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Lefebure Loyal user Lille, France 202 Posts |
Bonjour my dear fellows,
I practise three kinds of shows : children magic, close-up/table hopping and bizarre magic. But a fourth genre is more asked last months: mentalism, pure mentalism. I mean not the close-up mentalism (out for lunch, swami etc), and mentalism not linked with the bizarre either. For every different kind of show, I wear a different "mask". A good magician is first a good actor, as Robert Houdin said. For exemple in table hopping, I am more friendly, talkative and funnier than I am in the real life. Until recent days, I performed from times to times book-tests acts, cxxxxe txxr routines during my shows. But now I have the opportunity to develop it and perform 100% mentalism performances and shows. The problem is that I have the feeling that to be credible, a mentalist must have (or pretend to have) a strong personnality. And I must say it disturbs me a bit, because I am not specifically tall or strong, my voice is not quite loud or special, my eyebrows are not so bushy... And I can't act this kind of guy. Just because it doesn't suit with my look and my own personnality. It would be just like Elijah Wood would play the role of Vito Corleone (Coppola's Godfather), or Woody Allen playing Terminator. Can a mentalist be "cool" ? What makes the credibility of a mentalist (except good skills at cold reading, misdirection etc.) ? 80% of our communication is the way we are seen : our style, our look, our movements, clothwear, sound of the voice...so what do you think the audience might expect to see when he meets for the first time of his life a "mentalist" ? Thanks /Jeremy |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10585 Posts |
Mentalism is in my opinion first and foremost about your personality, and the beliveabilty of you to the audience as a performer and personality.
Some of your preconceived perceptions (tall, strong voice, busy eyebrows) may be your own perception (or misperception) but have little to do with the real audience perceptions. It's also about you as an entertainer. Today's younger generations seem to put more focus on the feats of their act rather than their ability to truly be an entertainer. I mean being able to go on stage with nothing, no tricks, no props, no crutches, and be able to do even 5 or 10 minutes just in personality and audience interaction. To engage or entertain the audience. To me all of this is more important than perhaps the mentalist image you have in mind. To me and the audiences I see, the greatest appeal of mentalism is that the mentalist seems to be just an ordinary guy with unique or super abilities. The old images of a mentalist with a mysterious look, tone of voice, turban on his head with a jewel in the middle on the forehead, and perhaps a cape is long gone (except maybe Bob Cassidy in the bar after a few rounds, just for fun). You hit on something right, what truly makes a mentalist or really any performer credible is his/her skills and ability to be engaging and entertaining with these skills. Best of luck! |
Tony Razzano Inner circle South River, NJ 1600 Posts |
Actually, Woody Allen as The Terminator would be funny. Could it be that your personality does lend to good entertaining mentalism? Think about it.
Best regards,
<BR>Tony Razzano, Past President, PEA Winner of the PEA"s Bascom Jones and Bob Haines Awards |
Boo de Hoop Regular user Germany 101 Posts |
I don't agree, that a magican must be a good actor. IMHO it realy depends on your personality and what kind of magic you want to perform. And the worst thing that could happen, is a "magican" who trys to play role, without being able to do it. The audience will feel, that something is not real and that's a bad situation.
Why do you want to perform as a "mentalist"? There are other options, as a physic* or as a mental-magician etc. If I were you, I would stop thinking about how a mentalist has to be. I would think about who I am. *= For me it is not an option to perform as a physic.
Sorry for my English! My German is a little bit better ;-)
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David Numen Inner circle 2070 Posts |
I don't know if it needs a "strong" personality as such - I think the key to all performing is to be likeable. Get people on your side, get them to like you and they will follow you (and forgive you when things don't go to plan!).
Not to say that's the only way - mentalism does attract some people that like to play it spooky, weird and unlikeable. Each to their own. |
actorcoop Veteran user 337 Posts |
Banachek's manuscript "Pre Thoughts" has some very interested commentary about what mentalists "should" look like. He explains that when he first started he was a bit self conscious because he didn't look old and wise, and His presentation never appeared very mind controll-y. However, he decided to present his persona as a very natural, but very well versed mentalist.
Personally, I would figure out HOW you wish to present your ROUTINES, and your style will shine through your work... Or, If have a specific character in mind (yes, a character is different from a personality) then build everything around that. ...Or you could pull a Chung Ling Soo. Just don't try a bullet catch Cheers, Cooper
*I knew you were going to read this
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parmenion Inner circle Switzerland/Zürich 3988 Posts |
If I read what you have wrote correctly you're not a mentalist but ask client ask for, now you are.
Maybe it's te first mistake, don't do what you don't know/like or you're not not comfortable with. I'll never ever perform children magic even if it will be the only one market because it's not my style and I don't like this kind of magic. Seconds things, you wrote: swami and OTL is not mentalism, it's not about what you use but what you are. third things, mentalism is book test and CT? ****!, so I've to put them in my show!
“I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about.”
<BR>Oscar Wilde experimentaliste <br> <BR>Artist pickpocket Professional <BR> <BR>Looking for the best book test in French? send me a PM! |
maxpax Regular user Sweden 120 Posts |
I don't agree with your thoughts on a "strong personality". Just because your tall and physically strong doesn't mean you have a "strong personality". Well I don't think so atleast. I mean some personalities in world history were not that tall but still had "strong personalities" (I'm not sure they actually had strong personalites I just assume that because they were in great positions). People I'm thinking about is Hitler, Ghandi and Napoleon (depending on if he was as short as people think he is).
Maybe you should try to figure out who you are first and write some of the stuff you are down. It might be fun and you may learn something. Anyways good luck! |
0pus Inner circle New Jersey 1739 Posts |
Why don't you describe yourself (without a "mask")?
Then you can decide what effects/talents you might want to portray. Then your act can grow out of that. |
chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
Mentalism in character can work -- as well as "just being yourself." The dramatic basis of the character can limit or expand the "powers" to be demonstrated -- seance workers usually take the persona of a "medium," other s become dungeon masters while most remain something close to themselves.
The idea of a Woody Allen type terminator is funny -- but what reason for the mental powers. "just another magic trick? " A superpower endowed by a secret organization? A hereditary Gypsy Fortune Teller, or closet psychic just coming out of the closet? All are valid characters for a "look at me and what I can do" act. (Kreskin is an extreme example of a mix using obnoxious, but there is no fighting with chutzpah and success. Others like Banachek and Osterlind are more involved in audience connection -- and my take is the audience should feel that their innate powers are untapped and we as mentalists are the conduit for them to "show their stuff." It all comes down to what you want -an no other opinion excerpt the cash paying audience counts. I would suggest (IMHO) that you carefully differentiate you material and keep the persona well away from the basis you use for children and close-up. Bizarre works -- depending upon your definition. Somehow I feel the public thinks psychics and mind readers are bizarre -- so that is the route I take -- mixing real history with attributed powers.
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
Mike Ince Inner circle 2041 Posts |
I would love to see someone with your personality perform mentalism. Surprise the audience with your abilities. Buck your own expectations of what a mentalists looks and sounds like. Whatever it is that makes audiences like you, aside from the effects, show them that. My favorite part of the movie "Scoop" was seeing Woody Allen do magic; I'd watch him alone for an hour-long show. Remember Leipzig: if they like you, they will like what you do.
The secret of deception is in making the truth seem ridiculous.
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DWRackley Inner circle Chattanooga, TN 1909 Posts |
Everyone else has already given all the good answers!
My only observation would be to say that you have to work with the tools you’ve been given. Woody and Arnold could both play the role of a killer robot from the future, but they’d automatically handle it differently. If Woody tried to act like Arnold, it would seem farcical. But if he played it seriously, using his own style, I can envision a role that would be much creepier and more terrifying than Arnold could ever accomplish. The first few times I saw Kreskin (B&W television) he wasn’t at all what I’d call a strong personality. He was just somebody who knew everything (and now that think about it, not completely different from Woody Allen!) Spend some time thinking about how YOU would do mentalism.
...what if I could read your mind?
Chattanooga's Premier Mentalist Donatelli and Company at ChattanoogaPerformers.com also on FaceBook |
actorcoop Veteran user 337 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-01-27 15:35, DWRackley wrote: Kreskin is the Woody Allen of mentalism... what a wonderful parallel! haha Loved it. Cheers, Cooper
*I knew you were going to read this
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IAIN Eternal Order england 18807 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-01-27 13:07, 0pus wrote: that's impossible for pretty much anybody! I was gonna mention Kreskin, hardly some dark and brooding mentalist is he... energetic, lively, enthusiastic... but definitely not dark and mysterious... can you imagine hannibal lecter, after eating someone's brain turning and saying "Isn't that wiiiiild?!" and smiling... actually, that would be pretty sinister... you'd be better off changing your name so that your initials are DB and having facial hair... actually, as an exercise, make a list of the differences and similarities between blaine, berglas and brown......and you'll see how on the surface there's similarities, but dig deeper and maybe not so much?
I've asked to be banned
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Godzilla Inner circle Tied & Untied Witches on 5316 Posts |
Lefebure, I have seen many of your post in 'Spooky'!
After ,what I have seen you post here in 'Penny'...You scream nothing but "COOL"!!! Gary
"If you watch Godzilla backwards, it's about a big ass lizard who helps rebuild a half burnt-down city, then moonwalks back into the ocean"
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Rocketeer Special user Westchester, NY 965 Posts |
I think there's room for many different personae in mentalism.
If you think you;re a lightweight, be a lightweight. A mentalist doesn't necessarily have to have gravitas and an imposing manner. Take a more lighthearted approach. Choose your effects wisely; look for ones that match your personality. A lighthearted approach can be very disarming and appealing. Bonne chance.
I'm selling my hardcover autographed limited edition copy of Jerome Finley's "Thought Veil"
PM me for info. |
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