talkmagic.co.uk

Just a question. I've noticed in the forums a lot of down talk about being a "Childrens Entertainer" and was just curious as to why. I dont know if it is a cultural thing, since I am from the US or if everyone has just had some bad experiences.

I know over here in the states childrens shows are a pretty big deal (birthday parties, cub scouts, school functions, ect...). Also the pay for a childrens show is pretty good. When I was first looking into this I called around pretending to need a magician for my sons birthday party. For a one hour show which included magic or both magic and balloon animals I was quoted $150 all the way to $300 for some places. And thats for only 1 hour.

I dont consider my self as only a childrens entertainer as I have a lot that plays to the adults as well. Like I said I'm just curious if this is a cultural thing or something else.

Dont take any of this the wrong way, I have not been offended by any comments, just curious.

Thanks,
Big D

I think it's that people don't want magic as a profession to be viewed as something only children like. I get the impression that people aren't against being children's magicians, but they're against the fact that when they get a gig they find out that it's just immediately assumed that they're children's magicians. Magic used to be something that everyone enjoyed, and now everyone just hears magician and thinks "Oh the kids would love that."

I don't think it's that people look down on childrens entertainers, it's a very difficult thing to do. I think it's just as Henry said, the problem comes when it's just assumed that as a magician you must be a childrens entertainer. They don't understand that it's a very specialised area of magic. Sure most people could entertain children but to do it properly needs special skills and special props.

Ok, now it makes more sense. I guess I wasn't looking at the big picture, because I get that a lot as well. When ever I mention magic I hear the same things. I guess because what I do right now is childrens magic I wasnt looking at it that way. I can see how it would be aggervating for some one to always make that assumption that you do childrens magic when in fact thats not what you specialize in at all.

Thanks,
Big D

I doubt that GOOD children's entertainers are looked down upon.

The trouble is, anyone with a couple of magic tricks thinks they can be a kids' entertainer.

They are WRONG

Entertaining kids well is the hardest thing anyone will ever do in magic. Period.

Ive never thought about going into childrens entertainment and it is something i totally would never do,
im not smart enough for a start and having to small rugrats of my own, i just know all i would hear is "can i see it", "its in your other hand" and other similarities.
I wholeheartly take my hat off to anyone who is brave enough to work with kids.
I'd rather leave mine at home thanks.

My computer went wappy and posted the same thing twice - im in stereo lol.

So thought id edit this one and say something witty and amusing,

FAILED, oh well, maybe ill edit later when i think of somehting great - or anyone feel free to IM me something fantastically witty and smart.

What I get the most joy out of when doing a kids show is when I catch the adults in the background and they are just amazed as the children. Its great to amaze the kids (afterall that is your job), but it really boosts your confidence to see some of the reactions of the adults. Also, after the show I use Larry Andersons "Business Card Printer" trick to hand out my cards to the adults.

Big D

I'd suggest doing kids shows. They're fun to do and you get more business from the other parents and their kids. I just have one thing that I have to say, Don't talk down to the kids. That's the only thing that annoys me about kid's entertainers, they talk down to the kids. Other than that I think everything was covered.

Taking as much adviice as possible from this site about preparation I have been putting together a childrens show for over 6 months now. I have done a couple of unpaid gigs and each time have gone back to the drawing board with some of the stuff, binned some more and polished up the best.

First things first. If you don't like children do not even think about doing magic for them. You have to be able to communicate with them and control them before you can make a hand of doing a show for them.

Secondly, don't get over wound up about the tricks. In this area of magic I believe more than any other the real trick is presentation, presentation, presentation. You do not need mind blowing knuckle busting magic. A silk to TT and reappearance can take ten minutes and bring the audience right in to the show. Bring in an ambitious card routine with well practised sleights and you will be dead in the water.

Judge your audience by age group. The hardest part of childrens magic is trying to entertain an audience with a wide age span. If you are stuck with this you have got to find something for everyone. This is difficult because the simple stuff will have the older kids shouting "I know how you did it" make it too complicated and the younger ones will be on their feet looking for amusement elsewhere.

This can be a highly lucrative and satisfying area of magic and to return to the original question does not deserve to be looked down on. I don't honestly think that it does get a negative reaction from real magicians, many of whom would happily admit that facing an audience of children would be their worst nightmare. Becoming a childrens entertainer does not mean that you have to give up adult magic and as has already been said here doing kids shows can showcase you to the parents.

I am thoroughly enjoying doing this and hope that I will feel polished enough soon to start to earn some money at it.