Just Cards?

[jok3r]

Whats up guys, i recently did a short show for my little siblings 5th grade class a few months ago. After the performance, I had alot of parents ask if i did birthday parties. Well at the time I hadn't had a real gig yet, but i told them i was working on it.

I'm trying to get started in do birthday parties/walk around gigs, etc.

My question is basically about material.

Right now i I just do mostly cards, plus a few little gimmicks (Redline, invisible deck)
Ive been wanting to learn some new stuff, but im not sure what.

Does anyone only perform cards? If so what do you perform

Part of me thinks i can, part of me says i can't.

I know everyone is going to say sponge balls, I am working on those.
I was looking into fiber optics, and David Stones real secrets of magic.
would either of those be good for kids?


Let me say this, Im not interested in balloons and pulling rabbits out of hats.
I don't want to be that kind of magician, i want to be able to perform more modern magic. (I dont know if modern is the right word)

Thanks,

 

[Dmagic]

Get David Stone's Real secrets of magic. He has some great routines and tips. However, you will need to have a basic knowledge of coin magic. Also, don't do cards for kids under 8. I have been performing gigs, and trust me, do a more interactive trick like sponges or coins. Hope this helps.
-Dmagic

 

[jok3r]

I dont know alot about coins, does it explain enough to where I dont have to go get a whole book on coins?

 

[RikAllen]

Since you already said sponge balls. I'll say them again. They're good for all ages and will get your general level of skill up.

Kids magic is tricky. Most performers are either do just kids or they do everybody else, in terms of birthdays. You have to have short tricks that hold attention.

Anything that lasts too long without something funny or amazing happening will lose children quick. (sadly most adults too...what happened to slowing down and smelling roses?)

That's all the advice I have. I haven't done much work with smaller children...so I'm going to leave it for someone who has.


-Rik

 

[jok3r]

Since you already said sponge balls. I'll say them again. They're good for all ages and will get your general level of skill up.

Kids magic is tricky. Most performers are either do just kids or they do everybody else, in terms of birthdays. You have to have short tricks that hold attention.

Anything that lasts too long without something funny or amazing happening will lose children quick. (sadly most adults too...what happened to slowing down and smelling roses?)

That's all the advice I have. I haven't done much work with smaller children...so I'm going to leave it for someone who has.


-Rik

That actually does help, most the material i know is geared towards adults.
But the fact is its much easier to get gigs for birthday parties, and i just have to decide if I want to choose one or try to do both.

 

[RikAllen]

That actually does help, most the material i know is geared towards adults.
But the fact is its much easier to get gigs for birthday parties, and i just have to decide if I want to choose one or try to do both.

That is true.

The main thing I would do if you are trying to get both types of gigs would be to do your show for the kids, whatever tricks you end up on, and then do some stuff for the adults and let them know you're available for other venues.

Have business cards to give (more often than not there will be more than one parent) so that they can have contact and let others who need entertainment know about you.

-Rik

 

[jok3r]

That is true.

The main thing I would do if you are trying to get both types of gigs would be to do your show for the kids, whatever tricks you end up on, and then do some stuff for the adults and let them know you're available for other venues.

Have business cards to give (more often than not there will be more than one parent) so that they can have contact and let others who need entertainment know about you.

-Rik

That is a good idea

 

[LuseifHo]

Lemme start off by saying that for kids parties, you either have to love them or you dont.
If you dont like performing for kids, then you wont be good at it.
1. Children have very short attention spans. You cant do extremely long boring car routines.
2. I know what you are getting at with the performing Modern Magic sorta stuff but seriously, it wont work unless you are very good. No little kid wants to watch a guy play with cards and coins for 1 hour. It may be good for parties ages 12 and up. But seriously, 5-8 year olds just dont find them all that amazing.
3. Interaction and audience engagement is a key in childrens magic. If they only watch, then they will lose concentration. You have to let them do something.
4. Children like challenges. If you watch the way Chris Capehart performs. He keeps challenging to guess something. He does the whole "what? what are you talking about?" sort of thing which gets the really worked up. Watch him perform. Hes a great Kids Performer.
5. Finally, when performing for children, there are a lot more things to worry bout. a) kids like to surround you like hell. Its damn annoying to get a good angle. b) they are a lot shorter than you so they may have a bad angle c) they like to grab d)they like to act smart. "this is so stupid... its over there... blah blah blah wah wah"

Basically, I hate performing for kids. But if you want to see some masters, watch Chris Capehart and Bil Abbot, both who have DVDs on the subject.
Im not sure bout the whole Modern Magic thing though.

 

[Zeedub81]

I did a kid's party not too long ago. Most of what I did was cards, and they still loved it. I also did an equal and unequal ropes, and a few coin tricks. Just make sure you keep the card tricks simple and visual.

 

[jok3r]

Lemme start off by saying that for kids parties, you either have to love them or you dont.
If you dont like performing for kids, then you wont be good at it.
1. Children have very short attention spans. You cant do extremely long boring car routines.
2. I know what you are getting at with the performing Modern Magic sorta stuff but seriously, it wont work unless you are very good. No little kid wants to watch a guy play with cards and coins for 1 hour. It may be good for parties ages 12 and up. But seriously, 5-8 year olds just dont find them all that amazing.
3. Interaction and audience engagement is a key in childrens magic. If they only watch, then they will lose concentration. You have to let them do something.
4. Children like challenges. If you watch the way Chris Capehart performs. He keeps challenging to guess something. He does the whole "what? what are you talking about?" sort of thing which gets the really worked up. Watch him perform. Hes a great Kids Performer.
5. Finally, when performing for children, there are a lot more things to worry bout. a) kids like to surround you like hell. Its damn annoying to get a good angle. b) they are a lot shorter than you so they may have a bad angle c) they like to grab d)they like to act smart. "this is so stupid... its over there... blah blah blah wah wah"

Basically, I hate performing for kids. But if you want to see some masters, watch Chris Capehart and Bil Abbot, both who have DVDs on the subject.
Im not sure bout the whole Modern Magic thing though.

You make some good points, I guess i just need to experiment.
I will check those dvds out, thanks for the suggestions.

 

[jok3r]

I did a kid's party not too long ago. Most of what I did was cards, and they still loved it. I also did an equal and unequal ropes, and a few coin tricks. Just make sure you keep the card tricks simple and visual.

How old was the kid, and what kinda stuff did you perform.

I have a great idea for angle zero, and some other stuff that lets the kids get involved.

 

[RickEverhart]

I have done many kids parties and sciffydof is exactly dead on.

Read all of his points carefully. I agree.

I will also add that kids like things to change color, appear, vanish, etc. I only use one card trick in my entire 30 min. kids show. Everything else is sponge balls, ropes, silks, changebag, funny props. They love to laugh and get involved. Most of the time they don't sit still so you might as well be prepared to let them move around and get involved. If this is not really your style...I wouldn't take any of the gigs. Or...try it once or twice to get your feet wet and see how it goes. You will learn a lot and then you can make a decision of whether you are a kids performer, adult type performer, or even both.

I disagree with anyone who says you can only be one or the other. I have enough props / tricks and experience that I can entertain young children for birthdays or 30-60 year old adults who want to be blow away by hard hitting "modern" tricks.

Just food for thought. Hope some of this helps.

 

[jok3r]

I have done many kids parties and sciffydof is exactly dead on.

Read all of his points carefully. I agree.

I will also add that kids like things to change color, appear, vanish, etc. I only use one card trick in my entire 30 min. kids show. Everything else is sponge balls, ropes, silks, changebag, funny props. They love to laugh and get involved. Most of the time they don't sit still so you might as well be prepared to let them move around and get involved. If this is not really your style...I wouldn't take any of the gigs. Or...try it once or twice to get your feet wet and see how it goes. You will learn a lot and then you can make a decision of whether you are a kids performer, adult type performer, or even both.

I disagree with anyone who says you can only be one or the other. I have enough props / tricks and experience that I can entertain young children for birthdays or 30-60 year old adults who want to be blow away by hard hitting "modern" tricks.

Just food for thought. Hope some of this helps.

Thats pretty much what i needed to know.
Ropes, silks, and sponge balls are all great. but there just not me, and it also mean s buying more props.
I guess i just have to decide weather i want to get into it or not.

thanks for the help

 

[RickEverhart]

You are right...I did have to suck it up and buy a few kids props but after two or three shows everything was paid for. Good luck on making your decision.