Price$34.95
Media TypeDVD
CategoryChildrens
Date AddedAug 06, 2006
Close-up Magic For Kids
Bill Abbott
(Based on 1 review)
After the performances, Bill takes you step-by-step through the construction of each routine, analyzing the props and using a non-verbal cinematic approach to explaining the technique. All of this is combined with his professional tips and information regarding audience management, creating original presentations and adapting your magic to fit who you are as a performer.
* The Sponge Balls - A classic that Bill uses as a perfect opener for kids.
* The Shadow - An extremely visual card change that happens three times in the participant's own hands.
* The Autograph - A motivated card in-wallet routine that leaves a child with a true collector's item they will treasure forever.
* The Ninja Card Trick - Bill's favourite card effect that features finding a selected card at the point of a miniature ninja sword.
* The Mental Photograph - A very strong promotional tool, where a mentally thought of playing card appears on your business card being held by the spectator.
* Edwin Alonzo Boyd - A rivetting tale about a real-life jail break demonstrated with a photograph of the criminal that becomes permanently altered at the conclusion.
* The Great Game - A routine with many application limited only by your imagination A freely selected prize is predicted in advance by the performer, and is given to the child to keep at the end.
* Flash - Bill's closing effect that features an original presentation for the ashes on palm. T his effect has built a reputation for Bill with lay audiences.
* Card On Forehead - The classic effect redesigned for young children with an hilarious finish
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Aptly titled, Bill Abbott Performs Close-Up For Kids is much more about performing than the tricks being performed. Our protagonist, Bill Abbott, is one of a rare breed of children's entertainer who is actually entertaining. He engages his audience with a sincere sense of playfulness and fun, while at the same time commanding them with strength and presence.
Shot on location at a busy family restaurant, the performance segments show Bill in his natural habitat, entertaining children and their parents with the material he will later teach. The patrons' willingness to invite him to sit down with them as he performs is a measure not only of how relaxed he makes them feel, but also how comfortable he is in his own skin (the latter, of course, can't be taught, but is essential for the former). This, to me, is the most valuable lesson on the DVD.
In terms of material, 9 routines are explained, most of which are personalized versions of standard plots, but simplified in such a way that children will both follow and care There's a sponge ball routine, a version of Out To Lunch, a card-to-wallet effect, a presentation for Ashes On The Palm, and more.
Two stand-outs among these are "The Ninja Card," wherein a deck of cards is tossed into a paper lunch bag, whereupon a toy ninja sword is thrust through the bag, impaling one card -- of course, it's a selection; and "The Great Game," a terrific routine in which a card is chosen from a face up deck, then turned face down, revealing the name of a prize written on the back. The deck is then turned face down, showing all the cards to have different prizes on their backs, but when a small box that has been resting on the table from the outset is opened, it is shown to contain the chosen prize.
There is no reason either of these two routines (and indeed, most of the others on here) couldn't be done for adults, which in my opinion is the mark of a good children's trick.
So who is this DVD for? Well, anyone who works for children in any capacity, either at private parties, in restaurants, or wherever, will likely benefit from the lessons these tricks encompass. However, much of what you will get from the DVD is not discussed explicitly, but rather gleaned from watching the performance segments.
If you're a fan of Silly Billy or L'il John, you will like Bill Abbott. If you hate Barney the Dinosaur, you will also like Bill Abbott. If you like Barney the Dinosaur, you will probably like Bill Abbott, but I can't speak as to whether or not he would like you.
David Acer
Shot on location at a busy family restaurant, the performance segments show Bill in his natural habitat, entertaining children and their parents with the material he will later teach. The patrons' willingness to invite him to sit down with them as he performs is a measure not only of how relaxed he makes them feel, but also how comfortable he is in his own skin (the latter, of course, can't be taught, but is essential for the former). This, to me, is the most valuable lesson on the DVD.
In terms of material, 9 routines are explained, most of which are personalized versions of standard plots, but simplified in such a way that children will both follow and care There's a sponge ball routine, a version of Out To Lunch, a card-to-wallet effect, a presentation for Ashes On The Palm, and more.
Two stand-outs among these are "The Ninja Card," wherein a deck of cards is tossed into a paper lunch bag, whereupon a toy ninja sword is thrust through the bag, impaling one card -- of course, it's a selection; and "The Great Game," a terrific routine in which a card is chosen from a face up deck, then turned face down, revealing the name of a prize written on the back. The deck is then turned face down, showing all the cards to have different prizes on their backs, but when a small box that has been resting on the table from the outset is opened, it is shown to contain the chosen prize.
There is no reason either of these two routines (and indeed, most of the others on here) couldn't be done for adults, which in my opinion is the mark of a good children's trick.
So who is this DVD for? Well, anyone who works for children in any capacity, either at private parties, in restaurants, or wherever, will likely benefit from the lessons these tricks encompass. However, much of what you will get from the DVD is not discussed explicitly, but rather gleaned from watching the performance segments.
If you're a fan of Silly Billy or L'il John, you will like Bill Abbott. If you hate Barney the Dinosaur, you will also like Bill Abbott. If you like Barney the Dinosaur, you will probably like Bill Abbott, but I can't speak as to whether or not he would like you.
David Acer