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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-07-11 17:59, TommyJ wrote: LOL!!! Al was correct that Dynamike has this nailed. I was actually a little surprised that Mike didn't give some kind of the expected trick list because he is a real prop kinda guy. But he knows what he's talking about. The tricks are just a vehicle for entertainment. I can get a solid ten minutes with just a paper bag, and easily that much or more with a warm-up that uses ZERO props. But I do love my props, too. When I first read the title of this thread I couldn't help but insert a break and imagine it spoken with a slow Frankenstein voice... "Kid show.... Must... have... tricks." "Mmmm... fire trick baaaad."
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Of course it goes without saying that a great magician can be even better with some of Tommy's cool props.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-07-12 20:30, Michael Baker wrote:The tricks are just a vehicle for entertainment. I can get a solid ten minutes with just a paper bag, and easily that much or more with a warm-up that uses ZERO props. But I do love my props, too. Perhaps. But you could say the same thing about a musician. And yet, if Eric Clapton decided to do a show without his guitar, something tells me his fans would be a tad upset. Are you doing ten minutes with a paper bag to show off for yourself, or to keep your customers happy? In the book "Poof! You're a Frog!" (insert the unspeakable name here) made a very insightful point. Essentially, it's that sure, you CAN do a show without props, but you'll probably lose a lot of work and not meet people's expectations. You're a magician, so use a few props and do some magic. I think people here are missing the point of the thread. It's not to pontificate how great you are and that you can do lots with little. It's to share your thoughts on a favorite prop. |
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danfreed Inner circle West Chester PA 1354 Posts |
I Agree with Starpower. I love my Zig-Zag Rocky Raccoon. I have an extra (different) version of it for sale in case anyone wants it. And in general, I think most of us have at least 1 or 2 things that help us do the magician in trouble thing - the prop "breaks" or whatever, because the kids love that kind of thing if you perform it well.
Dan Freed
AKA The Amazing Spaghetti https://www.magiciandanfreed.com/birthday-party-magician-for-kids http://thecaricatureartist.com http://danieljayfreed.com |
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wizardpa Inner circle The New Orleans area 1011 Posts |
I have been having a tremendous amount of fun and great reactions to Tommy's Cyclops trick. In the beginning I was a little leery about using it for the really young kids, but lately, I have been even using it for the 3 and 4 year old's and they love it. I call mine; "THE MONSTER'S EYEBALL." I must say it is one of my favorite tricks to perform. I make a reference to the type of monster Mike Wazowski is, of Monster's Inc. I think by doing that, the kids do not feel threatened.
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TommyJ Inner circle Foxboro, MA 1750 Posts |
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On 2013-07-13 22:21, wizardpa wrote: OOOO! I LIKE that idea! I may use that myself. Great thinking!
"Keep the Kids Laughing!"
https://www.tommyjamesmagic.com/store |
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TommyJ Inner circle Foxboro, MA 1750 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-07-13 10:25, Al Angello wrote: NOW you're talking Al lol
"Keep the Kids Laughing!"
https://www.tommyjamesmagic.com/store |
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wizardpa Inner circle The New Orleans area 1011 Posts |
A couple of days ago, there was a kid at the day care I was performing that had a Mike Wazowski T-shirt on. I had him come up and I asked the kids in the audience if they knew who the monster was on this kids T-shirt.
Of course most shouted out Mike's name. I then said that my Grand-daughters bought me a Monster's Eyeball like Mike's for my Birthday. I then pulled out the red bag the trick comes with. As I pull out the box that's in the bag I said I have been too scared to even open the box because It has a DO NOT OPEN label on the right side of the box, and a Warning Label on the front of the box, and a MONSTERS EYEBALL Label on the left side of the box. From there I go into the routine. I have stanchions set up 5 feet in front of my table so that I can do all the crazy running around and stuff. I do not know who has more fun when I do this trick, me or the kids. |
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magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
Tyler's Silken Saga
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Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
Dynomike nailed it!
as for tricks my CHAIR routine. partly because it contains just about everything dynomike mentioned! good job buddy!!
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
http://www.samsandler.com http://www.deafinitelymagic.com |
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-07-13 11:49, Starrpower wrote: Hello, Starrpower. A couple of points of clarity should be in order... Of the things I mentioned, as you quoted, I said I CAN, I didn't say I do. Regarding the paper bag, I do get a solid few minutes with just the bag, because it first comes directly on the heels of one trick, and is followed by the production of a GIANT watch coming from the bag, moments later. The in-between is highly interactive with the audience, not just me showing them every gag I know with a bag. As far as the warm-ups, same thing... I don't need 20 minutes to warm up an audience, but I have been doing this long enough to know that I have enough of that kind of material in my repertoire, that I could easily do an entire show length without a single prop, if the bits were all laid end to end. But, common sense keeps me from doing that. If there was any misunderstanding regarding my thoughts on props, rest assured that I am more in favor of them than many other magicians are. I've had this discussion here often enough for many of those who know me to know my position on this. I am extremely old school when it comes to shows... not as if the material is out-dated (I certainly am vigilant on that aspect), but in regard to ideas like "Pack Small, Play Big". In short, I feel that if concepts are developed to simplify life for the magician, there is too great a risk that it will eventually come at the expense of the audience. I grew up in an era when magic shows, even those for adults, had substance in regard to visual stimulation. I believe any audience appreciates a "production", not in the magicians' sense of making thing appear from nowhere, but speaking as a showman. I do agree that it is possible to entertain an audience with a spartan set-up, but the use of larger, and more prominent apparatus adds an undeniable dimension to a show. The bonus comes when the magician knows how to do both. I do. It is certainly a valuable skill to have should you ever find yourself in a pinch with broken props, or any number of other things that can go wrong. Should the crutches ever get knocked out, I don't feel like falling on my face. And this brings me to the point of why I thought Dynamike's post was so on-target. To me, there is no such thing (in my own show), as a "MUST HAVE" trick or prop. There are many that I get a lot of mileage from, not in regard to time length, but in terms of solid entertainment value. Among those, I have some favorites. But, what Mike did is point out what is the underlying glue that holds all that "stuff" together. Without the things on his list, the props are useless and likely more interesting sitting in a magic shop window than in the hands of a magician who cannot entertain with them. There are enough of them out there. Some get better as time carries on, as we all hope to do. But alas, some don't. This is a valuable point. Mike started the thread going in an important direction, I (and others), applauded him for that. Such discussion does not miss the point of the thread, it elevates it. To not do things like this, simply says that we are content with just making lists... "What are your top 10 favorite magic tricks?" "What is your favorite magic store, Ellusionist, or Penguin?" "What is your favorite color?" "Who do you think is the creepiest kid in Mrs. Barkley's English class?" In my opinion, I think such endeavors without lateral discussion or debate are closer to being narcissistic than any dogmatic pontification on one's own skills given in the form of examples to a valid point.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
I agree with just about everything you said. In fact, I always carry "emergency" items in my case .... a few paper bags, napkins, rope, and a scissors.
My comment (although not directed at you personally, even though it was initiated by your quote) was more along the lines of how is often seems like people are bragging about their superior skills or insight instead of replying to what is sometimes just a fun and innocent thread. Perhaps "must have" was misinterpreted by me. I read it more long the lines of "what props do you really really like and prefer to use in a show". I'll add to my list -- which so far was ONE item -- Fraidy cat Rabbit. I made my own with a dragon instead of a rabbit and I absolutely love it. Which leads to a sidebar thought: are way too many props made with bunny rabbits? I think I would be more inclined to purchase a prop it is WASN'T rabbit related. There are so many: Hippity Hop RABBITS, Fraidy cat RABBIT, RABBIT silk, sponge RABBITS. I know rabbits are associated with magic, but must every trick be a rabbit? |
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-07-12 20:30, Michael Baker wrote: I agree with you Michael. I like to see remarks like yours when mentioned. It shows you are thinking above the average entertainer. For example, Eric uses a diaper to entertain the kids in his shows with one of his effects. A lot of non creative magicians will think that type of entertainment is impossible. The real answer is those who see it as impossible have not been to the top of the pedestal yet. It takes "creativity". Some magicians will just copy the acts of others forever. A professional will think of something different using his own mind and skills. I applaud you Michael. Of course it is good to use magic props, but the "entertainment" is what counts. I great show can even be put on using impromptu items. |
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-07-15 12:24, Starrpower wrote: Perhaps not misinterpreted, but perhaps converted into real meaning. Not knowing enough about the OP, I cannot make generalized statements about them. But, some posters have been know to speak in superlatives, when referring to something far less critical in nature. I've seen that millions of times! I'll consider what I perform frequently and name one or two of my favorites when I think of them.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
I don't know how good my paper bag, scotch tape, and scissor routine is, but I always carry about 90 minutes of routines for a 45 minute show just in case the audience is too young, too old, or there are more adults that I was prepared to entertain. I would hate to have to try to get away doing kiddie tricks for a room full of 12 year old kids.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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danfreed Inner circle West Chester PA 1354 Posts |
I do the same thing as Al, more or less. The audience is frequently different, sometimes completely different than what I was told. I don't like having all that stuff to schlepp around, but I don't like to be stuck as Al described. Sometimes I just keep extra stuff in the car, then when I see the crowd I know if I have to switch things up. Some people are very proud of the idea that they can entertain everyone with the same props, no matter what age range, but I'm not one of those guys.
Dan Freed
AKA The Amazing Spaghetti https://www.magiciandanfreed.com/birthday-party-magician-for-kids http://thecaricatureartist.com http://danieljayfreed.com |
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A Show By Joe Elite user Long Island 405 Posts |
I totally agree with Al as well. I always carry "extra" things, just in case of wrong info on ages of the audience. I also do some effects differently for different ages (card in can for older kids, dollar in orange for younger, as well as cut and restored rope/ fiber optics. sometimes I will throw in something extra after the show for the older kids/adults.
I feel, younger kids love a lot of props, so I use them. After a certain age (8+), I keep them to a minimum if any at all. For them, sight gags and jokes. |
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alkazam New user 50 Posts |
Starrpower was correct about how I intended this thread to be your favourite trick to perform for kid shows.
But I enjoy the added thoughts that turned this simple 'fun' thread idea into something "educational" (first word I thought of). Dynamike has awesome tricks and many others have replied in a similar fashion. It's amazing how three simple words (must have tricks) can be interpenetrated in so many different ways. Thank you everyone for all your input. I will add to my list by saying when I said spongeballs, the sponge ball to black ball to square is my favourite to perform. (The kids expressions are priceless.) |
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