Image from Tradecraft - The Art and Science of Cold Reading."
Mentalism FAQ
What is the difference between a magician and a mentalist?
Magicians and mentalists have two distinct approaches and goals for their performances. For example, magicians tend to display their skill and use colorful props and equipment to defy the laws of physics by making people or objects appear or disappear, levitate, transport, or change in some way, while mentalists downplay any manipulative ability and use everyday objects to convince audiences they can read minds, influence thoughts, or even predict future events.
What is the best mentalism book?
If you're interested in learning to perform mentalism, the best general mentalism books are either Tony Corinda's "13 Steps to Mentalism" or "Practical Mental Effects" with 200 top mentalism effects originally published in Ted Annemann's "The JINX." Bob Nelson's "Encyclopedia of Mentalism" is one of the most comprehensive and authoritative guides for the advanced mentalist.
What is a billet?
In mentalism, a billet is simply a small slip of paper on which a spectator writes or draws something. This might be a name, date, simple design, or other information. Afterward, the billet is usually retained by the spectator or openly destroyed before the mentalist reveals the spectator’s hidden thoughts.
The Complete Guide to Billet-Switching (Tony Corinda and Ralph Read) includes mental effects with billets by Tony Corinda, Punx, Al Koran, Stanley Jaks, and Maurice Fogel. This publication also includes Corinda's explanation of the mentalist's workhorse technique, the Center (Centre) Tear.
Who was the father of modern mentalism?
Without a doubt, Theodore "Theo" Annemann, born Theodore John Squires (1907 - 1942), had the greatest influence on the contemporary performance of mentalism. A prolific author and editor, Annemann was responsible for many of today's standard mentalism effects and routines. He was also an advocate for subtle methods and "prop-less" mentalism.
Is it acceptable to use playing cards for a mentalism effect?
There are two contrasting schools of thought on the use of playing cards in mentalism. Some mentalism "purists" believe that playing cards should never be used because your audience will dismiss the effect as merely a magic trick. Other mentalists have no issue whatsoever with the use of playing cards in their mentalism performances. This latter group has included many top mentalists over the years, including Ted Annemann, Al Koran, Ted Lesley, and the leading mentalist in the world today, Derren Brown.
What is the difference between a mentalism effect and a mentalism test or experiment?
All three terms are synonymous. However, the latter two imply that the outcome is uncertain, unlike a magic trick that always works. This helps build suspense and elicit an even stronger audience reaction when the effect is ultimately successful.
What are some popular mentalism effects or routines?
The most popular mentalism effects include Book or Magazine Tests, Pseudo Psychometry, Add-a-Number effects, Question and Answer Acts, Two-Person Telepathy Acts, Hellstromism, Predictions, Three Article Tests, Borrowed Bill Divination, Master Memory Feats, Billet Reading, Living and Dead Tests, and Psychological, Life Span and Cold Reading.
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