|
|
|
|||
| Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
ChessMess Veteran user 311 Posts 
|
I'm new to magic, having a preference to Coin magic. But this area of magic has me curious. What exactly is 'mentalism' and what kind of common things do magical mentalist do?
Thanks for indulging my curiosity! |
|||||||||
|
Bill Palmatary New user Burbank (LA), Ca, USA 47 Posts
|
Hi there,
You really just need to read some of the posts in this topic and youll see a wide range of things being talked about, but they all tend to focus on magic that seems to be eminating from power of the performers mind. Have fun -b |
|||||||||
Thoughtreader Inner circle Calgary, Alberta, Canada 1565 Posts
|
Quote:
On 2002-07-13 15:18, ChessMess wrote: It's NOT mentalism if it is magical...it is mental magic. Mentalism is probably better defined as psychic entertainment, entertainment being the key. It is relatively propless and displays apparent psychic phenomenon as telepathy, psychokinesis, clairvoyance, clairaudience, etc... There are many magicians that use mental magic in their program but the actual number of real mentalists is comparatively lower. PSIncerely Yours, Paul Alberstat |
|||||||||
|
Millard123 Regular user Millard Longman 174 Posts
|
Actually, almost all of regular magic is just the one branch of mentalism called psychokinesis -- creating, vanishing, moving, levitating, restoring, bending, transforming, and otherwise affecting physical objects (or people) using the power of the mind.
Millard |
|||||||||
|
ChessMess Veteran user 311 Posts
|
Does it require special cognative abilities? Such as super memory or the like?
We'll I don't mean 'require' as much as it helps... Wouldn't the 'pick a card, your card is the blah blah' be mentalism instead of Card Magic? |
|||||||||
Greg Arce Inner circle 6732 Posts
|
You could basically turn just about any regular trick into a mentalism effect. Instead of pick a card and then finding it. You have them pick a card and lock it into their mind then you proceed to tell them what card they picked by slowly getting their thoughts as in, "I believe it's a red card... yes, it's hearts, but I get a picture, too. This is a court card you are thinking of... yes... it is the King of hearts." It's all in the presentation. For instance, I've seen magicians do B'Wave as more of a card trick than a mental effect. They first do an elmsley to prove all the cards face one way then one magically turns over. I'm sure someone could do nickels to dimes and make it seem like some psychic alchemy experiment.
Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
|
|||||||||
|
christopher carter Special user 660 Posts
|
Quote:
On 2002-07-13 19:53, Millard123 wrote: Millard, I gotta say I just LOVE this definition. I tend to see the difference between magic and mentalism as primarily a theatrical one. In the former the performer manipulates objects, in the latter the performer manipulates belief. --Christopher Carter |
|||||||||
|
Darmoe Special user Ohio 741 Posts
|
"Mentalism" as it is seen and performed in today's world is grossly different from what it was 30, 50, or even 100 years ago. In my experience most who think themselves a "Mentalist" are magicians doing tricks that look kinofsortof psychic or paranormal, but are still corny and obviously TRICKS. On the other hand, some of the "old Timers" still do material that leaves people uncertain whether or not what they just saw was real or fakery... thus, we find the "art" side of the craft... the ability to leave that high level of being unsure.
Another (albeit, rescent) element within the Mentalism field is the Bizarre & Macabre magic additions and storytelling. Most of which is very esoteric and even hosts strong metaphysical points of view, which is why it so easily weaves into the mentalism element. Again, most performers do this kind of work in a very tongue-n-cheek manner but, a truest can make yuor skin crawl and leave you hanging... not certain if or not you just experienced something "otherworldly" or not... what Rick Maue refers to as being "Cerebral Magic" From a business point of view the whole of this field is rapidly becoming the more "commercial" side of the trade as a whole. Thanks to David Blane, there is a growing public demand for this kind of peculiarity and Circus Freakazoid type manifestations. So study as much as you can, fasten yuor seatbelts and have some fun! 
"I firmly believe that of all the Arts and Crafts of Mentalism, there is nothing more satisfying than one who is a first-class Reader. It is the ultimate in Mentalism..." - Tony Corinda * 13 Steps To Mentalism
|
|||||||||
|
Millard123 Regular user Millard Longman 174 Posts
|
Quote:
On 2002-07-14 01:37, christopher carter wrote: This is nice! Many years ago I did a stage manipulation act with balls and cards; now I do a manipulation act with people's minds. |
|||||||||
|
Millard123 Regular user Millard Longman 174 Posts
|
Quote:
On 2002-07-14 13:48, Darmoe wrote: You mean like when Blaine pulled out his heart on TV? Now that is freaky. |
|||||||||
|
Darmoe Special user Ohio 741 Posts
|
Yep!
I haven't seen this yet but from what I've heard I WANT IT! This would be truly excellent for some of the Goth Clubs I work.
"I firmly believe that of all the Arts and Crafts of Mentalism, there is nothing more satisfying than one who is a first-class Reader. It is the ultimate in Mentalism..." - Tony Corinda * 13 Steps To Mentalism
|
|||||||||
|
christopher carter Special user 660 Posts
|
Quote:
On 2002-07-14 13:48, Darmoe wrote: This seems to be a fairly commonly expressed view these days, but I swear I have no idea who these corny tricksters are. Among the professionals I know, I can't think of one who doesn't have a pretty clear idea of how to create an experience of true mystery. I suppose if you are referring to amateurs you can make a pretty good case for corniness, but surely that has always been the situation. Looking back thirty years, the big name in mentalism in the USA would have been Kreskin, who was/is quite adept at mixing mentalism with more traditional magic. In England, David Berglass would have been strong. He most certainly would classify the "mentalism" portion of his work as 'mental magic.' Yet he was/is hugely successful with it. Going back even further, Alexander devoted a third of his show to spirit themed magic tricks, as did C.A.George Newmann. So clearly mentalism and 'mental magic' have coexisted quite well in the hands of many performers throughout history. I agree quite strongly with Darmoe that because of David Blaine's influence, audiences are eager to see things that are wierd, freaky, or strange, and they don't care what you call it. --Christopher Carter |
|||||||||
wayman Special user England - Sunderland 589 Posts
|
Whats a Mentalist?
A guy who likes to hang around Magicians. 
|
|||||||||
mysterium New user Baltimore, MD 100 Posts
|
Quote:
I agree quite strongly with Darmoe that because of David Blaine's influence, audiences are eager to see things that are wierd, freaky, or strange, and they don't care what you call it. I don't think Blaine is responsible for this -- he's just a very savvy guy who tapped into the zeitgeist. Entertainment consumers aren't fascinated by linking rings and fast-talking card hustlers anymore -- they've been there, done that, and it's just not exciting to them. The attention span of people today, especially North Americans, is so small it's almost nonexistent. If you want to captivate, thrill, and astonish them, you have to strive to do something unique and beyond what they've already seen. Do some sponge ball vanishes and they'll change the channel. Rip your heart out and they'll be talking about it for days. It's a different world, thanks to tv and the internet. People you would only see 10 years ago in freak shows, covered with head-to-toe tattoos and piercings, are serving up coffee at Starbucks -- and no one even blinks. Blaine knows that he has to go beyond the typical magician mentality to impress today's jaded entertainment consumers. He taps into what people want, and that's why he's a superstar.
Mysterium
http://www.themysterium.org |
|||||||||
|
Darmoe Special user Ohio 741 Posts
|
Very well put Mike!
I credit DB as the catalyst to this "transition" only out of general recognition... he's become a house hold name and what the public recognizes. Unfortunately he's also become the new annual "Magic To Be Bought & Exploited" design catalog just as Copperfield was a few short years ago (and still is to some degree.) Earlier today I was talking with Rick Maue about this very same syndrome... how we both tend to keep to ourselves and not involved with "other magicians" on a regular basis and how this results in our inspiration and thus, allows us to be "DIFFERENT"... In truth, most of my better material didn't come from brainstorms with other magicians, but rather, inspired by a lay-person's challenge. When I first started doing Macabre routines in an illusion show I credited Richiardi... in truth, his Buzz Saw merely opened my eyes, it was my own twisted mind... my "Shadow Self" so to speak, that cultivated everything else 25 years before it was "trendy" and "acceptable" to be Goth or whatever you want to call it. Though I admittedly have an ego bigger than Alaska, I just couldn't take credit for how magic is shifting its direction... so I'll share it with DB and all those little clones out there trying to be him while I just continue letting my twisted thoughts unfold into newer, more novel courses of managerie... 
"I firmly believe that of all the Arts and Crafts of Mentalism, there is nothing more satisfying than one who is a first-class Reader. It is the ultimate in Mentalism..." - Tony Corinda * 13 Steps To Mentalism
|
|||||||||
|
Thoughtreader Inner circle Calgary, Alberta, Canada 1565 Posts
|
Quote:
On 2002-07-15 14:15, wayman wrote: I beg to differ Dude. Mentalists are considered much higher up the show biz ladder and you forget the one important thing: God made magicians so that Mimes had someone to look down on. <g> PSIncerely Yours, Paul Alberstat |
|||||||||
|
christopher carter Special user 660 Posts
|
Quote:
On 2002-07-15 19:31, Thoughtreader wrote: Paul, Dang, that was funny! I about fell out of my chair. I don't really agree that mentalists are higher on the show-business ladder. I'll believe that when I hear about a mentalist getting a hundred million dollar contract to headline a casino show. But I will confirm that, as a mentalist, I do NOT like to hang around magicians. --Christopher Carter |
|||||||||
|
Darmoe Special user Ohio 741 Posts
|
That is far too good!
Are you going to be at the 72-Hour Gathering Andy Leviss & Quintin are pulling together Paul? I just have to meet you... especially after that kind of comment. 
"I firmly believe that of all the Arts and Crafts of Mentalism, there is nothing more satisfying than one who is a first-class Reader. It is the ultimate in Mentalism..." - Tony Corinda * 13 Steps To Mentalism
|
|||||||||
|
E-Leoni Veteran user USA 358 Posts
|
Mentalism:-NOUN; the process of mental action.-the theory that the physical world exists and is explicable only as an aspect of the mind,-idealism (philosophy)
E-Leoni. |
|||||||||
|
mysticz Special user D.C. metro area 680 Posts
|
While I consider myself a psychic entertainer and have performed as such for over 20 years, it was my original interest in magic that formed a base for me to grow as a knowledgable mystery performer. I consider magic and mentalism to be sister crafts and I have equal respect for each art form.
That being said, I find it unfortunate that magicians and mentalists are always at war with each other over who engenders more respect, makes more money, is more talented, and so on... In my time, I have known and met many magicians and mentalists, and have witnessed the performances of countless magicians and mentalists alike. And I've found that they both have one thing in common -- when they are good, their impact on an audience can be astounding; however, when they are bad, their stench is stupifying. Unfortunately, the mix of good and bad magicians is probably equal to the same good and bad mix of mentalists (about 20/80 in my estimation). In my mind, the time wasted on bashing each other should be focused on doing something positive toward improving our performances and not contributing to the unfortunate decline in the mindset and quality of performers on both sides of the fence. After all, the object of our work is pretty much the same: providing first-rate mystery entertainment. At least I hope that this is the case. Joe Z.
Joe Zabel
"Psychic Sorcery" There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy. -- Shakespeare's Hamlet I.v. 174-175 |
|||||||||
| The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Penny for your thoughts » » What is mentalism (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
| Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
Posted: Jul 13, 2002 07:18 pm 
| [ Top of Page ] |
|
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 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 <
|