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Phren New user 57 Posts |
So, I'm still looking for my own style. Yesterday I had a thought that mentalism can be presented as if I hear 'the voices' telling me things..
This (as many things) has probably been done before and I wondered if people here know of any performers who do such a thing. Maybe it's even possible to share video's about this concept so I can learn and mimmick things and evolve it into something of my own. Do people have video's, terms or other sources to share? |
Brynmore14 Inner circle The Séance Chamber 1815 Posts |
I know a psychic who looks up and behind you and then says "spirit is telling me xyz". Usually the information was quite accurate. This person makes a good living in the shut eye world this way. It is an effective persona and performance style. But I don't really know anyone who presents the way you are describing, which is fantastic. Uniqueness is a fantastic trait to possess. I like the idea that it could be mental illness but if so, why is it so accurate.
I have considered a rainman approach at one point, an idiot-savant character, but it was ultimately not for me. Look for movie characters who have similar traits and consider what you can learn and model from them. Rob Zabrecky, for example, does a very Norman Bates type character, which is very effective and entertaining. Hope this helps you in your quest. Brynmore |
Phren New user 57 Posts |
At the moment I'm watching youtube video's of schizophrenic people. Also criminally insane... good stuff, just just keep on talking... guess that's handy for stage as you have the spotlight already
I've already thought of ways to do it on stage, but I'm looking for milder approaches so I can make it a whole persona instead of a theaterplay. |
Dr Spektor Eternal Order Carcanis 10781 Posts |
Being someone who uses performance to teach about mental health- just please be careful not to create a stereotype stigma character - please!
I've seen enough people around develop material based on media portrayals that do more harm than good We are entertainers but we still have content and values we transmit to our audiences An awesome responsibility
"They are lean and athirst!!!!"
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Phren New user 57 Posts |
I totally agree and would love to hold on to this responsibility. Are there things I shouldn't do specificly? I'm all ears when it comes to these topics.
My initial idea, when I decided I wanted to perform, was to talk about psychology. How life itself can be an illusion already. My girlfriend is a social psychologist who teaches at schools about discrimination, social pressure, influence of media and such topics. I would love it to integrate some of that educational value into my performance. I'm thinking of explaining Synesthesia to people and then do a Memory feat. Anyway, I'm all ears |
Malakim Loyal user 206 Posts |
I actually think this could be a good combination:
Quote:
I like the idea that it could be mental illness but if so, why is it so accurate. with Quote:
Being someone who uses performance to teach about mental health Make people rethink mental illnes and what ist considered as "normal". Where is the Border between "normal" and "ill" when is the line crossed and why, what if the line is clearly crossed but what is beeing said is totally accurate? What if there are mental illnesses that could have been "normal" in other societies ... |
Mind Guerrilla Inner circle Queens, NY 2670 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 14, 2014, Phren wrote: Peter Popoff |
Slim King Eternal Order Orlando 18012 Posts |
It's Audio Clairvoyance ... and yes ... Jack Galloway is afflicted.
THE MAN THE SKEPTICS REFUSE TO TEST FOR ONE MILLION DOLLARS.. The Worlds Foremost Authority on Houdini's Life after Death.....
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Darkness Inner circle 1626 Posts |
Benny Hin heals and that is quite a show, claiming to have super powers? People believe it or just watch because it's interesting.
Phren you mention you are looking for your own style. Although that is different than a character and guys like Peter Popoff and Benny are characters to me (IMO), It's an interesting balance and an option between someone who plays at being serious and someone who is. John Edwards comes to mind as a psychic to the other side, that's the closest I can think of, he is serious as he searches for clues with the audience's help. If it is for entertainment purposes, decide if you wish to pass yourself off as the real deal or not, that will help you find your way. I used to play a character and although people knew I wasn't real, I still needed to make an emotional, real connection with them. They could still suspend disbelief for the entertainment purpose, but in the end they accepted and understood it was just that, it allowed the connection in a way. I was a comic character in a straight world. You may be a straight character in a strange world. It takes much time to develop a style but ultimately it comes from inside you, your essence. Be yourself inside or outside of character or style to ground yourself and build on that. Some things to conciser as you search for style: - Pick your premise between reality and real reality (i.e. bewitched TV show or real witch) - Find the truth and pain in what you do and show that. - Have a strong perspective of who you are. - Commit to that perspective. - If it's fantasy how far do you go? - Where do you insert the tension and release? - Is their satire or parody at all? - Are you a hero of sorts or regular guy who knows things? - Are you in control or successfully experimenting? - Do things go wrong sometimes to your surprise? - Do you appear to take risks? - How do you set situations up and go for the payoff? - Avoid cliche's! - Be consistent to attract the audience you want? - Ask why are people coming to my show. - Be likeable!!! - Take chances!!! Pick performers that are closest to what you like or blend a couple, study them, take licks from them and make it your own. Don't worry if it already exists or if it doesn't, it will be delivered by you and your style will emerge regardless. Good luck hope that was helpful.
THE SUPERNATURAL ILLUSIONIST & EFFECTS CREATOR WWW.MRDARKNESS.COM
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theghostcompany New user Switzerland 82 Posts |
One additional thought: To test whether you're crossing a line that you should think very carefully about, imagine one or several audience members having close relatives afflicted by a condition similar to the one you have in mind. Think about their reaction to your show, including a scenario (i) where they know that it is pure showmanship, and a scenario (ii) where they take things for real and later find out it was not. What would their reaction be? Would they still consider that it was presented in a compassionate way, creating awareness for a condition in a responsible way, or would they ne indifferent, or even feel abused, or even betrayed?
To put it differently, I think your idea has a lot of potential, but it may be very challenging to make it work in a responsible way. (Also bear in mind that mental conditions are more frequent than we like to think - I have seen one friend and two work colleagues starting to "hear voices" in the last 15 years. It's horrible.) |
Mormo Zine Regular user 149 Posts |
I'm developing a psycho mentalism act myself.
Hell yeah bro!! |
Phren New user 57 Posts |
I've started working on a persona on paper. I already know quite a bit about schizophrenia and believe I'm able to make it nice instead of scary. However, scary will be tere as psychosis can be very intimidating
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