|
|
Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
7th_Son Elite user Australia 437 Posts |
I've spent just over 1-year working slowly and diligently through Corinda's "13 steps to mentalism".
I've also been working through Annemans "Practical Mental Magic", although not a slowly nor as diligently. I can perform simple - yet convincing - miracles to small groups of family and friends. This is for fun, and not for profit. Could you guys recommend what I should read next? What are the intermediate level equivalents to Corinda and Anneman? I've looked through the old messages, and "Man, Myth and Magic" is mentioned a lot, but with very mixed reviews. Some say you must have it. Others say you don't need it. I'm particularly looking for modern techniques and effects. Not theory, lecture notes, etc. My aim is to go professional in a year or two.
"Here's to our wives and girlfriends...may they never meet!" - Groucho Marx
|
|||||||||
Nir Dahan Inner circle Munich, Germany 1390 Posts |
Get a few DVDs as well. The Osterlind DVDs are absolutely superb! If you are after books I would go with Mind Myth and Magick by Waters. The new Syzygy book which is basically the first 5 years of the magazine bound in one volume.
One of my favorites is Richardson's Theatre of the Mind, and Paramiracles by Lesley is also full of ideas. Hope this helps, Nir |
|||||||||
landmark Inner circle within a triangle 5194 Posts |
Peek Performances by Richard Busch for a book another level up from those Nir has mentioned.
Jack Shalom
Click here to get Gerald Deutsch's Perverse Magic: The First Sixteen Years
All proceeds to Open Heart Magic charity. |
|||||||||
trickiewillie Regular user Virginia 128 Posts |
I shudder at the thought of someone "going professional" a year from now when you have to ask what book to get next after 13 Steps and Practical Mental Magic. It also really bothers me that you say you don't want "theory." "Theory" is what an aspiring pro needs more than more tricks.
But, having said that, here are some suggestions so you can progress: Mind, Myth and Magic is a terrific book, but it does not include full presentations of the effects. (Sort of like having the moves for Color Monte without the patter.) You must come up with your own presentation. And presentation is 90 percent of mentalism. Maybe 99 percent. You may be good at coming up with your own presentations but many magicians and mentalists are not. Syzygy contains hundreds of effects with presentations, but the presentations may not fit YOUR style. Lots of great ideas from lots of top mentalists. Theatre of the Mind also has excellent effects with presentations. I really like this book. Richardson goes into detail on how to present the effects. Mentalism, Inc. Half this book is on how, what and why to do mentalism. And the effects are good, too. Take all the ideas here, go back through the old posts, and keep working. |
|||||||||
7th_Son Elite user Australia 437 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-11-29 21:01, trickiewillie wrote: Trickiewillie, thanks for the info. I know what mentalism books are out there. There are a lot of them. And some are expensive. And the Australian dollar is very weak, and international postage is expensive. I'm simply asking mentalists who are more experienced than me for their personal recommendations. If I'm going to spend a small fortune on a couple of books, then I want to make sure that I make a good investment.
"Here's to our wives and girlfriends...may they never meet!" - Groucho Marx
|
|||||||||
david_a_whitehead Inner circle USA 2122 Posts |
Keep the dream 7th son, a year is a lot of time.
|
|||||||||
Sir T Special user 535 Posts |
You Said:
I'm particularly looking for modern techniques and effects. Not theory, lecture notes, etc. My aim is to go professional in a year or two. Seek out the 39 steps by Bob Cassidy, then look for some of his better works to include, Fundamentals. What you want and what you need are worlds a part. Seek knowledge and skills, not the lastest ebook or effect. Tired as sin, just me, Sir T |
|||||||||
Sven Rygh Inner circle Oslo, Norway. 1945 Posts |
Quote: With all respect, I completely disagree with this statement.
On 2003-11-29 21:01, trickiewillie wrote: Putting together a first-time, amazing and entertaining performance has, in my opinion, nothing to do with how many books you have read. Taken that one is mature, has the real interest and talent and is able to adopt some of the important psychology of mentalism, this is possible. Be aware of that this also means hard work and very clear goals on what you want to accomplish. I am convinced about that you, with just 13 Steps in hand, could put together many different, amazing performances which would be great hits to today's kind of advanced audiences. After all, if we are honest, many of the theories behind what we do today can be tracked back, some way or another, to Corinda's and Annemann's work. Why focus on "modern" mentalism by the way? There are more than enough among the classics, and if you routine them well, they indeed aren't close to be outdated. Have a look on what David Ben does. He has been digging up many of the true gems, and have developed them further. (yeah, I know he is a magician,...but still!) http://www.davidben.com./index.html What he does is true, entertaning mysteries. Not very many modern effects here, eh?? I react somewhat when I understand certain people as to that you can't perform or go professional as a mentalist before you have done this or read that. I'd be among the first ones to stand up and speak in favor of that reading and practising as much as possible is neccesary. However, not one of us would wait to make a hit on a such road of life until we knew most of the art. I have seen people being preparing for the future until the day the died, without having taken the final step into the professional life. Spending enough time for preparing is neccesary, but don't waste it. After you are established, you can (must!) continue studying, reading, learning and creating your own stuff. Isn't this what many of us have done? My advice is: Go get them! Be prepared for loads of hard work, practicing, frustrations, disappointements. Be also prepared for the many happy moments, when you will be proud of passing one milestone after the other on your road to your goals. Make sure though that you manage what you do good enough to really amaze and entertain! Do what you manage, and manage what you do! Good luck! Sven PS: Getting some of Richard Osterlinds work would truly help, though! Start with his 25 pages of Making Magic Real. In my opinion, this is what all this is about!
WWW.SVENRYGH.NO
"Keep it as simple as possible, - but no simpler" http://www.svenrygh.no/sven-rygh/presse/nrk-forst-og-sist/ http://www.svenrygh.no/video.html |
|||||||||
david_a_whitehead Inner circle USA 2122 Posts |
I totally agree with Sven!
|
|||||||||
pxs Loyal user London 284 Posts |
Larry Becker's Stunners Plus has a large number of fully developed routines which will give you plenty of inspiration for taking basic knowledge further in a professional setting
|
|||||||||
shrink Inner circle 2609 Posts |
I agree with Sven too....apart from classics not dating. There are lots of regularly recommended texts that in my opinion are dated. However mentalism is like any field it has variety.
We don't all have to like what each other likes. Whenever I mention a dislike for certain style of mentalism I usually get a bad reaction from others. Seems like a perfectly feasable question to have asked in the first place, 7th son. Make up your own mind. However Osterlind's new DVDs have a lot of learning in them. I only have the first volume and its the best value I've had for my money buying mentalism products. |
|||||||||
Sven Rygh Inner circle Oslo, Norway. 1945 Posts |
I guess I have to clarify...with modern, I guess I had the more kind of bizarre stuff in mind even though that wasn't mentioned.
Another thing, even though you do the classics, they indeed can be modernized! In my mind at least, that's not the same as doing "modern mentalism". I'm fully aware that people wearing fedoras as in Corinda and Tarbell, is an absolutely minority. Even here in Norway! Sven
WWW.SVENRYGH.NO
"Keep it as simple as possible, - but no simpler" http://www.svenrygh.no/sven-rygh/presse/nrk-forst-og-sist/ http://www.svenrygh.no/video.html |
|||||||||
shrink Inner circle 2609 Posts |
Methods also become dated despite the reactions from some of the hardcore. Certain types of billets in my opinion are dated. There is also a lot of quaint little effects and "mind candy" around. Mentalists like to recommend and read certain publications that wouldn't impress in the real world......well at least my world.
You have a long journey ahead separating the good bad and ugly and finding your way in this field. But it can be a lot of fun..Sometimes the journey is more important than the destination |
|||||||||
7th_Son Elite user Australia 437 Posts |
Thanks all,
I've just bought Osterlink's Mind Mysteries, DVD1, and it's exactly what I'm looking for. The only problem is that I have the creativity of a photocopier. Thanks again.
"Here's to our wives and girlfriends...may they never meet!" - Groucho Marx
|
|||||||||
GFord New user Washington DC 53 Posts |
7th, glad you got the Osterlind. It's some of the best material available. A previous post also mentioned Bob Cassidy's thoughts on books on mentalism. You can find this at:
http://mastermindreader.com/cd/index.htm......ary.html Good Luck! |
|||||||||
Dr. TORA Inner circle TURKEY 1439 Posts |
IMHO you will decide what to do next. Since you have some information on the subject, only you know what will fit your style next. After the basics, no such series of books or videos go by order: read this after that or vice versa. The way is too long to walk and I have never met who had reached the terminal point and you are nearly at the beginning. Read whatever you find and choose only the effects that fit to your style. Besides, check the material with Ted Lesley, Larry Becker, Bob Cassidy, Carlyle, Patrik Kuffs, Max Maven and Banachek. They have all different styles but, I repeat, only you will decide what to do next among all these valuable recommendations mentioned in this thread.
Magically Yours,
OZLEN TUNCER /Dr.TORA Have you visited my new Website in English, yet? www.magictora.com or www.torasmagic.com |
|||||||||
Banachek V.I.P. Houston 1086 Posts |
May I make a suggestion? You now have the knowledge of effects to put together a routine of your own. Best to not get so involved in reading what is out there, you know the techniques now you go out and work, put your own ideas together from things that excited you or perked your interest.
In many ways, I wish I had never picked up a book on mentalism as to be quite honest, my best creations came when I did not know about other performers out there. Now I often find myself influenced by others in our craft, in many ways it is a good thing, in many ways a bad thing. I truly think you will become great by just getting out there and doing it, reading the next best book before we perform can often become a crutch and hold us back form reaching our goal. You can't fail unless you give it a try. And who wants to wonder years from now "what if?" Good luck and have fun learning from your mistakes and your successes. I do agree that if you are looking for more "tricks" get old issues of Magick or Syzygy. Happy holidays
In thoughts and Friendship
Banachek Campus Performer of the Year two years in a row Year 2000 Campus Novelty Act PEA Creativity Award Recipient http://www.banachek.com |
|||||||||
altoni New user 74 Posts |
7th Son,
Theatre of the Mind by Barry Richardson is an excellent book, as stated above, with great effects with wonderful presentations. What I like so much about this book, besides the great effects, is Richardson's ability to convey to the reader how to create a powerful mystery from a simple effect. This can be applied to other effects, as well--yours. Banachek’s above advice is priceless. Good luck, Al |
|||||||||
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
For audience reaction without investing the rest of your life in theory, I recommend everything by Becker and Paramiracles by Ted Lesley. After all, the objective is entertainment.
|
|||||||||
Mr Amazing Special user 617 Posts |
Quote:
AmazedWiz wrote: If that is the only objective, I recommend dancing and singing instead. This is what most people mean with 'entertainment'. /Matias |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Penny for your thoughts » » Best Intermediate level mentalism books (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.05 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |