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Shawn74 Loyal user New Mexico 211 Posts |
Ok, this may seem like a trite question, and for that I apologize. I do not regularly perform for kids, just the 2 that I have. A 5 and a 6 year old. Just this morining I was doing a little coin work. Just a simple vanish and reappearance. First I did it for my 6 year old and "pulled it from inside his shirt". He though this was great. Then I needed to do something for my 5 year old, so he wouldn't get jealous. In the middle of this 'routine' my 6 year old yells out..."it's in your other hand, it's right there."
Now, I do keep in mind this is my child and he's seen me practice things since he was born, and I have shown him a bit of how certain aspects of magic work. But I still couldn't shake this annoying feeling that I couldn't even fool a 6 year old with a simple coin trick. Do any of you ever feel discouraged after something like this happens? Or have any of you ever had something like this happen? Like I said, sorry for the trite question. I am not a professional performer, but that doesn't mean that I don't want to be good at what I do. And considering most of you deal with children on a 'magical' basis more than I do, I figured you guys would be the ones to ask. Thanks for any reply or advise. Shawn
Hold your breath...make a wish...count to 3... and you'll be in a world of pure imagination
Willy Wonka |
Smoke & Mirrors Special user 506 Posts |
>>Now, I do keep in mind this is my child and he's seen me practice things since he was born, and I have shown him a bit of how certain aspects of magic work.
There's your issue, I think. You must stop the practice of sharing info with him. Let him be bewildered and enjoy the magic. You'll have to re-train him to be a spectator & not a "magician's assistant". The coin could be blatently hidden on your forehead, but with proper misdirection it will never seen by a "regular" audience.... see "Card on Forehead" routine. Very powerful & widely used. I don't feel discouraged if something doesn't go right, it is however, a chance to better myself. I'm actually glad when a friend tells me what they "saw" so that I can work on it. If they don't tell me so as not to hurt my feelings, it will only mean that I'll suck in public. But maybe get your wife to be the assistant and keep your kids the audience...magic wears off quickly on them these days, let them enjoy it while they can. Don't get discouraged! Get Encouraged! -aaron |
TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
There’s very little magic that will really fool a five or six year old, especially close up magic. They see things as they really are, not as we want them to see it.
It’s great to have them around to practice your close up stuff, but don’t expect to blow them away with it. When and if you do, then rest assured you are ready for the real world. No, I wouldn’t feel bad about not being able to fool them. Besides your own kids will always be the hardest on you. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
Rickfcm Veteran user lower Michigan 382 Posts |
Maybe it is time to plant the seed that magic secrets are not to be revealed.
Rick |
rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
If he really "caught" you, you'd better give that kid a big thenk-you and buy him some ice cream.
If he was just saying that because he knows how you do things and wanted to show how superior he is to his younger sibling, it's talk time: "you get a special look behind the scenes because you see me practicing, but you need to be a really big boy and help to keep my magic secrets so we can really fool people!" |
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
As an example:
When I want to fool my daughter, a double-lift will not work. I must use a top change. Which means there must be coreography and appropriate misdirection.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
Derek Rutt Creations Regular user thailand 172 Posts |
Like has already been said children are not easy to fool whereas adults are.
Children look at the whole thing totally logicaly and are seldom fooled by a misdirection. That is why I have always performed simple magic self working props where the magic is done out of sight. Kids love silly magic....comedy magic and pay little or no attention to clever magic.
Hope this helps. Creation is life
www.derekrutt.com |
Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-07-16 20:39, Shawn74 wrote: If you've "shown him a bit of how certain aspects of magic work" then there's the answer and no reason to be discouraged. They now know about those false tranfers and where the coin is. Kids catch on really quick. My grand daughter wanted to learn some tricks so I showed her a couple of coin tricks. Now, unless I switch methods she knows the path to follow. Try faking them out by actually taking the coin using what appears to be a sleight they may be familiar with. IE: Actually take a coin w/ RH from French Drop position but keep LH looking as if the real sleight was used. Get the coin in Downs Palm or other concealment, do magic and show that hand empty(?). When they say it's in the suspicious hand show that empty too. It's time to use different methods on them and not show them too much. |
magicalaurie Inner circle Ontario, Canada 2962 Posts |
Kids have no qualms about telling what they know, and rightly so. They are very honest. Don't expect them to let you get away with anything if they know how it's done. Keep your secrets SECRET, or, BE READY FOR THEM. Good luck!
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Shawn74 Loyal user New Mexico 211 Posts |
THanks everyone. I do appreciate the support. I have had a talk with him and told him that when I am doing tricks for him, he has every right to tell me what he sees. But when I'm doing something for his brother, or anyone else, he needs to keep quiet and protect the secret. I explained to him why it's so important that he not tell everyone what he sees, because others may enjoy the experiance and be very happy with it, and by him telling everyone, he's not letting them have fun.
Again, thanks for the support Shawn
Hold your breath...make a wish...count to 3... and you'll be in a world of pure imagination
Willy Wonka |
JesterMan Veteran user Maryland, USA 319 Posts |
Shawn,
That sounds good. I hope he takes it to heart. You may have have spawned your own apprentice, when he is ready. Good luck!
JM
Balloons, Magic, Mayhem & More! www.AArdvarkEntertainers.com www.JesterMan.com "... destined to take the place of the MudShark in your mythology... " FZ |
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