Why I Absolutely HATE Actors in Mind Reading Tricks
I don't often rant.. well I do, but this is something that really quite bothers me more than usual. The constant overuse of blatant actors on TV in mind reading and mentalism tricks.
You know the tricks, the ones that are stupidly impossible and have an obviously overreacting crowd and a pathetically enthusiastic volunteer. If you don't know what I'm talking about, stick on a Criss Angel television show and see.
These people are paid actors and are in on the trick, they have be in on the trick otherwise the trick won't work. These tricks are all for the camera and cannot work to spectators who are right up close to the mentalist. Now I'm sure a lot of you love Criss Angel but as far as QUALITY mind reading and mentalism goes, he's pretty darn poor.
I do believe there is a difference between and actor and a stooge in this case. To me, an actor is someone who has a big part in the overall effect of the trick and is usually pretending to be a volunteer. There are usually a crowd of actors too, all pretending to be amazed by some silly levitation. A stooge is someone who is involved in the trick but usually behind the scenes and doesn't broadcast their poor acting skills to the spectators but makes the effect look utterly impossible.
I understand some tricks need a stooge, but it's the overuse of actors that kill the real creative side of mind reading and mentalism. There is a danger of filming a whole show with actors as spectators and having no magic of real reactions and disbelief.
I love close up mentalism with real people. Nothing can beat the effect whereby the spectators are genuinely mystified by the mentalist. I don't personally love stooges either but I have and will always use them when I feel the need. I won't however use actors. Ever. I don't care if I've got a world famous television show. I'll never water down my effects with that nonsense. Derren Brown manages without it, so that's good enough for me.
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ETHICAL Mind Reading & Mentalism Tricks?
Is there such a thing as ethical mind reading?
This is a bit controversial and many people will disagree with me and want to write me angry letters threatening to put a spell on me or some other sort of voodoo I'm sure.
I'm talking about the ethics of being a mind reader and what you actually claim to be able to do. The basis of being a mentalist or mind reader is making people believe you have some sort of ability. Whether it be psychic or abnormal psychological abilities being able to seemingly influence people's decisions and tell what they're thinking by reading their body language.
So, why am I bringing ethics into this?
Well, is it ethical to claim you have special abilities? My personal opinion is yes and no. I think it depends what you claim and how you use it.
I think it's OK to a point. Like it's ok to say you can read people's minds or influence their choices but when you claim to be psychic and start telling people how to live their lives or speak to their dead grandmother and pass on messages. I think that crosses the line.
In my opinion it's irresponsible to use your knowledge of mind reading and mentalism to fool someone into thinking their dead relatives are talking to you or the that you can see the future and tell them what decisions to make.
What some 'psychics' may consider to be harmless fun and just a bit of trickery, someone could take literally and make a life changing decision based on a flimsy comment.
What I would say is use your mind reading and mentalism knowledge carefully because anyone who knows the really good mind reading tricks that I know, understands that you can literally make someone believe anything you want.
Use it responsibly and have fun.. This stuff is really powerful in the wrong hands.. http://www.ultimatemindreading.com mind reading articles
How To Finally Stop Annoying Hiccups With The Power of Your Mind..
Yes, that's what I said – hiccups.
I know I usually let you in on some pretty serious mentalism and mind reading tricks and techniques but today I fancied giving you a bit more of a light-hearted trick although I've had some of my strongest reactions off people doing this trick.
This is a bit of weird one because I don't think anyone really knows how or why it works, which may be because people don't know how or why we get hiccups in the first place. This isn't fake and doesn't require a stooge either, you really do stop someone from hiccuping. Due to the nature of the trick i.e. needing someone to have hiccups in the first place, I've only been able to do it a handful of times. That being said, it has never, ever failed to work.
So.. how the heck do you do it?
Well it's simple, when someone is a bumbling mess from their hiccups and are wishing they were dead. Say confidently to them, “Do you want me to stop them for you?” If they say yes, which they usually will while pleading for you to end their life. You put your both hands on each of their shoulders and stare into their eyes and every time they hiccup you say “STOP!”. Ask them to really concentrate on each hiccup that they do.
Sounds stupid and simple doesn't it? Well it works. There's not much else to say about it.
The main thing to keep in mind is that you must do it confidently and believe you will stop them. They way the person with the hiccups will actually believe you can stop them and they will stop. If you're lucky enough to have a crowd of people while you do it, you can get some great reactions from people.
How To Use Real Suggestion In Mind Reading & Mentalism Tricks
Of course the nature of mind reading and mentalism gives the impression the mind reader or mentalist has special abilities. Whether it be psychic abilities, abnormal psychological influence or any host of weird and wonderful powers.
With the psychological persona, many tricks include the illusion that the mentalist is influencing the volunteer's decision, but I've always tried to push the boundaries of what's actually possible and there's one method I've come across that is probably as close the boundary as you can get.
I found that you can use subliminal suggestion to influence a spectators decision when you give them a series of options.
The easiest way to explain it would be to get someone to choose a number between one and five What you do is when you call out their options you say, choose a number “one, two, three, four or five”
You can then get them more often than not to choose the number you want.. but how?
It's quite simple, you actually nod your head ever so slightly on the number you want them to choose. If you are to try this it will take you quite some time to do it without being obvious. It's a very slight nod The spectator should only subconsciously pick up on your suggestion.
To give you an example if you want to influence the volunteer to choose the number 4 you say to the volunteer “Pick a number between one, two, three, four (nod your head as you say it) or five”.
I've tested out 2 different ways, one is repeating the process again, with the same nod but also just doing it the once and pushing for them to answer. I found that doing it once and forcing them to pick a number quickly worked best, I think this is because the subconscious mind is more likely to kick in when you don't give them too much time to ponder and change their mind.
This like all real suggestion and influence doesn't always work and it's wise to have an 'out'. If you don't know what an out is then I suggest reading a little deeper into mind reading and mentalism techniques. Either way, try this out when you can do it and it won't matter if you get it wrong, do it as a preliminary effect before you go on to do a proper mentalism trick which is guaranteed to work.