|
|
Art190 Elite user 447 Posts |
Hello everyone! Here is my list of tricks I do for a kids/family show.
-PB&J routine (ending with sandwich) -Multiplying ball routine (done to music with flash four production) -Change bag routine (at the end kids place two red silks into the change bag and they turn into sponge balls) -Sponge ball routine -Magic Drawing Board routine (where the drawing talks to me and the kids and it tells me I forgot to bring the birthday child something for his birthday. I tell the drawing he's wrong because I brought him a birthday card. I draw a hat and a bunny comes out with a happy birthday sign. I hand it to the child and give it to everyone to sign.) -Multiplying bottles (kid version) -Slydini Silks routine -Silk flight -Magic coloring book routine(with disappearing markers) -Strat-o-sphere -Kikuchi feather flower rings (done to music) -Candle/Cane routine (ending with multiplying candles and producing and extra four for a total of 8 candles) This show is about 30-45 minutes long or about an hour. Let me know what you think and would love to hear everyones opinions. Art |
Tony James Inner circle Cheshire UK 1398 Posts |
Are you sure? Really certain?
That amounts to around three and a half minutes each item in a 45 minute show and that does not make any allowance for introductions, finishing or any linkage. A magic colouring book has the potential for at least six minutes if you are using someone from the audience. Allowing for signing the birthday card you mention I would estimate you have enough here for an hour and twenty minutes at least. I would go back and look at that list again.
Tony James
Still A Child At Heart |
Art190 Elite user 447 Posts |
Tony, thanks for your response. Do you think it's too much? I don't take that long with the magic coloring book and I do not wait for everyone to sign the card. What do you recomend I take out? I checked again and you're right. This is about an hour long or more. Do you think an hour is too much?
Art |
Art190 Elite user 447 Posts |
By the way, this is my NEW list of tricks. I didn't do that many things before. I added a lot of tricks that I think will make my show better.
|
Tony James Inner circle Cheshire UK 1398 Posts |
In the UK an hour is normal. I gather in the USA 45 minutes is normal.
Tell me, are you comparatively new to this or have you been at it a while? If you are new you will use more material to start with. Once you've settled in you will find that without 'stretching' or excessive padding that some thing like the magic painting book used with a child will easily run six minutes and more. The same will apply to other effects as you develop your potential and that of the material. You will find the little bits of business which turn a mere trick into a memorable event. Will find ways of of being defeated and the audience explaining how to get out of the mess you find yourself in - only to fall into another mess. This is what scores so well with children. But it will take you a while to settle and get into it. Always have something some extra available in the bag, something lightweight and easily to hand in case of need. Most of us have an emergency standby just in case. With experience I think you will slim off that list somewhat.But only you will know what will come out after you've worked the effects a while. Some will prove popular and good, some even better and some less popular. Some will appeal to boys more than girls and some to girls more than boys. Now here in the UK many private, fee paying schools are single sex so it's not unusual to have parties which are predominantly all girls. It's not unusual to have nothing but boys. Boys can be a little odd like that at six and seven years. It doesn't help when there are no girls at school. So it's useful to know the appeal of effects and balance the show to suit. Don't worry too much about it. Go out and do it a few times and then assess the situation. It'll be interesting to see what conclusions you come to in due course.
Tony James
Still A Child At Heart |
Art190 Elite user 447 Posts |
Tony, I started about six months ago. Before I just did close up magic with cards and coins but now I am moving into doing shows for parties or special events because so many people have invited me to do a show for their child's party. I've been doing good but wanted to add more things to my show to make it better. I think I'm going to take some things out though, because an hour seems like a long time for me. I'm afraid I might bore them. 30-45 minutes seems just right. I would love to hear more from everyone.
Art |
Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
For a family show I wouldn't do the colouring book or stratosphere. Remember, with a family show there are adults there that should be entertained. Get rid of the change bag routine. It looks too much like the bag did the magic. Change the object in your hand (under cover of hankerchief if can't figure out a way to do it otherwise).
Multiplying ball and sponge balls can be done together...why not get the goshman multiplying sponge balls that uses the same technique as billiard ball ones and you can use sponge ball routines too. I like the rest. |
cardcaptor Loyal user tagaytay, philippines 257 Posts |
Here in the Philippines 30mins to 45mins is the normal length of the magic show, this also depends to some magicians here with different packages available for the party.
as I've read, there's a lot of tricks involve in your show, it will exceed to your 45 minutes mark. I suggest that you get rid of the stratosphere and the multiplying balls, because for me its not suitable for a family show and it requires a good venue to pull of that kind of illusion and prop. here's my suggestion, try to use some comedy props like the break away wand, fan etc. this can stretch the length of your routine and at the same time will bring laughter to everyone. I hope I helped you in your routine. thanks!
ILLUMINATI: Brotherhood knowing to be unusually enlightened with regard to the art of magic.
in memory of... SWIFTSHIFTER "The art that purports to control or forecast natural events, effects, or forces by invoking the supernatural" |
Art190 Elite user 447 Posts |
Mrbilldentertainer, thank you for your advice. Since my show is too long I guess I can take that one out. I really like the change bag though because I also introduce the sponge balls with it. The reason I don't get the multiplying sponge balls is because I already own Fakini billiard balls and the flash four with it. I really enjoy using them and they are great.
Cardcaptor, thank you also. I will take stratosphere out. And yes I have a lot of tricks for the show but I can't decide on which to take out! They all seem so good to me. I am going to keep the multiplying balls. EVERYTIME I do the trick people get so amazed by it. I've done it to soo many people and it's just such a good trick. You guys are great! Keep it coming. Art |
Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
It just seems overkill with two ball routines which could look similar in the audience's eyes.
Billiard balls...you make balls appear and disappear (multiplying is just making more balls appear) Sponge balls...most routines involve making balls appear and disappear (see the similarities?) Let me tell you frankly about the change bag. It rarely mystifies anyone. This is because most use it to change objects knowingly to the audience. If you are going to change an object, make it a subtle change (knotted rope to unknotted, blank silk to silk with some printing on it) or even better where they don't even know a change has occurred (forcing for mentalism...which can work with kids if you know how). |
magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
It's funny you should say that Bill as I do both in my act.
I keep thinking the same as you that perhaps they're too similair and shouldn't be in the same act but apparently I'm the only one who worries about it. George |
Stevethomas Inner circle Southern U.S.A. 3728 Posts |
Art,
Wouldn't the amount of time and length of show be determined by the amount you're charging for this show? Steve |
Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-01-06 21:10, magicgeorge wrote: I'm not saying it can't work. If you have a great character and the focus is on you as a performer, than you can do anything ad nauseum (sp?) If you are weak as a performer, then I would suggest to not to do it and try something else. It really all depends on your strengths. And you're arguing with me just because of the plunger aren't you? LOL |
magicgeorge Inner circle Belfast 4299 Posts |
No, I was arguing with the plunger because he had a strange man on his head.
I think it's a valid point. I suppose there's a couple of reasons it doesn't matter much in my show: They are about half an hour apart in the show. They are in very different routines. The only time any confusion will arrive is when a child will say 'How do you do the ball trick/I liked the ball trick" to me after the show and I don't know which one they're talking about. Doesn't really matter as an answer to either will work for both. If it is going to be a problem you could try rabbits or earplugs. George |
Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
Very true. There are other option beside little red balls.
The plunger said to put our heads together because 2 heads are better than one. |
Art190 Elite user 447 Posts |
Ok, here is my new list:
-PB&J routine -Multiplying ball routine -Change bag routine -Sponge ball routine -Magic Drawing Board routine -Multiplying bottles -Magic coloring book routine -Kikuchi feather flower rings -Candle/Cane routine Steve, yes you're right. I've been charging people $175 for a show of 30-45 minutes. The first list I had did bring my show to be more than an hour long so I took some things out. By the way, on my multiplying ball routine I do more than just multiply the balls. I start by doing 21st century silks. I show all three silks. Tie the two blue silks and place them on my shoulder. I then take the silver silk and place it in my hand and toss it in the air and it changes into a billiard ball. I then take the two blue silks on my shoulder and the silver silk appears in between. Then I put the silks in a top hat and do a multiplying ball routine ending with 8 balls. For my PB&J routine I use a change bag for the sandwich part. |
Art190 Elite user 447 Posts |
"If it is going to be a problem you could try rabbits or earplugs."
Very true! I will use rabbits instead. I'll still do the same exact routine but replace the red balls with rabbits. |
Magic Mike Japan New user Yokosuka, Japan (U.S. Mailing Address) 98 Posts |
Art - Great minds think alike! You're line-up is pretty much mine, with the exception of: I start with Sucker Die Box and end with Torn and Restored Newspaper, two classics of magic. Recently I've added Ton Onoska's Grandpa's Top Hat (which is made here in Japan). You might try just pulling a kid aside and asking him/her: "which trick did you like the best," or even "worst" if you dare. This way you can fine-tune the act. Good luck with your act.
Magic Mike/Japan
"There's no limit to what one man can accomplish, as long as he's willing to let someone else have the credit." (These words were inscribed on a small brass plaque which sat on President Ronald Reagan's desk in the White House during his second term.)
<BR><BR |
chris mcbrien Inner circle Chicago 1235 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-01-06 17:15, Art190 wrote: I keep seeing "routine" mentioned. No negativity meant when I tell you this, but honest advice. Entertain these people first, I think you'll find you have just enough time outside of laughs and "bits of business" to do maybe...MAYBE..eight "routines" in 45 minutes, including your intro and outro. And pick only the ones that people really, really like... |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The little darlings » » Kids/family show (0 Likes) |
[ 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 < |