|
|
johnra Elite user oklahoma 450 Posts |
Hey guys I'm developing a routine and Im not the best at patter so what I'm looking for is some help thinking up patter I useually do just improve on the spot kind of stuff but I want a basis. Also about how long showed a routine be? What kind of tricks should I do what do audiences respond to the most. My fasination is card magic and mainly torn and restored card magic. Any and all help is appreciated.
John
John Shackelford LIVE!!!
|
KyletheGreat Special user Georgia 560 Posts |
How do you perform? WHat is your persona? How do you dress? What else do you like besides card magic? Do you want to do stage or close up?
We have to know these things to help you... |
johnra Elite user oklahoma 450 Posts |
I try to be as casual as possible so everyday clothing. I just go with a funny improv comedy kind of persona. I do lots of magic but its all close-up stuff. I don't get what you mean by how do you perform you'll have to explain that to me.
John
John Shackelford LIVE!!!
|
Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
Venue?
Audience size? Duration of booked performance is? How many times in one evening? Your Persona is? Your intended message/result is?
...to all the coins I've dropped here
|
johnra Elite user oklahoma 450 Posts |
Wow this is harder than I thought no wonder I'm not very good at it maybe I should just stick to the improv patter I normally do.
John
John Shackelford LIVE!!!
|
sjdavison Inner circle Surrey, UK 1379 Posts |
John,
I think the place to start with this is to work out how you want the AUDIENCE to feel and perceive you. Would you like to be a tongue-in-cheek entertainer, and skilled card sharp, a bizzarist etc.. when you have decided on how you want to be viewed, THEN you can work on what and how you will talk. With regards routining, I feel that as a rule of thumb, you should only perform your strongest effects, and always leave them wanting more. Have a strong, dynamic, quick and ENGAGING opener, and a very strong closer. You mention you like torn and restored effects - I would suggest only one in your routine, as more may smack a little of repetition - it would make a good strong closer in close-up. Agreed, the people here need to know more about your performing conditions, then we can help you more with the routine. Simon |
Euangelion Special user 688 Posts |
You have a lot of work to do before you ask someone for script help.
What is your performing personna? natural, clown, sage, etc. What type of magic style are you most comfortable performing? Comedy, Bizarre, Gospel, Mentalist, Gambling scenerios, Geek next door, etc. What is the venue? Close-up, Parlor, Tablehopping, Strolling large events, Churches, Children's birthday party, Small theater, grand stage, etc. What tricks do you desire to perform? What props do you have? etc., etc. Give us some more help and amybe we can help you more.
Bill Esborn
"Lutefisk: the piece of cod that passes all understanding." |
saxmangeoff Veteran user Moscow, ID, USA 353 Posts |
John, don't give up too quickly. This isn't something you read a book on and then you've mastered. It's an iterative process. Each time you do something, try to make the presentation a little better. Figure out what works and what doesn't. Try to see if there's any commonality to what you're doing.
Improv is good, but the more sold the foundation you build, the better the improv becomes. And the really great improvs become part of your script. Geoff
"You must practice your material until it becomes boring, then practice it until it becomes beautiful." -- Bill Palmer
|
Jonathan Townsend Eternal Order Ossining, NY 27297 Posts |
There are two sents of questions there
1) about what you need to do FOR the audience AT THE VENU. Ie how big, how long, how often, using a microphone, lighting, sets, character 2) about what you want to tell them. who are you? what are you going to do for them? what would you like them to feel? what would you like them to remember?
...to all the coins I've dropped here
|
johnra Elite user oklahoma 450 Posts |
I really don't need patter for the whole thing basically what I need is a starting point and an ending point I would really like to end and start with a good joke. I mainly do card magic in close up performances. I have any where from 1-10 people on average that I'm performing for so I think that would be considered a table hopper. My persona is an everyday natural laid back kind of guy. I do mostly comedy magic with a few serious "watch what I can do" stuff. I hope this helps.
John
John Shackelford LIVE!!!
|
rumburak New user 83 Posts |
Quote:
I really don't need patter for the whole thing basically what I need is a starting point and an ending point I would really like to end and start with a good joke. I mainly do card magic in close up performances. John, actually I fully agree with everybody before who recommended to develop a performance persona and streamline your material along. You can substantially improve both the audience reaction and the memory of your performance if you present your material with lots of preparation. A good magician has his "impromptu" material perfectly rehearsed. It is so good that it looks and sounds "natural", but it actually is prepared. Just think of a good comedian - he has learned all his material by heart. Yet it sounds like is making stuff up on the spot and flows natural. This applies not only to the patter (the words you say), but also the entire body language and your tonality. According to a study of the University of California, non-verbal communication makes up 93% of the total communication! So you should not only prepare your words, but everything down to every single look and gesture! That's just my 2 cents at least ... |
johnra Elite user oklahoma 450 Posts |
Cool maybe I should have a list of tricks Ill make one as soon as I have one.
John
John Shackelford LIVE!!!
|
Euangelion Special user 688 Posts |
There are two excellent books on this topic by Chris Carey.
Find the Stuff That's You! and Do the Stuff That's You Here's a link: http://www.elmwoodmagic.com/?nd=full&key=322 Hank Lee and others, also, have them.
Bill Esborn
"Lutefisk: the piece of cod that passes all understanding." |
John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12942 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-07-04 22:43, johnra wrote: I would just be yourself in a situation like this. Unless you're not a very nice person, in which case I would simply pretend to be someone else. No, really, I wouldn't worry too much about jokes etc. Make it situational. Let the funny stuff happen along the way. I don't TELL any jokes while I am performing. One reason is that I can't remember any jokes but also I just work the audience and the funny bits materialize. If they don't then I blame it on the audience and move to another table. No, seriously, you get my drift. Usually you would require a script is you were doing a standup show that...required a script. I mean you would have to know what you are going to say to sort of keep things happening. But in a close-up situation just walk up and say, "Hi, would you guys like to see the only magic trick I know?" They laugh and say, "You only know one?" I say, "Yea, but it's a real good one." That starts me off. Then I say my name is John blah, blah, blah blah. As far as the end say, "Thank you guys. Thanks very much." Then if they like you they give you money if they don't you need to learn better tricks. (just kidding about the last part). If they don't have the waitress charge their card an extra few bucks! Have fun. John |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The words we use » » I need help with patter (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.02 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 < |