What do you use as an openining effect or what do you say if you are going to approach a table of strangers in a paid or unpaid environment....hey wanna see something? nah!

My best opener is to approach a group of people with a dollar bill and say "Hello I'm Jeff. I'm the restaurant magician. Do you have change for a dollar? preferably 4 quarters" I then quickly say "never mind I'll just change this into 4 quarters" and I go into the mismade bill. It's quick, visual, and then I ask if they would like to see more. If not then it was only 20 seconds of their time and I move on. Hope this helps. Jeff Blum

Thanks, but I am thinking more for mentalism.

Hi Bigdunk007

I would recommend you take a look at "Pure Effect" by Derren Brown. I think he covers this issue very well with advice on what kind of routines to use to open and also the psychology behind what to say to put your audience at ease and make them eager to see your effects.

Hope that helps.
Dave

Bigdunk,

I posted recently about how I think Jim Steinmeyer's column in MAGIC has some wonderful thinking in regard to presenting mentalism.

In January's issue he shared some great thoughts on opening a show, and then goes onto share a really great mentalism effect as an example.

Worth hunting up!

Scott

If you are working in a venue, it helps to have some kind of sign or other indication that you are actually an "official" part of the goings-on, such as a lobby board. This makes it much easier to approach a table.

Walk up to them and say, "Yes, I'd be glad to read your mind. Would you like for me to do it again?"

LOL...Good one, Bill.

Any good first words, or mentalism effects to introduce yourself as a mentalist without having to state that!?

I usually wait for an opportunity when someone starts talking about mystical or psychic stuff or when someone who has seen me do this stuff before asks me to show everyone something. This is my favorite way of doing it, but have just said right off that I wanted to show them something.


Anabelle

This has absolutely nothing to do with this post, magic or mentalism so before I continue, I apologise.

I am completely computer unfriendly, and it makes me smile like a big girl (I am a man, by the way, regardless of my name) when I figure out such things.

IMO = In my opinion
IMHO = In my honest opinion

For the life of me I can't figure out LOL.

Please excuse my ignorance but someone please help. I am beginning to lose sleep.

Thanks in advance.

Mel (MALE)

Mel,

IMHO = In My Humble Opinion

Hope that clears things up a little... Oh LOL = Laugh Out Loud

ROTFLAMO!

I think you mean ROTFLMAO.

ROTFLAMO?

Please don't do this to me. LOL

OK good one, guys.

ROTFLMAO. Rolling On The Floor Laughing My --- Off.

IMO, enough already!

Here is one of the openers I have used for a stage venue after being introduced.

"Good evening, I'm Marelli and I am pleased to be with you tonight. We are going to have some fun as we explore the powers of the mind. To be successful I will need your help, so if you are asked to volunteer please do so, because maybe, just maybe you will learn something new and wonderful about yourself."

If you look at the structure, it contains some subtle triggers to get the audience with you including a "hook" at the end.

Proceed into the first effect. One I used to use was my version of Bob Cassidy's Flying Saucer.

I'm thinking of in a more close up setting. "Hi, I'm the entertainment," or such...makes me think of a magician and as a mentalist---it's good to leave this thinking outside...