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RichLind New user 56 Posts |
My first post! I'm an old widower living alone and at the beginning of summer I bought a inexpensive box of magic books/pamphlets and a box of VCR tapes & DVDs in the last hours of an estate sale. Viewing the coin, card, silk and dove was interesting but beyond my old fingers. Viewing mentalism by a performer who could not remember assistants names and could not shuffle without dropping a few cards on the floor (I now realize that this was his stage personality) made mentalism seemed less challenging for my age.
Reading was challenging but viewing videos wasn't. I could read and read (maybe I should have been studying) and not learn how to perform. After viewing the very first effect, “think of a two digit number”, I knew that I had a chance of doing mentalism. My eBay purchase however, was very disappointing and I was discouraged until I got a band. After short practice with the band S-G I was reading minds of my friends, and others at Barnes & Noble and agricultural fairs. For me in terms of PERFORMING, 13 steps, 39 Books, and Annamann just delayed getting out there and performing. Sure the former and other reading are a necessary for attempting to MASTER mentalism, but not at beginning stage to start performing. From my limited collection, I'm going to spend the next months viewing and reviewing Osterland's Easy to Master and his second Penguin video and selectively reading about the effects in those DVDs. Naturally visiting the TheMagicCafe is a must! |
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MichaelCGM Inner circle Oklahoma City 2286 Posts |
Welcome aboard.
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10604 Posts |
Yes, welcome. Fasten your seatbelt...
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Martin Pulman Inner circle London 3399 Posts |
Welcome to the Café. We are a very mixed bunch here, but we all have one thing in common -we are passionate about the beautiful art of Mentalism. It's always great to welcome newcomers who feel the same way.
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MentalMik Regular user Ridgecrest, California 183 Posts |
Welcome, enjoy and learn, and you don't have to have fancy shuffles and flourishes to worry about. The Osterlind dvds would be a great start.
From the mind of Mik.
Ridgecrest, California, by way of the UK. |
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IAIN Eternal Order england 18807 Posts |
Enjoy your stay...
my biggest recommendation is to learn how to use the advanced search on here, and treat this place as a giant library of sorts...there's some late and great users who no longer contribute but have over the years shared a great amount of info... its also great for research when it comes to books and so on...
I've asked to be banned
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12968 Posts |
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On Oct 18, 2017, RichLind wrote: LEAVE! While you still have your sanity! Welcome. You'll have fun, one way or another. |
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RCP Inner circle Two Minnie's in The Hell's Half Acre, The Republic of Texas 2183 Posts |
Welcome, if I read your post correctly you have no background in magic. If that is true please read The Amateur Magician's Handbook by Henry Hay and don't skip the 1st part and jump straight into mental magic.
It is a wealth of information about the art of performing. Don't get caught up in the mental magic/mentalism silliness. Richard Osterlind is a wealth of information for you. Have fun |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10604 Posts |
I would disagree with this. So many coming to mentalism through magic have all kinds of hangup and difficulties. They tend to view things in terms of the effects and mechanics. I think those that get into mentalism not by going through magic have a much more direct and pure understanding of mentalism without the mindsets, mentalities, perceptions and obstacles of magic.
I think you are already at an advantage not having the magic background. This will alos help you prevent and avoid the "Don't get caught up in the mental magic/mentalism silliness." |
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IAIN Eternal Order england 18807 Posts |
Can you remember the first three mentalism books you read, Mindpro?
I've asked to be banned
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10604 Posts |
I've yet to read three mentalism books Iain (lol)
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Martin Pulman Inner circle London 3399 Posts |
Almost all of the greatest mentalists in the history of the art form came into via magic. Anyone claiming otherwise knows nothing of the history of mentalism.
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RCP Inner circle Two Minnie's in The Hell's Half Acre, The Republic of Texas 2183 Posts |
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On Oct 19, 2017, Martin Pulman wrote: a common ground Martin, ALL performing mentalist are magicians. There are differences to be sure...... |
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RCP Inner circle Two Minnie's in The Hell's Half Acre, The Republic of Texas 2183 Posts |
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On Oct 19, 2017, Mindpro wrote: so true |
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RCP Inner circle Two Minnie's in The Hell's Half Acre, The Republic of Texas 2183 Posts |
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On Oct 19, 2017, Mindpro wrote: do tell, I am fascinated to know your thoughts on the route you have followed, (hint), I already know....... so don't exaggerate |
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George Hunter Inner circle 2017 Posts |
Rich:
Welcome. You will indeed, discover that (some) mentalism is easier to learn than magic tricks that require advanced sleights, moves, etc. But mentalism is even harder than magic to perform very well. Why? When people watch magic, they know it is an illusion. However, one's purpose in mentalism is (at least) to raise doubts, to have spectators think that (say) telepathy just might be real. That is a serious theatrical challenge. By the way, the annual international mentalism convention meets next month in Las Vegas. If you could come, the experience would advance your new interest several light years. Check out the Mindvention website, and/or the Mindvention room here on the Café. If you come to the Mindvention, let's do lunch one day. George |
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paul180 Loyal user 219 Posts |
My two cents would be to study acting and public speaking. Recommended reading would be;
Acting for Magicians by Richard L. Tenace How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie The art of public speaking by Dale Carnegie You won't find any effects or demonstrations but you will learn the basics of the art. Unlike magic purse, we don't have elaborate props to deter or misdirect our participants. Our character and personalities must do the job of entertaining. If we are liked our work will be liked. Keep in mind that it's our audience, that we work for not ourselves. Some of us forget that and get caught up in what we think, instead of thinking about what our audience thinks and feels and wants out of our entertainment. "give them what they want"
A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a foolish man can learn from a wise answer.
Attributing negativity to a topic or post doesn't make the topic or post negative, it shines a light on the negativity of the person or persons, making the attributions. BEWARE these Debbie downers and anything they say. They simply lack the self esteem or good will, to be positive or productive. Your belief in self, is more important and is all that matters, for your success to be glorious. |
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Martin Pulman Inner circle London 3399 Posts |
Yes, give them what they want: but not necessarily how they think they want it.
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Stunninger Inner circle 2827 Posts |
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On Oct 18, 2017, RichLind wrote: Rich, welcome! Understand entirely what you mean regarding learning from videos. While I treasure many of the excellent mentalism books I own, I have found certain video titles to be of tremendous value. In particular Richard Osterlind's ETMMM and Banachek's PSI Series. As you have discovered, learning one or two effects, then getting out there and performing, is the real secret to getting started. You may also consider investing in Elliot Bressler's excellent Switchcraft. Amazing content and an incredible value. Good luck to you! |
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RichLind New user 56 Posts |
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On Oct 19, 2017, Mindpro wrote: Mindpro, thanks for the encouragement. I glade to hear that lacking a magic background my be an advantage for me. rich |
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