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captain10 New user 14 Posts |
Hello all.
I am a hobbyist who performs a childrens' christmas show once a year. Other than that, I perform for friends and family only. I realize the importance of routining and scripting, and I also believe I am not that great in that area (OK...I need lots of work in that area). I have been going thru this forum and gotten lots of valuable info, but one thing I haven't seen much on is tips or ideas on moving from one effect to the next. Just as an example...how do I go from cups and balls to something totally unrelated like hippity hoppity rabbits? I don't like "and for my next trick..." Thank you. |
iwillfoolu Special user Upstate NY, USA 746 Posts |
Think about how you end your last trick and how you start you next one. Try to establish a common thread (it's a stretch sometimes)
Perhaps for the final load you could use sponge carrots. OR I bet you were all surprised when that lemon appeared under the cups, weren't you? Let me show you something that surprises even ME JD |
MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
I'd suggest you have a bridge. What I do is have a running gag through the show, in my case it is the failed torn and restored napkin. So if I don't have a smooth transition what I would do is, using your example, put away the hippity hop rabbits (by the way, I'd close with them not use it in the middle) and then look over at the napkins as if you MUST attempt it again, you fail, then move on to the next effect. There is some acting involved it isn't as simple as I put it but that is a great way to do so because with the exception of some children performers who have a full stage with curtains set up in living rooms you can't just close the curtain then reopen it for a different effect. Let me know if I am not being clear...basically you insert a lil' piece in between the two that distracts rather than connects. It works
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
My favorite segways are "ok kids here's another one", "for my next trick I will need a volunteer", "who wants to help me with this one?", "here's one that you will really like", "how many of you children have seen a juggler before?", "this next trick I am going to do by myself", "would you like to see me juggle something dangerous?", " here's a trick that I will need everybody to help me with".
The more questions that you ask the more likely you are to hold their attention, because as soon as you stop to chat the little ones will get up, and leave the room. I use segways when I do adult shows, because the adults care why you are doing a trick, and the kids don't care at all.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
disneywld Special user Denver, CO 614 Posts |
I use a running gag to a finale effect throughout my performance. It is not used after EVERY trick, but after every two or three tricks. I also combine several effects into one long one. You might see the logic in this for example;
Vanishing Coke Bottle turns into a bottle of water Water is proven to be real as it is poured into a clear glass and a styrofoam cup I then do the needle thru the styro cup (Filled with slush powder) Then the bottle cap in the bottled water Time - 12 minutes
The Magic of Christopher Manos
www.christophermanos.com |
Bob1Dog Inner circle Wife: It's me or this houseful of 1159 Posts |
I think segway is segue:
se·gue ( sµg“w³”, s ³“gw³”) v. intr. se·gued se·gu·ing se·gues 1. Music To make a transition directly from one section or theme to another. 2. To move smoothly and unhesitatingly from one state, condition, situation, or element to another: Just trying to help folks ;-)
What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
My neighbor rang my doorbell at 2:30 a.m. this morning, can you believe that, 2:30 a.m.!? Lucky for him I was still up playing my drums. |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
WOW Bob baby
Your idea of SEGUE sounds so much better than mine did.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
Dang you bob, I thought the idea of the name of that silly scooter was funnier.
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Bob
Are you a member of the Wilmington Delaware Knights?
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
There is always "and now for something completely different."
I like most of Al's suggestions but you have to be very careful with asking questions. It is a common way to try and hold interest and introduce a new effect but if there is any hesitation some kids are apt to answer. If you don't have the audience handling skills of Al Angello try this: "Has anyone ever had a bad dream?" becomes "I suppose we've all had a bad dream". or "Who likes Birthdays?" becomes I'll bet most of us here like Birthdays." or "Raise your hand if you like Birthdays." This phrasing is still evocative but is less inviting to little kids who are apt to take any direct question as an invitation to answer. "Here is a classic Magic Effect" "I like this next one because it's so colorful" "You Won't see many of these." "I'll bet you've never seen an invisible ______. " "Oh, I almost forgot." "I've been saving this for the end." "I'm sure that alarm was supposed to remind me of something." "That reminds me." "I love card Magic." "This next one really swings." "I wonder what this is." "I thought they confiscated this." I don't use all of these but you get the idea. - Mary Mowder |
Bob1Dog Inner circle Wife: It's me or this houseful of 1159 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-08-08 22:35, Al Angello wrote: Al, I don't even know who they are; I live in the LSD part of Delaware, Lower Slower Delaware, Sussex County. Wilmington is about 90 minutes north. I do wish I had a magic club to get involved in here, but alas all I have is the Café! Best, Bob Posted: Aug 9, 2010 2:21am Al, Santa and Mary, with respect Al, I was only having fun with the segue thing, I read your posts with enthusiasm and appreciate your helpful comments; Santa, I thought that "danged" scooter was doomed for failure the moment I saw Andy Rooney riding one on Sixty Minutes one night; and Mary, thanks for your staying on topic! Best, Bobg
What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
My neighbor rang my doorbell at 2:30 a.m. this morning, can you believe that, 2:30 a.m.!? Lucky for him I was still up playing my drums. |
captain10 New user 14 Posts |
Thank you for your responses. Very helpful in the area of magic AND spelling. Of course maybe I really meant how do I get from one trick to the other using a motorized 2 wheel vehicle with no steering wheel.
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Mr. Pitts Inner circle David Pitts 1058 Posts |
"Of course maybe I really meant how do I get from one trick to the other using a motorized 2 wheel vehicle with no steering wheel."
Funny, Captain.. My act is a circus, so my segues are the sort of clunky, unsubtle, grandiose transitions you hear at a circus.. "And now ladies and gentlemen, the Small Wonder Circus is Pleased and Proud to Present..." The grandiosity actually serves as a humorous counterpoint to the small and ridiculous nature of most of my stuff. |
MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
That word is often mispelled but only by those that understand what it means so very very very very few were noticing it.
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BIGmagiclV Veteran user 375 Posts |
Many words are misspelled or used incorrectly on sites such as this to the point where the police need to be called to stop the murder of the English language!
Loose instead of lose, too for to, your for you're...etc. I guess its all where you learnt it! (Yes, I know it is learned...) But I digest. |
Bob1Dog Inner circle Wife: It's me or this houseful of 1159 Posts |
Al, I PMd you....best, bob
What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
My neighbor rang my doorbell at 2:30 a.m. this morning, can you believe that, 2:30 a.m.!? Lucky for him I was still up playing my drums. |
Cyberqat Inner circle You can tell I work on the net from my 2209 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-08-11 17:45, BIGmagiclV wrote: you h@v3n't 3v3n 83gun 2 c teh 1@ngu@g3 murd3r @n teh 1nt3rn3t! Posted: Aug 12, 2010 4:38pm Not everything has to follow directly. If you establish a theme and refer back to it that often suffices. IMHO its more important that your act have proper dramatic pacing than that it is tightly logically coupled. I introduce the theme at my introduction. For my wife's grad school talent show I was "Professor Cogito of the Canadian School for Wizards, Warlocks and Ice Demons" doing a graduate level lecture on magic and the mind. For my kids show next month (very young kids and their not well educated mothers) I'm just "Jeff the Magician" and the theme is "what is a magician?" Posted: Aug 12, 2010 4:42pm P.S. I think a Segway to an effect would be cool... but its sort of an expensive prop. http://www.segway.com/
It is always darkest just before you are eaten by a grue.
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Mr. Pitts Inner circle David Pitts 1058 Posts |
Doktor Kaboom uses a Segway in his act.
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