Well I'm officially out of ideas. Over the last few weeks I've been trying to come up with an 'awsome' (hehe) closer for my kids show. My act is cartoon based, I have a cartoon backdrop and a few cartoon props on stage. There’s a sign that says 'DANGER' and to the right of the sign is a TNT cartoon detonator, the ones where you push down the crossbar. I'm wanting to use the detonator to set off the closer. I was thinking a production of some kind but I don't have any livestock. The detonator could possibly be connected to some sort of TNT box. Does anyone have any ideas? I'm really having trouble so I thought I'd ask all the creative ones here at the Café.

Thanks for your time,

Mike

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!

I would use a production of a rabbit as a great logical ending for the show. Perhaps you just ordered this great rabbit producing device and you show the audience a really big box that has on it ACME Products. You lift it up and perhaps it is a balloon to bunny or a bunny box etc. (use your own prop here.)

Maybe the entire ending is you trying to get the prop to work but nothing happens. So you get fed up and decide that the reason it is not working is because it's stuck.

This is why you need to use the trusty ACME OPENER 2000. It actually is a balloon made to look like a stick of TNT. You place this into the box.

You hit the plunger and the balloon pops and all four sides fall down to reveal your rabbit.

It could be a clever and funny ending sequence if you play around with it a bit more to get all the kinks out and add in good comedy lines.

I just made this up off the top of my head, so it is not thought out as much as it should be, but you get the general idea and it might spark some other creative thoughts.

Kyle

I Love it! Fits my style and is a great closer. However I don't own a rabbit. Maybe I could produce a birthday cake instead, using a similar storyline? Or maybe I'll just convince my family to let me keep a rabbit, hehe. Thanks Kyle! Keep them coming everyone.

Thanks again,

Mike.

Mike you are most welcome. The idea would work well with a production of any larger sized object. Let me know if you play around with it and if it works well for you.

HI,
How about just buying a top quality robot dogs and producing that if you don't want a bunny.
Phillip

That's a good idea too, thanks Philip.

Also do you think that parents might not want a detonator in the show, as it's sort of a reference to bombs?

Thanks,

Mike

You could state that this last trick is your own invention and is a di no mite trick. Then produce a stuffed di no saur.

Mike,
If you're concerned about the detonator, why not make your closer production device a square circle, with the outside (square) like the box of a TV set and the inside (tube) like the cartoon characters on TV.
Show both empty, then produce -- well, whatever relates: silks with cartoon characters on them, a rabbit or dove, just about anything that will fit into the load chamber which you can make any size you want.

I always refer to Dynamite as 'Marmite' in my show (local joke.)

Are you using cartoon sound effects in your show??

You can actually buy a Warner Brother CD collection of cartoon sound effects. That would go great with a MiniTech or Showtech if you have one.

Maybe as a climax you could produce a roll down poster of a cartoon rabbit with a space to poke your face thru from behind so you were the cartoon rabbit. Try and tie it with a previous failed trick that has finally gone right but also with a possible groaner/pun joke thrown in. Look for some closing climax type music that makes it sound like an ending from one of those cartoon effects CD's.

Thanks for your contributions Peter and Andy, they are both fantastic. I can’t choose, hehe.

Andy, I was planning on using cartoon sounds but hadn't found a CD so thanks for telling about the Warner Bro's one. The show will be pretty technical as a cartoon show is very complicated to do right however it will pack quiet small and set-up easy.

I don't have a ShowTech as of yet but I'm looking to purchase one soon. I'm currently looking for a designer to help me develop some cartoon props, naturally I went straight to Chance from Wolfs Magic, I'm waiting on his reply. So the music and sounds effects will be sort of on the side.

Your poster idea cracked me up, where do you get all these ideas? I would attempt to produce a rabbit throughout the show and finally succeed at the end with the poster, very, very funny indeed. Do you think this is strong enough to finish the show on though? Seeing as the show is a little high-tech I thought the detonator might provide some pretty cool concepts. Don’t you agree?


Here's the order of effects, maybe it will help in some more closer concepts, tell me what you think:

:wavey:

OPENER - Executive production briefcase (Imitation Bowling Ball)

1 - Dancing Hank

GAG - Inexhaustible Sponge

2 - Colouring Book

GAG - Inexhaustible Sponge

3 - Cut and Restored Rope + Professors Cheers Ropes

4 - CARTOON EFFECT - Stretching Limbs

GAG - Inexhaustible Sponge

5 - Pop 'n' Corn
- Appearing 8ft Straw
- Coke from ears

6 - CARTOON EFFECT - Facelifter

7 - Gum Mouth Coils

GAG - Inexhaustible Sponge

8 - 20th Century Silk + Undies gag

GAG - Inexhaustible Sponge finale

CLOSER - 'Still deciding'

:wavey:

What do you think? I think all of the closers mentioned so far would fit don't you think? I know it seems like a lot of effects but remember the sponge is only a running gag and cartoons are very, very, very fast paced.

Thanks for your help,

Mike
'still deciding...'

I think using the detonator is still the best. I suggest you modify whatever "blows up" to throw a bunch of confetti up in the air.

Here's how it should work...

- Trigger the closing music, you're upset and embarrassed and you're going to make sure you make the rabbit/candy/whatever appear.
- The music builds as you assemble the final props (blowing up the balloon, putting it into the device, whatever)
- At the climax of the music, you've added the sound of an explosion. Push down the plunger at the right time, the balloon pops, confetti flies up in the air, and the item makes its appearance.

You'll want to pick a piece of music that has more time that you might need; this allows you to fumble with the props, and do bits of visual business with them. And then you get behind the detonator in plenty of time for the climax. Don't make the mistake of trying to time every last move down to the second...your staging conditions may vary and you may drop a prop and need to pick it up.

Hope this is helpful, it's off the top of my head. Let us know what you decide on!

Jeff

Jeff, that was exactly my thinking. I'm just not sure what would be the best thing to produce, and I'm not sure what the presentation would be. Why am I making a robot dog appear? Why am I making candy with a TNT detonator? Why am I embarrassed?

Thanks,

Mike.

Based on Andy's idea. Why not make a roll down wand and then say, "That's all folks." It is a perfect tie in.

I also love the square circle idea as a TV set. If you use sound effects or even intro songs from cartoons, that could play very well.

Mike:

I am a graphic designer and illustrator. I cannot build props, but I can certainly help you in regards to artwork, or designs, or promotional items for the show such as logos, postcards etc. Let me know if I might be able to help you out and I can send you a few samples. Just PM me.

The roll out wand is very strong. I use it after I give out wands to all the good kids. I tell them that we are now going to learn the proper way of using our wands by changing the birthday child into a real bunny.

Of course I make them all take the magic oath and promise that a magic wand is not a bopping on head toy and get them to see that wands in magic are really special. A few comedy wands of my own and then the roll out wand at the end. It works great.

Just my own personal note. I never like to use the 20th century shorts or bras on any kids or at any kids shows. I know we have talked about this many times before so I will not go into it and please do not allow this post to go in that direction. I just felt like stating my own humble opinion on it. I think there are funnier ways to do that effect is all.

Be careful if using confetti at a kids show or in a house. It makes a mess so unless you want to spend time cleaning it up, I would leave it out.

Hope this helps.

Kyle,

I like your ideas. I also love Peter's idea about the TV set square circle, except I don't know if it would be strong enough because I don't have a rabbit. Maybe the robot dog idea combined with the square circle and roll down wand? I'm not sure if just a roll down wand is strong enough to finish on, the same as I don't think producing candy would be either.

So I guess I should drop the detonator idea?

Thanks,

Mike

Perhaps either a

Rabbit Puppet

or

put Rabbit Ears on the

radio controlled dog.

The later seems more funny (at least at first draft.)

The Best of TV (Black and white) has old TV cartoon themes.

I use the Mega Mouth Toon Version Sound Generator in both my kids and family show.(Green version)

For teens I have a musical/more electronic Mega Mouth (purple item)

Harris

Harris that's a great idea too. Do you think the production box should be futuristic or just a cardboard style box with 'ACME Rabbit Producer' on the side?

What exactly is a Mega Mouth Sound Generator? Green and red versions?

Thanks,

Mike

I think the more cartoonish the production box is, the better. Take a look at a lot of cartoons and even look at the books of Dr. Suess. They can give you great ideas of how it could look. Bright colors would also be great.

Well I think I've finally decided. I've taken all the ideas and mixed them together. The closer for the cartoon act will be, drum roll please... ... thank you... a television production box!!!

That's right, haha. It's sort of like a mini shadow box really. It will produce a robot dog with rabbit ears attached.

Here’s the presentation:

Magician explains to the kids that he's just ordered a new rabbit producer. He lifts up a cartoon style TV. He then explains that he has never used it before so he needs to read the instructions. The magician follows the instructions reading them aloud. He pulls down a white screen, where the picture on a real TV would normally be, and turns the TV on. A shadow of a rabbit is seen. The magician hits another button and the screen flies up. No rabbit, hmm. He tries again, still no rabbit. He pulls down the screen once again but goes to sit down and think for a moment. Oh No! He's about to sit on the plunger detonator. He does!! BANG!!! The TV explodes and falls to bits on the table. WOW!!! There is the rabbit sitting amongst the ruins, except he's a robot with white ears. How strange.

So what do you think? Maybe I could try to produce the rabbit throughout the show, but fail, even using the pull down wand as compensation. The box could even be delivered during the show. It would be as though I can’t wait for the delivery so I'm trying to do it anyway (before the box arrives.) Parent in delivery costume… hmm. What do you think?

Thanks,

Mike.

I love it. It has suspense, special effects, and overdone drama. It should go over very well.

Mega Mouth Sound Generators are about the size of the lunch sized soda pop cans. They have buttons on them and when pushed have sounds.

The cartoon one has sounds such as

WAHHH WAHHH,

BOING BOING,

Falling Bomb and explosion,

Zipper,

and a couple more I can't remember.

The device telescopes open and also has a small mic. (I don't use the microphone part very often.)

The other version (purple colored) is more of an electronic music type of sounds.

As far as the TV Production a black and white one that looks like they used to look may give the act a bit of Nostalgia. (to offset the color used elsewhere)

Of course it is your program so you get the final vote.

I am off to do a program for a family court holiday party. Here comes the Judge. (Actually the Judge is probably there already.) That reminds me of the time I was sent into a courtroom for a Singing Telegram. (But I digress.)

Enjoy and Happy HOYC.

Harris Deutsch
Laughologist