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Jon_Thompson Inner circle Darkest Cheshire 2404 Posts |
I came across a quote the other day attributed to computer science pioneer Alan J Perlis. It struck me that when suitably modified, it makes good advice for mentalists:
Quote:
I think it's extraordinarily important that we keep the fun in mentalism. When it started out, it was an awful lot of fun. Of course, the paying customers got upset every now and then, and after a while, we began to take their complaints seriously. We began to feel as if we really were responsible for the successful, error-free, perfect use of these capabilities. I don't think we are. I think we're responsible for stretching them, setting them off in new directions, and keeping fun in the house. I hope the field of mentalism never loses its sense of fun. Above all, I hope we don't become missionaries. Don't feel as if you're Bible salesmen. The world has too many of those already. What you know about mentalism other people will learn. Don't feel as if the key to successful mentalism is only in your hands. What's in your hands, I think and hope, is intelligence: the ability to see the techniques as more than when you were first led up to them. Discuss. |
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jquackc Loyal user JC - Denver 218 Posts |
I'm too tired to discuss, but I'm glad I saw this before I headed to bed. Great quote. You're right, it is very relevant, especially to some discussions that have been going on lately.
JC
JC
www.jquackc.com myspace.com/jquackc It's coming...QUACK... a new ebook from the fallible mind of JC... April 2048... groundbreaking material... limited edition... only 200 will be sold. Starting at $47... Preorder your copy toda |
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coupcoupdaddy Inner circle 2466 Posts |
We love drama. We love fun.
That's how it's done. And we emulate those who do.
foreign correspondent, z and lt
inner being worker |
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Jay Are Inner circle 4186 Posts |
Life has taught me this lesson...
my outlook on the art has changed... if its not fun...why do it? keep this in mind with posting on the Café as well... jr
xxx
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Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
Seems the essence of what's being said is
"Don't bore your customers". This seems like an especially pertinent piece of advice for mentalists. Neal.
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
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Dr.J.Jameson New user 100 Posts |
I agree with the apsect of not being stuck up. It seems to me that some mentalists can get quiet elitist, instead of having fun.
"It is only when people think that they have no more to learn, that they stop themselves from learning anything else!" Dr.J
I am currently studying:
-- Absolute Magic - Derren Brown -- Naked Mentalism - Jon Thompson |
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tboehnlein Inner circle ohio 1787 Posts |
Yes I look at mentalism as not tryng to take my self too seriously & ignoring the hype, just make sure the audience is not just engaging themselves but always having fun( one of the few ideas I agree with Brad Henderson on,but then again maybe not).
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Jim Reynolds Elite user Special Guest 431 Posts |
Quote:
Above all, I hope we don't become missionaries. Don't feel as if you're Bible salesmen. The world has too many of those already. Who are the 'missionaries'? Someone who respects the art of mystery and leaves a sense of wonder (fun) in the minds of spectators... or Someone who needs to protect the spectators from their own beliefs (taking themselves seriously) in the name of 'debunking' or disclaiming. ? |
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Jon_Thompson Inner circle Darkest Cheshire 2404 Posts |
I wouldn't limit to a straight either/or choice.
There are certainly people who insist that mentalism be done their way or not at all. They get abusive when people won't obey and, looking through the archives, many of them have, thankfully, either been kicked off the Café or have flounced off to pastures new. I shudder to think what their actual performances are like. |
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entity Inner circle Canada 5060 Posts |
I'd agree. It's sad when anyone insists that others MUST believe as they do.
- entity
email: tomebaxter@icloud.com
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Jon_Thompson Inner circle Darkest Cheshire 2404 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-02-27 17:16, entity wrote: Absolutely. I think the onus is on us as individuals to find our own voices within the material. Messing about with the original quote was an interesting thing. Maybe it was confirmation bias, but looking back at it, I still feel okay posting it. |
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Floyd Collins Inner circle Ohio 1633 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-02-27 13:03, Jon_Thompson wrote: I have to agree with you here forsure. Funny thing how this is so true.
No one said it would be easy, or did they?
Check out my all new book "Chicken Scratches" visit my lulu store for more information. http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/thecenterstage http://www.collinscomedymagic.com |
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gabelson Inner circle conscientious observer 2137 Posts |
It's a fine line we walk- pleasing our audiences, while at the same time keeping our artistic integrity by doing it for ourselves, as well, and not selling out. Just be true to yourself; even if you struggle at first. Being honest will win out. Show the world your heart, your soul. Don't let anyone talk you out of what your artistic instincts tell you to do, even the so-called "experts". Remember, art is subjective. At the end of the day, there ARE no experts. Only critics, (who can't do), artists, and a world community with whom to share your work.
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Floyd Collins Inner circle Ohio 1633 Posts |
That is some darn good advice Gabelson, thanks for posting that.
No one said it would be easy, or did they?
Check out my all new book "Chicken Scratches" visit my lulu store for more information. http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/thecenterstage http://www.collinscomedymagic.com |
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gabelson Inner circle conscientious observer 2137 Posts |
You bet, Ace. I tried for too long to simply try and give my audiences what they wanted. I got the reaction I desired, but reflecting upon it, I realized they had no idea who I was as an individual. No matter how powerful the act, they must remember YOU. That will also make it far more likely they will remember your act.
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Trois Special user Myrtle Beach 594 Posts |
Hey Gabe ,here is my quote "If you can't have fun, You are done". Trois
Not clever enough to come up with something orginal, or did I.
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entity Inner circle Canada 5060 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-02-28 00:47, gabelson wrote: Forgive me if I'm mistaken, but you seem to be suggesting that readers follow your advice on what to believe about Art, and to follow your do's and don'ts with regard to what they should or shouldn't do. Despite your "disclaimer" that there are no experts, you seem to be setting yourself up as one. In my opinion, good Critics do what they do best, which is to understand the field that they critique. Some who have acted as critics are quite capable of "doing". Shaw was a wonderful critic, and wrote some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful plays ever produced. In Magic and Mentalism, writers such as Max Maven, Mike Close, Jamy Swiss and Tommy Wonder have all written as critics and reviewers. All of them are or were professional performers of note. "In the arts, the critic is the only independent source of information. The rest is advertising." --ATTRIBUTION: Pauline Kael (b. 1919), U.S. film critic. Newsweek (New York, Dec. 24, 1973). - entity
email: tomebaxter@icloud.com
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entity Inner circle Canada 5060 Posts |
Forgot to mention -- I do agree with your comment about being honest. I think that's something that we should all strive for as performers, and in life.
- entity
email: tomebaxter@icloud.com
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entity Inner circle Canada 5060 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-02-27 06:08, Jon_Thompson wrote: Absolutely true. It should be fun for the performer and for the audience. It's also a worthwhile and rewarding thing to seriously consider and discuss aspects of mentalism that go beyond the effects we can do. - entity
email: tomebaxter@icloud.com
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gabelson Inner circle conscientious observer 2137 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-02-28 15:36, entity wrote: Forgive me, Entity, but in what way was I suggesting that others follow my "do's" and "don'ts"? I was suggesting quite the opposite- that there is no ultimate "authority" to tell you what to do; if you're "good" or "bad". Where have I, exactly, said I was an "expert"? Again, I think I clearly stated that at the end of the day, there are NO experts. Major League Baseball scouts insisted Phil Rizzuto was too small to play pro ball. Rizzuto's in the Hall of Fame. Einstein's high school Greek grammar teacher, Joseph Degenhart, became famous for insisting to Einstein, that "nothing will ever become of you." As did his "expert" math professors. Degenhart and others in the administration suggested that Einstein leave school, saying, "Your presence in the class destroys the respect of the students." Jay Leno, who was considered as a replacment host for Carson years before he became just that, was told by the network brass that he'd never get to host that show or any other, because his face "frightened children" (no lie). I hate to call you out on this, Entity, but you seem to have a personal vendetta against me. You send me unsolicited PM's that are simply rude and insulting. I write a positive post here, meaning well, expressing my feeling that one should never give up on their dreams, or back off when the so-called "experts" say they can't do something, or shouldn't do something. In terms of the critics, as it has often been said, "Opinions are like as*%#@es...everyone's got one." You respond to every one of my posts, as you did here, by spinning my words to prove that you are "right" and that I am "wrong". It was ok for awhile, but now I find it rather annoying. |
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