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abraham New user 35 Posts |
Hey guys, I am just trying to get into mentalism so I am ordering Further Commercial Cold reading Magic CD, and the book "Pure Effect" and also "Absolute Magic". Do you guys think the stuff I have on the list are good or bad? Thanks for the comments.
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trickiewillie Regular user Virginia 128 Posts |
They are not good for someone "just trying to get into mentalism." They are good, but you would do better with "13 Steps" or "Practical Mental Effects" to start and work up to the Derren Brown books. Cold reading is another whole art in itself. Check the "Penny for your thoughts" forum for lots of other ideas and suggestions.
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Harris0n Loyal user leeds uk 290 Posts |
The first thing that any budding mentalist needs to do is grow an interesting beard.
See Pure Effect and Peek Performances for some inspiration.
"There are times when the truth is necessary and times when myth-making is necessary." Nick Cave
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Sven Rygh Inner circle Oslo, Norway. 1945 Posts |
I second trickiewillie on Corinda and Annemann.
I didn't work with any other books for the first 5 or 6 years, before I moved on. These books are a "must", and have tons of philosophy and material to work with. Sven
WWW.SVENRYGH.NO
"Keep it as simple as possible, - but no simpler" http://www.svenrygh.no/sven-rygh/presse/nrk-forst-og-sist/ http://www.svenrygh.no/video.html |
StrangeMagick Special user 635 Posts |
Abraham:
If you are REALLY interested in mentalism, I recommend the writings of Bob Cassidy. In my opinion, mentalism is one of the hardest types of magic to perform (and I don't mean learning the "moves"), as it really is up to your "character" to sell this stuff. If performed poorly, mentalism comes off as just a series of BORING puzzles. His "Fundamentals, A Guidebook To mentalism" is, in my opinion, an important book to have for anyone really interested in the art of mentalism. This is a 90-page PDF file that includes a list of the most important books for a mentalist according to Bob (and I agree with his choices). It costs $30 for the file. A link for downloading the PDF file will be emailed to you after you purchase the book. Note: This list of books is also available on his site for FREE. You will find it under the section labeled "Library". Here is a link to the area in his site where he sells items: http://www.mastermindreader.com/cd/ Now for some Bad News about Bob's site ...it's password protected and you must do some "homework" before you get the names for the login. Now, before you order anything from Bob, be forewarned that his turnaround time is sometimes questionable. This is often due to the fact that he IS NOT a retail shop, but a performer who sell some mentalism items. I won't get into a discussion about whether or not his turn around time is acceptable, but I just wanted to warn you. Do a search on The Magic Café to see some of the threads on this issue. Hope this helps, Dave Abraham: Here are some links to discussions of Bob's "Fundamentals" eBook (Note, the links to Bob's site are probably wrong): http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=15 http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=15 Here's some other threads about books for "beginning" mentalists: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=15 Dave |
abraham New user 35 Posts |
Wow... Thanks for the info guys. I went through a lot of time reading through some of the stuff in there. I did read the thread on Bob's book but I got a dead link. I know about the 13 steps and I am definitely getting them. I asked about Derrern Brown's materials because although I am interested in his books, I have heard mixed reviews about them also. Thank you guys for the response, you guys are great. =)
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
The links are all alive and the turnaround times are now very short since I broke down and bought a lap top to take on the road with me.
You can't use links posted in old messages, since, as Dave mentioned, the site is now password protected. (You should have no problems with the passwords) Best- Bob Cassidy |
BonzoTheClown Regular user 176 Posts |
Everyone welcomes your new laptop Bob. The service has dramatically improved.
Newer 'exclusive' products tend to take a few days as they are advertised before they are written, but again since Bob bought his laptop he has kept his communication up detailing the progress and updating on technical problems. I would guess this is mainly because Bob is the type of person that needs to apply pressure on himself to get the motivation to put what's in his head typed out. It can be a little annoying for the uninitiated, but if you know the process then it's now stress free. Fundamentals is an excellent primer on mentalism, and his Art of Mentalism series is great (only his own modesty prevents him from putting his own writings on his 39 steps book list - they deserve a place). Marc Climens |
abraham New user 35 Posts |
Hi Mr. Cassidy, sorry, it was the site I was refering too, my mistake. Sometimes my internet just wouldnt allow me to go into certain sites $^@#%!... I am really interested in those books of yours. Maybe I'll wait and try the internet somewhere else. Thanks
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FrankStone New user South Africa/Taiwan 74 Posts |
I can highly recomend the CD set "Conversations with Mindreaders". Imagine a total mind dump of all the most well known mentalists. Expensive but trust me it's money worth spend.
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Sariel Loyal user 258 Posts |
Frankstone: yes, I recomend that set as well, although not to a beginner....
The same goes for Pure Effect and Absolute Magic. Bob Cassidy Fundamentals and Principia Mentalia are essential for a modern performer, but one should start with Corinda and Annemann as recomended many times before. |
abraham New user 35 Posts |
Thanks for the response guys, I am looking into all of the materials you guys listed. I guess things boils down to "13 steps" and "Practical Mental Effects". Thanks guys, sincerely
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7th_Son Elite user Australia 437 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-12-14 02:17, FrankStone wrote: Where can I buy "Conversations with Mindreaders"? Nothing comes up in an internet search, and none of the bigger magic shops have it.
"Here's to our wives and girlfriends...may they never meet!" - Groucho Marx
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Bill Fienning Special user 635 Posts |
There is a sharp distinction between magicians doing mental magic (performing tricks that seem to demonstrate an ability to read minds or predict the future) and mentalists (that is, performers who present themselves as having a capability to read minds or predict the future without resorting to tricks).
Charles Pecor wrote a good explanation of this distinction in the October 2001 IBM Linking Ring (see the Hocus Pocus Parade). If you are not an IBM member, perhaps you can borrow that issue from someone who is. As you proceed into this field of mentalism, you need to understand what your persona will be so that all of the effects you select to incorporate into your act will reflect that persona. (Mentalists do not do mental magic tricks.) I am acutely aware of this dichotomy as I am developing a mentalist character. In the past, I have been primarily a bizarrist magician. (Before that I was an ordinary magician.)
Bill Fienning
"It's More than Tricks" |
7th_Son Elite user Australia 437 Posts |
Quote:
Bill, why is it that many mentalist characters have interesting beards?
"Here's to our wives and girlfriends...may they never meet!" - Groucho Marx
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jo Regular user 177 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-12-15 00:23, 7th_Son wrote: Has anyone thought that being clean shaven may make you more open, receptive and trusting to your audience? Add to that wearing a white shirt as opposed to the 'blacks' will also help. I mean, look at me, I told the guy I wanted a close shave... |
landmark Inner circle within a triangle 5194 Posts |
<<Has anyone thought that being clean shaven may make you more open, receptive and trusting to your audience? Add to that wearing a white shirt as opposed to the 'blacks' will also help. >>
Hey, interesting point, Jo. I'm going to take that into account next time I perform publicly. Thanks, Jack Shalom
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