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Craig Browning wrote:At 21-22 years of age I realized I was not yet skilled enough in LIFE to be an effective and BELIEVABLE Mentalist/Psychic Entertainer. Though some have been successful when in these younger years, it is a very rare instance and most always involves an older, more experienced mentor of some sort that helps guide and even mold the image and resume of the younger.

I'd just like to second this idea. I've been performing mentalism for two years--I'd been studying the art for another two years before that. At the young age of 22, I still have issues being believeable. Ergo, I take a psychological approach--it's a little more believeable to have an individual who can pick up on subtle cues about someone than it is to have a college student that can read minds. All of us have "intuitions" about one another; my character just does it a little better

You can't honestly expect an audience to believe, however, that a young, naive 15-year-old has been around the block enough to tell what a participant is thinking just by looking at him or her (or reading their mind, whatever)... Ergo, it would be difficult for you to break into the art and perform well, especially as a short-term undertaking as it seems you're interested in.

Ciao,
Rob

Craig,

First of all I would like to say.....If your trying to intimidate me in your first paragraph, its not working. Second TRYING to insult me by saying I have a low GPA ( when as a sophomore had 4.2 Last quarter ) is so immature and not very " advanced member "like (if thats what you want to call yourself) of you. Its not really your business what i ask other member what there opinions are. You as advanced member should worship the fact that someone with so called less experience as you is asking for advice. I was simply asking what two books i should start with..... Of course I read the list because I actually take peoples advice. I just don't want to buy all the books that were named at the same time. Now talking to a new member like you did is not going to make them want to stay on this site......SO! Next time i would suggest not sounding a complete jerk....saying stupid immature things like " getting a woody " and not being so stuck up and maybe you will actually get people to respect you....

So i accept your apology that I so very much deserve.....And thanks for your advice....

GPA of 4.2? I thought the scale only went to 4?!?

The mentalism 'sticky' on this forum to which you have been referred is the best place to start.

Yes, 13 Steps and PMM are excellent and you will constantly be drawn back to them as you develop. But do not ignore the other resources and insights offered in the sticky.

I would recommend devoting a few years to these resources while continuing to develop your magic. The age/maturity question will continue to come up, and all the while you study, the older and more mature you will become. You will also learn the ins and outs of mentalism before performing anything.

I have highlighted a piece of info from Dr.Todd's last post that you should actually take in.

I would recommend devoting a few years to these resources while continuing to develop your magic.

I so love children

For starters, my opening lines in that previous post was an inside pun... most here know that it's not wise to poke the American Bear and get his dander up... then too, most know that said bear loathes spoilt children who think they are "smart" and who are overly self-obsessed.

By the time you were daddy's little squirt I'd completed one leg of my career as an Illusionist (grand illusions) and was shifted over into Mentalism more or less full time -- nearly 40 years invested in this career and though I'm not one of the "Big Named Players" I'm an establish aspect of this industry and magic history, so you may want to use that magnificent brain of yours in weighing just who and what you may be addressing in these forums; there are at least a half-dozen active members on this board who are responsible for the stuff you see the celebrities perform, we're not Ellusionist or the Tragic Cafe.

Now the reality is you are a 15 year old headstrong spoilt brat that don't want to do the foot work and EARN your knowledge. You are looking for shortcuts and quick fixes which simply don't happen if you are serious about being a solid performer that is taken seriously. You get bent when we tell you that you're too young and inexperienced to do certain things and yet, you don't see how your tantrums on this point prove what we are saying -- your immature! You are not ready to handle the weight of this particular mantel. At the same time, you have yet to acknowledge when I and others have given you positive alternatives and points of view. Again, this shows your immaturity, your lack of respect for the craft and your attitude of how everyone needs to stop what they're doing and kiss your little hinny... which is a huge fantasy on your part in that it isn't going to happen.

If you are serious about learning MENTALISM then actually read that article and then dive into the study lists. Stop complaining about everything you don't want to do and not being able to find the short cut and just accept the fact that the only way of getting there is the same way everyone else has done it -- long hours of study, practice, experimenting and research... lots of frustration along side joy that becomes self-evident when all that investment starts paying off.

One book not on that list is Paul Brook's ALCHEMICAL TOOLS which I'd strongly recommend for you just so you can see what is expected of the performing Mentalist or, more accurately, Mystery Entertainer. The only reason this book isn't on that list is that it was not yet available when I composed that article.

You are your own worse enemy in this case. I've been rather kind and gentle with you so far as have others. But you are peeing in the pool and no one likes that. Grow Up!

To say that I'm biting my tongue here is an understatement... you've managed to push my buttons gymguy and not in a good way (at this point several people are moving away from their keyboards as Mandrake breaks a cold sweat hoping I'm gentle).

, Really go back one page and read all the posts. These will help you out, especially Craig's posts. Now if your going to shoot down ideas right away, why ask for them? I'm not going to start arguing but you really need to sit down go through this thread, and the "Becoming A Mentalist By Craig Browning" sticky in the Support and Tips section. If your really interested in mentalism, that take his, and many advice, you won't be sorry.

I might just suggest that, if you're desperate for some mentalism you can do NOW, you might have a look at Karl Fulves' book Self-Working Mental Magic, and possibly a book called Mind Magic by Mark Lemezma (which I haven't read but which looks about the same level). Both of these are quite cheap on Amazon.

This will give you something to be getting on with while digesting Craig Browning's advice and working through the "real" stuff.

Wasn't Luke Jermay around 15 when he started performing mentalism?

Craig, do you still love me even though I am child?

Why are you in such a rush to perform mentalism? I honestly don't see anything wrong with a 15 year old performing mentalism as long as you are good and your presentation is good but, it would be a lot harder and expect a butt-whoopin! Although wait until you have at least studied for a couple years, please.

And as for your GPA being a 4.2 I thought the maxiumum was a 4.0...genius absolutley genius.

Take my advice like a grain of salt.

Here is a sum up of all the posts:

Buy: 13 Steps to Mentalism, Practical Mental Magic, and Karl Fulve's Self-working mental magic.

Advice: Don't rush, work on patter more than presentation, if you buy those books than you pretty much can perform this box using a different method.

If your desperate pay money for the box which if you don't like, your stuck with a I forgot the price box.

if you take an AP or honors class and get an A you get .1 added to your GPA

gymguy203 wrote:if you take an AP or honors class and get an A you get .1 added to your GPA

Excellent. Sounds great. I took AP stuff and was not given the extra .1, I guess the system has changed.

goodismyname wrote:Wasn't Luke Jermay around 15 when he started performing mentalism?

yes he was. but he was much older when he started to become good.

and i recon if you asked him, he'd probably agree.

Robbie wrote:Mind Magic by Mark Lemezma

I don't recommend this unless it has gone incredibly cheap. I got it last week as its selling cheap in CD stores now. I quite liked the writing style and the stroke able cover, but the tricks are all stuff you'll find covered in the others.

Jobasha wrote:

Robbie wrote:Mind Magic by Mark Lemezma

I don't recommend this unless it has gone incredibly cheap. I got it last week as its selling cheap in CD stores now. I quite liked the writing style and the stroke able cover, but the tricks are all stuff you'll find covered in the others.

It makes a great mouse mat, but the silver writing comes off on your hand.

Fair enough. I said I hadn't read Mind Magic; I was going on the Amazon pic of the table of contents. It just seemed likely to have some tricks that could be done right away. Would much rather go for Fulves any day.