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Davy Davis New user 50 Posts |
As someone who is learning disabled (an pronounced inability to memorize) I have always checked out methods using alternative methods of learning/memorizing things. I recently participated in a workshop with Jermey Whelan, author of New School Acting. He used what he calls the Whelan Tape Technique. Suddenly things were memorized without ever sitting down and memorizing them. Rather than describe it here I will refer you to this site which has a stripped down step-by-step description:
http://www.on-cue.org.uk/acting14.html Have fun with this one. |
Mago Mai Elite user Venezuela 485 Posts |
Davy:
Thanks for the link. Very good ideas that can be apply to our learning. Mago Mai
I invite all of you to share some of my magic on videos.Please, CLICK HERE
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haulboss007 Regular user Carlsbad, CA 103 Posts |
Being LD myself and also loving to tell stories with my magic, this technique looks to be a great asset for learning mastering my scripts
Thanks Davy |
Davy Davis New user 50 Posts |
I am working on the Ron Bauer scripts and realized I had to stop the adlibbing if I was to really understand exactly what he was talking about as he explains his scripting, so I had to find a way to get the script word perfect, or incredably close. The Whelan Tape Technique allowed me to do just that with no "memorizing".
Davy |
BryanDreyfus Loyal user 293 Posts |
Scripting, verbatim, is a bad thing. Stop doing it immediately!
Outline very sparingly what it is you want to convey and then use your own words and mannerisms to convey the message while doing the effect. It will "basically" be the same effect only it will be original with you. Bryan ps. How does one script an ad lib?
Oh sure, I can spell "Antidisestablishmentarianism", but I can't type t-h-e.
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MacGyver Inner circle St. Louis, MO 1419 Posts |
My English teacher scripted his very stupid ad-libs in class, he would adlib something in the 8am and then repeat it at the same moment "spontaneously" at the 9, 10 and 1pm classes.
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Davy Davis New user 50 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-06-10 14:12, BryanDreyfus wrote: Brian, As a professor of theatre I would strongly disagree with you that scripting is a bad thing. I would hate to hear people ad-libbing Shakespeare or Moliere or Aristophanes. Not all tricks need or have aplace for ad-libs. A firm script that has been carefully tested gives confidence and allows the performer to focus on the interpretation of the scripts. None of the ten productions of Hamlet I have seen were the same, all showed the performers input and creativity yet they all used the same script. Davy |
ALEXANDRE Inner circle 3024 Posts |
The work featured in my booklets calls for some memorization as I script everything out for the performer ... some performers though, take what I've done and write their own scripts making the effect more personal to them and their style of performance. The existence of a "script" is there nonetheless.
I agree with Davy ... I believe scripting actually frees you up! visit http://www.eyesandminds.com for a description of the above mentioned booklets and you'll see what sort of scripting takes place.
HERE'S A SECRET ...
http://www.lybrary.com/mystic-alexandre-m-354.html |
kaitou New user 58 Posts |
Hmm.. I am a fan of having an available script, and then changing it for the current presentation... i.e., I don't think I have ever done the Color Monte exactly the same, though the base "story" is identical.
Same for twisting the aces, I always have a slightly different version, and use my own script (that I came up with the first time I did it, I didn't want to do the "heavy ink" line, so I ad-libbed) All in all, I'd say to go with what works for you, but if one worries too much about staying to the script, the presentation may suffer. After all, unlike Hamlet, you won't have people in the audience comparing your patter with the base script that the trick came with. |
wassabi_87 Loyal user moscow, idaho 226 Posts |
If I ever have to memorize a script, then I will read it over several times till I have the gist of it, and then wing it when doing my own magic. The only time I ever memorized a speech was for school, it's summer, who are we kidding?
bike during the day,
do magic at night, and very early the next morning, homework. |
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
MacGyver writes: "My english teacher scripted his very stupid ad-libs in class. . . "
The ad-libs may have been stupid but not the scripting. In fact, the top comics and wits -- Robin Williams, George Burns, Alexander Woollcott, Dorothy Parker, and the like -- all are or were noted for "ad libs" that were, in fact, very carefully rehearsed and practiced. Your English teacher's error seems to be in repeating them to audiences that would later compare notes! (^Carefully scripted laughter!) |
Tom Cutts Staff Northern CA 5925 Posts |
It all depends on what you wish to communicate to your audience. If you are just doing some tricks, your words probably don't matter that much and are likely just some sort of narration of what is happening. Not scripting is what a lot of people do in this case but don't think for a minute that your audiences won't understand that what you are saying is not that important at all.
A truly scripted performer has the ability and insight to change the inflection of his script to draw the greatest drama out of a script for a given audience. He also knows that his words can be used to aid in misdirection because he knows his actions, position, and words will be at the same place together every time. Whether you script or not simply is a matter of how important you think your verbal message is. Audiences instinctively pick up on this. It is a very important point for a beginner to consider. Good Luck, Tom |
ALEXANDRE Inner circle 3024 Posts |
Well said, Tom.
HERE'S A SECRET ...
http://www.lybrary.com/mystic-alexandre-m-354.html |
cmwalden Regular user Cedar Park, TX 150 Posts |
I used to rely on my improvisation skills quite a bit when I did magic. I guess in some ways I still do. But I also script and try to capture routines that have grown out of improvisation.
The turning point for me was working a season at Sea World Texas. They wanted to review the scripts for the magic I was going to be performing. I didn't have any of this written down! So I spent some time transcribing what I said in a performance. When I read what I had written, I found some surprises. Did I really talk like that? Did I really repeat that one word that many times? Is that the way that I really asked a guest to do that thing? The visual aspects of the effect helped them do it correctly, but I could be clearer in my word! It wasn't horrible, but there were aspects of language which were easy to miss verbally that jumped off the page when I wrote it down. I did a little editing and the magic was clearer. But once I got into the habit of writing, I found some other advantages. I could work on magic when I didn't have any props with me. I could sit on an airplane and write on an idea. The exercise of writing made me better at visualizing my magic. I could jot down ideas and then pull from them later during the writing process. I also found that when I wanted to revisit a routine that I hadn't done for a while that a script helped me recover gold that I had completely forgotten. Collaboration is much better now that I script. I can provide a sound cue sheet that can be used by someone who is not my regular sound tech. I can work on an idea through email with someone so that we don't waste precious rehearsal time by “working things out.” I can bring others into my show because I can let them study a script rather than having to lead them by the hand through everything. I can do more dramatic magic. I can go for things other than laughs, where the words are critical to the success. I can also see how bad something is before I inflict it on others. I still play with things. I'm not totally locked into my script. But I try to write down what's been working and revise as it evolves. My problem was not that scripting was bad. I just had to change my approach to a script and improve my ability to act a script naturally. Doing some plays where you have to portray words written by someone else did a lot for that. I think every magician should do more acting outside of their own show. It really helps you focus on technique without being distracted by the mechanics of deception.
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
- William Shakespeare |
Dan McLean Jr aka, Magic Roadie Special user Toronto, Canada 804 Posts |
Back to the topic of memorization, there are several key points. One which I haven't yet seen mentioned is simply that you must make sense of the script. If everything makes sense to you, and every piece of it leads logically to the next, it will become second nature much more quickly. Visualizing the physical actions which you're carrying out at key points in the routine, and making sure the script makes sense of the chronology of the piece is one good way to make sure the routine is easy for you AND for your audience to follow.
Famed magician Harry Lorrayne has easy-to-use books on memory improvement, and they're available in ordinary book stores at a very low price.
Dan McLean Jr
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Anabelle Special user 951 Posts |
Whenever I come up with a routine (I usually have to personalize every effect I do), I will try to memorize it completely. Because I'm not a professional, I think it's important to know exactly what I'm going to say and be well rehearsed. That's what I try to do.
I loved the answers, you guys are great. Anabelle |
Aus Special user Australia 996 Posts |
I have tried to look into and use scripts, but there not for me. The main problem I have and I guess it would be a problem with others as well is sticking to the script Parrot fashion which would take your "self" out of your performance.
Magically Aus |
Ricahato Regular user denver 113 Posts |
I was able to attend a summer school class with Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger and we talked about the importance of scripting for any professional performer. They were doing a video by the way and they mentioned that in the video, but basically what we discussed is that scripting and rehearsing lets you perform the trick or routine without having to think of what you're doing, that way your personality and your confidence show instead of showing your thinking process.
Ricardo! |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-07-01 22:49, Aus wrote: If you write your scripts yourself, it won't take your "self" out of your performance. It will give you the opportunity to convey what you need to convey with the most economical use of words and phrases. I have had to do major Shakespearean roles. This requires learning a script (HORRORS!!!!) and not being "myself," but actually ACTING. (Does anyone remember what Robert-Houdin said that a magician is????) The first time I did this, I had the same kind of trepidation that Aus and some of the others did. But I stuck with it, and once I had the script down, and knew the blocking and stage business, the character and I became part of one another. I learned the script act by act, scene by scene. I taped the entire thing, and learned one scene at a time. I would listen to a segment, then recite it, with feeling. Then I would listen and check my accuracy. I generally practiced this as I did my morning walks. It took me about a week to learn my part in Taming of the Shrew. And I was able to have fun playing the character. Scripting your material is excellent discipline.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Mark Martinez Inner circle Wisconsin 1276 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-06-19 11:51, Peter Marucci wrote: I have to agree with Peter in this case, this even happens in Magic... If you have every had that honor to see Daryl do his lecture, the one thing I noticed, it was like I put in the movie, when asked a question about 3 Card Monte, the information was right off the DVD... If it's good enough for the great's then it should be for the rest of us... Of course that might be just one of the small things that separates the amateurs from the pros. The "DETAILS"!
Magically,
Mark Success comes before work only in the dictionary. - Anonymous |
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