talkmagic.co.uk

Hello!

So I always enjoy effects in which spectators are the ones that somehow guess the things they couldn't possibly know.
Here are some of the effects I find very interesting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFFVJAR5AD0

Do you know of any effects similar to those?

I'd think you'd recognize the first bit as being a form of psychological control, which is actually the primary means by which to do what you're asking about (see the Banachek series "Psychological Subtleties") though there are other techniques the most loathsome being the "Instant Stooge" -- fine if you are a magician creating a gag bit but I personally believe it's a very poor method when you are doing straight mentalism . . . and yes, I'm fully aware the Hull, Dunninger and others have used such things. Nonetheless, I think it's the quickest way to destroy any believability one has created in the audience mind.

In the PSI Series DVDs Banachek has a bit that I absolutely love on Disc 3 in which he has audience members team up, one person serving as the sender of a thought and the other as the receiver. He's only use Psych Forces but the effect is the the team members are picking up on one another's thoughts. It's a powerful bit of business, especially when you toss in the nuances that stack the statistical image to your advantage, making it appear the more people had success than not.

I know that Rick Maue has a couple of bits of this sort but I can't recall the names of the routines, he checks in here every once in a while or you can find him on Face Book. . . then again, someone here may know which bits I'm thinking of. The other guy to check out is Patrick Redford, I know he loves playing with dual reality type scenarios that lean in this direction.

PENDULUMS and teaching people how to work with one, is an awesome way to covertly employ Muscle Reading in a way that makes it appear that one audience member is divining the thoughts of another (who happens to be touching them). I think this is covered in the Banacheck book "Psychophysiological Thought Reading" but not absolutely positive, someone here may be able to clarify that for you but my mind is out to lunch at the moment. Fact is, Muscle Reading can be done by a person who's none-the-wiser if you set things up properly but it is an advanced technique you really need to work at because of the people management skills required and too, it's not something that is 100% when it comes to working.

I wish I could be a bit more concise but hopefully I've at least given you a running start on things.

I'm sorry Craig for a late response, I was away for a while. These are some great tips that you give here. I'm familiar with most of Banachek books and videos but I haven't read Psychophysiological Thought Reading yet, I'll definitely need to check it out.

I never tried pedulums. I know there are some great routines out there. Maybe it's time to learn something new?

Thanks again, all the best for you!