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Faizimran New user 51 Posts |
Hi,
does anyone have any good suggestions for Dvds,books,courses, for someone who is just starting mentalism but wants to do pure mentalism and not mental magic? |
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MentalistCreationLab Inner circle 1528 Posts |
That would depend on what you classify pure mentalism to be. As some of late have a very loose definition of mentalism today.
If it was me I would bypass a lot of the newer stuff and start reading works released by Robert Nelson starting with The Encyclopedia of Mentalism And Allied Arts for in chapter 3 of that work will give you a context as to the function of mentalism and much more in just a few pages. Then you can move forward to other classical works in the field of mentalism. The key is to start with the historical stuff and gain an understanding of how mentalism functions as its function is very different form that of magic for the most part. I would also highly recommend finding some one in your area who is a mentalist and try to get them to show you some of the differences in person. In other words find an old pro to mentor you - this way you will not waste a bunch of time and money trying to walk down the path least traveled. Also read books lots of them on mentalism. Avoid trying to learn mentalism for dvds although these can be fine once you have a foundation and it is solid. The reason for all the reading is that it trains your mind to think and envision the effect in your head before actually doing it. Mentalism is cerebral in this regard. Yes I would read Robert Nelson before I would read Bob Cassidy's 39 steps to mentalism which is still free if I not mistaken also Robert Nelson's name does not appear on his list yet his name is mentioned in many of the books he cites. What I am a hard core Nelson fan. Also George Armstrong for that matter whom crafted the idea of the psychological force. |
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Nestor D Special user France (Paris) 830 Posts |
Study mentalism seriously, the "traditional" way, try many things(do not pass a classic if it seems to magicky for you), but keep your definition/vision in mind.
It will guide you in you selection of personna and material |
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jstreiff Special user 701 Posts |
Mentalism done properly is extremely convincing for the audience. Are you prepared for that? If not, you may want to reconsider your idea.
John
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Slim King Eternal Order Orlando 18012 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 19, 2016, jstreiff wrote: Are you willing to say it's real?
THE MAN THE SKEPTICS REFUSE TO TEST FOR ONE MILLION DOLLARS.. The Worlds Foremost Authority on Houdini's Life after Death.....
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
The boy is just 14 years old and aspires to do street/ambush performing with aspirations to maybe eventually attempt stage. Please keep this in mind while offering advice as he may face certain challenges due to his age and approach.
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Alexxander Elite user Frankfurt, Germany 423 Posts |
I would strongly recommend that you read Bob Cassidy's book "Fundamentals" which is also included in his Artful Mentalism Vol. 2 Book.
It is exactly what you are looking for. Bob also quotes Harlan Tarbell in there, who describes the fundamental differences between Mentalism and Magic very succinctly: It should be noted that there is a psychological difference in the appeal, in the manner of presentation between what we call two branches of the mystic art- "magicians" and "mentalists". While both accomplish their effects by trickery, the mentalist rarely admits it. There is an important reason for this attitude of the mentalist. His mysteries of the mind are impressive only when cloaked in an atmosphere of genuine phenomena. Long experience has taught the wisdom of this serious and earnest presentation. Ample proof of these statements will be found by observance of the leading professional artists - those occupying the topmost rung being accepted as genuine by a great majority. Performers of mental and psychic mysteries usually preface their demonstrations with a statement to the effect that they make no claims to possession of supernatural powers, and that the presentation is solely for the entertainment and amusement those present, who may draw their own conclusions as to the means or methods by which it is accomplished. However, the performer proceeds to do his act as though it were a genuine example of unusual powers: - which, in fact, it is! If presented as mere tricks, the act would not command anywhere near the same interest and spellbound attention - if indeed, it didn't fall flat. - Harlan Tarbell, The Tarbell Course in Magic, Volume iV, p. 91 |
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Ben Blau Inner circle 1475 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 19, 2016, Slim King wrote: "Real" in what regard? The emotional response you elicit from the audience is certainly "real". Or, do you mean "real" in the sense of "real psychic powers"? I believe that there is more than one way for our mentalism to be "real" than to claim actual paranormal abilities. When I perform, I present myself as an open skeptic of psychic powers. I often say, "People sometimes ask me if I have special powers -- and I do! But I'm not a psychic. You see, what I possess is special KNOWLEDGE. And, as the saying goes -- knowledge IS power!" This statement is absolutely true, in regard to the way I create and present my mentalism. So, it's "real" in that regard.
Ben Blau
http://www.benblaumentalism.com |
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Cervier Inner circle France 1274 Posts |
IMHO, mentalism isn't suited to street/ambush, whereas magic can be.
And a background in magic helps a lot in mentalism anyway, because the latter uses many techniques from the former. With that in mind, I would advise you to study magic and not to worry too much about "pure mentalism" yet. Practice technical skills such as sleights, practice presentation skills, like misdirection, and practice showmanship and how to keep your audience entertained. And you can do that with mental magic. I believe that's a step that will make it easier for you when you perform on stage, and can shift your presentation to "purer" mentalism. If that's still what you want in the future, of course!
"A friend is someone who know you well but loves you anyway" H. Lauwick
The Lynx Deck, http://jmmaries.free.fr/cervier/ Grapheeteez, on GooglePlay Telemos the peek envelope, on SkywardMagic Telemos en Francais sur TheMysteryStore |
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Faizimran New user 51 Posts |
OK thx for your help
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Last Laugh Inner circle Grass Valley, California 3498 Posts |
I think that's good advice. I think everybody here was into magic first.
Did anyone actually start with strictly mentalism?
My Mentalism Podcast:
The Mystery Arts Podcast Check out my products! Direct from me (PW: cassidy) On Penguin Magic |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
Yes.
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
Yes. Some of us come to mentalism from other means.
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WDavis Inner circle 1276 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 19, 2016, Last Laugh wrote: Me |
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Slim King Eternal Order Orlando 18012 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 19, 2016, Ben Blau wrote: No .. I mean REAL .... As in Paranormal. Not Scientifically explained or disproven. If you just pretend to be psychic than you are no more convincing than a magician.
THE MAN THE SKEPTICS REFUSE TO TEST FOR ONE MILLION DOLLARS.. The Worlds Foremost Authority on Houdini's Life after Death.....
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Alexxander Elite user Frankfurt, Germany 423 Posts |
Well, that is for the audience to decide, right?
I suspect though, out of all the different approaches to mentalism, almost all of them are more convincing and believable than magic. |
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Last Laugh Inner circle Grass Valley, California 3498 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 19, 2016, Mindpro wrote: I stand corrected! I guess I know that a few did - Millard Longman is another, but I assumed the majority here were magicians first. Now I'm curious what the percentage is.
My Mentalism Podcast:
The Mystery Arts Podcast Check out my products! Direct from me (PW: cassidy) On Penguin Magic |
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The great Gumbini Inner circle 3062 Posts |
I've been performing mentalism for many years. I noticed the older I got the more believable everything seemed. I believe as I seasoned my patter and as I learned the in and outs of mentalism as well as aged throughout the years it just started going more smooth. My advice would be to study the well established works on mentalism and get a feel for it first. Remember with mentalism your real stage is their brain. So a massage is a better approach over an ambush.
Good magic to all, Eric |
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Bill Cushman Inner circle Florida 2876 Posts |
Millard did readings,then got into magic. After performing magic for several years, he discovered mentalism.
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Last Laugh Inner circle Grass Valley, California 3498 Posts |
Ah, well then!
My Mentalism Podcast:
The Mystery Arts Podcast Check out my products! Direct from me (PW: cassidy) On Penguin Magic |
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