com/robbietheringmaster |
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kimmo Inner circle Sheffield 1193 Posts |
I'd agree with everything that's been said about Open Sesame.
Wilfred Tyler performed at my 6th birthday party and was responsible for sparking my interest in becoming a children's entertainer.
VISIT MY ONLINE STORE!: www.kimmomagicshop.com
NEW LECTURE NOTES - SHOW US YOUR TRIX NOW AVAILABLE AS AN INSTANT DIGITAL DOWNLOAD! Kimmo DVD available Now! Watch the promo here! Order your copy NOW! CLICK HERE! ENTERTAINER,MAGICIAN AND VENTRILOQUIST'S BLOG - DON'T READ THIS... |
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Tony James Inner circle Cheshire UK 1398 Posts |
Kimmo
Remember - it's not for sale at any price. Keep your secrets close to you, as the monkey does.
Tony James
Still A Child At Heart |
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The Great Smartini Inner circle 2280 Posts |
Trumpetman,
I have a copy of the book that I bought at the following link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Open-Sesame-Book......007JQYRM I didn't find the book that difficult to find. jeff |
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TRUMPETMAN Special user Naples, FL 705 Posts |
Thanks for the link Jeff! I also found it on the site in the UK that Tony mentioned. It is a very reasonably priced book for what it offers.
Again, I want to thank everyone for all the cool background on the authors and book. I can't wait to get mine... :ohyes: Mark
Mark Pettey
Naples, FL facebook.com/robbietheringmaster |
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Tony James Inner circle Cheshire UK 1398 Posts |
What a crazy price at Amazon. Try Magic Books By Post.
I'm not going into TSS and anyone who knows me will understand why. It is covered by a Gentleman's Agreement and that is that. I must now depart for Portsmouth where I am working Punch for several days. The weather is due to be exceeding cold but thank goodness I shall be located in a beautiful bijou theatre where it is warm and comfortable. I return Monday before setting out again, this time to Scotland. It's all Victorian Christmas Cheer.
Tony James
Still A Child At Heart |
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Steven True Special user Bonney Lake,WA 765 Posts |
Not to be the problem child here but what happened to the original post? Is the answer to his question been answered by reading the book? Please don't get me wrong I am not upset although at 3:07 in the am I am a little loopy. I just think I missed some of the answers concerning the post. Obtaining the knowledge that Tony has stated is a good start but what else makes us a good....Great childrens entertainer? I am kind of batteling with this myself at this time in my carrear. Hope all of this came oout ok, maybe I should go nighty night now.
Steven |
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BScott8870 Loyal user Texas 230 Posts |
I think a great childrens entertainer has too have a couple of key internal traits that cannot be taught:
1. You have to love kids and still be young at heart yourself 2. You have to have to be a great storyteller with a vivid imagination. The best magicians I have seen tell the best stories and blend the illusions into them. |
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Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
I think there's a flaw in the original question - at least, in terms of perspective. If we as entertainers, try to be the best WE can be, that should suffice. Those who seek greatness, are on a fool's errand.
Potty |
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Justin Stebbing New user 13 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-11-27 13:25, Potty the Pirate wrote: I agree with you up to a point, Potty. However, if you are the best you can be, you will, indeed, have achieved greatness. My point is that it is my belief that many of you do not explore your full potential, and are happy to remain at "adequate", simply because you are getting plenty of work. |
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