|
|
Go to page 1~2~3 [Next] | ||||||||||
zone098 New user 38 Posts |
While doing birthday parties, is it necessary to have a dove production or rabbit production in order to have a really entertaining and enjoyable experience for kids? Will a show suffer without live animals incorporated into a show? Animals are a hassle to carry to shows. And costly.
"Human kind cannot bear too much reality." -T.S. Eliot
|
|||||||||
Leo B. Domapias Loyal user 297 Posts |
Livestock magic is not necessary, but if you're a masochist like me and prepared to go through the trouble of adding animals in your show, they will surely enhance your program. Some magicians quote a higher price for programs that include animals, not only because of the additional hassles of bringing animals from one party to another but also because livestock magic increases the perceived value of their shows.
I always include animals in my shows, but I know of many magicians who are far more successful than I yet don't perform live-animal magic. Ben Benjay Manila, Philippinrd |
|||||||||
magiker Loyal user Sweden 283 Posts |
Better to produce a live one than a dead one.
I do agree that it can enhance the show but, is not an absolute must.
Magiker
Believe in the possibility of the impossible |
|||||||||
rsummer27 Loyal user South Carolina 225 Posts |
I love animals, but they are not practical for me to use. I do back to back shows and spend a great deal of time in my car driving from one place to the next. The car is always hot or cold and I will worry about the animals if I run into somewhere for even a little bit. It's enough for me to always worry about my balloons getting to hot and my face paint getting to hot. An animal adds something to your show that can't be replaced by anything else. The impact of a live animal production is worth the trouble. An animal should never have to suffer or risk his life because the clown needs a cool way to end his show.
******************************
Giggles the Clown buys all of his supplies at www.madhattermagicshop.com Super Low Prices on Videos and DVDs! |
|||||||||
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
I do not have any pets, nor use any animals in my shows. I do many birthday parties, and things go well for me.
In fact, I use the fact that I don't do them as my positioning statement, when selling to a customer. - Donald.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
|
|||||||||
magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
I don't use animals either (well apart from Rocky which I suppose is the closest one can get to using animals without using them).
I sometimes get calls asking if I do use animals but more often than not it's because the booker objects to animal use rather than wants it. I think a lot of people are under the impression that it's cruel. I usually tell folks that the magicians I know that use animals look after them well and they're never in any distress. Animal production is definitely not necessary but I think it is usually a very positive addition to your show. |
|||||||||
Jeff Alan New user Georgia 88 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-05-27 21:36, The Gr8 DonaldD wrote: Donald, What do you mean? If someone asks for a rabbit production, what exactly are you saying to them? Just interested, thanks!
Aim high and you won't get your shoes wet.
|
|||||||||
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
In more than 50 years of doing birthday parties, I have never used animals and never will; it's just too much of a hassle. While an animal makes a good addition to a birthday party magic show, it is not essential.
And, MOST IMPORTANTLY, an animal should NOT be used just as a magic prop! It is a living, sentient being and, unless it can be treated as a member of the family, don't even THINK of using an animal -- and that means rabbits, doves, chicks, mice, geese, parrots, you name it! |
|||||||||
Julie Inner circle 3936 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-05-27 23:44, Peter Marucci wrote: Peter??????????? Sentient?????????? Treating as a "member of the family"???????? I usually agree with you and/or understand your thought processes, BUT this is a little off the mark. A guinea pig, rabbit, or dove is what it is. (period) A dog, etc. is a different matter entirely. We need to be a little more realistic... |
|||||||||
macmagic Veteran user MA 400 Posts |
Why is a dog different? I am assuming that the etc means cats!
"Its a magic thing...........you wouldn't understand"
|
|||||||||
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-05-27 22:01, Jeff Alan wrote: Jeff - First of all, have you heard of the term USP, which means Unique Selling Position? Two of my USPs for birthday parties is that I help the birthday child build friendships and make memories. A positioning statement is something you use within your sales script to sell your unique position. In my case, I am talking about a specific feature. What I do, before I am asked by a birthday parent whether I have any rabbits or animals in my show, as part of my sales script I say, "By the way, we do not use live animals, which may make a mess in your home, or cause allergies. Our focus is more on the audience participation. We want the children to be the STARS of the show, not an animal." By stating my reasons the way I do to my prospect, I give the impression that animals in a birthday party show at home are a negative. I give the impression that anyone who uses animals in their show is taking away from the focus on the audience participation, and the focus on making their child the star of the show. I give the impression to the prospect that a show with an animal will be less fun and less memorable. Birthday moms want their child and his/her friends to feel special and involved, and I give the impression that this might detract from that outcome. I also deflect attention away from their interest in an animal, and put it onto the audience participation, which is a feature I want to emphasise to my prospect instead. Therefor, if the prospect talks to another performer after me, and they say that they always include a bunny, it will send up a red flag to the mom, who thinks, I don't want that, it will make the party less fun. Let's go back to that first guy, even if he costs more. Do you get what I am saying? If I wanted to, I could take a totally different position and use evidence as to why I think that animals are essential for the show. In this case, my position to the prospect is against the use of them, though. - Donald. P.S. I shared on another thread recently my positioning statement as to why I don't do birthday shows outdoors. If you go and read my quote on that thread, you'll see that I paint a picture that having a show outdoors will be plagued with problems, and make the show less special for the party guests. Birthday mom's don't want that outcome. That's another example of what I am talking about.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
|
|||||||||
PROFED Loyal user Chicago,Illinois 229 Posts |
I have been stopped at the school door and informed that live animals are not permitted. On one occasion This statement from a principal prompted me to tell my assistant (my son) to "kill the rabbit" The expression on this woman's face was priceless. I think this prohibition against animals is spreading throughout the US due fear of being sued by those concerned with allergies.
|
|||||||||
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Julie writes: "Sentient??????????
Treating as a "member of the family"???????? I usually agree with you and/or understand your thought processes, BUT this is a little off the mark. A guinea pig, rabbit, or dove is what it is. (period) A dog, etc. is a different matter entirely. We need to be a little more realistic..." Lord help any animals that come within your power! A rabbit, dove, etc. is a living, breathing, feeling creature and should be treated as such, not as a magic prop. And THAT is being realistic! |
|||||||||
macmagic Veteran user MA 400 Posts |
You think that's bad you should have seen the day care directors face when I got to the show and took out my rabbit and he was wearing his peanut butter jacket with his latex balloon collar teehee
just playing....you have to understand that an animal could present a liability not only for you but for the school also, someone may have a severe allergy or a dove may fly off and try to land on a child scratching him or her by mistake etc. if you use live animals just make sure it is ok to use them at your event before you even get there! Hey Donald whats all this rubbish about a USP that junk doesn't wok, let me tell you what works, locking yourself in your room with only a deck of cards until you can do a double lift flawlessly....then like magic your phone will start ringing off the hook! LOL thats the way to really make money in this biz!
"Its a magic thing...........you wouldn't understand"
|
|||||||||
Bill Scarlett Veteran user Vermont 366 Posts |
I have given up totally on using rabbits in my show. Vermont is a very animal-rights kind of place and I started noticing parents grimacing rather than smiling when the balloon would pop and Ophelia would appear in the circus wagon. This was not a good sign.
In addition, live animals are a lot of work to maintain and a lot of worry when you are shuttling between shows in the summer time. Besides, my hippity hop rabbits have never peed all over my props! I believe in being kind to animals, but I believe the current environment in which there is hysteria over allergies, fear of lawsuits and seeing rabbits as equal to or superior to humans is a bit overboard. I'm done with live animals, its just not worth it if your audience is going to have a negative experience. |
|||||||||
Jeff Alan New user Georgia 88 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-05-28 01:36, The Gr8 DonaldD wrote: Thanks, that's what I was asking about, the reasoning you had for telling them no animals. -Jeff
Aim high and you won't get your shoes wet.
|
|||||||||
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Not a problem, Jeff.
Like I said, I emphasise the feature of audience participation instead, and go on to explain how I use that to help the prospect create the special memories and stronger friendships (for the birthday child) that I sell as my USP. Greg - Guess I must have wasted my $3000+ to get all my Dale Carnegie training, and learning how to sell properly. You're right, I am sure that doing it the way you suggest -- locking myself in a room and learning a flawless double lift will make my phone ring off the hook. NOT! Hehehe! - Donald.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
|
|||||||||
Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
This thread probably should be in the Polly forum but in any event, I agree totally with Peter on this. Why is a dog different?
You buy a dog, chain it to a tree outside, feed and take if for a walk everyday. I have 13 doves that live in the house with me. They're fed each day, and visit the vet twice a year. I handle and talk to them each each day so yes they are a part of the family. These are both extreme examples but the fact remains they are living, breathing creatures and are not just props.
Where the magic begins
|
|||||||||
Julie Inner circle 3936 Posts |
I was going to let this go, but this last supportive comment about doves living in the house with you and being a part of the family... there's something else at work here in the psyche of the writer. It's ok to have PETS and I've included two guinea pigs, as many as 14 doves and a rabbit in my own show - HOWEVER, beyond their function as well-cared for participants in a Magic Show, I would never have them inside my living quarters nor consider them a part of my FAMILY.
Sorry, guys, we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one (PLUS I've never kissed an animal in public either as I have seen some magicians do to convince onlookers of how much they LOVE their animals.) |
|||||||||
p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
HI,
I have had no problems with animals in Hospitals, resteraunts. I have even had my Bunny staying with me 14 nights in a 5 star Hotel one Christmas party season when I was doing corporate party close up in the evenings and kids shows in the days. Julie, I think it is your own Psyche that should be in question.. if you really believe that animals are to be part of the show but otherwise bannished.. I really hope for the sake of the animals that you no longer have any Phillip |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The little darlings » » Live animals (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2~3 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |