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NRmind New user 57 Posts |
Something I read quite often during topics such as impromptu mentalism or everyday carry, what's in your wallet etc.
a lot of people seem to feel they can do a full set with a stack of business cards. Is this really feasible? Can anyone share some resources about routining strong mentalism with just business cards? I use them for p**ks, t**rs, to write predictions on etc. full routines off the top of my head would be something like RO's A.I. But I guess the point I'm making is how would one routine a nice set with "just a stack of business cards" and still keep the energy high and not appear repetitive? Thanks all. |
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SilasJude New user Buffalo 97 Posts |
You just need to shrink down large effects to small packages. Remember that the majority of what the audience sees and reacts to is your presentation of an effect, not necessarily the method at all.
a side note: I would recommend using packets of index card halves rather than business cards for folds or tears. it is disrespectful to your own image and brand and its is a poor demonstration to your audience on how to treat your business cards |
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Max Wells Regular user 150 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 8, 2017, SilasJude wrote: I have always felt the same way about that. Think about it for a second... you are paying X amount of money to get some beautiful business cards made, and you just tear them, crumple them, etc? no no no! Writing on them is fine... people do it all the time. |
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Mr. Woolery Inner circle Fairbanks, AK 2149 Posts |
In MMM, there's an item called pAct. Waters combined a few of his tricks that use index cards into what he described as a 20 minute act. While I don't use any of it, I do find inspiration from that set of routines and refer to it now and then. It is a stack of index cards, a sw*mi, some pencils, and an envelope to hold them.
The lesson I took from it is that a few cards can make for a lot of entertainment, but only if you treat the cards as necessary incidentals. Patrick |
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Amirá Inner circle MentalismCenter.com 5131 Posts |
I wrote an eBook called "B´Cards" which shows part of my working repertoire just with a stack of business cards.
Yes, they are awesome, natural pieces of paper to use and the networking possibilities are fantastic. Tip: don't use your business cards for tear techniques. Not good marketing at all.
Pablo
Performer and Author Mentalism Center: The best online space to get quality Mentalism www.mentalismcenter.com Arkanosophy: The Boutique for Mystery Performers www.arkanosophy.com |
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Last Laugh Inner circle Grass Valley, California 3498 Posts |
For folding and tearing, I get these blank business card size index cards:
https://www.amazon.com/Debra-Dale-Design......AWQ8EGW1 They are perfect thickness for me. Thick enough to not see writing through, thin enough to fold and tear. These are thicker than the usual cheap index cards, but not unwieldy. For stack work, where the cards are not folded or torn, I do use my business cards, although I also have thicker blanks for some situations.
My Mentalism Podcast:
The Mystery Arts Podcast Check out my products! Direct from me (PW: cassidy) On Penguin Magic |
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Tony Iacoviello Eternal Order 13151 Posts |
I don't know what you mean about repetitive, sometimes it only takes one routine.
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......342392#0 |
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toniyammine New user 76 Posts |
A nice tutorial about this topic is the the Q&A session of Luca Volpe Penguin LIVE conference. He explains how he can do a complete show using only his business cards.
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Last Laugh Inner circle Grass Valley, California 3498 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 8, 2017, Tony Iacoviello wrote: Thanks, Tony. Fantastic. Great reminder.
My Mentalism Podcast:
The Mystery Arts Podcast Check out my products! Direct from me (PW: cassidy) On Penguin Magic |
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Conner New user 60 Posts |
A business card is just a billet. A billet is just a thought. You can do all kinds of routines with thoughts.
Keeping the "energy high" and not appearing "repetitive" are good concerns--but they are to do with the personality of the performer rather than any papers in the hands. If you can keep an audience entertained with just a microphone and your words, you can devastate with billet work. I second the advice above about not folding or tearing your business card. Your personality is more important than your tricks. That business card represents you. As for resources, anything that covers billet work. Switchcraft is an amazing value and is now one of the best resources on billets you can find. |
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NRmind New user 57 Posts |
I appreciate the "side note" everyone and understand damanging your marketing mechanism isn't in vogue anymore... I started learning tears and peeks on business cards and sort of just stuck with it. I'll find a better solution as my gigs start to pick up I'm sure. At paid gigs for whatever reason I'm rarely doing billet work, I find myself using more streamlined effects, some imp pad stuff etc.
But for the main topic - I appreciate the referrals to Luca's lecture and MMM. Will have to hunt for these. Thank you all. |
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Paradise Elite user sheffieldEngland 419 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 8, 2017, Max Wells wrote: I sort of agree, but if it is meant to be impromptu, then why would I be carrying cut index cards, where as "i need something to write on, oh I have a few business cards in my wallet" |
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toniyammine New user 76 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 10, 2017, Paradise wrote: it depends how to frame it. you can say something like "we will use my business cards, an d if you like the outcome, please keep them, and contact me the next time you have an event" |
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atucci Veteran user Middleburg, Florida 381 Posts |
In Banachek's Penguin lecture he shows how applying two basic principles of card magic to business cards can provide you with strong results.
I keep returning to Pablo Amira's ebook for business cards and finding pieces or principles I at first dismissed (sorry Mr Pablo). Shame on me for ignoring or not recognizing the potential. I'm not sure about 'an act with nothing but business cards' but in an ideal situation providing a 'real moment' using only a strong presentation, a pen and business card could be devastating.
Tony Tuccillo
Middleburg, Florida |
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Last Laugh Inner circle Grass Valley, California 3498 Posts |
I'd like to remind folks at this point that AOK by Lewis Le Val is an excellent routine.
Combining that with Name/Place would be an excellent short performance.
My Mentalism Podcast:
The Mystery Arts Podcast Check out my products! Direct from me (PW: cassidy) On Penguin Magic |
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Steven Keyl Inner circle Washington, D.C. 2630 Posts |
Apparently it's just me who uses business cards for peeks, tears, burning, and even drowning!
When I turn it over and write on it, or get someone else to write on it, it ceases to become a business card and is now just a piece of paper, and I treat it as such. When all is said and done, if I want to leave them with a card, I'll say with a wink and a smile, "This one might be easier to read," and hand them a fresh one. After all 99% of the people you hand a card to will throw it away within 48 hours of receiving it. As an aside, I also find it funny how some people overdo their business cards with name, address, home phone, mobile phone, fax, pager, email address, website, dog's maiden name, etc. The simpler it is, the more they will remember. I'm quite the minimalist in that regard: name, title, web address. That's it. In 2017, if they want all of that other info, it's on my site.
Steven Keyl - The Human Whisperer!
B2B Magazine Test! Best impromptu progressive Ace Assembly ever! "If you ever find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause, and reflect." --Mark Twain |
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Amirá Inner circle MentalismCenter.com 5131 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 11, 2017, atucci wrote: Forgiven! Some people told me that they overlook "Zodiac Business" , but it is a very strong prediction system that you can try!
Pablo
Performer and Author Mentalism Center: The best online space to get quality Mentalism www.mentalismcenter.com Arkanosophy: The Boutique for Mystery Performers www.arkanosophy.com |
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Stunninger Inner circle 2818 Posts |
You can get double blank business cards from Vista Print quite inexpensively. Ordering them with one side glossy provides a very smooth handling which I really like. Sometimes I do use my regular business cards, but not for folding or tearing.
Banachek's Penguin lecture is great for learning a number of excellent methods and routines using business cards. Scott Creasey's S.P.I.T and P.I.N videos are another great source. |
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MindAgent New user 26 Posts |
It may be possible to do a show using just black stock but would it still have entertainment value?
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Conner New user 60 Posts |
Comedians, singers, motivational speakers, hypnotists, and many more do shows without the luxury of blank stock.
Entertainment is not about props. It's about the performer's personality. |
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