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ignoramus New user UK 27 Posts |
Hi
I am just getting started with mentalism and would appreciate a list of good books/authors. I have read 13 steps and Banachek's physiological subtleties. Like most beginners I am intrigued by Derren Brown. I realise some of his tricks are tried and tested ones found in many books. Can anyone suggest some strong material to move on to e.g. Berglas. Thank you for your guidance. |
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jasons_mind Loyal user 258 Posts |
You already have the strong material. Go out and perform a few of the routines you like from 13 Steps combined with the touches in PS-1.
Jason. |
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kriskraze Special user 620 Posts |
Most of the material in 13 steps alone is not strong material. It's solid, but by todays standards you need to be adding an awful lot to cut it.
It all really depends on what sort of mentalism you want to perform and in what environment. |
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entity Inner circle Canada 5060 Posts |
Read anything by Basil Horowitz.
- entity
email: tomebaxter@icloud.com
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ignoramus New user UK 27 Posts |
Thanks for the replies. I agree that 13 steps provides a solid grounding. I can begin to think of possible solutions to some tricks.
Like kirskaze says, there is a lot more to add. I perform close up magic in small groups - no stage work at all. Could you please point me to some good books? |
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AlienMind Regular user Italy 134 Posts |
This is a small list, in no specific order, of some of the best books on mentalism, IMO. You can find, with a little search, here at Cafè various reviews that may help you choose.
Theater of the Mind - Barrie Richardson Act 2 - Barrie Richardson Artful Mentalism - Bob Cassidy Building Blocks - Luke Jermay Mentalism Inc V1-2 - Chuck Hickok Mind, Myth, & Magic - TA Waters Paramiracles - Ted Lesley Simple And Direct (SAD) Mentalism - Looch Mitox - The Falsely Spoken Word - Phil Smith Mental Magick of Basil Horwitz V 1-5 - Basil Horwitz Best, Pier |
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ddyment Inner circle Gibsons, BC, Canada 2499 Posts |
After "13 Steps", you should read "The Jinx" (available in a very expensive CD_ROM version). Between those two, you have enough material to keep you going for years. Despite what the uninformed might say, this material is not even remotely "dated" (although the presentations are often so): one of today's most successful mentalists, who performs constantly all over the world, prides himself on doing nothing that is not "right out of Corinda".
When you've mastered all that material (hah!), move on to Bascom Jones' "Magick" and some of the better contemporary mentalism authors: Barrie Richardson, Bob Cassidy, Banachek, Chuck Hickok, Docc Hilford, etc. But trust me ... you won't truly appreciate the value of the latter unless you're thoroughly grounded in the former. Three other bits of advice: (1) Don't waste a lot of time trying to figure out how TV performances are done, as there is often much that you do not see; (2) You'll learn (and better understand) a great deal more by reading good mentalism books than by watching DVDs/videos and buying individual "tricks"; and (3) Appreciate that performers are distinguished by their personalities and their presentations, not by their methodologies (which have remained largely unchanged for the last century).
The Deceptionary :: Elegant, Literate, Contemporary Mentalism ... and More :: (order "Calculated Thoughts" from Vanishing Inc.)
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kriskraze Special user 620 Posts |
Doug, I'm not sure if your 'uninformed' reference was directed at myself? In any case, when I suggested that things needed adding to Corinda material, I was referring to presentations. Although to some extent, dramatic changes in presentation can lead to problems with the original methodology - which in turn needs to be adapted. There becomes a point when it's hardly fair to claim such a change to be straight out of Corinda.
As for methods not changing in the last century... in principle I agree with this statement, although only in the broader context and with a couple of exceptions. - Electronics (obviously) - Pre-show - Dual reality - Suggestion (although I hesitate to give this a mention) I don't feel that any of the above methods are given decent treatment in any of the classic texts. Furthermore, I feel that there is still a lot of work to be done on pre-show and dual reality in terms of widely published material. Ignoramus, you should know that Doug didn't include himself in his list of 'better contemporary authors' but he certainly deserves a place there. Check out his stuff. So rare to see people resisting the temptation of self promotion. |
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phillsmiff Inner circle UK 1794 Posts |
I agree with most of what has been said, but I will chime in with my own idea on this subject.
Along with the technical reading on the subject of performing mentalism, there is much to be read outside of the field about the mystery that mentalism aspires to - my advice, if you have not indulged already, is to go to your local library and consume everything you can about the paranormal, the unexplained and the supernatural. Read about the incredible things that ordinary people believe happen to them, and try and get yourself into the mindset of this being a world when the impossible can happen. Ask what it feels like to really see a ghost or a UFO, or to hear the voices of the dead on the radio waves, or to watch a crop circle forming. You don't have to believe in these things, but it helps to have an understanding of the mystery so that you can invoke it in your delivery of the art. Nurse a fascination in the 'reality' that underlies so much of what we as mentalists do, and carry this fascination with you to the stage where it can spread through your audience, fuelled by your performance. Sorry if this sounds a bit pretentious but as Doug suggests, methodology is not the ultimate key. I believe that if you study events and incidents where there is no simple method to unpack you can start to get your brain out of the box before it grows square. All just my opinion, your mileage may vary! Phill
The new Elysian Duets, marked cards featuring my unique Optical Marking System:
-+: https://phillsmithcreative.com/products/elysian-duets :+- |
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parmenion Inner circle Switzerland/Zürich 3988 Posts |
Me I don't likw Derren's mentalism but I like his suits
Anybody knows who is his tailor?
“I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about.”
<BR>Oscar Wilde experimentaliste <br> <BR>Artist pickpocket Professional <BR> <BR>Looking for the best book test in French? send me a PM! |
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Logan Five Inner circle Northern California 1434 Posts |
Waters' Mind, Myth and Magick will keep you busy for a long time.
Self concept is destiny..
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Mindtrap Veteran user 316 Posts |
When you get to the end of Corinda, you always have its beginning to look forward to
Have a quick search for Bob Cassidy's 39 Steps to Mentalism guide too. |
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muse Special user Scotland 925 Posts |
This is an almost perpetual topic, isn't it? But this set of responses actually throws a little light on the subject, to my mind at least. As a relative newcomer to all of this, and having just read one of Doug Dyment's books, I'd firstly like to agree with the earlier post, and recommend his very interesting and elegant thinking. Secondly, I'd say that in mentalism much more than card or coin magic, books are really so much more key to gaining an understanding. There are so many interesting books out there - bad for the bank balance, but good for the mind
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Joshua Quinn Inner circle with an outer triangle 2054 Posts |
A small correction: Doug Dyment said the Jinx is "available in a very expensive CD_ROM version." I suspect he meant to say "a very inexpensive CD_ROM version." A minor but important point.
Every problem contains the seeds of its own solution. Unfortunately every problem also contains the seeds of an infinite number of non-solutions, so that first part really isn't super helpful.
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DT3 Inner circle Hill Valley 1920 Posts |
Wow, some great post from Messrs Smith and Dyment.
With those two posts, this would be a great thread to refer people back to the next time this question gets asked. That is if anybody ever does ask this question again... And to throw my two cents in...don't dismiss it because of the title, but if you want to actually SEE good mentalism in action while getting grounded in classics that you can, in the future, build your own persona around, check out "Easy to Master Mental Mysteries" series by Richard Osterlind available at http://www.osterlindmysteries.com Good luck on your journey, and have fun! DT3 |
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Chris K Inner circle 2544 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-02-06 12:09, kriskraze wrote: If it wasn't directed at you, then I will right now. Furthermore, you fail to realize and/or understand that modifications to presentations should by no means be limited to older texts. I won't dance around it, I'll just say it, anybody who does an effect exactly as it is written or taught is doing themselves, their audiences, and all of us great disservices. To try and point out that the older texts need presentational updating is like saying mint plants need water. It seems clever (well not really, so again like your post, lol, couldn't help it) but only on the surface since all plants need water. Almost every "modern" effect owes something to older effects and performers. Furthermore, the idea that all those things you listed aren't covered in older sources is greatly flawed. L |
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DT3 Inner circle Hill Valley 1920 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-02-06 18:33, Don Theo III wrote: Oops, meant to say "Easy to Master Mental Miracles" by Osterlind. DT3 |
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mikeypaul New user 2 Posts |
Anybody here familiar with Trio by Jack Trent Tillar (I think that's how he spells his name) - what do you think of this book?
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gman Special user Lancaster, pa 751 Posts |
One word...
Excellent. |
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DT3 Inner circle Hill Valley 1920 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-02-06 18:59, mikeypaul wrote: Shhhh! |
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