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cpbartak Special user Mooresville, NC 941 Posts |
“The audience is like a giant organ that you and I are playing. At one moment we play this note on them and get this reaction, and then we play that chord and they react that way. And someday we won't even have to make a movie- they'll be electrodes implanted in their brains, and we'll just press different buttons and they'll go 'ooooh' and 'aaaah' and we'll frighten them...Won't that be wonderful?” --Alfred Hitchcock
I'd think it's best to bring audiences through a roller coaster of emotional experiences rather than to focus on attempting to elicit only a single one (be it feeling deeply moved or whatever else). Focusing on eliciting a single type of emotional reaction throughout several pieces feels to me like the mentalism equivalent of a slasher flick, where each fright needs to outdo the last, because it never broke it up with other emotional experiences. So, I guess I'm saying that I personally feel that its good to strive to create a feeling of deep connection, as long as you also strive to create other emotional experiences. It can start to weigh things down and feel like time's dragging otherwise. "BEing entertaining" can elicit a range of emotional experiences; people may laugh, feel intrigue/mystery, etc. I don't think Bob, by saying he aims to entertain means he doesn't want to elicit emotions, just that its not a primary goal of his to elicit particular emotions. Just like complimentary colors help bring out the best in each other, emotional experiences are the same way. When wanting to focus on a particular feeling you want to elicit, you should also take into account the other emotions you might seek to bring out at other moments that might improve its impactful through contrast, or what have you.
Some people hear voices.. Some see invisible people.. Others have no imagination whatsoever.
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
OF COURSE entertainment can, and often does, elicit emotional responses. And remember that laughter, amazement and happiness are emotions as well. It just seems to me that too many beginners in mentalism seem to think that the primary purpose of mentalism is to create deep emotional connections with an audience. Like I said, if I wanted to do that I would have become a therapist, a shaman or a spirit medium.
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Magic.Maddy Inner circle 1861 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 15, 2014, mastermindreader wrote: Of course. No one wants to come and cry for 2 hours straight. And as I mentioned, I don't think anyone should AIM to make their audience feel certain emotions. They should come naturally. They shouldn't be thrus upon anyone. It should be a gift that is extended towards them with open arms. It's their decision to take the gift, open it, and enjoy what the gift has to offer. |
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
The problem is, I think, that many seem to forget about the second word in "Psychic Entertainment."
That said, I used to do a highly entertaining act at wakes and funerals. |
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Magic.Maddy Inner circle 1861 Posts |
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On Jul 15, 2014, mastermindreader wrote: That's my favorite crowd! I especially love to go into a ventriloquist act. It brings the family so much joy to see their deceased up and talking again! |
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aalexander Loyal user 232 Posts |
Well this certainly heated up.
This particular method excites me because it feels right inside and out, and it has yet to fail me in about 5 years. That's part of what helps me to connect with the audience - that I'm excited about how it works, comfortable that it will, I like how it feels to perform and how people respond, and I feel right when doing it. Getting people emotional is more Jerome's field than mine, and there's a place for that. I'm happy to interest and entertain, because it really is interesting stuff. Like anything, it will not suit every performer. That's a given. And as Bob said, what matters beyond the specific method is who uses it and how. If you're happy with your methods and use them well, you're winning with or without this book. Let's also not forget that this is all about just over 10% the effects in Counterpoint, and that any good book will transmit more than just effects. I think that will be the case with this one. |
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
No doubt it will be a great book.
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Hallucination New user The Great Paranoiac 18 Posts |
Having spent several hours with Aaron today I can honestly say that this does work. A subtle tweek in reality / perception that brings about wonderful results. Even when I know how it's done didn't diminish its impact on me. Having said that, if you're the type of performer who relys on moves to accomplish the results, (nothing wrong with that) then a change of mindset may be needed when discovering Aarons work. I recommend checking out his Bridge to start and if you like what you read progress into his Pygmallion Effects. Aaron lays out his philosophy quite well in Pygmallion Effects, though he tells me he's constantly revising his work. After having read it and coming back to his work and interrogating the poor man, I'm still discovering new ways of thinking; new thoughts to explore, new ideas to play with, and that is a beautiful thing.
I believe that Aarons work will be revisited time and time again with each new generation of practicioners. I don't believe his releases are a flash in the pan, here today gone tomorrow deal, which makes him unique in a way. I feel extreemly lucky to be able to meet with, talk to and share ideas with Aaron. He is unique in his ablity for deep thought and ablilty to teach. When talking to him I find that he's very authentic. That's to say there's no ego, no Superman complex; he is unassuming and I can tell that he cares deeply about what he does and he cares deeply about people. If I may make a recomendation to folks out there. Bring Aaron in to do a lecture. Sit back with an open mind and all of a sudden a new world of possibilities will open to you. Thank you Aaron for being a friend. Continued success and all good thoughts to you. James |
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Relick666 Special user 604 Posts |
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On Jul 15, 2014, mastermindreader wrote: I agree with this, it's not always necesary to keep everyone so emotionally affected always to entertain them although I guess it depends on your persona. As a mentalist I look forward for people to have a great time with me, not to cry, but that's just me, lol. BTW, the book looks great, looking forward to it! Andreu. |
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Martin Pulman Inner circle London 3399 Posts |
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On Jul 15, 2014, cpbartak wrote: I think CP has hit the nail on the head here. All great works of art elicit a variety of emotions in the spectator. The Bard was wise enough to bring on the Porter half way through the Scottish play for a bit of topical comedy as light relief. A little sentiment goes a long way! |
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guitarmagic Elite user Southern Louisiana 425 Posts |
A full gamut of expression renders the most satisfying performance, in my opinion. My thought is to reach the feelings of my audience, and reach them scattershot.
For example, as a musician I've always tried to create song sets wherein each set would include "up songs" "down songs" "sad songs" "silly songs" "fun songs" "serious songs" "happy songs" "melancholy songs" . . . attempting to evoke the broadest spectrum of emotion possible which is specifically designed to reach "feelings" of the specific and appropriate audience. If performing at a funeral . . . well if its a biker funeral . . . I've played a lot of the aforementioned! Thoughts?
Why is it that on one side of the world a person looks at a picture of the Grand Canyon and says, "it looks so real." At the same time on the other side of the world a person looks at the Grand Canyon and says, "it looks like a picture."
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Jerome Finley V.I.P. SLC 3419 Posts |
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On Jul 15, 2014, mastermindreader wrote: Actually I didn't. What I said was, if Ulrich has a goal (as reflected by his own statement, "But, if that piece Mr Brown did on TV can be actually done in real settings, does the method matter? Both are affecting participants on a deep emotional level, that is the goal, not the best or the most practical method, right?") then my addition to Ulrich's stated "goal" was simply to use the best methods we have access to in the realization of that goal, which, and I don't care who you are, is rarely EVER, EVER, EVER PS, DR and/or IS I then went on to say those methods are better left to the technicians, mechanics and "paint by number" actors, fakers and mind reading imitators than they are for me personally or what I'm teaching here in my own book with Aaron Alexander. JF.
"Join my update list here!" http://eepurl.com/uE3Jf
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wise owl Special user Australia 721 Posts |
Is it published yet? where I can buy it?
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Jerome,
I was referring to this: Quote:
Decrepit inflexible methods (DR, PS, IS, a reliance on electronics, etc) are better left to the mechanics, technicians and constructionists than they are to the artistic, soulful, spontaneous, creative performers in our midsts. But elsewhere you also wrote this, which seems to be a contradiction: Quote:
The goal, I feel, is to use the "best" and (therefore) "most practical" methods we have access to affect our supporting audiences and active participants on a deep emotional level. I disagree with the blanket statement that DR, PS, IS, electronics, etc. are "decrepit inflexible methods." Nor do I agree with your implication that those who make use of them aren't "artistic or creative performers." Good thoughts, Bob |
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Adam Hince Special user Pittsburgh, PA 509 Posts |
Is this still in the works?
Regards, AH |
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Jerome Finley V.I.P. SLC 3419 Posts |
Absolutely.
J. P.S. Sorry, Bob! I seem to have missed your last post until now but certainly have a great deal of respect for you as a teacher and value your opinion as a friend. "Different strokes" and all that jazz.
"Join my update list here!" http://eepurl.com/uE3Jf
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shakuni Inner circle 1170 Posts |
Updates?
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genius Loyal user 285 Posts |
I too would like an update on this. Jerome, any "new" news on this?
Mindblowingly, Charles |
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genius Loyal user 285 Posts |
Jerome, any update?
Mindblowingly, Charles |
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Hallucination New user The Great Paranoiac 18 Posts |
Hi. I talked to Aaron a few days ago. Right about now he's in the midst of travel and with a project that will take up a majority of his time. I'm guessing that based on his location that he doesn't have the best internet connection either. So while I can't speak for his release, all I can say is hang in there.
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