Keep On Screwin’ Up

By Jeff Stone

Aw Crap! I forgot to say that line about Lizard Bowling after I borrowed that ladies ring to do Ring Flight in my show the other night. But when the guy came up on stage to do the arm chopper, I had a really funny line that came to me, and the audience was hysterical . . . crap! What was the line? I can’t remember.

We’ve all had that happen, haven’t we? Well at least the human readers have experienced this. Well no rocket science this month folks, but just a simple reminder of  how we humans grow.

Root:

Let’s remember our roots. This month’s root: Mistakes are good if you learn from them. I’m a firm believer in testing things and even “blowing” money on an idea even if it fails. As long as I learn from it and the errors are measurable, it’s worth the time and cost. I’m also willing to be embarrassed for a moment when a trick goes wrong as long as I grow from it. So how does one learn from his/her mistakes? First, film everything. Second, keep a journal with you at ALL TIMES.

If you’re doing a stage/parlor style show, immediately after the show, write down any mistakes you made and successes as well. Get a pocket tape recorder and use that if writing things down is too much of a pain for you. If you’re doing strolling magic, it’s even easier. Make a note between tables/groups. As most of you know, I’m a huge fan of keeping a journal. In this case, however, I would suggest a second, separate journal. This journal is more like your show-log. Whereas the other journal is to capture your creativity.

Branch:

Let’s build our branches. Your assignment for the next 30 days is to get a journal/pocket recorder and make note of the next show/performance you do, even if it’s just a casual performance for friends or family. Take the time to capture what happened. Think back to when people laughed and when people were silent. Write down everything you can think of regarding those moments. Especially take note of any major mistakes and any major victories. If a funny line came to you, write it down.

Take the notes and read them again the next day. Then read them again before your next show. Compare notes from multiple performances. Are you making the same mistakes over and over again? If you are, then you aren’t learning from your mistakes. So how do you learn from them? Of course it depends on what the mistake is. If it’s a botched move, then practice. If it’s a missed line, then rehearse. Another great tool is to record (audio only) your script for an effect or a show.

Jason Alexander (George Castanza from Seinfeld) has some excellent advice on how to fine-tune and create scripts using a tape recorder on the 2nd issue of Reel Magic Magazine. Get it if you don’t have it. It’s only $10 bucks. My main message here is two-fold . . . First, don’t beat yourself up if you screw up. Second, learn and grow from it. My hope is to inspire you to be ok with yourself if you blow it even if you blow it as bad as these guys:

Now go study the classics, and go discover your true magical self.

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