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gerard1973 Special user Michigan, U.S.A. 688 Posts |
I’m new to mentalism but I have been reading studying the 13 Steps to Mentalism by Tony Corinda and Practical Mental Magic by Ted Annemann. I haven't read any modern mentalist authors yet like: Richard Osterlind, Banachek, Larry Becker, Ted Lesley, T.A. Waters, Barrie Richardson, Al Koran, or Derren Brown.
One thing that I have noticed about Mentalism is that mentalists do not use much magic equipment like standard or regular magic has. Besides buying books, I have been thinking about purchasing some basic props or equipment to use in mentalism. I already have some dice, cards, envelopes, t***b t**s, billets, post-it notes, pencils, blindfolds, sharpies and am thinking about buying a crystal ball, two spirit slates, a couple of s***i w******s, some Tarot cards, and a pack of ESP cards to use in mentalism. I know that some mentalists are going to say that you don’t need any equipment to do mentalism but I am curious as to what other essential mentalist equipment should a mentalist purchase. Thank you. Gerard
"Confusion is not magic."
Dai Vernon |
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funstuff Regular user 103 Posts |
Looks like you got it all covered
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Greg Arce Inner circle 6732 Posts |
Many have said this: Magicians shop at the Magic Shops while Mentalists shop at Staples and other large stationery stores.
Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
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RickSilmser Special user 869 Posts |
Hi Gerard...
Wow ! sounds like you could open a stationary shop ! Let me give you some advice, my friend...toss that junk in the trash. As a beginner in Mentalism, you should develope your stage personality, imagination and your nerve. Start with the grass roots...billets, if you can master a good billet routine, you'll be able to master anything in one man Mentalism. Don't get caught up in buying all the latest junk before you can do that. Billets develope your dexterity, your personality and your nerve. If you don't have any nerve or can't develope it...sell shoes for a living. It's fun to have all the toys to play with, but when push comes to shove...you've just wasted enough money to treat your lady with for an evening. More advice...when you are ready...read and listen to Richard Osterlind, you'll never go wrong, he's a Mentalist's Mentalist. Slips of paper and some golf pencils...it's all you need to start off, my friend. ~Rick~ |
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Reuben Dunn Inner circle Has a purple ribbon wraped around my 1592 Posts |
You might want to consider watching Bob Cassidy at work. His use with paper/pencil and billets is rather impressive.
Check out his "Mental Miracles" DVD |
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calexa Inner circle Germany 1635 Posts |
In your case I would read "Fat-Free Mentalism" by John Riggs. You will be surprised about how few items you need for a 30 minutes act.
Magixx
Optimists have more fun.....
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enriqueenriquez Inner circle New York 1287 Posts |
I think a good horse, trained to do math, is vital.
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sarcophilus Regular user Phoenix 195 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-05-05 08:05, enriqueenriquez wrote: I could not agree with you more... -thomas |
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Mystician Inner circle Wallachia 3485 Posts |
Quote:
- and am thinking about buying a crystal ball, two spirit slates, a couple of s***i w******s, some Tarot cards, and a pack of ESP cards to use in mentalism. Gerard, it depends on the kind of mentalist you want to be - the crystal ball, slates, and tarot cards are along the lines or trademark of a classic seance type worker, but they would be irrelevant to a mentalist who prefers a "modern" or minimalist act, who might go with the Zener cards if anything... or nothing. That's up to you, of course, it depends on your style, your personality, your preferences, etc. Two tools it seems all mentalists usually agree on are the TT and the sw**i, and both are (or can be) extremely inexpensive, and since you already have the former, get the latter. Richard Osterlind prefers the classic nail type, for example.
Just hanging out with the rest of my fellow dregs.
http:// www . phrets . com Visit http://www.bizarremagic.net |
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Osiris Special user 610 Posts |
I agree with the above and what Rick had to say but will go a step further (repeating myself in the process).
You are aspiring to be a "Mentalist" not a magician that does tricks that look like some kind of psychic or paranormal phenomena e.g. YOU DON'T NEED TRICKS OR DEVICES. The only requirement for effective mentalism is to be a sponge for knowledge and the willingness to try material that requires "gonads"... this includes Billet work of all forms as Rick has suggested, Muscle Reading is another area that I feel you may want to make a serious investment of time and practice. With these two skills and a bit of Cold Reading/Question Answering study, you can deliver a solid 45+ minute show that literally goes wherever you go... no packing, no special this or that. You're simply ready to go wherever and whenever opportunity knocks. Add to this assortment a couple of more recently revealed concepts i.e. Psychological Forces/Commons such as will be found in the Banachek PSYCHOLOGICAL SUBTLETIES series. The other thing that I've grown to swear by, are progressive anagrams... they are priceless in my experience! Then to this pile add a thurough working knowledge of at least six good force techniques that can be applied to anything (in other words, you don't' have to do a card trick to use them...)techniques like PATEO and EQUIVOQUE are practical but strive to word your use of them in a way that seperates you from the wannabe and disguises what you're up to. There are other force methods out there, find some of the more rare and direct techniques and make them part of your arsenal. Other key skills have already been noted (indirectly) Billet work means that you are familiar with the CT, Switches, PW and Swami techniques. Along these lines you may want to look into convenient impression systems, there's dozens of them but only a few that are actually practical to real time performance and the act of carrying something with you that give you an edge. Look around and experiment, you'll find what works best for you and your situation. Similarly, don't get hooked into all those overpriced Peek Wallets and other such JUNK. It's great if you're a magician, not practical if you aspire to be a "Psychic Entertainer"... there's a big difference though some wish otherwise. Yes, a lot depends upon the kind of personna as well as the type of markets you wish to work. Bare in mind that most of the more successful, steady working Mentalists out there do no call themselves such... they label themselves as Psychics in one form or another and tend to work the shut-eye market far more than they do mixing with the magic community. After all, TRUE Mentalism came from said auspices not off the shelves of some magic shop. If you work with just what's been outlined here, use the "trix" here and there in show settings as an accent to things vs. the focus, and you'll be well on your way. When I do actual shows I use "tricks" here and there, simply for the sake of breaking the suspense and too, to give the audience a kind of "wink" that says "hey, I'm here to entertain you". The other side of the coin is that I do enough material that seems incredibly real, that they leave uncertain. That's when I know I've done my job right. I don't want them to know one way or the other. Funny thing is, Banachek gets the same reaction and he tells folks up front that he's a fake... when you're good at mentalism this will be the standard public reaction regardless your approach... leave them hanging and they've come back for more! |
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Jon Stetson Veteran user 329 Posts |
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On 2005-05-05 08:05, enriqueenriquez wrote: Ah, once again you are the voice of reason. |
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Osiris Special user 610 Posts |
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On 2005-05-05 08:05, enriqueenriquez wrote: I feel a trend forming... but I prefer using a dog (thank you Mr. Banachek!) |
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enriqueenriquez Inner circle New York 1287 Posts |
I’m with you Osiris: “Telekinetic Dog” is one of Banachek best books!
Worth every penny. It’s a shame is out of print. |
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Jon Stetson Veteran user 329 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-05-05 13:57, enriqueenriquez wrote: Can you tell me what book it's in, what page it's on and come over my house and read it to me. |
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enriqueenriquez Inner circle New York 1287 Posts |
I can’t, but my horse can.
(Just don’t call him a horse. He thinks is a Miniature Schnauzer) |
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Ian Broadmore Special user 555 Posts |
Balls of Brass
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Daffyd New user Llandewi Breffi 87 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-05-05 13:57, enriqueenriquez wrote: This really is awesome. I love his variation where you don't actually require a dog. Anyone perform it regularly? Closest thing to mind reading IMO.
"The layman is such an idiot." salsa_dancer
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shinobi Loyal user Durban, South Africa 272 Posts |
Sorry Osiris and Enrique- I must correct you-
its "Psychokinetic Dog", not telekinetic. no offence, just wouldn't want to misdirect new mentalists trying to search for such great resources. |
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Greg Arce Inner circle 6732 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-05-05 14:56, Daffyd wrote: I hear Penguin is coming out with its own version, but to make it their own they call it The Tip Over Pussy or TOP for short. I ordered one then realized it uses a cat. Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
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Osiris Special user 610 Posts |
Actually I offered a unique Pussy effect to Penn & Teller several years ago... it came as a result of an OMNI article on perpetual motion.
FACT #1 -- buttered toast, when dropped, always falls onto the floor butter side down... FACT #2 -- Cats will always land on their feet. To create a perpetual motion drive and in essence, true levitation you strap the buttered toast (butter side up) to the back of a cat. Now drop the cat... (close your eyes, it aids in the visual concept...) |
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