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johnjack New user Staten Island New York 38 Posts |
I usually perform for children parties, however a client has booked me for her son's communion where she will be having 30 people @ a sit down dinner. My problem is I can do walk around, but I am afraid that I wil not have enough tricks to perform for the hour. Should I try to perform each trick to the entire table./!??@(yikes) Or do you think I can get away with small potions of groups @ the table? The other problem is that it is mostlty adults with the communion boy being the youngest @ 8. What tricks can I do to incorporate him into feeling special that the adults will get a kick of? Or should ...I'm stressed the party is not until May, but I can't stop thinking of it? Can anyone help me?????
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KenW Elite user 439 Posts |
Try performing some tricks that will appeal to everyone:
Frog Prince by Mike Close, Card on Cieling, Curtis Kams version of hot rod, amb. card, Airtight by Jay Sankey, coins across, copper/silver, any mind reading might be fun for the group. Don't forget to perform an effect using the child. Do you perform any stand up magic? Think about sharring the effect with the child and an adult...child suceeds, adult fails kind of situation. Just about any type of comedy magic is good. Chinese sticks, a blendo of sorts. What do you perform in your children's show? Let me know and may be I can help a little more with some suggestions and possible patter or situation set ups. Don't panic! Just remember that your group will enjoy themselves ONLY if you appear to be having a GOOD TIME! Magically, Ken Winters |
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johnjack New user Staten Island New York 38 Posts |
Thank you thank you thank u....finally a response. Thank you Ken. I have In a flash by Jay Sankey but I am not familiar with airtight, and I belive another trick by Jay Sankey with silver washers. I do sponge balls,ring flight, wonder pen,I have a bill tube,color monte, thumb tip (bill change), invisable deck, The problem I have is all these tricks only last a minute or 2 and I am not sure if with 30 people there is enough substance if all are watching and I can not repeat a trick. I thought I might try to make the child the star. I thought I could do 20 century silks with a thumb tip, and I guess I could use a mouth coil to do something. If you could help me with a child suceeds, parent fails routine that would be great...
I have a change bag, itr, ...etc all of the walk around stuff, actually if you know of any other small tricks I should look into I will. I thought if I can do magic with the communion boy for 20 minutes or so I should be able to handle the additional 40 minutes with some schmoozing. Anything you can suggest I would really appreciate it and Thank you once again for the reassurance!!!! johnjack |
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MagicbyCarlo Inner circle has squandered his time making 1062 Posts |
John, honestly my advice would be not to take on a venue or show that you aren't prepared, or experienced enough to handle. Instead suggest that you do a regular show the type you are used to doing and if they insist this is what they want, find someone experienced to fit the bill. You might be honest with the client and tell them that you've never worked this way before and will not charge them and instead ask for feedback. If this is the type of work you aspire to, gather the tools first and then move onto taking the gigs. 30 people in a room is a perfect situation for a parlor type show. If you are working at tables, you almost need to know how many tables, how many guests at each table, and then do the math as far as how long you will spend at each table. If tables are large you can sometimes split the table.
If you do several types of magic you will learn what type of room, crowd and mixture works best with each style of magic. I find that items that carry well from platform to close-up are: Egg Bag Cut and Restored Rope Professor's Nightmare 3 Fly Linking Rings Mouth Coil Cards across Rising Card Bill Switch Chop-cup I think it's more important for you to be entertaining and relaxed, which is difficult when you're unsure of your material. Good luck. Let us know what you've decided and how it goes.
Carlo DeBlasio
<BR>Entertainment specialist <BR>and all around fun guy! |
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Joe Mauro Inner circle 1133 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-03-20 23:51, johnjack wrote: You got a response the same day you posted and the your party isn't until May. People love to help out here, just be a little patient. J.
~Joe
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johnjack New user Staten Island New York 38 Posts |
Hey Carlo, Thanks a lot. maybe you are right. I have thought about calling the client and letting her know this is not my type of venue, This women has seen me perform@ a free show I did in a local mall. She just caught me off guard with the whole sit down dinner, next time I will get more infob4 I book the job. (lesson learned) I think I am going to call the client and let her know I can entertain her guest on a 1 on 1 but not the whole table and if she wants I will do that. What do you think is the right way to approach this, should I charge her? I usually get 200-250 for my kids show and that is the price she was willing to pay. So Do you think if I call her and tell her I will only charge her 100, That would be good? Or just take the conversation as it goes???? Thanks in advance.
J, I didn't mean to panic but I did..I booked the show last week and have not stopped thinking about it, but next time I will be more patient, thanks fo r he constuctive critizism, but when things are on your mind, minutes can feel like days. Anything positive to add on my scenerio? |
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Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
$100 for an hour seems like too little but it will be experience earned.
For groups at tables, 2 or 3 tricks lasting a few minutes seems fine to me. You can do the some of the same tricks at some other tables. Have a few sets of 2-3 tricks and you'll be OK. It sounds like you have enough material for this. Chat with the folks to fill in some time. Get them to like you. For the "communion boy" do something that's visable to all. A couple of parlor type tricks maybe. Egg Bag and Rope routines would work nicely with a communion theme. I would say Linking Rings but I'm not so keen on them. For 1 on 1 be ready with a few small quickies. Have fun! |
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Daryl -the other brother Special user Chicago 594 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-03-20 23:51, johnjack wrote: LOL... John, you got a response 1/2 hour after you posted! Take a DEEP BREATH and relax. You don't have to start panicking for at least another week. (just kidding) I'm sure you'll do a fine job! |
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johnjack New user Staten Island New York 38 Posts |
Jaz and Daryl, I love this site!! What an icredible support system. I have decided to do the job. I have enough time to practice, prepare, and perfect. I need a good routine for the egg bag, I have messed with it a little but if someone can help me with some patter, That Would Be Greeeeat! I'd figuered maybe I would do a 20 th century silk routine with the boy and sponge balls along with a rope routine. Ithought it might be funny to cut the fathers' tie(the one I mail him and tell him to wear) and provide the same one inside of a change bag as some comic relief. what do you think? I would also love to do a child suceeds, parent fails if anyone could suggest an idea. Among the tricks I can do for the adults I thought of Holy Moley(jay Sankey) fire wallet, hundi 500, thumb tip change with money, bill tube, hopping halves,in a flash(jay sankey) invisable deck, some card tricks (ambitious card to shoe) steal a watch, or wallet. itr float something, # 2 pencil into misled, color monte and maybe a good prediction or pychic trick. (if anyone has an idea on a good prediction routine) If anyone can suggest some other small tricks , That would be great. For my closer I have decided on the bottle pour levitation( I am not sure what it is called, but it is when your pour the soda(wine) into a cup and let go of the cup and the soda stays suspended in air with the cup. I use in my kids shows when I am thirsty, and I usually grap the adults attention due to the kids screams, goes over very well. Once again. Thank you all. If anyone has anything to add, That would be great. good night and break a thread. Johnjack
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Eric Jones V.I.P. Director of Product Development 2101 Posts |
My question is this, will you need to perform for a solid hour, or when will the food and festivities take place? This, in my opinion, helps dictate how much magic our audience has the time to see. If you have a solid hour between the dinner and the ceremony, maybe my performance style will help you a bit......
I perform walkaround/strolling/table hopping magic in 10 minute sets. For every 10 minutes of magic I perform, I always end up wasting another 5 simply conversing with the guests. This allows me to connect with the audience and give them a break from just seeing magic. I only have to do roughly 3 or 4 sets within that hour. If you have 2 or 3 different sets, you'll find that your time will be up before you've broken a sweat....... Eric Jones Prestidigitator
“We're two tigers away from an act in Vegas.” Greg House M.D.
<BR> <BR>http://www.ericjonesmagic.com |
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twistedace Inner circle philadelphia 3772 Posts |
Man, I don't know. I work restaurants regularly and I say GO FOR IT. I know you're not COMPLETELY prepared but you need to start somewhere. I know I'm going to catch a lot of slack for this but definately do the job. I think you definately have enough tricks to spread out. Work the two halves of the table. Do some of the smaller magic at one end, then move to the other end telling the host before hand. After you have completed two sets of close up then you could move into your more parlor type routines: rope, card on forehead, etc. As someone who regularly works these venues let me say that I've seen some of the best and some of the worst but lay people have not. You're going to be the greatest thing these people have ever seen because they simply have not been exposed to it before.
You're probably going to shake a bit and that's normal when you first start. Make a joke of it: is anybody else standing in this earthquake? Also, you HAVE TO REMEMBER, the KEY to good, entertaining close up magic is the SAME RULE as a good kid's show: The magic isn't the most important thing...it's the interactions and laughs that are had in between the magic that make the close up experience so special. MOST of the routines that you have mentioned can be stretched out to 4-6 minutes a piece with patter, jokes, audience input/interactions. I'm not saying that you don't have to be good or have chops, just that you'll be able to get away with it THIS TIME, but know for next time and get practicing! I wish you the best of luck! Close up magic has been very good to me and to many others as a source of income...if you're going to take more jobs treat it with the respect it deserves and sit down to study it! |
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johnjack New user Staten Island New York 38 Posts |
Hey Eric, That is great advise. The client originally thought it might be a good idea to have me perform at the end during dessert, but I was thinking like you and I think that is exactly what I am going to do,small sets between meals. I really don't care if I am there for 2 hours as long as the client is happy. Your comments have put me at ease. Thank you and Good looking out!
Twisted ace, I was so hesitate in doing the job my wife thought I was crazy. I like your comments and nice line with the shaky hands. I have done table magic I was just worried about the format, but I guess as the magician I will format that. Being a master of ceremony for a dj company I do walk around in the cocktail hour as just an additional thing to get practice my boss does not charge any extra 4 it, and this is where I get the practice. Also after 9-11 I was doing security in a jewish restaurant( I am a nyc cop fulltime) and the table hoping was a good cover-up no one suspected I was a cop doing security so I have got some practice there also. I think I needed the push from everyone and some conversation about this venue since I have never did it b4. I will keep everyone updated I still have a good month to practice. Please feel free to add any other comments on this issue it is really great, and very much appreciated. johnjack |
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spatrick Special user Tom Sawyer let me whitewash these 517 Posts |
Johnjack,
Just go out and be yourself. Three tricks per table and you can hit the same table twice with a different set if you like. I once did an hour of walkaround with 6 tables. It was fun and it kept me on my toes. If you can do the effectrs you mentioned in your previous posts you will be ok. By the way the name of the effect you want to close with is called "Airborne". Be careful with it up close though. don't worry about "Airtight" by Sankey. To do the routine effectively you need some table space and usually in a walkaround situation you shouldn't use "thier" table for storage space for your stuff. It's kinda tacky. If you have a venue to do it though, "Airtight" is a great effect. In a nutshell you have a card chosen and signed, return it to the deck, throw the deck of cards into a balloon, blow up the balloon, shuffle the cards, and pull thier card through the wall of the balloon. Good bit when the conditions are right. S. Patrick |
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Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 5952 Posts |
The trouble is that when the group is small, everyone may be looking over at the table you're performing for. When you get to any of the other tables, they may have seen your whole set, already. I almost never perform more than a few minutes of strolling magic for a small group. I offer a 35 minute standup show because that's what works - it's best to perform for the entire group all at once. Besides, an after-dinner show usually has a higher value than an hour of strolling entertainment.
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davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3086 Posts |
Hey Johnjack,
Just sitting here reading all the suggestions. Great advice!! Not much to add. Yes, do a special something involving the boy. In the February issue of Magic Magazine page 78, there is IMO a fantastic Stand-up sponge ball routine that you can involve the child as well as a parent and you the magician. It would be worth getting that issue from Magic Magazine if you can't find it. Also John Zander has an excellent rope routine called "Loose Ends" which again you can involve the boy with. John Zander is A Magic Café member. Also don't forget about Martin Lewis' DVD/Video series Vol. 1 & 2 for some excellent stand up effects for all to enjoy and making the communion boy feel all the more special. Remember to do your homework in regards to practice and rehearsal,and placment of props for ease of transition between effects. Verbalize out loud your patter while practicing. I think you know the drill. Taking the time now before the show will quiet the shakes and nervousness. You WILL have a good time and so will the party-goers. Beak a leg. David Paul A quick note on the above post concerning the February issue of Magic Magazine.....The year of that issue is 2002. SORRY!! I failed to mention that in the above post.
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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johnjack New user Staten Island New York 38 Posts |
Spatrick, Thank you for the advise, but I believe there is only going to be 1 table of about 30 people sitting in a horseshoe fashion. The more I think about it, the more I think of a parlor type show. I have been trying to buy and routine a show like that, because the walk arond I think I could handle. If I could think of 5 or 6 good tricks that involve everyone that would be great because I think that would be better like some of you have suggested. That would prepare me for the worse(since I have never did a parlor like show). I just bought Harlans mentalist dvd pack small, play big, and I got some ideas, so all your suggestions I am writing down and looking into. Keep them coming!! All your advise is helping a great deal and Thanks!
Hey Alan, This is just what I was thinking of being able to perform a good 35 minutes of stand up and possible b4 that doing some strolling magic to let the crowd warm up to me. If you could suggest dvds or tricks I will surely write them down and look into them. Your advise will not be overlooked. Thank u! |
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rikbrooks Inner circle Olive Branch, Mississippi 1317 Posts |
Horseshoe? Can you set up a small table in the middle? If so, cups and balls, linking rings. Consider McBride's Commando act. It starts off with some rope, mouth coils, then rope to ring, ring off rope. Then he goes into linking rings. I don't like his style of linking rings, too energetic for my taste but it suits others fine.
I'd do the chop cup for the guest of honor, or maybe sponge balls. You could do sponge balls all around the table, every 10 feet or so. Levitation will always grab them. I like the floating dollar where you pass a ring over it. |
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johnjack New user Staten Island New York 38 Posts |
Davidpaul, Thanks for the info. I have magic magazine but not that far back. Do you think you can E-mail me the article, if you have it(sponge balls) The other dvds I am going to purchase.(martin Lewis/ John Zander) Great advise I have been just starting to get everything together as quick as I can, then I am going to write down all the routines I want to do for the party then I will practice , practice, practice...and only then I will format the show and iron out the location of the props. Thank you for advise.
Hey rik brooks, Yeah haaaaa! sounds great but believe it or not I do not do linking rings, or chop cup and I know it takes more practice then I have time for, since I am trying to format a whole show in a month 1/2. (may 15) Mc brides commando act sounds like a lot but I will look into it. (any one else ever seen Mc brides commando act) sounds very intimidating!! YIKES. Thanks Rik. |
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rikbrooks Inner circle Olive Branch, Mississippi 1317 Posts |
Well, Johnjack, we all have priorities in our lives and you are right that linking rings takes a LOT of practice. That's one of the things that I like about them though, they set you apart.
My grandfather used to say, "Do what nobody else WANTS to do and pretty soon you'll be able to do what nobody else CAN". The Commando act includes linking rings but I'm sure that you can replace those with something else. |
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johnjack New user Staten Island New York 38 Posts |
Thanks a lot Rik and to everyone else who has added something to help a fellow magician. I am still taking suggestions and small routines. I figuered(well not me but another magician)suggested that if there are 3 tables of 10 I could perform 20 minute sets at each table, and if it is one whole table I can break the table up into small groups of 5-7 people, so that is where I am headed.
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