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dlal New user Glasgow 3 Posts |
Hi all,
I'm hoping for a bit of advice for someone who has know clue where to start. I'm one of the people who have been absolutely astounded by the TV specials from Derren Brown and would greatly appreciate any information on good books for beginners in this area. Any information on other magicians (mentalists?) who work in this field? From what I can guess, (and I may be completely wrong,) a lot of this sort of thing is based around "people watching" ie body language etc. Would this be correct? Would introductory "body language" books be appropriate. I've also had a look at Ian Rowland's site and was very interested in his Cold Reading book. Would this be of any use to someone new to the area, or is it targeted at people with lots of experience in the area? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Just a point in the right direction would be great, and I hope this isn't an inapropriate place to ask. Cheers, Derek. |
martinkaplan Special user Los Angeles 562 Posts |
Corinda's THIRTEEN STEPS would be a good place to begin. I know that others who read this forum will have excellent suggestions, also.
-Marty |
Ian Rowland Special user London 889 Posts |
Hi dlal or Derek. It's not easy for anyone here to enlighten you about Derren and how he does the things he does. For one thng, there isn't supposed to be any discussion of methods on threads such as this (that only happens in the Secret Sessions room). Secondly, you won't get very far looking for books or source material which says "How to do the trick just like the one Derren did the other night on TV" because it doesn't work like that.
All you can do is develop your interest in mentalism, and one day you'll understand how Derren's shows work. For now, just regard them as inspiration! With regard to body language and so on, let's just say one shouldn't confuse method with presentation, even though they affect one other. As for the merits of my book, obviously I leave comment to others.
www.ianrowland.com . Working Magic.
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Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
Ian’s advice is spot on.
His book is also good but not recommended to you at this point if you are wanting to put an act together. 13 Steps as mentioned is good. Bound copies of the Old Jinx magazines Annemann’s Practical Mental Effects. You may think these are a little dated, but they will give you a good grounding, are relatively inexpensive, and effects from these publications are STILL being marketed in one form or another. There are more specialized very expensive "notes" on the market but if you truly study the books mentioned you have all you need to put a good act together and then some. Paul Hallas |
dlal New user Glasgow 3 Posts |
Thanks guys.
Ian, I understand what you are saying and I completely agree. I would never expect anyone to tell me exactly how something is done. As I said before, I was really looking for a pointer in the right direction, and I'll certainly look at the suggested reading material. Out of a matter of interest, how do you guys feel about the likes of myself coming along asking questions after being turned on to something based on the "big names" appearing on TV? Do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing? I've attempted to learn a bit of magic (fairly unsuccessfuly) in the past, and that was mainly due to seeing David Blaine about 5 years ago on TV and being so impressed. I am very much the big kid sitting in his living room shouting "Wow!", and I assure you I'm way past the age of being a kid! Maybe it takes these kind of guys appearing on TV to send the message out that this is a cool thing to learn more about? Ah well, enough of my rambling. Be prepared though, I'll be around asking annoying questions in the future. You lot will learn to regret answering my post! Cheers again guys and thanks for the quick and helpful responses, Derek. |
laidback New user NJ 51 Posts |
Derek,
Let me also suggest Karl Fulves Self-Working Mental Magic as a good book to start learning mentalism from. -Steve |
Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
Well, since it was mentioned, I know EXACTLY where you can get the Fulves book from lol.
But you might save on postage if you take a walk to Roy Walton’s shop in Glasgow. He will probably have the Fulves book AND 13 Steps To Mentalism. If he doesn’t, I have. Paul Hallas |
dlal New user Glasgow 3 Posts |
Cheers Paul and Laidback,
Paul, would the shop you are referring to be Tam Shepherds? Strangely enough, I think I own the Fulves book. I bought a number of books a couple of years ago not long before I moved house. I didn't open all of them, so I might be wrong. Time to search through my loft I think! I'm definately interested in the "13 steps" book. I've had a search around on the net, with no luck. Paul, could you let me know if we're talking about the same shop? If so I'll go along next week. Thanks again everyone, your help is greatly appreciated. Cheers, Derek. PS Ian, With regard to body language and so on, let's just say one shouldn't confuse method with presentation, even though they affect one other. Now there's an intriguing (sp?) statement! You threw this one in just to make me squirm didn't you? You big tease you! |
Jonathan Inner circle Oklahoma 1223 Posts |
http://www.magicgeek.com/products/z13steps.html
There ya go if you want the 13 steps. Wherever you get it from, beware that the book you get is NOT the abridged version which is less than 20 pages. I've often wondered what the big deal is with this book, until recently when I discovered I had the ABRIDGED version!!! I've had it for a long time. I probably should still get it, do you agree? Jonathan Grant |
Drewmcadam Inner circle Scotland 1239 Posts |
I was in Tam Shephers a few weeks back and he had a couple of copies of 13 steps. he also had a couple of copies of Practical mental magic, which is well worth having
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magus Special user Huntington Beach, Ca 669 Posts |
20 pages?
It sounds like you might have ONE of the 13 steps. They were originally published in seperate lessons, like Tarbell. My copy, (published by Tannens - another place to check) runs about 420 pages, divide that by 13 to get 32 and change.... 20 pages, abridged, would never cover the wealth of information in this book. Hope this helps _________________ crappy deium- what a lousy day to be seized thaumometer- a device for measuring a magical field
crappy deium-
what a lousy day to be seized thaumometer- a device for measuring a magical field |
Jonathan Inner circle Oklahoma 1223 Posts |
Might I mention that it said nowhere on the description that it was abridged! It has all 13 steps but only a couple of pages per step (I guess it was a little over 20 pages, but not by much!). I think I got it from trickshop.com. I was very disappointed!
Jonathan Grant |
The Pianoman Veteran user Lliving in Scotland. 345 Posts |
I too have the Carl Fulves book and think it's very good.
I have tried some of it out and it went very well. regards The pianoman. |
VernonOnCoins Inner circle NYC 1978 Posts |
Thanks guys for all the great advice.
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Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
Yes Dial, the shop I referred to in Glasgow is Tam Shepherds. The man behind the counter is Roy Walton one of the most creative card magicians in the world and recipient of an award from the Acadamy of Magical Arts in Hollywood. He is extremely knowledeable and helpful, and inspired most contemporary Scots close up magicians.
I found it amazing someone thought one of the "steps" WAS 13 Steps. Unless it was some kind of pirated rip off the step number would be on the cover. Regards, Paul. |
espmagic Special user 978 Posts |
Derek - As a teacher of things mysterious, I asked my apprentice what he thought. He said (and I quote) that "if someone has a sincere interest in the magic arts they should be prepared to start at the beginning... if they get some help along the way, then good for them!" Of course, HE started in the local library, and the local magic shop, long before international and instantaneous communication was available... has anyone recommended Annemann's "The Jinx"?
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liormanor Regular user Israel 114 Posts |
I was wondering about our friend dlal
It is July 2002. how are you doing now?? Have you read all the books? are you getting paid for shows?? Lior |
Darmoe Special user Ohio 741 Posts |
Quote:
On 2001-12-30 13:45, Jonathan wrote: Probably for around the same price you paid for that booklet (cleffnotes?) you could have the entire book... as Magus stated, some 400 pages or so with contributions by some of the greatest performers in the biz. There's a reason why it's so highly recommended and considered one of the primary foundation books to the trade... I'd demand my money back (unless you were warned in the advertising that it was abridged... even that, from what you're saying, sounds like a big stretch of the imagination.)
"I firmly believe that of all the Arts and Crafts of Mentalism, there is nothing more satisfying than one who is a first-class Reader. It is the ultimate in Mentalism..." - Tony Corinda * 13 Steps To Mentalism
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