Do you label yourself a magician?

[romeo sierra]

Although I've admittedly only been doing professional mentalism for a year or so, I've honestly never had any trouble with the title "mentalist" before. Even if people have never heard the term prior to seeing my act, I find that they're often intelligent enough to still understand the gyst of what it means. The word MENTAL is in the title, itself, for crying out loud! I'm willing to bet that if someone were asked to say what came to mind when he heard the word mentalist, he wouldn't be too off the mark with his hapossible responses: psychic, mind reader, someone who studies the mind, etc.

The term has gotten a lot more popularity within popular culture within recent times as well. Gerry McCambridge had a television special entitled the Mentalist a few years back. The crime-drama entitled The Mentalist has been getting decent ratings and was approved for another season.

To be honest, mentalism is just as traditional an art with as colorful a history as magic. In my opinion, to say that laypeople have no idea what a mentalist is isn't giving them enough credit. I believe there's a greater familiarity with mentalism and 'mentalists' than people tend to believe. Just based off my limited experience.

RS.

 

[Geekmumblings]

Originally Posted by praetoritevong

The problem that I've encountered using the term mentalist, which I am more than happy to call myself, is simply this: that I have yet to meet a single layman who has even heard of the term. In terms simply of practicality, the best way I can describe it hence is to call myself a magician, reluctantly, and then explain the field of magic in which I specialise.

Do you not find that Derren Brown has increased the number of people aware of this, also the popularity of the show with the same name must have had some impact, i personally find a lot of people who are aware of Mentalists.

 

[praetoritevong]

Do you not find that Derren Brown has increased the number of people aware of this, also the popularity of the show with the same name must have had some impact, i personally find a lot of people who are aware of Mentalists.

Derren who? I have a hard enough time finding laymen who know who Derren Brown is. Of course, you're in the UK from your profile, so it's a very different matter. It is however true that the show The Mentalist has raised the profile of the term slightly.

And Romeo, I do not doubt what you say. My problem is this. I tell people I'm a Mentalist, right? Say they have an inkling about what I do. So I perform to a group of people at a party, and pretty soon, word spreads. But what is being said about me?

"See that guy there? He's a really interesting mentalist."

"A what? What does that mean?"

"He does cool stuff with your mind and stuff, tricks."

That's where we hit the problem. Even if people instinctively understand what I do, or at least can get an inkling, it badly hurts such things like introductions and word of mouth. If my friend can't describe what I do, how is a potential booker supposed to explain what I do? Or, for that matter, what does a client think if they hear that? I'd imagine that it would be much like the conversation Romeo highlighted earlier.

Now of course, this is not the be all and end all. It doesn't make me fail as a mentalist. All I'm saying is, it's an issue, if, the best someone can describe me before they meet me is, "He does cool stuff with your mind and stuff, tricks."

 

[jeradification]

me 2

I also do not like being called a magician. it seens like people dont know what they are saying. i thing of myself of a manipulator or a artist . the art of magic is a wounderful thing when you think of it corretly. when people say ''magician'' i alson think of somebody pulling a bunny out of their hat. but a card or a coin manipulator is a totally diferent thing

 

[KeoSilver]

Do you not find that Derren Brown has increased the number of people aware of this, also the popularity of the show with the same name must have had some impact, i personally find a lot of people who are aware of Mentalists.

Derren Brown is relatively unknown here in the states because he hasn't toured here only had one run around with tv series, and not to mention in the states people aren't as excepting of an openly gay person.

 

[romeo sierra]

I also do not like being called a magician. it seens like people dont know what they are saying. i thing of myself of a manipulator or a artist . the art of magic is a wounderful thing when you think of it corretly. when people say ''magician'' i alson think of somebody pulling a bunny out of their hat. but a card or a coin manipulator is a totally diferent thing

I used to think so too. But to be honest, they are all the same thing. In the mind of a layperson, (the only person whose opinion actually matters), a "card manipulator" IS a magician. A "close-up artist" IS a magician. It's all magic-- just like what circus clowns perform and birthday party performers do. I know it's a difficult thing to come to terms with, but it's true.

Although it may be frustrating to constantly be compared to the ridiculous preconceived notions of magic, we should note that those preconceived notions do not take away from the value of a quality performance or emotional connection. People respect and appreciate high caliber material and understand that they are on a league of their own.

Every performance genre has stereotypes. Look at Broadway, for instance. When people think Broadway, they may immediately think of something like West Side Story, Cats or Phantom of the Opera or some other flamboyant musical. And although that may be typically true of the genre, there are a handful of gritty broadway plays filled with real emotional substance and social controversy such as Glengarry Glen Ross and A Few Good Men. Does that make them any more or less "Broadway?" No. But the plays' high claiber content surely makes them stand out and appreciated on a different level altogether.

Sooo... if you're calling yourself anything other than a magician, I would say it's your meager attempt at boosting your ego. What you say you are doesn't matter. It's what you actually do. And I'll repeat-- good talent speaks for itself, regardless of what it's called.

RS.

 

[romeo sierra]

...and not to mention in the states people aren't as excepting of an openly gay person.

I cannot believe you actually said that. That's too funny and completely misguided...

All I'm saying is, it's an issue, if, the best someone can describe me before they meet me is, "He does cool stuff with your mind and stuff, tricks."

Personally, I would take such a description with the glass half-full. If someone describes what you do in that fashion, I believe it would naturally open up a dialogue and conversation about your act and thus build your reputation. I don't see that as a problem at all.

But hey, ultimately it's your call-- obviously don't use a title you're uncomfortable with. If you find success with what you do, who is anyone to tell you to do otherwise, right? I see valid points in your side. I hope I shared valid points from mine. In the end, it's an individual decision.

RS.

 

[KeoSilver]

I cannot believe you actually said that. That's too funny and completely misguided...

It wasn't misguided it was factual look at the amount of states that are against gay marriages, it isn't just the representatives of the states saying we are against gay marriage its the people of the state.

http://www.goodasyou.org/states2.jpg

Now I guarantee you that if he tours here these bigots will fallow. Also to add he is not a celebrity here, he may have a small fan base outside of the magic community here but he has fame in the UK. Why would you leave fame? It would possibly be a risk if he were to tour in America because of expenses and profits may not be worth it.

 

[Steerpike]

However, for some magicians, it matches their performing character and is a nice way to advertise how they are different from every other guy performing card tricks. It gives the impression of specialized skill, which might be a bonus. Would you object to Martin Nash calling himself a card mechanic for example?

Then why not call yourself a gambling cheats expert?

it seens like people dont know what they are saying. i thing of myself of a manipulator or a artist .

Now put that on a business card and tell me how many shows you didn't get.

Now I guarantee you that if he tours here these bigots will fallow,

Ian McKellan is gay. And yet the Lord of the Rings trilogy are among the 25 highest grossing movies of all time. Truman Capote was gay and he still was a best-selling author. Rob Halford is gay, but Judas Priest continue to play stadiums.

You're being paranoid.

 

[KeoSilver]

You're being paranoid.

There is no doubt in mind that I may be, but to remain on topic call yourselves a mentalist or mind reader just make sure you structure presentations so that it doesn't seem as you are tricking people. That is just something that has helped for me.

 

[praetoritevong]

I cannot believe you actually said that. That's too funny and completely misguided...




Personally, I would take such a description with the glass half-full. If someone describes what you do in that fashion, I believe it would naturally open up a dialogue and conversation about your act and thus build your reputation. I don't see that as a problem at all.

But hey, ultimately it's your call-- obviously don't use a title you're uncomfortable with. If you find success with what you do, who is anyone to tell you to do otherwise, right? I see valid points in your side. I hope I shared valid points from mine. In the end, it's an individual decision.

RS.

Absolutely I do. Amd again, you're right - whatever preconceived notions may arise, doesn't mean that we have to follow them.