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magicman491 Veteran user 326 Posts |
Okay I am 13, and want to start kids shows...
I need people's help... I have a 45min show Start with ropes, then spongeballs, breakaway wand, growing ball, a routine of Dan Harlans called balloonatic, colouring book, candy/cake prodcution (dove pan?) force alphabet deck Y, on 3 yell out card 1 2 3 Y, go on about Why, vanishing milk, okito cup or something, then maybe vanishing coke bottle. Can anyone give me tips on my show, costume,business cards, advertisement, fee? and what to say about the WHy joke. Please, ANY help is appreciated, not just what I mentioned I need help on, literally, anything. Also I am pretty nervous, any help? and blowing baloons with mouth! Thanks so much |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Firstly, congratulations on taking the plunge. Doing kids shows is great fun.
Just a few words of advice (as I am rushing out to do a show!!). Balloons, at your age, are very difficult to blow up without a pump. They are thicker than normal balloons, and I would recommend using a pump for the next few years. Many people use pumps throughout their careers. You seem to have a varied routine that you are happy with. Your chief thing now is to get comfortable with that routine, and then the nerves will disappear. I would say you should contact a few pre-schools in your area, be honest with them and tell them you are developing an act, and do three or four shows for free. That will iron out many issues for you. One thing I do when breaking in a new puppet show is to invite all the neighbouring children in to my house and put on the show for them. Get ten local kids into your mums living room and do a show for them, and ask them afterwards what they liked and didn't like. At this point you just need to get half a dozen shows under your belt, then you are ready to begin considering the other questions. As to costume, at your age I would dress well but casually. Perhaps get a T-shirt with your magical name printed on it,and a jacket or sports coat. Keep it simple. Or else go to a costume shop and buy a junior wizard costume and call yourself an apprentice wizard. But keep it simple, don't try to be an elaborate clown, or try and wear top hat and tails. I did that at your age, and looked like a dork! Above all, have fun and be prepared for things to go differently than expected. As long as you are having fun your nerves will disappear, and the audience will also enjoy it. All the best. Tony
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
magicman491 Veteran user 326 Posts |
Thanks Tony, I am nervous, not about stuffing up, but about if they enjoy it and me acting like a stupid person to make them laugh... my sister's friend came over(8yrs old) and I did a couple of tricks including breakaway wand, she didn't laugh, I asked her how it was, she said it was okay.
Anything? As for costumes, I was thinking of going here(i live in Australia)and getting a different colour jacket, pants and shirt all different... would that be to far for my age, should I stick to a black coat and top? http://www.piccadillycircus.com.au/Image......uits.asp Thanks |
magicman491 Veteran user 326 Posts |
And If you've seen baloonatic by Dan Harlan, the whole routine won't work with a pump! any ideas?
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magicman491 Veteran user 326 Posts |
And any good DVD's to start with balloon modelling, in fact , before that... do you reccommend balloon modelling at my age, is it worth the time and effort for the kids?
Thanks |
jimhlou Inner circle 3698 Posts |
Kids will laugh when in a group, they "feed" off each other.
You have plenty of props and tricks, and although I haven't seen your show, you probably could use some work on presentation, etc. Get a copy of Silly Billy's book "Serious Silly", and read it. Then put it into action. My guess is that you'll be a full time magician in no time!! Jim |
Eric Tyree New user 29 Posts |
One big tip to help with the nerves is to SCRIPT the entire show. Write down everything you will say. Even the stuff you say as you go from one trick to the next.
I do mean everything! From your entrance to exit. Obviously you do not have to follow it word for word. You certainly don't want to sound like a tape recorder but knowing the script is there will wipe away some nervousness. You will have it to fall back on and prevent useless words like UHHHMMMMM, ANNNND, OK etc. Try to make the act flow well and remove any dead time. Just like a radio dj could loose his audience over dead air (no talking or music) You will loose your audience in the pauses. If you enjoy yourself in the show the kids will probably enjoy you too.
Eric Tyree
Magician, Juggler and Comedian |
Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
This seems like appropriate advice to give you:
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......um=17&45
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
bowers Inner circle Oakboro N.C. 7024 Posts |
Keep us posted on your progress magicman.
todd |
Leland Inner circle St Louis 1180 Posts |
I would suggest not to try and inflate by mouth. You have enough to worry about at this point. Use a pump, it will make life easier. I've been at this for years and I do inflate by mouth and it took a lot of practice to get to that point.
Spend your time on your presentation, that's the difference between a guy that shows up and does some magic tricks and a Magician. Work toward becoming a Magician.
Life of Magic!
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
I like those suits you are thinking of - in fact, I could see myself in one!
Don't worry if one kid doesn't laugh. A group will. You seem to have plenty of material, and more importantly appropriate and suitable material. So gather a crowd and road-test it. You will find that it comes together quickly. Don't worry about appearing to be a fool or doing silly things - everyone knows that is an act, and if done well they will be laughing with you, and you will be a hit. Just don't be self-conscious. At your age the best advice I could have got would have been to join an acting class or do a school drama. Or join a debating or public speaking team. It was competitive public speaking that honed my presentational skills. So see what your own school has to offer to give you stage time, even if it is not magic stage time.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Jim mentioned the book above, "Serious Silly". If you like learning from DVDs more, purchase Silly Billy's DVD. I promise you will learn a lot from it.
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magicman491 Veteran user 326 Posts |
Thanks guys
Tony, I have done l public speaking and debating, I made finals in public speaking out of 125 kids, 12 made it... Also, does anyone have ideas on what to say about the "why" gag? And do you recommend the picadilly circus costumes? Thanks |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
With your public speaking experience you will have no problems. It is a great background for a performer.
I love the Picadilly Circus costumes. I would love two suits, if they would deliver this distance! As for the why gag, I am not familiar with it, so can offer no advice. I will say this; if you try a line three shows in a row and it does not get a laugh, consider very seriously dropping it or modifying it.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Magicman, another young person nearly your age started off from here and accomplished alot. Check out Jake's thread:
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......&start=0 |
magicman491 Veteran user 326 Posts |
Thankyou
and Tony, I mean for me, would hose costumes be suitable for me? Thanks |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Without the waistcoat (vest) they would be very suitable for you. Absolutely. You could wear then with a solid coloured t-shirt (black or white preferably, but any solid colour that complements the suit). You would look good. At your age I would not wear them with a shirt and tie, I think.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
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