|
|
mleskanic Regular user 152 Posts |
In Magic and Showmanship by Henning Nelms, Henning talks a bit about having a silent script to stay in character. I think this is a very smart idea. I am unsure however if it is necessary during a manipulation routine.
What do you guys think? Should I have a silent script for a card and billiard ball manipulation routine? Thanks, Matt
Matt Leskanic
www.cardsharkentertainment.net |
puppeterry Regular user Sanger, CA 114 Posts |
Matt,
Your silent script (in acting, I use the term subtext) depends a lot on your character. Are you surprised by a change or production? Are you relieved that you reached your goal? Are you being thwarted by magical forces you sought to control? Your magic has to have an effect on your character to have an effect on your audience.
TV Mc Arthur
The Librician Fresno (CA) County Public Library "They don't get better.....just faster." |
JackScratch Inner circle 2151 Posts |
Do you believe character is unimportant in a manipulation routine? I believe it is even more important. If you do not engage your audience, nothing could be more tedious than watching you juggle items.
|
Big Daddy Cool Inner circle 1604 Posts |
Ditto.
|
JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-03-03 23:18, JackScratch wrote: Yes, I fully agree too. |
Lawrence O Inner circle French Riviera 6811 Posts |
It is an easy trick to figure out that you have a certain bizarre hat (colonial helmet, baseball cap, fedora, yacht captain's cap, Sherlock Holmes cap, Navy bob, American football helmet...) which doesn't match the character's admitted role: psychologically matching the ambiguity give a lot of matter to the character. For example the performer acting as a psychologist mentally wears an American football helmet, or the seaman doing rope tricks figures out that he wears a Sherlock Holmes cap...
The non admitted incongruity is actually a very creative designing method to great characters. This is a smart way to input showmanship in the silent script. By the way, Tommy Wonder in his Books Of Wonders suplies subtle advice regarding the silent script.
Magic is the art of emotionally sharing live impossible situations
|
George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-03-03 23:18, JackScratch wrote: Another vote for this comment.
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
Lawrence O Inner circle French Riviera 6811 Posts |
... and another one
Magic is the art of emotionally sharing live impossible situations
|
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24315 Posts |
See if you can find a youtube video of Cardini. Watch it, then tell me what you think Cardini's answer would have been.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
mtpascoe Inner circle 1932 Posts |
Great example Bill. There is definitely subtext going on in Cardini's act. And if you re-read Magic and Showmanship I'm certain that Nelm's mentions that the silent script should be used for silent acts.
|
jackturk Elite user 463 Posts |
You can find similar relevant insights on this topic
Steve Martin's autobiography, "Born Standing Up" -- he talks at great length about the duality of what's going on in his head, versus what the audience sees and hears, as well as the ongoing effort to constantly evaluate both his own performance and the audience's reaction to it. Moving aware from the profound to a very personal and mundane example... That "inner script" is extremely important to me in my act particularly when I'm working with my Rabbit-in-Hat puppet. For the bits to work at maximum effectiveness... and to get past the initial kid cries of "it's a puppet"... I have to believe with all my heart and soul that the dang rabbit has it in for me. So when I look that bundle of fur, stitching, and glue in its beady little plastic eyes, I am believing at my very core that I'm dealing with a snarky little fiend who needs to be taught a lesson. And when I can do that whole-heartedly, it definitely makes all the difference to the routine. I'm certain Nelms would suggest we approach every single routine with exactly the same level of total inner commitment. --Jack
"59 Ways To Recession Proof Your Entertainment Business -- FREE!"
http://www.GetLeadsLikeCrazy.com "How To Make $25,000 a Year Doing Birthday Parties Part-Time" http://www.magicmarketingcenter.com/birthdayPT |
JNeal Inner circle I used to have 999 posts, now I have 1623 Posts |
I might suggest that Cardini DIDN"T use a 'silent' script, because in most of his performances he actually muttered commentary to himself! YOu can actually here it on the Christopher special. Of course, the concept is the same..even if it isn't always silent!
visit me @ JNealShow.com
|
Michael Landes New user 76 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-02-24 22:23, mleskanic wrote: Tommy Wonder addressed this issue in his lecture. He would say, "Do you like this sort of magic?" and then he would do the classic manipulative sequence in which the performer takes a pack out of its case, whereupon the case seems to have vanished, whereupon the deck seems to have vanished,...only to reappear back in the case. a classic bit. And he performed it beautifully. whereupon, everyone would say at once, "Yeah!" to which tommy would frown a little and say, "Really? Well, I don't" It doesn't mean anything. just a bunch of ....stuff. I prefer this.." Then he would do the very same sequence, but with a silent script in place. the difference was so huge we were all quite mortified to have praised the original version. always a good teacher. |
thethirteensteps New user 54 Posts |
Does anyone know if Tommy Wonder talked about silent scripting with close up magic? It seems from routines like his wild card that he used it, but he was also very responsive to the reactions of the people in front of him. I guess he silent scripted it but also kept it loose, but I'm sure he had insights beyond that.
|
Moncle New user United Kingdom 41 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-12-15 14:52, thethirteensteps wrote: In answer to that question, he absolutley did, there's a part in his book where he describes a ball vanishing and what is going through his mind as it happens. Derren Brown refers to this technique in Absolute Magic, quoting Tommy's example. I use it to make my magic much more believable, the plot leads your thoughts and feelings, instead of trying to act a reaction you try and feel the emotion of what has happened then your natural expression comes through and makes your magic more real. You find yourself dancing with your spectators emotions, Tommy also talks about emotional involvement, or was Darwin Ortiz. Anyway it is refreshing to discuus elements of performane. Thank you posters. Michael |
ApprenticeWizard Regular user Charlottesville, VA 170 Posts |
I was just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on combining silent scripts and regular scripts. I try to script everything I perform and sometimes I add some words or thoughts in brackets as reminders of what I want to be imagining at that point in the routine. I guess that is an example of "silent scripting." How would you go about creating and learning such a combination? Also, where can one find the best explanation of silent scripting (with examples) and instructions on how to use it (without overloading your memory circuits)?
Magically yours,
Tom Olshefski |
pf70ds New user 32 Posts |
A silent script helps you believe in your magic and keeps you in character at all times
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The words we use » » Silent Scripts: Magic and Showmanship-Henning Nelms (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |