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peng New user Malaysia 81 Posts |
I am having my first street performance soon. However I just found out that another magician is performing at the same venue. He does tricks like Card Transposition, Coin Across, Matrix, etc. He always say "These are just tricks. Buy my stuff and you can learn too" Therefore I find it important for me to clearly differentiate myself. I believe Mentalism effects may be a good option, including mind reading, psychokinetic, etc.
My doubt is, other than psychokinetic effects, most of my mentalism effects are quite verbose and not so visual. Would Mentalism work on the street? I am worried that in the dynamic street environment, people come and go too quickly. Mentalism-oriented effects might not be catchy enough to get audience. Does anybody have experience with Mentalism on the street? Can you please share? Thanks
Peng
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gavilondo New user Spain 14 Posts |
Peng,
I know very well from personal experience that a 2-person second sight act is just the thing for your purposes, if you have a talented partner. Working alone, I would suggest you explore the "Dynamite Mentalism" Q&A act (references: Docc Hilford's Perfect Club Act video; the booklet "Dynamite Mentalism" by George Anderson). If you feel up to the challenge, you can do cold-readings of willing spectators. A blindfold "sightless vision" act might work, but I'm just guessing. Wish you the best of luck. Gavilondo luis@gavilondo.com
Ars longa, vita brevis.
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peng New user Malaysia 81 Posts |
I did well. I performed from 10pm to 2am. Judging from the reactions, I had been quite entertaining.
The best reactions, in my opinion, were not the laughing and screaming. A gentlemen held a bent spoon in his hands and asked me, "Is this still magic? I mean, is this still... tricks?" When performing For Andruzzi, I stopped my own pulse. Then I wanted to demonstrate stopping somebody else's pulse. Most of the times, people would look frightened (I couldn't blame them). Yet, they stayed and watched. A gentleman picture volunteered. While walking up, he said to his family, "Be ready to call an ambulance." I took that as a compliment. I must have achieved a certain level of conviction. You know what the worst part of the show was? Collecting donation. My skill, if any, sucked.
Peng
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Philemon Vanderbeck Inner circle Seattle, WA 4694 Posts |
You might wish to pick up a copy of Cellini's "Art of Street Performing" which will give you many useful pointers on how to attract, keep and solicit a crowd.
Professor Philemon Vanderbeck
That Creepy Magician "I use my sixth sense to create the illusion of possessing the other five." |
peng New user Malaysia 81 Posts |
Is "Art of Street Performing" the same as the "Royal Touch"? That was the book I jumped at right after the show.
Peng
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rrubin98 Veteran user Cogito, ergo sum scripsit 357 Posts |
Peng,
I haven't done street mentalism myself, but I think would do a palm reading for a couple of folks and perhaps memorize the serial numbers of borrowed bills via mnemonics. "For Andruzzi" sounds like a great idea, too. I might also use a neat little effect by Phil Goldstein involving invisible coins and a heads/tails/selected coin prediction. You can find it in one of the first few Syzygy publications, I think. - Richard |
iSawThat Regular user The Ivory Tower 188 Posts |
Do you perform in Malaysia? I know the region well, it's my home too. People just aren't used to giving money for this kinda thing yet, magic is always welcome, and so is anything else, as long as it is free. Once the collection hat appears, you've got your big finale: the audience disappears. It will take time, for street audiences especially, in this part of the world to warm up to their idea of parting with their hard-earned money in appreciation of our art.
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peng New user Malaysia 81 Posts |
I am from Malaysia. I don't fully agree with you, only partially. If the beggar syndicate here in Malaysia can earn enough for every beggar, if we magicians do worse, it's our problem. I can't blame my audience.
Peng
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Allen Gittelson Regular user San Francisco 145 Posts |
Peng,
Yes. Mentalism can work on the street, just as other forms of entertainment can. Mentalism can also contain some of the same elements (visual elements, sounds, movement, etc.). I perform mentalism on the streets of San Francisco. You'll have to figure out what will work best for you. Use the feedback that your street audiences give you. It's very direct feedback usually. If they are not interested in whatever you are doing, they'll usually leave. Take a look at what you are doing that does not appeal to them, and decide for yourself if you think that changing that might work better. Then see if they walk away at the same point in the act that they previously did. I'll wish you good luck, but mostly good work, as it will take work to tune your act. At least you are likely fortunate that it can be a labor of love. It is a lot of work to keep a crowd on the street, but it is a great way to learn if you can handle very direct feedback. Mental Wires, Allen http://MentalWires.com |
WR Special user Utah 945 Posts |
phil,
A marvolus video. I do not do street performing but loved the video. I am making a coat like his. Also try http://ghettomagic.50megs.com/ for great street magic effects. WR
"Tell Em WR sent Ya."
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Bigmagictrout New user Quebec, Canada 46 Posts |
I think mentalism could be perfect, but you should try to add a more visual effect, like a levitation. Keep up the good work
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dpe666 Inner circle 2895 Posts |
Please, don't do this. Keep magic and mentalism seperate. If you don't, all of your mental effects will become nothing more than tricks.
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peng New user Malaysia 81 Posts |
I agree with dpe666. The most "visual" thing I would do withouth spoiling mentalism would be spoon bending, or limited psychokinesis.
Peng
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