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fastmagic New user Idaho 46 Posts |
Hey all,
here's the story. I've been in magic for 15 years now and I'm all about sleight of hand, close up and street magic. I don't have any mentalism effects that I do and I've been curious about some mentalism effects to do. I just orderd "13 steps to mentalism" which I hear is really good, and I've also got anneman's book pactical mentalism effects, which I also hear good things about. What I was wondering is what are your most favorite mentalism effects that get great reactions from people? If you own these two books, what are your favorite effects from these books? I've also got a swami gimmick, any suggestions with that? please let me know and help a brother out! thanks~! |
Jon Stetson Veteran user 329 Posts |
Read those books. Digest them thoroughly. Begin to form your own opinions.
You have more than enough books to get started. Then come back and ask others about their favorite "effects". That is, if you want to learn about mentalism as opposed to learning some new tricks. |
cpbartak Special user Mooresville, NC 941 Posts |
What are your goals with mentalism? Do you want to do stage mentalism? Perform impromptu mentalism miracles strolling? Etcetra.
Those are definitely good books to start with, and when you're ready to move forward, do a search in this forum. There are several book based threads in which you can find out about other books that would be good continuations. Some of these include Psychological Subtleties, Syzygy, Paramiracles, Theater of the Mind, etc. I don't think you will find many people offering up specific effects because different things work for different people. Also, there's no reason to be rushing for specific effects in those books at this point; you should learn them entirely and give the art its due practice.
Some people hear voices.. Some see invisible people.. Others have no imagination whatsoever.
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ALEXANDRE Inner circle 3024 Posts |
While reading these classic Mentalism texts which will make you an overall better performer and give you wonderful insight and ideas into the world of Mentalism, go to http://www.alakazam-usa.com and pick up things like E.S.Perfect, Glimpse 20/20, BIP book 2.0, Chinese Choice, Director's Cut, The Hidden, The Unexpected, and anything else that strikes your fancy there (lots of choice) for some more immediate mentalism fun.
Do not replace the books you mentioned for the above mentioned products ... that would be a mistake. Do read the books, and in the meantime, enjoy the above mentioned effects after careful thought to presentation: one of the most important aspects of Mentalism. Great stuff all around. Good luck, enjoy, and if you need anything else, get in touch.
HERE'S A SECRET ...
http://www.lybrary.com/mystic-alexandre-m-354.html |
Stark Mystery New user 64 Posts |
Another thing to remember is the 13 steps can be compared to royal road to card magic in that every performer who does card tricks has read that book but you canstill fool them badly with tricks in it's pages. Delve deep and enjoy the return of it.
Luke |
Espforyouandme New user San Diego / Detroit 16 Posts |
My humble advice? Go out and actually PERFORM the stuff you're reading, especially the billet material in the first chapter of Annemann's PME.
Luke is right, those two books layed the foundation for modern mentalism, but the funny thing is, so few people actually perform anything in them, or would even recognize any of the material if they experienced it. I recently performed "A Day In The Life" for a friend who's a pro trade show worker, and he got bug-eyed and actually asked if I ever planned on releasing the effect! And this from the guy who recommended I buy Practical Mental Effects when I was 12 years old... If you want a good starting point, master "A Question & The Answer" and the "Dead Name Duplication." They only require a simple switch and in my opinion, are two of the strongest effects you can perform. Another thing, when you practice, under no circumstances should you use your family and close friends as your audience. If they've already seen you fumble with sponge bunnies, there is absolutely no way they'll take you seriously as a mentalist. Next time you're in a bar or eating out, try one of the effects with a waitress. Finally, see if you can find some good free online video clips of Kreskin performing. Say what you will about him, but I guarantee his performance fee is MANY times that of anyone who posts here, and this is a guy who hasn't changed his wardrobe since the 1970's. Especially pay attention to his storytelling, and how he can turn what to us would be an ordinary card trick into a mind-shaking mental mniracle for a lay audience. I hope this helps! ---Lowell Stearn |
ALEXANDRE Inner circle 3024 Posts |
Speaking of Kreskin, this DVD is incredible education for any mentalist:
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Moments-Amazi......00ESSSZ2
HERE'S A SECRET ...
http://www.lybrary.com/mystic-alexandre-m-354.html |
Bryce Regular user Oxon, UK 108 Posts |
Alexandre do you know if this is just a US release or will these DVDs work in the UK? They seem really cheap to me and I would love to buy them as long as they will work over here.
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chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
ESPFOR is correct in his performance dictum --but there is one idea often missed by magicians who wish to transform their work with some mentalism. It is an essential idea about performance style and less about skill than most manipulators ever understand.
A complete shift in focus must occur for our work to be successful -- from the performer to the audience, the sitter -- and the emotions and connection evoked in them. No ta-das here -- no applause cues and posed -- and in fact sometimes a stunned nodding silence is more appropriate than shrieks of R&R adulation. The focus is never on how it is done -- or the performer as glitz -- but on the emotion and wonder created in the heart and mind of the audience. The difference between appreciation of mere skill and admiration of the performer for an emotional maturity and connection with the human potentials of psi work available to all who wish to develop their perceptions -- is subtle. Personally I find Kreskin more of a now outdated "me-me" successful magician than I do the appeal of an Osterland, Banachek or Maven.
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
ALEXANDRE Inner circle 3024 Posts |
For the record, Osterlind often refers to Kreskin as a major influence. With some new clothes and a decent haircut, one could take Kreskin from back then and he would still be excellent today.
I truly believe that. Bryce, here's an all regions version: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Moments-Ama......00ESSSZ2
HERE'S A SECRET ...
http://www.lybrary.com/mystic-alexandre-m-354.html |
Garrette Special user 926 Posts |
I am in agreement with all the responses here, particularly Alexandre and ESPfor...
I want to emphasize ESPfor's admonition about practicing with family, but add a caveat: You will almost never fool your family with mental effects if your presentational persona is different from your every-day style, but you can still get excellent feedback on technical aspects of the presentation. A harder audience to control is difficult to find. |
bdekolta Inner circle Texas 1636 Posts |
Fastmagic - you've received some good advice so far.
I'd like to say that the jump from magic to mentalism can be a big one. Particularly when you do closely performed sleight-of-hand as you describe yourself performing. Both require much of your personality to come across well. I would suggest you read Annemann and Corinda with an eye toward presentation. Pick one effect to add to the middle of your current set. Put in the middle so you can work on the presentation without affecting your overall performance. You just want them to let you try an experiment. As you learn to present that effect strongly you can add others. You should also begin applying mentalism ideas to your existing effects. You will probably find that more satisfying short term. Corinda is the better source for that. Look past effects and seek his advice on presentation. Find a copy of T.A. Waters "Mind, Myth, and Magic". Skip the tricks and just read his essays. Then read them again. You can do all that in just a few days. You should be pleased with the results. Hope that helps. |
Bryce Regular user Oxon, UK 108 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-08-18 15:34, ALEXANDRE wrote: Just a note to say thank you for your help. I have already started to enjoy these little gems. |
evolve629 Inner circle A stack of 3838 Posts |
Have you checked out Richard Osterlind's website? Richard Osterlind's amazing mentalism sparked my interest and now mentalism is one of my obsessions...
http://www.osterlindstore.com/
One hundred percent of the shots you don't take don't go in - Wayne Gretzky
My favorite part is putting the gaffs in the spectators hands...it gives you that warm fuzzy feeling inside! - Bob Kohler |
ALEXANDRE Inner circle 3024 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-09-06 08:43, Bryce wrote: Bryce, you're welcome. I think anyone who's into mentalism should watch these DVDs and pay careful attention to how he goes about audience management, recovering from mistakes and unseen problems, and even the simplicitiy of some of the effects and how effectively they work on an audience almost exclusively because of presentation. For those in the U.S, here's the link or just do a search for other stores: http://www.amazon.com/Best-Moments-Amazi......00ESSSZ2
HERE'S A SECRET ...
http://www.lybrary.com/mystic-alexandre-m-354.html |
Lee Marelli Special user Aurora, Colorado 876 Posts |
Advice For A New Mentalist. A Q&A with Lee Marelli, Professional Mentalist (Professor Krill and Marelli's Mental Wizardry) and Past President, Psi Clones
Question: What's your opinion on presenting Mentalism as real, but in such a way that you were to shy away from going anywhere to personal with the spectators (making contact with the dead, healing people, etc.) and just sticking to demonstrations and experiments with your "powers". Response. I have always taken the position that I will let the audience decide what has occurred after they see me perform. I make no claims to psychic abilities nor do I provide a disclaimer. That is why I have always believed in Dunninger's quotation, "For those who believe, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not believe, no explanation is possible” In fact, I and my associate close our two man Mental Wizardry show with that quotation. We avoid like the plague the moniker of "Mentalist," because the majority of the public has no idea what that means. Further, our advertisements always include the phrase, "Is what they do real?" Remember, your audience will consist of three types of people, i.e., believers, those who are not sure, and outright skeptics. No matter what you say or do to deny you have special abilities, the believers will, well, believe. Those who are not sure may well become believers, if your performance is strong enough. As for skeptics, you must achieve routines that meet Dunninger's test, i.e., For those who do not believe, no explanation is possible. Also, having a friendly and charming approach and not patronizing the spectators and/or NOT presenting your powers as the best thing since sliced bread. But, in a way, treating your powers as a vague and trivial sixth sense but at the same time not belittling your abilities. Question: How should you be perceived by your audience? Response: NEVER, NEVER be percieved as patronizing your audience. To be successful you need to be liked by your audiences. Be friendly and charming. Your character must reflect you, or the audience will sense you are a phony. Do not come across as pedantic or all powerful. That approach went out years ago (although some still think it is viable. Wrong!) This is particularly true for you, being a newcomer to Mentalism. Saying that you gained mysterious powers while studying for years in the orient, will only make you look like a fool. Question: What about humor in the act? Response: Ensure you incorporate humor into your act. Obviously, not the corny humor used by too many new magicians, but humor that is realistic and comes both from humor written into your scripts and that which occurs from your interaction with your audience assistants. Question: What about audience participation? Response: Oh yes, I firmly believe that every routine must have audience participation and insure you have a fe of your routines where the audience assistant is the center of attention and demonstrates powers of the mind. Believe me that the audience will always attribute part of the assistant's success to you. Question: Do you mind talking to people about what you do? Response: I like the idea of talking with people (in small groups or even one, two or three at a time whenever possible) about what I do (I'm sure the reasons are obvious, such as helping to gain rapport, and creating an emotional hook, etc.) and then moving onto the experiments with them. In fact, Working with small groups is certainly an important aspect of being an entertainer, for that is what you must be, an entertainer. Learn to lead conversations into the ESP arena. Then you can easily transition into a routine by saying something like, "Let me show you something that might clarify what we have been talking about." I should also mention that talking with people will allow me to select just the right effects to show them and even whether or not to show them anything at all. It also gives me a chance to pick the right audience assistant(s). Some final words of advice. Read about the paranormal and ESP. Know what you are talking about, because believe me you will run into people who either know or think they know about the paranormal and ESP. If you cannot discuss these subjects in a knowledgeable manner, you will quickly be known as a phony. Carefully select your routines to match your stage persona. For example, I am not a storyteller, like Brother Shadow or Neale. I do not kid myself about this, so I avoid that type of routine. I hope you see what I am getting at. Read everything you can about the Art of Mentalism, for it is an art. In Mentalism (we can use this term among ourselves) books are still the best value. Forget about thinking like a magician or you will continue to act like one. Ask yourself how would a psychic think? Just like great magicians, construct your routines carefully. Write a script. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. Just like in magic, there is no such thing as get the effect today and perform it tomorrow. I can assure you, that you will fail. On the other hand do not be afraid to perform after you have done what you can to be ready or you will be like the hobbyist that spend all their time learning sleights, but are afraid to perform them before an audience because they never think they are good enough. I hope I have helped. Best Regards, Lee Marelli
"Mentalism is a state of mind." Marelli
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