Why is there no mentalism thread.
- Thread starter CIassic
- Start date
Couple of reasons for that.
One, mentalism isn't technically magic. It's a cousin to magic. They're both mystery entertainment with some overlap, but they require completely different frames of mind. Think of it as the relationship between theater and film. They require similar skill sets, but each has a language that's different in many ways from the other. For this reason, a lot of magicians who try to dabble in mentalism never quite get the hang of it because they're approaching it from the wrong angle.
Two, Theory 11 knows which side their bread is buttered on. They established themselves early on as a specialist in cards and coins, the former moreso than the latter. The number of card specialists on this board vastly outnumbers the mentalists. Hell, even coin enthusiasts outnumber those of us who are full-time mentalists. It makes sense for them to focus on accommodating for the majority demographic in their market share. Hasbro knows they have a lot of grown adults watching The Hub Network, but their focus is always going to be on manufacturing toys for kids because that's the larger market.
Three, I'm not going to make any friends by saying this, but mentalism is one of those things that's even easier to screw up than magic. I learned that the hard way about 6 or 7 years ago. Most guys here don't have the mindset needed to become really good at mentalism. The proof is in every thread asking for mentalism "tricks." Maybe in time the community will change, but right now mentalism advice and discussion remains the demesne of a handful of specialists around here.
One, mentalism isn't technically magic. It's a cousin to magic. They're both mystery entertainment with some overlap, but they require completely different frames of mind. Think of it as the relationship between theater and film. They require similar skill sets, but each has a language that's different in many ways from the other. For this reason, a lot of magicians who try to dabble in mentalism never quite get the hang of it because they're approaching it from the wrong angle.
Two, Theory 11 knows which side their bread is buttered on. They established themselves early on as a specialist in cards and coins, the former moreso than the latter. The number of card specialists on this board vastly outnumbers the mentalists. Hell, even coin enthusiasts outnumber those of us who are full-time mentalists. It makes sense for them to focus on accommodating for the majority demographic in their market share. Hasbro knows they have a lot of grown adults watching The Hub Network, but their focus is always going to be on manufacturing toys for kids because that's the larger market.
Three, I'm not going to make any friends by saying this, but mentalism is one of those things that's even easier to screw up than magic. I learned that the hard way about 6 or 7 years ago. Most guys here don't have the mindset needed to become really good at mentalism. The proof is in every thread asking for mentalism "tricks." Maybe in time the community will change, but right now mentalism advice and discussion remains the demesne of a handful of specialists around here.
Damn, you make me smile with such posts, Steerpike. . . ;-)
He is correct and more to the point, most forums that do pander to Mentalism and its off-spring (Bizarre Magick) are far more hush, hush and invite only than you'll find with the Magic aspect of things. Mentalism, mostly due to the crass levels of commercialism and exceptionally poor representation, has gone back underground and is closing its doors when it comes to casual discovery. If you learn the basics and prove yourself, you will be seen and slowly, pulled into the dark side. . . so study and be patient.
If you are relatively new to it all I'd suggest that you focus on the basic texts; not just Corinda and Annemann but the more contemporary texts that we've seen surface in the past decade or so;
Psychological Subtleties -- Banachek
Alchemical Tools - Paul Brook
The Gift -- Paul Brook
Switchcraft - Elliot Bresler
Fundamentals -- Bob Cassidy
Building Blocks -- Luke Jermay
MIND READING -- Kenton Knepper's S.C.H.O.O.L. group
Psychophysiological Thought Reading -- Banachek (the book and disc 3 of the PSI Series)
Psychic Directions - Jerome Finley
Thought Channel -- Jerome Finley
There are 7 key skill groups a Mentalist must know and possess;
* Memory/Mnemonics
* Billet Work
* A Thorough Understanding & Ability in All facets of Ideomotor operation
* The Power of Words/Psychology & Suggestion
* The Ability to Read People Like a Book
> At least 3 key Reading Techniques i.e. Numerology, Body Morph & Face Reading with base understanding of Astrology & Palmistry.
* Validity of Claim
There are other skill areas of course (Secret Writing resting at the top of said list) but these are the real foundations towards good mentalism; it's no longer as simple as it once was and now requires a heck of a lot more memorization of techniques than it used to, but that's what makes it so potent.
If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask. There's about 5 or 6 of us here that will help you as best we can . . . Oh, and don't ask about those closed groups I mentioned, you only get in via invitation and that takes time. . . too, several of them require a monthly payment; as little as $15.00 a month in some to more than $500.00 a year with others.
Welcome to the group and the madness!
He is correct and more to the point, most forums that do pander to Mentalism and its off-spring (Bizarre Magick) are far more hush, hush and invite only than you'll find with the Magic aspect of things. Mentalism, mostly due to the crass levels of commercialism and exceptionally poor representation, has gone back underground and is closing its doors when it comes to casual discovery. If you learn the basics and prove yourself, you will be seen and slowly, pulled into the dark side. . . so study and be patient.
If you are relatively new to it all I'd suggest that you focus on the basic texts; not just Corinda and Annemann but the more contemporary texts that we've seen surface in the past decade or so;
Psychological Subtleties -- Banachek
Alchemical Tools - Paul Brook
The Gift -- Paul Brook
Switchcraft - Elliot Bresler
Fundamentals -- Bob Cassidy
Building Blocks -- Luke Jermay
MIND READING -- Kenton Knepper's S.C.H.O.O.L. group
Psychophysiological Thought Reading -- Banachek (the book and disc 3 of the PSI Series)
Psychic Directions - Jerome Finley
Thought Channel -- Jerome Finley
There are 7 key skill groups a Mentalist must know and possess;
* Memory/Mnemonics
* Billet Work
* A Thorough Understanding & Ability in All facets of Ideomotor operation
* The Power of Words/Psychology & Suggestion
* The Ability to Read People Like a Book
> At least 3 key Reading Techniques i.e. Numerology, Body Morph & Face Reading with base understanding of Astrology & Palmistry.
* Validity of Claim
There are other skill areas of course (Secret Writing resting at the top of said list) but these are the real foundations towards good mentalism; it's no longer as simple as it once was and now requires a heck of a lot more memorization of techniques than it used to, but that's what makes it so potent.
If you have questions, don't hesitate to ask. There's about 5 or 6 of us here that will help you as best we can . . . Oh, and don't ask about those closed groups I mentioned, you only get in via invitation and that takes time. . . too, several of them require a monthly payment; as little as $15.00 a month in some to more than $500.00 a year with others.
Welcome to the group and the madness!
I probably sound horribly like an amateur with this question, but mentalism and mental type magic, they are completely different, right? Spidey's effects are magic, while atuff like mind reading and hypnosis are more mentalism style? Sorry, I just have always wondered.
"Mental Magic" is easy to spot in that it typically employs a prop of some sort such as the Mental Epic board, Smash & Stab bits or Larry Becker's Casino Royale. . . all great tricks but a.) they are obvious tricks and b.) so many magicians have/are doing them that it ruins the effect for the ardent Mentalist, most of whom now days, are shooting for far more realism and blurring the lines. . . narrowing the one big line between Charlatan & showman.
"Mentalism" is generally clean, presented as being "real" whether you're doing the Mega Memory type act; Human Lie Detector or some sort of NLP horse pucky the effects are presented as a means by which to validate your claims or, in the case of Psychic Entertainers like I, we strive to create the idea that what we do is genuine psychic prowess or, as with my case, a matter of Intuition -- a natural "sense" we are all born with.
The majority of the effects on the market now days that are called "Mentalism" ARE NOT! At best they are Mental Magic and in most instances they hold far closer to Bizarre Magick than anything else -- Bizarre & Geek type Magick is what Blaine & Angel actually introduced us to, even though Mentalism type effects were a part of their mix.
Understand, if you plan on going commercial with a Mental program you will do better with a Mental Magic heavy program in that it is seen as being "safer" by promoters and audience alike. . . it gives them a psychological "out" so to speak and too, it gives your show far more production value in most instances. It is very difficult to do a pure Mentalism program for large audiences in that they can be very time consuming and boring as hell; they appeal to a special sort of audience. While a pure Mentalism program can be profitable, it takes years to develop the sort of reputation that will make it so. Mental Magic on the other hand, is deliberately commercial and when blended properly with about 25-30% actual Mentalism content, you will have a very solid product that will generate an above average income. . . just catch Jon Stetson or John Riggs or even Docc Hilford doing a show if you doubt me; they're all 3 top notch performers and of the higher pay scale.
You might want to check this book out for better clarity on things.