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keep_it
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Posted: 11-29-2006 01:18 |
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My mum to my utter suprise has signed me up to perform at a local primary school for kids, which i'm now obliged to do it. Although i have been doing magic for a number of years, i am relatively inexperienced at performing for larger crowds, especially kids. I'm looking for tips. What to look out for? One liners, how kids behave, etc. Anything that may help
note: theres no time to get anything new from the magic store as the nearest magic store is on the internet, shipping takes too long.
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erlandish
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Posted: 11-29-2006 01:39 |
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Some questions...
Is this a stage event? How long does it have to be? How many kids are there?
If you can make a list of the tricks you're currently able to do, we might be able to help you figure out your act...
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keep_it
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Posted: 11-29-2006 02:24 |
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It would be i assume in a class room, so not a stage. I could stand in the front, or get people to sit in a circle. Around 30 kids aged around 6-8 mostly 8 years old. Theres not time allocation given. I would say 15-30mins (or more) would be sensible.
I'm still tossing ideas but this is what i have.
I do a quick move with flash paper to produce making a wand appear. This wand does a quick levitating ring up the wand, then goes into a dancing wand. A thumb tip silk appearance and vanish. (might try to use a pull to vanish the wand or a pull for lighting coin vanish. Mabey even the S.T.S??).
At some point there will be a torn a restored newspaper (gene anderson style) and then a Roxie Racoon (spring animal) production from that news paper. I entertain the kids for a while with the raccoon then the raccoon does a card trick (rising card, cause the raccoon is pyshic or something)
Last part:
Macdonald aces routine (with the 4 aces production and using the Dream of aces starting), and the finale will be a killer 3 part prediction (involves audience a lot), using a Max Maven cross Osterlind method.
I think the routine as sketchy as it is at the moment is ok. But what i really want to know is how kids behave, like how to control the crowd. etc
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Pyro12
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Posted: 11-29-2006 02:50 |
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| If you have the supplies and knowledge, I would suggest doing some sponge balls and coin work. This really works well with kids.
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Aramis
Illusionist
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Posted: 11-29-2006 03:40 |
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First things first, if you are not excited about doing the show then you need to call it off. The worse thing for you is to perform a show you don't want to perform.
If you just chose the wrong words and you do want to do this show, then the best advice I can give you is to think silly, think fun and games. To kids, the effect isn't anywhere near as important as the way you accomplish it and if they have fun doing the trick with you, I garantee they'll enjoy the effect.
Things to look out for : DO NOT USE FLASHPAPER IN A SCHOOL WITHOUT PERMISSION. you will need to verify with the school principal if he is confortable with you handling pyrotechnics of any kind close to his kids. This is very important and do not overlook this.
NEVER be mean to a kid. No matter what he says, no matter what he does, he is just a kid and as Bill Cosby said "Kids'll do the dardndest things". Just run with it. If the kid is really out of control the teacher or educator will take care of it for you.
You should avoid mentalism for children. The 8 year olds will probably not understand how you did it but will have been bored by the procedures and wont pay attention anymore, whereas the 6 year olds will just start stirring restlesly waiting for the next "trick".
The Psychic Racoon however is a great idea. It is an entertain way to present a mentalist type of effect. Try and find more things like that. Also to incorporate items kids are familiar with in your routines..
A dancing cane will impress them, but It wont entertain them. Not for long at least. I also don't think it is an ideal choice because of the lighting conditions in schools although I have never tried.
I see you saying all this stuff McDonald's aces with the dream of aces as a kicker ending, three part prediction effect. None of that will mean anything to these kids. They don't care that's its difficult, they don't care if it's baffling and they have no idea how you did it, the only thing they care about is "Was it fun?". If it was fun then they will hire you again.
Ok, now how to control your audience. Well It's not about controlling them: magic is an interactive experience and to fully appreciate magic the audience has to feel that they were a part of it, even more so with children. But to adress your question more directly, I think the best way to ensure that everyone behave is to have an interesting show. You will also want to make sure everyone can see and everyone can hear. Try and occupy as much room as possible, move around, look at the crowd. Try and look at them in the eyes as much as possible and try to shift your gaze from one kid to the next to make sure everyone feels like you're speaking to them personally. If you do have a problem, then you must handle it like a gentleman. The way you handle the problem will possibly determine wether these people will hire you again or not.
I strongly recommend you pick up a copy of David Kaye's "Seriously Silly" book which is an excellent book on kid's magic. I think is a goldmine of information for any kids performer. I would also recommend Ken Weber's Maximum entertainment. It is not specifically for kids shows, but there is a great amount of information in there which will help you build a strong show for any type of audience. I hope I have been helpful in one way or another, good luck and remember to have fun.
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erlandish
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Posted: 11-29-2006 03:50 |
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Just to repeat what Aramis has already said, I don't know that the McDonald's Aces and Mentalism will appeal to this age group. You're most likely dealing with kids who aren't jaded by magic yet, so subtler mysteries probably won't have the same impact with them that they might have on adults.
Everything in your plan up until that point, though, looks good. The effects themselves seem well-suited for the environment and age group.
If you want to go cards, the effect with the Rocky Raccoon is a good idea. If you need more card effects, try something with colour-changing backs. Otherwise, if you can do a sponge ball routine or a simple coin routine, that will help. If it's not too short-notice, you might find some rope magic could fit the bill as well.
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keep_it
Conjuror
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Posted: 11-29-2006 04:22 |
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| Aramis!! This is the help i was looking for. Thanks man!!! It was sort of the path i was heading for anyway. There were thing i did overlooked like the use of flash paper. As for the mentalism effect. I understand what u mean by keeping it Fun and they being bored with the precedure, but in this cause my routine is in such way that all information i need to get, to do the prediction has been gathered befor the mentalist effect begins, therefor it's a fast prediction. I will work on ways to make it fun and entertaining. And i agree with you totally, i too have noticed that kids dont always appreciated the impossiblity of a effect and something thats silly and easy and fun will work bettter. Also thanks to erlandish.
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