Mentalism from A to Z: Technique, Magic Trick, Life and Times of Mentalism

By Giochidimagia

Thank you and congratulations for buying the eBook “Mentalism from A to Z”.
The title sums up the spirit of the guide, in fact with this eBook the purpose was precisely to give an overview of the art of Mentalism, talking about the techniques used, psychology, Cold Reading and much more, not getting lost in descriptions of details that only the individual performer can and must necessarily learn and refine by trying and trying again.
For this reason, no room has been given to the presentations. It seems a paradox not to mention the presence of an illusionistic effect when this is probably more than 90 percent of the effect itself, but, as said little, the presentation is something so subjective and that must be created according to the character of the performer, the context, and many other factors. In this case, it was not considered to have to report presentations, leaving the reader free to create and build those more suitable for himself and the show he wants to propose.
The manual also wants to clarify many controversial aspects of Mentalism. The reason is simple: to give the illusion that the effects of Mentalism are made with NDP, non-verbal communication techniques, reading of micro-facial expressions, and those who have more. The biggest mental effect of the performers in recent years, for example, Derren Brown, whose style was then taken and brought back to the individual countries by local artists, is just this.  
I have received hundreds of calls and emails from people who have become passionate, in recent years to Mentalism, seeing live shows, and on TV or performances on YouTube.  By talking to these people, I realized the confusion that had arisen, or rather, the illusion worked and people believed it.
Of course, psychology has to do with mentalism, but how will you understand it by reading the manual.
With this guide, you will clarify your ideas on the "Mentalism" issue and you will have the tools to be able to create YOUR MENTAL EFFECTS!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Giochidimagia Editore
• Release date: Jul 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9788832146103

Book preview

CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION

Thank you and congratulations for buying the eBook Mentalism from A to Z.

The title sums up the spirit of the guide, in fact with this eBook the purpose was precisely to give an overview of the art of Mentalism, talking about the techniques used, psychology, Cold Reading and much more, not getting lost in descriptions of details that only the individual performer can and must necessarily learn and refine by trying and trying again.

For this reason, no room has been given to the presentations. It seems a paradox not to mention the presence of an illusionistic effect when this is probably more than 90 percent of the effect itself, but, as said little, the presentation is something so subjective and that must be created according to the character of the performer, the context, and many other factors. In this case, it was not considered to have to report presentations, leaving the reader free to create and build those more suitable for himself and the show he wants to propose.

The manual also wants to clarify many controversial aspects of Mentalism. The reason is simple: to give the illusion that the effects of Mentalism are made with NDP, non-verbal communication techniques, reading of micro-facial expressions, and those who have more. The biggest mental effect of the performers in recent years, for example, Derren Brown, whose style was then taken and brought back to the individual countries by local artists, is just this.

I have received hundreds of calls and emails from people who have become passionate, in recent years to Mentalism, seeing live shows, and on TV or performances on YouTube.  By talking to these people, I realized the confusion that had arisen, or rather, the illusion worked and people believed it.

Of course, psychology has to do with mentalism, but how will you understand it by reading the manual.

With this guide, you will clarify your ideas on the Mentalism issue and you will have the tools to be able to create YOUR MENTAL EFFECTS!

CHAPTER 1

THOUSAND EXCUSES AND PRETEXTS, JUST ONE MENTALISM!

In the last few years, the illusionistic branch of Mentalism has lived thanks also to great performers, a remarkable change but I want to be clear, the change lies in the way of presenting the effects and the "pretexts" that are used to justify them.

More modern and time-appropriate "excuses were used to make the effects more credible. Mentalism, at the technical level, has not changed, except for the use of some psychological techniques that will be talked about later and that however do not give the certainty of the result because they remain limited to certain contexts. However, mentalism remains a mechanical/scientific" illusionist discipline, meaning tricks are used to realize the effects and the presentation serves to divert attention from makeup and to give credibility to the performance.

Thus, those who approach Mentalism will be, at some point, forced to take on the role of a certain type of Mentalist.

Let's see what these figures are, what they are called, and what excuses and pretexts they use to present their mental effects.

The Classic Mentalist

We define it Classic because of the clothing, language and methods of performing mental effects. They are traditional used for 150 years.

It is a form of entertainment that can be presented well both in theatres, more informal places and even large stages or squares.

Mental Magic Mentalist

It presents the effects in a calm and not serious way, most of the mental effects are predictions and readings of thought, it works very well in private parties of a certain social rank.

The Mentalist who proposes Real Mentalism

The adjective real does not indicate that you do not use tricks naturally but a type of performance in which the artist performs experiments at certain times, or rather... often makes you believe to perform them at certain times even if by nature of the performance they must be planned.

The whole performance makes logical sense for how it is proposed and carefully studied for this purpose.

The clothing is personal according to the character of the performer.

Mental Bending Mentalist

This kind of role at Mentalism was given by the famous Uri Geller, who did not perform only the metal bending, like keys, tablespoons, etc., but other effects such as stopping clocks or duplicating thoughtful designs, however the strong point was the metal bending.

Uri Geller possessed and possessed an immense charisma: his strength lies not only in the simplicity of the effects, but in the great mastery to make them credible.

He can perform anywhere, charism is everything.

Magician Mentalist

It is a type of mentalism which can be defined as a kind of transition of the Magician that switches to Mentalism and performs mental effects, in situation of Close Up tricks.

With the use of playing card and Close Up techniques, he can force the cards and reveals prediction according to the force-choices.

It is a suitable choice for informal places, dinners, restaurants, parties.

Mentalism in Pair

In this form of entertainment, there are two performers and they realize the effects using coded languages that cannot be discovered by the public, with which useful information is transmitted for the success of the effect.

The couple is usually formed by the formula: man and woman in the shoes of a "medium".

For example, typical tricks are those related to the search for objects that the medium can recognize even if blindfolded.

Scientific Mentalism

Scientific Mentalism refers to that form of Mentalism that uses as an excuse/pretext to justify the effect, the use of psychological techniques such as non-verbal language, eye movements, principles of persuasion and thanks to them can understand for example what a person thinks.

The term "scientific should not be misleading, if we use the term scientific" to define Mentalism it is useful to reiterate that Mentalism is always scientific. Magic, Illusionism and Mentalism are always made with scientific, mechanical techniques, the so-called tricks, in this part of the text instead the term is used simply to define a type of presentation of this type of entertainment but it is necessary to keep the two concepts apart.

The Reader Mentalism

To present his performance, he uses tarot reading or the crystal ball, elements borrowed from the "divinatory arts"!

It works well in the stores selling esoteric items, it dresses in a manner consistent with the atmosphere and emotions that it wants to evoke and that type of presentation invokes.

The Bizarre Magic Mentalism

Also in this type of Mentalism are used the tools of divination, such as tarot cards, magic commuters, etc.

Clothing must remember emotions such as mystery, curiosity, and elements of magic, ancient stories and legends.

The atmosphere is refined and deliberately with light and soft colours.

It works very well in ancient places and with a small number of spectators.

The Channeler Mentalism

This type of performer claims to be in contact with guiding figures such as spirits and angels.

He spreads positive emotions and feelings.

As you could see then there are several types of Mentalist or rather the types of "excuse/pretext" to justify the extraordinary abilities of the Mentalist.

You will have to choose the one that's right for you based on your audience, character, and above all your way of being.

CHAPTER 2

TECHNIQUES

The misunderstanding

During the reading of the manual we will see the various techniques by which the effects of Mentalism are realized and I want to open with the technique of misunderstanding that is actually a trick, but specifically a verbal trick.

This technique generates the perfect illusion that the performer can predict events.

The