talkmagic.co.uk

bmat wrote:

Thames Iron wrote:Just checkin' - have you considered your target audience?

While doves, rabbits, kittens, pups have an "awwwww" factor - don't rats instil a "Bloody Hell, it's a dirty rat" reaction?

If the magician is the rat should not the rat be producing you?

Just because he called it a production, which I assume is simply because it is the standard magical term for this sort of effect, doesn't mean that is how he wants to present it. Perhaps it will be presented as the rat making itself appear out of thin air?

i think kevin james produced a hedge hog one time... it was from a semingly empty silk... look it ip

it's a lovely white lab rat. So adorable.
on the other hand if kids misbehave I'll just open a drain for a multiple bad ass rat production finale ))))

btw, are there any books or videos for "canary manipulation?"

Thames Iron wrote:Just checkin' - have you considered your target audience?

While doves, rabbits, kittens, pups have an "awwwww" factor - don't rats instil a "Bloody Hell, it's a dirty rat" reaction?

Sorry... I tripped over this line and had to chime in before reading everyone elses POV

Rats, contrary to popular belief, are quite clean and exceptionally intelligent little dudes with a loving disposition. Some of them are actually quite pretty and even the lowly sewer rat, has his merits... they really aren't as evil and organized as say, Ben and Willard lead us to believe

I've owned several "rodents" over the years and even used them in my Cups & Balls act for a while... I can assure you, the unexpected appearance of a big fluffy white rat from beneath your cup gets the slight squeak follows by an endearing "aaaaaah, aint he cute" reaction... the sprite young ladies being the first to set out an arm for him to walk up while the macho men in the room set back and just "smile" (with a lip curled and usually their head turned slightly so as to not really see it all).

When it comes to youngsters... they eat it up!

And for the record, one of my favorite routines of recent years involves a weee li'l mouse

http://en.zappinternet.com/video/LoZpCupGip/-Pete-Firman-little-mouse-trick

I can see it now - traumatised toddlers - "help me mummy, save me from the rat man!"

"No darling, it can't be a rat, he's a magician so it must be a rabbit.... with a very long, thin tail....."

I'm not sure where you're planning to do this.

If on stage or any sort of public venue, make sure they're OK with animal acts. I think there may be special licensing or insurance involved.

If at someone else's house, it would be a courtesy to ask them if they're happy with the idea. Some people are allergic to animals. Some like animals generally but still might not want a rat in their house.

If in your own house, go for it! As long as the rat is happy with it.

Completely irrelevant to the discussion, but I got two rats as christmas presents for my kids. They are cute, affectionate and intelligent, and great fun. I have never been into animal productions, but I would love to find an excuse to bring the rats along to gigs with me.

Robbie wrote:I'm not sure where you're planning to do this.

If on stage or any sort of public venue, make sure they're OK with animal acts. I think there may be special licensing or insurance involved.

If at someone else's house, it would be a courtesy to ask them if they're happy with the idea. Some people are allergic to animals. Some like animals generally but still might not want a rat in their house.

If in your own house, go for it! As long as the rat is happy with it.

While I'm not aware of UK law with animals and show biz I know here in the States about the only time you get any harassment is when PETA or some other such Animal Rights fanatics start causing you a world of woe... the same intellects that want to outlaw having pets at all let alone Zoos, Circuses, etc. IDIOTS all for animal rights but who haven't a clue as to what kind of pampering most show biz critters know now days let alone what's involved with actual animal training or obligation when it comes to certain species. . . they just see the cute little chimp and not an animal that's stronger than four adult men and capable of killing you rather quickly if you don't know what to do.

Pardon... this is a sore spot for me.

The only time any kind of special permit and insurance is typically required is if and when you are bringing in Circus animals; lions, tigers, bears, Efalants, etc. Not so with Fido, Fefe or Bugs...

Given the uber-PC of modern Britain and the health and safety Nazis behind every bush, there are laws about animal acts, even for a rat, dog, or rabbit. Or even insect.

For instance, what if the rat bites someone? What if it gets loose and chews on a wire? What if someone thinks it's distressed? Etc. etc.

This website (dated 2004) describes some of the legal maze. Simply bringing an animal onto the stage requires permission from the local council. If the animal is expected to do anything at all beyond just being there, it falls under the Performing Animals (Regulations) Act. There's also the separate question of agreement with the theatre.

I know that, in fact, a new animal welfare act was passed a few years ago (after the date of this website). I don't know its contents, but I'm sure it would be more restrictive, not less.

bmat wrote:

Thames Iron wrote:Just checkin' - have you considered your target audience?

While doves, rabbits, kittens, pups have an "awwwww" factor - don't rats instil a "Bloody Hell, it's a dirty rat" reaction?

I like rats, but I'm not sure they will go over smoothly. If the magician is the rat should not the rat be producing you? Bob Little used to dress up as a giant dove and produce magicians. It was funny as all get out.

you would only get the dirty rat reaction if teh critter was brown or black.
Tan, or White rats are very cute.

The problem with producing a rat is, unlke a bunny, rats are smart!

daleshrimpton wrote:you would only get the dirty rat reaction if teh critter was brown or black.
Tan, or White rats are very cute.

I also think they're cute. But a lot of people REALLY don't like the whole idea of rats or mice, and will freak out around one, even if it's a small white one.

(Oddly, the same person can throw a fit about a white mouse and then go gaga over a gerbil. People are weird.)

I have a question, I just got to pet rats two weeks ago, and one has settled the other ones just wants to bite...its a bit annoying?



This is Ratscallion

Will-o-Wisp wrote:I'm putting a kid's show together. The main character in the story is going to be my pet rat who has the "powers" to do magic. She would act like a magician and I'd be just some dude who happens to be friends with a magic rat ))) I've got the tricks and the presentation down, the only thing I'm having trouble with is how to actually produce the rat in the beginning.
I don't want to use any obvious aparatus like dove pan and stuff. Have tried some other dove prodiction methods but the beast just won't sit still in the bag.
Please let me know if you've experimented with something similar or if you just have any ideas. Many thanks.

Have you decided on a method? I'm curious

Robbie wrote:

daleshrimpton wrote:you would only get the dirty rat reaction if teh critter was brown or black.
Tan, or White rats are very cute.

I also think they're cute. But a lot of people REALLY don't like the whole idea of rats or mice, and will freak out around one, even if it's a small white one.

I have to agree!! I used to have a pet rat called Templeton, so readily agree about them being lovely creatures, v intelligent, clean etc.

BUT my hubby would run screaming from the room if he saw a magician produce a rat (white, black, brown or purple - he is not prejudiced!!!) from anything, so it might be something to think about.