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Jarana Regular user 183 Posts |
Just wondering - how many of you have the same syndrome - everytime I re-write my routine, I always have the feeling that it never stops - every single time I open it there is always something to change !
I think its the same reason why we still don't have the words memorized exactly. Any tips on sticking to one routine?
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
I have always found through trial and error that when I get it right I know. Even when I post here at the Café there may be several rough drafts before I'm satisfied. Now when I'm stopped in midstream I always loose my place, and sometimes have to take it from the top because I can only do my routines whole.
Al
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12945 Posts |
I find that as well when I am between creating a routine and finally performing it. The longer it sits around on the hard drive the more it gets changed. But when I start performing the routine regularly it pretty much stays. Of course, I may vary the way I perform it and if I get a good response I may change the original.
John |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Jarana
If you are constantly rewriting, and can't seem to get it right it is time to walk away and sleep on it, so you can come back another day with a clear head. Al Angello
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
1) A routine is a living thing - freeze it and it's as dead as the patter in Tarbell. It's firmly connected to your own personality and intelligence - you learn and grow as a performer, and the routine you did last year doesn't quite fit this year. Plus, a routine is not just a script - the words you say are supposed to be words you think and experience, just like anything you say over the dinner table or at the office - so BE your routine, or you're just repeating lines.
2) I was once at a science fiction worldcon (I think it was Boston in the 70's) and had the opportunity to ask a panel of several world-famous authors "how do you ever give up the urge to run your manuscript through the typewriter just one more time?". The answer was unanimous: you use a calendar, or your self-control, or your spouse to say 'have you sent that out yet?', or your editor to bug you ... there are any number of tricks, but at a certain point you're just [excuse the crudity] mast******** and you have to put it in an envelope and get it on the road. Tolkein had to be sat down by his friends and told that he simply must stop fiddling with the RINGS manuscript and submit it, already (and the rest is history.) 3) Okay, it's your baby. My oldest baby (Sean) is 19 now, and I'm nowhere near ready to set him loose to suffer the trials of the world by himself ... but I have to (not that I have a choice). At a certain point you have to agree to let your baby go, or it'll be one of those sad stunted things living in its parents' basement till it's 50 years old and still unmarried and jobless. |
kimmo Inner circle Sheffield 1193 Posts |
What a great post!! Can't really add much to that. I find that once I am totally familiar with a routine it becomes much easier to improvise during performance and it's through these ad libs that it continues to evolve and grow. Most of my best 'writing' happens this way.
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ROBERT BLAKE Inner circle 1472 Posts |
It is exploring the possibilities and then decide on what suite YOU the best. if I keep rewriting (for me) it means I am undecided because I did not explore all the possibilities.
ross macrae - great post |
magicmarkdaniel Special user Bolton, England UK 831 Posts |
I agree with Kimmo. I direct pantomime and always tell the cast that you have to know the script before you can wander away from it. Its the same with my routines. I have to know them inside out and back to front before I can then throw ad libs in. All routines have to have a structure before you can go off course.
Mark
Mark Daniel
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
If I didn't rewrite my routine, I'd be using a starter pistol to shot the snake that pops out in my school show. I'd be in jail today for doing that in a school!
Also there are gems the kids say and adding them make the routine more powerful. Dennis
Dennis Michael
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Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
Dennis is right.....sometimes rewrites are needed. Not only to improve a script, but just to stay current and up to date on everything. Not long ago it seemed everyone wanted to use, "Is that your final answer" as a word play from the popular television show, "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire". Even though the show is still on the air (I think) the phrase is not as well know or 'popular' today.
That is just one example from a million scenarios. Regan
Mister Mystery
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Jarana Regular user 183 Posts |
Thanks guys, these are all great responses!
Rossmacrae- You hit the spot,-very well put! Jaime
Got a website? We can help--> www.clorus.com
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Although my routines have frames that have at times been there for 25 + years...it is good to have some flexibility due to change in music, venue and adding lines, and looks based on a spontaneous event during your program.
Enjoy the journey. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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