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Sorry about that Fontaine...


Please ignore the disagreement between me & Mark, if I can help in any other way please let me know.

I don't believe they were bickering, just discussing fellow professionals (all be it stiff).

Am very grateful for all the tips and advice so far. And yes I would be interested in you posting your routine, for a beginner like myself.

What is wrong with a few jokes? All be it simple ones. And maybe getting the children involved by seeing if they know the answers. Just an idea.

If a story is to be told on what subject does anybody suggest, what do 3 - 6 year olds talk about these days?

Cheers

The age group you are talking about aren't into jokes. They are into comedy. You can say funny things, you can do funny things. Jokes in most cases don't mean a light.

in a word bill abbots sponge snack.

Just one thing and this isn't to get involved in a disagreement or anything, the term inner dialogue is a term that I didn't really explain, and I'd like to as it's helped me to be a more believable clown and performer. When I talk about an inner dialogue I don't mean anything fancy, I just mean have a visible train of thought in your head...

You can see this in truly great clowns, Stan Laurel for example. When he's about to do something wrong or has just made a collosal mistake, he thinks about it for a second or two and the thought takes a moment to sink in, it is only then he reacts. If you are thinking about what just happened this will show on your face, the audience will believe it. For example, in your routine your puppet pulls a face behind your back, just as you turn around he stops, you think:
"did I just see him pulling a face? no maybe I'm mistaken.."
and then go on with what you were doing, by questioning yourself you add believability to the situation, this scenario can now repeat, the doll pulls more faces, you almost catch him again and again, each time your thought process becomes more visible and you can even vocalise it.
"I'm sure he just pulled a face, did he just pull a face children?"
Until finally you catch him red handed!

Alright maybe that's not the best example, but I hope at least it makes what I meant by inner dialogue clearer..

I agree that bickering wasn't the right word, for which I apologise. I could just see it going so far off topic that the advice asked for wouldn't have been forthcomming.

It makes a refreshing change for a new member to have put in the time, also knowing that he isn't yet ready to start performing. So many newbies start of with things such as tell me the secrets/where do I download etc.

Good on you fontaine, hope you are able to use some of the ideas.

Flash has obviously been to acting school. I have always said that this is the road to rack and ruin.

I found that watching a few of kid's performers helped a lot - even if it was to find out what I didn't want to do.
The following may be helpful:

Bill Abbot's - stand up magic for kids. This is IMO brilliant stuff - I love his sense of humour and how he thinks about his effects. There's also a great puppet routine in there that will give you a lot to think about with regards to vent (even though the puppet doesn't speak)

Terry Herbert - I can't remember the name of the dvd, but it gave me some great ideas. Not everyone's cup of tea - but the guy knows how to make kids laugh! His silver sceptre routine is legend - especially as to the kind of humour that really seems to work with kids.

Ken Scott - Making the Birthday Dough - . Actually - this was for me an example of how not to do it. Ken is quite succesful - but I don't really like his show - but that's once again my opinion. That said - there are some nice ideas using music and more of a 'modern' show - compared to Terry Herbert.

5 Minutes with a pocket hankerchief - Quentin Reynolds.
Despite what's been said - I still think this is a good dvd to get hold of. I learnt a lot about routining and it's a great routine. I certainly don't do it the same as he does (actually - I got the dvd and the following day I had a show. I did the routuine word for word. It failed miserably - that'll teach me..) I don't really quite like his style either - but had a good laugh watching the dvd. I don't like Max Maven's style, nor Guy Bavli - but their material is great.

Mark Lewis - although I've never seen him perform, but from what I've heard (from him mainly) you will more than likely learn a great deal - so - if you can get to Canada, hunt him down.

There are a whole lot of kid's magic books that are generally recomended - one name being David Ginn. I have found that his books really haven't done much for me - I have a few. It's probably just me because I've heard others rave about them.

A book that I found really helpful was "Creative Clowning" - can't remember who put it together. That was useful in working out my character when I perform for kids. Might not be everyone's cup of tea - and I'm moving more away from a clown type of feel - but you might want to give it a read.

As for what makes kids laugh:
"Look - don't see" - where the kids all see something but you don't notice it, or it hides away as you look.
Things breaking - I have a sign that always falls off the box my props are in. I eventually get the birthday kid to help me hammer it in with this huge hammer and two really big nails. As they nail the one nail in, the other comes out etc.
Doing stupid things and not noticing you've done it - like putting a bowler hat on upside down, pushing a hankerchief into your pocket, but pulling it out slightly every time you remove your hand..
Getting hurt - yep, most kids are a bunch of sadists - so if you're stretching a balloon - let it snap back and you hurt your fingers etc.
Repitition - applies to all of the above.


I could go on - but I need to get back to my day job..

mark lewis wrote:Flash has obviously been to acting school. I have always said that this is the road to rack and ruin.

Actually Mark, I learned by extensive perormance on the streets, in parties, in shopping centres, in circuses and in schools...

I don't understand why you feel the need to undermine what other people say... Just because I say a different opinion doesn't mean I'm wrong, it just means my experience is different and I go about doing things differently to you. Undermining me just makes you look insecure...

Sorry Fontaine. I'm don't want to allow this very interesting thread to devolve in to bickering, so I'm not going to post in it again (it takes two to argue after all). I wish you good luck with the kids shows, alot of people seem to be making alot of valid points and I'm sure by the time you come to do the shows you'll be armed to the teeth with good advice and a top routine.

please forgive mark he is onipitant and can't help it.

if i can help in any small way please feel free to contact me pm or e-mail.

Flash wrote:Sorry Fontaine. I'm don't want to allow this very interesting thread to devolve in to bickering

um - then don't. Mark likes to stir - and it's quite funny if you look at it that way. Don't take it so seriously.

You have some helpful points - please continue with that

Poor Rupert is a trifle sensitive. I am not trying to undermine him. I am merely amusing myself.
Alas he does not understand humour. He really must get a sense of it.

I think he needs to get out and about a bit more to meet a few wicked grafters who have an equally cynical outlook on life. Terry was only one. I think he needs to meet a few more.

What were you selling in Debenham's old chap?

I must admit that we grafters have an inner dialogue when working to the assorted dross of humanity that we come across.

It goes like this "what a bunch of vermin I have in front of me! They are walking about with my money in their pocket and they have no right to have it. I want it back! Truly they are a disgusting and braindead assortment of humanity who deserved to be ripped off and I fervently hope that they will not be able to use the product. If they get value for money I will not be able to sleep at night"

Is that the sort of "inner dialogue" you had in mind? If it is then I bet you sold a ton in Debenhams. If it wasn't then you probably sold zilch.

Perhaps there might be something in this "inner dialogue" after all.

Incidentally on the handkerchief video Quentin was more dynamic than usual. If Taneous didn't like his style there God knows what he would think if he saw him work elsewhere. I do agree however than you can always learn from various performers even if they themselves are not quite up to par.

As for Bill Abbott he lives in my city and I bump into him all the time. I must say that he is very privileged.

Here is my Letter routine. It is most wondrous although I confess that I do not use any "inner dialogue" when performing it.

Try this.
Start the show by saying that you have a letter from someone or other telling you about the birthday child.
Remove an envelope with a letter inside. This can be any old letter typwritten or handwritten. In a pinch I have just used an instruction leaflet from some trick or other.
Tuck the letter under your right arm momentarily and say "boys and girls, someone sent me a letter.Shall I see what the letter says?" The kids yell "yes" Of course you cannot find the letter. "what did I do with the letter?" you plead.
Look around wondering what you did with it. The brats will yell "under your arm" say "under your arm? What is it doing under your arm?" They will yell "no under YOUR arm" You say "that's what I said "Under YOUR arm"
After a bit of this byplay you catch on to what they mean.
Look under your left arm. No letter. Say "there nothing under my arm" They will yell "No! the other arm!" You can now draw this out by saying "which other arm? YOUR other arm" and go through that nonsense again.

Finally, you look under the lower part of your right arm. The kids will yell "no! Higher up" You say "higher up? what ? On the ceiling?" Look up at the ceiling.

The urchins will now shout "no. Higher up under your arm!" Lift up the arm letting the letter drop to the floor. Now check under your arm. You will hear yells of "it's on the floor" You mishear and say "on the door? what's it doing on the door?"

Then take a step back and stand on the letter covering it. Time it so that you do it as the kids are shouting "it's on the floor!" When they see you stand on the letter this will change to "you're standing on it" You then counter by saying "of course I'm standing on the floor. Where am I supposed to stand?"
As you look down you will see no letter since your feet are covering it.
You will hear shouts of "you're standing on the letter."
Step forward in front of the letter and say looking down "I'm not standing on the letter."

They will shout "behind you!" Eventually you find the blooody thing. Pick it up saying "it's a long way down" and on the way up say "it's a long way up" It will be if you get to my age.Going down to the floor and up again is hard work.

You now say "someone sent me a letter. I wonder what it says" You now draw all this nonsense out further by removing the letter from the envelope and look at the blank side that has nothing written. You say "there's nothing here" The kids will say "on the other side" You look at your side peering at your ribs. You will hear "the side of the paper" You look at the SIDE of the paper looking puzzled. Or you can look at the envelope since that is
"paper" too.
Eventually you read the letter and complain that it is written in Chinese. Then realise the letter is upside down.
Now you just come out with some waffle about what the letter allegedly says.

This is one hell of an opening sequence. You will get the kids warmed up straight away. It may be advisable to follow with something a bit quieter since the kids will now be a bit hyper.

5 minutes of nonsense and you haven't even done a trick yet.

There we are. A sample from my no-magic magic show.

Mark Lewis
www.marklewisentertainment.com

fontaine wrote::lol: I've been learning ventriloquism for 6 months. I really need advice about entertaining at children's parties. I've a way to go before I'll be ready, but am gatering all the information in preparation for performing.
Are there any children's party entertainers out there who have any advice.

The age group I'm looking at is 3 - 6 year olds. Please help. Whenever I try to think of something I get writers block.

AWESOME STUFF - I'm also a ventriloquist and kids entertainer.

I dont script for birthday parties - i have a rough idea and then just make it up on the spot.

Ok, it may not be a polished performance but in my experience so far, kids want to chat to the puppet so much that a scripted performance just doesnt work.

To get your ideas flowing...

I bought a drooping flower (they are really cheap)
I tell the kids that its a special flower that tells me if you have cleaned your teeth properly.
I go on and on about how my puppets breath smells. (ok, doesnt sound funny, but kids find it hillarious) He insists that it doesnt.
I then get a few kids up to blow on the flower. All is ok.

Then my puppet tries. (Make a thing about the breathing ... he misses the flower etc etc or he interupts and tries to change subject....then he blows it and it droops. Everyone laughs!

you can't beat the pupet doing silent but violent farts as a gag through out your performance, he can shake a little and then look all inocent at the ceiling while you notice the stink, gives some nice byplay with a spray and wilting flower, kiddies lap it up.
bill abot uses a similar sequence for his chico puppet in stand up magic for kids.