Michael Kras
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CinemindI had an idea today... this will just graze the surface but I would love to hear your thoughts and dvelopment ideas!
The Effect: The magician removes a folded-up ticket stub from his pocket... he asks the spectator to name a movie currently playing in theatres. The ticket is unfolded and it is revealed to be a genuine ticket for the very movie the spectator thought of!
The Basic Method: Save this for a time when a HUGE blockbuster hit movie hits theatres... this includes Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, The Upcoming Batman Film, anything epic really. You'll know a movie is popular when it gets a high critic rating and also when it is the current most discussed big screen flick.
When this occurs, and at the current time I don't believe there are any films released worthy of this technique, go see it after about a week of it being released... this is the perfect time.... not so late that the movie is old news, but not so early so it is only just gaining popularity. Time it correctly and be observant.
Anyway, go see the movie, and keep the ticket stub... fold it up and keep it in your pocket or your wallet until you find the perfect time to use it. This time is often when you are among people you know are definitely, or likely, movie fans (and who really isn't these days?). Also, another "cheating" method is if you simply overhear someone talking about the movie printed on your ticket stub... really, movies are a popular conversation piece these days so this will happen more often than you think. Do not immediately react when you hear a person talking about the movie, simply wait for the perfect time to hit the person with the effect. They will almost always name the same movie.
At this point, presentation is really what will drive this effect home. You will find that almost 80% of the public that regularly see movies will name the most popular release. Really build it up, use a "premonition" presentation, or simply use it as a walkaround quickie. Also, when putting this effect together, it is best to use a genuine movie ticket. This is because it somehow makes the whole routine more compelling. If you simply have the movie's name written on a slip of paper, that's no stronger than any very basic feat of mentalism. The genuine ticket makes the effect so much stronger.
This works for numerous reasons... first, the fact that it will likely be the first movie to pop into their heads, especially if they have seen it. Second, when a huge blockbuster is surrounded by a bunch of second-rate films, they are certainly more likely to even remember the blockbuster.
That's my method. Any more ideas for this intriguing concept?
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