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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Thanks to information provided by many here on the Café and lots of reading of books, here are some routining suggestions and effects that do work for kids, families, and illusion shows. It is nice to print out and reference. There is no perfect way, just ideas that do work. Use this information as a guideline!
Think of being a magician like you would an electrician, or a plumber, carpenter, a computer technician, etc. They all require a base line knowledge level before they can effectively do their job. There are no good instant (overnight) Construction Workers! Magic is no different. There are no good instant (overnight) Magicians Four Illusions and Eight stage tricks, does not make an Illusionist, however, with lots of practice it is possible. Developing a routine requires several steps: 1. Learn the mechanics of the trick first. 2. Find a reason why that routine should be of interest to your audience. 3. List several additional tricks that can used with it. (Milk Pitcher: Comedy Funnel, Disappearing Glass of Milk, Comedy Ice pick, etc.) 4. List potential props that could be used with the trick. 5. Research, find, and list the potential comedy bits of business that fit the trick(s). View others on VHS tapes on how have done it, making notes on what you like and dislike and how it fits your personality or theme of trick. 6.Find the music, Listen to it, imaging your act with it. Daydream, Brainstorm. 7. Write it down then try it, practice it. If the above is done for each mini-act you have a routine. Combine the routines and you have an act. Step 1: Choose the effects (3) that go together.
B. You are comfortable with them C. They are tried and true routines
B. Stagger quick little effects with long effects C. Add nice little effects with mind blowing effects. (Combining tricks)
Select effects that build on each other Paper trail each effect. (Write it down) Each routine is a mini-play Each routine should draw the audience in Each routine should ENTERTAINS 1st, Mystifies 2nd Each routine should focus to bring out at least 1 emotion. Opening: should be fast colorful production act..Startling, change of color every 20 seconds, musical and fancy ending. Middle: Vary pace, short routines, variety...Mount Attack...Novelty.. Punch..Closing Ending: Mass, Beauty, Motion, Color, Rhythmic Action... Good thoughts..Going away "WOWing them"... Success is: Giving them something they can talk about on the way home.
1. Explain what you're going to do 2. Describe the parts 3. Add the theme message 4. Pick a Magical word. 5. Write the skit down 6. Research Jokes and Puns 7. Tie in a Variety of Site Gags Components for Developing an Educational Program
School Educational Themes
Drug Awareness Themes
Power Illusion Program:
Basic Format: Constructing Your Act
Kid's Safety Theme Show (40 Minutes) You add the tricks.
Reference: Safety Magic for Children by Karl Wagner KIDS Variety Magic Show (Example: 40 Min.)
To Convert the Above into a Family Fun Entertaining Fund Raising Illusion Show. Add Four Illusions.
Illusion Show Routine Format Add a Running Gag Routine to keep the humor going, using the magician failure premise which finally ends in success. Running Gags With any show a properly developed and presented Running Gag can enhance the show. The gag gets funnier each time it is presented. Below are Ideas for Running Gags:
Here are stock routines that have always worked for Kid Shows:
Other Options: Juggling Silks, Vern the Bird: Ventriloquism Act, or Balloons Animals Basic Magic Show Format Visual Impact, Fastpaced, Audience Grabber, Colorful, Musical, and Animal Production Routines
Comedy Magic Show Format Example (FUNNY), Visual Impact, Fastpaced, (FUNNY), Audience Grabber, Colorful, (FUNNY), Musical, and a (FUNNY) Animal Production Routine
Suggested Comedy Routines
Now you have several basic formats, routines, now take action, practice, rehearse, and book you show! Enjoy...Have Fun and Most Importantly, Love What You Do. Any Comments?
Dennis Michael
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Jimeuax Regular user 199 Posts |
Thanks Den---That post was better than about 98% of the books on kids magic I have bought---thanks for taking the time!---Cheers!---Jimo
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flourish dude Inner circle from ? But I know where I am going! 1195 Posts |
Nice job DEN!
Nothing of the same will bring any change, take action today!
Just taking a step, is a step in the right direction because when you stop working, your dream dies. www.magicalmemories.us |
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Timothy Regular user Alabama, USA 174 Posts |
Excellent! Good lord, this should be a sticky bun, and required reading. It addresses (and answers) many inquires.
Thanks for the contribution! |
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Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Wow!
I can't imagine ANYTHING being added to Den's terrific post! That is a post-graduate course in magic all at once! Many thanks. |
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Frank Tougas Inner circle Minneapolis, MN 1712 Posts |
Den,
Not only am I constantly impressed with the sheer number of posts attributed to you, but more importantly, that each of them has something of value and advances the purpose of this fourm. I don't usually post things like "good going" or "I agree" because I think not only are they best left as private messages but they artificially increase one's numbers.They also get very tiresome to read. I have made an exception in your case because you are an exceptional contributor. If I had some way to remove this post from my total I would.
Frank Tougas The Twin Cities Most "Kid Experienced" Children's Performer :"Creating Positive Memories...One Smile at a Time"
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Thanks guys,
Your comments are appreciated. I was beginning to think no-one was reading them and whether they were adding to the Café or revealing to much, which magicians tend to keep good things like above to themselves. (not all magicians) (By the way, when it comes to kids, I really like it when they say "He's a Real Magician!" It sounds so better than, "He's the Clown Mom hired!"..little pun humor here.) A few times my posts were zapped by the Café security, which really forced me to rethink posting here again. Now I save these posts like above, so if they are zapped for whatever reasons, all is not lost. Here's a little secret, when one writes/types down one's ideas, routines, and concepts, one tends to remember them. It also organizes one thoughts, and new ideas are created. When it comes to entertaining children, there are far more than one could handle. You never have to worry about the mask magician ruining your act. And, with kids, there are new ones every day who never saw the same stuff before, and the one's who have enjoy seeing them again. It is something where there can be 10 magicians in your area and still have room for more. Like Peter's posts and ideas in the Linking Ring, sharing the stuff in itself is rewarding. It's one of the few article's I really read in every issue. Once again, thanks for your comments.
Dennis Michael
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flourish dude Inner circle from ? But I know where I am going! 1195 Posts |
Den you should collect them and put out a book.
Nothing of the same will bring any change, take action today!
Just taking a step, is a step in the right direction because when you stop working, your dream dies. www.magicalmemories.us |
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MAGICBYTIM Special user Louisiana 531 Posts |
I agree with flourish dude about the book except if you put everything in a book it would require us to spend money on it. Since you post it here in the Café then we can all get it for free. Thanks for the free info.
Very good and helpful information. Tim |
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Add my thanks to your contribution above and contributions in general to the Café', Dennis. You're absolutely correct about writing. Guess I should know...
Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Magic_streak Regular user Singapore 196 Posts |
Well I must say when I was reading this post it really felt like I'm reading from a good book. I instantly thought of suggesting you compile all these thoughts of yours into a book Den. Excellent work.
I've a question for you though, of all these shows you've performed, all these effects, how much mime have you put in them? I've seen some performances that uses alot of mime. Jeff McBride has a full 10 - 15 mins of Miser's Dream that is totally mime. He never spoke a single word till the end when he thanked the helper from the audience. Do you use alot of mime in your show? Will kids appreciate it? Mimes tend to require alot of interpreting skills and a certain degree of patience. Do you think it can work for kids? Thanks and keep posting~! |
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
I don't do any mime (per-say) That requires additional skill and time to master.
This does not mean I don't do misdirection or pretend. As Jeff McBride says, see the coin in a spot in the air, like it is a real coin, reach for it and pluck it out of that spot. Well in a sense, that is mime and that I do. I do facial expressions and have fun with the kids. My personality is not a "second by second accountability" for each action. With kids, a lot can happen and destroy the "exactness" of a system. I do have a script and try to follow the script and not make it sound like a script. No two shows are alike. If something presents itself that is funny, I'll ad-lib or make the most out of it. And, if something goes wrong, I let it roll off my back. At one time I got out of magic for a few years, and then I was asked to do a show, one I really couldn't refuse. I did the show without any practice or reheasal. I missed lines, mess-up at certain times, and from my perspective I knew I was rusty, and it didn't go smoothly at all. My wife noticed it but not as much, and the rest of the people thought it was really good, funny and very enjoyable. They knew or saw none of the faults in the show. Other Magicians would have picked out some of the mistakes, but not the audience. With a kids show, they forget very quickly, so a mistake is not held against you. With adults, and especially other magicians...they have "elephant memories"
Dennis Michael
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Magic_streak Regular user Singapore 196 Posts |
You mentioned "second by second accountability". From your experience and knowledge of the audiences' mindsets, do people really question every move you do? Do they ask, why did he bring out a silk before appearing a cane? What is the point of placing a candle there without using it? Or do these people simply sit back, relax, and accept whatever comes to them.
Personally I feel that the latter scenario happens most of the time. People usually do not want to think and process alot of information when they watch a show. They just want to be amazed and entertained. In fact, they spend so much time figuring out how a trick is done that they don't consider these minor details. Sometimes they don't even see the smaller props in the trick. It's us magicians that are over sensitive. What do you think? |
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
It appears you are talking about "people" meaning adult audiences or an audience with lots of adults and their child next to them so if the child said something the parent "slaps them on the back of the head" and tells them to keep quiet. (A little humor here, although it has happened.)
With kids, yes, they will analyze every trick and they they really believe they know how it's done. They will verbalize that belief and point things out. This is why Audience Management is so importhant and so is audience participation when doing shows with kids. I also see you're from Singapore, and I was told the audience there are very respectable to entertainers. Quite possible, what you say is absoultely true in your part of the world based on the culture. Since I've never performed in Singapore, I don't know this to be fact. "Second by second accountability" can mean very rigid in the shows performance, where every second is planned. This is what happens in Illusion shows, and why actors/movie stars ask "What is the motivation for that action?" I hope this clears up the misunderstanding.
Dennis Michael
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unklepaul New user hemel hempstead, uk 84 Posts |
Thank you so much for taking the time to post that information.
It will be a treasured source of good information to me in my youthful career. Very much appreciated. Unklepaul
om mani padme hum
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wassabi_87 Loyal user moscow, idaho 226 Posts |
Another safety routine would have to be one on water saftey, and maybe one with animals. You could use the rabbit production for that one, and with water safety you could include a squirt gun or two.
When I began reading your post, I thought, "yikes" it was almost scary scrolling down, thanks a lot.
bike during the day,
do magic at night, and very early the next morning, homework. |
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templemagic Elite user Sunderland, North-East England 420 Posts |
Hi,
Wow, that was useful, thanks for taking the time to write it. I was wondering Den, if you could possibly post a message in this topic regarding what effects/routines could be used for some educational/themed shows in some of the shows you mentioned when you said: School Educational Themes Drug Awarness Themes Drug Awarness Program Say No! Magic Show Stranger Danger Safety Themes Fire Safety Public Safety Think Safety Police Safety School Bus Safety School Safety Playground Safety Animal Safety Car Safety Stranger Danger Halloween Safety Self Awareness Manners Self-Esteem Nutrition Dental Hygiene Motivational Fantastic Friends Conflict Resolution Diversity Morality Educational Basics The Magic of Reading The Magic of History The Magic of Geography The Magic of Science Country Patriotic Environmental Awareness Thanks again, TM |
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
There are three ways to find the effects. Invent them, use existing effects, or buy specialized effects.
For instant, a lot of Steve Taylor's Educational Material is complete for reading, geography, self-esteem programs. His books detail the information and so do the effects when you buy them. He converted standardized effects to meeet the message he wanted to get across. This is the easy way. Buy the effect. You could also purchase complete shows suc as CJ Johnson's Complete Motivational Show and almost complet shows such as Tony Daniel's Just Say No Magic Show And, BJ Hickman has A Reading Show There is also David Risley's "The I Love America S......Etc. You could convert existing tricks such as 20th Century Silks to display a message in any theme you choose. You could use Firehouse Frenzy to get a Fire Safety message,"Exit Drills In The Home" (E.D.I.T.H.) Any effect that has "three" attatched to it can be used, such as Strat-O-Sphere (Red for Danger, Yellow for Caution, Green it is OK.) A ton of messages can be created with this effect. Professor's Nightmare can also be easily converted. And there is a lot on the Café about this. What's Next can have six related messages attached to it. Anything with numbers or counts, or letters can be converted. A lot of Gospel Magic can also be converted. The effect brings forth a religious signifiance, meaning, parable or saying. Just convert the message, to the topic of choice Then you can create one, the hardest method. You have a message you want to get across. Using a book like Fitzkee's The Trick Brain, Which you find an object that matches your message, the pick an effect, Vanish, Production, Transformation, etc. and work out the details and overcome the stumbling blocks, until you have a finished product. This requires a creative mind, and those who are use to thinking creatively have an easier time at this. There are ready made objects such as the American Flag Blendo, Mis-made Flags, Patriotic Ropes for a Patriotism theme. First is pick a theme then the #1 message you want to get across. Research that theme and come up with related stories. Now find an effect that can be easily converted to meet the message. If you are still un unsure the read up on this with Steve Taylor's Books Character Magic Routines, Writing Educational Shows, & Motivational Educational Magic, and Listen to Dave Risly's Cassette Tapes and Videos. There are others similar programs out there.
Dennis Michael
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ThePartyMagician Loyal user Bristol, UK 216 Posts |
Thanks Den for ALL the info you share with us!
Kind regards Mike |
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Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
Without a doubt, this is one of the finest threads I have EVER come across! Den, you should be awarded a commendation for the first post and for your replies. As I am currently considering making a start in kid's magic (I've been working for adults and teens for about 36 years), this thread is an invaluable resource.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
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