The first skit usually is a low threat skit designed to deepen the experience and test for continued suggestability.

In Vegas Anthony Cool and Scott Lewis both open shows with participants playing in a band. I use this too. Its dramatic, easily identifies those who are going to be stars and is fun.

Michael Johs uses a hot/cold bit as his first skit.

Terry Stokes goes straight for hypnotic amnesia (bucking the trend of low risk skits) and usually begins with subject forgetting name.

What do you use for your fist skit and why?

What about other high profile stage hypnos?

I like good smell bad smell. I like the contrast from switching immediatly it is a fine indicator to me of who is in and who is playing along and who needs to leave.

It is also low threat, and it is relativly easy to accomplish. Often easy enough that the subjects who may be 'playing along' can talk themselvs into trance, a very nice feature.

I also never leave the first skit, till I am getting the reactions I want. I want to model behavior, and moving along prior to getting the result can be detrimental to the whole show.

That first skit NO MATTER WHAT IT IS, better work right. Just an opinion.

"I also never leave the first skit, till I am getting the reactions I want. I want to model behavior, and moving along prior to getting the result can be detrimental to the whole show.

That first skit NO MATTER WHAT IT IS, better work right. Just an opinion."


Newcomers: That advice from Danny is worth the price of any hypnosis book or DVD you may buy....

I start with a trip on the Love Boat. First their best friend is on the ship across the deck from them and have them all wave at their best friend. I don't go on til everyone has waved. Then they eat dinner at the captains table with their utensils and then it is a trip to the ship theater where we watch the funniest and then the saddest movies ever. They laugh their heads off and cry real tears. I even get someone to talk in Japanese in the boating skit.

I have to preface this whole arrangement with the fact that I have taken everyone to a complete collapse into their laps and only keep the ones who showed no resistance during the induction. Before awakening I have given numbers to the ones I plan on keeping and simply instruct that when they are awake the ones with a number will remain on the stage and those who didn't get a number will return to their seats and enjoy the show from there. Using this method I have never had a problem with people not participating in the show as they have been following directions all along. Suggestions aren't anything more than giving directions you want to be followed and they already have proven the ability to follow directions.

Martin

Old, unorignal but it works... I use "On The Beach". It lasts for 6 minutes, is funny, active and helps them get relaxed and into the show.

Rob
http://www.comedyhypnosis.co.uk

Arm catalepsy and then rapid reinduction and right into automatic arm movement, using multiple actions - each person doing something different. It reinforces responsiveness and shows the audience, very visually, who is responding.

Lee Darrow, C.H.

I'm with Lee. I prefer physical hypnosis stunts to strengthen the mental later in the show.