talkmagic.co.uk

from watching lots of magic performances from dvds to youtube and from reading about peoples performances in their books ive come across many good lines one of my favorites i actually got from my uncle.

now here is my question do you think it is completely wrong to take these line and barely - or not even change the wording - and start using them since they are so great?

what do you mean lines? like what people say? if so, i do it all the time. im not a very good speaker, so i borrow what people say time to time. i might even build off of the original line to make something different

I use others lines all the time....I find that learning a broad range of comments, patter, lines....expands your ability to think of your own lines as you get a feeling for the creative and playful use of words that are used.....I say go for it and change and modify as you shape your own style.....I think that shaping your style is not as much a destination but a journey that is constantly moving....having others inspire you along the way is just fine.

I quite often pinch other peoples lines and patter if I like them. Other times I'll take something that I like and change it into something that fits better with the situation.

Harry Loraine wrote a book on how to improve your memory. I bought it and took it home but now I forgot where I put it. On the news they talked about a drug that helps you with your memory but I can't think of what it was called. Sorry about all this, I was going to talk about something but for the life of me I can't remember what I was going to say. OH, Yes, if you hear a funny line and want to use it, make sure its not so over used or if someone else is identified with it. There are alot of good Emcee books with funny lines in them and even though its dated, you can update the material in the Robert Orbin books. Even insult books are a good source of material.
Al

If it works for you and fits in with your style then why not use it?

Other peoples lines are your inspiration for the right comment at the right time....?

So have been some of the best lines ever said in history..... what matters is that you don't sound like the other person when you deliver the line.... if you sound like you and it naturally fits the situ how can it ever be wrong???

Our everyday conversation is made up of things we have heard other peopel say. Not just words (everyone uses the same words) but sentences and catchphrases. Also body language. This is just natural for living things. They develop their environments behaviour. If you do it deliberately then you are just helping anture along.

I don;t personally think that there is any harm in using other people's lines as part of your act. Afterall, one line from one persona and another line from somewhere else isn't doing any harm and it's not as if you're copying large parts of someone elses verbal routine which would be different. Chances are that they copied it from someone else anyway, even if it was originally used in a different context to begin with.

Afterall, we often use the same routines as each other

Well, I believe that learning their lines ain't bad also have another line your personal one.

Most of the time I'm not only entertaining with my magic but as well with my funny comments, and stories I tell, some of them differ all the time just cuz I make them up on the spot others I vary just slightly all the time like my Mexico story while doing the standard three card monte...

so long
Jan

Just to add to what everyone is saying, using lines is ok, as long as they're not catchphases of a particular performer.

'Just like that'

Darren @ The Magic Attic

using lines is ok, as long as they're not catchphases of a particular performer.

Not a lot of people know that....

Not a lot of people know that....

You'll like this.... but not a lot

Darren @ The Magic Attic

I'm trying very hard to work in 'Izzy Wizzy let's get busy' - but failing miserably !

I'm trying very hard to work in 'Izzy Wizzy let's get busy' - but failing miserably !

That was 'Awwright'

Darren @ The Magic Attic