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The Great Smartini Inner circle 2280 Posts |
I find that a change bag is a pretty non-magical prop. I would think that after the thumb tip that this would be one of the most commonly known magic props because so many magicians use them. Probably more magical would be Jozo Bozo's change hat.
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
You're Right and I have both. I love Jozo Bozo's Change Hat.
Dennis Michael
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
Dennis. It strikes me that at least ONE of your puppets could 'speak' and it could be a running gag as well that he/she sounds like you!
Dennis: "Where did you get that awful voice?" Puppet: "From YOU!" D: "Well you don't sound like me do you?" P: "Of course I do...unless you sound like me" D: "I should hope not!" P: "There's only one solution..." D: "What?" P: "You keep quiet." (pause...glare at puppet)...)then I'll do all the talking and then I'll sound like me!" D: "That should make you very happy." P: "What? With a voice like this who could be happy?" D: "Never Mind!" etc.
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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alexa Veteran user NJ 393 Posts |
Wow that is really funny and knowing YOU Dennis I think it could really work!
Alexa |
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
I'm reading a new book.."How to choke your puppet and get away with it."
Dennis Michael
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mcharisse Inner circle York. PA 1226 Posts |
Fire book (for when I forget the magic words for fire)
Giant inflatable crayon for coloring book "clippo" rabbit that changes into real rabbit in my rabbit reconstitutor (rabbit wringer used as a production) Marc |
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sleightofand Regular user London, UK 188 Posts |
My fave things of recent are: silver sceptre, pop off wand and bongo's hat!
I am new to the kids magic but have tested a lot out on my daughter and she loves it! |
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TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-02-16 02:10, The Great Smartini wrote: I used to think this way too. Later I realized that it makes absolutely no difference whatsoever for several reasons. 1. only you know what these props are/do. 2. if your routine is hilarious nobody gives a 8hit. 3. my most talked about trick at my last 2 corporate gigs was the dumb silk vanish with a TT. NOBODY KNOWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 4. In my changebag routine, nothing ever changes. No matter what happens for almost 10 minutes, nothing ever changes. And everyone is laughing and having a great time the entire time. And nothing ever changes. Until the very end when it does change. But do you think in the previous 10 minutes people care? No. They're having too good a time with all the BS. p.s. I use a TT in my kids show too. And my adult stand-up show, and corporate strolling. busking, etc. Everywhere.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
A well known prop like the invisible deck, thumb tip, or change bag always gets them if you use them in a creative way.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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Tony Thomas Inner circle North Carolina 1248 Posts |
Okay - here are my three...
1 - can of snakes 2 - fishing bobbers (use them like balls for slight of hand) 3 - homemade production box (cereal box, appears empty & produces silks) I also use a thumb tip & change bags pretty regularly, but they were already mentioned... |
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The Great Smartini Inner circle 2280 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-02-17 14:41, Frank Starsini wrote: Frank, I would agree with you that the TT can, if used properly, be highly effective. That your "dumb" TT routine was the most talked about routine I find somewhat surprising. I'm not sure I agree with your comments about the change bag or your logic that no one gives a *hit because it's entertaining. This sounds like the entertainment/laughs are more important than the actual magic. If you actually spend ten minutes in a routine where no magic happens then one might argue that you're not really a magician but a comedian or something else. jeff jeff |
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TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-02-17 19:43, The Great Smartini wrote: I was surprised too about the TT being talked about most. But it was. People came up to me and would tell me... "someone told me that you could.... ". I admit it. I was surprised. Oh well. You're also right about the second part. It was not magic that was happening. It was just sheer entertainment. Comedy. Fun. Plain and simple. Of course I do a lot of magic as well. But this particular routine is all about the horsing around and comedy and fun. Finally, the magic. This was not how I pictured me performing kids shows but it IS what works best. And you know what? I was wrong to think that what was needed was exquisite slight-of-hand from beginning to end. These kids (and adults) want to have some fun. It also teaches me to be a MUCH better actor, comedian, and creative individual. I'll be riding this horse forever because I've found that it is not only the right way but the best way and I'm willing to learn every inch of the way to be the best I can be at it.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
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Bill Scott Regular user Las Vegas, NV 119 Posts |
Here's my list -
1. Bigger Wands - by far the best received of anything I have. Use it for a closer. 2. Wobbly Wand in the warmup segment 3. Several different types of change bags throughout the show |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
George...
I also use a feather duster. Mine is yellow and purchased from Wal-mart. (magic division) Many things including matching yellow vest from Nigel and myself, juggling rings...are yellow. I'm just mad about safron, safrons mad about me..They call me mellow...jellow...er yellow. Mine is used more for preshow work, during an introduction...say at a Library Program, or while cleaning up at the end..(usually with a quip.."my wife wishes I would use this at home."
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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LVMagicAL Elite user 460 Posts |
Smartini says: "I'm not sure I agree with your comments about the change bag or your logic that no one gives a *hit because it's entertaining. This sounds like the entertainment/laughs are more important than the actual magic. If you actually spend ten minutes in a routine where no magic happens then one might argue that you're not really a magician but a comedian or something else."
I must admit, I sometimes feel guilty telling someone I'm a magician. I'm really more of a "Children's and Family Magical Comedy Entertainer". In my opinion, kids (3-9 years of age) don't care if I can make the Statue of Liberty disappear, or if I can levitate over the Luxor Hotel.....but they DO want to be entertained, which includes making them laugh and feel empowered. I open with the appearing cane, and do some flower productions, etc; and a funny bit with the silver sceptre, but frankly, the majority of my show is making kids laugh through funny faces, expressions, reactions, interactions, costumes, gag bits, etc; The mis-made flag has become my signature routine, but not for the magic of turning three diferent colored scraps of cloth into an American flag, but because of the gags. I start by asking for a volunteer....and I need a very SMART volunteer...in fact the volunteer must "qualify" to be an assistant. I then go into a "Are you smarter than a 5th grader" bit where I ask the potential volunteer how many colors are on the flag, what are the colors of the flag, who made the first American flag, etc; There's lots of scripted/impromptu comedy lines and interactions that take place. When they "qualify" (after asking the rest of the audience for help if necssary), they put on an oversized Red-White-Blue top hat and strap-on goatee. More laughs and interactions regarding the hat over the eyes, not shaving often enough, etc; Gags follow with mis-calling the colors of the silks, and before the blue silk goes in the change bag for the first time (actually falls on floor of course), I ask the volunteer if he brought his/her magic wand with them today. Of course they need to use one of mine, which starts with the Silly Billy feather duster wand, then we go to the break away wand which I explain was handed down from generation to generation and my father sold it to me on his death bed. It's a valuable wand, insured by Lloyd's of Burbank for $1.97, all the while I'm baiting the volunteer into grabbing the wand while I'm pulling it away at the last moment (huge laughs from the audience)...then asking the kids in the audience to watch the volunteer very closely and let me know if anything happens.....of course when I finally hand it to him, it's the "look-don't-see" thing and that gets a huge laugh. Then the spring wand, followed by the multiplying wands, under each arm-pit and chin. 6-8 minutes into the bit, I'm now ready to proceed with the blue silk which of course falls on the floor. We try again, more wand gags and comedy interaction, second time doesn't work, more comedy and interaction, and the third time it finally works.....followed by big applause for the volunteer who demonstrated the virtue of patience and perseverance necessary to make the magic happen. If it's a school show, I make a bigger deal out of the character traits to satisfy the teachers who are always looking for reinforcement of their character builing efforts. At the end of the bit, the magic is secondary to the laughs and fun had by not only the volunteer, but the audience who demonstrated their power and wisdom over the silly grown-up magician who didn't even know the blue silk dropped on the ground, or who didn't know that the stripes of the American flag are NOT supposed to be blue, etc; So the kids feel good, had a GREAT laugh and did in fact see some magic in the meantime. So 10 minutes of truly hilarious fun, but about 15 seconds of "magic", so that's why I'm reluctant to call myself a magician. Back to the original question, the gags that get the best laughter reaction in my "normal" kids show act include: Break-away wand Multiplying wands Silver Sceptre (in opening routine) I agree with several other posters, it's not the props that are funny, it's how you use the props in conjunction with your character that makes for good entertainment. |
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Michael M. New user Ex-Brit in the USA 34 Posts |
1. Silver Scepter
2. TT and silk 3. Ali Bongo Hat |
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Vegasvent Loyal user Phoenix 288 Posts |
1.Run Wabbit Run
2.Needle thru the BALLOON 3.Stratospere
Magical Phil-Kidzshow, LLC
"My Wife says that either all of my Stuff goes, or she does......" "Boy, I'm sure gonna miss her cookin'." |
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michaelstellman New user Los Angeles 76 Posts |
First Post in this category. . . wish me luck!!! just recently joined.
My three favorite "enhancers" (if you will) 1. The good old fashioned Breakaway wand (at first I was reluctant as I assumed this is overused and everyone has seen it, but the reactions from the kids AND the parents proved otherwise) 2. Nesting Wands (another tried but true) 3. Blooming Bouquet (I use the Trevor Leiws - David Ginn Routine and it kills!!) - sometimes use this in the middle of an effect - either way it always gets laughs. I am seriously considering BIGGER WANDS as I think it is a fantastic idea and in the right hands can bring down a house. that's all for now.. .. -Michael |
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Bradley Roberts Elite user Las Vegas 413 Posts |
The bigger wands are great when I have used them. When you have a small child up there with the 9 foot wand trying to move it back and forth, everyone is laughing. Its not one of those tricks that packs small and plays big, but it does play big
B-Rad
B-Rad "The Kids Magician"
Brad Kids Magic Website "A child's smile is one of life's greatest blessings." |
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magicbern Inner circle Hong Kong, China 1220 Posts |
For me, I guess the three best enhancers I'm using nowadays would be:
1/ Barry Mitchell's Can of Wands 2/ Rainbow Nesting Wands 3/ Silly Billy's wand trio - Feather Duster Wand; Silly Billy Wand and the Jumbo Inflatable Wand. |
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