|
|
Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
piperdod Regular user 117 Posts |
Hello,I've done about 6 chidrens parties, I get the children shouting and clapping at the warm up and ask them to do the same after each trick (not in those actual words)
but, after the trick. Most times there a stunned silence after the trick and they have to be encouraged to shout, clap etc., for arguements sake, let's say they do enjoy the tricks /act and think their the best thing since sliced bread. How do I get them to shout and clap after the fantastic trick is done? Thanks! Tony |
|||||||||
jimhlou Inner circle 3698 Posts |
You don't - just say "Thank You" and move on to the next effect.
Jim |
|||||||||
mlippo Inner circle Trieste (Italy) 1227 Posts |
Children don't clap. Their normal reaction is what you've described in your post.
Actually even adults, when watching close up magic, don't know what to do and often don't clap at the beginning. They have to be "educated" to start doing it ... I was also upset by these non-reactions until I realised that it normal. Besides, I think that forcing or asking audience to applaude is the worst thing you could do. mlippo |
|||||||||
Mr. Mystoffelees Inner circle I haven't changed anyone's opinion in 3623 Posts |
I was with you until that last sentence. I believe applause is very necessary to the ambiance of a performance. I am not saying to put up an "applaud now" sign, but part of performance savvy is knowing how to get audience reaction at the right time. It is part of the performer's job...
Jim
Also known, when doing rope magic, as "Cordini"
|
|||||||||
mlippo Inner circle Trieste (Italy) 1227 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-08-12 19:52, Mr. Mystoffelees wrote: Absolutely! What I meant (sorry probably not clear enough) is that people must not be forced to applaud by saying things as "usually audience applauds now.." or mimicking applause in order to obtain it. My experience is that adults in close up situations really want to applaud but are afraid of doing it in that context. That's why laughter is the valve for them. But if you're good , eventually, applause will come, even if you don't ask for it. Roberto Giobbi in his Secret Agenda book, writes about this and explains a method he uses to encourage applause. As for children, they tend not to do it. They may start if there are parents in the audience which applaud. Hope I have explained my point of view a little better. mlippo |
|||||||||
mlippo Inner circle Trieste (Italy) 1227 Posts |
There's one thing I wish to add at this point. I am certainly biased AGAINST any kind of applause request. The main reason could be there's a senior member at the club in Trieste, that never gets spontaneous applause. And for a good reason: he ain't no good!
Then, at a certain moment, he'd look at the audience and almost yelling at them, he'd go "Allora? Applauso, no???" ("And so? Applaud, won't you???") And the applause he receives is one of the most pathetic things I've ever seen in magic :-( mlippo |
|||||||||
Mr. Mystoffelees Inner circle I haven't changed anyone's opinion in 3623 Posts |
I am with you, mlippo. I agree a blatant request is "poor form"... and pathetic is precisely the right word...
One of the things I love about our art is the many facets of it. Certainly, walking the audience down the garden path and manipulating the ebb and flow of the performance in an important one of them. Like each little part of magic, it takes thought, then practice, then rehearsal, the performance. Then learn from the performance and start again. Hard to do all of it at once, at first just getting the sleights and timing are all one can handle. I hope the OP will get some encouragement from this and realize it takes time to put it all together. Watching vids of really good pros helps. I would heartily recommend Pop Haydn performances. The thought he puts into his performances is inspiring. Jim
Also known, when doing rope magic, as "Cordini"
|
|||||||||
Atom3339 Inner circle Spokane, WA 3242 Posts |
My approach is: don't worry about it. Just do the best you can and have fun. People react to things in different ways. You may do a trick for someone and there is no applause at all. Then months, even years later the spectator tells you how they'll never forget the cool trick you showed them.
TH
Occupy Your Dream |
|||||||||
DWRackley Inner circle Chattanooga, TN 1909 Posts |
(mlippo, we probably don’t disagree all that much. I’ve seen poor performers who didn’t deserve applause, and yes, it looks pathetic. I’m assuming the performer is actually GOOD! )
I was very impressed at a recent Jeff McBride lecture by the way he handled the audience. Of course, he uses music, which many of us don’t, but he actually had planned into his choreography the “coaching” of his audience’s clapping. You DO have to tell them when it’s ok to clap. It’s actually a release of pent up energy (if you’re any good at all ) and they appreciate a clear signal that tells them when its ok. If you just keep plugging through, you can actually wear them out; they’ll literally become tired and you can lose them. Part of your programming should be to determine ways to allow them to express themselves. I never have an assistant on stage that I don’t call for (at the very least) “Let’s give her a hand”. It doesn’t really matter who they’re clapping for; they just need the release. (Of course, like anything else, you can kill this by over use. Make sure something applause-worthy has actually occurred!) The simplest way to cue them is with a basic “star” pose, standing straight and tall, with your arms straight out at your sides. An obvious bow also works. In my experience, this works for both comedy and “serious” magic; if they’re laughing already, they’ll laugh more (and applaud), if they’re gasping at the impossibility of your last effect, this could get you a standing ovation. (I’ve played it both ways!) I’ve seen comedy players stop everything and look at the audience, obviously waiting for the applause, which can be very funny, especially if repeated. And of course, there’s the old Johnny Carson trick (copied by Jay Leno) of waving down “thank you” with one hand while pulling up “more – more” with the other hand.
...what if I could read your mind?
Chattanooga's Premier Mentalist Donatelli and Company at ChattanoogaPerformers.com also on FaceBook |
|||||||||
DWRackley Inner circle Chattanooga, TN 1909 Posts |
Still thinking about this, probably the actual EASIEST way of cueing them (especially if there is stunned silence) is, as Jim said, a simple “Thank You”, spoken in a firm-but-modest voice. Done properly, it sort of snaps them out of their trance. You may actually see a reaction something like “Oh, yeah! I should applaud now!”
...what if I could read your mind?
Chattanooga's Premier Mentalist Donatelli and Company at ChattanoogaPerformers.com also on FaceBook |
|||||||||
piperdod Regular user 117 Posts |
Thanks for all the fantastic replies,,,,,,tony
|
|||||||||
Yellowcustard Inner circle New Zealand 1334 Posts |
First I think it is normal behaviour for them not to clap. And yes you don't want to tell them to clap or have a neon sign. But you do have to let them know a few thing. First up what you expect. Then how they can respond. They might want to clap every time but feel afraid to do so. I love how jeff Mc bride dose it. And take a lot of what he says in my aproch.
when I am doing close up I engage with my viewers. I ask them if they enjoyed that. I also look for reactions from people. And point them out. I say look that put a smile on his face, Then I follow up with either thank them or surrporting there reactions so they and others know its ok. I find that this helps and gets them on your side. And I find there a lot more animated and chtay at the end. And with a proper deliver good by at the end they will clap on there own accord. Some time with walk round and especially when busking I am less descreat and push more. when I do my final trick the egg bag. I use a volunteer. And my patter goes a bit lie this - Ok when I go 3,2,1 your going to wave your hand over the empty bag, And if something amazing happens the audience is going to clap and cheer. This give my helper clear instructions so they are safe and confidant. But it also tells the audience what is expected of them. In the Science shows we do in schools we use a vary simaulaur style. With the age 12-16 you relly need to push them some times and say it is OK to have fun. You never force your audiance to much. And they don't need to clap and cheer and do cart wheels ever time you do something. But if you point out what expected from them and create a safe place for them to express them self. Your have a better time and there have a better time. Using you audiance rigth can make your show a lot better for not much more effort. Like I say the past post are great. Jeff Mc bride approach is great. And I have just put a few real world applications that work for me.
Enjoy your magic,
and let others enjoy it as well! |
|||||||||
leolaurindo New user 53 Posts |
Like DWRackley said, the easiest way is to say "thank you"
But sometimes it's the performer's fault. Actually, most of the times. They don't make clear for the audience that the trick is finished. Make it clear on the patter (I'm not saying to you to say "i'm finished"), but if you routine your plot right they'll applause (if you're good also). Another technique, is the "Ovation Position" when you smile and get in a erect position smiling with open arms, they will applaude and smile too.(if you're doing close-up, you just need to do this position very "slightly" and they will applaude - most of the time in close up, magician's have the tendency to bend a little bit. When they get erect, smiling and looking in their eyes, they instinctively know that's finished). |
|||||||||
syko159 New user 23 Posts |
With kids you have to be very energetic, whether they respond to a trick or not. Sometimes they are enjoying it but just odn't show it. Make sure you show as much energy as you can and keep encouraging them to make noise...not only at the end of a trick, but ask questions and get them involved.
|
|||||||||
krowboom Loyal user Chicago area 233 Posts |
Mark Wade the ventriloquist at the start of his kids show goes through his SLC routine. S for sit up straight and get energetic, L for listen so you don't miss anything and C for let's practice clapping our hands which we should do when we really like something. He does many elementary school shows. I only do this for ages 4 to 6 but I guess you could do it for a little bit older kids also. Mark Wade is a premier kids show entertainer.
In my experience I find that having a few adults around really helps. They tend to applaud a well done trick and when they clap the kids clap. This sets a great example. When there are no parents around many times the kids don't clap but they do express themselves as to whether they liked the trick or not. |
|||||||||
scottds80 Special user Victoria, Australia 730 Posts |
My approach has been very successful for me with experimenting on this over the years.
In my second effect, after the opener, I call up a volunteer from the audience. It is the right thing for me to do to ask for a big round of applause for the volunteer. This shows I'm a considerate character, and it makes the volunteer feel more comfortable and confident to work with me on stage. It does release tension, and ultimately it conditions the audience to applause throughout the rest of the show. It sets a precedent. It makes me cringe too when magicians fish to be applauded. Its as bad as begging. I'd rather not get one than have to ask for it. Different audiences have different variables and environments, but the magic words are: "please give a big round of applause for (volunteers name)!" And importantly, be enthusiastic!
"Great Scott the Magician", Gippsland
|
|||||||||
Dr Art Regular user 170 Posts |
For kids shows it isn't always the need to get the applause so you can feel good. They probably love it, but don't know how to express that. The main reason for the applause is for everyone to know that the trick has officially finished, so you can move on to the next trick.
A good way to get that "end of the trick" acknowlegement is to create a contest. Tell them that for ten seconds after each trick the kid that yells or applauds the loudest, gets a special treat (lollipops or something like that) at the end of your show. At the end of the show you give the treats to everyone because they were all so good at applauding and yelling. |
|||||||||
scottds80 Special user Victoria, Australia 730 Posts |
Applause means so much more than signifying the end of a trick.
"Great Scott the Magician", Gippsland
|
|||||||||
derrenshowman New user 52 Posts |
Very good advices. thanks
|
|||||||||
vinh.giang Regular user Australia 132 Posts |
I don't perform for children, but when I perform for adults at the end of every trick I use my body language to suggest I am done and they should clap. Usually I take a step back and clap my hands together once to really indicate that the trick is over and that always seems to get me an applause. I believe sometime the audience doesn't know when to clap and they don't want to clap at the wrong time. The more indications you can give throughout your performance that "this is the time to clap!" the better!
"Rather a mind opened by wonder, than one closed by belief."
_________________________________ www.vinhgiang.com.au www.facebook.com/askvinh www.twitter.com/askvinh |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » New to magic? » » Hello, advice needed (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |