|
|
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3~4~5~6 [Next] | ||||||||||
Necromancer Inner circle Chicago 3076 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-07-08 18:42, Larry Davidson wrote:I've often thought it would be a hoot to perform a mentalism effect with a cheesy magic prop, like Hippity Hop Rabbits. And I mean something that would actually come across as mentalism vs. magic. Any ideas? It's probably best to just disregard this posting and let someone else choose a more "normal" topic. I'm with you, Larry! You could explain that you have a red bunny and a yellow bunny, and you'll use them to test your audience's clairvoyance. Put the covers on, mix them up, then ask an audience member which one he thinks is the red one and which is the yellow. You of course turn the bunny the right way in an obvious fashion, and reveal that he's right. Put the covers back on and do it again with a different audience member. Amazingly (!), he guesses correctly too. Finally, when people don't seem to be taking this experiment seriously, explain that "Some of you apparently think that this isn't a fair test of clairvoyance. And you're right. The fact is...I use mindreading bunnies. And they knew which one you'd choose as red, and arranged themselves accordingly. They also knew (turning the bunnies around to reveal same-color backs with information printed on them in big black figures)...your name and your phone number!" Okay, it's mental magic rather than mentalism, but it's Hippity Hop Rabbits, for god's sake! Best, Neil
Creator of The Xpert (20 PAGES of reviews!), Cut & Color, Hands-Off Multiple ESP (HOME) System, Rider-Waite Readers book, Zoom Pendulum ebook ...
|
|||||||||
Alain Nu V.I.P. 256 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-07-08 18:42, Larry Davidson wrote: Larry-- RE: the Simon Lovell hedgehog/mole-joke controversy, I think you are spot on!!! I think our friend at NYCAN can now verify if his memory serves, because (#1) it was close to 10 years ago, and (#2) as I recall, there was a bit of alcohol present that evening (as, at one time or another, was inclined to happen around that charming brit). I still can't remember it, but the closer I get, the less I think I ought to! RE: mentalism effect involving Hippity Hop Rabbits-- LARRY DAVIDSON, YOU were the FIRST to respond after my challenge was announced, and this is the FIRST effect that came out of YOUR HEAD when your fingers touched the keyboard, so I made a promise, and a promise is a promise. SO-- as per Necromancer and Greg Owen's request to watch my gears turn as I deconstruct and reconstruct a chosen topic towards the making of an effect which can potentially fit into one of my performances with my sense of criteria and treatment. Please enjoy as I now examine (thanks to Larry D!) from the beginning to the end of today, Saturday July 9th, 2005-- (IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT) THIS IS MY LAST DAY here on the Magic Café-- an adaptation of: Hippity Hop Rabbit's "mentalism breakdown": A) My first instinct, with the treatment, is to list for myself the most interesting aspects and subtleties of the effect-- usually this list will match the same reasons as to why the original effect was conceived of in the first place by its originator. This is important, IMO, because the 'Energy', 'Impact', and 'Power' of the effect itself rides on these elements. I try to *appreciate*, to the best of my ability, all of these subtleties from my heart as if it were my first time seeing the effect, and then learning how to do it. So in this case, that 'old stupid kid-show trick' that we all just don't even want to have to think about anymore-- well, it's really quite beautiful actually. (1) You have 1 black and 1 white cartoon images of rabbits, (2) nicely displayed on the most simple wood-block stands. (3) NOT MYSTERIOUSLY, since "the magician" just "turns them around", the black and white cartoon images of rabbits "switch places" (4) under cover of NON-MYSTERIOUS-looking, galvanized metal tubes, (5) usually with a back-of-the-garage-style spray-painted stencil of a top hat on the front. (6) Much mirth ensues as the magician drags on, for the longest amount of time possible (in order to fill the required 30 minutes) his inneptness of understanding the definition of what the words "TURN IT AROUND" means. (7) At the conclusion, the know-it-alls of the audience are given a sucker-punch by revealing that when the cut-out rabbits are actually turned around, they are instead, usually red and yellow rabbits! (8) These rabbit-cut outs could potentially be examined after the effect. (9) The tubes can also be examined with not too much difficulty. B) I'm sure by just reading the list above, your minds are already filling up with ideas, so now let's list those creative thoughts, emotions, and criteria that enters the mind during the making of the first list. Mine are: (1) "The nature of all things can't be simply 'black and white'..." so I take note of the notion that I like the fact that it begins w/ black and white images. (2) However, images of 'bunny's and top hats' are NOT MY STYLE, but (3) whatever is printed on the cut-outs are OPTIONAL to my own artistic aesthetic (NOW we're getting somewhere!). (4) The obvious turning-around of the tubes to make appear the feeling of black and white images switching places, can also look like a sort of visual aid that a professor might use to explain something in a very simple manner. (5) the tubes can be ANYTHING (including cloth-- now there's an idea for kid-show performers (but maybe it's already been thought of)-- SIDE NOTE-- try not to think that just because we come up with an idea that it is our original idea. Of course we might think of it ourselves, and of course we are all VERY SMART to be here on this thread, but that doesn't mean that we are the original originators. It is, therefore, important that if we come up with something which appears new, that we do extensive research on this before we decide that it's ok to market and/or publish under our own names. (I'd like to find out, if any of you can be delegated, if anyone has ever thought of this idea for the Hippity Hop Rabbits effect in the past-- and especially if it has been published in a book or magazine article in the past as of yet-- it just seems too darn obvious, but then again, sometimes we simply miss the obvious!) (6) The two colored (red and yellow) bunnies, are "surprise revelations" of a side of the cut out that was "somehow not seen before". (7) I love surprise revelations. (8) The two colored bunnies COULD end up being two CHOSEN colors that two spectators choose which results in the "surprise revelation", (9) but that, IMO, is the obvious choice, when first thinking of changing the Hippity Hop Rabbits premise into a mental effect. (10) I hate obviousness. (11) Mentalism is the art of demonstrating the powers of how we think and perceive things. (12) So the rabbits don't have to be rabbits, they could be anything we perceive them to be. (13) And since the cut-outs are covered by cloths (as was mentioned above), EVEN THE FRONT-SIDES OF BOTH CUT-OUTS, could be a revelation! C) The effect outcome, to my current aesthetic, although still subject at this point to unknown levels of improvement, because a conceptual presentation still has not been fully installed (and this can potentially change everything) is as follows: Mongoose stands on stage next to a small table on which there are two items "underwrap." Talking about the powers of the mind, Mongoose invites audience to think of a simple shape, any one so long as it's a simple one. Then he asks them to imagine another "simple shape", and fit one into the other-- "How many of you were thinking of a Circle inside a Triangle?" he asks for a show of hands. A murmer hums through the room as those holding up their hands, look at each other and see that the majority of people present thought about those images in that exact configuration! Mongoose explains how we think, how we communicate, and how it is possible to transfer thought into another's mind by communicating with the proper intention. "See, I knew all along you were going to be thinking of those shapes..." Mongoose says as he whips away the cloths to show beneath them are two cut outs on stands, one with a triangle on it, and one with a circle. Both prominently displayed on their stands for all to see. Both black shapes and easy to see against the white background (black and white). The auddience is somewhat amazed, but Mongoose continues by sharing with them how it might have seemed that their choices were limited when he said to think of a "simple image". But he persists about how we "exchange ideas", and by using the cardbaord flats, and the cloths, he proceeds to communicate this and use the flats as visual aids for the audience to understand his testimony of "thought transference and the exchange of ideas", each time using the switching of the triangle and the circle, as if it were just a stupid way of explaining a more elegant concept. But Mongoose seems frustrated, his point isn't getting across properly. Putting away the two cloths into his bag and out of the way, Mongoose decides to go in a different direction. Asking two spectators in the front row to stand up where they are, he asks them both to concentrate on a scenery, seeing the vivid colors, perhaps they are outdoors, perhaps they are indoors... They are both asked individually now to tell the rest what images they thought of. Let's say, one is an ocean sunset, and the other is the Eifel Tower. Well Sacre Bleu! (is that how you spell it?) Upon them both announcing their thought-of images, and to both of their complete surprise, Mongoose, clever devil that he is, spins the flats around to show that instead of what the audience had *thought*, there are, instead, two full-color images of an ocean sunset on one, and the Eifel Tower on the other! Perception is everything. Nothing is real; everything is permitted. So are you happy? Peace, Alain |
|||||||||
Rick Maue V.I.P. Pittsburgh, PA 586 Posts |
Hey Alain,
I disappear from the face of the planet for a few weeks, and when I return, I hear that you have dropped in at the Café. I know that your schedule has been pretty crazy in recent months, so I hope you are getting the chance to relax and enjoy life for a short while. You deserve it after all of the great work that you did for the TLC shows. I am glad to hear that everything is going well, and I hope to see soon. Take care my friend. Keep the change, Rick |
|||||||||
Alain Nu V.I.P. 256 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-07-08 15:55, Nathan Kranzo wrote: Kranzo my man-zo! have you mentalists ever heard of Nathan? (x'cuse me, nate). y'know, it's funny, I get so many mentalism ideas from magic premises, and hanging out with cool magicians. well folks, nathan kranzo is one of them. nathan kranzo from detroit, you are my man. If you haven't seen or read this guy's lecture notes or DVD, you really should-- card guys WILL be fooled badly. he's cuttiung edge. Was the last time I saw you in Michigan, or was it at the last FISM? Quote:
On 2005-07-08 18:45, Mr.Skin wrote: Hey Gavin, first, thank you for your nice thoughts-- and for dropping in. currently, I don't have the dates for mindvention on my website, so I'm not sure. also, my calendar probably won't fill up until september as many things still need to be worked out. but the answer is, I'd like to go. I was there last year. were you there too? I had a lot of fun last year-- danny throws a fun conference, and vegas is my second home! hope to see you there if I make it! peace, alain Quote:
On 2005-07-08 20:38, Aaron B Fisher wrote: Aaron, I must say, it's nice to have, as a "fan" one of the top card guys and card-treatment authors in the world, but I don't know, frankly, I think you might be one of the younger guys on this thread. How old are you, 30? pshaw. Take it from me, kid, it ain't easy being a hundred and six. thanks for dropping in on us, you the man my brother. PEACE! Alain Quote:
On 2005-07-08 22:32, Larry Davidson wrote: Awwww... Sorry, Larry, I did, afterall say, I would do it with the FIRST topic called. So if you thought you could retract your first thought, you were sadly mistaken. Sounds interesting though, so good luck! ;) Alain |
|||||||||
mormonyoyoman Inner circle I dug 5,000 postholes, but I have only 2440 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-07-09 09:22, Greg Owen wrote: Greg, has that been you all along? How are Jody and the kids? Man, I've owed her an e-mail for months. You wanna tell the gang (sometime soon) about how you and she brought down the house at a dance, doing the yo-yo jam? *jeep! --Chet
#ShareGoodness #ldsconf
--Grandpa Chet |
|||||||||
Alain Nu V.I.P. 256 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-07-09 09:22, Greg Owen wrote: Greg Beaty the famous yo-yo meister! Duh-- it's amazing what one can do when you put two and two together! Connections, re-connections, and connectivity, that's what mentalism is about, yes? It's really nice to have gotten back in touch with you; an honor! Alain Quote:
On 2005-07-09 10:34, Necromancer wrote: Neil, I like it. They ALWAYS choose the right one like 'two card monte', and then you clobber them with a hard closer. See? You came up with something different than me! And you were hardly even trying. There's a world of possibilities for everything we do, so it just depends on how much focus you give it! peace, Alain Quote:
On 2005-07-09 11:04, Rick Maue wrote: hey, and I am really excited about all the work YOU've done in the world of mentalism as well as spirit seances and haunted homes. thank you for dropping in! do I have all of your products? I think I'm behind, as I only have your book of haunted houses. please tell me what you got going on in the world of Maue! and I would love for you to send me your stuff and go ahead and bill me whatever, as I know you are always fair with me! thanks! alain |
|||||||||
Necromancer Inner circle Chicago 3076 Posts |
And I like yours, Alain! I was trying to preserve the ridiculousness of the prop. But following your example and dispensing with it, how about this.
My take is that we're essentially dealing with a 50/50 chance, a resolution that feeds an audience suspicion, followed by a surprise kicker that destroys the suspicion and deepens the mystery. So, keeping that blueprint and throwing out everything else -- The performer has an envelope containing an index card, on which is pre-written a prediction. An audience member takes a coin from his pocket and flips it. Let's say it's heads. The performer carefully removes the index card to show that the word "heads" is printed across its face. Of course, the audience suspects that if the coin toss had ended differently, the performer would have shown the other side of the card. But if it had said "tails" on the other side, there'd be no room for what is actually printed there -- and when he turns the card over, we see that the date of the coin is printed there. How does that work for you? Best, Neil
Creator of The Xpert (20 PAGES of reviews!), Cut & Color, Hands-Off Multiple ESP (HOME) System, Rider-Waite Readers book, Zoom Pendulum ebook ...
|
|||||||||
Alain Nu V.I.P. 256 Posts |
Well folks,
I think that about wraps it up quite nicely here at the Café. It's Saturday, July 9th, and as you know (for those of you who have been following along), Today is my last day on this thread, and most likely, even on the Café, at least for a while. If you thought that any of what I have been put through that you read about in the previous posts was a challenge, I don't even think it comes close to the challenge that awaits me now. So much time, and dedication, and money (that I don't have-- you know, the real big bucks), needs to be put into taking my next project to the next level, and all I can say is wish me luck, because the way it is with me is: I always get it eventually, but I never get it easy. That's why I'm telling you all to follow your dreams. And I'm not saying it because it's the obvious thing to say either. I'm saying it because it isn't obvious that isn't easy, and so it's easy to FORGET to follow your dreams. What I'M saying is ALWAYS REMEMBER to follow your dreams. peace, Alain |
|||||||||
Gede Nibo Inner circle 2447 Posts |
Wow, Alain Nu rules after all...
|
|||||||||
Alain Nu V.I.P. 256 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-07-09 12:55, Necromancer wrote: Very nice! You see, you obviously do this stuff already! There wasn't even a need to ask me to "process-out" like that-- and all that from the Hippity Hop Rabbits effect. See that? We can amaze ourselves! ... and I didn't even HAVE to enter through those-- iced-out pearly golden gates of silver linings, where one can have the inner world of mystery brought to you by posting more than 50 times on the Café! We did all that right here. But your coin idea is a good one, and it reminds me, that I do have a mentalism book for sale. Called "XXX Hardcore Mentalism." It's really a nice collection of mentalism that you can do under close up, and in some cases, completely impromptu conditions. The effect that you came up with above, reminds me of an effect that can be found in that book. It's my most recent, and currently, you should only be able to get it through me by looking me up on the web and finding out how to email me. I wasn't allowed, by Magic Café policy, to leave you with urls and/or email addresses, so I apologize for that earlier, but I will say this, it shouldn't be hard to find me, if your a real mentalist! If you are interested, I now ONLY sell signed copies that have my special mark on it (after an unfortunate duplicating incident, I have to do this now). I also do not advertise anywhere of my selling this manuscript through anyonen, with the exception of Denny and Lee, because he and I go way back... but I don't think even he has copies presently. there are 7 full effects and the cost is $35 signed and postage paid. seek me out and we wil make the exchange! peace, alain Quote:
On 2005-07-09 13:18, Gede Nibo wrote: thanks gede, you're a man. peace to all, alain |
|||||||||
Parson Smith Inner circle 1937 Posts |
Alain,
Many thanks for the time that you shared with us. May you find peace and joy throughout your life. You are certainly a gift to the wonderful world of magic and mentalism. Peace. Parson
Here kitty, kitty,kitty.
+++a posse ad esse+++ |
|||||||||
Larry Davidson Inner circle Boynton Beach, FL 5270 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-07-09 13:03, geff mongoose wrote: I would, but that wouldn't account for your success. So I'll wish you continued skill! |
|||||||||
Greg Owen Special user 623 Posts |
Now if you would just tell us HOW you would get the named objects on the back of the circle and triangle...
All the best and hope to hear from you again soon. - Greg Owen
Author of The Alpha Stack ebook - the balanced memorized stack
gobeatty@yahoo.com |
|||||||||
blazes816 Special user Wichita, Kansas 522 Posts |
Any idea when your next special will be out?
|
|||||||||
Andy Leviss Inner circle NYC 1179 Posts |
Hey Alain,
Looks like I just caught the tail end of your visit here. I'm still sorting through all the posts, since I've been busy catching up from the last ten months on the road and have spent the last day doing a lot of, well, sleeping :oD Anyway, good to see you here and doing your thing, from what I've skimmed of this thread so far, I'm digging all you guys have discussed, and can't wait until I have a little bit to sit down and go through it all leisurely. And one of these days I need to get my paws on copies of your shows, since I was on the road and didn't get 'em in the hotels I was in when they aired :o( Catch ya later, Andy
Note: I have PMs turned off; if you want to reach me, please e-mail [email]Andy.MagicCafe@DucksEcho.com[/email]!
|
|||||||||
mormonyoyoman Inner circle I dug 5,000 postholes, but I have only 2440 Posts |
Hasty lumbagos, 'til we meet again!
*jeep! --Chet
#ShareGoodness #ldsconf
--Grandpa Chet |
|||||||||
Craig Chamberlain New user Michigan, USA 49 Posts |
Quote:
So much time, and dedication, and money (that I don't have-- you know, the real big bucks), needs to be put into taking my next project to the next level, and all I can say is wish me luck... Alain, I most certainly wish you lots of luck in taking your next project to the next level. And thanks very much for visiting. -Craig |
|||||||||
peacelove New user Northern California 6 Posts |
Big shout out to you, Alain, and super-congrats for all your success. Yes, it's Jonathan Steigman, late of both Dream Wizards and Al's Magic Shop. I remember you well; you were more focused, cleverer, and a harder worker than the rest of us, so your success is hardly a surprise!
I vaguely recall some pretty fierce card fights outside the old shop. Please pass my prayers and best wishes on to Mark Chorvinsky. You're correct about his vision; he understood real magic back when I was strictly tricks. Please also send my regards to Alan Hayden, who I used to hang out with at Al's but haven't seen in years and years. Glad to hear he's still around! Thanks for honoring the art for all of us. PeaceLove, Jonathan
"Do you like card tricks?"
"No, I hate card tricks," I answered. "Well, I'll just show you this one." He showed me three. W. Somerset Maugham, "Mr. Know-All" |
|||||||||
evolve629 Inner circle A stack of 3838 Posts |
Alain, welcome to the Café. I love your CLOSE-UP SKETCHES! Are you filming another dvd? Please let us know here first
One hundred percent of the shots you don't take don't go in - Wayne Gretzky
My favorite part is putting the gaffs in the spectators hands...it gives you that warm fuzzy feeling inside! - Bob Kohler |
|||||||||
lane99 Elite user 421 Posts |
I haven't seen it mentioned in this thread. But there is another thread in the Magic Café were quite a few people expressed disappointment in Alain Nu's tv specials.
I wonder if Alain read those critiques and what he thought about them? I admit I didn't like the tv specials very much. But I enjoy reading his published writings. And, for me, he is automatically elevated to "super cool guy" status when I see that (in his posts here) he treads rather gingerly when using the terms "art", "artistic", etc. when refering to his magic and performance of it. I see these terms used far too often around here in a supercilious manner which I find offputting. |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Our new arrivals » » Meet Alain Nu here. » » TOPIC IS LOCKED (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3~4~5~6 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.13 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 < |