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marc_carrion Special user 639 Posts |
Does anyone perform 20 item memory in their show? would you mind sharing presentation ideas and how do you build up suspense or surprise on your presentation?
Thanks, Marc |
George Hunter Inner circle 2013 Posts |
The classic approach is described in Corinda, and demonstrated and taught (with some updating) in Osterlind's 13 Steps DVD set.
George |
Al Desmond Inner circle Secret Mountain Lair in Conifer, Co 1511 Posts |
I don't preform it (personally, I think it's like watching grass grow), but I can do it.
Occasionally done it at parties, sitting around with friends. George is right in Corinda. Also look into Harry Lorayne (sp?) memory books. |
marc_carrion Special user 639 Posts |
Thanks Al and George, I know the method, just trying to work out some interesting presentation.
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mentalism addict New user 56 Posts |
You can talk about ppl. always are writing and loosing there shopping lists and there wifes get all mad and explain that you don't have that prob. bec..............
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Nestor D Special user France (Paris) 830 Posts |
Doc Shiels gave a nice introductory script in "Entertaining with ESP" (it is one of my impromptu parlour demonstration ).
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Lior Inner circle 1961 Posts |
Ken Weber use to do it in his shows and it was amazing.
Here is whow I became a very close friend of Ken: I joined the PEA in 1997-1998 and didn't know almost anyone. I did my Invisible touches on the first night in the new faces show so now many people approached me and introduced themselves. But the turning point was when Ken Weber did his 20 items on the Friday show. He asked many people to name a number and then name any object. When he asked me I said: One . Gun. broke the house down with laughter. If you have strong CARISMA then you can do the 20objects Lior
The Lior Touch
https://1amagic.com/ PEA Dave Lederman Award 2009 PEA Dunninger Award 2001 Life Time Achivmeant IUPA 2016 |
Cervier Inner circle France 1274 Posts |
I'd never thought of increasing the suspense!? The way I saw it, it's a demonstration the audience already know the end of: you prove you've memorized the list.
But as I was writing this, I thought of the famous question newcomers often ask "are 50/50 effects impressive enough?" and the common answer (one of them at least) "raise the stakes". Why not "raise the stakes" here? Maybe, once the list has been written down, say something like: "If I make more than one mistake (if I make two mistakes --or more) then I lose my check/that 100€ bill/<whatever you can think of that's either fun or impressive (preferably both )>" The you move on to your presentation and as soon as you begin, you make the one mistake you were allowed !!! Go through the first two phases with obvious care (ask for a word -> tell its position, then ask for numbers -> tell the word with details that haven't been written down), then increase the speed and shoot out the whole list, including all the details you asked for (what color is it? How big is it? etc.) you asked when building the list, tlking almost too fast for the "checker" to follow along. And saying the last word, you walk to the "checker" and snap the bill from his or her fingers Well, that's how I picture it: as I wrote, that's an untested idea
"A friend is someone who know you well but loves you anyway" H. Lauwick
The Lynx Deck, http://jmmaries.free.fr/cervier/ Grapheeteez, on GooglePlay Telemos the peek envelope, on SkywardMagic Telemos en Francais sur TheMysteryStore |
theothermentalist New user 21 Posts |
While not specifically about 20-item memory, Barrie Richardson has some nice presentation ideas about delivering a memory demonstration (in this case a memorized magazine test) in his book Act II.
I always like to do a purposeful miss-- "That one's really giving me trouble; we'll get back to it." Then circle back to it at the end for your final item.
-Tom Kennedy
https://www.theothermentalist.com |
marc_carrion Special user 639 Posts |
I like the idea of raising the stakes with money, and making one mistake it's like the tight rope walking right? we know that guy can do it with his eyes closed, but he starts with the eyes open, and he doubts and almost misses a step at the beginning, then he starts raising speed and confidence .... Twenty Dollar bill, and after the first mistake, I raise to $100, no more mistakes, or no payday for me ... I think that could work to make it more interesting (less watching grass grow)... for kids shows it could be the cake on the face (kind of the water tank for the school principal when raising funds for a new gym)...
Marc |
Bugini New user Germany 9 Posts |
Looch´s utterly brilliant version of Shuffleboard make it look like a (20 item) memory stunt.
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DocBenWiz Special user Meridian, Idaho 992 Posts |
I used to do 25 objects/numbers as early part of a mentalism performance. (Still can occasionally in casual situations just as a memory "stunt").
I had audience start calling random numbers then told them to call a few objects and I get the numbers, and then,....with a half dozen or more, as soon as the audience hesitates to call out either name or number ( which I found inevitably happens for a couple seconds at some point)...I would state,..."Oh, you folks are just too slow!..and I then rapidly call off the remaining items,...building faster and faster? In a minor "crescendo" until done...(big bow for applause cue)...!
"Pay no attention to that strange man behind the curtain" (it's only "Doc Benjamin from the Amazing Wizardelia Wagon")
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Conner New user 60 Posts |
When I perform this for audiences I just have them go through naming items in order. The reason I do not solicit items out of order (e.g., "12, hat") is because I don't want the audience anticipating what's coming next. In fact, when creating the list I do not tell them it is a memory stunt in advance. They are just participating in an activity, which is its own reward (as long as the performer is charismatic) and not expecting some kind of climax.
My script turns to memory and I then recite the list in order for appause cue #1. Then I invite them to call out items or numbers so I can identify parts of the list out of order. It appears to be more difficult, drops jaws, and gets audience members involved. It also allows me to get to know them. I get to see who is quiet, outspoken, cooperative, and who is likely to rock the boat ("what's number 22?"). This is important information for future routines. To have a clear climax to this, I'll let them know "okay, three more" to signpost the ending. On the last one, there is clear applause cue #2. Another hidden benefit of going in sequence first before going out of order is that the second, out of order, phase allows you to recover for any misses when reciting in sequence. For example, I rarely miss any items, but doing this many times with many audiences it's bound to happen. Once in a great while in my back and forth banter while generating the list, I end up spacing on an item because an opportune joke or conversational moment presented itself which advanced entertainment value. Unconsciously I solicit the next item on the list without having sufficiently memorized the previous item. When that happens, I simply skip over the item when recalling in order ("I'll come back to that"). Then in phase two, the out of order phase, I don't tell the audience to call out numbers--I tell them to challenge me by calling out items. To them this appears difficult. But invariably, they call out the item I spaced on and I immediately name its number position. It appears to the audience that I coyly pretended to space on an item I knew all along to create suspense. It's humanizing, adds entertainment value, and serves as a fail safe in the very rare event I make a mistake. |
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