by Beardy » Apr 28th, '11, 02:50
Forget about BIP Book, forget directors cut (Sorry Simon!), forget cold reading, and forget reader of minds (Sorry Paul!). All of the above is good, but directors cut and BIP Book are one trick/prop ponies, and reader of minds and cold reading I don't think is what you are after.
First thing to get is switchcraft. It is the best value thing you will ever buy. You will have no visible props, and you can do it absolutely anywhere at any time using napkins, business cards, whatever.
Second thing to get is Derren Brown's Evening of Wonders DVD. Watch him perform "20 Questions". Practice one or two techniques in Switchcraft, then go out and perform the "20 Questions" routine to your mates.
After doing that, buy Andy Nyman's "Get Nyman" DVD set. Nearly all of the material on that can be done for close up, but I want you to pay particular attention to "Magician's Graphology". Practice it and perform it.
So far, you have a couple of fun dvds where you can see two top mentalists perform good stuff using very, very simple methods, with (on one of the DVDs) the explanations also. You also have Switchcraft, afterwhich you won't need anything else to perform a wide range of routines.
Now buy 13 Steps to Mentalism. It is very dry and the newer you are (normally) the more boring it is. But after you have had the first few things to tickle your senses, you will be able to understand it a lot more. If you are already adept with cards then you should have no issue with a lot of the routines in here.
That is my personal advice. Take it or leave it. This is very sound advice, and it is a logical progression. People may say "Get 13 steps first" or "why perform derren's 20 questions make up your own presentation" but be realistic. You will be new to this and need to get the orgasm to keep you addicted, thus the performance after switchcraft with a routine that you know will work.
If you don't take my advice, no worries. But just remember, I've been in your position too! And I'm very blunt!
Oh, and don't forget your deck of cards. A simple card force and revelation, combined with a decent presentation, gets me a sh!t load of bookings.
Love
Chris
xxx
"An amazing mind manipulator" - Uri Geller
"I hope to shake your hand before I die" - Derren Brown
"That was mightily impressive - I have absolutely no clue how you did that" - Tim Minchin