For Mentalists & Psychic Entertainers who use agents.

I recently asked one of our agents, who we do a lot of work for, what he would feel about a mentalist or psychic entertainer that would tell his clients that everything they did was trickery, magicians tricks, or illusions, as opposed to saying it was authentic, as in some cases, that might be what the entertainer truly believes. He said he did not think his clients would want to hear this and would not book those performers. He was a little less firm when I asked what if they said it was for entertainment purposes only. He felt that might be appropriate for fortune tellers, palmists, tarot readers, etc.

However, he himself feels it is all bunk.

For those here who work for agents, or wish to, have you run into this, or how do you think agents feel about what you tell his clients about these issues? How would you handle this?

Remember this is a public forum and can be googled.

You can even give us the list of your agents... but I doubt it!

Dick Brooks

"Taint wha cha do, tis the way that you do it."

If the act is good, the agent won't give a *** what you claim. All any agent cares about is booking an act that would make the client happy.

Also, though I have dealt with a LOT of agents, I have yet to find one with much in the way of creativity. Therefore, engaging them in hypothetical discussion that requires them to use their imagination is just a waste of time.

All agents do these days if try to match up a client's needs with an act the agent represents.

If that act is good, the agent won't give *** what you claim...one way or the other.

Todd:
Great, great comments about agents!

Hope there are none I know around here checking these posts!

Love yah,
Dick

My agent is wonderfully creative and likes to brainstorm with me. She's almost like a business partner.

And she doesn't care what I tell 'em. She knows I have ethical standards and won't take advantage of anybody. The main thing, as Todd indicated, is that the client is satisfied and comes back for more.

To Expermentalst;
What do you tell her clients?
Thanks
Dick

Dick,
I don't think they are that smart!

Todd

Dick,

I don't overtly claim special abilities. On the rare occasion that someone asks, I take the route of saying that everything I do is the result of "training". Although, as you probably know, people will often fill in the blanks and attribute special abilities to anyone who does things they can's explain. I don't dissuade them of this notion. The possibility that I "might" be a magical person is what sells.

Very well stated.

I've never claimed to be psychic; like Experimentalist above, I usually put it down to training, learned skill, and some natural talents. I clearly state in my opening that I don't believe in so-called psychic abilities, and haven't met anyone I ever thought was psychic. I know there are many who will insist that no one will enjoy a show that starts like that, but my experience indicates otherwise.

I worked (note past tense) for an agent who also booked some "real psychics". He told me that he wanted me to keep quiet about my views, partially because of those other acts (he thought this might confuse potential clients), and partially because he thought letting 'em wonder was more interesting.

I never changed my approach. We eventually parted company -- not over this, but because he never got me that much work, and didn't pay particularly well on the rare occasions when he did.

Just my two cents.

As you were ....

Rory

My price range is a lot higher then that of a palm reader. My agent never even offers me as a tarot reader etc. I am dealing with kraft kelloggs and even coke. When you are on this level they don't want someone changing their execs minds and making them believe in whooee. Instead they require a suave elegant individual to entertain the crowd. A lot of christians book shows and DO NOT want to here psychic when mentioned in a booking just ask kelloggs.

Now if you call it mind power, you can jack up the price and teach seminars to motivate and unlock their employees minds.

So in the end the difference between me and a psychic is several thousand and half the work. I would rather be known as a mind power specialist and charge 10 X more then a psychic and have to hustle 100 X the readings to make my average for 1 hour.

To obijuan;
A great and insightful post. I think a lot here could learn from it.
Thanks for sharing.
No doubt a great way to go.


Not for me though. I went in magic originally for the fun and mystery of it, not to be a teacher.

I have always felt for me to do seminars and motivate and unlock employees minds (if they have any) using math, memory and mind reading tricks to convince them, was as much a con as reading the stars, or reading tea leaves, maybe more so, and in the end, not as exciting, mysterious or fun.

However, I myself never read the stars or tea leaves. Just making a point
Dick

Todd, I couldn't agree more. The agents who book me don't really care what I do because all they realy want is clients to book and re-book my act.

The reason for this is I think it doesn't matter what you are doing. They are not 'buying' my ability to read their minds, the routines I do or anything like that...it is ME, my personality and the way I deal and treat their guests that they want. If they liked me and I could perform (almost) anything because its not what you do that they are interested in, its how you do it and who YOU are.

People don't book a mind reader, they book Derren Brown. They don't book a hypnotist they book Paul McKenna, its the person they are buying hence why presentation is the key to all performance arts.

Just my thoughts,
Ken