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jlevey Inner circle Montreal, Quebec, Canada 2076 Posts |
I invite others to share some of their stories in this thread, telling us how they started out on the road to becoming a pickpocket.
Below is my own (very) abridged and condensed story. I hope some find it of interest, and ultimately of some help (to newcomers). Perhaps one day I will share more in depth. It's just a brief summary, to kick things off for other fellow Café members to jump in and share. With best regards. Jonathan ____________________________________ I understand that the idea of putting bells on the pockets of a mannequin, is old lore (a legend, that did not necessariuly happen). I believe I read this in "cutting up Touches" which is a great small but informative book on the history of the Theatrical Pickpocket Consider getting it from http://www.squashpublishing.com To date I have found that (for myslef) the best DVDs have been James Freeman (Man of Steal) and Chappy Brasil's video on Pickpocketing were most helpful to me along the way, even though I icked these up at a later stage in my pickpocketing career. Of course, I have collecte dmany other books and DVDs (ie. Pierre jaques, Coats & Byrd, etc.). I started to learn the watch steal more than 20 years ago (circa summer of 1985)when a fellow magician (and esteemed Café member) Michel Aselin, inspired me, suggesting that it woudl fit well with my performing pesona, and then kindly showed me his pet methods methods. Within days (if not minutes) I began to try these watch stealing methods out on unsuspecting spectators during my summer street performance shows, on Prince Arthur Street and in the Old Port seciton of Montreal. Although I immediately saw that the watch steal increase laughs and amazement formmy street audiences and atrracted more coins (and bills) into my hat at the end of each show, I realize in hindsight, that stealing watches on the street in broad daylight (though "fun" for myself, the spectators and the "victim") was potentially dangerous -- since I could have been accused as a real "Theif" and, as a result, the police could have been called in to settle any suspicious volunteers. Still, I had the nerves (and the innocence) to try my luck and work at bettering my performance at every chance that came my way (and, as a street performer, these were many). So, I was both naive and highly motivated to master the art of watch-stealing at the time --and that's what it took ((for me). In addition to trying the steal out sduring my street performances, Ialso began to work the steal into my show in shopping malls (nother high trafific area with endless amounts of "marks"). Over the years, I have simply learned by trying out different techniques learned from James Freeman DVD and on my own (Freman's mateerial encouragesd me and showed me techniques in stealing much more than just wathces --wallets, loose cash in the pockets, glasses, hankerchiefs, shirts and even "underwear", and more!). The Pierre Jacques book on Pickpocketing, a book and a DVD by Dominique, and more recently, the Ricki Dunn book, have also been encouraging and helpful. My main strength in being a theatrical pickpocket has been that my stage persona is a very defined as being "friendly" silent-gentlemanly type character that likes to cause some mischief from type to time. That's right, I do not speak when I do my pickpocketing... not a word. It works for me. My stage persona also is very touchy-feely (in a friendly non-offensive way), so the audience members/volunteers/victims do not mind being touched by me (they are not offended), and under this guise I can make many types of steals with much success. That's the short of it... it woudl be great if others could jump in at this point and share a bit (or bits) of their own "starting out" story. With best regards and encouragement. Jonathan
Jonathan
Max & Maxine Entertainment Magicians with a touch of comedy! ___________________________________ www.maxmagician.com www.mindreadershow.com www.monsieurmagic.com |
marcin_pm New user 29 Posts |
I started in highschool. I never really learned form anywhere. it started with learning how to put stuff into people pockets. while doing a magic trick. I failed..and after a while I got the hang of it... but I tried doing wacthes and in my life have nly been succesful once...so yep....there my short version..but I liked your story
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mesmer Inner circle 1186 Posts |
Hi Jon.....so far there's already 50 View for your post but only 1 member who share the story...
so here's mine (Now there are 2 member who share their story) I just bought few material about Pickpocketing (Books & DVD)...what got me interested is the psycological aspect of how you can misdirect someone while you steal their items...and this is because watching Derren Brown do this and also when studying his works from his Fine Book, Absolute Magic(I Said Studying NOT Read)....so far I havent done any Pickpocketing in front of a paying Audience YET!....Give me three month to practice and create a rough routine...then I'll let you know! Cheers |
jlevey Inner circle Montreal, Quebec, Canada 2076 Posts |
Hi "Marcin_pm" and Mesmer,
Thanks for keeping this thread alive and for your input. We look forward to hearing from you again (Mesmer), and others, when ready. Jonathan
Jonathan
Max & Maxine Entertainment Magicians with a touch of comedy! ___________________________________ www.maxmagician.com www.mindreadershow.com www.monsieurmagic.com |
mesmer Inner circle 1186 Posts |
WOW...105 Views...only few of us post for this topic.....does Pickpocket in this section is not keen to share their opinion?....
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