talkmagic.co.uk

I know this might cause a bit of debate, and I know that magic for children is a specific skill set, and that people who do only children's magic are very good at it.

I usually perform close up magic, but I am looking to diversify my business to bring in some more income during the time when I am not out doing close up. It seems to me that there are few magicians making a living from just close up - do you think it's possible, they have other income streams, selling products, lectures, or kids magic, for example.

Of course I perform for children when they are at the venue, but I think I could put together a package of short magic show, party games, balloons, and maybe I would charge a little less than those that have been doing this for a long time - I know people don't like undercutting but there will always be some people who want to pay more, and some who want to pay less.

My questions are,
Do you think doing children's magic will dilute my focus on close up magic?
If so, what alternative incomes might I have missed for my close up? I do restaurants, bars, weddings, parties, corporate and trade shows, etc...

Finally, I do like children, and think I would be good at children's magic, it's just those first gigs (probably for friends) which would be the tough learning curve.
Also, I saw Chris Capeheart lecture and he spoke about performing for children, but having a bit of style. Personally I hate all these over the top colourful spots and stripes and feather duster flowers. If I do this, I want to be a magician, and not a clown that does magic - that just plays up to the sterotype we are trying to shake off surely.

I'm interested to hear your opinions and will bear them in mind.
Thanks.
Ed.

I have a feeling that Mark Lewis may be along at some point....

Here I am.
Do everything you bloody can to make a living. And kid shows are steadier than anything else. But don't do it unless you are any good at it. That is my only caveat. If you are doing it for the money only then you may well be making a mistake.

Not everyone can perform for kids, if you can then go for it.

Its not easy though (parents have high expectations when paying for entertainment) and you won't make "living" (depends how much you call a living) from it even if you are cheaper if you are rubbish!

Starting cheap is really the only way to break in but have a plan to increase your fee as your show develops, aim the be charging more than the current competition (in say 3 years, it will take at least this long to construct a really good show from nothing) by offering something better or that they do not offer.

It's taken me 4 years of losses and living on savings to finally make a profit and take a salary this year so its no quick road.

Best of luck though.

If you like children, go for it. It certainly won't dilute your close-up work.

Also there is no rule that says you have to use kids props and colourful costumes. I use no kids props, though I do like colourful costumes. However I wear the same multi-coloured suits for adult gigs, so that's just me.

Give it a try; you might love it.

Kids magic is a very different proposition to working for adults. One of the big differences is that you need several sets of effects. 7 yesr olds will like stuff that is to young for 10 year olds for example.

I know that Mark Lewis has offered his comments but somewhere in here, you may need to trawl through his not inconsiderable volume of posts, is a post from Mark that is the ultimate guide to childrens magic shows. I bought Seriously Silly but got more from this one Mark Lewis post that from a whole book. If you can find it, it is brilliant.

I wonder where it is. I always like to view my own brilliance. I suppose I had better harness my psychic powers to figure out where this particular post is. The truth is that I don't even remember making it.

During these tough economic times I know many close up magicians also now do childrens magic and vice versa, childrens magicians are doing close up.

But even before these tricky times the magicians I know that get the most work were already doing all three main types of magic: Kids/Close up/Stand up. (In fact the afore mentioned Chris Capehart does all three).

Bear in mind that a lot of magicians who perform close up think it'll be a doddle to do kids parties. 'I'll just wear a bright shirt and do Stiff Rope and Sponge Balls' is the attitude. There's a lot more to it.

Thanks for the advice,

yeh, I do like children, but will have some things to learn, hence start with low prices, increase as I improve.

And I do want to go for the Chris Capeheart approach. Of course I'll use colour and humour but not OTT, like I said, in my first post, I'm not a clown. I hate clowns

I have read some previous posts on Kids magic on this forum - I will have a look for the Mark Lewis post.

I don't think you'll find it. I couldn't so what chance have you got?