On 2010-04-17 05:10, Flymo wrote:

Quote:

On 2003-05-12 14:08, Frank Starsini wrote:
Here's an idea that I use...

The effect is "The Big Surprise" by Michael Close. This effect is awesome on its own but has several redeeming side-effects for kids shows, busking, etc...

Anyone have a link for this?

On 2003-05-11 23:20, marko wrote:
"You're adopted."

Be strong-exactly. I also like, " me too, I'm the one that bought the trick"
On 2010-04-17 15:05, pradell wrote:
Controlling children starts from the moment you arrive at the gig, even before the show begins. Kids will size you up to assess your inner core, and you are a one time gig just like a substitute teacher. If they find a weak spot you will be exploited. So you need to come on strong and gradually back off once you've established yourself to be the one in charge. There are many subtleties you can add to your show which are ways to establish control over the kids but at the same time channels their energy towards enjoying the show rather than turns the performance into a fight between you and the audience, which is no fun for anyone. This comes over time and after performing countless shows. As a tip of the iceberg some of the tactics I use include making a defined space between your props and the children, using "shhhhh" as the magic word and stressing that magic can't happen unless it's quiet, making the kids the quiet police so that they actually are telling the other kids to settle down, and not giving the children their intended reaction to the normal heckler lines, such as:

"I've seen that one!"
Response: "I've seen it too!"

"I know how you did it"
Response "I know how I did it too!"
or "I know all my tricks"

Most important isn't your come back line, but your nonchalance, i.e. your lack of a major emotional response to the heckler's line. If you get mad, embarrassed, or otherwise come undone, they've just hit your weak spot.

Have fun with the kids. Their testing you is just normal kid stuff.

Finally, if you don't like kids, don't perform for them. They'll know in an instant if you would prefer not to be there. If you enjoy the interaction, it will reflect in your performance and they will like you and, in turn, your act.

:magicrabbit:

Be strong-exactly. I also like, " me too, I'm the one that bought the trick"
On 2010-04-17 15:05, pradell wrote:
Controlling children starts from the moment you arrive at the gig, even before the show begins. Kids will size you up to assess your inner core, and you are a one time gig just like a substitute teacher. If they find a weak spot you will be exploited. So you need to come on strong and gradually back off once you've established yourself to be the one in charge. There are many subtleties you can add to your show which are ways to establish control over the kids but at the same time channels their energy towards enjoying the show rather than turns the performance into a fight between you and the audience, which is no fun for anyone. This comes over time and after performing countless shows. As a tip of the iceberg some of the tactics I use include making a defined space between your props and the children, using "shhhhh" as the magic word and stressing that magic can't happen unless it's quiet, making the kids the quiet police so that they actually are telling the other kids to settle down, and not giving the children their intended reaction to the normal heckler lines, such as:

"I've seen that one!"
Response: "I've seen it too!"

"I know how you did it"
Response "I know how I did it too!"
or "I know all my tricks"

Most important isn't your come back line, but your nonchalance, i.e. your lack of a major emotional response to the heckler's line. If you get mad, embarrassed, or otherwise come undone, they've just hit your weak spot.

Have fun with the kids. Their testing you is just normal kid stuff.

Finally, if you don't like kids, don't perform for them. They'll know in an instant if you would prefer not to be there. If you enjoy the interaction, it will reflect in your performance and they will like you and, in turn, your act.

:magicrabbit: