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bunkyhenry Special user NYC Metro 828 Posts |
Are there any formal or informal mentalism groups meeting out in NJ or NYC?
I feel like I am working my act ALL ALONE. Let me tell you, for me, thinking and planning an act is hard! I would like to join a group or START one to get ideas to feed off and to have someone else do some hard thinking work for me. I am too tired. |
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Dr. Zenitram Regular user New York 156 Posts |
I know of none. If you do start one let me know. I'd be interested... Time permitting.
Will you, won't you, ESP with me?
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ChuckHickok Loyal user 245 Posts |
I hope this posting will help others with a desire to form an informal group to deepen each persons understanding of Mentalism.
I was fortunate to be part of an informal group of people some fifteen years ago. Our group started with 7 or 8 people who "loved" Mentalism. This is the one thing we had most in common ...and this common desire to learn more about Mentalism kept us focused. At the time, none of us were performing professionally as a mentalist. (A few had performed professionally as magicians.) In many ways, the fact that we were all hobbyists made sharing with each other less threatening. Fact of Life: Some working professionals are comfortable sharing with hobbyists ... other working professions are more comfortable sharing only with other working professionals. Both a acceptable ways to go though life. Each person brought a different "gift" to the group. Some people knew a lot about magic and mentalism, some had lots of effects and props they purchased, some had performance skills (but not much performing experience), and others were highly creative. We agreed to meet once a month. Each month had a Topic: Book Tests, Multiple Outs, Blindfolds, Improptu, Billets, Nail writers, etc. For our first seven or eight years, we kept to our monthly schedule. Over time, we developed a genuine respect and concern for each other. We become comfortable with giving each other honest positive as well as constructive feedback. I would not have been able to make my move into performing professionally (and also writing my books) without the help, advice and support of this group. My corporate act was "born and polished" in this group. Two others members of the group also progressed to careers as professional mentalists. Guided by my experience, I offer this advice: 1) Be selective when inviting people into the group. Seek out only people who want to learn more about only mentalism. 2) Try to include only people who will commit to meet regularly. 3) Encourage each person to perform a routine or effect ... or share something he or she believes will benefit the others in the group ... at each meeting. 4) In your early years, agree upon a Topic for each meetings. This will expand your knowedge of the art of Menatlsim much faster. 5) Agree that "constructive feedback" is one important way to learn to become a better performer. Remember the purpose of the feedback should be to help the person become "better" ... not be become a professional mentalist. 6) No playing cards (for the first two years). There is so much more to learn about Mentalism than routines that use playing cards. Chuck Hickok A one-time hobbyist. |
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bunkyhenry Special user NYC Metro 828 Posts |
What about leadership? Who decides things ultimately?
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bunkyhenry Special user NYC Metro 828 Posts |
Wow Thanks for the pm's. I never knew you guys were out there.
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ChuckHickok Loyal user 245 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-03-14 22:27, bunkyhenry wrote: We never had a formal leader ... or elected officiers. At our first meeting (about twenty years ago - not fifteen years ago), we agreed to some basic guidilines: Meet once a month, focus only on mentalism, have a topic each month, and agreed to give positive feedback as well as constructive critism when people asked for "comments". Each month, we met at a different person's house/apartment on a weekday evening. This time of the week worked best for our group. This setting provided the privacy to perform new stuff without laymen around. In our case, I often took on the role of informal leader by "reminding" the group of our commitment to meet each month and select to also select a new topic. (Again, in our first five years, we met almost every month. After that - as we learned more - we began to meet once every other months. Now we meet two or three time a year.) I forgot to mention in my original posting that another member of our group has gone on to publish several very clever close-up mentalism effects ... and perform mentalism at many top conventions while still keeping his "day job". I believe because we shared a COMMON DESIRE to help each other learn, everyone in the group benefited in some way. By the way, our group was called the "Minnesota Mindpsi". At one time, we had five PEA members in our group - now we are down to three. In the 90's, we even published a book - In the Mind's Eye. Each member contributed an effect. The book was another great learning experience... and helped stay us together as a group. If you have a copy, you will notice my "thinking" about mentalism has changed over the years. Membership in the group has changed over the years. Some retired and moved away. Some took jobs elsewhere. One or two lost interest in mentaism. But we tried to replace each person who left with another person who had a strong interest in mentalism. I hope this helps. Chuck Hickok |
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bunkyhenry Special user NYC Metro 828 Posts |
What if we let someone in the group and then realize we made a mistake? Did you ever have to kick someone out of your group? How did the group accept new members? Vote? Anyone can join? That sounds scary.
Also as I am not that altruistic, I would like to have some pros or at least performers in the group. I want to get help. I want to improve my act. I I I me me me! LOL |
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Tony Iacoviello Eternal Order 13151 Posts |
Chuck:
Great advice, plus I really enjoyed the book! The Key-R-Rect routine influenced some of my work with that plot. (Mary T. is a friend.) Having been part of similar groups over the past 15 years, one bit of hard learned advice; don't let personal politics and agendas intrude. They derailed one group I'm a member of and it has taken a few years to get back to our original purpose. Tony |
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bunkyhenry Special user NYC Metro 828 Posts |
Chuck, I loved both your books. I use a modified version of your BookTest in my act.
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Zoran New user 75 Posts |
There are a LOT of incredible mentalists in NJ.
Evil Dan, Razzano, Karmilovich, Dasher, Donner and Blitzen. Seriously though, I don't know how many are still there, but it was like a Mecca when I was there. And they were all so very nice and supportive. Why don't you try PM'ing "Trinity"...he's a Prince and one of the best mentalists out there. Xoran
“When you can be your own best audience and when your applause is the best applause you know of, you’re in good shape.”LRH
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Experimentalist Veteran user 356 Posts |
The one in Denver (The Psiclones) just called it quits after more than a decade. I understand that politics and lack of participation were the culprits.
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Tony Razzano Inner circle South River, NJ 1600 Posts |
Zoran,
Thank you VERY much for the kind, kind words. I really appreciate it. There are still some of us around here in NJ. Besides me there are Ted K., John Smetana, Brother Shadow, George Colavito, Marc Sky, Ford Kross, Sal Franchino, Gil Eagles, Scott Gordon and a few more. We lost Allen Zingg to Arizona and EvilDan is soon moving to Albany.
Best regards,
<BR>Tony Razzano, Past President, PEA Winner of the PEA"s Bascom Jones and Bob Haines Awards |
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magicusb Inner circle 1135 Posts |
There are uite a few in PA.
Check out http://HoudiniOpoly.com
Houdini Museum Tour & Magic Show. Only building in the world dedicated to Houdini. http://Houdini.org http://HoudiniDisplays.com http://PsychicTheater.com Scranton, Pa (570) 342-5555 "The truth shall make you free, but first it will make you angry." -Robert Ingersoll-Atheist (on the mind of Houdini when he died.) We are thrilled we were able to bring The Grim Game to the world! Thanks TCM. |
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Tony Razzano Inner circle South River, NJ 1600 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-03-15 19:00, magicusb wrote: Let's see magicusb, besides you...Joe Curcillo, Paul Hallas,Richard Busch, Bob Priest, Wayne Rosen, Bill Myers and apologies to anyone I left out. Also, not a performer, but a creator, Ray Piatt. I think AZ might be up there, too. Zingg, Becker (Both originally from NJ), Earle, Knepper. Is Gene Urban still out there?
Best regards,
<BR>Tony Razzano, Past President, PEA Winner of the PEA"s Bascom Jones and Bob Haines Awards |
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bunkyhenry Special user NYC Metro 828 Posts |
I talked to Ford Kross several weeks ago. He cannot see well and does not get around a lot.
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Tony Razzano Inner circle South River, NJ 1600 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-03-16 11:54, bunkyhenry wrote: He is rather ill and, unfortunately, cannot get out of the house much, if at all.
Best regards,
<BR>Tony Razzano, Past President, PEA Winner of the PEA"s Bascom Jones and Bob Haines Awards |
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DT3 Inner circle Hill Valley 1920 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-03-15 19:14, Trinity wrote: And isn't Rick Maue still in Pittsburgh? |
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Tony Razzano Inner circle South River, NJ 1600 Posts |
You are correct, Don Theo, he is. How I missed him, I don't know!
Best regards,
<BR>Tony Razzano, Past President, PEA Winner of the PEA"s Bascom Jones and Bob Haines Awards |
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EVILDAN Inner circle 1279 Posts |
I'm no longer in NJ. I moved to upstate NY...Albany area. It's nice up here. A lot less traffic.
by EVILDAN....
"The Coin Board Book" - moves and routines with the coin panel board. - http://www.lybrary.com/the-coin-board-book-p-827955.html "SLASHER - A Horror Whodunnit" - a bizarre close-up routine based on Bob Neale's "Sole Survivor." PM me for more info. "Zombie Town" - a packet effect about how a small town turned into zombies. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nzJhcoJtyOM |
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illusioneer Special user NYC 751 Posts |
Would there still be any interest in beginning an NYC/NJ Mentalist league? I'd sure be very anxious to apply!
Justin
Things are about to change........ LIGHTS!!!
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