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emagicain New user 21 Posts |
Hello,
I never understood the purpose of "question and answers" effects; the spectator thinks of a question, and the mentalist describes a possible answer (or reveals the question as well). what feat does the mentalist performs? ability to read minds (there are countless other effects doing that)? being able to predict the future (prediction effects do that as well)? What is the "entertainment value" of this plot that others do not have? Do you use this effects on a regular basis? Thanks. |
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Michael Zarek Special user Sweden 923 Posts |
"Question and answer" is often way more powerfull then many other effects because it's personal and you're actually helping the person with their problem.
The fact that you're asking what power is displayed here shows how little you know about mentalism, and I don't mean that in a disrespectfull way, you just have a lot left to learn about this art. (btw, just so you know, "Question and answer" routine can be performed by just asking what the question is and many times it won't take away from the power of it.)
Reader discretion is advised.
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Q&A is the most powerful effect in mentalism. It involves, or potentially involves, the entire audience and deals solely with the topic most important in everyone's lives- themselves.
Fortunately, it takes skill to do Q&A properly, and it is most effective for large paying audiences, which basically prevents dilettantes from trivializing it. |
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innercirclewannabe Inner circle Ireland 1597 Posts |
Quote:
On May 18, 2014, mastermindreader wrote: Completely agree. I had the pleasure of performing a very "bold" Q & A recently in a small theater. The method was almost insignificant as the impact it had on the whole audience was stunning! Done right, there is nothing stronger. It also happens to be the most enjoyable effect to perform, IMO.
Tá sé ach cleas má dhéanann tú sé cuma mhaith ar cheann.
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Joshua J Inner circle 1014 Posts |
I'm wondering whether you know the historical context of Q&A acts and how big a part of almost all mentalists it has been. Q&A has been the bread and butter of performing mentalists for the better part of the profession. A good powerful Q&A connects to the audience and stuns in a way few other effects can. It goes beyond just revealing the answer but appears to offer further insight placing the mentalist as the mystic. The readings given will be remembered for a long time after the show. If you've never read Nightmare Alley by William Gresham (or seen the movie) it's worth a watch. Robert Nelson's material is great reading for understanding the development of Q&A, along with the obvious reading in Corrinda and Annemann. Whether looking at historical shows or modern Q&A's it still ends up being an audience favourite.
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C.J. Inner circle There's a lotta rambling in my 2366 Posts |
No, I think emagicain is absolutely right. There is no entertainment value to Q&A routines. They are total rubbish, and he should completely steer clear of them. It would be a total waste of his time to try and learn to perform these feats.
And for those who think I'm being sarcastic, well... given the way that emagicain's question was asked, I think this is the right answer for him/her. It's not the right answer for me, or most of us, of course.
Connor Jacobs - The Thought Sculptor
Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur Be fondly remembered. |
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george1953 Inner circle Mallorca (Spain) 5943 Posts |
I think that a Q&A routine performed correctly is the one thing audiences talk about long after the event. Just watch Derren Browns performances and tell me you didn't like it !!!
By failing to prepare, we are preparing to fail.
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Aside from hypnotism, I don't think there is anything which has a more powerful effect on an audience. In fact, it is more powerful than hypnotism done properly. Which is why John Edward needs a few packing cases to take away his money after a gig, and I only need a single envelope.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
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R.S. Regular user CT one day I'll have 184 Posts |
Quote:
On May 18, 2014, emagicain wrote: We are fortunate to have two of the very best at Q&A routines right here at the Magic café - Bob Cassidy and Richard Osterlind. I highly recommend watching their routines - the "entertainment value" will immediately be apparent to you. Best, Ron :-)
"It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry." Thomas Paine
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george1953 Inner circle Mallorca (Spain) 5943 Posts |
Spot on RS, we are fortunate indeed.
By failing to prepare, we are preparing to fail.
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chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
The power - is not the "trick" but the direct involvement of audience members in a mysterious communication with (as Kreskin clearly shows) the chance the psychic will answer YOUR question. And iof you are sitting near a person whose question is answered -- the vibes are tremendous, "how did he know that?"
GC
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
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On May 18, 2014, emagicain wrote: Based on your post and lack of return since it's original posting, I would believe that your issue is not a lack of understanding of Q&A, but rather a magician's lack of understanding of the differences and fundementals of mentalism. |
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emagicain New user 21 Posts |
Thanks for the answers (and for those lovely comments regarding my skill level as well..)
I'm not very fluent in typing English (it took me about an hour writing this post alone), so perhaps I should've dedicated more time to clarify what I meant.. I was trying to create a discussion. I apologize if my poorly phrased words sounded as if I belittled that specifec plot, or mentalism in general... In the past, I've seen some live performances of Q&A effects in conventions and infront of lay people as well. But they have never got a very powerful reaction from the audience, especially the lay one. Also, in many mentalism act that I've seen that included many classic plots, the performers did not choose to use these type of effects at all (I'm not talking about the grand masters of the art like Osterling and Cassidy, but more of good local performers). I did read on these effects in many sources, but it never had me excited.. I absolutely agree that because the effect deals with the spectator it makse it a powerful one. involving the spectator's personal life in any effect makes it much more powerful (I think Peter Turner does it BRILLIANTLY in any effect he does). I guess my lack of viewing good performances of the Q&A effects made me not completely understand it's potential. I'll look up the performances that were mentioned. Yet, I still don't think that it would fit my performance style. Just for the sake of clarity, I do have quite a bit of experience. Most of it is in magic, but in the last years I focused on mentalism. I am familier with the basic source material as well as more advanced techniques, and use it regularly as I perform. |
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The Hermit Veteran user 301 Posts |
Emagician, getting jumped on here is the order of the day. If you state an opinion that goes against the groupthink it's bound to happen. I'll posit my opinion though. Q&A can be interesting, but mostly it's dull and boring. It was created during the spiritualist movements and if delivered as the real thing (ESP), it's interesting to believers. If you're a mentalist that does the psychological angle, the audience knows it's a trick and grows bored - I've seen it many times. Luke Jermey did a good one in his Vegas act, but after the show most people were saying it was weak and just wondering how he stole the info on the cards. And his Q&A was strong. Presented as the real thing, it works better. At least those in the audience predisposed to believe will enjoy it, skeptics won't regardless. Derren did a good one, but the angle was that it was all a trick and an almost expose of old time psychics. Not much of a real Q&A. I would like to see a good youtube of all the experts that say Q&A can be exciting. Mostly what you can see is an L&L audience responding. I understand most working mentalists don't want a YouTube of their act exposed everywhere. I've seen quite a few and I never saw an audience 'eat it up'. It plays better when someone pushes it as the real thing - mentalist or psychic.
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Michael Zarek Special user Sweden 923 Posts |
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On May 20, 2014, The Hermit wrote: Well obviously it play's better when presented as the real thing, all mentalism does. Q&A act definitly requires a strong performance and great skill (which I myself probably don't yet have enough), and presented correctly it is the strongest thing a mentalist can do and I don't really see how one can argue with that. One thing that I believe many mentalists miss, is that mentalism doesn't necessarily have to be entertaining ( and in some cases it shouldn't) to be interesting. P.s when I think of a Q&A I think of a propless one couse that's the only way I can see myself doing one (Jerome's Q&A book is amazing and I'm sure he would be able to explain in great detail why this premise is such a beautiful one)
Reader discretion is advised.
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ddyment Inner circle Gibsons, BC, Canada 2499 Posts |
The one thing that can be stated definitively about Q&A is that it separates the entertainers from the duffers.
People like Gil Eagles built spectacularly successful careers on this one effect alone, while others do it in a fashion that many (rightly) find "dull and boring". The principal difference is not method, or even context, but performing skills. Another observation: mixing a bit of cold reading into a performance of mentalism effects is not the same as doing a Q&A act.
The Deceptionary :: Elegant, Literate, Contemporary Mentalism ... and More :: (order "Calculated Thoughts" from Vanishing Inc.)
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Whoknows New user 1 Post |
Hi emagicain,
maybe this can help you It's in german language but watch minute 12:51 und you can see how powerful a good q&a act can be. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UGGExYiMSak Enjoy An always be curious! |
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Quote:
On May 20, 2014, ddyment wrote: Well put, Doug. It's not easy to do Q&A well. And that's a good thing, otherwise everyone would be doing it. Q&A, properly presented, is the strongest effect in mentalism. If it's "dull and boring" you shouldn't be doing it. (Or, better yet, learn how not to be dull and boring.) Good thoughts, Bob |
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Joe Atmore Elite user Joe Atmore 419 Posts |
And if you don't think it can be compelling, it was the mainstay of Dunninger's theatrical show. He would often do an hour. Twenty thousand alone saw him in SF in the fifties
Best Thoughts,
Joe Atmore International Artists Consultant Uri Geller's Phenomenon TV Series; PEA Bob Haines Memorial Award; Dunninger Show Recreation; Author of Dunninger Knows and Dunninger's Brain Busters JosephAtmore.com |
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Investigative Mentalist Special user Seattle, WA 565 Posts |
I'm just curious ...
How many of you use a device like Richard Osterlind's Thought Scan board or a Dunninger board when doing Q&A? |
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