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How_Soon_Is_Now New user Israel 58 Posts |
Quote:
On 2001-12-29 13:29, Andy Leviss wrote: I never liked that "Using five senses to create the illusion of a sixth sense" line. Does the performer chew the spectator's billet and then knows she chose Paris? Does a man's bad perfume indicate that he has two dollars and a quarter in his pocket? Eli A.
"I know your trail of tears, your slip of hand/ Your monkey paw, your monkey claw/ And you monkey hand/ I've seen your trick of blood, your trap of fire/ Your ancient wound, your scarlet moon/ And your jailhouse smile" - Cave
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Lee Marelli Special user Aurora, Colorado 876 Posts |
Hi Thomas. Thanks for bringing the Dunninger quote in my sig to my attention. I agree I goofed, but it was in my typing of my sig where I typed the last word of the quote incorrectly. Let me explain.
I like you, thought that the quote of Dunninger's was as you stated and I used it your way for some time. Then I got Joseph Atmores, Dunninger's Brain Busters (If you are a Dunninger fan and do not have it, get it). There on pg. 32 was Dunninger's quote just as I now use it in my mailings, e and otherwise (except in my Café sig), i.e., Quote:
"For those who believe, no explanation is needed. For those who do not believe, no explanation is possible." Atmore is a Dunninger scholar and researcher and is preparing a definitive biography. I wanted to quote Dunninger correctly, so I have used the quote as found in Atmore's book ever since I got it last year. Of course, I am going to correct my Café sig to display the correct quote. I do not want to tie up this topic about how you introduce yourself with this matter. If you have any documentation to support your and my old version of the quote, I would sincerely appreciate you letting me know through Café or e-mail. Thanks
"Mentalism is a state of mind." Marelli
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Thomas Wayne Inner circle Alaska 1977 Posts |
Quote:
On 2002-02-22 13:49, Marelli wrote: Actually, I've read it a few different ways , including "needed" and "suffice". From my childhood I remembered it using "necessary" and "possible". Over the years it's been quite easy for me to "remember" that Dunninger used the word "necessary" since, if you say it out loud, "necessary" provides better poetic flow - the man was, after all, a radio star (making it possible - though unlikely - that video killed him). In any event, I would be inclined to bow to your quoted source as being the definitive version, and will henceforth quote Dunninger in that manner. For my own occasional, unattributed use of the phrase, I will continue to say: "For those who believe, no explanation is necessary; for those who do not believe, no explanation is possible". Regards, Thomas Wayne
MOST magicians: "Here's a quarter, it's gone, you're an idiot, it's back, you're a jerk, show's over." Jerry Seinfeld
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Lee Marelli Special user Aurora, Colorado 876 Posts |
Thanks Thomas, glad you and I cleared that esoteric subject up.
%-). But it is good that someone remembers Dunninger as more than a name. Back on the topic. Dunniger's publicity posters used to say "A thrilling show of mental telepathy." You might consider saying that "I am a mental telepathist" which is more sophisticated than "mind reader."
"Mentalism is a state of mind." Marelli
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bitterman Inner circle 1189 Posts |
I like to start with, "I am a total fraud. Please resist the urge to build a cult around me; however, should the need arise, my image will be for sale at the back of the room." It should be noted that I play most effects for comedy.
If you are not cheating, you are only cheating yourself.
Dutchco is about to put out some new Ebook: DUTCHCO. Get 'em while you can. |
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magicman02 Veteran user 304 Posts |
This is what I like to do when I do a show. I walk on stage and introduce myself but before I say what I'm going to do, I walk up to the front row and introduce myself to 4-6 people (shake their hands). What this does (at least for me) is build rapport with my audience and shows them that I am a ordinary guy just like them. This works for me because if fits my performing style and doesn't make me look cocky. I want people to come up to me afterwards and talk to me, I want to be personable.
Then when I have done this, I come back on stage and reintroduce myself. "Now that I have had the pleasure of meeting some of you, I would like you guys to know somethings about me." Then I go into my little intro about what I do is based on psychology, body language, etc.. As for what to call myself, my twin and I decided to call ourselves "Twin Mystery Entertainers" because with that we can cover both magic and mentalism due to the fact that they are both mysterious artforms. |
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RickSilmser Special user 869 Posts |
Personally...I have my intro on CD. It was done for me by a professional voice, it has a music bed and all. I have different intros for the different shows I do.
Once I enter the stage, I just thank them for the applause and say..." I have a feeling things are going to be a little unusual here tonight, so please...lend me your imagination and lets see what happens". If you wish...look up someone who had a mental act and "borrow' a few ideas from them as far as promo and stuff goes...as long as they are no longer performing or living, I guess it should be ok. If anyone is interested in having a professional voice intro for your show...I know the fellow who will do the entire production for you at a very reasonable fee. Just PM me and I'll give you the details. ~Rick~ |
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Sergeant Regular user 129 Posts |
The introduction to your show must match what your show is about and what you are about. If you’re just doing a parade of mentalism tricks and you have no real focus in your show, then it is not your introduction that is the problem but possibly your show.
1. Where are you taking your audience? 2. What do you want them to take away from your show? 3. Who are you and why are you performing for them? The standard answers such as: I am opening your mind to the possibilities that you did not know existed I am messing with your brain or perceptions I am showing off I am showing the power of the human mind Are lame and over worked. Surely we can get a little deeper in our reason for having a show. If you can answer questions one through three then you can begin to put together a show that has purpose. I watched one mentalist in New York. His show was technically fine, but he did not tell me anything except he can do really neat stuff and we can’t. When I walked away from the show, I did not know anything more about the performer, why he did what he did, how we was able to do what he did, or why he even showed me any of it. It was merely a neat experience, like a carnival ride. To put this into perspective, I watched a ventriloquist in Atlanta. In his show, he told me how he got started, why he enjoyed performing and doing vent stuff, a little of the history of ventriloquism, and what he has learned about life while doing his show. The audience totally enjoyed him and showed it by their standing ovation. The mentalist did not get one, yet his powers would seem to dwarf the vent’s. We get so tied up in the, should I tell them I have powers or not question that we don’t even think about what the show is about. What if . . . . your show was about: I met this very interesting man in Bolvistan and he seemed to have a very unique view of life, I asked me to teach me. For the next several years I learned some very interesting things about how we think and perceive the world. Yadda yadda yadda Or Tonight, I want to share with you a book I found, read, and studied when I was 32. I found the book in a library in Greenwood. Greenwood is a small town in xxxx where I lived. I found the book by accident. But I checked that book out 7 times in 2 years. It contained some very interesting experiments. I want to share them with you tonight. By the way when I went back to check that book out again a few years ago, the library said it was lost. Yadda yadda yadda The idea is to put your introduction into the frame and context of your show. What am I building to in my show, what is my climax and how will it support the reason for my show? Answer the questions the spectators will have during your show and not all up front during the introduction. What kind of powers do I have? If you want them to believe that you are only using psychology etc. then support that with the correct verbage and presentations. How did I learn to use this? You must give them an answer. It can be open ended but you must give them something to grab on to. I would practice relaxing and opening my mind to the idea over and over again, just like the book said. Why am I showing you this? Well, I have learned in life that we tend make judgments a little to fast. Let me show you an example. (insert trick here) I want to help you do you don’t make my same mistake of assuming something is not possible or probable. Think of all the questions you would have of someone that could do these things and then try to answer them in your show. When you show becomes something more than a parade of tricks the introduction becomes much easier to write. Sergeant |
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bubbleburst2004 Veteran user 370 Posts |
I can't believe some of the posts on this thread.
I state I have the gift. The power. I read peoples minds I know their dark secret thoughts I know their future, good or bad, and I tell them Are you mentalists or what?? Take a look in the mirror! |
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RickSilmser Special user 869 Posts |
Good god...another country heard from...
~Rick~ |
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bitterman Inner circle 1189 Posts |
Anyone short on funds: I can do up some music and voice intros for you (just be very clear on what you want and they style of your show) and burn them to CD for trade. State of the art studio and I've been doing voice-overs for 25 years. Just don't be greedy.
If you are not cheating, you are only cheating yourself.
Dutchco is about to put out some new Ebook: DUTCHCO. Get 'em while you can. |
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Winks Special user Arizona 753 Posts |
I use a variation of the patter the John Newland used to introduce the old, old television show, One Step Beyond. "What you are about to see and hear and experience is a matter of human record....." Works great. Why are some here so reluctant to claim or even hint at any sort of "gift" or "ability"? Wish I could read your minds so I could understand.
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Logan Five Inner circle Northern California 1434 Posts |
Bubbleburst2004,
What's wrong with a little theater bruh..
Self concept is destiny..
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beyrevra Regular user 107 Posts |
I‘m a mentalist and not an artist of variety. I have gifts that the others do not have. No spangles, no music, no costume with small lights and which one has just bought in a sex shop. Only a phenomenon that one exhibe like a Barnum’s monster. To be a mentalist is not only to be a one actor, it is to be a character, HIS character.
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Parson Smith Inner circle 1937 Posts |
I like Scott Guinn's opening patter more than any I have ever heard or seen.
Thanks Scott.
Here kitty, kitty,kitty.
+++a posse ad esse+++ |
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Shnarker New user Pittsburgh, PA 89 Posts |
I think Scott is on the money. That is not pretentious, yet, sets up an audience without passing yourself off as Sylvia Browne.
A excellent read is Mentalism Incorporated by Chuck Hickok. His intro is along the same lines. |
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