|
|
snm Special user 550 Posts |
As a mentalist or just performing some mental effects, what is the best way in your experience to open a table?
I've been using this... "Hi, my name is Travis. I'm tonight's entertainer, a mentalist. I've been asked to walk around and show everyone a quick thing or two. Now, I know what your thinking... What the heck is a mentalist? Well, let me show you..." |
Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
I think it's bad idea...but that's just me...
If you don't want to say your a Magician, then just say, "I'm tonight's entertainer, and I've been asked to walk around and show everyone a quick thing or two." Or use my line: "Hi, I'm Christopher. The restaurant couldn't afford a good Magician, so you're stuck with me. But with your indulgence, we'll all get thru it painfully. Oh...and I work for tips, so give me your money now." Make sure to wear black shades and use Black Tiger Decks. I hear it's all the rave!
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I REALLY wish magicians would come to the conclusion that "mentalist" and "magician" are only distinctions to us.
PEOPLE DON'T CARE. When you leave that table, I bet you 90 out of 100, if they talk at all, say they saw a magician. It is a distinction without a difference. You only have a few minutes with them to spend, why waste it on personal issues? Confusion is not mentalism, magic or, for that matter, ENTERTAINMENT. Entertain them, and let them call you what they will. Also, it has been my experience and every restaurant worker I have ever talked with that opening with mentalism is tough anyhow. You need to open fast and visual. Mentalism has all but 2 of those qualities.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
tboehnlein Inner circle ohio 1787 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-21 12:46, Dannydoyle wrote: Definitely agree on both accounts. I do 95% mentalism, but my opener is always standard quick-and-to-the point magic. Only if asked back to a table do I start with mentalism. |
marty.sasaki Inner circle 1117 Posts |
Norman Beck has a bit where he goes up to someone and says something like, "Did you receive your complimentary ticket for entertainment tonight? You haven't? Here it is (his card). Would you like to cash in the ticket now?"
This way you establish yourself as a friendly sort, and if they don't want to be bothered, they can say no.
Marty Sasaki
Arlington, Massachusetts, USA Standard disclaimer: I'm just a hobbyist who enjoys occasionally mystifying friends and family, so my opinions should be viewed with this in mind. |
Hansel Inner circle Puerto Rico 2492 Posts |
I think your line is not bad, but IMO, I use other types of openers in my table-hopping work. But FOR ME, your line is not bad.
Thanks, Hansel!
Follow Me...
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Hansels-Comedy-and-Magic-Show-929625643774678/ Youtube: HanselSP Twitter: @HanselSP Instagram: HanselSP |
DJBrenton Regular user Midlands, England 129 Posts |
I'm not sure whether lay people in the US would see the term "mentalist" the same way as in the UK.
Over here, I could imagine opening with: "Hi, I'm a mentalist. But it's OK, I'm on day release." |
magicalsongwriter New user 91 Posts |
Danny, do you have the same opinion of mentalism in a stage show? Do you still think 90% of the people who saw a one hour mind reading/mentalism performance will say they saw a magician, or will they say a mind reader?
Jeff Blum |
Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts |
Personally, the general public has no knowledge of what a mentalist is!!! I can prove it - SPELLCHECK doesn't recognize the word. MIND-READER is the public's word and impression of this kind of work.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Mentalism. (Discuss) This article is about the performing artist. For other uses of the word, see mentalist (disambiguation). Theatrical poster of a mentalist in performance, 1900 The term mentalist refers to entertainers whose performance appears to be based on "psychic" abilities, featuring the ability to read minds, project the mind to alter the state of matter, foretell the future, and see distant and hidden objects. This branch of magic is referred to as "mentalism."[1]"
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Pretty much sums it up.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
I think you'd have as much luck saying, "Hi...my name is Joe, and I'm a Mentalist...may I entertain you," as you would walking up to a table in a restaurant and saying, "Hi...my name is Joe, and I'm an Escape Artist...may I entertain you?"
It's like an elevator in an outhouse...it don't belong!
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
magico563 Veteran user UK, sheffield. 381 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-21 13:33, tboehnlein wrote: A friend of mine says that you should never mix magic with mentalism, and I think he has a very strong point! Thanks, magico563 |
Jared Inner circle Rhode Island, USA 1573 Posts |
I perform both sleight of hand magic and mentalism and have learned that the simplest way to transition into mentalism feats is to begin with magic. After getting to know the spectators more, I casually mention that I also have the ability to read minds (notice that I don't refer to myself as a mentalist here). People seem to connect with the experience of mind-reading more easily. This combination works best for me, but experience will be your own best guide.
-Jared |
abc Inner circle South African in Taiwan 1081 Posts |
I wish we had some researcher who gets a mentalist and a magician to perform to the same group of people and then, in a questionnaire, we can find out if they perceive the magician and the mentalist as different or the same. Also, whether they perceive the magician as doing tricks and the mentalist as having special abilities. Also, whether our patter really has such a massive affect on their perception, or if it is purely for entertainment value.
It would have a huge impact on how we perform and design our effects, or at least it should. Unfortunately, I think, like with many other disciplines, we will ignore the science and continue doing what we believe, even though every single study proves us wrong. As for the original question, I don't think you should call yourself a mentalist in your introduction. It is too much unnecessary information. As for starting with magic or mentalism, Richard Osterlind has some very nice, very short and powerful effects that could be used as an opener, but you need to be able to read the audience and know what will work. |
Dustin Baker Inner circle California 1006 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-21 16:32, marty.sasaki wrote: That's pretty funny. I might need to steal that.
Think inside the box. . . it's less crowded.
|
Chappo Special user Bris Vegas 754 Posts |
True that!
Quirky openers are a fave of mine.
The rules of a sleight of hand artist, Are three, and all others are vain,
The 1st & the 2nd are practice... And the 3rd one is practice again - 'Magic of the Hands', Edward Victor (1940) |
darkdean Regular user 153 Posts |
I think, and I could be showing my ignorance here, and please do tell me if I am, but as long as it is delivered with a smile and the performance is a good one, I don't think it matters too much.
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Table hoppers & party strollers » » Opening a Table as a Mentalist (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.02 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |