Short Readings: Need help

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Short Readings: Need help

Postby reader80 » Feb 13th, '17, 12:46



Hi,

Newbie so not sure if this is the correct forum for posting my query...

I have been doing palm readings (30 - 45) mns for past 2/3 years.

I became aware of shorter format readings (5 - 7) mns for entertainment after being introduced to the world of mentalism.

I did my first short palm readings gig for a wedding (got the lead through a friend who is a walk around magician) few days back.

It was a tormenting experience to say the least. I admit that I'm new to this format. I found doing 30/35 readings (or more, I lost track after the first dozen) in a rapid-fire format of 5 mns/reading utterly exhausting. There was absolutely no time for any dialogue with the sitter. I could not even get any feedback/ indication if the reading was satisfactory. I do not have any problem giving 45 mn readings as I have a lot of material (I can even give 90 mns ( or more) readings). But covering all aspects in a 5 mns seems to be problem for me. The longer readings also tend to be unique for each sitter as I get feedback based on which I can focus on their particular area of interest. With the shorter format I tend to probably repeat my best lines mechanically to all sitters . I’m afraid that if some sitters compare their readings afterwards, they may find that they got the same reading.

So I’m back to the drawing board right now. A magician friend ( he helped me land the wedding gig) suggested doing effects like Jermay’s Mind Museum instead of pure palm readings. I will be working with a group instead of an individual with such routines. I could do a walk around gig for 1/1.5 hrs and give everybody at the event a demonstration of my readings. Each demonstration would be around 5 mns so I would be giving around 12/15 short readings instead of 30 (or more) palm readings at an event.

Does this seem like a viable plan to follow instead of giving straight palm readings?

I require help considering the following limitations:

1. I have zero tear/ peek skills so must restrict to pure reading effects (as of now). I can’t even shuffle a deck of cards without some cards falling off.

2. Can I repeat just one effect (e.g. Mind Museum) for the entire walk around gig or will it come across as boring?

3. Kindly suggest some other readings heavy effects I could use for walk around gigs taking into account my limitations,

I would be thankful for any help you guys can provide. I got calls from 7/8 people at the wedding gig who were interested in in-depth readings so I’m sure that doing such events will generate business for me if I get my bearings right. My financial situation is not entirely satisfactory right now and I desperately need the money I could get through these gig to fulfill my obligations and stay afloat…

Thanks in advance for any help.

reader80
 

Re: Short Readings: Need help

Postby Anjorno » Feb 14th, '17, 08:29

Do you advertise as a magician or as medium ect?
If it's the latter I feel that I cannot help nor condone the act you do.
Claiming to be a medium or fortune teller in my opinion is very unfair
to your spectators when it involves personal emotions and details. Some take
these kind of people very seriously and have been known to make big decisions resulting from
your readings.
Also it's clear you lack great experience to be doing anything on a professional basis.
You lack both physical skills and knowledge of your area of magic. I would suggest you
find a beginners guide to mentalism and learn to
shuffle a pack of cards. Magician or medium you would be needing such a skill

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Re: Short Readings: Need help

Postby kartoffelngeist » Feb 14th, '17, 09:04

Edit...angry rant at anjorno deleted due to being pre caffeine...

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Re: Short Readings: Need help

Postby Anjorno » Feb 14th, '17, 11:06

kartoffelngeist wrote:Edit...angry rant at anjorno deleted due to being pre caffeine...


I'm sorry if your offended but he joined Saturday and as
asked for advice about palm reading before which
he introduced himself as a new member who
does palm reading.
The idea of people posing as a genuine fortune teller
or medium doesn't sit right with me. It's misleading and
can be damaging to the spectators.

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Re: Short Readings: Need help

Postby reader80 » Feb 14th, '17, 11:42

Surprised by reply to my first topic..

I do palm readings and have been doing them for past 3 years. I have a few hundred if not thousands of readings under my belt.I just said I have the ability to do 30 mns ( or longer) readings. And people have no problems understanding that I do Palm readings. I never claimed to tell fortunes or pose as a medium etc . Cant see how somebody could draw that conclusion from twin posts...

I did not ask any advise on palm reading. I just said I'm new to the shorter 5 mns readings format and get exhausted doing 30/40 readings of 5 mns in a row at gigs. So not sure how someone could jump to such conclusions.

I only need help in selecting routines which highlight my abilities as a reader for my walk around gigs. A few of these no props effects will help me avoid doing just pure palm readings one after another at gigs. I do not mind doing short 10/15 readings as a part of walk around effects as the prospect of doing 30/40 readings of 5 mns boggles me right now. Not sure why that should offend somebody here.

I stated in the beginning that I can do detailed Palm readings and have no other magic/ mentalism background. I'm sure somebody on this forum must have come from a pure readings background like me and can suggest some routines/ effects which highlight my reading abilities.

Thanks for helping....



I just need help

reader80
 

Re: Short Readings: Need help

Postby kartoffelngeist » Feb 14th, '17, 11:53

That's your problem if it doesn't sit right with you, not his. No one mentioned mediumship apart from you. If he's reading palms he's a genuine palm reader, regardless of what you think about it. Nothing misleading about that apart from the fact that you choose not to believe it's an acceptable thing for people to do. Judging from your comments about him posing as a medium, I'd guess that's based on your lack of knowledge and experience, not his.

Not offended at all, just think your reply was rude. As was my reply pre caffeine, hence it getting changed :p

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Re: Short Readings: Need help

Postby kartoffelngeist » Feb 14th, '17, 11:55

Dont want the thread derailed with an argument or deleted, so I'll leave it at that. Have a good day all :)

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Re: Short Readings: Need help

Postby Boris » Feb 14th, '17, 12:53

In the Top Hat facebook group you'll find a downloadable PDF with an article written by Tony Black. It gives details for performing a 3 minute reading. You'd do well to read that article. You can get the PDF at the URL below.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1670559619838521/files/

At the bottom, you will find issue #9. That's the one you want.

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Re: Short Readings: Need help

Postby Lady of Mystery » Feb 14th, '17, 14:53

Go easy here please ;)

Mentalists have been doing readings as part of their acts for years, I'm also a tarot reader.

To reader80, the trick to short readings is really to concentrate on key specifics of someone's life. I usually look for a little piece of brightness and focus in on that. Love, friends, family, whatever it is that lights that spark in the sitter and as you're an experienced reader then I'm sure you know how to spot what that 'thing' is pretty quickly.

Have a look at anything written by Paul Voodini, he's got some great routines that would fit perfectly with the sort of things that you're looking for.

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Re: Short Readings: Need help

Postby kartoffelngeist » Feb 14th, '17, 18:12

Docc hilford also give some good tips on zeroing in on specific aspects...i want to say it's in the impromptu mind reader, but that could be way off.

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Re: Short Readings: Need help

Postby bmat » Feb 14th, '17, 18:20

I think I understand what you are saying. Not coming from your background as in, I've never even tried palm reading and I'm not too keen on most mentalism but I do love the bizarre.

With that said, do you do any magic? If so then look at the effects you do and try changing the patter, the routine to suit your style, this is usually much easier and almost always more effective than looking for pre made routines. It may be a struggle at first but well worth it in the end.

For example, take a basic pick a card trick. instead of some fancy, flashy typical magicians reveal go slow reveal the card using personality traits. Explain how people gravitate towards certain cards even when choosing a card blindly, fate just brings the two together. (of course you force any card and make up the rest).

or a ring on string routine, borrow a ring thread it on the string and magically it comes off the thread even when the spectator is holding the ends of the string. Pretty basic stuff. Now add a touch of personal. The ring won't stay on the thread it will always try to get to its true owner thereby escaping the string. (and one ring shall rule them all) lol.

Those two ideas may not be great as I'm just thinking on them at the spur of the moment to try to give you an idea.

Hope I'm on the right track for you. Lots of luck.

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Re: Short Readings: Need help

Postby Anjorno » Feb 14th, '17, 21:54

Lady of Mystery wrote:Go easy here please ;)

Mentalists have been doing readings as part of their acts for years, I'm also a tarot reader.

To reader80, the trick to short readings is really to concentrate on key specifics of someone's life. I usually look for a little piece of brightness and focus in on that. Love, friends, family, whatever it is that lights that spark in the sitter and as you're an experienced reader then I'm sure you know how to spot what that 'thing' is pretty quickly.

Have a look at anything written by Paul Voodini, he's got some great routines that would fit perfectly with the sort of things that you're looking for.


im sorry if im sounding critical but my point is he is doing just palm reading. if he was doing a range of mentalist routines then including palm reading or tarrot
cards is fine. but palm reading is not magic or mentalism on its own and if he's, as it sounds, just doing palm reading it seems wrong of him to potray it as real
palm reading when your using cold reading and magical techniques.
if he's advertising and claiming to be a mentalist then i apologize.
I would greatly consider a book on basic mentalism to add more variety to his
routine and with short palm reading sessions he can give a brief reading summarizing the lines on each palm
then adding in one or two vauge but meaningful points.

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Re: Short Readings: Need help

Postby mark lewis » Feb 14th, '17, 23:52

I am a professional palmist and have done thousands upon thousands of readings. When I find the energy to discuss these matters I shall give my take on it. Alas however, I am falling asleep at the moment. Once I regain my energy I shall comment further.

In the meantime you can have a look at this. I think this chap is rather good. I know him personally and have admired him my entire life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8ZV8X22U_c" target="_blank

Last edited by mark lewis on Feb 15th, '17, 03:17, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Short Readings: Need help

Postby mark lewis » Feb 14th, '17, 23:57

Oh, I just read your post a bit more thoroughly! I do apologise. I didn't realise that you are an experienced palmist yourself and are just wondering about the shorter format. I understand where you are coming from and I welcome you. Ignore this daft lot here. They don't know much about real palmistry. They are merely magicians. I am tempted to say they don't know much about magic either but I have mellowed in recent years. Age you know.

I will try and give some suggestions later.

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Re: Short Readings: Need help

Postby mark lewis » Feb 15th, '17, 00:03

Anjorno wrote:
kartoffelngeist wrote:Edit...angry rant at anjorno deleted due to being pre caffeine...


I'm sorry if your offended but he joined Saturday and as
asked for advice about palm reading before which
he introduced himself as a new member who
does palm reading.
The idea of people posing as a genuine fortune teller
or medium doesn't sit right with me. It's misleading and
can be damaging to the spectators.


Palmistry has nothing to do with mediumship. It isn't really fortune telling either since it doesn't really tell the future. It is more of a character analysis although it may give GENERAL indications of the future.

And there is no evidence whatsoever that our new member is "posing". He may well believe in it quite sincerely. Now just because YOU don't believe in it doesn't mean the chap is faking or posing. He has obviously studied it very thoroughly indeed to be able to do such long readings.

Last edited by mark lewis on Feb 15th, '17, 03:18, edited 1 time in total.
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