talkmagic.co.uk

Ok, so I finished being a WP some years ago and took up teaching.

Over the years the staff and kids have discovered by 'past life' and I have performed an increasing number of times in class and assemblies etc.

Recently a two or three kids have been showing me little effects that they can do. Nothing too complex, mainly simple Tenyo type stuff they have purchased off ebay. However, they do appear to be keen to know more.

Chatting about this with a couple of other staff members makes me think that trying to set up a small magic club after school may hold some merit.

I'm concerned about disclosure and the 'I want to know how David Blane/Derren Brown does his stuff' brigade so the cub would only be for about 5 or 6 kids who have shown a prior and genuine interest. I was also thinking about purchasing a few copies of the Mark Wilson course and working the kids through it step by step. The benefit of this is that nothing too serious is given up for quite a while.

So I'm keen to know what others think and to see if this has been done before with any success.

Rich

sounds like a great idea to me, I'd say go for it. I expect you will get quite a few show up at first because they want to know the latest Blaine, Brown trick but start things off slowly, some simple self working card tricks perhaps and basic sleights and I sure that you'll find that they'll loose interest quite quickly and you'll be left with the ones who are genuinely keen to learn.

Make sure you go over the magicians code in the first lesson, and emphasize its importance. Sounds good!

Sounds like a great idea. Don't underestimate the impact of an individual taking an interest in helping you with your magic at an early age. Which reminds me of an amusing story...

I was at a friend's house the other day and their son had been given a magic set for Christmas. Knowing of my interest he came up and asked me to help me with it. So we went into the other routine and I taught him a simple trick with a S******i deck. After a little practise he came and showed his family to great effect. Then I talked to him about how to make the trick more surprising - e.g. making the chosen card reveal in unexpected places. The next day he managed to do it for a friend at church and made the card appear in her handbag! The lady was gob-smacked, but his father had to have a word with him about invading privacy!

This can -- and SHOULD -- be done!

Don't worry about exposure; it's only exposure when it is gratuitous. In a class, or club, the students have ALREADY shown their interest by investing their time!

Great stuff!

Wow!

Thanks for the votes of support.

I'll make sure I go through the magicians code so that sound ground rules are established etc.

I'll also keep TM up to speed.

Rich

I know a couple of teachers who run after-school clubs where they teach card tricks, cups etc. no idea if they have to fight off the "how does david blaine do it" but to be honest, I'd have thought that anyone of school age nerdy enough to want to spend more than ten minutes with a pack of cards is to be encouraged.

I'd like to be taught by a proper teacher ...

I ran one for about 3 years. The 5 main members all proved great assistants in one of the full evening shows I presented in the school theatre.

Yes, set the ground rules BUT NOT TOO MANY. There are enough rules in schools as it is. And you don't want to kill the enjoyment of Magic.

1.Stick to NO exposure.
2.Must learn & rehearse thoroughly.
3.The MOST IMPORTANT maxim is: That Presentation is foremos

NOT too many tricks at one time.
Adult magicians get involved in too many tricks hence the full cupboards.

Select items from books published for the public.
Check out Bill Severn's books. The thick and cheap volume 'Complete Book Of Magic' from Amazon is a great source. It has 507 pages on Mental, Coins & Bills, & Rope, Ribbon & String--combined 3 previous books.
Also BS's Amazing Magic & Best Magic for a wider spread. There are others but these 3 give you an enormous amount of Magic.

KEEP A RECORD of what you teach. Use separate pages FOR cards, Mental, Rope, Presentation, Showmanship, History etc etc.

MAKE SURE if possible each one performs once at each meeting.
DO NOT dominate each session, as magicians are wont to do,

Make sure you have a programme, to work to, BEFOREHAND. Plan ahead.

Occasionally get them all to study , away from the Club, the SAME trick.
Then they can see how different performers work when they watch each other.

On the odd occasion let the 'advanced' one/s take up half the meeting.

Once a term or twice a year-Run an odd competition. I hate competitions but kids love them.

Sometimes give them an actual trick to learn and present

Have SHORT discussions on Magic but keep it short. And again do NOT let yourself dominate.

Allen Tipton

Good, idea about competitions, how about you give everyone the same amount of sleights and props they can use, then a week later see who made the best trick? Like give them a classic palm, a sleeving method, and a switch, a maximum of two coins, and THAT'S ALL they are allowed to use for the routine they have to make. It helps them see how important presentation is, stops the "Must buy every new gimmick that comes out" frame of mind AND allows them to be creative, and make there own tricks!

A good idea Spooney BUT it would have to come later in a programme,i.e when the Club is established, and running AND the members have been taught the basics and are relaxed with each other.

Enjoyment of learning simple stuff-- first.

Done too soon-- it would cause the less able,less 'quick', the shyer ones to stop coming.
Build confidence in the Club's ambiance and the relationships between the members and the Head Tutor, first.

Allen Tipton

Allen Tipton wrote:Done too soon-- it would cause the less able,less 'quick', the shyer ones to stop coming.

Agreed. Magic attracts a lot of shy people who don't have much confidence, and it's a great way to build it. But only if the more confident people don't 'overtake' the club and shyer people are actively encouraged to join (keeping in mind that they could be too shy to come at first)

Good luck with it, Richard

kolm wrote:

Allen Tipton wrote:Done too soon-- it would cause the less able,less 'quick', the shyer ones to stop coming.

Agreed. Magic attracts a lot of shy people who don't have much confidence, and it's a great way to build it. But only if the more confident people don't 'overtake' the club and shyer people are actively encouraged to join (keeping in mind that they could be too shy to come at first)

Good luck with it, Richard

All good points. In fact, if you see that there are some members less confident than others, focus on building theirs up.

Its a great idea, I like the thought of maybe working through a comprehensive book like Wilson's or something step by step. Dont overload them with stuff but Im sure you will find what kind of pace they are able/willing to learn at.

I wish I'd had a magic club at my school!

Amazing comments - thank you all.

In true 'teacher style' I'll be writing and reflecting as the club develops.

I'll no doubt have many questions to post here as the kids outstrip my skills.

If anyone is in the Tamworth area and wants to drop in once the club has become established then let me know - 'Club night' will probably be Thursdays from 3.20 to 4.30.

Thanks again

Rich

I'm in Stone and often find myself around the Tamworth way - I'd be glad to drop in and share some mentalist effects once the club is off and running!

Sounds great - pleae do keep us informed of how it goes!


Sean

Thanks Sean, I'll let you know how things go.

We have a brief meeting tomorrow with those kids interested and I hope to get the club launched after the half term break.

From buzz around school a great many are interested - I expect most will just be 'glory hunters' though.