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magringo Veteran user Sad that all I have is a scant 326 Posts |
I have a strait jacket escape to do in January at my Ring (for Houdini Night) -- I usually like comedy for these types of things... and have tried coming up with ideas and (bad) jokes -- does anyone have anything they'd like to share with me that I can work into the escape. I hear that Simon Lovell's escape routine is the funniest ever and I recently met him and said he didn't mind my using some of his lines -- problem is that I cannot find a video of it anywhere. Help with one liners is much appreciated. Please PM me with ideas and suggestions. Many thanks
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dave_matkin Inner circle 4522 Posts |
That might be why he doesn't mind you doing it then cus he knows its not on film so got to do it from memory and you might put you in to it? If his routine will work for you I say ....... Sorry went through a tunnel where was I ....... Oh yes....Houdini night in January? Ties in with his..... ...... You finish the sentence (I can see one reason why you might go with January).
I don't think it was that long ago that we talked SJ routines. I seem to remember talking SJ earlier this year. Try the search if I have time ill have a look for you? On the good news there is a SJ signed by Tony Curtis for sale on E-Bay. Half tempted to put an offer in. I mean signed by Tony Curtis WOW!!!!!!! |
Roslyn Inner circle UK 3405 Posts |
A good SJ routine shows part of the person who's doing it.
There's something about a straitjacket that reaches in to the soul of the audience, and it can only do that if the performer gives themselves to it. Because of this an SJ routine is very personal and using someone else's routine or even just a few of their lines often leads to a presentation that's lacking. My advice, get put in it and stay there a while. Feel what it is to be encased in an SJ. Get to know it. Then try to give those feelings to your audience. If you like this train of thought you should consider (shameless plug) my ebook Get Real. It discusses this and more. Drop me a pm if you'd like to know more.
The Magic Cafe account of The Conwy Jester, Erwyd le Fol formerly known as Roslyn Walker.
My home online Join me on Facebook Follow me on twitter |
dave_matkin Inner circle 4522 Posts |
Or steal it like the punks did last year. Did you get that sorted Ros?
I do thnk that making it your own is important! |
Cliffg37 Inner circle Long Beach, CA 2491 Posts |
I know from my years fo experince as a teacher that when you work from someone else's material it almost never works... That is unless you do what Ros says and somehow make it your own.
Magic is like Science,
Both are fun if you do it right! |
dave_matkin Inner circle 4522 Posts |
Not sure that his "sitting in the classroom for a few hours thinking about how desoerate you are getting to get out" method would work so well for teaching science though .....
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Rotten Special user 829 Posts |
Geez, what's worse. When someone asks if they can use my lines or when they just tell me that they are going to use my lines? I suppose if they ask. Then I have to be involved with their criminal behavior. Stealing is stealing. When people ask I say "no." When they tell me they are going to I say "I wish you wouldn't."
I know that 100% of people that say these things are not MY competition. But it's still rude. "Hey, I really like that sports car you worked really hard to get. Can I have it?" |
magicofCurtis Inner circle Los Angeles 2545 Posts |
Hi Rotton,
Watched your demo video - nicely produced!
Curtis Lovell II
http://www.CurtisLovell.com http://www.MagicofCurtis.com www.facebook.com/curtislovellii Los Angeles, California - U.S.A. |
Cliffg37 Inner circle Long Beach, CA 2491 Posts |
I try to live my life in the most honest way I humanly can. Usually if I ask if I can use something, the answer is yes. This is probably becasue I don't ask for large things. I certainly don't ask to use someone's signature effect. But those few times I am told "no" I respect the person. If I was planning to steal, I certainly wouldn't ask. Its like that polite mugger who sticks a gun in your ribs and says, "Excuse me sir, may I please have your wallet?" Just ridiculous.
Magic is like Science,
Both are fun if you do it right! |
dave_matkin Inner circle 4522 Posts |
Can I photoshop my head on to it and claim its mine?
I am only joking ..... I don't have the skill to use photoshop that well .... Also I don't have photoshop. Not your competition ... Well they kind of are if they are using your material! Now if you published your routine for purchase (and didn't include any restrictions on use) that would be different. But it's always best to be your self. |
dave_matkin Inner circle 4522 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-12-15 13:12, Cliffg37 wrote: I believe the bank robbers that tried asking first all got away with nothing! I wonder how much you could make just by going up to people and asking for their wallet? It's got to work at least once? Surely! |
jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Dave
According to me father, There was a man who ran a ad in various newspapers (in the 50s) read "Last chance to send one dollar to po box number...." He paid his rent for several years until a court determined the sender was not compensated for a perceived order. Then, there was the man who sent vials of holy-water for 2 dollars. He paid to be ordained from an ad in the back of a comic book/ Then, there are a few supplements at the health food store... Some of those are a waste Then, there is this guy who know everything but nothing.......
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
Roslyn Inner circle UK 3405 Posts |
You can have my wallet Dave. Could you fill it on its return though please? At least then you'll have something to steal!
The Magic Cafe account of The Conwy Jester, Erwyd le Fol formerly known as Roslyn Walker.
My home online Join me on Facebook Follow me on twitter |
dave_matkin Inner circle 4522 Posts |
Deal Ros, as long as you pay the postage! I am not getting ripped off like that (again)!
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Harry Murphy Inner circle Maryland 5444 Posts |
You have a straightjacket?!? Well now is it correctly sized for you size and shape? Have you taken the time to get out of it a half dozen times to the extent that you can release yourself easily and quickly? That is, have you made the prop yours? Are you totally and 100% comfortable with it. Honestly, you are not ready to work on a routine until you have done so.
If you are not 100% with the prop then you will be too busy working to get out under the actual conditions of performance pressure to be thinking about your comedy routine. It is way different to get out of the beast (even a – Horrors dare I say it – gaffed one) in your living room in practice then on a stage in front of a paying audience. In terms of comedy the straightjacket lends itself to a great deal of physical comedy. The struggle for released can be exaggerated to the point of hilarity. There are many “standard” gags used when putting on the thing. The most common one involves the crotch strap. I honestly found the crotch strap much too dangerous so simply took it off. No audience has ever commented on it being missing. Several performers (including Simon Lovell) load comedic objects into the jacket. The surprise (and laugh) is that the objects appear during the escape attempt and AFTER the jacket was inspected. The performers reaction to the object produced as much as the object itself creates the comedy and produces the laugh. Producing a bottle of water (beer, soda, etc.) and taking a drink in the middle of the struggle can be funny, having a jumbo selected card from a failed earlier trick can be funny, giving up and looking forlorn saying that you can’t do it then having the jacket fall off can be funny. Struggling to keep your trousers up as you try to take the jacket off can be funny. Mugging (making faces) during the attempt can be funny. You get the idea. I’d say that it takes great skill to make a SJ escape truly funny. Comedy isn’t easy. But then again I could be wrong.
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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Harley Newman Inner circle 5117 Posts |
What Harry said!!!!!
I've had a lot of material "borrowed". When people ask, I simply say "Write your own material." The word "!@#$%^&" often appears almost magically, in the middle of the sentence.
“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus” -Mark Twain
www.bladewalker.com |
dave_matkin Inner circle 4522 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-12-16 08:17, Harry Murphy wrote: I'm going to stop you right there! What the heck are you talking about? What is this word gaff yor refer to? ...... Oh wait now I understand, thank goodness for google http://floridasportfishing.com/magazine/......-em.html Surely that is uncomfortable? Now back to reading your post...... (Mums the word, or is it grease? I can never remember). |
Rotten Special user 829 Posts |
Thank you Curtis. I have to say it's my favorite promo of my career. But aren't they all until they get outdated? But seriously, the editor is amazing. He truly understands what we need as variety entertainers and was a joy to collaborate with.
He can make you look like a rockstar too! http://kyle-jeffery.com See, I don't mind sharing some things. Just not my babies. Babies = lines/jokes/material |
magicbymccauley Special user 830 Posts |
I think people who are unable to write their own material aren't really going to make it anyway. You need to be constantly experimenting with material and changing lines that don't work, adding lines that do work, and adapting to what's current (most material expires because of context or time). Writing material and scripts is critical to being a performer of magic, or any performer in general. What are you going to do when you copy an act and are heckled? What are you going to do when you buy a new prop? What are you going to do when current events change? What are you going to do when you need to improvise? What are you going to do when you need to do something freeform? What are you going to do when you need to stall for time (etc. etc. etc.).
Using other people's material is a crutch that prevents you from being a better entertainer.
"Tricks are about objects, Magic is about life."
-Max Maven |
dave_matkin Inner circle 4522 Posts |
Can you plan for improvisation? Surely the answer is not if you have pre-scripted it? Whilst we are on that can you experience De ja vur the first time? (from De ja vu by Les Barker ..... Very funny guy. Look up "Guide cats for the blind" on iTunes.)
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