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Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
After getting the kids all wound up with yelling at me through my opening routines, I generally ask "Who wants to hear a story?" and go into my ring and rope routine (a story about my little dog Ringo who never stays on his leash).
The routine plays nice, and I get some good reactions when the ring comes off every time. But the rest of the time, the kids are just sitting there watching me. For them, it's dead time. I'd like to somehow increase the kid's interactions with the magic and the story. Wiggling the fingers - yah, okay - but it's the "dog" doing the magic, and he doesn't need help. I can ask questions ("And what do you think happened next?"), but I can see that getting old after a while. What do you think? Ed |
ROBERT BLAKE Inner circle 1472 Posts |
Put up your routine otherwise we don't know what to say and to give advice.
write down your steps for the routine. example prof.nightmare: 1) 3 un-equal ropes 2) stretch them to equal ropes 3) make un-equal again it is the journey what kids like not the end. so see what you can do with each step. |
The Mighty Fool Inner circle I feel like a big-top tent having 2140 Posts |
If it's a story, you could have the kids correct you whenever you make a mistake. I have no idea what the scropt of your story is, but I'm sure there are lots of places for obvious errors, like "I drank my dog, then took my milk for a walk". Before you beging say "Now, some people say that I'm not very good at telling stories....that I get a lot of stuff mixed up. So if you hear me make a mistake, clap your hands (or whatever)"
Everybody wants to beleive.....we just help them along.
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EricHenning Loyal user Laurel, Maryland 218 Posts |
Get the DVD and lecture notes from The Great Zucchini - even though he specializes in preschoolers, many of his ideas will work for older kids, too. He's on the Web at http://www.TheGreatZucchini.com and you can email him to buy the DVD @ $35 ppd, and the notes @ $20 ppd, at eric_knaus@yahoo.com
I wrote the notes, so I am connected to this, but take a look around the Café to find out about this guy. Hope this helps, Eric |
Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
I'll try to get a video (high quality cell phone!!) tonight and put it up somewhere for comments.
Thanks for the assist. Ed |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Ed -
In many of my shows, I start with a visual piece without audience participation. Sometimes I'm talking, sometimes I'm performing to music. For the second piece in the show, I have some sort of trick with audience participation (on stage). Then for the third trick I might go back to a piece without a volunteer. Then I might go back to a piece with audience participation. Towards the end of the show, I might have several pieces in a row with audience participation (on stage). But sometimes I just alternate back and forth. Your problem could be where you are placing the routine in your show. Maybe it should be your third routine and not your second. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Silence in the audience does not have to be a bad thing. Having kids on the edge of their seats can work. If you do want add on's....
1. Invisible dog leash 2. Dog noises..you and the audience When I do this I am pleasantly surprised on finding a great sound from the audience... 3. Throw in a cat noise...purring to mad cat 4. While you are at it throw in a bone ummm ummm good 5. Pass out dog biscuits...(really animal crackers)from a dog biscuit box.. Oh what fun it is to give and receive. Harris still 2 old to know everything.... quiet everyone..I am listening....
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Futureal Inner circle 1695 Posts |
You don't need the audience screaming at you every ten seconds for your show to be a success. If you do a storytelling segment and they're sitting there engrossed in what you're doing, that's fine. Light and shade.
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curtgunz Special user Only 99% of users have more than 784 Posts |
Look but don't see is almost always a way to get interaction.
If there is a point in the routine where the magic can happen but you are not aware of it they will let you know. If the ring gets on the rope (or off the rope) but you are not seeing it the kids will go crazy trying to get you to look at it. But again, without seeing the routine, this is just a shot in the dark.
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Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
It might just be the story too! or the way your telling it.
again as mentioned we don't have the script and don't know how you present the story but that being said are you making eye contact your getting on their level (kneeling down at times) moving close to them moving away from them. are you getting louder/softer with your voice? do you pause at the right moment. these are all part of the story telling process your actions during the story are just as important as the story itself. telling a story is one thing - engaging the audience thruthe story is another. have you scripted the story - meaning have you wrote down every word you want to say and gotten rid of the words that don't need to be said. have you blocked out where you stand/kneel which direction you will face when you do the magic move these all go into making the routine a success. sam
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
http://www.samsandler.com http://www.deafinitelymagic.com |
Daniel Ulzen Elite user Berlin/Germany 490 Posts |
Hi Ed,
maybe make the story about a dog that you want to be on his leash but the kids at the neighbourhood always shout "get free" and then the dog gets free and then you are disapponted. So the kids in the audience would encourage the dog to get free several times (= interaction) and then the dog is always free and you are always angry (= magician in trouble syndrom). "The Mighty Fool"s idea about the mistakes is great. Karrel Fox published a xmas routine with lots of mistakes (for example santa claus wearing a green coat or a blue beard) and kids really love funny mistakes if you as an adult say these things and believe you are right. Good luck! Daniel |
Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
I think for a really effective storytelling routine, the story must be engaging first: ie, the kids must be fascinated enough that they are eager to hear how the story progresses. It should be well-scripted, with gags and bits of business - whether they are verbal ("twice upon a time..."; then I heard my dog "oink, oink"), or physical (dog sneakily eats biscuits that he's not supposed to while you're telling the story, etc). Although you can tell a story with the kids sitting silently, hanging on every word, it's much more fun for them if they constantly have to interject to tell you about mistakes you've made, or "look don't see" business, etc.
It's also fun to have one or more kids come up to act out part of the story, if that works. Potty |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Experiment, write down what works, repeat the stuff that works, and after about 50 shows you will have several pages of original material.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
Woodfield Special user 756 Posts |
How old is your audience? Penetrations don't work well for a young audience.
Woodfield |
TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Be careful calling it a story. Most kids are taught to be quiet during story time.
Still, unless it is a very long time, there is nothing wrong with having a little silent time. One of the best comments you can get is, "he had their attention." Trust me, getting a group of kids to be quiet is much harder than getting them to yell. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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