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magicgetsgirls Regular user 171 Posts |
I'm doing a birthday show for a group of 8 year olds at the end of October. I'm planning on doing some standard kiddy tricks, followed by producing a large bag of candy using a gimmicked box. The problem is, I want to keep the box a surprise for the end of the show by keeping it hidden, but I don't know where to hide it! If any of you have ANY ideas on what to do, I would love to hear it.
God Bless.
Someone who can use his hands is a laborer. Someone who can use his hands, and his mind is a craftsmen. Someone who can use his hands, his mind, and his heart is an artist.
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
Don't hide it. Make 'em curious. Suspense is part of good theater (oops ... if it's *good*, I'll spell it THEATRE)
BTW, don't do standard "kiddie" tricks. 8 year-olds are pretty astute. It can't hurt to impress 'em with some sleight-of-hand, too. And since when had magic ever gotten girls? All it ever attracted to me was more magic geeks who worship Eugene Burger. |
magicgetsgirls Regular user 171 Posts |
Starrpower....BRILLIANT! That's exactly what I needed. Oh and when I say "kiddie tricks" I am not referring to lame effects such as the highly overdone scarf out of thumbtip crap. I have realized that children are human too, and they deserve to be treated as such. I am actually planning a full 20/30 minute act that is, without making myself sound conceited, a very intellectual and theatrical performance that flows from one idea to the next. P.M. me if you'd like to know more, I'd love to get a second opinion.
As for magic getting girls, you do have a point! Come to think of it, I have had a lot more magic geeks give me their numbers as opposed to cute girls. Oh well, if there are any cute girls reading this right now who are attracted to magic, give me a call....or call one of the 10000 magicians who are apart of this forum! Thanks for your help Starrpower, you rule.
Someone who can use his hands is a laborer. Someone who can use his hands, and his mind is a craftsmen. Someone who can use his hands, his mind, and his heart is an artist.
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Andy Wonder Special user Auckland, New Zealand 747 Posts |
Disguise the box so it looks like its purpose it something entirely different from producing candy. Use it to store your extension lead, balloons, shoes whatever.
Okay maybe not your smelly shoes, but you get the idea.
Andy Wonder, Auckland, New Zealand
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Al Kazam the Magic Man Inner circle Living in Perth Western Australia 1042 Posts |
Magicgetsgirls wrote:
Starrpower....BRILLIANT! That's exactly what I needed. Oh and when I say "kiddie tricks" I am not referring to lame effects such as the highly overdone scarf out of thumbtip crap. Maybe in your part of the world it's ****, but where I live this effect done well just blows kids away. Ok, back to your original question. Maybe by wrapping up the box in some kind of gift paper first and presenting it as a special b/day gift effect might do the trick. JoJo
Magic guy in Perth Australia
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Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
If you just leave it to one side, and don't make any references to it before your ready to use it if your show is entertaining they won't even think about it.
If you don't want them evento see it, just put it behind your table, or cover it with a bright cloth, and use it as a small table to put stuff on.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
Decomposed Eternal Order High Desert 12059 Posts |
I agree with JOJO, the TT is still alive and well here in me parts.
I like Clive's idea of hiding it. I too had this problem with my surprises. I now keep them behind my backdrop. Starrpower: I'm with you on the more adult type stuff for older ones. I got a call today for a party for, get this: "10 yr olds and adults." They are having a clown for 3 yr olds at the same time (I convinced them not side by side). I plan to add a few more metal bending and Osterlinds BCS card system for this one. Parents like me earlier have the same concept of a magic show. They see the illusionist greats on TV and imagine a full blown special effects venue in their living room. It would be fine by me but I learned it the hard way kids are very different and their idea of a good time is much different then an adults. "Fun fun fun til my daddy takes my T-bird away" Rambling in the early dawn here.
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Rupert Bair Inner circle ? 2179 Posts |
I agree with the TT learn how to use it correctley and you will amaze people no matter what age. I use TT proffesionally as laurel and hardy or as a straight magician, it doesn't matter the possibilties are endless. I always used to open up my balloon routine with a red ribbion to balloon ala TT. I only just remebered about that, going back a few years. Guess ill have to put it back in the routine!
As to the box if you realy want to hide it just get a bright head scarf and cover it with that. Matt |
Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
I have had great success with the 8-10 group by starting on my hands and knees in the middle of the floor with them sitting around me. I do a sponge ball routine, and a "coins across".
Of course, you can do your favorite tricks, but the point is rather than try to engage them as an "adult standing up talking to kids sitting down", I get down in the trenches with them and get some good interaction going. They get to know me, I generally get to know them and some of their names, the birthday kid gets to do some magic right away (I use him/her for the sponge balls), and it really is a great introduction. I started doing this about 18 months ago, about the time I got back into kids' magic and it's been highly successful for me. |
eddieloughran Special user 942 Posts |
It's a little off the subject, but is producing a large bag of candy a good idea?
Some children are alergic, some parents don't allow their children sweets, will it spoil their dinners, etc.? Eddie |
Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
For cryin' out loud, Eddie. IT'S A PARTY! I'm guessing they'll have cake and ice cream and all kinds of junk food. Of course, there's a chance it'll be tofu and yogurt, but then my guess is they'd have hired a guest speaker rather than a magician.
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stu-di-doo Regular user Cumbria, UK 160 Posts |
I don't give any sweets out for a number of reasons:
- Distraction from the show both to person with sweets and others around - Allergies - Choking (giving kids sweets while they are jumping up and down and getting excited) - Should be parents choice what to give their kids. Also I think others have stated before what happens when you produce this bag of sweets. Either you get swamped by all the children with their hands outstretched or you throw them into the audience and it's a free for all! Stu Di Doo |
Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
Right, girls really get turned on by magic. They dig ventriloquists and mimes, too. Unfortunately, all those girls look like Michael Moore.
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dearwiseone Inner circle Portland, OR 1143 Posts |
About the candy,
-ALLERGIES - let's be serious folks, how many people do you know who are allergic to candy? - DISTRACTION FROM THE SHOW? That's why you give them out at the END! - CHOKING? If a group of 8-year olds still haven't learned to chew yet, chances are, they're not being allowed to go to a birthday party in the first place! - I have never seen a birthday party that didn't have candy. When parents send their kids to a children's birthday party, they're expecting the kids to get cake, ice cream, and a bag of candy. If there are children who can't have candy, their parents will have pre-arranged that with the host. Go ahead with the candy. It's a great inexpesive give-away, and the shiny, colorful wrappers look great in any production item! Good luck! |
Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
I never give sweets to kids at parties, they get more than enough of a sugar injection as it is without me adding to it. I know what hapens to my kids when they overdose on sugar.
If you do decide to go that route don't give it before, or during the show. Save it to the end. My timetable and tips page says on it 'Don't give them access to food or sweets during the magic show or games'. Also ensure you check that there are no kids who can't have it, before you produce it. If you give all the kids candy you will need something for the Allergic/diabetic/simply not allowed sweets, kid. <<<ALLERGIES - let's be serious folks, how many people do you know who are allergic to candy?>> I do a show every year for a diabetic group, 80 kids at the party over half are diabetic, the rest are normal siblings, You don't see as much as a single chocolate in the room. If the diabetic one can't have it, it's not allowed in the house so none are allowed it. I see these kids at other parties during the year. Plus you have loads of kids nowadays with Nut allergies. If the sweets contain even a hint of a nut substance (this doesn't mean just eliminate nut flavour)in the cooking process it can be very dangerous. I also come across loads of kids who's mum's avoid giving them sweets, they are only allowed them rarly in small quantities as it sends them loopy. Normal fizzy pop is a no no in my house because Rebecca goes off like a rocket if she drinks it. I've seen kids who were nicly behaved and joining in the fun during the games, turn into the kid from hell after eating the sticky choccy party food.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
Scott O. Inner circle Midwest 1143 Posts |
There are also allergies to some of the dyes used to color the candy. One boy attending my son's recent birthday party couldn't have anything with red #2 or blue #1 (or something like that). That helped me understand better that there are special needs to consider.
Also, Stu Di Doo is right. Produce a bucket of candy and, with some groups, all bets are off. Control at a children's party can be a delicate thing. Once lost, it can be a struggle to regain. And that's when the show becomes more work than play. I'd rather play. Scott .
Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest, if you do not give up. Galatians 6:9
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