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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
I had the wonderful opportunity of watching Kreskin's full evening show - front row - last night. What a great show by a great showman.
I wanted to learn something and learn I certainly did. I think it was wonderful how the show was so much about him and his personality that the effects and demonstrations were not really the focus of the show. People came to see Kreskin, they got to enjoy Kreskin, and they left feeling they had a great experience with Kreskin. The effects along the way, in a way, were just a great bonus. Isn't this the goal: to create a stage persona and act that is unique because it reflects us as individuals? Perhaps this the exact opposite of the beginner's approach of saying "now for my next "trick"..." and having the effects become the focus of the show. What strategies do you employ to make the act more about you rather than what you do? Or do you disagree with my interpretation/premise? |
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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
An example of a strategy he used is to not do any effects for at least the first 15-20 minutes. He used stories to both establish his credibility and show us how entertaining he can be without doing anything other than connecting with his audience. We knew Kreskin was amazing and he didn't have to do a single demonstration to win us over.
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
That's been one of the major points I've tried to make over the years. A good performer should be able to entertain an audience for 20 minutes or more without doing any "tricks" at all. Mentalism is NOT about the tricks, it's about the performer and the overall experience that he provides to the audience.
As I've noted before, Kreskin even plays the piano occasionally in his show. Best- Bob |
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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
He did play the piano! Told a story and played "I'll be home for Christmas". Nothing to do with mind reading but people loved it.
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Magicus Loyal user 281 Posts |
I have great esteem for him and he's at the very top of my list of influences. I marvel at his seeming effortless ease in maneuvering the performer-audience divide. He definitely understands how to entertain.
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Steve Suss Inner circle 1193 Posts |
I'm going to start taking piano lessons! Yes, I saw Kreskin while I was in college. We had a great lecture and entertainment program with some of the great celebrities of the early 70's. I would say Kreskin got as good a response as anyone. He is truly a great showman.
Steve |
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Jay Are Inner circle 4186 Posts |
90% of you reading this could no do what Kreskin ( and others ) do...keep hiding behind your CR stock lines and b***** p**k*...
The difference between mentalists and magicians trying to read thoughts... J
xxx
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IAIN Eternal Order england 18807 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-12-14 17:54, Jay Are wrote: can you explain a bit more on the latter, please...why is it hiding if you use something like that?
I've asked to be banned
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seadog93 Inner circle 3200 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-12-14 16:08, mastermindreader wrote: I'm looking into joining toastmasters for exactly this reason. I'm actually really excited on working on just talking, with no tricks or effects to hide behind.
"Love is the magician who pulls man out of his own hat" - Ben Hecht
"Love says 'I am everything.' Wisdom says 'I am nothing'. Between the two, my life flows." -Nisargadatta Maharaj Seadog=C-Dawg=C.ou.rtn.ey Kol.b |
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mrkmarik Regular user New York 185 Posts |
14 th step is playing piano
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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-12-14 18:10, seadog93 wrote: I think you are smart to do that. I was a member a while back and will be again in the new year. It is a great experience to express yourself with only your your words and body language. |
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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-12-14 17:54, Jay Are wrote: Perhaps you could re-phrase this and explain how one may become greater. I think it's fair and reasonable to say that none of us could do what Kreskin can do. Part of my point is that we shouldn't do what Kreskin does...we should find ourselves (just my standing theory for what it's worth). |
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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-12-14 18:13, mrkmarik wrote: Perhaps the 14th step IS to inject ourselves and our other interests into our performance as part of the audience getting to know us. Kreskin adds in the piano. I am increasingly adding in my ideas around motivation (mind/perceptions) and my experiences as an ultra-marathon athlete. Not that I'm comparing myself to Kreskin...rather just trying to find myself within the context of my performance. |
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theinternetguru Elite user I hacked the Café but I still only have 426 Posts |
There is no question that being able to engage the audience with your personality is the most critical skill one can have as a performer. Though I wouldn't go so far as to say it's not about what you do, it's clear that a technically perfect performance with strong effects delivered by someone who is boring, pompous, inauthentic or irritating in some way is probably going to be a flop. I'd much prefer to watch someone I genuinely like than someone who I find irritating but who executes the effect flawlessly.
I have watched many mentalism performances of both types, but especially of the type that isn't authentic and engaging. The performer either doesn't get it, doesn't care, or lacks the ability to actually connect on an emotional level with the audience. |
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Pete Legend Inner circle Ireland 1401 Posts |
Jay Are are you feeling ok? You seem kinda angry all the time. Let me buy you a pint!
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
In the thread about mentalism becoming more like magic, an anonymous poster "authoritatively" dismissed what I and a few others were talking about by stating, "Mentalism is magic tricks." That was it. Nothing to support his statement, just an uninformed dismissal regarding something he obviously fails to understand.
This thread, on the other hand, comes much closer what professional mentalism is really all about. Good thoughts, Bob |
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Tony Iacoviello Eternal Order 13151 Posts |
Jay is under the weather right now.
I know when I'm not feeling well, I say things in a way I would not normally say them in. Tony |
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Jesse Lewis Loyal user 227 Posts |
Kreskin is a consummate performer and indeed a legend, the truth is Jay is right most will never achieve his level of performance however if you have a tenth of his performance ability a person could go very far. Sadly many are too focused on the tricks and not focused enough on the performance and persona to go anywhere never mind the marketing knowledge.
Learn how to build a bigger business at www.showbizsuccesssecrets.com
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Jay Are Inner circle 4186 Posts |
Too much nyquil...
xxx
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RileyG Special user Las Vegas 840 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-12-14 19:08, mastermindreader wrote: Bingo... People need to realize that performing suits are a dime a dozen, but a performer who Entertainers with their personality is the real deal and the audience while follow them anywhere... |
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