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Hi all! I am relativly new to magic world... I have started with close-up (cards and ordinary objects), but I have realized my area is mentalism/bizarre magic: I really love it!

See you around

Hi and welcome to TM

There are plenty of people here who can point you in the right direction

epicurus wrote:Hi all! I am relativly new to magic world... I have started with close-up (cards and ordinary objects), but I have realized my area is mentalism/bizarre magic: I really love it!

See you around

Ok... what made your "realize" this?

Many want to move into these fields because "it's cool" and grosses people out or else boosts their own ego when you look at the whole psychic slant. Then we have those that see David, Criss or Derren on the idiot box and just as we did in my own youth and watching Henning or Copperfield, you're slapping yourself on the forehead and saying, "I've got to learn how to do that!" or "I want to be just like him..."

So which is it?

Are you naturally and legitimately "Goth" or are you of the Hot Topic Corporate Goth idea?

I bring up the Goth angle in that most that are attracted to Bizarre Magick tend to have a Goth factor going on with themselves and they forget that with that comes a huge laziness streak as well as an "I'm Broke" syndrome e.g. to do this sort of magick (which is generally expensive to begin with) for our friends in the Freak's Community it has to be for the love of a good storyline and a few screams and not the cash in hand... trust me on this, I tried working the Goth & Industrial markets for nearly ten years and practically starved to death doing. You could do better working Lesbian bars (and they don't tip or want to pay worth squat! Let me put it this way... you would probably see a Scottish Jew part with hundreds of thousands of dollars at a craps table quicker than a breathing male would see a tip working such an establishment...)

Ok... enough of my type-casting (does it show that I'm burnt out on Lesbians? )

I'm going to give you a hard time because too many people want to jump straight into Bizarre styled magick and Mentalism for the wrong reasons, the biggest being that it's the current big trend... truthfully, you are seeing the end of that trend and the lull between themes... most pros are betting on the Pro-Hustler/Gambler type image to be the next big deal... most pro Mentalists are praying that's the case so the serious students of the craft can actually get the work and breaks (and not have to deal with seeing our methods exposed constantly on YouTube).

For the Mentalism side of things you'll want to start here first...
http://www.ipswichmagicalsociety.co.uk/downloads/becomingamentalist.pdf

That will give you some sense of direction and what to expect realistically speaking.

For the Bizarre Side of things, start here http://www.dragonskull.co.uk/main_map.htm

You will find a ton of links there along with info on books, resources and the who's who of that side of things from that sight alone but you may want to look into other forums like The Shadow Digest and maybe the Inner Circle of Bizarre Magick (ICBM) just to get a taste of things...

Bizarrists are very creative and strange people. Very little of the magic they do in their acts is available at the commercial level and when it is, it is kept somewhat limited/exclusive. Fortunately this is becoming a trend with other factions of the craft as well but you may want to check out the following...

http://www.lebanoncircle.co.uk/

http://grindshow.com/GrindShow/Dark_Museum__2.html

http://www.blackhart.co.uk/page53.html

http://www.outlaw-effects.com/outlaw/index.php?lng=en

http://www.mastermindreader.com/

http://www.mevproshop.com/

http://www.ahouseoffire.com/

That should keep you busy for a while...

I saw your recent article on Dan Baines, Craig. He is an incredibly innovative young man.

Anyhow, epicurus, welcome to TalkMagic. Mr. Browning's post offers a link to a fantastic article regarding beginning in mentalism, which is something that may be of interest to you. However, I urge that you at least vaguely familiarise yourself with all aspects of magic, before confining yourself to one or two areas. It simply allows you to make a much more informed decision, and enables you to feel confident about your choice.

I hope that you can both learn and enjoy yourself here. As Lady of Mystery stated, there are plenty here that are both willing and have the ability to point you in the right direction and offer you help along the way.

Harry.

Welcome

Craig Browning wrote: I tried working the Goth & Industrial markets for nearly ten years and practically starved to death doing.

I spent a good while getting into the local Goth scene, performing dark stuff at their clubs until I realised that their clubs never actually made any money so I'd be lucky to ever get paid more than a drink and £10. Still they were lovely people, and the experience of working in a club that is practically pitch black with incredibly loud music was...interesting.

Craig thanks for posting that. I printed it off and working through that outline.

Welcome to TM.

Thank everybody for the suggestions, especially Craig with his article about becoming mentalism, very helpful

I am not Goth, and I do not like it. I like mentalism because theoretical/philosophical reason about what is (in my opinion) magic: if I think over magic I do not think of coin vanishing or card colourchange... The matter is wide, but I have to stop because I'm Italian and I have difficulty to tell (in english) exactly what I have in my mind.

Anyway I am studying Corinda and Annemann, and I really like these books.

Bye,
epicurus

Don't let the language issues stop you, we are actually here to help... even an old grump like me

epicurus wrote:I'm Italian and I have difficulty to tell (in english) exactly what I have in my mind.

I'm English and have exactly the same problems! Welcome to TM, hope you find it helpful .

Craig Browning wrote:Don't let the language issues stop you, we are actually here to help... even an old grump like me

Thanks Craig

Mandrake wrote:

epicurus wrote:I'm Italian and I have difficulty to tell (in english) exactly what I have in my mind.

I'm English and have exactly the same problems!

Hello Epicurus,

It is wonderful to have you here. And hey, if you want to be a Bizarrist, go for it because it is so important to do what you love. There are many truly wonderful books to read, especially Chelman and I also love Fraughton.

And Craig, thank you so for all that wonderful information.

Love,

Amanda Angeli

Some good links too... even if it does seem that my bank manager is going to be disappointed again - spotted a couple of must haves!

Welcome to TM.