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Alexander Regular user UK 124 Posts |
I'm not talking Swami's or anything here. What I mean is, what is YOUR gimmick?
For example, Tommy Coppers' "Just like that", his laugh, his fez. Or even Derren Brown's beard and head nod/tick. Do any of you have a "little something" that makes your persona a bit different, instantly recognizable. This idea is covered in "13 Steps." I just wondered if any one had put it in to good use. I await your replies, Alex
The Man Who Knows (how to make a good cup of Tea)
Mentalism - Philosophy. the doctrine that mind is the fundamental reality and that objects of knowledge exist only as aspects of the subject's consciounes. |
gibby357 Veteran user The Woodlands, TX 344 Posts |
I think the best gimmick is an extension of yourself. I can name 10 Mentalist and they all do things different but they do them well. Some have the hair in a funny style or wear a sort of costume others are in Khaki pants and shirt. Some take more control of the audience and others lay back and watch the fun happen. Whatever your personality is, extend a little beyond it and you will be on your way to finding your own "GIMMICK".
gibby |
Alexander Regular user UK 124 Posts |
That's some sound advice, thank you.
More posts welcome, regards, Alex
The Man Who Knows (how to make a good cup of Tea)
Mentalism - Philosophy. the doctrine that mind is the fundamental reality and that objects of knowledge exist only as aspects of the subject's consciounes. |
Seth Special user 566 Posts |
Could you describe Derren's head nod/tick a bit more. I didn't notice it when I watched the specials.
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mike stevenson Loyal user 276 Posts |
Seth, Derren uses the "nod" a lot more in live performance. It's basically a quick little "nod" of the head when he's talking to the spectator, and he repeats it often for good reason. He touches on it in his book Pure Effect as well, as to why he does it.
If you have his Devil's Picturebook video, then he does this like anything. It's basically a nod every few seconds and one would think that he's got a disease or like. |
Alexander Regular user UK 124 Posts |
It could very well be a gimmick, to make people wonder just what he's doing, maybe taking note of one of these "clues" he's on the look-out for.
It's almost like a spasm in your neck, a quick jerk of the head in a nod type manner, very slight. In his live shows it was very constant and very easy to see. He uses it on/after certain words, also when someone makes a large gesture. When I meet him after his show, he mainly did it when someone spelled their name for him to put "To....... from Derren Brown" on their program etc. Another note, I have the sometimes undesirable tendancy to pick up/repeat peoples "ticks" (kind of handy for rapport gaining) I found myself doing it around him, and he smiled in a very knowing way. More posts welcome to my original post.
The Man Who Knows (how to make a good cup of Tea)
Mentalism - Philosophy. the doctrine that mind is the fundamental reality and that objects of knowledge exist only as aspects of the subject's consciounes. |
Eddini_81976 Inner circle 2183 Posts |
Myself I can be downright loony, and crazy making crazy faces and noises, and mumbling mumbo jumbo, like voodoo or something. To some people its hilarious and to others it can creep them out a little. Another thing I like to do is stare very intensely into their eyes while wiggling my fingers close to there eyes as if I'm penetrating their mind. Years ago as a high schooler I would do a simple card force and then I would have a bandanna tied around my eyes. Then all of a sudden I would just drop to the floor in a loud heap. After about two or three seconds, one of my hands would raise and it would start to sway back and forth as I hummed or some such thing. Another time after dropping to the floor I started thrashing around like someone would if they were having a severe grand mal seizure. I would then "divine" their card after "coming to". This was years ago. I don't really do it anymore now because now I think its a bit too melodramatic. I still do the stuff mentioned at the beginning of this paragraph though. I can be very intense, and I can say the most outrageous things with a no-nonsense straight face. I've actually had a lot of people ask me to do readings for them. I do, do them occasionally in my street work. Mostly Astrology (which I actually believe there is something to), and some cold reading techniques. I've hit the head right on the dot a few times as well. I won't go into detail but I did a reading on this girl, and I nabbed her "se***l orientation" down pretty flat. I also told her "bad things" happened to her as a kid, and that the guy who did it had facial hair. She was like "oh my God", you are so true. It was my uncle, and he has facial hair and is in prison now. I also told her to be on the lookout and to be "careful" because I was getting an energy of something (what I wasn't sure of, maybe an accident or something). Okay I did this reading when I was walking home from performing and these people called me over to them to do some magic, and mind-reading for them. This was in the early fall a couple of years ago. Anyway as I was set-up on the sidewalk for street performing the beginning of the next summer some your guy who looked vaguely familiar, asked if I remembered who Ethel was. I said that I was sorry but no I didn't. He then said that he was their that early fall, when I was doing that reading for her. Anyway he goes, "you remember when you said to be careful because a accident might happen?" I said yes as I knew who he was talking about. Anyways, he said that late fall that her and her boyfriend had died in a car wreck. I was in complete shock the rest of the night. It still spooks me out. Honest to God above this is a true story. Maybe this was just a freak coincidence I don't know, but lets just say I don't do readings like I use to. I'm sorry to go off subject but this post kind of brought that up. As anyone in here had a similar experience? I'm curious, thanks, Ed, (Eddini).
"Treat Others As You'd Want To Be Treated" - Jesus Christ
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rickmagic1 Inner circle MIddle Tennessee area 1544 Posts |
Mine is my blue (my wife calls it "Smurf blue") suit and blue-tinted glasses. This tends to make me stand out a bit in a crowd. Not to mention the fact that my performances are of Victorian era magic/mindreading.
This isn't what I have on in the avatar, but I started doing this about a year ago. Rick
Richard Green
The Modern Conjurer Coming soon: Victorian Secrets: An Evening With The Spirits! |
Anabelle Special user 951 Posts |
I think my gimmick right now is that in my area I'm the only woman doing mentalism and some bizarre magic. People seem really interested in that, and more people seem to believe what I do is real, when it's just acting and performance as you all know.
Anabelle |
dynamite New user Philippines 71 Posts |
In my country one could very seldom see a woman magician, more so a mentalist. Could be very inspiring considering that magic is male-dominated.
As I understand, the "gimmick" mentioned here is the personal style or ID which separates you from the others. Well . . . I do magic during my training and seminars, and when I deliver motivational talks. I'm now identified in our circle of trainers as "the trainer with a magic touch." And, I sport a long hair gelled and brushed up - a personal touch very few males would want to copy. Sure adds aura to magic. All the best! Dynamite
"Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, you can . . . Boldness has a genius, magic and power to it!"
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Scott Grimm Regular user Chicago 141 Posts |
I do a style that takes a little getting used to for some magicians and is not suted for some audiences. I do a character that has the personality of Alex of the movie Clockwork Orange and the look of Jeff Hardy. Picture a young Hannable Lecter with mental powers. Freaked out yet? Well, the 16 to 36 year old crowd I cater to seems to love it. True, it doesn't play well for children or retirement homes. I do it since it was discovered that I am not a very entertaining person but Scott Grimm is.
Faith is at the heart of all magic.
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