Blog
Episode 6 – Way Too Much Procedure
Please wait while you are redirected...or Click Here if you do not want to wait.
The podcast has ended and is no longer available online. It is available as a USB Package, click here for more info.
What things do you find really ‘drag’ when you watch mentalism?
Letter by letter word revelations
“There’s an O near the start of this word right? And a G, right at the end. Just before that is an N and before that… an I? It’s a six letter word yes? Starts with B? Is it boring?”
Incredibly so.
I also find procedure is not only sometimes boring, but can get too much for a participant to keep track of. Such as the random number generated in your example on the podcast. It’s easy for someone to get lost or think of the wrong thing.
Yeah I’m hit and miss with progressing revelations like this. I’ve seen some that are very engaging and the process is integrated into the presentation in a way that makes sense.
I’ve found that especially with a star sign revelation that some of the longer star signs tend to get misspelt and can be problematic.
I’ve not seen a progressing one that kept me entertained, I suppose I just need to watch more mentalism 😛
I would rather get one or two progressively and then come out with the word.
It’s not just star signs that get misspelt. I’ve had someone forget Peter Pan was spelt with a T. That was amusing.
Genuine question, is all ‘procedure’ bad?
I ask because even in the short few years I’ve been a mentalist I’ve seen a massive rise in the popularity of ‘true propless’ mentalism that doesn’t require anything other than words and process.
A lot of this, unfortunately, does get boring as performed. The process doesn’t seem to add to the overall enjoyment or effect. There are some effects however that might not be the case.
For example Train Tracking. I’ve heard this called the holy grail of propless, and I’ve been lucky enough to see it performed. It’s an effect that has a lot of process, but the payoff seems to be that not only can you tell a participant their original word but also a brand new mental picture formed then and there.
Another popular one (by mentalists and participants alike it seems) is the star sign revelation (I don’t want to give method acronyms here but I assume most people know how this can be done propless).
Is procedure something that is more forgivable in social situations rather than paid gigs. When doing mentalism over the phone for prospective client?
Really enjoyed this episode though and looking forward to the next!
Really glad you enjoyed the episode, thank you 🙂
I don’t think that all procedure is bad. Like I mention in the podcast at times I’ve taken out so much of the procedure that the effect is to bare.
I’d be happy to share my thoughts on true propless mentalism if someone were to ask the question (hint hint) As a rule I really dislike it. I’ve had to help people stop trying to be propless who bought into the idea that you can do professional corporate shows using those techniques.
Propless may work in certain situations, but why not just use an invisible prop to get a definite and easier to understand outcome?
I can’t imagine trying to do a corporate show on purely propless routines. To be honest I can’t imagine trying to do any show with purely propless. I think it has its place, and I find myself using it mostly when I’m out and about and someone finds out what I do. A few routines are nice for those impromptu moments.
I recently did my first parlour show and there wasn’t a propless effect in sight. So I do think the when and where is important.
And I’ll be recording a question when I get home today (assuming nothing keeps me out too late). Got myself a nice list now 🙂
I think some of the good propless ideas can be an additional subtlety at best. I’d love be proven wrong on this, but so far what I have seen doesn’t fit in with my knowledge of what corporate entertainment is like.
For me when I see propless I just think it’s a great thought exercise or puzzle. Almost like flexing your brain personally as an entertainer.