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Magician VS Mentalist

The document discusses the differences between magicians, illusionists, mentalists, and hypnotists. Magicians perform close-up magic using props that can fit in their pockets, while illusionists perform larger stage illusions. Mentalists have skills in memory, body language reading, personality profiling, and hypnosis, and may incorporate some magic into their performances.

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vicky
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24 views4 pages

Magician VS Mentalist

The document discusses the differences between magicians, illusionists, mentalists, and hypnotists. Magicians perform close-up magic using props that can fit in their pockets, while illusionists perform larger stage illusions. Mentalists have skills in memory, body language reading, personality profiling, and hypnosis, and may incorporate some magic into their performances.

Uploaded by

vicky
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MAGICIAN VS MENTALIST – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

October 1, 2013

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MAGICIAN & A MENTALIST?


Well, to answer this correctly, let’s define a “Magician”.
The term “Magician” tends to be used to cover a few areas, namely what a magician does, and
what an “illusionist” does.

Often this seemingly “umbrella term” can also include “Mentalist” & “Hypnotist”, however
technically, this is not correct. It’s like referring to a builder as a plumber. They may both work on
houses, & may use some of the same tools, but their skills & trades are vastly different.

Let’s start with the differences between a “Magician” & an “Illusionist”.

Illusionists like David Copperfield using large props or Illusions


Illusionists are the performers known for using larger props, boxes or “illusions”.

Popular illusions include Disappearing from one point & appearing in another, Levitation’s,
“Sawing a girl in half”, & several other mistreatment of an otherwise “lovely assistant”.

David Copperfield & Criss Angel are two of the better known illusionists.

Magicians however, tend to perform routines that can pack into a suitcase, or into their pockets.

UK Magician, Dynamo
They use props, or sleight of hand to perform cabaret, parlour, or roving/close up performances.

The catch however, is that there are several entertainers who perform both magic & illusions.
This is obviously where the confusion sets in, entertainers such as Dynamo & David Blaine.

So how about Mentalists & Hypnotists?


This seems fairly straight forward, everyone knows what a Hypnotist does, right? So what about a
mentalist?

Mentalists are interesting now days in that there is virtually a sliding scale between Mental
Magicians & Mentalists.

Derren Brown – UK Mentalist & Hypnotist


“Mental Magicians” are basically magicians who perform tricks designed to look like mentalists,
whilst “Mentalists” have a specifically honed set of skills & an understanding of psychology.
Occasionally a mentalist may utilize a piece of mental magic to enhance a skill or performance,
but that is because true mentalists have training comprised of a variety of skills.

These skills include:

o Memory Training – Advanced memory techniques

o Body Language Reading Skill – Advanced levels of body language reading

o Personality Profiling

o Magic Sleights – All good mentalists have a knowledge of magic & misdirection

o Hypnosis – True mentalists are also accomplished hypnotists. It is part of our skills
tool box

o Influence – Verbal Linguistic influence skills

o … and of course, a personality & ability to PERFORM


Write about …..(express your own ideas)

Let’s define a “Magician

What’s the difference between a magician & a mentalist?

What are the differences between a “Magician” & an “Illusionist”.

How about Mentalists & Hypnotists?

Write about …..(express your own ideas)

Let’s define a “Magician

What’s the difference between a magician & a mentalist?

What are the differences between a “Magician” & an “Illusionist”.

How about Mentalists & Hypnotists?

Write about …..(express your own ideas)

Let’s define a “Magician

What’s the difference between a magician & a mentalist?

What are the differences between a “Magician” & an “Illusionist”.

How about Mentalists & Hypnotists?

Write about …..(express your own ideas)

Let’s define a “Magician

What’s the difference between a magician & a mentalist?

What are the differences between a “Magician” & an “Illusionist”.

How about Mentalists & Hypnotists?

Write about …..(express your own ideas)

Let’s define a “Magician


What’s the difference between a magician & a mentalist?

What are the differences between a “Magician” & an “Illusionist”.

How about Mentalists & Hypnotists?

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