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  1. Craig Browning

    How is this done

    This is a rather "old" bit of business. Do some research on the routine and you'll find it.
  2. Craig Browning

    switching to mentalism

    There are those within the deeper auspices of Mentalism that would say that "No Real Mentalist Ever Uses Playing Cards!" The reason they say that is that a.) There is a psychological factor around cards in the public mind that basically says "It has to be a card trick" -- this is the public's...
  3. Craig Browning

    switching to mentalism

    I think you may want to explore Urban~Shamanism given how you describe your perspectives on things. There will be a book coming out on that subject in the spring that I and Art Vanderlay have been working on with contributions by the Who's Who of the industry.
  4. Craig Browning

    switching to mentalism

    If you're wondering about slights specifically, John Riggs put out a book many years ago about "Essential Slights for Mentalists" that you may want to look into. . . why anyone would point you towards RRCM is beyond me; Card Tricks are NOT Mentalism they are, at best, Mental Magic in today's...
  5. Craig Browning

    Back to the 50's

    Classic bits from that era (and given the atmosphere you describe) include Thimble, Ring & String, Coins, Cigarettes (were really a big deal back then) as well as "Playboy" styled routines that could involve everything from working with a Dye Tube to producing a Martini. Sponge was used back in...
  6. Craig Browning

    Insect Magic

    There have been a handful of guys produce a variety of insects by way of Thumb Tips, Sonata Gimmicks, etc. but most such work, especially with a larger bug, involve a secret steal be it a body load or convenient servante.
  7. Craig Browning

    Mentalist Stage Show

    Actually, how much experience do you have on stage working with a real audience? Mentalism IS NOT the same as doing magic, it requires some serious showmanship skills as well as people management ability; being able to size folks up so you have an informed idea as to who will be best for this...
  8. Craig Browning

    Creative magic consultants

    Not to burst your bubble and enthusiasm but there are some realities you seem to be ignoring. Firstly, getting TV air time means that a.) you need to be novel enough to warrant the attention; b.) you have some level of following extant; c.) you have some decent money behind you. Fame now days...
  9. Craig Browning

    Imp Devices

    13 Steps; Mind, Myth & Magic and you'll find some ideas in the Bob Cassidy treatise on the Principia if I remember correctly. It's not all that hard though some of the materials used have changed.
  10. Craig Browning

    Question about sleights ?

    Do yourself a huge favor and don't start with playing cards, learn the basics of actual slight-of-hand with balls, coins, thimbles, etc. before you move into playing cards. The best analogy I can give you is that in martial arts we found that it is much easier to teach a boxer how to use his...
  11. Craig Browning

    Impossible Voodoo Ash trick

    Understand "Pre-Show" actions can take place weeks and even months ahead of a particular program. I have a technique that allows me to glean information on guests attending a private function, for example, in which I know facts about patrons up to 3 months in advance. This is not an approach...
  12. Craig Browning

    What should if go after next?

    You start early by learning the basics of magic and showmanship while generating personal experience at that level; it's "conditioning" in many ways and guards against several key "issues" that come up such as lost confidence due to one's inability to present a given effect (psychological forces...
  13. Craig Browning

    How do I get gigs?

    Here's the step nearly everyone forgets to do before they head out to get shows -- THEY DON'T HAVE A SHOW. First Question should be "What Market Is Practical To Me Now?" We're not talking about the demographic that you want to work in but what niche is easiest for you to fill given your...
  14. Craig Browning

    Impossible Voodoo Ash trick

    Hate to break it to you but he has to have knowledge of the name well ahead of time or else you are missing a part of the presentation. There is no other explanation. So what would be the options? The biggest explanation is that someone within the group already knew the answer/name and tipped...
  15. Craig Browning

    What should if go after next?

    DEVIL'S ADVOCATE HERE. . . Stay Away from Mentalism until you have the basics of magic down pat i.e. slight-of-hand in general (card basics, coins, balls, etc.) and you have managed to get some experience presenting and performing traditional magic. Why Do I Say This? You ask Because...
  16. Craig Browning

    How do you express your character?

    Sophistication is a challenge for persons that were not raised in a social world where things like etiquette and political tact are taught via osmosis -- the environment in which you were raise. That's not to say you can't develop such an image but it takes some serious dedication, attending...
  17. Craig Browning

    What do you think we have lost within magic?

    Magic and most any performing art form can be a lonely path initially but you are never alone even though you might be isolated. I'm no longer able to do a lot of traveling due to health issues and so I rarely have the chance to get together with a group to cuss & discuss any given topic. But...
  18. Craig Browning

    Something Different

    For starters I've seen Ring routines that totally astound audiences but it's more due to the performer, their personality and the character they bring to the table. If the reactions you get are weak then look at how you present the material and how you interact with your audience -- how do you...
  19. Craig Browning

    What do I do?

    I can certainly understand wanting to specialize in a given field but here's the problem; many start with cards and rarely progress beyond that scene, they become addicted to knuckle busting vs. being an entertainer (the latter of which rarely employs those more technical techniques). There's...
  20. Craig Browning

    Halloween Magic

    As a rule of thumb you want to plan on theme material around a holiday at least two months in advance. A major holiday such as Halloween can take more than year to create a show around and ideally, you are pitching it to get it booked several months in advance. I'm working with a client right...
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