Hi guys,

The discussion of 'impromptu mentalism' has been rife on the forum, but I have recently been wondering the best way to open such a performance.

It is a tricky thing to do, as having someone write something, to me is not direct enough, whilst psychological forces etc are not 100%, which obviously such an effect needs to be.

I would love to hear what people think on the matter.

Si

If you mean 'impromptu' as in 'no props' or 'no visible props', I suggest PATEO (predict which object will be last).

Otherwise I really like "El Numero" (influencing which number a person is going to stop on). I also like "This and That" from Banachek (you need 4 business cards).

Sincerely, Matt

... or something with a magic square ?

Piers.

If you have Free Will, or know the principle, then you can do this anytime, anywhere! Or use a NW or something along those lines.

If you want no props, totally impromptu, you can try the "NLP" card influencing technique from Pure Effect. And when that fails (!) bring out an ID and show them their thought-of card.

Sbays, thank you for reminding me the wonderful NW effect from Richard Osterlind "Inside the fold". Great opener.

Sincerely, Matt

I personally prefer "Terasabos" from Rick Maue's wonderful "Book of Haunted Magick"

It plays really well, and can be done completely impromptu

Cheers,

DM

Hi all!

A predicted coin in your fist could be a good opener. There are a lot of methods to do this (equivoque is easiest).

"Anywhere, wherever" is beautiful, hard hitting mind reading effect that makes for a great opener. I've done this up close, on stage, cabaret and it really can be done anywhere or wherever. Check it out.

I have a routine where the spectator only thinks of a word and I reveal it.

I use that a lot when I am totally propless.

Col.

In my teens, I learned enough Hellstromism to be able to know which of 5 or 6 cups something was under, or which of 5 or 6 items were thought of, etc.,

It is about the first thing you learn to do in Hellstromism. I also noticed that it gets them trained in following insructions.

A center tear effect (I like Richard Osterlind's method). Bryce Kuhlman's version of Max Maven's "Positive/Negative" (see the Mystery School book, page 313).

Mark Ross

Maybe mentaly force a playing card?

Ok let me expand on that.Have the spectator mentaly select red or black. Then spades or clubs. THEN follow the method sean feilds wrote up in Rated X! I love it. Its so easy! (the psychological force by moving the finger from left to right)

I'd involve all the audiance with a cell-phone effect.
Look into Lior work and watch the effect he describes, it is the best impromptu opener I guess.

Some interesting ideas here, gentlemen.

Some, though, not strictly'impromptu' per se - ID and swami!

However, people seem comfortable in having something written as an initial effect, or using a psychological principle despite these often working best once you've established your 'credentials', and despite the risk of the opener not working 100%.

An equivoque or such seems a nice impromptu opener, as it is fast and direct, and does not involve writing being the first thing that the spectators do. terasbos is indeed a wonderful routine, and could fit in well.

Simon

I would say borrow a book and do paper back thought projection or marc pauls book test then the hoy. that's 100% impromptu and a nice opener.

...also the version by Richard Busch in Peek Performances, I'm not quite sure of the page number off hand.

Are peeks really impromptu?

Scott,
Borrow a business card and use their card for a ***k (CT whatever). That, to me, seems about as impromptu as one can get.

best regards,
Tony Razzano