talkmagic.co.uk

A few ideas to bounce around:

Technically speaking, there are plenty of Mentalism effects which can be used in a walk-around situation. For example a ten minute time slot whilst table-hopping in a restaurant. This is not what I'm asking.

The question then is, do you personally think that it's a good idea?

Obviously this will depend on the character you are portraying, and any claims to power you are making, whether implicitly or explicitly.


What are your opinions and thoughts on the matter?



Just to start things moving:


Personally, I have trouble believing the idea of strolling Mentalism as much as the idea of a strolling Bizarrist or strolling card sharp - fundamentally, if you have access to that kind of power, why are you apparently waiting tables? It's another disbelief to suspend, and one too far for me.

The only exception I might make is some minor ability - maybe something like "Sense of Touch" or an apparently psychological card reading. It's not enough to make millions from, in fact it might even be practice before you take the "skill" to Vegas and clean the place out.

Banachek did it for years with great success, he talks about it one of his PSI series DVD's. Personally, I think that if your persona suits the situation and you choose the right effect then it should work grand. I think PK bending would work great with your silverware, not the restaurants (if you're in a restaurant!).

This: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=q_EjG-Oa3hE has some nice strolling (people on the street, in supermarkets, etc.) mentalism from Marc Paul.

I suppose it all comes down to whether you're identified as being at the venue to do mentalism by the punters or not. If you were also waiting on, I can see the problem, but if you're booked as a turn in your own right, then get yer best black roll necked sweater on and go for it!

One of my major bugbears is that of cutlery bending, then the rest of the set is that of a "psychological illusionist"...whatever that means.

Pendulum work, envelope based truth/lie, psychometry and some OOTW based work - that would happily sit in a walk-around mentalism set in my opinion. Then mixing it in with some occassional swami work, and maybe for just one or two tables, a magic square based thing.

The stuff that is all about those people at the venue, rather than "you".

But i also agree, if you were psychic, why would you even be hawking yourself from table to table? Be classier. Stage. parlour and close-up at a single table, with people seeing you...yes. But there's something about strolling and mentalism within certain contexts that makes it all look implicitly like tricks.

Though, with the right character, imagine someone quite forelorn and almost bedraggled..huffing and puffing away saying "oh...look..my mental ability only works sometimes..i admit - i dont even get two numbers up on the lottery...humour me...someone...ANYONE! PLEASE!"

All with a sly wink, and then do a nice little set of material.

My thoughts at least.

I do it and love it. It goes down well really well at weddings.

Hi there, I'm Craig and I'm a strolling psychic... Oh... I guess the planets aren't lined up right... no, you can't just turn this stuff on and off...

Believability is the key here, that is the goal of the psychic entertainer, not to show off like a trained monkey doing card tricks. I have a deep personal loathing of this relatively new mode of thought in "Mentalism" in that it seriously devalues the craft itself (making it look like a bunch of cheap tricks) and it likewise creates a huge amount of impotency for the "performer", robbing him/her of the psychological advantages "normal" mentalism has used for generations if not eons.

Yes, as with everything, there are exceptions. If you are one that works with that Professor/Researcher angle vs. the mystic warrior. If you are a linguist or expert body language reader, etc. If what you are promoting involves intellectual skill, then I can how certain types of demonstrations are viable and even practical. Not so when you are alluding to any kind of "other-worldly" angle however, for reasons noted in my first line of inferences e.g. you are not going to be mutilating perfectly innocent flatware or speaking to disembodied souls... even telepathy would prove questionable in that these skills don't fit the "intellectual" claim... not typically.

So, there are ways of getting away with such demonstrations that "fit" one's character, but not all of us have the kind of character that lends itself to this type of approach e.g. one must weigh out the who and what of their identity vs. what they demonstrate under said conditions. For me, being a Reader that strolls about and mingles with guest, works... "real" psychics do this but you won't find them doing drawing duplications, bending keys, and some of the other tricks & whistles magicians like to do. As has been pointed out time and again, if you want to be believable study those that claim to be real and follow their lead.

So basically...maybe.

Duplicity wrote:So basically...maybe.

Ah, but then I wasn't after a yes/no... I'm interested in what you think, and why.

Just like any of the time-worn magical debates (uh... Cards in Mentalism for one) there is no correct answer, but there may be an answer that is right for you.

Every answer is correct, but what's really interesting is the thought process you've taken to come to your own conclusion.

My last remark was mainly in relation to Mr. Browning's aeolistic approach to an answer. Nothing more.

It depends on the sort of effect that you're trying to do, some things will work close up and others wont. I've done book tests, muscle reading demonstrations and the odd prediction close up and to some brilliant reactions. These are fairly quick and snappy effects which is why I think they work. Deeper mentalism that requires a build up and some real believability wouldn't work so well as you'd not have the time for the lead in.

I can imagine that a lot of Sankey's 'mentalism' effects from 22 Blows to the Head or Hemispheres would work well in a walkaround environment.

My only real problem with the idea of strolling mentalism is that on occasion, I find myself competing with a DJ, jukebox or general hubbub of a crwded room. I can project quite loudly, but it kills any hope of subtlety. So in those situations I go for very visual effects that don't take much explanation.

I've yet to find many mentalism effects that play well without words.

Pete

Let me put this in a particular context so as not to appear like a trained monkey. I was hired to perform at a small intimate wedding at a medieval priory. The guests specifically asked for a mixture of magic and mentalism. I had small groups of people to work with, and was able tailor a range of routines with the groups with whom I was working. I did some number, book, and card based mental effects, Charles Gauci's body language, and promystic's Multi-dimensional et al.. The setting was great with an open fire, sofas, and mellow music.

I think before we make sweeping generaliations, we need to think about context. I am certainly not in favour of any kind of 'street' mentalism,where you approach people cold and confront them with a little ditty, but a context in which your presence is expected and anticipated, you are booked to do precisely this kind of performance, and your guests enjoy the show. The clients were happy and the venue has asked me back.

I get booked for Magic and I get booked for Mentalism - both gown down extremely well.

Mentailism does have to be believable - and when performed so - gets incredible reactions. There are many good mentalism effects absolutely ideal for strolling.

Having said that when I say strolling - it is normally for weddings or more table based situations.

My current set up is as follows:

Edwardian suit, waistcoat, fob watch, etc.

I carry billets, a peak device, and an impression device.
Gauci's body language or variant using pay enevlopes and coins
Triology Streamline (highly interactive and allows for good group formation/participation)
Multidimensional - can be presented in a range of different ways but requires careful audience management as it provokes such strong reactions.
A book test - currently using either Simon Lea's philosophy book test, or one of the Becker and Earle books, which fit into the inside jacket pocket (again, these get very strong reactions)
Regular deck of bikes (sky is the limit)
PK ring

All of this fits comfortably and is in easy reach. I can adapt and improvise as I move through to different groups of people or tables.

DominicRougier wrote:fundamentally, if you have access to that kind of power, why are you apparently waiting tables? It's another disbelief to suspend, and one too far for me.

How is that any different to being a magician? If you had the ability to transform one thing into another, or to make things disappear (or whatever) why would you be waiting tables?