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MentaThought Special user 615 Posts |
Anyone here perform any "3 Card Monte" effects in their mentalism shows, whether or not playing cards are actually used?
I'm trying to think of a rationale to incporporate this entertaining type of effect in a mentalism performance. What would some of the best Monte effects for inclusion in a mentalism show be?
"A good mentalist ... will teach you a miracle because he understands the subtleties ..." -- Banachek
"If this works it'll be BEAUTIFUL!" - The Amazing Kreskin on a stunning effect he performed on his 1970s television series (PS: it worked) |
Osiris Special user 610 Posts |
Firstly, monte effects are, by their nature and definition, a hustle effect -- a betchya -- e.g. they have no place in Mentalism. Either you ruin the original psychology by cheapening it via the psychic ruse or else you belittle Mentalism by placing a KNOWN magicians trick into your act can try to sell it as something psychic... which also insults your audience.
That said, I will encourage you to get a copy of the Book of Haunted Magic and look into TERASABOS and, upon its release, Ricks newer variation thereof. Either are AWESOME bits of business that have the feel of a monte routine but are pure psychic entertainment at its best! |
ivan7 Regular user 146 Posts |
Yeah you can do a three card montey-ish like routine. In fact Jermay has one (BB) where he shows three business cards and the spectator chooses the CORRECT card.
Bank night, 7 keys to baldpate, etc are all sort of built on the three card monte theme (i.e. here are a bunch of objects, you pick the right one). DBs russian roulette is a sort of 6 card monte with bullets. |
Mystery Loyal user 248 Posts |
I had the same question. I loved the monte, but it didn't fit in with my "mysterious persona".
So I changed the presentation. And kept the monte. I use a monte version which looks impossible enough for the audience to believe that there is more going on than just finger flicking. And you can follow it up by another monte like - effect, like bank night. In both cases you influence the choices / perceptions of the spectator. Just my 2 cents,
Let your dreams tear apart your life, before your life tears apart your dreams...
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Juan D Elite user 482 Posts |
Russian Roulette kind of effects fit the criteria.
Risky ones like Banachek and Larry Beckers masterpieces (their lifes at risk). The old Acid-Test also comes to my mind (1 of several vials have deadly acid and you drink all but the one with it). They are very strong and appealing to audiencies BUT, they require a great, great presentation. And there's of course the Max Maven approach from his color books where several playing cards are used for a russian roulette where even though no lives are at risk, "The Performers Reputation is at play" And people BUYS IT! |
MentaThought Special user 615 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-09-11 13:40, Juan D wrote: That does it: I'm going to write to my Congressman and demand that Max Maven be officially declared a "National Treasure"! Quote:
On 2004-09-11 12:26, Osiris wrote: Thanks for the suggestion to check out "Haunted Magic," it's been on my "to buy" list for some time and now I'm even more anxious to get it . . . As to your statement that by including a monte effect in a mentalism act "you belittle Mentalism by placing a KNOWN magicians trick into your act," recall that Osterlind did a coin-in-bottle effect in his DVd series. Also (in my opion anyway) most PK/metal bending effects fall into the "magic trick" category as well as mentalism, even though those who perform them are regarded primarily as mentalists. (For what I consider to be a great melding of magic and mentalism see Pavel's Mental Special DVD.)
"A good mentalist ... will teach you a miracle because he understands the subtleties ..." -- Banachek
"If this works it'll be BEAUTIFUL!" - The Amazing Kreskin on a stunning effect he performed on his 1970s television series (PS: it worked) |
corpmagi Special user New York 725 Posts |
Bob Hummer had some routines that fall into the "Mentalism Monte" category. They are mathematical in nature, but they do have a hands off feel to them and your back is turned during the process. I don't recall the name, but the routine was done with a bill and 3 teacups. In these routines, the spectator mixes up the cups and the performer finds the bill with his back turned.
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ESP Guy Regular user Falls View, Vermont 137 Posts |
If you're a bizarrist, consider using 2 Fools and the Lovers card in a 3-card Monte. Many patter possibilites should easily come to mind...
Thom |
backpalmmagic New user Sacramento, California 69 Posts |
A recent Kohler DVD release of the magic of Scott Alexander has an effect called "Shattered" where a blindfolded performer slams his hand down, russian-roulette-like on paper bags that might be concealing a jagged, broken bottle. Spectators mix up the bags and guide the performer along.
While watching the performance portion I have to admit I felt a bit nervous about the outcome (and this from a video for crying out loud...) This is a bit off the 3-card monte mark, but definitely worth mentioning in the Russian Roulette category. Perhaps closer still to the traditional monte theme, and on the same disc, is "Water Monte" using coffee cups and water. A real fooler. The DVD is called Midnight Show by Scott Alexander. Cheers, Bob |
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