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Hood Veteran user 328 Posts |
Right now I perform at birthday parties for 3-7 year olds but have had people always ask for 8-12 year olds. I have done 2 shows and learned real fast that the 3-7 year old show does not work at all for 8 year old and up. I am trying to come up with a show that will work with this age group here is list of effects I can do, please lend me your thoughts if any of these will work or which ones that will not or any ideas of effects that may work:
Invisible deck using a regular deck Vanishing Bandana 5 Card opener (bill abbott) Booktest Torn and restore newspaper (osterlind version) or no tear version Misers Dream Card to orange or Bill to lemon Gypsy Balloon Chair suspension Houdini Chain escape Thanks for the help. |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
With that age group it is important to establish your credentials quickly. So something strong - the invisible deck works - or something funny. Treat them as young adults rather than kids. No colouring books or other such stuff.
But once you have earned their respect, they are very easy to entertain, so don't worry. But I would leave the vanishing bandana at home - or better yet, in a bin. It is pure karaoke, and it won't win their respect. For that age group I find cards across kills. So do sponge balls, balloon swallow, etc. Escapes they love. Bill to Lemon will work well too.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
drewer New user NoVa 100 Posts |
They can all work with the proper presentation and character.
The only iffy one is the book test, but if you can explain and present it well, it may be feasible. Sorry to be so brief, but I think the right presentation can make any trick work for almost anyone. |
Danny Kazam Inner circle 1516 Posts |
First you need to understand what they understand about magic. 3 year olds don't understand some magic that a 5 year old would. When I do a birthday show my performance is geared toward the age of the birthday child, not a wide age group. My 5 year old birthday party show is a bit different than my 3 year old show. 7 year olds can pretty much understand what is possible and what is not possible, but it's how I routine and perform the tricks that makes it age appropriate, not so much the trick itself.
Although I do not perform for adults, some of the tricks I perform would necessarily be considered children tricks. But adapting the trick so it's age appropriate works just fine for me. I learned how to adapt my tricks to suite a wide range of ages by changing the patter and routine for it. Take the Drawing Board for instance. I can adapt the routine to fit any age, or Chico, The Mindreader. I understand that some trick play better to older children than younger children, but that's because some younger children don't understand that what you did was impossible. But, if you make the routine comical in a way that the child will understand the humour then the younger child has fun too. Not sure if I explained that well, but that's my initial thought on it.
Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.
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Hood Veteran user 328 Posts |
For cards across would Daryl's Double Crossed work well? I am very comfortable with this cards across. It is the thought of cards across where the two thought of cards travel. Thanks for the help so far. Keep is coming!
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MichaelCGM Inner circle Oklahoma City 2286 Posts |
Quote: That is absolutely the best possible answer to this oft-asked question, drewer. Every time I hear, "Which effects work best for which ages," I take a deep breath and leave out a long, audible sigh while slowly shaking my head. It's seldom a matter of which effect, and most often a matter of, "How shall I present this effect for this specific group?" You'll do well to take drewer's advice.On 2013-06-19 20:12, drewer wrote: |
Danny Kazam Inner circle 1516 Posts |
Exactly what I was trying to say but wasn't able to make it as clear as that. 3-7 is a pretty big gap for a birthday party. If I am hired to perform at a 3 year old party, I plan my show for three year olds, not for 3-7 year olds. But because of how I present my routines even adults can enjoy watching and playing a long. Once you get to the age of 8 year olds, you can pretty much use any magic trick. It's how you present it that decides if it'll be entertaining. 8 year olds can watch David Coperfield and be both amazed and entertained. They can even be amazed watching Criss Angel perform magic. They have a pretty good idea at that age what is possible and what is not possible. The key is to be entertaining.
3 year olds are not so easily amazed by magic tricks but when presented properly can be very entertained by it. Take Bugs Bunny cartoons for instance. The 3 year old can be entertained watching the characters play out, but not understand any of the humurous dialogs that an older child might get. It's all about how you present yourself that makes you entertaining.
Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.
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charliecheckers Inner circle 1969 Posts |
First you should ask yourself why you are considering approaching a different market in the first place. Just because people ask you if you do shows for older kids does not mean that it is in your best interest to pursue that market. Look at The Great Zucchini - his entire focus is on the younger audiences. He is fully booked. By focusing on one age group, he has created an image of being a specialist in the customers mind.
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
The next time you are around 8 year olds, show them a pack of cards and ask them to name a few, That will give you an idea if that age understands what you're doing.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The little darlings » » Making a show for 8yr olds and up. (0 Likes) |
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