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Dynomite Magic New user Grand Rapids, MI 40 Posts |
Hello All,
I've just been hired at a local restaurant to make balloon animals and perform magic for kids and adults. I have several tricks that I know will work, but I'll be working on a weekly basis and would like to purchase additional effects for down the road. I need some ideas of magic that a clown would do... so I'm not trying to look like David Blaine. Although David Blaine in a clown suit would be interesting! I just need some effects that would add a little mystery to someone's day and make them smile. I'd also prefer effects that are quick and to the point. If you have any ideas please let me know. Thank you! Jeff |
SoCalPro Inner circle Southern California 1634 Posts |
Hi Jeff,
I tried that once (balloons and magic). Be prepared to do mostly balloons due to 1. Every kid will want one and 2. After all the balloons have been made for the table, the food will arrive. What sucks is that when I stopped making balloons and they asked for one, they were really bummed and made comments like.." ooooooookay....show me a trick. " Also, I hated being called the "Balloon Man". Anyway, just wanted to give you a heads up. JIM |
Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
I approach things slightly different from Jim. I approach with a off-the-cuff magic bit that plays to the entire table. Simple things like pulling a ball from an ear, elbow, knee, napkin...and then vanishing it only to find it in someone else's elbow. Most restaurants provide crayons to the childrin. Vanishing and reproducing the crayon always works. Multiplying Bunnies, Lady Bugs, Bananas, Carrots, sponge balls Pickles...anything that vanishes and reappears in the child's hands works great. And they have the added value of working for adults as well. Ninja Rings works really well. Any small TT silk effects such as Barry Mitchell's Frog & Fly, Twinkle Star and so on.
I perform a single signature effect then launch into the balloons. My balloon making is an act in itself with a vast repertorie of jokes, puns and sight gags to amuse while the rubber is being twisted. I also keep a supply of 7" beach balls (Oriental Trading) for children under 4 years of age...so they too get an inflated toy like big brother and sister. Now...the clown concerns me. As a pro clown with over 30 years of experience, I'm NOT anti-clown by ANY means...but in a restaurant setting you may be asking for trouble. Parents are looking for a stress-free, fun dining experience. A crying and grabbing child frightened by a clown practically guarantees that this family...and their playdate friends...won't be back. Suggest a clownish character without the makeup to appeal to the greatest number of children. My opinion. BEST of luck with this gig!!! Hope ya break a leg! Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
D Byrd Loyal user Virginia 230 Posts |
I did this gig for 5 years. What Jim said just about sums it up. Balloons will take center stage, but throwing in a trick or two can get you the home birthday party (which is really where the money is). I used to carry around the following items:
Sponge Balls TT w/ silk Color Changing Shoe Lace A hand squeaker for doing nose and elbow squeaks and the Wilting Rose (pull cord variety) That's it. Good Luck to ya. Point to remember. To a child you are a 2 dimentional cartoon tv character made 3D. Now since they are not in a position to drop an anvil on your head (thank the good Lord for that) your bag of jelly beans becomes their irresistable (sp?) target. Buy a cup. You'll thank me later. Doug |
SoCalPro Inner circle Southern California 1634 Posts |
If your primary interest is MAGIC...don't do a ton of Balloons. You'll be classified as a "Balloon Man" if you are not careful. IMHO once the kids see the balloons, they won't give a rodents behind about the magic.
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RicHeka Inner circle 3999 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-12-23 20:12, SoCalPro wrote: Hi Jim: Merry Christmas! You know we agree on a lot,but I have to differ on this.I perform in family restaurants as a Magical Entertainer.Folks refer to me as a Magician because the majority of my entertainment is magic,mental magic,and mentalism.After the magical entertainment I do make fast one balloon sculptures for the kids and sometimes the adults if they request them. I have been doing it this way for two decades,and as I said people think of me as a magician that has some nice giveaway's[one balloon animals,beaded poodles,card frogs,napkin roses,color the magician poster's,Mystery dollars etc.] Your comment:"You'll be classified as a "Balloon Man" if you are not careful. IMHO once the kids see the balloons, they won't give a rodents behind about the magic."....... Is so far off as pertaining to MY entertainment..it kind of makes me smile ...because I believe I have the best of both worlds,and I believe that is what contributes to my long term gigs. All the best. Rich |
SoCalPro Inner circle Southern California 1634 Posts |
Hi Rich,
Good to see ya. This was soooo long ago. Maybe I wasn't doing it right. Where were you 15 years ago for me. All I know is that I would approach the table, do a few balloons and a couple of effects. By the time I fulfilled all the requests for balloons (sometimes 10 at a table) there was very little time for me to shine as a magician. By that time, the food was there and I made my exit. I distinctly remember one time when I approached a table....the lady asked me if I could make her kids a balloon, I told her that I had stopped doing balloons and it is then that she said with a frown and a sigh, "Ok, show us a trick". For whatever reason (probably my own doing, as the Café didn't exist back then to get advice) I was often referred to as "the balloon man". I HATED that. Anywho, just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't work for anyone else. It was just MY personal experience. BTW, these were mostly family restaurants that this occurred in. Just my 2 cents.........again.. |
RicHeka Inner circle 3999 Posts |
No wonder Jim...you were doing it backwards! Magic first and foremost,and balloons or other treats as a follow-up.....and unlike many of the newbies here YOU didn't have anyone to tell you so.However,you apparently have learned the hard way and found YOUR own niche.I respect that.
I alway's play down the balloon sculpture,as yeah... I'm not a real balloon artist like some guy's[very TRUE]....I'm just a magical entertainer that happens to make a few balloon animals[about 60].Sometimes as I am saying this..I am making sculptures effortlessly and real fast without looking at my hands...and often they are sitting there with there mouths open..like say WHAT? Big fun! Best. Rich |
ToasterofDoom Special user 671 Posts |
Man, the only balloon animal I can make are eels...
But if I did, I would agree most with PaleoMagi. You worked hard on your magic; no need to be trumped by a piece of rubber and air. Leave it till the end as a memorabilia. Who knows, maybe you can shove a business card in it so the kids can take it home. |
mikeypresto Regular user 113 Posts |
Get norm barnharts dvd it has some balloon magic bits
Magically,
Mikey |
derrick Inner circle I dug holes for 1044 Posts |
Hey Jeff, I don’t know much about being a clown but I’ve performed at family venues with magic and balloons for over 15 years (over 10-years at one restaurant). The magic I like to perform before launching into my balloon bits are not so quick (two or three minutes), funny and visual. I like the egg bag, misers dream (coins from ears, elbows, noses), rope and ring routine, sponge bunnies, sometimes if the light is right, a quick IT effect. All of these tricks are great for establishing yourself as a magician before going into the balloons. For older kids I may not even make balloons but offer to perform card to ceiling or some other strong effect and thank them for being there. About half my customers call me the magic man and half the balloon man. I’m just happy they call me. Good luck with your new gig.
Derrick |
jezza Elite user 469 Posts |
Clowns do scare some kids (and adults)
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Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-12-23 22:10, PaleoMagi wrote: I work pretty much the same way as Rich, letting the magic come first. After I've entertained with the magic, I ask a child if I can make him a balloon animal. When he says yes, I get all excited saying, "Really? I can make you a balloon animal?!" When he says yes again, I yell out, "Poof! You're a balloon animal!". After the laughter, I go on and make an animal for the kids and thank them for their time. Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
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