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jasonmac New user 19 Posts |
Okay, so I have seen a lot of people post about doing themed shows for kids, and while I have a couple of things that would have meaningful patters, such as using needle through the balloon and talking about tough times and talking to friends, parents, or other trusted adults while going through these. I don't really have an idea on how to build a show around them. I am doing a library show in a couple of weeks and will have two or three tricks around MIND READING, as that will be what I like to read, as some people have minds like a Well read novel and some have short stories. Give me your thoughts or ideas.
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charliecheckers Inner circle 1969 Posts |
What age group? I do quite a few library shows and the age group I perform for would not relate to your suggestions at all.
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jasonmac New user 19 Posts |
I should have been a little clearer. I am not necessarily concerned with the library show as this is the 4th year I will perform there. Just themed shows in General. The kids I will perform for are babies to adults, so that's kinda all over the place, but mostly around the 5 to 10 age group.
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charliecheckers Inner circle 1969 Posts |
I find it best to start with the effects I currently perform and then relate them to the theme. It would be very difficult to assist you in a forum such as this, but you would probably benefit from obtaining several dvd's that show performances done with a theme.you may also find some on YouTube as well. Once you see some ideas, others will come more quickly.
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
I've heard that there's a pretty good book on modifying standard effects for themed shows. The title just escapes me at the moment. But I think it might be found here http://www.lulu.com/us/en/shop/master-pa......010.html
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Payne, you sly dog, you!
Jason, from what you wrote, I'd guess you are going about it backwards. If you have several tricks that already have themed patter and these each promote a different thing, as example, anti bullying, don't smoke, eat good food, etc., these are all competing. Instead, you should decide upon a theme, outline the various points that you would like to make, and then find a trick that can be tweaked to illustrate the message. This way, you'd have a singular thread running through the entire presentation. It is perfectly OK to develop several shows using that formula, and even OK to use some of the same material for different shows, just with different patter scripted to apply to the theme at hand. This will give you a couple options for the client when you begin selling your "themed" shows. If you mix messages in the same show, you will confuse everyone. In some cases however, you can "theme" some of the magic, i.e., using it as visual aids to the main focus, which is the message. But you can also throw in some regular magic, as well... "So, you guys probably noticed that I do magic. Would you like to see another trick,just for fun?" What kid can resist? That way you can present magic that is designed to be magic. In many cases, that will allow for the strongest possible presentation of the trick. Doing such things can really guarantee that they will watch (and listen) intently when you are filling their little heads with good advice. Now, if you are thinking less message and more theme, like holidays, pirates, animal safari or whatever, then Payne's advice is a what you should do. In fact you should follow his advice anyway. He's very good at what he does, and anyone can learn from him.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
While I do a couple of mind reading effects for kid's shows, by and large I think they work better for older kids. Libraries have a lot of really little kids mixed in their "reading age" shows.
Young kids, like 8 and younger, are better off with concepts that are more clear. Solid through solid, transposition, transformation... Older kids love mind Magic and it gives you a way to distinguish between audiences if you want a show for an older group. I'm not saying you can't have any mental magic but a whole show based on mind reading will include a lot of talking to set up the premise. You can lose the younger kids during the set up. For themed shows I always start with a list of my repertoire and read them one at a time considering how each effect might relate to the theme. On the first reading some will relate strongly and others will need a re-dress and some will be better left for the next year. Mental effects are often the place where I will bring the theme into the show because they can be re-themed easily. Most of the time I will strongly address the theme in a couple of effects and have the rest of the magic chosen to fill out an entertaining show. I've found through the years that a highly themed show is largely new material that does not play as well as my regular material. Librarians would much rather have a strong entertaining show than a fully themed show. In fact sometimes I think Librarians could not care less about the theme. They just want to bring Kids into the Library. -Mary Mowder |
John Breeds Veteran user England 336 Posts |
Mental Magic can work well for older kids - BUT I always reversed the effect.
In other words, instead of me being a clever person who can read minds, I twisted it so that helpers were the clever one who can GUESS what is secretly written etc. This way you don't come across as a smart alec and the kids take the credit for being everso clever. Incorporate a one-ahead theme; or use a thumb writer, envelopes, balls with numbers on them, 10 kids each hold up a funny sock. Each has small prize but only only one has a $5 bill in it. By chance (sic) the birthday child chooses that sock (TT). Kids guess the outcome, NOT you! In this way it makes the theme more meaningful, for example, 'think of doing good things for others and you will be rewarded'. John |
Al Kazam the Magic Man Inner circle Living in Perth Western Australia 1042 Posts |
John Breeds has a couple of good routines in his book that fits this thread very well. As usual I highly recommend his book for all kids performers. http://johnbreeds.com/home.htm#available-here
Magic guy in Perth Australia
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Al Kazam the Magic Man Inner circle Living in Perth Western Australia 1042 Posts |
Master Payne,
Is there a PDF version of your notes anywhere? I'm keen to get them. al
Magic guy in Perth Australia
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-07-10 11:28, Al Kazam the Magic Man wrote: A E-Book version available here http://www.lybrary.com/sometimes-the-jok......988.html
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Danny Kazam Inner circle 1516 Posts |
Payne's book is an excellent source, by I would also recommend Christopher T. Magican's "Super Secret Espisode". A little over 2 hours of video teaching you several ways to adapt tricks and props to fit any theme. The download is by a $10 donation, and the info and teaching is priceless. You can find more info about it here in The Little Darlings section, and even read the many raving reviews for it. Christopher also has a YouTube channel that I also highly recommend.
So once you get Payne's book, get the Super Secret Episode. You won't regret it, guaranteed.
Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.
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Al Kazam the Magic Man Inner circle Living in Perth Western Australia 1042 Posts |
Thank you!
Magic guy in Perth Australia
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