talkmagic.co.uk

Here's Part One of a set of two videos, depicting my performance on stage this past Tuesday at the IBM Ring 49 Christmas Party, to which many laypeople were invited and it was a packed audience. I would love to hear your comments, feedback, suggestions, anything of the sort! Enjoy, and thank you.

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

Michael

Part Two has arrived.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLFEMNk39RU

It seemed like a surprisingly young audience, which I would say, you weren't entirely expecting?

You pulled it off though Mike, good job.

HAHA! Spot on, my friend.... I didn't expect ANY children at the show, so I was a bit fazed. I gave it my all though.

michael.
as a rule,
If your doing a christmas magic show.you will AWAYS get children in the audience.

and so the show absolutly must always be family friendly.

It was an IBM Ring meeting so it wasn't expected. I expected kids, but more my age or a little bit younger... I ended up with half the audience made up of three, four, five, and six year olds. Apparently, last minute, the club president had invited a church youth group to attend. I tried my best to adapt my act to them and think they enjoyed it.

Thank you for the advice, I will keep it in mind! I have a library show at the end of the month and will make everything as family-friendly as possible.

You did well in the sense that I was able to watch 3 minutes before I got bored. Normally it only takes me 30 seconds.

You are in the early days of your development. In time you will be much better. Work on it.

Just one thing. And I am not blaming you for this since you possibly weren't expecting so many young people. By eating DVDs or whatever it was you were doing it can cause criticism.

You should never perform material of this kind in front of children. Never put anything in your mouth when working in front of young kids. They might copy you and start to chew on DVDs. Kids are stupid and Canadian kids are more stupid than most.

Don't do it.

While the performance was good Michael I just really wanted to re-iterate Mark's point of putting thing's in or near the mouth, Also one other thing was the salt vanish and re-appearance I was maybe thinking you could have said it was maybe magic dust or something to adapt in front of the children just because of the fact of another safety issue that salt is highly dangerous and can actually kill a child if they ate to much, if the children went home and wanted to try and recreate such a feat which would be quite natural after seeing a magician and they accidentely got hold of the salt and ate some it could be quite fateful, although it is the parent's job to watch there children you should alway's try to make your show as family friendly as possible when there are lot's of children around. Other than the small safety issues Michael the performance was very good and quite polished so well done.

Thank you both for your suggestions.... I didn't even consider the salt thing, but I honestly doubt that kids would try to duplicate it, especially using a method thast involved consuming it.

The CD thing is a very valid point. It's a quick gag I use at the beginning of a lot of my shows... although part of me did know that some of the kids may not take it as a joke. My good magical friend gave me some excellent suggestions on how to make the routine itself more goofy, funny, and obviously not serious. It's actually an effect I thought of last year, and at that time it was meant to be a serious gross-out stunt, but now its evolved into more of a sight gag, a throwaway for a quick laugh. But it has a lot more comedic potential than I played it for the other night.

But yes, I will be careful performing such magic in front of younger children in the future, by either completely omitting stunts like that or modifying them so no child would take it seriously and "go home to try it out".

I really enjoyed that!

I did enjoy that Michael, and rated it on youtube. One criticism have is that you seemed to drag out the rope trick and your mind reading effect. Especially with the mind reading, I found that there was a fair bit of "dead time" while you placed the cards on the clips which could have caused the audience- especially seeing as it was made up of children- to lose interest. On the other hand, your performance was quite polished and you seemed very confident- and above all, the audience seemed to enjoy it, so well done!!

Michael Kras wrote:Thank you both for your suggestions.... I didn't even consider the salt thing, but I honestly doubt that kids would try to duplicate it, especially using a method thast involved consuming it.

I doubt it either Michael but you have to cover your backside these day's otherwise some people will take you for all you got which could end up with a very promising career in tatters. Ok maybe I am thinking on the extreme end of the scale here mate but in this day and age you have to take care of yourelf and consider every safety aspect possible. Please don't take this personal Mike it's just a friendly piece of advise.

lindz wrote:

Michael Kras wrote:Thank you both for your suggestions.... I didn't even consider the salt thing, but I honestly doubt that kids would try to duplicate it, especially using a method thast involved consuming it.

I doubt it either Michael but you have to cover your backside these day's otherwise some people will take you for all you got

Sad...but true

Ah, Canadians.... I thouhgt it was good, no real comments or criticism other than keep up the good work.

I have decided to watch in more detail. The first 20 seconds are dreadful. Too much hemming and hawing. You must always remember that the first minute of your performance is the most important since by the end of that minute the audience will have made up their mind whether to like you or not. The verdict will be in during that first 60 seconds. If the verdict is yes then your job will not be over but you are in with a chance. If the verdict is no then you are screwed since it will be difficult to make people change their mind.

That first minute is when audience attention is at its height for any performer. Don't waste that first minute.

I may go and watch some more. And may God have mercy on your soul if I do. I am in a grumpy mood and will not be kind.