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Allyc4t New user NJ 9 Posts |
Hi, I am newer to mentalism and magic, but feel that I would like to explore the wonderful world of mentalism in greater depths from the right sources.
I turn to you now asking humbly for your advice as to what books and other resources are of prime importance to a beginner who has minimal experience in mentalism and stagecraft. Thank you all for your time. |
Tom Cutts Staff Northern CA 5925 Posts |
Generally, new members like yourself introduce themselves and share their level of experience in some detail so we know better how to direct you.
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Mr. Woolery Inner circle Fairbanks, AK 2149 Posts |
There are a few standard books that you will be expected to get. A really good first step would be to read Bob Cassidy's 39 Steps. Use Google. It is readily available and comprises a list of books one of the most influential mentalists of his generation considered vital to a well rounded education.
The other thing to do is read this forum a lot. Most of the beginning questions have been answered before. My favorite method is to go to a random older page and just start reading. Patrick |
Mr. Mindbender Inner circle 1566 Posts |
He may be gone, but his list will live on forever!
http://www.lybrary.com/the-thirtynine-st......-10.html |
Allyc4t New user NJ 9 Posts |
Quote:
On Jun 1, 2017, Tom Cutts wrote: But of course, I had introduced myself in the main thread but once again, I am Gwen, I'm an amateur considering going into magic more professionally at some point, probably from a table strolling perspective. I picked up magic mostly off of cards, and dabble in cardistry and am looking to extend my dabbling into mentalism as well. Having learnt much of what I have from classic books such as rrtcm or bobo's coin magic (still working on that... it is impressively practice intensive) I was hoping that I could be pointed in the right direction book wise as I have great respect for the classics. |
corpmagi Special user New York 725 Posts |
Try Maximum Entertainment by Ken Weber. One of the best investments you can make in your career.
A Modern Trade Show Handbook
www.trafficstoppers.com/handbook |
mentalism addict New user 56 Posts |
13 steps to mentalism and practical mental magic
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Max Wells Regular user 150 Posts |
Quote:
On Jun 2, 2017, corpmagi wrote: Ken Weber assumes you already have a good act. If he is new not only to mentalism but to magic in general, I think he should spend his money on getting a strong foundation first. That said, Bob Cassidy's "Artful Mentalism 2" is a great place to start. |
Allyc4t New user NJ 9 Posts |
Quote:
On Jun 2, 2017, Max Wells wrote: Thank you for your advice, I'll be sure to check it out. And for further reference, I'm a she, I should really get around to posting a pic at some point. |
Max Wells Regular user 150 Posts |
Quote:
On Jun 2, 2017, Allyc4t wrote: Sorry I assumed your genre. Welcome to the forum. |
Mark_Chandaue Inner circle Essex UK 4188 Posts |
Couldn't agree more with Bob's Artful Mentalism 2. I would start with this rather than 13 steps or Practical Mental Magic. 13 steps is very dry and likely to put a beginner off. Bob's book gives a very strong grounding in the fundamentals, both from an effect, techniques perspective and from an understanding of the unique challenges of a mentalist. Reading Bob's book first will put you in a position to be able to truly appreciate Annemanns Practical Mental Magic and will help to generate the desire needed to work through 13 steps.
Mark |
Mr. Woolery Inner circle Fairbanks, AK 2149 Posts |
I will also put in a suggestion that you consider learning some basic fortune telling. If you do tricks that look psychic, it is reasonable for people to ask you about getting a reading. Palmistry is portable, as is cartography, especially if you already carry a deck of cards. Neither is expensive to learn.
There are so many resources out there that are essential to one person and useless to another. 13 Steps is really a textbook, rather than a book of exciting effects. That said, you could work through that text and have all you need for a lifetime of performing if you wanted. However, there are a lot of resources that have been published more recently that expand on or improve on Corinda. One of the more useful aspects of Artful Mentalism 2 is the part about defining your performance persona. There is plenty about secrets and some very clever Q&A material, but defining who you are when performing is so important that I think it is the part of the book that means the most to me. Patrick |
jstreiff Special user 701 Posts |
Yes. Job one for the mentalist must be (and for a magician should be) definition of your character and that character's persona. Who are you performing as - not who are you yourself. What skills does that character possess? What is that character's background and backstory? Interview your character. Very important, paraphrasing Bob Sheets - who actually got it from me when we were kids - why should anybody care? The more you understand your character and develop that character, the easier many subsequent decisions become.
Consider what you are comfortable with an audience believing about your character, not you. That will help you decide what persona makes the most sense for that character: psychic, psychologist, memory expert, etc. Each comes with its own baggage. Btw, Docc Hilford has written a wonderful book on character development called 'Perfect Paid Performances'. Don't let the title put you off. It does contain valuable practical insights for any performer.
John
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Allyc4t New user NJ 9 Posts |
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On Jun 2, 2017, Mr. Woolery wrote: Thank you for your advice, I already can read tarot (as I grew up in a Wiccan household), and thus have a small amount of experience with cold reading, but have yet to do so without such an aid. Perchance I'll look into palmistry, and I've always got a deck of cards on me so that's a good idea. |
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