Mentalism Show

[Luis Vega]

Hello everyone...

So I´ve doing magic for around 5 years and 4 of them performing constantly...I had around 5 big shows organized by me by now...and I decided to do a Mentalism Show...

I have mixed magic and mentalism before...and it´s good...but I think it could be better to do them separately...so I decided to do a pure mentalism show...I was thinking to do a minimalist show and I am still thinking about what I am going to do...and I have around 6-7 months to prepare it...I don´t have a deadline, but that´s the prefered time...

So I decided to start writing ideas in this thread on what I want to do along with the ilusions I know...also so anyone who want can post ideas and suggestions about patter...anything

by the way...the other magic continues...since I am planing to do a HUGE show next year only doing magic...no Mentalism...so it´s not like I am abandoning magic...but I want to focus in this show for now...


So a quick list of the tricks I have right now in the top of my head, I think could work on stage with mentalism and that I have done before in other situations

1.- psychokinetic touches
2.- three envelope test ( bob cassidy)
3.- Watermark
4.- predictions
5.- something with poltergeist
6.- machine by Dee christopher

I was thinking to base the show in "Potential"...about how anybody can develop skills that look like mind reading by connecting to the subconcious or abilities we have...but we don´t realize...

anyway...I expect a bash right now from steepike or craig browning....

so..let´s begin this "on the works" thread

 

[JNGmagic]

i think if you havn't read the basics and fundamentals of mentalism, you're going to get "bashed" haha. from what im reading it seems like you haven't. im not too sure. Beginning/fundamental books for mentalism are important!

also to develop what looks like mind reading and using the subconscious, i like to look at mentalists on youtube and see what they do and how they give that illusion. hope i've helped

 

[D ICE R]

Luis you know I consider you a friend and I know you have my favourite book on mentalism. I suggest you reread the act from The Artful Mentalism and look at what makes Mr Cassidy's act so strong. If I was to describe it's strength in one word it would be consistency. Everything he does is consistant with his character he reads people's minds. By first getting them to picture whatever they are thinking in their minds eye and goes from there.

At present I am not sure what your character is and inturn how these effects are demonstrating your power.

 

[eostresh]

Hello everyone...


1.- psychokinetic touches
2.- three envelope test ( bob cassidy)
3.- Watermark
4.- predictions
5.- something with poltergeist
6.- machine by Dee christopher

I was thinking to base the show in "Potential"...about how anybody can develop skills that look like mind reading by connecting to the subconcious or abilities we have...but we don´t realize...

anyway...I expect a bash right now from steepike or craig browning....

so..let´s begin this "on the works" thread

I went through all this about a year ago and put together a pretty good show. However, my show was geared for a group of 20-50. What size are you thinking of playing too?

Another thought, and it seems DiceR has already alluded to it, is that some of those effects don't seem to lend themselves to the a theme of "developing skills that look like mind reading." I'm thinking here of watermark in particular. What "skills" other than a conjuring trick could that be played as? Not saying it can't be done. Just something to consider. It could possibly be done with a sort of dual reality. I'm thinking out loud here but something like showing the revelation to a person on stage but the rest of the audience is far enough back that they can't make anything out. So the effect is that you are giving the audience is the appearance that the participant on stage is in a suggestible state and is seeing something that is not really there.

 

[Craig Browning]

Luis, let's chat. . .

There's so much that goes into creating this sort of program and your outline. . . well, it won't give you what you envision.

Not to sound like a broken record but the foremost important thing in mentalism ISN'T the tricks/effects, its YOU. . . who are you? what is your claim/ability?

Did you know that there is a difference between what you do wearing a blindfold and telling people about sealed messages or the amount of change in their pocket vs. wearing the same exact blindfold and know what color something is or being able to describe someone by touching and hold things?

Are you aware of the one routine that is considered the absolute "Ultimate" demonstration in a Mentalism show? There is one very specific routine and even Corinda points out that once you've mastered it, you can write your own ticket. . . if you have the guts!

Unlike Magic, Mentalism more or less requires you to be that "Master Mind" -- you are the primary Illusion and the tricks are things that validate your claims. Because of this the material you present needs to fit your claim. So who & what are you? Are you an expert in Linguistics? A Telepath? Clairvoyant? or are you going to play it safe and be a Derren Brown clone or a Psychological Magician as some claim?

I dare you to come over to the dark side. . .​

Unlike Magic Mentalism requires us to invoke belief from those observing our demonstration. To accomplish this we incorporate a ton of psychology, not all of it apparent at first glance. Paul Brook (Alchemical Tools) suggests that you take documented materials such as citing articles you've read about Telepathy or Body Language or even a mystery science can't explain. . . give sources that help validate your claims. I happen to be one of those lucky folk (1 in every 23 are born with this condition) that can't wear a mechanical watch or handle certain types of metal for too long at time because I magnetize them. My condition is quite mild to others, but I use this medical fact as a way to explain how I make spoons, etc. bend; I make it a viable, scientific phenomenon vs. the spooky stuff. But I likewise exploit my family history/genealogy as well as my life-long connect to religion and the esoteric as a way to generate validity and sustain my claims. Your personal past will be different than mine, but you can find things within it that will give you just the right foundation upon which to build your claims and thus, sustain the things you demonstrate -- making them "real" vs. being "a trick".

You don't have to claim any sort of Psychic identity (though it would be a bit more "original" given current trends) but having an anchor to work with will take you light-years forward.

You have my email, touch base and we can discuss your vision and what's actually viable on a budget.

 

[Luis Vega]

Very nice!!

Anyway...the main concept until now of my magic is that everything I do is real...so all tricks that look like "tricks" were banned from my repertoire and decided to use the ones that look like real magic...

My character is somebody normal who started doing sleight of hand magic, and developed all the skills and now mentalism is just one more step...to develop the innate abilities in all of us...by using proper training, knowledge and natural phenomenons...like the one you have...

I was thinking to base the show in 2 things...mind reading and how normal people can do it too...because some of us have that kind of intuition...

I am aware of the Q&A routine...and sincerely I don´t have the skills to do it in a great way...I do have some knowledge...but to do it in the way I would want it, will require much more experience...

about a budget...I decided to keep it as cheap as possible, regarding the look of the show...I do not have a lot of money to begin, but I do have some material like Corinda 13 steps, Bob Cassidy The Artful Mentalism and some Dee Christopher material that I have proved in my show and really kicks great!!!

Well..now that I have my main concept what would be the next step?