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magickdabid--uk Loyal user 245 Posts |
Hi guys,
Can anyone point me in the right direction? I'm looking to put together a "Say no to Drugs" for schools and am not sure if there are props/effects that lend themselves to this type of act. Or can anyone recommend any books or DVDs on the subject? Thanks in advance. Dave |
Cheshire Cat Special user Wilmslow, UK 941 Posts |
What age group are you addressing the subject of drugs with, Dave?
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magickdabid--uk Loyal user 245 Posts |
Nothing set in stone as yet, but 9 to 14-ish, I think.
Dave |
p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
Dave,
When you say "say no to drugs show", does this mean alcohol and cigarettes too? If so do you do either? Phillip |
Cheshire Cat Special user Wilmslow, UK 941 Posts |
I personally feel, Dave, as a father of one adult and one teenage son, that kids maybe would pay more attention to the physical pain and suffering aspect of drugs more than the moral and social aspects. Do you not agree?
I know that you can't do a leg amputation routine or anything like that to illustrate what might happen, but I think you probably know what I mean. Young people are more frightened of pain than they are of social implications. Just wait till people like Harris and Dennis come online - bet you'll get some good advice. Tony. |
magickdabid--uk Loyal user 245 Posts |
Hi Phillip,
I'm not sure where your going with this, but at the moment Alcohol and Cigarettes are legal. I'm referring to the illegal ones, but just to let you know, when I was in my youth, I did my fair share of Alcohol abuse and for the most part enjoyed it. As I'm fast approaching 40, I find that I drink only at certain times of the year (Xmas, my birthday, etc.), and then it depends on work (full time in this industry),because of the vast amounts of driving I have to do. I have never smoked and find it most unpleasant. To be honest I'm looking to make a market for myself, not a political statement. Hope that helps. Dave |
BlackShadow Special user London UK 666 Posts |
I don't think there's much of a market in the "just say no" type of message in the UK. It's been proven that the kids are too clever for it. You have to give them the facts and let them decide.
However, putting my thinking cap on, if you really did want to do some magic propaganda style message, how about adapting an ambitious card routine---e.g., "The naughty nave of hearts got into to the wrong company and started doing stuff and he keeps falling to the bottom of the pack. The good jack of spades stayed on the path of truth and he keeps rising to the top." You may need jumbo cards for a large audience and thus probably fakes or R/S principle. I've had another thought here. Why not adapt some effects from the Gospel Magic Brigade? Many of them quite generic in nature. For example: "This is what the world looks like without Jesus. Blurred/fuzzy mixed up picture goes into the frame. Then Jesus comes into your life and everything becomes clear. Operate the widget and picture is magically transformed to a clear one." Mixed up picture is the world on drugs, the Jesus bit is saying no, and the pic at the end is what happens if you are a good boy. I don't think I would be very convinced by this kind of stuff, but there you go. As you say, it's a possible market niche and if you give the client what they're after that's the important thing. |
Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Hi Dave,
I'm not sure if it's the same in the UK as it is in Canada but here goes. All the school districts have a book which contains various acts which a school can hire for an event. The book contains a photograph of the performer, and on the back contains all the information about their show and pricing. In my school district the pricing is approximately $500-$700 per show. You need to be approved FIRST by the district before you are added to the book. Each school then gets a copy of the book in which they use to book acts for the season. In my area schools cannot book any entertainer unless they have been first approved by the district. I think the answer to your question may be to contact the school district yourself and ask what steps you have to have to take in order to be approved or hired by them. You may find they have several entertainers that do this sort of thing already, but may find a niche of a show that no one else does. Schools don't necessarily always hire educationally enhanced programs but it does help. Cultural shows are big here at the moment. The drug, bullying and others usually have the backing of a larger group in order to provide the children with their material or for their parents afterwards. What I mean is they have the support of another organization other than themselves to put the show on in the first place. That doesn't mean you can't do it yourself, but schools that do the hiring want to make absolutely sure you are giving the right info and have some background in the subject matter. The more information you have (regarding calling them and asking them directly) the greater the chance they will want to hire you for the district. In my area they only do this once a year regarding being able to be in the book but again this is my area and may be completely different in yours. I may be wrong but you might want to check it out before purchasing all your items only to find there is no market for it. I hope I don't sound discouraging to you as that's not my intention. If you know exactly what the schools are looking for you can be prepared to give them exactly what they want. Perhaps some of our experienced school performers can further comment. I wish you the best of luck! |
p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
I'm not sure where your going with this, but at the moment Alcohol & Cigarettes are legal, I'm refering to the illegal one's, but just to let you know, when I was in my youth I did my fair share of Alcohol abuse & for the most part enjoyed it, as I'm fast approaching 40 I find that I drink only at certain times of the year (Xmas, my birthday etc....)and then it depends on work(full time in this industry)because of the vast amounts of driving I have to do.
I have never smoked & find it most unpleasant, To be honest I'm looking to make a market for myself not a political statement. Hi, Only reason I asked is because personally I would never consider doing an anti-drug program because I drink alcohol. Although it is legal I think I would not feel right telling kids not to take one drug while actively partaking in another. I do not know if this is common amongst most US performers, but I noticed that Duane Laflin's anti drug show includes anti-alcohol messages too. I am assuming that this means he does not drink. An intelligent 12 - 16 year old who does dope, speed or Ecstasy is likely to heckle you with such an argument particularly those up with current events. Now you can argue that one is legal and one is not, but personally I think by that point the impact of the show has gone. Phillip |
BlackShadow Special user London UK 666 Posts |
I think PB Jones is spot on with regard to age ranges. 9-14 year olds are pretty much clued up on this stuff and would give trouble. I think the 6-9 range would be a better opportunity for this sort of work if it were available, but that is going to be dictated by the client. If you're getting into the teen ranges with this kind of idea, you're a braver man than me.
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Actually cigarrettes and alcohol are both illegal for most school age students.
We do have a few 19 year olds at the high school I work at. Though it is legal for them to buy cigarettes they can still get green slips(detentions) for smoking on campus. This topic has been brought up before on this forum. You might check the search. Speaking of searches you might try NIDA, and SAMSHA for information on effects of alcohol and drugs on young people. For more specific ideas email me at my school address at harris.deutsch@leesummit.k12.mo.us School Staff seem to look for two things accurate information, ability to grab and keep the specific age of the audience, small break out sessions as well as assembly programs, and consistency throughout the program. We had a musical group come and do an assembly program. One member stated the following between the "message portion" and the music. (not exact quote)..Well, we are done with that boring part now on to the fun part. The presenters were tenatively scheduled to come back for a second time. They were not asked back. On another note. (I think it is G7) I love doing magic with a message. Following one of my programs last year, I was asked about sharing at a Martin Luther King Jr. Event. Next Monday will be the first time I am sharing on that day. Be safe and creative. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
Actually cigarrettes and alcohol are both illegal for most school age students.
We do have a few 19 year olds at the high school I work at. Though it is legal for them to buy cigarettes they can still get green slips(detentions) for smoking on campus. Hi, Yeah it's illegal for under 18 to drink here too (theoreticaly anyway) but most people I know started regularly at around 16 and in these modern times 14 or so is often the norm. Anyway that was not really my point my point was that I do not think as a performer you have the right/authority/principles to perform an anti drug program if you your self take drugs including alchohol or cigarettes even though they are legal (for you to take), Particularly here in the Uk where the tollerence of drug taking is expanding / being discussed/ a hot topic. many here would argue that Alcohol is much more dangerous than canabiss for example. many kids understand these arguments and some are quite compelling and it might be difficult to justify why your drug of choice is good and thiers bad. One interesting point from a song by Mike skinner of the popular Uk band the Streets in a song called "the Irony of it all" a song that comparpares a drinkers habits to that of a student canabiss taker says about how "the amount of money spent per year on further education in the UK pales into insignificance compared to the money spent policing and treating leary drunks". I am not trying to defend drugs or take a side in the argument for or against their use but rather just point out that I think if you are going to do an anti drugs program you should be squeaky clean yourself! Phillip |
KV Magic New user Missouri 58 Posts |
[quote]On 2005-01-10 08:51, magickdabid--uk wrote:
Hi guy's can anyone point me in the right direction, I'm looking to put together a "Say no to Drugs" for schools & am not sure if there are props / effects that lend themselves to this type of act, or can anyone recommend any books or dvd's on the subject? Dave, in answer to your question about props/effects, I spent 7 years as a drug education officer and developed/adapted several items for use in drug education. You may PM me for more details. Keith |
magickdabid--uk Loyal user 245 Posts |
Thanks for all your comments Guys, Philip, sorry if I sounded on the defensive, got a beating on the gospel slot for joining in..........
Dave |
circuskevin New user Birmingham, UK 62 Posts |
Hi Dave,
You state 'I'm looking to make a market for myself'. Why not choose an interest of yours to follow up in schools? Your profile says your interests are close up and mentalism. You recently joined a thread on Uri Geller. Why not have a Uri Geller day at a school? This I am sure will open up many posibilities. British schools have activity weeks in which they want anything which will interest and motivate the kids. You are more likely to make a success of a subject in which you are involved anyway. I have made a success of teaching circus skills in special schools as it combined my interests and aptitudes. Circus Kevin |
magickdabid--uk Loyal user 245 Posts |
Circus Kevin,
thanks mate, think you may be onto something there. Dave |
Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Hi Dave,
Whazzat? You got thrashed apon in another forum...why I outta...(okay I'm joking.) You'll find we're a friendly bunch here in Lil Darlings, and even then, many of us get into heated debates yet still, all remain friends despite having different opinions. That's the nice thing about the Café, the majority of people do offer to help and make suggestions. Sometimes, some may say things we don't want to hear but with the net it's hard to get intonations as to how things are meant. They may give us things to think about and are really trying to be helpful. The majority of the time it is done with the best intentions at heart. So stick with this forum Dave, as there's a great group that post here and as you've seen, you'll find something that will work for you as some have suggested. Again, Good Luck! |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Ditto on the sharing and being able to agree to disagree here.
Thanks to all the share in this spot on the Café. Be safe, well and creative. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
BlackShadow Special user London UK 666 Posts |
If you got a hard time in another forum, Majickdabid, I'd report it. I think they're keen that everyone enjoys their time here.
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