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VincentLee New user 44 Posts 
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Hello everybody, this is my first topic in Magic Café. I am 25years old, live in Hong Kong and play magic for around eight years.
I play Cards when I start to learn magic, but after few month, I think mental is more mystical than other type of magic, so I start to learn and want to expert. I love pure Mental magic like Derren Brown & Max Maven but I feel some difficulty for perform pure Mental in Hong Kong, I feel they love visual more than Mental. so I add some magic like "The Magic Of Nefesch", "Coinvex"... to enhance my routine. For those information of me, I have some question ask an Expert or Master: 1. Any good Dvd or Book to expert Mental and any good for 1on1? (actually I have some Dvd of Richard Osterlind, Max Maven, Banachek...,i think those focus on a group, I also had "Practical mental magic" & "Psychophysiological thought reading" for my reference) 2. Recently I bought " Star Trick by Larry Becker and Lee Earle", can someone teach or recommend something for me to handle the first spectator? (the one I ask him/her to point the Force) 3. I alway perform magic in a Café or Bar, we know the environment effect the big result of mental, any one have a good idea to Control the noisy environment? 4. I got my "Thought Transmitter" few years, anyone had a good Act to perform this? (I alway perform it, after I "read" their mind, they alway ask me why I need to write on this leather wallet) Special thanks for read my awful english, please reply me if you got some idea best regard, |
Paul Shirley Inner circle Melbourne, Australia 1206 Posts
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Hey Vincent,
Firstly, welcome. Secondly, Yes. You should become an EXPERT mentalist. Great question... with so many potential answers.. 
Thirdly, I lived in China for 3 years... visiting H.K many times...and although I was performing music, not magic, I can understand your need for a more 'Visual' approach. From my limited understanding of your wonderful culture... you really do need to focus on applying a different performing style to keep the attention of your spectators. Chinese LOVE to gamble (this isn't a dig... just an observation from years of performing at casino's)... The thrill of winning at the simplest of games seems to keep them spell bound for hours on end... so, why not start with learning a few variations on the Bank Night theme. Use the thrill of winning money to keep interest up... but then use your 'Powers' to prevent them from doing so Some members here at the Café, including Greg Arce and Bryn Reynolds have some wonderful ideas in relation to the bank night theme.
Chinese culture also seems to love an element of danger. For something really visual try the scorpion from outlaw effects. That'll hold their attention. Asides from all this... you may need to focus on some of the basic mentalism methods and principles... (have you read 13 steps by Corinda?)..and then build your own exciting/visual presentations according to what you feel your audience would like to see. As you are finding... presentation is everything. Good luck my friend. Paul P.S Your english is great... much better than my cantonese
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Jim Reynolds Elite user Special Guest 431 Posts
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I think your biggest obstacle to overcome is thinking like a magician.
You say need to "enhance" your routines with visual magic. Don't take this the wrong way, but you actually may need to spend more time enhancing your persona. As you observe the likes of Derren and Max, you'll see that good mentalism relies on an engaging personality. Not effects. Generally speaking, a magician performing a mental effect usually does not play well. Forget about buying the latest, greatest mental effects and gizmos and spend more time creating a compelling persona that people find interesting. The other stuff will fall into place after. Not easy for many magicians. But required if you want to be taken seriously. . |
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Davit Sicseek Inner circle 1818 Posts
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Hong Kong certainly has the market for an expert mentalist or three.
I'm not sure I'd agree with Paul's assessment of Chinese culture. I don't think there is a particular love of gambling or danger - at least no more than is most western cultures. Sill, I'm sure Vincent has a better appreciation of such things than either of us. Depending on how good your spoken English is (and of course your performance ability,) you could try to get some table hopping gigs in the bars of the 5 star hotels. A few of the top hotels I've stayed at in China had magicians working their bars, but plenty didn't. Those bars are typically relaxed and quiet, so very suited to mentalism - plus the pay/tips will be good... providing you can get your countrymen to tip 
Send me the truth: davitsicseek@gmail.com
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tbone81 New user 57 Posts
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I trust Paul Shirley when he says that Chinese people like to gamble.
I am hardly an expert, yet, but if I were you I'd look up a DVD called the Unexpected by Marc Spelmann and Peter Nardi. Lots of 1 on 1 effects, many with a gambling flair that works great in a Café or bar environment. Good luck! |
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Davit Sicseek Inner circle 1818 Posts
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As always, I'm happy to be educated...
I know a lot of real life Chinese people from 10-40 years old - and even a few older than that. Very few of them 'love' to gamble. The younger generations in China are very prudent, like to save their money and work hard to earn it. The only activity I regularly see younger Chinese people involved in is playing 'poker dice' in bars. It's normally played just as a drinking game rather than way to win money. Neither is it done for a love of gambling. Drinking and bar culture, especially with women involved isn't as developed as it is in the West, so the pretense of the drinking game acts as a social excuse for people to drink without being labeled as 'bad boys' and 'bad girls'. Yes, it's common to see old men gambling in the street - but in my experience they are almost always old, and it's normally the same old men hour after hour, day after day. Similarly, there's plenty of old dudes in England that are down the betting shop every afternoon puttng money on the horses. It's worth pointing out that on the mainland, almost all forms of gambling are illegal. No casinos, no slot machines, no betting shops etc. I believe there are a regional lotteries, but certainly not as prevailant as the UK National Lottery.. but that's it.
Send me the truth: davitsicseek@gmail.com
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VincentLee New user 44 Posts
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Quote:
On 2009-05-22 02:36, Paul Shirley wrote: I was read 13steps and Practical mental magic , also I got Psychophysiological thought reading. May I ask is "Stunners Plus by Larry Becker" good for me? Sometimes I just think I got many tricks but I cant link up them become a Routine or Act. Just like a product demonstrationist. |
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Lior Inner circle 1962 Posts
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I did many shows in Honkong, Chaina, Singapore ,Thailand and Taiwan.
I have found that they like visual mentalism. The Invisible touch and the 10 poker played very well , Magic Square , Spoon banding , watches , picture duplication also get strong reactions. All my shows are for hightech people so maybe there is a diffrence for the others I don't know... Lior
The Lior Touch
https://1amagic.com/ PEA Dave Lederman Award 2009 PEA Dunninger Award 2001 Life Time Achivmeant IUPA 2016 |
jessewjoseph New user California 82 Posts
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I'm no expert, but I see the thought transmitter as more of a 'mental magic trick' than something a mentalist should use.
Considering you'd be able to perform the same effects using a center tear or billet switch (and those would be almost the same method), the special leather wallet seems unnecessary. Perhaps refer back to 13 steps for some ideas. I don't mean to be a pain in the ass... Actually, I'm rather hoping someone else has another opinion and can help me justify the use of the thought transmitter since, working at a magic shop, I have to sell them. =P |
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Magnus Eisengrim Inner circle Sulla placed heads on 1053 Posts
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Have you performed any mentalism in public? If you are already performing magic, try adding a mental routine or two to see how you do. Chatting here is fun, but you'll learn much more by experimenting.
John
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.--Yeats |
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entity Inner circle Canada 5060 Posts
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There are lots of "Fortune Tellers" in Hong Kong, but I seem to remember from when I performed and lectured there, that it was forbidden for a resident National from Hong Kong or China to perform mentalism and hypnosis on television.
I may be wrong on this, but I remember thinking at the time how odd it was that anyone from outside the country could come in and perform on television, and they even showed Derren Brown's series in Hong Kong (they get BBC), but locals were not allowed to perform mentalism on television. Not being allowed on television would certainly slow down a mentalist's career in Hong Kong, I think. Perhaps someone who lives there and knows the facts can correct me if I'm wrong. - entity
email: tomebaxter@icloud.com
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Reuben Dunn Inner circle Has a purple ribbon wraped around my 1592 Posts
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Quote:
On 2009-05-22 10:25, VincentLee wrote: If you've got Corinda, and Annamann, then you're building upon a rather excellent foundation. Here is my take on this. You mentioned having an Osterlind DVD. Excellent. He put out a set entitled "Easy to Master Mental Miracles" a few years ago. Don't let this title fool you. It's a valuable resource tool for you to consider. You might also consider Bob Cassidy, his book "The Artful Mentalism of Bob Cassidy" contains three of his earliest books as well as a slew of material that can only build upon your foundational knowledge. I prefer Cassidy and Osterlind simply because their performance style is clean, and direct. The "tools" they use are, for the most part "home-made", and do not look out of place. Either one of them will give you a set of billets, and a few pencils, and will show you how to use them for a 20-30 minute show. |
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VincentLee New user 44 Posts
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[/quote]
If you've got Corinda, and Annamann, then you're building upon a rather excellent foundation. Here is my take on this. You mentioned having an Osterlind DVD. Excellent. He put out a set entitled "Easy to Master Mental Miracles" a few years ago. Don't let this title fool you. It's a valuable resource tool for you to consider. You might also consider Bob Cassidy, his book "The Artful Mentalism of Bob Cassidy" contains three of his earliest books as well as a slew of material that can only build upon your foundational knowledge. I prefer Cassidy and Osterlind simply because their performance style is clean, and direct. The "tools" they use are, for the most part "home-made", and do not look out of place. Either one of them will give you a set of billets, and a few pencils, and will show you how to use them for a 20-30 minute show. [/quote] Thanks for your recommandation, I must get a revision of "Easy to Master Mental Miracles" and I just bought "The Artful Mentalism of Bob Cassidy" yesterday. Hope I can build up a strong foundational knowledge of myself. Best, |
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MentalAlex New user 58 Posts
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Remember, Mentalism should be seen as real at some level.
I've always believed the best way to get a feel for this kind of performance is to demonstrate abilities that are JUST beyond normal. They are much easier to sell for really real, so they teach you good presentation technique. Memory Feats and the Magic Square are excellent choices, but the key is to start with effects that you are comfortable presenting as really real, and work your way towards learning to lie like you breathe.
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Machina Elite user 408 Posts
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Lei ho muh Vincent? I spent about three months in Hong Kong. As a gweilo
I spent a lot of time in the Western bars and clubs. As a professional I'm sure you would be able to entertain the gweilo in Vong restaurant in whichever styles you like in a quieter atmosphere and use your more visual stuff in busier louder bars. Just an idea. Hope this helps. Warren
This "has nothing to do with the Magician who doesn't like Rock n Roll!" Corinda
www.mechanicsofthemind.com |
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VincentLee New user 44 Posts
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Quote:
On 2009-05-26 16:00, Machina wrote: Lei Ho Ar Machina. Actually I am planning to try some Sliver Bend in Resturants & Bars. I hope its work too. Cheers |
Matt Pulsar Inner circle 1130 Posts
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I don't see why you would have any trouble doing pk work in a restaurant. I work a few nights a week in a Japanese Ninja themed restaurant in NY and do primarily mentalism. I get allot of Asian tourists who often don't speak much English. PK work does wonders, as does very direct presentations of things. Just cut out everything else. You write down a number, they think of one, you have written there number. Make it quick and easy and you should have no problem.
Also, I'll be in Hong Kong in August. We should meet up and talk shop.
Belief Manifests Reality.
Nebula CT: https://www.penguinmagic.com/p/8517 |
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VincentLee New user 44 Posts
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Quote:
On 2009-05-29 08:52, StuartPalm wrote: actually I love Max Maven style more than Richard Osterlind so I was try some "Pure" mentalism but I think I am wrong HK spe. don't like "Pure" as they think its boring. and you're right just cut out manything. try to make it quick and easy and I can get a nice applause. |
Necromancer Inner circle Chicago 3076 Posts
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Hi Vincent,
I agree that the simpler effect, the more powerful the reaction -- especially in a noisy bar where several members may be intoxicated. They simply can't follow more complicated effects. But more important than any specific effect is giving your audience a reason why they should care about your presentation. If you're just showing them quick puzzles, all you're doing as a performer is challenging them to figure out anything you perform. It's a you-versus-them situation, and not very rewarding to either party. So evaluate everything you do in terms of whether you've given it an emotional hook your audience would be interested in. An example: You want to read their mind? Fine. But turn it around: why should they want you to read their mind? Maybe it's because you think they might be psychic, and if your telepathy experiment is successful, you'll give them an official "I am psychic" gift of some sort. Maybe it's because everybody has a secret wish, and you know an arcane ritual that could help grant it (they write their wish on a piece of paper, which is then destroyed), and after the ritual, the spirits tell you the wish that was received. The scenarios are endless. Once you've chosen presentations that your audience cares about, you'll see that people find your performances more entertaining. After all, who can be bored when you're talking with them about subjects that truly interest them: their well-being, their wishes and dreams, their memories, their undiscovered psychic abilities, their personal relationships. And at that point, it's no longer you-versus-them. It's you-with-them, working together on something that's mysterious and meaningful -- and a lot more fun for your audience than just trotting out another puzzle for them to figure out. For more help in this area, I strongly recommend two books: Pete McCabe's Scripting Magic, and Eugene Burger's Mastering The Art of Magic. Best of luck, Neil
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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VincentLee New user 44 Posts
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Quote:
On 2009-05-30 08:59, Neil Tobin wrote: Hi Neil, that's my problem before, I want to read their mind but they don't want to do that. sometimes when I perform, the Spec. think they are entertain me more than I entertain them. so I think your recommend book will useful for me ~ Thanks a lot Best, |
| The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Penny for your thoughts » » Should I become a EXPERT Mentalist in Hong Kong? (0 Likes) | |
Posted: May 22, 2009 05:33 am 
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