Steve;

I just purchased the briefcase this morning and was not thinking about every detail until my good friend Tom asked what I was going to do with Dan… lol

I was thinking that since I am starting my career performing in front of kids, opening with a trick and a giveaway will be a unique start to my routine; it starts Dan talking and I can go in many directions this way.

Buzz,
Definitely keep "Dan" alive. Now here is a thought - open with the trick and a quick explanation of the giveaway. It should grab and keep the kids attention. Bring Dan out - but don't do the giveaway yet. Once you do, the kids will divert their attention from you and the show to the kid with the gift.

Perhaps Dan wants to know what is going to be awarded - maybe he's got some insanely wild guesses. Its possible Dan filled the bowl with his name, so slip after slip comes out with "Dan" written on it. Perhaps Dan can't read the "chicken scratch" on a slip of paper, or can't pronounce the name, which could make for amusing attempts. Even after you read the winner's name, I'd hold off on giving the prize (unless Dan goes away and you magically produce it) until after the show.

Tom

Tom, that’s a very good starting for the show, I am going to write it exactly as you have written it here.

If you don’t mind can I PM you this part of the script for you to see and make sure it is exact?

BTW on Friday I ordered from Axtell

The 14X17 Magic Drawing Board

The 14X17 SFX Board.

the 14X17 Non Gimmick Board

I need to fit this into the routine as well

Buzz,
I'd be happy to read the script and offer ideas. Just let me warn you that my sense of humor probably isn't appropriate for church shows!
Tom

Thanks Tom;

It will be about a month, I need to receive the briefcase, work with it until I have it working for me, then write the segment of the script, and then send it.

I am not planning on using this prop on the church programs. I have scripts from Clinton for that.

I want to keep it biblical with no extra prizes or tricks; I don’t know how my church will react to magic.

A guy I know uses the same wands you have.

Whatever company he works for he will put a sticker
on them that advertises that company. FOR A FEE!

Also a B'day parties he hands them out with HIS advertising
on them.

He said the hardest thing is finding the BEST sticker that
will work and stay on the wand.

He didn't share that with me.

Entertainers do 100's of different thing to market
thir show. What works? Some work. Some don't work.

Hi Neznarf;

Welcome to my post.

In the early stages of this thread it was decided that a sticker was not the preeminent approach to advertise my production.

After careful discussion the majority of the experienced Ventriloquist’s recommend the foil stamping.

I had originally suggested a label, it was voted down and now I am foil stamping the wands.

Please come back to my many threads often, you and your friends head are always welcome.

Buzz

Neznarf;

I was typing in another thread,

“Figure Animations-- When does it get tricky?”

And thought of you.

Can you tell me how many movements the head your holding has?

Buzz:

Can you give me an idea on the cost factors for foil stamping per unit. I just bought two dozen laser/pointer pens for ConVENTion.

Steve
http://www.thedummyshoppe.com

Steve,
I'm going to ask a favor - please request anyone who gets a laser pointer NOT use it in the showroom. And Mark - if you are reading this - make sure people know they will be removed or the pointer confiscated.

A number of years ago, I was struck in the eye by idiots with a laser pointer during my show. It immediately dried out the contact lens and the show was ended. That same event, people were "painting" acts on every stage and aiming at cars as they were driving down the highway. I hate those things with a passion!
Tom

Not to worry Tom. Even though they came with batteries, I have removed them and they will have to provide their own batteries when they return home. This type will require at least a trip to Radio Shack. I have heard enough horror stories to know better then that. I will also be quite discriminating of the maturity level of the recipients. They can be a useful tool, we just have to insure that they will get into the right hands. Hopefully (pray to the Good Lord) there will be 24 mature folks there in July.
(Maybe that is why JET won't let me keep one - lol)
Seriously, poor Mark has more than enough to do without problems with this. I promise you that we will be very careful. Our good friend Nacho will not get one. Bob Rumba will only be able to pick his up after the show. . . Gary Owen will get one, but it will be put in Teddi's purse. . . you get the picture.

Steve
http://www.thedummyshoppe.com

Okay, now Tom saying something about the laser in the eye, I've got to confess a thought I had about the wands Buzz is planning to hand out. I was thinking about little Johnny getting one of the wands and poking himself in the eye with it and mommy and daddy suing the nice magician ventriloquist that gave it to him.

Man, if Wanlu see the off topic posts here he is going to have a fit

I can chuck the wands now; go ahead, sue me, I got Ventriloquist insurance this week

Steve, what material are the cases made of?

Buzz,

There is a decorative cardboard sleeve on a rectangular clear plastic box, but the laser itself is made of some type of coated metal about 3/16" dia.

Steve
http://www.thedummyshoppe.com

Steve,
can we move this over to the no topic thread, It has been suggested to not go off topic on the threads

Sure Buzz,

I will look for your answer there.

Steve
http://www.thedummyshopp.com

Steve;

it's posted now