talkmagic.co.uk

So, it's very early morning here in the UK but I've been thinking.....

I did a show before Christmas where one of the 'drunken' specs indavertently blurted out the name of an actor that I was about to reveal another spec was thinking of. I managed to turn this around and make a blinding bit of 'third party mind reading' whereby I didn't even need to get involved - it was great fun.

So now I'm thinking that I'd like to include something similar in a more controlled manner. I can get the audience member to thinking of an actor (or whatever) and seal the name. I will get them to keep hold of that throughout the show. Near the end of the show, I will have a volunteer on stage and, just after I've finished an effect with her, I will then get her to reveal the name of the actor the other audience member has been thinking of throughout the show.

Now, my query is this - how do I convey the information to my volunteer on stage in such a way that it's undetectable to the audience? This may be better done on PM but I was thinking of having a double sided whiteboard that I use to make predictions. During the routine, I can give myself plenty of time and cover to write the actors name down on one side of the board and then flip it over. I was thinking of making a prediction while the volunteer is onstage and then using the whiteboard to verify this - and show it to the audience. Then, as I turn to my volunteer, I would flip the board over so she would see "THE ACTOR'S NAME IS...." This might confuse her slightly but whilst the audience are still applauding the previous effect, I would put her at ease and then, just before sending her back to her seat, 'remember' the other audience member and get her to reveal the actor in question. Of course, if she fails to do it - I can always step in and get it right myself.

So, that's the idea - just wondering if there is a more elegant way of getting the info to my volunteer. I was thinking along the lines of the method used in the 'Zapped' chair routine but I'm not sure I'd be able to write the information down undetected...

Anyway - any thoughts?

cheers,

Sean

PM'd you.

Luke Jermay's 'emotional intelligence' has a way of getting person A reading person B's thoughts.

I thought of using the method from 'EI' but was really looking for a way where I don't have to say anything at all....

However, that will certainly be a good 'Plan B'

cheers,


Sean

Kenton Knepper's "Q". Nuff sed.

Hmmmm that book looks to be just the ticket! However, with some messing around with some homemade double-side whiteboards I think I've worked out a method that I'm happy with. Will definitely put the Kenton book on my 'to-buy' list

I think I've identified two effects that I can modify and stitch together to make quite a strong 5 minute routine.

I'll keep tinkering and let you all know how I get on.

Thanks for all your help and suggestions!

Sean