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Mentalism Opener

PostPosted: Jun 10th, '15, 12:08
by Yano


Hi Guys,

I'm looking for some advice for an Mentalism opener for stage (150 People). I have mind control as a theme for my 2nd trick and a prediction as my 3rd trick. Some ideas I have so far for the opener is Jumbo B'wave, Soft Drink prediction, Bank Night, Jumbo ID.

I'm not not interested in routines that take ages to do or are too small. E.g. Tossed out deck, Swami, Add-a-number, etc.


Re: Mentalism Opener

PostPosted: Jun 10th, '15, 13:57
by magicdiscoman
I think "smart ass" has a stage sized version now
http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/S12952


Re: Mentalism Opener

PostPosted: Jun 10th, '15, 14:02
by Yano
Thanks a lot magicdiscoman for your advice. It's a nice routine, however for me I wouldn't want to use it as an opener.


Re: Mentalism Opener

PostPosted: Jun 10th, '15, 14:18
by Lady of Mystery
A bank night rountine works really nicely as an opener. Recently I've also started to use Colin MacLeod's Lotter Prediction (it's on his opening minds DVD), that usually goes down really well.


Re: Mentalism Opener

PostPosted: Jun 10th, '15, 15:56
by mark lewis
You need something fast and attention getting as an opener. Mentalism is long winded enough as it is. Bank night or as we British call it Just Chance is a very popular opener for mentalists for some odd reason but I consider it far too long winded and takes too much time up. I hate this trend of mentalists to take ten minutes over one bloody trick. I saw Al Koran do 4 tricks in 8 minutes and I think that is far more preferable. However, if you have a certain showmanship then you can take more time. Alas showmanship and mentalism is a very rare combination and 90 percent of them bore me to tears with all that interminable yacking. When someone is doing magic you can at least distract yourself looking at the pretty colourful handkerchiefs while they are boring you to death. Not so with tedious mentalism.

But with regards to an opener I would suggest something with a swami gimmick. Astounding, direct and attention getting. There are a ton of possibilities. You want something that takes no more than two minutes and doesn't require the presence of anyone on stage. Avoid all this c*** (not the best) you hear about yapping to everyone for two minutes or so before you start your opening item in order to gain "rapport". You will far more likely gain inattention and boredom than "rapport". You need to start whatever trick you are going to do within 30 seconds of getting out on that stage before people have a chance to fall asleep.

Audience attention is at its height during the first minute of your act. Don't waste that precious minute and get on with the job.


Re: Mentalism Opener

PostPosted: Jun 10th, '15, 18:24
by Grumpy Panda
I would really recommend something from Prodigal by Atlas Brookings a nice propless method for mind reading. Might I suggest the Muppets one. If you have the book you will know what I mean. it's quick punchy and how I opened my show. I can pm you with how I perform it if you are interested.


Re: Mentalism Opener

PostPosted: Jun 11th, '15, 08:34
by Yano
mark lewis wrote:You need something fast and attention getting as an opener. Mentalism is long winded enough as it is. Bank night or as we British call it Just Chance is a very popular opener for mentalists for some odd reason but I consider it far too long winded and takes too much time up. I hate this trend of mentalists to take ten minutes over one bloody trick. I saw Al Koran do 4 tricks in 8 minutes and I think that is far more preferable. However, if you have a certain showmanship then you can take more time. Alas showmanship and mentalism is a very rare combination and 90 percent of them bore me to tears with all that interminable yacking. When someone is doing magic you can at least distract yourself looking at the pretty colourful handkerchiefs while they are boring you to death. Not so with tedious mentalism.

But with regards to an opener I would suggest something with a swami gimmick. Astounding, direct and attention getting. There are a ton of possibilities. You want something that takes no more than two minutes and doesn't require the presence of anyone on stage. Avoid all this c*** (not the best) you hear about yapping to everyone for two minutes or so before you start your opening item in order to gain "rapport". You will far more likely gain inattention and boredom than "rapport". You need to start whatever trick you are going to do within 30 seconds of getting out on that stage before people have a chance to fall asleep.

Audience attention is at its height during the first minute of your act. Don't waste that precious minute and get on with the job.


I basically agree with you there, I think that Bank Night plays a bit too long for my liking. That's why I was still hesitant just to go and use it.

The one reason I don't like the swami for this venue is that there's no projection. So if I do use it, it really relies on the participant's reaction (to get the crowd hyped as well). Which can vary a lot from experience.

What you described is exactly what I want. Something fast and hard hitting.

Like I'm gonna use a gag at the start like do you know whats written on the back of this paper. They say no and the paper says no. Then I explain how easy it is to manipulate and predict people's minds. But I'd still love to have some to follow after this. Sorry If I'm being too picky, but I'm sure there must be some opener that fits this criteria that I have missed.


Re: Mentalism Opener

PostPosted: Jun 11th, '15, 08:34
by Yano
Grumpy Panda wrote:I would really recommend something from Prodigal by Atlas Brookings a nice propless method for mind reading. Might I suggest the Muppets one. If you have the book you will know what I mean. it's quick punchy and how I opened my show. I can pm you with how I perform it if you are interested.


Thanks for the information, I'll check it out as I really have nfi what's it about. Thanks


Re: Mentalism Opener

PostPosted: Jun 11th, '15, 08:38
by MiKo
Chris Beard's Facebook Opener?

Also: although I agree with Mark, AFTER you have delivered something fast and hard hitting, you can start a Bank Night and spread it over the whole show, keeping the final reveal for the ending. Sort of like a recurring joke.


Re: Mentalism Opener

PostPosted: Jun 11th, '15, 09:37
by mark lewis
I have seen some very strong reactions when people have opened with a swami gimmick effect. I wouldn't discount it as an opener. As for "projection" that is within the control of the performer and has nothing to do with the trick itself. The trick can be small but the personality can be big. And the audience doesn't really need to see the props (pencil, notepad etc;) to understand what is going on.


Re: Mentalism Opener

PostPosted: Jun 15th, '15, 13:18
by Yano
mark lewis wrote:I have seen some very strong reactions when people have opened with a swami gimmick effect. I wouldn't discount it as an opener. As for "projection" that is within the control of the performer and has nothing to do with the trick itself. The trick can be small but the personality can be big. And the audience doesn't really need to see the props (pencil, notepad etc;) to understand what is going on.


I ended up deciding on the Swami. Do you have any suggestions for what could be written? I was thinking of using a number between 1-99. Or pocket change but at this type of event I don't think many people have pocket change.


Re: Mentalism Opener

PostPosted: Jun 15th, '15, 17:22
by mark lewis
No pocket change? How very odd. What kind of an event is this?

But there is a ton of stuff you can do. Step One of the Thirteen Steps to mentalism has a lot of different ideas as does Sam Dalal's little book on the subject. And there is an entire book by Thomas Baxter on the subject. I could offer all sorts of suggestions but I think it would be better for you to put the effort in and come up with something yourself. Study the material on the subject. If you put the effort in then you will deserve the information.

Incidentally I have been doing bank night myself for years. It is a fine performance piece but I think it should be performed later in the act.


Re: Mentalism Opener

PostPosted: Jun 16th, '15, 11:30
by Magus
'An Opening Effect' from Corinda would be a great erm, opening effect. Short, hard hitting and could be great for kicking off a show.


Re: Mentalism Opener

PostPosted: Jun 20th, '15, 22:51
by Beardy
MiKo wrote:Chris Beard's Facebook Opener?

Also: although I agree with Mark, AFTER you have delivered something fast and hard hitting, you can start a Bank Night and spread it over the whole show, keeping the final reveal for the ending. Sort of like a recurring joke.


Thanks for the plug! ;)

ftopic38558.php

Best opener I have ever used, personally (though I would say that!). All depends on the environments that you are working in.


Re: Mentalism Opener

PostPosted: Jul 15th, '15, 13:55
by Happy Madison
If you are considering a Bank Night routine then John Archers is excellent. It also gets the audience laughing and playing along with you. For the small shows I do I quite often open with the Baby Gag. Again, it gets the audience involved and has an element of humour involved which can help break the ice and get the audience to like and invest in you.