Stage Magic :: HELP NEEDED!

[XabierL]

Hi guys,

My name is Xabi and I've been doing close-up magic for 2 or 3 years now. Finally, I've decided to create a "Stage Magic Set", but I don't know where to start... So many things to do!

Basically I do card magic, as well as sponge ball routines. However, I want to learn stuff that will provide me a professional career! That's why I'd really like to get some advice in order to create a one-hour show for kids: routines and tricks, structure, music, etc.

In addition, I'd like to know if creating a web site is a good choice, since I will start planning the show during the following months.

Every single advice will be appreciated, guys!

Thanks,

Xabi

 

[formula]

I don't perform for kids, so I can't offer you any advice on that front but if you want to create a stage act I suggest the following:

1. Watch performance videos of successful stage shows. Study them and understand what makes them a success.

2. Buy a book on the subject.

3. Pay for tuition, preferably from someone who has extensive experience in the kind of act you want to develop.


With regards to a website, having one is essential.

 

[RickEverhart]

Why does it have to be a kids only show and not a family oriented show? I'm just curious. If you are for sure keeping it kids oriented....a 1 hour stage show is pushing it. I'd stick to 30 minutes - 45 tops depending on the age range. Children under the age of 8 are going to be bored out of their mind after 30 minutes. Teens would be able to handle it.

For a stage show you are definitely going to want to incorporate music and interaction with your audience. Kids love to be up and moving and involved.

You could look at performers such as Silly Billy or David Ginn. Watch their performances and study how they interact with children.
Both believe in a lot of gags and using magic as a vehicle to entertain the children.

Reality One and I are currently in the process of putting together an ebook which we are hoping to get compiled within the next 6 months. It is going to be full of tons of advice straight from our experiences with performing for children. It is an extensive project because we both have full time jobs as well as performing but I think it is going to be jammed packed with with a lot of valuable information. I know that doesn't help you right now but food for thought in the future.

A website and business cards are two very imperative items to getting your name out there.

If you have more specific questions feel free to ask.

 

[XabierL]

OK, thanks to both of you!! I'll look for the performances you mentioned and Rick, you're right: I'll create a more family-oriented kinda show. That should work much better... Thank you!!

 

[XabierL]

Hi again, I'd like to know what are the best sources to learn Paper Balls Over the Head, DVD or Download if possible... Thanks!

 

[Jewish_Illusion]

hey

if you think about it, paper balls over the head pretty much summarizes the whole trick for you.
throw paper balls over their heads LOL

anyway it is easy to learn and pick it up from watching actual performances, so you might want to check out this link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaZ0TPmBFPQ

just subsitute the paper for the egg
or dont!

 

[RickEverhart]

I wouldn't suggest paper balls over the head for young children because the young kids in the audience are just going to ruin it for the child in the chair. They will just typically yell, "He is throwing it over your head!" I've seen it happen. It is better suited for older kids who enjoy watching the person in the chair get the effect done on them.

You can try it though. I have it in a Slydini Book but am not sure about a video resource.

 

[keotykim]

you have to use website its to good for your career or you have to go to any professinal who can taught you as well...

 

[brendan1980]

HA HA HA!! I loved that routine....I was laughing so hard! The best part is, as easy as it looks, I bet it's actually quite tricky to make sure that the helper doesn't see the other bloke when taking the chicken.

 

[XabierL]

OK guys!! After some time planning this I've designed the following act:


Half Man + Dresscode with some music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12yrgoVnH3I + http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF06ioP7IuM

Brain Damage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH4R57kHexo

Freefall + Fiber Optics 3 rope routine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e9Rp7pFHHQ + http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np0j0YYDKD4

Paper Balls over the head (performances in previous comments)

360º Head Twist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASAnbSwMaMQ (better performed, btw)

RepAIR, from the Wire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpL9hDhaMrI

Thread (if there isn't any kid in the show) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfOfdQq4xs4

THiNK http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzgZGhJhS-s

In Half http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0njpDi18RI

The classic Linking Rings


Any comment or suggestion is really appreciated!!

 

[starthelegend]

That was rich! I never knew David Copperfield to throw so much comedy into his act.

hey

if you think about it, paper balls over the head pretty much summarizes the whole trick for you.
throw paper balls over their heads LOL

anyway it is easy to learn and pick it up from watching actual performances, so you might want to check out this link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaZ0TPmBFPQ

just subsitute the paper for the egg
or dont!

 

[RediSpades]

If you are looking for more than just tricks, and things that will honestly help your act, here are some suggestions:

Foundations: The Art of Stage Magic by Eberhard Riese
http://www.mjmmagic.com/store/foundations-the-art-of-stage-magic-by-eberhard-riese-p-6048.html

Scripting Magic by Pete McCabe
http://www.mjmmagic.com/store/scripting-magic-by-pete-mccabe-p-5468.html

Seriously Silly by David Kaye (For Family Shows)
http://www.mjmmagic.com/store/seriously-silly-by-david-kaye-p-813.html

These are all really great books for helping you get prepared

 

[XabierL]

Hi I have an additional question... Where can I buy a big cloth? I know it's a pretty silly question, but is there any specific type of cloth stage magicians use?

 

[Rneogy]

Well whats the cloth for?

 

[RealityOne]

OK guys!! After some time planning this I've designed the following act:


Half Man + Dresscode with some music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12yrgoVnH3I + http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF06ioP7IuM

Brain Damage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH4R57kHexo

Freefall + Fiber Optics 3 rope routine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e9Rp7pFHHQ + http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np0j0YYDKD4

Paper Balls over the head (performances in previous comments)

360º Head Twist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASAnbSwMaMQ (better performed, btw)

RepAIR, from the Wire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpL9hDhaMrI

Thread (if there isn't any kid in the show) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfOfdQq4xs4

THiNK http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzgZGhJhS-s

In Half http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0njpDi18RI

The classic Linking Rings

Any comment or suggestion is really appreciated!!

I'm assuming that you've decided not to do the show for children because most of those routines are not appropriate for children.

The effects don't seem to fit together (other than many of them being from Andrew Mayne) or be in any particular order.

One part of your show are macabre illusions. Half man is probably the strongest illusion and it should not be your opener. In half seems to be too similar to Half Man. Head Twist and Brain Damage also seem to be too similar. I don't think that Thread would play well for stage. Also, although it has a macabre feel to it, it will be outsized by the other illusions.

Freefall / fiber optic, paper balls over the head and linking rings are more classic magic but they have a completely different feel than the macabre illusions. I don't see them fitting together in the same show. To really learn the paper balls, get Stars of Magic -- the book has the routine in it. It is also in one of the Fulves books on Slydini. Take the time to learn the routine correctly.

RepAir and Think are close up effects. They really don't fit with either the macabre illusions or with the classic magic.

Before you buy any of those effects, script out how you are going to perform them. What are you going to do and what are you going to say. Figure out what your character is and drop the effects that don't fit your character. For a show to be successful, you have to do more than present the effects the way they are in the videos.