talkmagic.co.uk

Very well, numbered personage. I shall forgive you. With regard to your Trance Formation book I actually own it and can't understand a word of it. Too many big words I am afraid and I got the impression that the authors were a pair of con men.

I would beg Cardza not to send me his psychobiological book on the grounds that I wouldn't have the patience or desire to read it. What I do at the moment works and works well and I don't want competing theories to screw things up.

My theory that the whole thing is a load of baloney helps me to do the thing properly. When I used to believe it was real I couldn't do the bloody thing. Once I realised the whole thing was a load of hooey people were dropping like flies. I always work better if I know things are crooked.

Even if the whole thing turns out to be genuine after great and terribly posh scientific studies are made on the subject I shall still continue to believe it is baloney because I know I will personally do a better job of things maintaining this belief system.

One of the greatest stage hypnotists of all time told me privately that the whole thing was baloney. He said "I was number one for 35 years and I never "hypnotised" a single person" I then asked him "well how do you get the people to do those crazy things?" He replied "well, you manipulate them, don't you?"

This was a world famous hypnotist that many of you will have heard of. He is now retired from the stage and is a renowned hypnotherapist so I cannot name him.

there is the train of thought that hypnosis doesn't exist, but suggestion does...

but i suppose it does boil down to belief systems...there's surgeons that perform operations on people who are "under" with no form of anaesthetic (or however its spelt)...

yet they dont clasp the surgeon's arm and scream until they gout blood from every orifice...

I always assumed hypnosis was about putting the guy on stage asleep? But hey, being the hypnotist, you obviously have more experience at putting audiences to sleep than me.

Regarding my age Mark, your constant and repeated references to me as ‘The 18 year old from Essex’ forced me to notice the error on my profile. So I updated it. It is not my birthday, nor was it recently. However, referring to me as ‘The 19 year old from Essex’ would be just as patronising.

When it comes down to books and DVD's, I find that magicians nowadays usually streamline themselves into one category or the other – you (having made it very clear) have taken the book approach. Like I said, I believe much can be obtained from both, which is why I specifically do not streamline.

"When you see a video you realise that the fellow teaching you is bloody awful himself and it is somewhat off-putting. It is the blind leading the blind" Personally I would never purchase either a DVD/book off the cuff – I tend to do some research before making a purchase i.e. asking friends with similar interests in magic to me, reviews etc. I’m sure you'd be able to find a wide variety of both magic books and DVDs that are ‘bloody awful’, but this just goes to show you’ve been stung because you haven’t done your research before hand, or just happen to have been unlucky in your purchase. For example, I just purchased one of Criss Angels DVD’s today – Coin Through Soda Can, and it’s been hard to find many bad/average reviews at all. This isn’t to say I’m going to love it personally, but I will be surprised if I find it of below average quality. All trustworthy friends, talkmagic posters, reviews and other sources have raved about it. DVD’s and books that are released that tend to be ‘bloody awful’ will more-often-than-not fare very poorly to their target market, and usually will not sell very well.

This argument regarding books vs DVD’s has been made many times over on this forum, so, if you’d like to continue it, do a search and re-open an old one.

“You need your own patter not someone elses” Completely agree – however, I, like all other magicians borrow lines from others. Upon learning a new routine, I’ll usually take a related story – make it my own, and throw in jokes I’ve picked up along the way. I find the patters provided never usually suit me personally, but listening to others verbally – their methods of suggestive techniques, jokes and verbal misdirection’s allow me to sometimes find a little gem I might like to use in future performances.

Thanks a lot for your longer post i1011i, really informative. I’ll be looking into the books you suggested soon – trance this is sounding most interesting…

I wondered if you or anyone else could suggest a physical hypnosis lecture/course that I could get some info on, and hopefully attend in the not too distant future – stage or close up (if this type exists).

Again, many thanks,

Alex

a google search provided this:
http://www.mindworks.uk.com/website/training.htm

all in all though, if you want to incorporate weerd magic and suggestion/hypnosis (in my opinion) - i'd say try out Trance This! by Kenton...

if you follow all of his advice you will have some very powerful effects at your disposal and most importantly you'll be doing it safely...

Alexander my boy. You ARE a 19 year old from Essex. I am not being patronising (whatever the word means) I am merely stating a fact. Moreover you started the irritation in the first place by being rude to your elders. Please try to improve yourself in the future.

I am quite sure that you have put more audiences to sleep than I have. I can tell from the fact that you have admitted quite openly to my utter horror that you are perfectly happy to purloin other people's patter. I have noted where you say "all other magicians borrow lines from others"

They don't. At least not the good ones. I have never used a line of patter from anyone else in my life and I never shall.

You cannot study videos in the park or a restaurant. Most inconvenient. Books are far better. With regard to me being "stung" from a lack of research I can assure you it is not true. I have never purchased a DVD in my life and barely know what the damn thing is. I only set eyes on one the other day for the first time since abraxus was nagging me about putting my videos onto the dreaded things.

No. I base my assumption that the teachers on these videos are bloody awful because although I have never been daft enough to buy a single video in my life (except the Eddie Tullock one) I have seen many for free and the performer in every single case has been below par. I will agree that this should have no bearing on his teaching ability but it does put me off somewhat. At least in a book you have no evidence of how incompetent they are and you can get on with your studies.

An exception is the Paul Green classic force video which I received recently and I think is worth watching.

However I have no wish to get into a discussion on whether books or videos are the best way to study. I am merely saying the younger generation are in too much of a hurry to learn new tricks and not get a firm foundation of their art. Books give you that foundation. Videos don't.

I have never seen presentation, showmanship or the history of magic adequately described on a video.

As for that horrific Criss Angel that you are quoting as being terribly wonderful I rather think the chap needs a haircut and gets his tattoos removed. I will admit that I don't remember if he actually has tattoos but he seems the type.

Anyway I am amused that you wish to learn hypnosis. In the UK it is only barely legal for the PARTICIPANTS to be 19 years old never mind the hypnotist!

The UK is a difficult place at the moment to perform stage hypnotism. Paul Mc'Kenna has virtually put everyone out of business from what I hear. There has been very bad publicity surrounding the subject in the UK and I hear it is virtually impossible to get insurance. I would personally forge the insurance certificate but some of you will have led sheltered lives and might not wish to go that route.

mark lewis wrote:As for that horrific Criss Angel that you are quoting as being terribly wonderful I rather think the chap needs a haircut and gets his tattoos removed. I will admit that I don't remember if he actually has tattoos but he seems the type.

[moaning]Please let's not talk about tattoos. I have far too many, and I have long hair, and I don't see it being a problem when you perform magic.
The top hat days are over...

Criss Angel created his character around the "gothic" image, and I think it fits his personality... That worked for him...

What's the difference between tattoos and a fez, at the end of the days? Whatever suits your style.

I am not a Criss Angel fan at all, nor of David Blaine, but let's admit that these guys did well, and should be respected for that.[/moaning]

That said, I agree with all the rest you mentionned.

mark lewis wrote:I would beg Cardza not to send me his psychobiological book on the grounds that I wouldn't have the patience or desire to read it. What I do at the moment works and works well and I don't want competing theories to screw things up.

Okey dokey then! I just thought that if you wanted to maintain your stance with accuracy then the best thing to do would be to read as much as you can - every different perspective - so as to enable yourself to form a much better and more valid opinion. But hey, if it works for you at the moment then that's great.

Maybe one for your retirement days then .

I must inform Cardza that I haven't the slightest interest in maintaining my stance with accuracy. I would far rather maintain it with effectiveness. And believing the whole thing is claptrap is the most effective method of all.

As for Jerome I have checked him out and am suitably horrified. The profanity used on that myspace thing is quite tut-tut and I do not approve of it. From his name perhaps he is a Frenchman and that of course would explain everything. I would remind him that they lost at Waterloo.

Magic is an art form and profanity, long hair, tattoos and other horrific monstrosities do not promote the art.

I must say that I long for the return of the days of the top hat.

mark lewis wrote:I must inform Cardza that I haven't the slightest interest in maintaining my stance with accuracy. I would far rather maintain it with effectiveness. And believing the whole thing is claptrap is the most effective method of all.

As for Jerome I have checked him out and am suitably horrified. The profanity used on that myspace thing is quite tut-tut and I do not approve of it. From his name perhaps he is a Frenchman and that of course would explain everything. I would remind him that they lost at Waterloo.

Magic is an art form and profanity, long hair, tattoos and other horrific monstrosities do not promote the art.

I must say that I long for the return of the days of the top hat.

Maybe we should hang you on a public place.
Yes we lost at Waterloo, but I don't remember you being there. So maybe you should not mention these sort of things. Also, we go further than you when it comes to football world cup... And you guys kinda cherish French footballers, and French cuisine, and French culture...

Anyway...

You wouldn't remember me being there because you are not old enough.

However I was and I well remember your great grandfather who was in the battle. A most unsightly gentleman with long hair and tattoos doing rather bad card tricks during the battle which quite unsettled many in the British army and forced them to surrender to the French.

Still we beat you anyway.

Now in my capacity as a psychic reverend and spiritualist medium I have been in touch with Robert Houdin the father of French magic to see what he thinks of you.

I sent him a psychic vision of you and your tattoos and long hair and he muttered something about turning in his grave. I quite spoiled his day.

Mark, I am glad the idea of a 19-year-old hypnotist amuses you. Further amusing is an

mark lewis wrote: unmitigated genius

unable to comprehend the word ‘patronising’. The term seems to illustrate your character precisely. Perhaps you should leave your audio tapes and video cassettes for the time being, drop this attempt to write a book and invest in an Oxford English Dictionary. I will also add that DVD’s CAN in fact now be watched on PSP's, IPOD's, hand-held and portable DVD players and laptops - in the park, restaurant or wherever else it is the elderly occupy these days. I can, however, understand how a person such as you can omit such technological advances as this. Lines of communication are few-and-far-between beneath rocks, stones, boulders and other such orifices you choose to dwell beneath.

I must say that I do find it very surprising that in all of your acts, be they mentalism, hypnotism, tarot card readings or close-up-magic, that not one story line or joke or other form of patter has been even in the slightest sense, pinched.

And when exactly did I quote Mr Angel as 'being terribly wonderful'. Unlike yourself, I have had no free DVD viewings of every other magician under the great sun, and would not pass judgement before seeing him perform.

I have indeed seen this Angel person on television and recoiled in great horror. So you cannot say that I have not seen him. I have and he was most horrific. I will concede that he probably has a market which consists of tattooed youngsters and soccer hooligans.

I must inform this impertinent child from Essex that I have utterly no idea what PSPs, IPODs and laptops are. They sound most inconvenient ways of studying and are no doubt contaminated with heavy metal music and suchlike.

As for pinching lines and bits of patter from other performers I can assure him that it is the lazy way of learning magic. I have never found the need to do it. It is like wearing a suit that doesn't fit you.

I do not need a dictionary as the impudent young man suggests. I rather think my command of the English language is somewhat superior to that of a rude teenager from Essex. After all I have been speaking and writing it far longer than he has.

I would suggest that if he wishes to learn stage hypnotism he should cease to bang his gums together and listen to someone who actually knows something about it. I can advise him if I choose and I may do so. However making rude remarks is not the way to get on my good side. If anyone wishes to go back over this thread it will be seen that the FIRST rude remarks were made from Essex and not from Toronto.

I never attack anyone unless they attack me first. I expect children to know their place and not disturb the class if they wish to learn. I shall see if the urchin decides to improve himself. If he does so I will advise him and everyone else how to go about learning stage hypnotism.

It is indeed harder for a 19 year old but by the time he learns how to do it he will be 20 anyway and the problem will be easier to handle. The trouble is that if he looks too young on stage he may not be taken seriously by the audience and he will lack the prestige necessary to get the job done. However it is still possible but somewhat more difficult.

It is a matter of trust. Who would you prefer to be hypnotised by? A 19 year old or someone who looks more mature and experienced?

Now do you wish to know how to go about learning stage hypnosis or not?

Mr Lewis, my most confused friend and ally! I did not say that you have not seen Criss Angel perform. As far as I know he's market mainly consists of magicians.

PSPs, IPODs and laptops, and other forms of conveniently watching DVD's can actually be highly convenient, being able to snugly fit in ones pocket, and can in fact be contaminated with whatever music one wishes!

My apologies if you regarded my comments concerning the video cassettes/DVD’s/audio cassettes/dwelling under rocks, boulders, pebbles and other similar habitats matter, as an outright attack. This was not my original intention, and I thought this was illustrated via the smiley faces, 'LOL' (a highly utilised acronym on the internet meaning to 'laugh out loud') and 'hehe'. This is merely banter, that goes on a lot on these forums, but I shall obviously have to curb such behaviour with certain members if I am to impart on their unmitigated genius. Again, my humble apologies.

I do strongly agree with your point regarding my age though - no doubt audience members would feel more comfortable with a more aged, and experienced looking gentlemen, but I'm sure this can be surpassed if I or other 19/20 year old stage hypnotists can come off with enough confidence in themselves.

As for this impertinent young urchin child from Essex (whoever he is) he seems now ready to learn stage hypnotism. Please impart your wisdom on such a lowly mortal, and one day, perhaps he too will pass on such invaluable information unto an insolent, impudent and audacious young 19-year-old male from Toronto.

Alex
[/quote]

mark lewis wrote:You wouldn't remember me being there because you are not old enough.

However I was and I well remember your great grandfather who was in the battle. A most unsightly gentleman with long hair and tattoos doing rather bad card tricks during the battle which quite unsettled many in the British army and forced them to surrender to the French.

ha ha ha...
How would you know that I wasn't there? Maybe I was. If you could have been there, well, me too.

mark lewis wrote:Now in my capacity as a psychic reverend and spiritualist medium I have been in touch with Robert Houdin the father of French magic to see what he thinks of you.

I sent him a psychic vision of you and your tattoos and long hair and he muttered something about turning in his grave. I quite spoiled his day.

I too have special psychic powers. I don't care what he thinks of me to be honest. I wasn't the stoopid one asking to be punched in the stomach.
Your village called, and they's like their "special" gifted (=needs) boy back.
On your way!

I shall answer the impudent child from Essex later since I have to go out and do a show.

However I cannot allow this silly young French monstrosity to get away with his statement about Robert-Houdin being "punched in the stomach".

He wasn't. That was Houdini. The ironic thing is that he was punched in Montreal where they all speak frog language.

I rather think that if this Gallic twit wishes to proceed in the art of magic he should study it's history first and get his facts straight. Monsieur Houdin agrees with me and is quite upset at being mistaken for Houdini since he doesn't like the chap on account of the b***** stealing his name and writing a nasty book about him. He doesn't speak to him in the spirit world and he certainly won't be speaking to you either when you get there.

Furthermore he informs me that tattoos and long hair are not allowed in the spirit world and since he is in charge of the French section he will make sure the rules are enforced when you arrive there.