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Zack Special user 551 Posts |
I'm putting together a seance act, and I'm desparately seeking an opener. I was going to open with "the rose"...a swami gimmick effect, where I divine the initials of a first boyfriend. But I'm too hinky about the NW.
Anybody have suggestions? It should be quick, easy to follow, and spectacular. No cards. |
Tony Iacoviello Eternal Order 13151 Posts |
What type of act is it again? You said seance, is it a small group experiencing a seance, a small group experiencing a seance recreation, or a parlor show with spirit theater? Also, what is you charactor like? Think about what you want to say to the participants with your effects and how they relate to the theme of the show.
Tony |
entity Inner circle Canada 5060 Posts |
Always remember... A seance is not a Magic show. In a Seance, less is more.
Establish the mood and the atmosphere properly, and then any little thing that happens (it shouldn't be YOU doing it) will create a sensation. - entity
email: tomebaxter@icloud.com
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Celloboy Special user London, England 534 Posts |
A story is often a great opener for a seance. I hate story-telling magic but as long as there are no effects to go along with the inital story then its fine. It can really set the mood. Something believable, maybe even true. Just find something creepy. Finish it with a weak joke and try and evoke nervous laughter. Have a commanding presence but laugh nervuosly at your own joke. I've always found it gives an air of worry about the whole procedure which is what you need if your contacting the "other world"
How to give readings for magicians:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-give-readings-for-magicians-tickets-138321153293?aff= |
Faulkner Loyal user New Orleans 249 Posts |
A seance does not need tricks, it needs mood and suggestion. In the years I had my show in New Orleans I cut it down to no "tricks" so to speak. Tapping sounds in the dark, things that have moved somewhat (never let them see it acually move). I wanted to spook someone, noone is spooked by you discovering what tarot card they picked(I'm not saying that you are doing this).
Spirit theater is a great little spooky magic show, seance should be an experience. Give 'em a show. Just my two pennies, your miles may vary Mark (who sometimes sees dead people) |
Zack Special user 551 Posts |
I'm confident in the body of the show, I'm just looking for a new opener.
Lets get off of the discussion about what seance is or is not. What I'm looking for is a quick MENTAL opener. |
Stuart Cumberland Loyal user 289 Posts |
Zack,
I think the point has been made. You don't need an "opener" if you're doing a seance. A seance is a ceremony to assist in contacting the dead. You might think some of us are blowing hot air, but you don't need tricks of any kind to do a seance. You just do... the seance. They are mutually exclusive. Hope that helps you see "our side" a bit better. |
Zack Special user 551 Posts |
It depends on the seance, I think. This particular seance will be performed in the Houdini Seance room at the Magic Castle...its very much a magic show, just a ghost themed magic show. If I were really trying to sell the medicine, I'd agree with you.
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Jim-Callahan V.I.P. 5018 Posts |
Ok Zack I am doing a daylight Seance' show this season.
What I want to know is why are you doing the gig if ya cannot think for ya'self? C'mon man I put together an entire new show with video pieces art work etc in 30 days. And you have no idea how to do a show at the castle? I will tell you what. I will give you the opening to my show for $1,500 a deal I would think. (Since you cannot it appears) Here is a link to the site for the show. http://jimclass.com/Poster.htm Jim H.O. A-X
“I can make Satan’s devils dance like fine gentlemen across the stage of reality”.
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Faulkner Loyal user New Orleans 249 Posts |
Sorry Zack, didn't know where you were coming from. I like Zodiac from Christian Chelman's Capericornian (did I spell that right) Tales.
What I have done also is do a reading for each person, real short and informal. I would use it as a "warm-up". I would do a 3 card tarot or a palm reading, the responses can give you material for later in the show. This would depend on the size. I keep mine small. Hope that helps Mark |
Slim King Eternal Order Orlando 18012 Posts |
I'd buy Jim's opening before he changes his mind! I can't imagine a stronger opening, unless it involves an eleven year old VooDoo Princess.
THE MAN THE SKEPTICS REFUSE TO TEST FOR ONE MILLION DOLLARS.. The Worlds Foremost Authority on Houdini's Life after Death.....
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Zack Special user 551 Posts |
Jim,
I don't know who ****ed in your wheaties this morning, but I'm going to try to keep this party polite. I'm not asking anybody to think for me, nor am I incapable of thinking for myself. I got this gig, so somebody thinks my act is *** good. I realize on reflection, that my post may have had the odor of the "help I've got a big gig coming up, please write me an act." posts that we all know and hate. It was not intended in that fashion. I rather hoped that it would stimulate a decent conversation on what makes a good opener. If, as you say, you've written acts, you know how maddening the opener can be.(However, I rather think that you spend most of your time writing snarky posts on the internet.) I don't know where you get that I can't think for myself. As I said, I've got a complete act, I'm just switching out the opener because of NW anxiety. In conclusion, let me just say that you don't know me, bee-yatch. |
Zack Special user 551 Posts |
Mad doctor, Good suggestions. Personally I would put both of those second from the top, however. Zodiac (That's the one where you divine the birthday in the course of a reading...right?) is a little involved and a little slow for an opener. It is a hell of a trick though.
Right now the position is filled with a single billet read...they write a name down on a card...I tell them what it is. Its pretty good. Its fast, impressive, simple, and its my own technique, so that gives me the warm fuzzies. I've also been considering add-a-number. Definitely powerful, and easy to follow. It does take some time to get going, though. All that writing. I'm very strongly leaning towards the Koran Medallion. Basically the same effect as the original opener (Information provided by the spectator is revealed to have been written on an object that is in plain sight.) I've got a decent story for it, too. |
Maddened Loyal user 222 Posts |
Dead name test maybe? I don't know if this will fit the body of your act, but since it's a magic-seance (if that makes sense), then I think I would enjoy anything that is fast, sets the mood, and is relevant to the theme of the show. Just an opinion.
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Guillaume Vallée Regular user 118 Posts |
I recently used "Key Accessory" as an opener and it was perfect to install the right atmosphere, however it's not a very quick opener.
Best, Guillaume Vallée |
Jim-Callahan V.I.P. 5018 Posts |
Zack,
Sorry for allowing my intolerance to enter into my post to you. I read ghost magic show and the idea of the snappy mental opener caused me to have a visceral reaction. I reacted without considering how good you must be to be working at the Magic Castle. What really gets under my skin is that the guys who posted first gave great advice and it irks me that you don't get it. For the most part their advice fits any type of mystery entertainment that is entertaining to the real public. So yes I was and am edgy. It is my general reaction to people who believe in the quick and snappy mental effects or think of mentalism as trick based. To me and many it reads as artless presentations by a magician and that in my opinion drives mentalism into the gutter with magicians and their magic tricks. Possibly this was not your intent and I may have misjudged based upon your word use. This I agree could possibly be the case. I also would agree that some magician some were can present a quick and snappy mentalism opener and have it be believable and entertaining. (As of yet however I have not seen any proof of it). When first meeting a group of people in such a situation I have found it most effective to explain ones self. Who, What and why you are qualified to take them on the trip. This comes back to the story telling premise and can take five to ten minutes with an illustrative example thrown in to prove your qualification. I would suggest you do not make yourself the center of attention in the example. Instead make one or several of the participants part of the experiment and have a good deal of the effect revolve around them. For instance I have read Gregg Arces script for Scorched and it could possibly play very nicely in your sort of venue. It has a good deal of visualization and it could be worked in very nicely and the spectator can be made to look as receptive as the performer. I recommend Gregg's work because it is scripted and the performer must think to have it work correctly. It is not a simple minded information reveal void of any sort of motivation. Many effects are usable to open if you can talk the part and create the mood. But that is the problem with many magicians they cannot sell the deal theatrically and no matter what they do it is always going to be a trick and in the end it is the spectator who is cheated out of what could have been a great experience in the time spent. Best Wishes, Jim H.O.A-X
“I can make Satan’s devils dance like fine gentlemen across the stage of reality”.
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Zack Special user 551 Posts |
Hi Jim,
Glad we're back on an even keel. In fact, my show opens with a fairly long story before we even get into any magic (can I SAY "magic" --mentalism cops?). The purpose of the "opener" is to determine if there is sufficient psychic rapport in the room to allow us to continue. Following the opener, I'm doing an extended one ahead routine (Bob Cassidy's "Third Dimensional Telepathy"). After we establish that the group can work together, then I get into the spooky stuff...and more storytelling. When I said "opener" I should have made it clear that I meant the first "effect". Not the opener of the show. When I ignored the excellent advice of the others, it was because I've heard it before and it didn't help me. Trust me, I've drunk deeply of the bizarre magick kool-aid. I've read Shiels, Andruzzi, Raven. However, I do think that even though its not a "magic show", a theatrical seance is THEATRICAL, and must adhere to the rules and structure of a good show. One ignores that at his own peril. Long drawn out beginnings are the curse of Mentalism. Far to many mental acts come across to me like Charlie Brown's teacher: "Wah wah wah wah wah-wah...AND the number is TWENTY FIVE!" Real seances are very, very boring. Usually they consist of sitting in the dark waiting for something to happen (Note that this doesn't apply to the Santeros and Paleros...they know how to throw a party!). Theatrical seance is a different animal. People come to be entertained. If I wanted to really sell the medicine, I'd throw away ALL the tricks and do John Edward's act. |
Zack Special user 551 Posts |
Key accessory looks interesting. Let me ask though...what's the obstensible purpose of the rubber band?
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Jon Hackett Special user UK 737 Posts |
Well, rather than learning a trick, why not just practice NW, or evn PW, PW is easier to pick up quickly, it is remarkable however to me that someone is doing an act at the Magic Castle which is a mental based show and isn't profficient at the basic skills.
Jon Hackett
It is not the brains that matter most, but that which guides them -- the character, the heart, generous qualities and progressive ideas. Doystoyevsky
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