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Hello,

I currently just do card magic, but I'm sort of intrigued by the whole mentalism/mind-reading area simply because of its (arguably) more profound effect on lay people. I haven't done any mentalism before, though I've read a bit of Anneman's Practical Mental Magic and Craig Browning's intro. My question is this: how much of mentalism requires gimmicks/props, etc.? From the stuff I've read, a lot of it seems to require certain tools or materials (I'm trying not to give too much away: I'm sure you understand what I mean). In Anneman's book a lot of it seems to be based on this. I was wondering whether something like Corinda's 13 Steps to Mentalism has more mental effects which don't require that many props. Namely because I don't own any. However, I want to concentrate on card magic for the minute, so if I used any mentalism I'd probably integrate it into card routines.

Thanks

Hi,

There's quite a lot to say in reply to this, as it is quite a big topic and raises several questions. Hopefully I can provide some help though!

The simple answer: There is tonnes of mental material that requires minimal props, arguably more than there is propless magic.

Mentalism lends itslef very well to a no-prop presentation as you are supposed to be reading minds, so why would you need some special "stuff" to do this? In fact there are many purist mentalists who would pretty much never use props at all, aside from bits of paper and pens. Also there are many effects that use NO PROPS AT ALL! Which I don't think you could say about much magic?

I have to say I'm not exactly sure what props you are referring to, since in Anneman's PMM there are literally dozens of effects that require nothing more than paper, pens and possibly envelopes. The whole chapters on billets and envelope necromancy for example.

13 steps is in a similar vein, so I wouldn't rush out to buy it if all you are looking for is more tricks and less props. Although again, not that many proppy effects spring to mind in either!

MY recommendation, based on your comments/questions would be to continue with the card stuff for a bit more first. Perhaps throw in some mental themed card tricks (of which there are a number in both PMM and 13 steps) and continue to read the mentalism books in the meantime as it sounds like you still need to study them properly. Mentalism CAN have a more profound impact, but ONLY if presented properly and naturally, and usually not when incorporated into card routines (where it might be seen as just another "trick"). Therefore it should be considered carefully beforehand and very well practiced as simple as it may seem on paper.

Some good "mental" card effects:
Dead Reckoning - John Bannon - Dear Mr Fantasy
Sympathy for the Devil - Paul Vigil
Lots of Simon Aronson stuff
Some great stuff in The Card Magic of Nick Trost

The most common props in mentalism are pen and paper. After that, cards and coins, or card- and coin-like items (business cards, poker chips, small trinkets), and books.

There are special mentalism props, some of which are more generally useful than others, but none of them are vital.

Similarly, being able to do basic card and coin manipulation (palming, etc.) opens up more possibilities, but there's plenty of mentalism that doesn't involve any special moves.

I'd suggest starting with Karl Fulves' Self-Working Mental Magic, which doesn't require anything you don't already have.

Well. . . I wouldn't over stress the "cards" part of things, that tends to be magicians wanting to cling on to old habits. . . at least that's how one aspect of the Mentalism world sees it. If you find a card routine scenario you like and can apply to Mentalism (or Bizarre Magick) then figure a way of doing it with something other than playing cards, use Post Cards, Business Cards, Match Books, Photos. . . anything but a deck of playing cards unless you have a handling and presentation that's absolutely clean. . . that leaves you with maybe a doze or two such bits and most of them are questionable.

I'm not saying to abstain completely from Playing Cards mind you, just that you shouldn't be overly dependent when it comes to the use of them. In the mind of most laymen you will be viewed as a Magician so long as you do card trick after card trick and the demonstrations will typically be seen as nothing more than a great card trick. . . that's literally what they call it, not a "Mental Miracle"

As my treatise points out there are several different tracks to take and too, different schools of thought. Even those that wish to go with the current trend of being an "investigator" or "expert" of some sort can borrow on esoteric association and vice-versa, those of us that take that darker course with things can exploit the technical areas used as the backdrop of the pseudo-rationalists. The catch is, you need to find what "fits" you best; to look at your life, your interests, etc. and allow those things to help mold your character and general persona.

As noted, the best store for getting Mentalism props is a Stationary or Office Supply store like Staples or Office Max. The actual gimmicks, such as a swami writer, you can make at home for about $1.00, maybe $2.00. the special clip-boards can likewise be made quite easily for less than $5.00 and other than maybe some blank index cards and a box of golf pencils, that's pretty much all you NEED. . . but that's the rub, there are other nifty odds & ends available depending on your interest; devices for PK type effects probably top the list now days (and be prepared to do a lot of practice), there are a number of electronic devices but to be honest, very few working pros use them simply because they can and do fail when you least want to have such things happen. There's one noted performer who could not deliver a show one night because over 90% of his program relied on electronics and he had few actual working skills that every student of Mentalism should have mastered. Electronic gadgets are nice show pieces that can add to an act in some special manner but should never be a thing you can't work without or around should it malfunction during a performance.

Feel free to IM me should you have any additional questions.

Craig Browning wrote:There's one noted performer who could not deliver a show one night because over 90% of his program relied on electronics and he had few actual working skills that every student of Mentalism should have mastered.

Did the laws of physics fail to work that day?

The best impromptu bit of mentalism is to do a good reading. Palmistry is great; everyone has a palm. And it has a great impact, far in excess of a magic trick.

The best resources are Paul Voodini's Palmistry for Magicians, or Juliann Moore's speed palmistry system.

Palmistry may transcend a magic trick but I will never ever act as if I can tell some naieve person's future.Not only would I feel dreadfully uncomfortable doing this,it would also go against every moral fibre in my body.

Horses for courses I guess.I don't want the post to be meant as an attack

As soon as you treat life as black and white, the more boring it becomes. Mentalism happened and existed way before Annemann did (not that he ever claimed it was 'his').

In my opinion, mentalism is about connections and doing away with any phsyical prop. If cards are used - they are out of the way before any kind of proclamation is delivered. Tarot does not mean what you may think it means.

In mentalism - there are no convinient barriers to hide behind. Its about person to person.

Flood wrote:Palmistry may transcend a magic trick but I will never ever act as if I can tell some naieve person's future.Not only would I feel dreadfully uncomfortable doing this,it would also go against every moral fibre in my body.

Horses for courses I guess.I don't want the post to be meant as an attack

I concentrate on character readings with palmistry, claims of predicting the future aren't necessary. But wouldn't suggest doing something your uncomfortable with as it'll likely show in your act. As has been suggested the Karl Fulves may be a good purchase, as you said you want to do cards and I believe a chunk of it is on mental magic card tricks.

The Karl Fulves biok is a great book to get you going, its full of easy to do effects that don't really need anything special at all.

Craig Browning wrote:blah blah blah. something not many people actually paid attention to

Lady of Mystery wrote:The Karl Fulves book is a great book to get you going, its full of easy to do effects that don't really need anything special at all.

And won.

Flood wrote:Palmistry may transcend a magic trick but I will never ever act as if I can tell some naieve person's future.Not only would I feel dreadfully uncomfortable doing this,it would also go against every moral fibre in my body.

Horses for courses I guess.I don't want the post to be meant as an attack

For starters, if you think divination is forecasting the future, you've proven how much you don't know about it. Go and actually study the systems and work with them. Learn about their history and actual purpose vs. the mythos and lore.

Most Divination was used as a way to help "leaders" as well as the commoner, make decisions. In times long past it was believed that one was responsible for his or her actions and any action we took that would bring about extreme harm & loss to others, was irresponsible and immoral (it would be interesting to see this ancient concept brought back into today's business & political worlds, wouldn't it?) The Seer's and Diviners would be contacts to help one make these pressing decisions of offering an alternative point of view and "what if" situations NOT to forecast the future. . . that's Hollywood, myth and religious disinformation that's been mis-applied by ignorant individuals that do Readings in storefronts.

The ONLY Immorality behind it is when we are not Reading the actual system we claim to be using. If I claim to be Reading the Tarot then I'm only using the methods ascribed to that specific system and frequently, that specific deck (in that certain decks do have alternative associations).

When it comes to "Psychic Entertainment" (which is what most Mentalists considered themselves well into the early 1980's) the Reading issue changes a bit and the above limitations are removed -- we have permission to cheat our butts off in that we are there as ENTERTAINERS. A look at Mentalism's older history however, sustains the FACT that doing private Readings as well as bits from the stage, was common and practically expected as part of a post-show offering (BORS); Larsen, Doctors Q & A alongside Nelson and other such icons ALL did Readings as do Richard Webster and dozens of other contemporaries many of us look up to. . . and that includes private sessions as well as mail correspondences.

If you want to scream morality or charlatan objections on this sort of thing then do so AFTER you have a bit of genuine foundation that covers both sides of the issue rather than blindly embracing the current bias trends (most of which are less than a dozen years in pronounced promotion).

Being a solid Reader is the bread & butter of Mentalism and like it or not, it's what the public generally wants to experience -- they're selfish that way, they want to hear about themselves, not what you can do. Unfortunately today's Mentalism is inundated by magicians that want to show off rather than understand this sort of nuance when it comes to the craft; mentalism is not the same thing as magic. It's a kindred art form just as juggling, true escape artistry and even puppetry/ventriloquism are, but it is NOT one in the same.

Sorry for going so far off topic but I felt some clarification was needed on this point; a view that included the older realities around Mentalism that keep getting swept under the carpet.

kolm wrote:Did the laws of physics fail to work that day?

Is it against the laws of physics for signals to be disrupted, delicate items to break or for luggage to be lost? Three ways a mentalist who relies solely on gadgetry could come a cropper, and there are others (lost receivers, flat batteries, etc.).

kolm wrote:

Craig Browning wrote:There's one noted performer who could not deliver a show one night because over 90% of his program relied on electronics and he had few actual working skills that every student of Mentalism should have mastered.

Did the laws of physics fail to work that day?

Maybe I'm missing the point, but surley that would be the best possible thing that could happen to a magician?

SamGurney wrote:

kolm wrote:

Craig Browning wrote:There's one noted performer who could not deliver a show one night because over 90% of his program relied on electronics and he had few actual working skills that every student of Mentalism should have mastered.

Did the laws of physics fail to work that day?

Maybe I'm missing the point, but surley that would be the best possible thing that could happen to a magician?

Well, no one would appreciate it though...