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ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-11-30 06:36, rossmacrae wrote: I like that! It sounds positive and supportive, but you're not making a promise the parents might not be able to keep! Very good! I only ever played Santa once. My chorus did a musical version of "Twas The Night Before Christmas" and they needed a member to act out the song in the Santa suit. That was fun. I did a Christmas party for the Lions club at the Children's Cancer Center in Providence once (actually, twice but the second show sucked) They had a great Santa who also went for the rubber fireman's boots painted black. Looked a lot better than those stupid boot tops.
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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Mike Ching Regular user Honolulu, Hawaii 192 Posts |
Hmmmm!
Yeah I do Santa in a big way. First did it at age 8 when a friend was so jealous of my flying dirigible toy he told me an outrageous lie about there being NO Santa and that my Dad got the toy! I remembered the magic of believing, so I rented a Santa suit from the local park and made a cottom ball beard. "Surprised" my Brother & sisters who wondered why Santa Shrunk and why he sounded like me. Looking at the pictures I was crushed by how little I resembled the big man. I resolved to bring Santa into the real world as best I could, and to someday create the most wonderful Santa,- ever. In my 20's I apprenticed with Hawaii's then best-known "Realbeard" Santa, Len Piper, a puppeteer and industrial designer who created ultra-cool displays at our biggest shopping center. There was a real education! 8 hours a day of taking picture of happy and scared kids! For those who haven't played St. Nick, here's a dose of reality for you: * Always keep a spare pair of Santa pants, cause frightened or exciteable kids can sometimes "leak"... * SOME crying babies can be distracted to look towards parents/Photobrapher with a squeeky toy. Some can't, but it's real, and many parents would just as well have a picture with a crying child than not at all. * I came up with tricks for getting images parents adored. Example: Ask "Have you decided what you want?" and point to your ear, lean towards them with your ear. A child whispering into Santas ear is a photo Adults adore. * Always chew breath mints or breath gum. Santas breath should be Minty-Fresh... * Keep cough drops on hand. A long strolling gig of keeping your voice in the jolly lower-registers can be hard on the 'cords... * "Ho Ho Ho" is not spoken dialogue, it's an actual laugh style, a deep chuckle that should sound kind, jolly and warm. Learn to "chuckle words" as you say them. That is the truest style. * The hardest, yet most powerful part of playing Santa? Maintaining the goodhearted warm smile. No matter how covered up you are, we can absolutely see your eyes "smile". No Santa looks right without one. Keeping it on for 2 hours at a time can actually hurt, but that is when you become Santa. A kindly spirit of goodness, who loves everyone unconditionally. * Many Santas look "lost" when they run out of children in line, but instead of just hanging out like a lame duck, learn the art of spreading Christmas cheer. Santa is just the man to do this! At parties when the photo line is echausted, I get up and greet the nearest adult, then make my way around the room clasping hands, giving compliments and hugs wherever appropriate. Here is what I say: "HELLOO! Good to see you again! (Clasp both their hands in yours, smile warmly and act like they are a long lost relative. Remember, Santa loves EVERYONE and doesn't stop just because they are too old for his gifts! Don't break character and you'll be amazed at the smiles and laughter St. Nick can still bring adults!) A bit for adults. Say: "I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU SINCE YOU WERE THAT TALL.." (Put your hand at the height of a 10 year old, this often gets a goodhearted laugh)... For Old People: HELLOO YOUNG LADY! GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN... YOU LOOK WONDERFUL!.. (it's true, little old ladies LOVE to believe in Santa again if just for a moment). Sometimes when you call them "Young Man" or "Young Lady", they will correct you and say "I'm 87 years old!" Just say: "I'm 378! Everyone's young to me!" Whenever you show that you refuse to break character you can get a delighted laugh. Q: "Where are the Reindeer (sleigh)? A: Back at the North Pole! I had to travel here by Magic and get back home so I can get it ready! (Few kids question "by Magic") * If a child grabs at your beard by accident or not: I quickly hold it to my face and say "Ouch, Ouch!" it gets a laugh and defuses the situation. * I treat my Santa ensembles like Rennaissance Faire outfits. That is, try to add a little to them every year. Buttons, trim, buckles. Every year they feel more "real". Children aren't foolish and cheap suits don't impress the many that are still on the fence, but truly WANT to believe. * Not all of us with an aptitude for character work have real beards. I am not a "realbeard" Santa, but I am a "real" Santa and do the best I can to bring him to life every year for those who love him and his spirit. For those interested, here is my latest 2-year project "MaGical Father Christmas", Possibly the most elaborate suit of it's kind in the world and just completed this past March. Both major Hawaii papers are doing stories on it's creation. https://wsmhost.wsmhost.com/mikechingmagic.com/magic/fc.html Among many European influences is Russias' "Father Frost". Final design Copyright 06, 07. Available for Media campaigns and special Events. It is currently featured on a major Japanes Website, and some have told me it is more impressive than the Disney World Father Christmas. Anyway great to meet all other Santas and character workers. Merry Christmas! -MikeC |
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-12-01 02:23, Tate wrote: I've done a few shows as Santa. The one thing I discovered is that you simply can't do the traditional sucker type tricks in them. I did a die box routine, making the die a gift wrapped package but the traditional byplay simply didn't work. After all what child is going to disagree with Santa?
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
Mike C...you are a wise man.
Funniest Santa story without a Santa being present. This happened in St. Marys Georgia at my pals house Christmas eve 1981. My shipmate was drunk, as were we all, and his kids were very excited about Santa coming. They were at the table with their mom and my pal says "shhhh....shhhhh....I hear something outside". He jumps up, opens the closet and grabs his shotgun, runs outside and fires off a couple shots. He comes in and says "I got him! I shot Santa! They wrecked in the pond down the street!". The kids started crying, the wife started screamin', we were laughing....good times. |
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ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
Oh my God! I guess I just haven't had enough to drink to see the humor in that!
Wow.
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
We were laughing at the wife. Then again you were never a drunk vicious sailor now were ya?
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rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
Remember the Gahan Wilson cartoon: "I think we've finally found what's been blocking your chimney for so long, Mrs. Jones..." and among the ashes falling out of the chimney is a dessicated corpse identifiable by its Santa suit.
A million laffs! |
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ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
Now THAT was funny!
Never been a drunk vicious sailor... had one for a relative! Discovered I'm a pathetic, nasty drunk without the muscle to back it up, so I don't drink!
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
We were later banned from that womans house after a party where we burned her four new car tires and most her furniture in a bond fire. We had to make room for drunk guys to lay after passing out rather than leaving them in the yard where the bugs could get them.
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Tate Loyal user NC 211 Posts |
Every year I try to come up with a new bit of business for Santa. I've been coming up empty this year, until I was driving this morning to a daycare center. It's nothing big, but it is just the kind of silly thing I like.
After I talked a little bit to the kids, I told them that I've decided to give the reindeer a rest this year - I'm going to have another animal pull the sleigh. But I haven't decided what kind of animal I should get. Do the kids have any ideas? Oh, boy, did they: pigs (I laughed out loud at that one), horses, cows, and camels! I was prepared to get them started, if they needed any prodding, with: rabbits, ducks, unicorns, and dinosaurs. I'm looking forward to trying it again to see what answers I get. Tate |
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rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
"Does anyone else here play Santa?"
[Singing, George M. Cohan-style] "Does anybody here know Kelly? K-E-Double Ell-Y" Sorry, couldn't resist. |
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Mike Ching Regular user Honolulu, Hawaii 192 Posts |
Some "Santa Tips" rediscovered:
1. If you use a wig/beard, assuming you aren't allergic to adhesive, try putting a 1" strip of strong double-sided foam tape in the "chin cup" area of the inner beard. It will make for less slippage, and looks much better when you talk. It is super-important that Santas' lips show when he talk. 2. Oversized Belts & Buckles make an outfit look much more authentic. 3. Want white 'Brows? Grit your teeth, walk into LONGS or WALGRENS cosmetic dept. and buy a white eyeliner pencil. (I dare ya! Don't be a wimp! It takes a REAL Santa to block out his eyebrows to match the wig & Beard). Sketch in your brows realistically and gently press a fingertip of white babypowder into the brow and brush off the excess. 4. Use shorts and Tshirt as your base outfit and keep wallet and keys on you at all times. *Don't forget George Burns advice to anyone getting into ShowBusiness: "Never leave your wallet in the dressing room". 5. Instant Padding: You can always buy a Santa Belly Apron at costume shops, but in a pinch this works very well too. Safety pin a wide round fluffy pillow INSIDE a large Tshirt. It should extend out front AND to the sides, yet allow you to bend over and sit well. Try not to pad out your chest too much. 6. Glasses make Santa look both wise and kindly. My favorites: the square "Ben Franklin" type sold at many costume shops. (I pop out the plastic lenses to avoid reflective flash during photo sessions.) In a pinch you can also use real reading glasses sold inexpensively at sundry stores. Glasses look coolest when perched at the end of the nose. (Thanks for starting this thread!) For those into the FATHER CHRISTMAS look, here's an article on our suit that just came out last week. http://starbulletin.com/2007/12/06/features/story01.html More stuff as I think of it (or as it happens to me this season). -Merry Christmas! ("Santa" MikeC) |
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airship Inner circle In my day, I have driven 1594 Posts |
Everyone tells me I look more like Santa than anyone they've ever seen. I wear a $3 hat everywhere I go from Thanksgiving 'till New Years.
[img]http://farm1.static.flickr.com/1/339750_d46639af22.jpg?v=0[/img]
'The central secret of conjuring is a manipulation of interest.' - Henry Hay
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magicians Inner circle Teacher and Legend 2898 Posts |
I have found the liquid white to work best on the beard. Not the spray. You brush on the liquid available frm costume houses.
I did a magic show as santa one time, and I made the mistake of the santa voice the whole show. Killed my voice for a week. I once did a magic show, then went on afterwards as Santa cause the firehouse santa was indisposed.
Illusionist, Illusionist consulting, product development, stage consultant, seasoned performer for over 35 years. Specializing in original effects. Highly opinionated, usually correct, and not afraid of jealous critics. I've been a puppet, a pirate, a pawn and a King. Free lance gynecologist.
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rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
Airship - I'll go back to playing Santa if I can have elves like yours.
PS - my wife reminded me, that her brother (an Army drill instructor ... "drop and give me 20, maggots!") was one of my best elves for two years. I threaten to visit and tell people. |
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