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sjdavison Inner circle Surrey, UK 1379 Posts |
Hi Guys,
Just wondering what you thought was the best opener in a close up/walkaround mentalism performance. It cannot be anything too elaborate, as one needs something snappy and direct to hold attention. At the moment, I open with some normal magic, then move into my mindreading pieces. Any thoughts would be appreciated, Thanks, Simon |
Jim Reynolds Elite user Special Guest 431 Posts |
Quote:
Any thoughts would be appreciated Gosh Simon, you're about to open a can of worms with the "need something snappy and direct" with mentalism. Although there are those who do mix magic and mentalism (another debate), a good mentalist IMO, does not do "openers" in the same sense as a magician would. Mentalism is more intimate. It requires a more subtle approach. Lee Earle has referred to this as creating a wedge of belief. Starting with something simple, and somewhat believable, before moving on to more potent material. A good mental effect is more about your audience/participant and less about you. As a result, it does not lend itself to flashy “openers”. If you must mix traditional magic with mental magic, I wouldn’t change what you are doing with doing some magic first, before moving into your mental material. JR |
Cornelius Loyal user Canada 213 Posts |
A mentalist doesn't use openers in the same sense of the word. A mental magician however, can use "openers."
When I'm doing a stage show, I open with Psychological Sorcery to demonstrate what I'm going to be doing and put them in the correct mindframe. What you do depends on you, the audience, and the surroundings. From, Cornelius. |
Brady Loyal user Los Angeles, CA 235 Posts |
SJ,
If you really want to give them something to think about at the beginning you must remember they are going to expect more as you go along. But if you must, you must. I would suggest some PK effect. I have used a coin flipping in their hand, via M5. It really freaks them out. I begin by telling them I can't do this my self and they will have to use their psychic engery to help me. I wave my hands over and under their hand to create a psychic field. The coin first starts to move in their hand and then suddenly flips. It is real spooky to the audience. Hope this helps. Regards, Brady |
Necromancer Inner circle Chicago 3076 Posts |
If you would like to employ the standard mentalism progression that begins with the somewhat believable and ends with the totally impossible, do what a lot of mentalists do: start with a Magic Square. Doug Dyment's version is said to be one of the best.
Creator of The Xpert (20 PAGES of reviews!), Cut & Color, Hands-Off Multiple ESP (HOME) System, Rider-Waite Readers book, Zoom Pendulum ebook ...
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snilsson Regular user Stockholm, Sweden 186 Posts |
Barrie Richardson starts with a production of a glass of water. In his book ,Theater of the Mind, he claims that similar productions have been used by Dunninger, Kreskin and Richard Osterlind as warm-ups for their mental acts.
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Brady Loyal user Los Angeles, CA 235 Posts |
Hi Snilsson,
I was at Kreskin's show in Las Vegas last year. He started with a Himber ring. I thought is unusual, but it played well to the audience. I don't think I would do it in my mentalism routine, but maybe these guys know more than I do! Nah, couldn't be. Regards, Brady |
Necromancer Inner circle Chicago 3076 Posts |
My apologies, but producing a glass of water might not be the best opener for walkaround. To me, it just isn't mentalism.
That said, Burger's version of shotglass surprise is quite nice. Bent Cent, PK Time, the list goes on and on.
Creator of The Xpert (20 PAGES of reviews!), Cut & Color, Hands-Off Multiple ESP (HOME) System, Rider-Waite Readers book, Zoom Pendulum ebook ...
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Jim Reynolds Elite user Special Guest 431 Posts |
Just goes to show that even some of the big name mentalist don't do mental effects as "openers".
JR |
Allen Gittelson Regular user San Francisco 145 Posts |
I find that for me performing walk around close up mentalism, the best opener is to meet the people and introduce myself. Then I perform specific pieces from my repertoire that are in many ways an extension of me and my personality as well as that allow the participants to share themselves as well. We all get to know each other and have fun along the way.
Mental Wires, Allen |
Necromancer Inner circle Chicago 3076 Posts |
Nicely said, Allen.
I made the presumption that a good walkaround mentalist would do that as a matter of course, and so plunged headlong into a conversation about strong individual effects. You are, of course, absolutely right.
Creator of The Xpert (20 PAGES of reviews!), Cut & Color, Hands-Off Multiple ESP (HOME) System, Rider-Waite Readers book, Zoom Pendulum ebook ...
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sjdavison Inner circle Surrey, UK 1379 Posts |
I agree. Thanks for the input guys. Mentalism is a more delicate and human event than magic- often with magic the spectators do not have to be as involved. I do ensure I get to know the spectators before I start with some mindreading, as this is essential in my mind to the success of mentalism, as you say. I just feel that one needs a few 'warm up', non mindreading effects for them to get to know you, which is more important.
Thank you, Simon |
Ted Lesley V.I.P. Berlin / Germany 421 Posts |
Hello:
It is right, Dunninger used the "Glass of Water Production" as an opener to his show, but he did a different version of the effect, which was self contained. That means, there wasn`t a "body load" needed. The trick is usually performed with a full shot glass containing liquid á la "Egg Bag" and a wonderful presentation of it is done by my good friend Billy McComb. It is on a video/DVD out of the "Teach In Series" at Stevens' Magic Emporium. ESPecially TED
Ted Lesley
( The "Victor Borge" of Mentalism ) |
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