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Thanks to everyone who has contributed ideas here. It wasn't my question but I have picked up a lot from it.

Johnny Wizz wrote:Thanks to everyone who has contributed ideas here. It wasn't my question but I have picked up a lot from it.

Agreed,

thanks all, I will be returning the favour of writing up a review of Balloon Magic Made Easy by Royal Magic DVD as soon as I've finished watching it.

It has to me as well it is a great forum and I am learning a lot, just reading mark Wilson’s book (as recommended on here) it is very good.

Just a couple of questions on kids magic and shows,

I am really interested in adding a puppet to the show I am making, what puppet would people recommend and what sort of magic can you do with them???

Also I am looking at making sort of a wooden unit to wheel in and out of the event, with every thing in all my props and the cd system. Then all I need is the speakers making it quick and easy set up. Any one use any thing like this at all any pictures would be welcome just trying to get some ideas.

Thanks every one.

Hello hello. First post at TalkMagic!

I'm not a professional entertainer, and usually get invited to do balloons exclusively (I do hit them with a trick or two when they least expect). A good pump cuts the downtime (and a volunteer assistant helps), and you can do some pretty amazing things in a minute. The trick to entertaining the kids (and yourself) is to focus on the process, not the product... for most people - adults and kids alike - it's truly magical to see a long tube transform in your hands to a teddy bear.

For learning balloons, I recommend two books by Marvin Hardy, Balloon Magic for 260Q and Advanced Balloon Magic for 260Q. They are not very attractive books (B&W photography), but as far as I've read, the best in the business. You're taught the fundamental twists, and just about everything you could do with single or 2 balloons. Once you've gone through the two books, you'll have so much skills and versatility that you can look them in the eye and say, "I can make anything." (I did get stumped by a kid wanting nothing but "a yellow schoolbus"...)

I have been underwhelmed by DVDs - balloon twisting doesn't have timing or subtleties that real-time formats excel at. I do have a craving for some Don Caldwell / Stillman DVDs - it'd be sweet to have a multi-balloon Superman as my centrepiece!

If you're looking for a general shop that stock balloon supplies, Madhatter Magic have a good inventory.

I agree with the previous post. The Don Caldwell and Ken Stillman DVDs are pretty highly acclaimed. If you're looking to do balloons, you'd probably do fine starting off with any kind of basic instruction material. After that, if you care to get into some really wild and professional looking balloons (the kind that astound people), then I'd recommend researching through balloonhq.com and the forum on mbd2.com. I get a lot of my stuff from tmyers.com. They seem to be pretty good balloon vendors. If you really want to do balloons, I would recommend getting comfortable with at least 3-5 things that boys would like, 3-5 things girls would like, and then a couple of famous cartoon characters. When I perform, I like to take a bag of pre-made balloons. This takes a little pressure off during the event, helps me keep up with demand, and allows me to spend more time making complicated balloons for those who are willing to wait.

Concerning puppets, I've been wanting to get an axtell bird. I have a script partially worked out and thought it might be comical to try doing some type of Asrah or origami illusion with the puppet. This would probably take a lot of work since I'm not a confident ventriloquist. Axtell has some CDs that might be worth trying. I don't quite know how this would work out completely yet.

Mike

Also I am looking at making sort of a wooden unit to wheel in and out of the event, with every thing in all my props and the cd system. Then all I need is the speakers making it quick and easy set up. Any one use any thing like this at all any pictures would be welcome just trying to get some ideas.

if you invest in a powered speaker and a tieclip radio mike along with your cd player, this gubbins can go in the bottom of your unit with wheels on it, and your other gear goes in the top.
in the past iv'e used a bedside cabinet with draw and added the the combi unit underneath using some clips so you can have it in two section in your car, i belive the magic attic does a nice version of amped speaker.
http://www.themagicattic.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=68&products_id=442&osCsid=l256srimc04bl6n9i4jpfcte92 like this one.