Michael Kras
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Luke Jermay's Touching On Hoy?Hello,
Upon learning Luke Jermay's INGENIOUS mentalism technique called Touching On Hoy, I was hooked. No props, cards, pens, paper, notepads, and no information is shared at all. Three spectators think of three seperate things and you accurately name each of them. It surely sounds impossible in print but it infact has an ingenious method.
I recently put together a killer mentalism show, and upon using it on my test audience a few nights ago, decided to use Touching On Hoy as a finale.
All I would like to know, simply, is if Touching On Hoy is a good closer for a mentalism act. If not, then why is that? Right now, my presentation begins by recapping the evening, but for my last stunt using nothing but the mind... no cards, paper, pens, notepads, or anything else.
Please let me know!
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BrianMillerMagic
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I am not familiar with the routine, but I use techniques from Rick Maue and Derren Brown to achieve direct mindreading without the use of any props at all. From my personal experience with these kinds of routines, they are never 100% sure fire. Something can go wrong. If that is the case with this routine, I would suggest not closing with it. Your closer should be absolutely surefire because it is basically how the audience will remember your entire show by. You cannot afford the possibility of a failed effect for the closer.
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Michael Kras
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Interesting point, and you are totally correct... that was a point I never really thought over for this routine. Plus it is pretty risky if the volunteers talk to eachother about it afterwards. If they do that publicly, you're in trouble.
Thank you! This would probably be suited to a mid-show routine. On that note, do you know any good mentalism closers?
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BrianMillerMagic
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I do indeed. My closer to both my Comedy, Mentalism, Magic show and my All In Your Mind show is one particular mentalism routine. I think you should look into routines yourself instead of me telling you what works for me. Go hunting for good mentalism! It's fun.
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Craig Browning
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For starters I'd love to see video of Michael actually performing... especially anything that would be considered a "killer Mentalism act" by someone so young... call me skeptical...
Touching on Hoy is a powerful piece of work that I've used since before it's release and found it a no fail bit of fun that drives the audience nuts.
When it comes to Mentalism... real Mentalism, the "what if" factor is very important. The rule being that MAGICIANS always win and get things right while the MENTALISTS don't mind a miss or near miss here and there; the irony being that such close calls or total failures create a unique psychological bridge in the mind of the laity that makes what we do more believable... more plausible as being genuine. This is the one and only ILLUSION that the mentalist should be striving for... even Banachek and Derren Brown will tell you this, in that the more real and unexplainable you make it... the more etheric you allow it to be, the more miraculous it becomes no matter how simple the "effect" might seem.
I've done Rick's DEMON RING and had people crying, begging me to stop the Seance it frightens them so much.
Stephan Minch pointed out years ago that very few that investigate mentalism will ever give to it what it demands for making it sound and real. Most that come from magic background are too fear-filled when it comes to "the lie" and thus, they do not reconcile the issue of what the game is and how it must be pulled off vs. taking half-measures that leave you looking like a jack-ass magician trying to pull the wool over people's eyes.
No, I'm not saying that you need to add the boogieman BS or any of tne New Age trype to things... only that you must make what you do believable as well as plausible. It has to fit who you are and what flows best with you. Most do not know what that is in that most will not look honestly at themselves long enough to define and mold their character. As Peter Pit used to say, they hide behind their tricks rather than being the vehicle through which miracles happen.
I've been in this business many years and have yet to meet someone without a bit of grey in their temples or who wasn't be guided and trained by an old timer, who could perform solidly, be it magic or mentalism. At 21 I was smart enough to know I was too young and inexperienced with life for pulling off a solid Psychic show. I was good in the acts I'd done but simply not mature enough.
Trust me, I had resources... I practically lived at the Magic Castle and had more than a few lunches with Max Maven, Mark Edward and other notables of the psychic/bizarre world. Max was very encouraging of me when it came to moving into Mentalism, believing it better suited to my nature than the big illusion realms I so loved. A bit more than a decade later, I discovered he was right... but I took my time, I studied in silence and practiced with patience over several years so I could know what to do, how and why. It took me well over a decade to evolve and mature sufficiently to be comfortable in doing Mentalism in what I felt to be the more true and proper way.
I know I've rambled a bit here, but one of my biggest reasons for coming to this forum was to keep dear little Michael in check... he's a good kid but in desperate need for the occasional boot in the butt so as to keep him in check and on the right path vs. self-will going riot.
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Michael Kras
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Maybe killer was a wrong choice of word but it certainly was a lot different (and easier for me) than today's mentalism methods. Touching On Hoy was my closer for it and it went over well. Overall enjoyable, however I don't really have the guts to pull of a lot of mentalism anymore... I find it risky.
By the way, welcome to the forums Mr. Browning! I am sure you will be a great asset to our discussions.
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