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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The May 2007 entrée: Jeff Hobson » » Writing » » TOPIC IS LOCKED Printer Friendly Version
Nathan Kranzo

V.I.P.

2547 Posts 		Posted: May 1, 2007 11:12pm    View Profile of Nathan Kranzo  
Hi Jeff,

When it comes to comedy....

What percentage is written based off of your character?

What percentage is based on something you just thought of that was funny?

What percentage is something that just happened off the cuff that you kept in the act?

I'm sure it is a combination of all the above. I'm wondering which one motivates your writing the most.

All the best,

Kranzo
check out MINDZILLA VOL. 2!!! Brand New Effects. Instant Downloads. Watch Demo Videos. Click below!!!

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jeffhobson

V.I.P.

196 Posts 		Posted: May 2, 2007 12:43am    View Profile of jeffhobson  
If you have a strong character. . . you can write material that works. Then, you can balance the regular lines and throw in ad-lib lines when you feel comforable. When you find a good line, you write it down. An audio recorder helps for this. Eventually, after doing the effect 50 or 100 times. . . .you should have bits and lines to fill the routine to it's potential. As for percentages, I couldn't tell you.
The Hilarious Host of Las Vegas!
VISIT my magic shop: www.HobsonsChoiceMagic.com
Frank Starsini

Eternal Order
Northern California
12251 Posts 		Posted: May 2, 2007 2:45am    View Profile of Frank Starsini  
Quote:

On 2007-05-02 00:43, jeffhobson wrote:Eventually, after doing the effect 50 or 100 times. . . .you should have bits and lines to fill the routine to it's potential.


This brings up an interesting question. We all know (I guess) that a perfected routine can take years to bring it to its full potential.

For a new routine that you're working on, at some point you just have to go out and do it. So when do you decide... "well, tonight's the night for the maiden voyage".

When do you decide that it's time to try that routine you've been practicing.

How "complete" is it the first time?

www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic

Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate,
Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder.
Flying Magus

Loyal user

286 Posts 		Posted: May 2, 2007 3:21am    View Profile of Flying Magus  
Further to Frank's question; how much do you customize (if at all) for corporate clients? What are your views on the trade off between creating a totally customized trade show presentation and presenting the best tried-and-true material?
Magically yours,

Michel Fouché
Believe in the Impossible
jeffhobson

V.I.P.

196 Posts 		Posted: May 4, 2007 7:40pm    View Profile of jeffhobson  
I only taken on those customized shows rarely. Mostly for auto shows. . . .it was fun but it was too sterile for me. Basically, I had to conform to their environment. I would rather have the audience conform to me. I guess I'm way too much of an individualist and get bored easily. I did it for a while but realized I needed to have fun. Customizing got to be way too much work. I just got a call to do a week-long corporate convention where I'm with the client's audience everyday. They wanted me to do custom magic and scripting. I charged them quite a high price. . . I would rather not do it. . .BUT. . . . like my father-in-magic, Karrell Fox used to say, "I'll walk through a mile of S&#(* for the right price".


For Franks' question. . .it's difficult to say. I just put in a spirit slate routine for two shows over a month's time. I wrote the whole thing and it went very well. I would say it's 80% there. BUT. . . I feel that it needs MANY more shows in front of different types of audiences before I can say that with confidence. It takes much more time for tricks with patter. When there's dead time. . . that's death UNLESS you want silence for dramatic puposes. You need to fill the deadtime with interesting stuff to say. . . TOO many magician's fall into the trap of merely nararating their magic. Ex: "I will now take this card and place it. . . OR. . . .Now I what I want you to do is. . . . . . . . " AHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRGGGGG!!!!!

I dare you to see if you are one of those magicians that use those exact words numberous times throughout your act. If so, STOP and do some serious re-writing. Narration can put people to sleep. You must give your audience more credit. Do the dang trick and say something worth hearing!!!!

Sorry. . . got my panties in a bunch! . . . . . . . I


The Hilarious Host of Las Vegas!
VISIT my magic shop: www.HobsonsChoiceMagic.com
Frank Starsini

Eternal Order
Northern California
12251 Posts 		Posted: May 5, 2007 11:42am    View Profile of Frank Starsini  
Panties! I knew it! I'll bet they're pink too. With sequins.
Doesn't make for a plesant bike ride.

And thanks for the response. Much appreciated.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic

Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate,
Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder.
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