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Danny Orleans V.I.P. Chicago 119 Posts |
I have been performing magic for children and their families for over 40 years. I estimate well over 4000 shows -- Birthday parties, schools in 30 states, museums, libraries, community centers, religious institutions, department stores, scouting organizations,upscale country clubs and theaters that seated up to 2000 children -- nearly every imaginable situation. You can learn a lot about my current work for children on this page of my website: http://www.corporatemagicltd.com/family/ -- Got a question about performing magic for children? Ask it here and let's see if I can help.
Click here to view attached image. |
frankieacemagic Elite user 498 Posts |
Hi Danny! So great to have you as a guest of honor this week! I have your DVDs and several of your products. I use the breakaway crayon and the breakaway fan in almost every show. I also use your magic alchemy at my restaurants. Always gets astounding reactions!
My question has to do with age diversity. I perform a lot of family shows, with ages ranging from 3 to 93. I find that the adults are always pleased with whatever type of magic I do, whether it's geared towards 5-year-olds or 9 or 10 year olds. But from time to time, I still struggle with entertaining four-year-olds and nine-year-olds together. I strive to find magic effects that transcend age, but it's hard to do. Effects like the misers dream and the sponge balls and the linking rings play to every age. But obviously other effects are geared towards certain ages. Do you have any advice for the family performer? I know this is a children's magic thread, but I really am talking about children of all ages. Again, the adults are always enthralled. How do I appease the four-year-olds and 11-year-olds in the same show? Thank you, Danny! --Frank |
Danny Orleans V.I.P. Chicago 119 Posts |
I think you've nailed the biggest challenge for the family performer. How do we entertain children who fit into two different Piagetian classifications? (Jean Piaget was a Swiss Psychologist who did cognitive developmental research on children in the mid 1900s. His work became widely popular in the 1960s and '70s -- when I was teaching school -- among educators who started changing curriculum and teaching techniques based on his writings.)
By classifications, I'm referring to two groups of children. The younger group still believes in Santa, the Tooth Fairy and Magic. The older children have learned otherwise. Therefore, when we perform to mixed ages, the two groups perceive our art quite differently. The solution I think, is to choose routines with methodology that is complex, multi-layered, and deceptive. But couch it in a plot that is easy to understand. One of the first tricks that pops into my head that fits this category, altho perhaps not practical for a large audience, has been popularized by Bill Malone. I'm referring to "Sam the Bellhop." It has a storyline that could be modified so that young children would enjoy it, but older children would appreciate the "coincidence" that exactly the correct cards are "appearing" illustrating the story. Eugene Burger performed a version of this with Jumbo Cards years ago, using a simple, yet deceptive shuffle. The routine was called "DIAMOND JACK." I also have created a routine with a SPOT CARD which all of you can do, that appeals to all ages because as I give the false explanation, I'm able to ask questions of the different age groups. The older children turn out to answer incorrectly and the younger children answer the same question correctly... which everyone finds amusing and, more importantly, solves the challenge that you've stated above. This script and the performance is on my new TEEN DVD set. If there's enough interest, I'll publish it here for you. |
frankieacemagic Elite user 498 Posts |
Thank you Danny! I wrote my post while waiting to perform for a (VERY) age diverse audience. And sure enough, I found myself feeling (sensing, intuiting) the boredom of the 12 year olds during Tommy James's Comeback Bee (though they cracked up the first time) and the 5 year olds wandering attention span during a (short) Fiber Oprics routine. Had a Memorial Day block party today, and the same thing. Let me just say, I've NEVER had a complaint about this. But I watch my audience's reactions/engagement closely, as I'm sure all performers do. And most magicians I talk to say they mix up the tricks like I do. But I'm searching for this holy grail--the type of show where every trick engages every age group. Your approach seems exactly right. Crafting each effect with the complexity/simplicity paradox will take some time, though. I'm more than willing!!
I'll definitely be purchasing your Performing for Teens DVD. In the meantime, I'd love to see your handling of Spot! Thanks again, Danny! |
smullins Special user United States 678 Posts |
I'm having trouble finding a closer for my "family" audiences and kids. Teens and above are fine because my normal adult show is clean enough for them and strong enough.
However, the family/kids show I run into the issue of: -I don't have live animals -I don't have illusions -I stay away from "cheesy" I'm trying however to end with a little suspense and getting the people involved sitting in the audience (clapping or whatever). Do you have any ideas for a low budget closer in this venue that fits that description? I appreciate any help, you rock! |
Danny Orleans V.I.P. Chicago 119 Posts |
Hi Shawn:
It's hard to recommend a closer without knowing what routines are in the the rest of your show. Your closer should somehow "sum up" what the show's been all about, possibly having visual or verbal references or "call backs" to events, jokes, occurrences that the audience experienced earlier. Would you mind listing your "set list" for us? I'd be interested in other "expert opinions" from experienced children's magicians who are reading this thread. |
smullins Special user United States 678 Posts |
Sure I don't mind. This is more-or-less the outline. The middle section changes slightly based on time needed but this is generally speaking anyways.
-I open with a couple quick productions (sleeves, shoes etc.) and follow with a version of 5 card opener by Bill Abbott (getting them involved only tweaked the story towards myself). -Egg Bag, this is a mixture of my own ideas (and lots of others) and had a great section with comedy -Miser's Dream, using the audience -This is where I'm missing something** -Restoration (torn and restored newspaper while wrapping things up) Now the closer would look like the restoration on paper. However, I believe the real ending would be the "missing" link. The restoration would just wrap up the show in a neat box. Ideally I would like something with a "suspense" moment but I'm open to ideas. |
Danny Orleans V.I.P. Chicago 119 Posts |
So it sounds like you're actually comfortable with your T&R Newspaper following the Miser's Dream routine.
It's not clear whether you actually bring audience members up on stage with you, altho I suspect your Egg Bag Routine includes that. The word "CHEESY" that you used earlier in the thread means different things to different people. One magician's Cheesy is another magician's miracle. So, this is more challenging than I thought it might be to suggest a closer for you. However, you may want to consider a trick that falls into what Pat Page called a "NOW THEY SEE IT" TRICK. A routine in which the audience can see how the trick works but the on stage spectator can't. A bunch of them are detailed in his last book PAGE BY PAGE. I also discuss these (and do a couple) on my DVD set about MAGIC FOR TEENS. Another approach might be a FALSE EXPLANATION TRICK such as Silk to Egg explained. This strategy of "explaining" the method really captivates audiences, and if done correctly, they don't see the climax coming. The plot of these tricks is also very different than most magic routines, so I think they mix well with most magic programs. I have a list of them which I'll send you if you're interested, or can post here tomorrow after I land in NYC. It may be possible that one of these routines would be best as your Next to Closing and leave T&R Newspaper in the final position. it's a very strong, visual trick, if you're doing the flash restoration. |
smullins Special user United States 678 Posts |
Quote:
On May 28, 2014, Danny Orleans wrote:I have a list of them which I'll send you if you're interested, or can post here tomorrow after I land in NYC. Would love to read them! Thanks Danny! |
frankieacemagic Elite user 498 Posts |
Hey Shawn--
What sort of persona do you convey? Are you a comedy magician? If so, you'd want your finale to be hilarious, as well. Obviously. I'm not one to recommend a specific prop as an answer, but you might want to try Smokey Mountain Magic's Pizza Oven. It's a pricey prop, but deservedly so. It builds up lots of anticipation, fools ALL ages, and ends with a huge laugh (I have the pizza clipped to my arse). I think the build up leads to a wonderful, loud response. Maybe check it out? |
smullins Special user United States 678 Posts |
I like situational comedy or comedy from interaction. I'm not really a big fan of tricks are are built to be funny and that's why I lean towards the classics more, so more of my own personality can shine through.
In all honestly, this is close to my show I do for adults, The big difference is with the interaction and the effect I'm changing out for kids/family is a needle swallow. I just don't want to with kids under 12 in the audience. The needle swallow uses a lot of suspense and involvement. The suspense is what seems to really drive the ending and get people cheering so I was thinking about how to get that in an "all ages." I rarely do just the kids and have more of a family audience with kids around (sitting with their parents). I don't have the $ to drop a lot on an illusion or "bigger prop trick" (even over $100 is pushing it, not that I can't but I have some reasons). |
Danny Orleans V.I.P. Chicago 119 Posts |
It has been a pleasure answer your questions about Children's Magic. To those of you who have read this thread and have not had the opportunity to purchase the 3 DVD set that I released last year on the The Art of Presenting Magic to Children, I have a special offer for you.
Click on the link below to get a $30 savings on the price of the DVD set. There will be a nominal shipping cost within the US and a bit more for international shipments. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.dannyorleansmagic.com/magic-products/themagiccafe <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Thanks again for your interest and dedication to improving the performances that you do for young people. |
Danny Orleans V.I.P. Chicago 119 Posts |
Here is a recent VIDEO REVIEW by J Rodriguez on the DVDs of a few children's magicians that many of you may want to know more about.
He posted it very recently on YouTube. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hDKNK7ryhFQ |
Robin4Kids Veteran user Lower Alabama 396 Posts |
Hey Danny!
I would be interested to hear your opinion on a topic that has been kicked around on this forum in the past... If you are performing (for kids) in the same area most of the time, do you think it is better to stick with the same routines year after year once you have established a good show or do you think it is important to change it up from time to time to keep your show interesting for those kids that may be seeing you several times during the year? I know there are advantages either way, but would like to hear your opinion on this. Thanks! |
Danny Orleans V.I.P. Chicago 119 Posts |
There are lots of approaches to dealing with the question, "What routines to I do for repeat audiences?"
One approach, used by many family magicians performing at kids' birthday parties within the same region, is to make a list of the routines performed at each party, then to categorize the party by the name of the school the children attend and age group. This way, if you do another party a month or two later, you'll be able to make decisions on changing the routines. My approach, however, was not to change the tricks. I decided this very early on, when getting feedback from a child (in the form of crying after the show). "You didn't do the Melvin the floating silver ball trick. That's my favorite. Is he okay? Why didn't you do that one?" The fact is, young children love repetition. They love watching movies over and over again, reading the same books repeatedly, and, I think, seeing the same magic show over and over again. Why is this? Because KNOWING HOW THE STORY OR MOVIE ENDS -- OR WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT IN THE MAGIC SHOW gives them a sense of security. Life is filled with unexpected events, but knowing that a story, movie, play or magic show is going to end "happily ever after" gives young children (and for that matter, all of us) lots of warm fuzzies inside. So, I think that it's absolutely fine to have certain routines, that become associated with you, repeated for audiences that have seen you before. As a matter of fact, children expect that when they see you, that they'll see those routines, gags, jokes, and silly props. All of this said, if you get booked for a series of parties with children from the same school/same class, in three consecutive weekends... where upon entering the party on the third week you know you're going to hear, "Oh, no, it's Magic Robin! Again???!!!" Then it's best to be prepared with some fresh tricks as well. Bottom line: I suggest taking the same approach that I've been doing for years. "Do the same show, but be prepared to insert several different routines, if upon entering the venue, you get the feeling that there are a large percentage of children that have seen your show within the past 8 weeks. |
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