talkmagic.co.uk

Eshly what people are saying to you is dead right, you're constantly asking what about this, what about that? Stop, step backwards and actually learn what you're doing. Learn and practice, practice and learn there's not point buying all this (what is usually rubbish) stuff when you odn't know how to perform with it. Yes you probably think you can but it was only a couple of weeks ago that you were asking about swamis and imp pads, after a couple of weeks there's no way that you can even have begun to scratch the surface with the possibilities of either of those. Learn the tools that you've got and when you think you've got them learnt go back and learn some more.

It might sound harsh but it's the only way that you can develop. You can't have it all at once, it takes time. I've been playing this game for 4 years and still am no where near mastering much of it.

Eshly wrote:Does anyone have any further suggestions?

Spend it on clothes, chocolate, put it towards a car, buy a Blu-Ray player, spend it on drugs (ok, maybe not that one...).





SLOW down. There is more to life than magic, and your trying to do too much all at once. Instead of buying everything on a whim, sit down and do your research (by that I dont mean just post a topic on Talk Magic, I mean do a lot or research) before buying everything, then that way you will end up with a nice 3 of 4 effect routine to work with.

I know this probably the answer your looking for, but you should listen.

Mark

Eshly wrote:For example there is a prediction I make where the prediction is an ambigram, which later reveals a second prediction, which was written in UV writing on the back wall.

Sounds nice...How many times have you performed this effect live to an audience?

I'd also agree with our Dirty friend in his post above I've been involved in this art for almost ten years (I was a very late starter!) and only got into mentalism in the last 4 years or so. It took me that long to find a Swami gimmick that I like - you may have seen my posts on the topic a few months back (for this interested - I finally decided on a TT style one!) and now I can see myself spending the foreseeable future developing effects using that. I also dusted off the old 'living and dead' routine from Tarbell over the Christmas period to great effect and, as such, I reckon I could get a good 15-20 minute act together just putting the two things together.

I wouldn't presume to tell you what to do with your money and I enjoy reading your posts but I would strongly advise against spending and spending on effects/DVDs, etc. If you're serious about performing on stage, spend some of the money on travelling to see other performers and see if you can learn anything from their performance style.

cheers,


Sean

Klangster1971 wrote:I wouldn't presume to tell you what to do with your money and I enjoy reading your posts but I would strongly advise against spending and spending on effects/DVDs, etc. If you're serious about performing on stage, spend some of the money on travelling to see other performers and see if you can learn anything from their performance style.

cheers,


Sean

...actually thats good advice!

Wow... em... does anyone know where I can travel to, and find the bookings for various Mentalists? Problem is I live in Newcastle, and I imagine most are down south, but it would be worth the trip.

And on a side note; for the people asking me why I ask about Imp pads, swami's ect... I do already have them, but not good ones. I am currantly very unhappy with my TT swami, and am hoping to get an LBB and see if that works any better for example.

Mark Waddington wrote:SLOW down. There is more to life than magic, and your trying to do too much all at once. Instead of buying everything on a whim, sit down and do your research (by that I dont mean just post a topic on Talk Magic, I mean do a lot or research) before buying everything, then that way you will end up with a nice 3 of 4 effect routine to work with.

I know this probably the answer your looking for, but you should listen.

Yes, listen to what the man said!

Even if money is not an issue, too much stuff will just confuse you, as it did me and countless others.

I started spending lots of money on tricks and gimmicks that I am never gonna use. Apart from a few gimmicked decks that are useful, I concentrate now mostly on basic moves, and a little from 13 Steps and Anneman. And above all: Presentation! You probably allready know how to do enough tricks to be a very good performer - you probably know methods that made the reputation of some of the best. Unfortunately it is not the tricks that makes the performer good, but only his performance.

I am not very good yet, but I already see enormous perspectives in simple moves. The card index in 13 Steps, for instance, can make the basis of a thousand wildly different effects. Variation in your performance is not about varying your method, but about varying you performance, your revelations and you speech.

That is what I have learned so far, anyway. Patience must you have, young padawan... Patience.

- CB

On second thoughts, I have a whole bunch of assorted magic props that I am willing to part with for... uhm... 120£

I recommend that you buy that. It is uhm... very surefire and right under their noses-ish, and it will make you a top class mentalist in no time with no practice. Really top shelf mentalism.

Books are for wankers anyway... the real pros buy their tricks packaged and ready to perform out of the box. And if they absolutely need to get "studious", they might watch a dvd. With street magic. Yo, iz so kewl an down wif da homies, dawg.

Eshly, I think in an earlier thread you said you were somewhere on the autistic spectrum. Being there myself, I may have an inkling where you're coming from, at least in part.

It's that autistic bugbear, perseveration. Not really obsession, not really addiction, but something in the same area. It can take you over completely for a time -- from a few hours to weeks or months or even longer. You know what I mean, even if the others around here don't. You get driven, even a little bit manic.

It took me to the age of about 45 to be able to recognise when I'm doing it, and even now I can't always manage to shake it off when it hits, so I don't blame you at all for not handling it like an expert at 17.

I know it's hard not to let yourself be driven by it. REALLY hard, almost painful. But you will, honestly, feel better in the long run if you work on mastering it. 'Cos it will be with you all your life, so you really need to find a way to live with it and not let it rule you.

If the cash is burning a hole in your pocket, then find a decent long-term investment and tuck it away where you can't get at it very easily. I wish I'd done that when I was feeling flush at 17!

Go back to your Corinda and Annemann and Fulves. If you don't have the Jinx, then certainly go ahead and get the Lybrary compilation -- and remember that it contains seven years of material! Read, digest, and mull over the basics. Work out how they can be applied to your chosen performance persona.

What's even harder, try to ignore things that can't be applied to your persona. You said you're concentrating on a realistic theme of "what the human mind can do with proper training" -- memory, body language reading, psychological manipulation, etc. How does a PK ring fit into that? (I can think of a few ways, but will leave it to you as an exercise.)

Robbie wrote:Eshly, I think in an earlier thread you said you were somewhere on the autistic spectrum. Being there myself, I may have an inkling where you're coming from, at least in part.

It's that autistic bugbear, perseveration. Not really obsession, not really addiction, but something in the same area. It can take you over completely for a time -- from a few hours to weeks or months or even longer. You know what I mean, even if the others around here don't. You get driven, even a little bit manic.

It took me to the age of about 45 to be able to recognise when I'm doing it, and even now I can't always manage to shake it off when it hits, so I don't blame you at all for not handling it like an expert at 17.

I know it's hard not to let yourself be driven by it. REALLY hard, almost painful. But you will, honestly, feel better in the long run if you work on mastering it. 'Cos it will be with you all your life, so you really need to find a way to live with it and not let it rule you.

If the cash is burning a hole in your pocket, then find a decent long-term investment and tuck it away where you can't get at it very easily. I wish I'd done that when I was feeling flush at 17!

Go back to your Corinda and Annemann and Fulves. If you don't have the Jinx, then certainly go ahead and get the Lybrary compilation -- and remember that it contains seven years of material! Read, digest, and mull over the basics. Work out how they can be applied to your chosen performance persona.

What's even harder, try to ignore things that can't be applied to your persona. You said you're concentrating on a realistic theme of "what the human mind can do with proper training" -- memory, body language reading, psychological manipulation, etc. How does a PK ring fit into that? (I can think of a few ways, but will leave it to you as an exercise.)

Can I just say it is an honour to read your post; its full of warmth and undersatanding. Thank you


Yes I am autistic, Aspergic pacifically, which is a form of autism. And yes I get obsessive. Magic has taken over my life for the past year or so, day and night. And I find it odd that you should say "a bit manic"... because I am also Manic Depressive (Bipolar).

I feel this need to be good, great in fact. I want to be terrific performer - don't get me wrong, I am under no delusions, I am not a terrific performer yet, I can present the tricks quite well, and pull them off perfectly, but there is still much I need to learn and practice - but I have this burning need to master the art.

I feel quietly confident that I will one day do well; I'm sure you know what the befits of autistic intelligence and determination (by which I mean generally being a nerd) can do. But perhaps your right...

Maybe it is taking over my life :s




Tom
xx

ah, i didnt know that about you...

in which case, why not pick a step from corinda, spend a whole month learning everything you can from that chapter, practicing, performing, then altering the presentation more and more until its your own unique take on it...

one chapter a month...see it as a challenge...start with the swami when you get your lincoln...

we are only saying save your money, because how you view and perform magic and mentalism can change suddenly, without you being aware of it as such...we are trying to help you save that money, so you can invest it in something more worthwhile and will genuinely help you in the future. for now, use your unique abilities to absorb and learn from each of corinda's steps...

A good thing might be to watch some younger accomplished magicians in shows, to see that you don't have to be older, and so you can see some alternate presentations.

There is an attractive young mind reader with a show march 5th in Swansea. Apparently it is brilliant.

www.chris-beard.co.uk

spend your money on a ticket and travel

i think his real name is Derren Dunford-Brook?

Beardy wrote:A good thing might be to watch some younger accomplished magicians in shows, to see that you don't have to be older, and so you can see some alternate presentations.

There is an attractive young mind reader with a show march 5th in Swansea. Apparently it is brilliant.

www.chris-beard.co.uk

spend your money on a ticket and travel

I'm still hoping to get to Swansea for March, O Beardy One. Trains and hotels permitting.

If I do travel to Swansea for March the 5th, is the any chance of me meeting fellow Mentalists there?

I know I'd love to get to sit and have a chat over some drinks with some other Mentalists, because that could help my carrier more than anything. (apart from whatever gimmick Derren brown is using to change the serial numbers of notes) :p


Tom
xx

Beardy stop whoring your wares !!!

I must add though that watching others perform has opened my eyes and given me huge amounts of help.

But (as a wise one once said to me) nothing preps you for performance better than just getting out there and doing it.

F x

FairieSnuff wrote:Beardy stop whoring your wares !!!

And stop wearing your... er, on second thoughts, perhaps not...