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alextheamazing New user 15 Posts |
Ok. After my last disastrous children's show... I'm looking for some advice on routines to do. I think my problem thus far has been figuring out how to string tricks together into some sort of act, instead of just doing isolated tricks.
The closest I've come is a multiplying ball routine that goes into some standard sponge ball manipulation and ends with color changing sponge balls via Jay Scott Berry's cloaking device. Even so... all of that doesn't last very long. I also tried some variations of changing silks, but it ended up being cumbersome. I made a streamer appeared, changed it into a red and yellow silk in a gung ho box and then changed it again in a change bag to a gaffed color changing silk trick. Did the color changing silk a couple of times, then I shove some silks back in the bag and make the kid try to pick the right color silk out of the change bag, but every time he reaches in, it's different. Anyway. I'm am amateur. This represent my best thinking at the moment, so, clearly, I'm in search for someone else's good thinking. Perhaps something more resembling genuine "good" thinking, rather than my meanderings. |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
I would like to feed you some advice, but I will have to know where you stand now. What DVDs and books do you have referring to kid's shows?
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dearwiseone Inner circle Portland, OR 1143 Posts |
Alex,
Did you get Silly Billy's book, like many of us recommended in your last post? What material have you gotten that was already suggested by others in your last post? Did you like any of it? Was any of it helpful? You got TONS of great advice in your last post. Silly Billy's book has several of routines you can do. Danny Orlean's DVD set has tons of advice and routines you can do. Both of those were recommended to you in your last post. Arthur Stead recommended a dvd and book that could help. Re-read the responses to your last post and you'll find some gold nuggets! People could sit here and list routines for you to do...but there's already lots of "good thinking" for a beginner like you in the post you made before! Don't focus on stringing the tricks together into an act, listen to the advice already given to you in your last post. People didn't talk about a need to create a true act, as opposed to just performing tricks. That's down the line, not for beginners. Especially for kid's shows, creating an act is low on the list of priorities. Learn to do "isolated tricks" first. Learn to entertain first. Learn a basic routine, like the coloring book, and make it yours. Polish a routine that makes it unique. Record the routine, put it on youtube, share it with others and ask for advice to make it better. Learn the basic principles of entertaining kids. You'll find that "creating an act" is NOT one of the most important principles of entertaining kids. You will learn that (and more) if you pick up some of the materials already recommended to you. You got tons of great advice in your last post, my advice is to take some of it and go to work! Best Wishes, Kevin |
NocturnalMagic New user 96 Posts |
I also owuld look back @ your last thread, tons of solid advice there. If I was going to suggest anything, I would suggest Mismade Flag, you can 3 helpers for each color silk and makes imo is the perfect change bag routine. I also would say look into a square circle. They have both worked very well for me, and helped when I did my first couple of shows.
Good Luck Mike |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Alex
Just how does "I do juggle" relate to your performing?
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
If your show was a disaster, I doubt if your problem is that you're doing a list of tricks. I would guess that most magicians in this arena just do a list of tricks.
What's your real issue? An act takes a long time to develop, btw. Finding things that tie tricks together, looking for the perfect thing to add to the middle takes knowing what you're doing in the first place. Why do you really think your show was a disaster?
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
danfreed Inner circle West Chester PA 1354 Posts |
Yes, good advice so far. Also, I suggest some DVD's of good magicians performing so you can see what works and why - you can find them used here on the Café sometimes. Also, look at some videos of good and bad performers on Youtube and figure out why what they do works or doesn't work. Make sure there is comedy in your act. It's going to take a while for you to really "get it", so be patient. Work on Comedy skills - timing, etc. Take improv comedy classes. Volunteering instead of doing paid gigs might take the pressure off for now.
Dan Freed
AKA The Amazing Spaghetti https://www.magiciandanfreed.com/birthday-party-magician-for-kids http://thecaricatureartist.com http://danieljayfreed.com |
alextheamazing New user 15 Posts |
Gentlemen, thank you all for taking the time to respond. I do intend to get some of the books and videos suggested, so thank you for that.
In answer to why do I think my show was a disaster: Mostly because the kids busted me on many of my tricks and I felt like I lost control of the room. In answer to the juggle questions: I don't understand it. I do a juggling routine where I work my way up from one to four balls. Sometimes to music. Sometimes not. That actually went relatively well during the show. Thanks again everyone. |
themagicguy Loyal user Australia 280 Posts |
Quote:
Sounds like this is a good starting point to build your act on. As for the rest of your show try and make it more "fun" than the kids wont be yelling out the whole time. As other have suggested if you are serious get Seriously Silly asap and look at doing some free shows. |
jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Like frank said...
It's not the songs you sing but the way you sing them. Even if you do the same exact set-list as myself, your show won't be the same as mine ( but no ones would be anyway ) The way to learn is to buy and perform as much kids magic as you can possibly afford and overtime you will find your groove. It's not uncommon for someone to buy two hundred tricks, over time, and whittle it down to the best 199 they like.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Alex
I suggest that you develop at least one solid 5 minute juggling routine that has two LPM's and all you will need after that is 40 more minutes of solid funny magic.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
cliffd New user Colorado 21 Posts |
Alex, I'm just getting started myself, and the two best resources I've gotten for handling kids have been the book Seriously Silly and the 3 DVD set by Danny Orleans about performing magic for children. The Orleans DVDs are great. First you get to see his whole show performed for a live audience of kids. Then he goes through it with commentary explaining everything. Then he teaches you all his tricks. Then, probably my favorite part is when he goes through about 40 or so tips for keeping control of a crowd, while showing how he did it in his actual show. I think that set is one of my best purchases so far.
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Harv Inner circle I'm building a fence with 1127 Posts |
Juggling is a good start....Al has had success with it for years. The only 2 DVD's you need to start you in the right direction are Tommy James's Birthday Party Mania and Birthday Party Mania 2. These DVD's are a masterclass in entertaining kids and you'll get enough routines for two shows. Tommy also makes and sells some fantastic props/routines for children.
https://www.tommyjamesmagic.com/store/in......catId=11 |
garydunn Veteran user Glasgow 303 Posts |
If your routines are too short, and you're looking for great bits of 'business, I can HIGHLY recommend Jozo Bozo's DVD - MILKING. Simple routines, great magic and a TON of silly bits that will make kids SCREAM!!
http://www.tricksupply.com/product-p/dvd00524.htm |
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