I was just thinking about patter and how magicians convey messages through words. And thought of patter scripting.

How many of you actually script your patter? Meaning that you write down what you want to say for it, then memorise it?

Personally, IMO, I don't like scripting patter for any effect. However, I prefer a script that's in the mind, but not written down. I think this allows more flexibility in what you say, and to the audience, I think it seems more spontaneous.

I actually wanted to write some huge article on that, but i decided to let everyone have a share of the hamburger (pie is too old fashioned).

Anyone?

Well i usually don't write a script and follow it.... But you know after performing so many times you'll naturally develop a standard patter for that trick.....

I'll try to make the patter as un-scripted(if ther is such a word -_- ) as possible... I want to give the audience the feeling that everything is impromtu.. No rehearsal! No Script!

One good way of achieve that is to interact with the audience as you perform the trick... Just look at Cyril Takayama.... Even though i cannot understand what the hell he is saying but you can tell that he interacts with his audience a lot..... This make his perfomance so natural... so close to real magic.... :)

Duane Laflin said something about this at IF Magic.
He said it's everyone should try to write a script for their patter, even if they don't plan to memorise it. Because writing it down helps in going over the structure of the patter and to fix the vague/bad parts.
And even if you don't make an effort to memorise it, because you wrote it down before, when you perform, you will still follow the general flow while you still can react to the situation.
I thought that sounds very logical.

But usually too lazy to write it down. :lol: Although i think I really should. But so often i think i'd be so much better just keeping my mouth shut and do a mime/silent act.

hmmm.. i dont write down too. i'm like too lazy for that. but i do go thru what i want to say in my mind first before i do anything. i find it much better like that. But i do feel that writing down its much much better.

i thought i told you to script? :P

Scripting helps a lot. Look at greg wilson. His patter is one of the best in the world and he does script.

grammatical error/ phrase that doesnt make sense will break the concentration of your audience, and it might cause a lower response from them.

by scipting, you can make sure that your storyline of your patter flows smoothly and it's easier to manage the emotional build-up of the audience when you script. ( a serious patter follow by a joke will always get a laugh, e.g: when you saying that you wanna restore a piece of rope, you tie a knot and pause. this will get a laugh as most of the audience expect something magical. then you vanish the knot to show the rope is restored. whoa. killer :g: )

I remember last time when i had to do a small 'test' after attending a magic course. I did a script. But i never got to saying all those lines in the script.
Ended up off the script.... :P

I was just wondering sometimes its hard to keep to the script. Especially if the audiences' reaction is the what you expected...

A. :g:

Scripting is of UTMOST importance in MY performance to me.

i think the benefit of scripting is only evident if u do it well.

Wrting down wat ur gonna say in a performance is not justified as a good script in my opinion, and most importantly, u need to USE IT.

However, i believe that different people have different preference. What works for me might not work for u.

Thus, i think it is important for u to experiment in order to arrive at what is best for yourself.

I script, but i don't memorise. however, i wish i did. :wacko:

anyway it helps to script, so it gives your cards a meaning to be there. plus, its entertaining, and also, you'll know what you're doing better.

well, at least it works for me.

i don write it down but i plan in my mind what i'm gonna say when i do what... i think the most important is that it make sense and have a purpose for everything said...