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BroDavid Inner circle America’s North Coast, Ohio 3176 Posts |
Jim,
The question of how to get started is asked often, and you have answered it well; here and elsewhwere. Many start that question by saying "I can do 10, or 20, or more tricks very well". But could you share your thoughts on the relative importance of putting together an actual routine rather than just having a bag of tricks you could/can do?? Thanks BroDavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
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Jim Pace V.I.P. Portland Oregon 556 Posts |
Bro David,
When you are talking about close up magic my view is this. If you have your basic skills down with any medium, then you can routine them in a different way every performance. It is kind of like Jazz music, you know all your progressions but rarely play the same way each time. Plus, it keeps you kind of fresh and feeling like you are performing for the first time with a new audience. Jim
"The drum that beats the loudest is always the most hollow."
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BroDavid Inner circle America’s North Coast, Ohio 3176 Posts |
Great! And an excellent analogy.
Thanks for the confirmation. I really was asking to be sure that I wasn't copping out by not having a set routine for my closeup activities. I do have a set street routine, and when I do stage (rarely) - I have a strong outline I follow - and work within it, depending on the audience reaction to what is really working. But closeup sort of "happens" for me. And I am happy to hear your response. Thanks again! BroDavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
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Jim Pace V.I.P. Portland Oregon 556 Posts |
Parlour and stage need structure. You can always tweek them a bit, and I am sure that you must.
Jim
"The drum that beats the loudest is always the most hollow."
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Matt Graves Special user Huntsville, Alabama (USA) 504 Posts |
I always wonder about "scripting". Eugene Burger writes a lot about how most magicians don't use scripts. I've tried to write some scripts a few times and have failed miserably at coming up with anything that sounded good. I was wondering how some of you handle scripts or if you use them at all?
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James Fortune Special user UK 509 Posts |
Personally I don't write or use a script. I very STRONGLY feel that a script kills all spontaneity during your performance. The most important aspect of CU magic is a full dialogue with your audience - an empathy - you need to be able to react to what they do and say in an entertaining way.
How can you do this with a script? Many times I've seen magicians (good magicians, at that) interrupted in their flow and struggling to get back to their script - even repeating the previous line to get themselves back on track!! As the wonderfull Doc Eason says, "Your magic should be up and out not down and in". Most "script spouters" tend to do magic 'down and in'. JMO of course
Warmest regards
James James Fortune MIMC www.comedymagiciansurrey.co.uk www.bestweddingmagician.co.uk |
cfrye Special user Portland, Oregon, USA 940 Posts |
You probably won't be surprised when an improvisational comedian (me) says you shouldn't write a script before you perform. As my predecessors in this thread have noted, a canned script kills your spontaneity.
A better approach to scripting is to perform your routine a number of times and record an outline of what you said. Thus, the first stage is improvised and natural (and ever-improving, one hopes) and the second stage lets you work within your outline. You won't have anything that might pass for a "script" per se until after dozens of performances. Another benefit of creating an outline is that it forces you to think about the high points of your effect, both so the audience follows the plot and you can misdirect their attention at the appropriate moments. Henry Hay has some interesting notes on patter on pages 12-13 of The Amateur Magician's Handbook. |
Jim Pace V.I.P. Portland Oregon 556 Posts |
Nice way of jotting down what you think Curtis. I was wondering when I would see you!
See you soon, Jim
"The drum that beats the loudest is always the most hollow."
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Dan Farmer Loyal user Northern Nevada 235 Posts |
For what it's worth, I do script my stuff and find that it helps me because the magicians that I've seen who don't use scripts end up with David Blaine-esque patter- "Now watch this"- "Wow"- "Did you see that"- or they are your overly abundant fast talking wiseguy magicians who make stupid jokes which have nothing to do with what they are actually doing.
Having a script allows you to concentrate more on what you are doing and you know that everytime you perform you will consistently perform well. A well written script does not sound like a script either. The only way you should be able to tell if it's scripted or not would be to see the routine twice. So, if your scripts sound like it's pre-canned or something, perhaps you simply need to practice writing more rather than abandoning it as a bad idea? Just some random thoughts from the other side. -Dan |
Jim Pace V.I.P. Portland Oregon 556 Posts |
Thank you Dan, I was wondering if there was someone out there who did think other wise. I only know a few who perform close up work with a script and they do very well. They are also actors.
Jim
"The drum that beats the loudest is always the most hollow."
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variable75 New user 66 Posts |
I agree with Dan...for everyone who doesn't believe in routining or scripts I recommend you read Darwin Ortiz's book Strong Magic. This is the best $40 you can invest in your magical career if you desire to perform professionally.
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