During the 14th to 16th September 2004 Derren kindly gave up a lot of his
time to answer questions from the members of The Magic Cafe .
Here are his answers in transcript form. Some of his answers are very interesting and provide an
insight into his unique thinking on the broad subject of magic.
Thank you for having me: flattered to be had by you. I just wanted to apologise
in advance about the fact that due to the ultimately quite public nature of these
fora (I hope to use that word as much as possible), and the small profile I have
amongst the British public, I can't really expose any of my methods here. I hope
that doesn't render my being on the forum utterly pointless: I'll try to be as
helpful as possible.
Many thanks for the invitation, and to my delightful and utterly charming friend
Stephen Long for suggesting and arranging it.
Be gentle with me,
db
Debunking
Firstly let me say how much I loved the seance both live and on stage, that inspired
to me start to learn magic. It seems very much in the tradition of Houdini, Randi,
P&T etc. Will using your techniques to debunk flim flamry be developed or
was the seance a one off in that regard?
I feel that out-and-out debunking is a witless stand and a losing battle.
When you tell someone something as a fact, he will hear it, interpret it, apply
it to his own thoughts and beliefs, and necessarily move AWAY from it a little.
The more you insist on it as fact, the more potential scepticism you provoke.
It's utterly natural. It's much more effective, I think, to use presumption and
leave clues. That way, when people do their interpretative work, they move TOWARDS
where you want them to.
So, the ending of the Seance, to me, was a more effective debunking tool than
a dull 'exposure' of charlatanism. I didn't disprove anything, and neither did
I attack spiritualists. The most I said was that 'personally I found it quite
ugly', and then explained that the show was to see whether techniques used by
Victorian charlatans would work on a modern, sceptical audience. That was all.
I was careful not to make the show an attack. Interestingly (as you may know,
it's now the most complained about show in UK TV history), it was anticipated
as an attack, seen as one by many, and taken by others as 'proof' that spritualism
is nonsense. Of course it was none of those things.
So I think that a subtle touch is all that is needed. A scepticism of the new-age
agenda and religion of course underpins much of what I do, but I don't intend
to make that an explicit agenda. Besides, I don't consider my sceptical beliefs
to be any more real than the daft excesses of modern new-ageism. It's all nonsense.
I've thought a lot about this issue, and I think the most that can be said on
the subject is that if you believe something which sounds stupid to the outside
world, it's best to shut up about it.
Great question, thank you,
db
Whats up with the Ghetto Hoody?
And gangsta signs you're throwing up there??
It's a make-up job from the new series. I had to wear the hood
so I could get from the make-up room to the set without being stared at
too much.
I don't really look like that.
db
Can't think of a subject header...
Hi Derren,
Just wanted to say that though I'm not a magician or mentalist
or anything like that, I nonetheless purchased both of your books
and had a delightful read. I
have recently finished by Bachelor degree in Philosophy and really
enjoy esthetics and Art theory and do believe that magic as you
define it can be art; I essentially
believe that art is a state of mind.
Anyway, nice to see that a few intelligent people still exist in
show business!
Cheers
P.S. Are there any plans for CH4 to repeat your 1st TV series?
I missed that one...
Thanks very much - very kind. I'm sure they'll repeat it: they seem to repeat
everything. E4 are quite good at showing it over and over again.
db
Your Bleiefs
I was just wonderin what religious
things you belief in and what religion are you?
I've writtena bit about beliefs in the 'debunking' thread.
Yes, used to be a very happy-clappy Christian. Then came to realise that
it seemed to work like any beleif system, and that everything I found
frustrating about
new-age believers (and woolly, circular-beliefs which were desperately
defended because they were ultimately not about belief but about identity)I
could apply
to myself.
So I felt I needed a more rigorous defence of it that the emotive truisms I was
given from churches, and started reading around how the Bible was put together
and so on. I felt more comfortable not having the pat answers and ultimately circular
arguments I had had before, and thought that from a new uncertainty I might build
a respectable belief. But that part never happened: it all just started to look
silly.
However, do refer to my answer in the debunking thread.
Wasn't aware of any blasphemy before the RR. I did say f*ck though. Thought it
was quite nicely placed...
Thanks,
db
Clones
Derren,
As you are at the forefront of the art, it is inevitable that you
are going to become the object of imitators. As flattering
as this is how do you feel about
this?
I shall pose this in two parts.
Firstly, when someone performs an effect that you do in a sub-standard
fashion, thereby tipping the method, do you feel that weakens
or strengthens your own position
as a performer in the public eye?
Secondly, how do you feel about beginners using your style
as a starting block for their own careers before evolving their
own?
On a final note. Honestly, how annoyed do you really get when
people just ask you how you do a certain effect, and if the
bullet was
real?
Regards,
Richard
Richard,
I've enjoyed your posts here and elsewhere when I've looked at sites.
It's a tricky question to answer. I think it's just inevitable, as you
say, and it's pointless having strong opinions on it. I just try and
come up with effects
that most magicians won't be able to work out (!). I haven't
seen anyone do an effect of mine, let alone badly, so I don't know how
to answer the first part.
I've heard of the odd person (you know who you are) pretty
much doing my entire act after seeing the stage show (the first half
is roughly my cabaret show), and
that was galling. Especially as I knew the guy.
As for beginners using my style to start off, I guess that
makes sense. We've all done it in one way or another.
I don't think I've coined any particularly
original approach to mentalism, although I do try and
really commit to it. But there are a hundred possible ways of
approaching it, and most of them far away
from the 'psychic vs. psychological' agenda. I know of
very few people who do think outside of that box. But
it makes
sense to copy someone else's style at
first, and ridiculous and hypocritical to argue that
it shouldn't happen. (I just don't want to see it.)
Equally, I hear about younger performers being accused
of aping my style, and it turns out to be nonsense. I
saw Luke
Jermay give a show a while back, and after
hearing and reading bits here and there, I expected a
sort of copy. Couldn't have been further from the truth:
he
was delightful, original, and far more self-effacing
than I could ever hope to be.
So I don't worry about that any more.
I don't get annoyed if people ask me how to do a certain
effect. I can answer extremely coherently, fully, and
honestly, without saying anything. No-one really
asks about the bullet, though for a while the phrase
'blanks would still kill you' was permanently poised
on the tip
of my tongue.
Cheers Richard,
db
Which?
At your live show in Cardiff
a few months ago one of the spectators invited onto the
stage called you "Darren", and another referred to Figaro as
a "budgie".
Which did you find the most distressing?
The 'Darren' thing makes me laugh when it happens during the 'vox pop' interviews
we film for the show. I don't mind it, I've always had it. The 'budgie' mistake
happened a lot, and allowed me a cheeky gag in retort. Something about a cockatoo.
db
When, if ever, will you perform in the United States?
Many people in the Magic Cafe
have expressed a desire to see you perform, although I expect you'd
rather have an audience
that includes
more than just magicians.
Or perhaps you'd prefer an audience that doesn't include
any magicians at all given the sad prevalence of copying?
Never been bothered about magicians in the audience at a live show, although
I've been to magic shows before where magicians are sat in the front row literally
noting down all the gags in a notebook. That makes me sad.
There are talks underway about making a US special, but the production values
are high, so it's an expensive show to make. But it will happen, and hopefully
over the next 2/3 years.
Thanks for the interest.
db
Performances
Hi Derren,
I've two questions if that's ok:
1) It's been well documented that at some point in the future you
plan on taking your Mindcontrol act to America and I
understand the original series have already
been shown over there. When this does eventually happen,
would you expect to release the US material to the UK either in
the
form of a new C4 series or another DVD,
or will we Brits have to make American friends?
2) In your most recent live tour, it seems you've started
making use of a blindfold during Reminiscence - overall,
one of my
favourite mentalism effects. I don't
want to stray into the territory of exposure, but was
this move to support the method of the effect, or for
other reasons,
for
example to ensure 'true ideomotor
resposes', etc?
Thanks,
Mark
1) no idea as of yet. It's all up in the air. I suspect it would get shown here.
2) Erm... haven't used Reminiscence at all in the live show. Tried it a
bit a few years ago in Bristol and dropped it. The only blindfold part
now is the transfer
of a thought-of number between two volunteers, which
is a different effect and a very different method.
Hope that's OK,
db
Derren, is magic still "cool"
Do you think because of what
yourself and perhaps blaine have acheived in bringing
magic into
the 21st century
and bringing
flair and
individuality to the art that
you you may have in fact made more people dismiss the
more traditional magicians, per say the ordanarry people doing
the circuit or
even maybe people like
Copperfield etc who perform the larger scale illusions?
I don't think it's down to me at all, I think it's entirely due to Blaine. And
I think his early specials provoked a huge interest in magic again, especially
amongst TV companies, and if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be doing mine.
Bad performers will always be bad, and good will always be good, regardless
of what's in or out of fashion. All that happens is that a lot of copyists
appear:
so after Blaine came a lot of grungy close-up magicians
with a 'street' appeal doing card tricks. But equally, some of them
will be good, others bad. The bad
will be dismissed after a while. I don't think much
changes, other than periods of more acute interest.
Hmm. Thanks,
db
Are 'psychological' magicians the new psychics
Love
your interesting, thought-provoking work, and I thought
your recent seance made excellent telly.
As a bit of a Uri Geller fan (sorry) I wanted to ask:
1)if you think that there is really such a difference
between his psychic line and the psychological mantle
that you assume?
I mean,
given that psychology is
such a floaty discipline and so little of it is based
in solid research trials, where is the difference?
2)if you think it matters? - magicians seem to be a
bit obsessed with the whole skeptic thing, but do you
feel
a magician can
create a coherent vision without
lying about something? and do you think that the likes
of Uri are really being unfair on their audience?
thankyou...
Great question. I did start off with a hard 'psychology' line, but I didn't want
to give myself an ulcer. For me, the challenge and interesting part of it all
is to be as honest as possible whilst retaining the strength of the performance.
It's not about proving I have this or that ability. So I say that it's a 'mixture
of magic, suggestion, psychology, misdirection and showmanship', and that's true.
If I have people asking me where they can join a course to learn NLP or
some technique, I'll give them what advice I have, which is both where
the better courses
are, but also why it has to be taken with a huge
pinch of salt. I also reiterate, in case they've missed it, that much
of what I do isn't what it looks like. I'll
be as honest as I can without getting into individual
methods, as I prefer to keep those to myself.
However, I'd much rather someone took it too seriously and decided to take
a psychology course, than someone took a fraudulent psychic seriously
and decided
to make life-decisions based on that false information,
or become a psychic themselves. For me, there is a real difference
there.
It's up to any performer what line they take, as
long as they take responsibility for their claims.
For me, it's more interesting and defensible to
be as honest
as possible about it in general, though at the
same time I have to be ambiguous about specifics.
Hope that answers the question. I guess I should
keep my thoughts on Uri to myself.
db
Card effects
Hi Mr Brown! I read you article
about card effects in Magic october 2003,and I
realize that you
don't include
many card
tricks in your repetoire. But out of
intrest,if someone gave you a deck and asked for
a card trick,what effect would you do?
I have a few card effects I still perform, which are on the Devil's Picturebook
tape, or which have grown out of effects there. Generally 'mental' in nature.
No more picking cards out of my flies for me.
Probably pointless giving names of effects, as if you don't have the tape, you
won't know what I mean. They wouldn't be known card tricks with popular titles.
I'm amazed at how rusty I am at the tricks I used to perform. Shows how important
it is to keep at it...
Cheers,
db
A few question
Hello there. I have a few
questions that I hope you could answer, some about
performance,
others trivial.
1 After a year of messing around with mentalist
(and finally finding my own style) I am looking
to develop
my act a little,
with the
help of University open mike
nights. I was wondering if you could share any
advice you have on developing an act, including
things such
as getting yourself
booked?
2 How would you suggest dealing with hecklers?
So far my best approach seems to be hoping my politeness
and
manners wins
them over.
3 Have you ever considered releasing any of the
effects you currently use on stage or television.
If not
why?
4 Suppose you had never gotten into magic or mentalist.
What do you think you would be doing with your
life.
5 Do you intend to perform until you retire, or
do you have a career change planned?
Some more trivial questions:
6 What breed are your parrots?
7 Do you like Jazz?
8 What's your favourite film?
9 Favourite book?
10 Best place to buy classical Cds in Bristol.
Thanks for your time.
Jamie Morgon
Aargh... no time to answer all of these very fully, I'm so sorry. Especially
number 1.
2 - I agree, seems best. Can't say without seeing your act or knowing the sorrts
of venues you perform in.
3 - No, no plans to release them. Not sure why you'd think I would!
4 - Painting, perhaps.
5 - No changes planned. I'll do this as long as I enjoy it, I guess.
6 - Conures
7 - Nope. Well, trad jazz perhaps, mainly from being a Woody Allen fan.
8 - Wings Of Desire (Wim Wenders)
9 - Don't know. Maybe Boswell's London Diaries.
10 - Was Bristol Classical Discs on Broad St. Now there's nowhere.
Thank you too.
db
The Figaro Transfer, The Spasm ?
Hi Derren,
Ken here, one of the two Irish magicians you met after one of your
shows in the palace theatre. Greatly enjoyed the
night, great show, nice to meet you as well.
In an attempt to keep this forum clutter free I'll post a
couple questions in the one thread.
1. Seeing as you named a sleight after your parrott,
were you at any stage tempted to name one after
your cat? How could
you resist?
2. What are your musical interests? I imagine you
would be more inclined to Beethoven than The Beastie
Boys,
where do
your main
interests lie?
3. Looking back at the stop of your recent tour
in Belfast compared with the English venues, how
did
you feel it
was received and
were you encouraged
to
cross
the waters again?
1 - Well, Spasm the cat is stuffed whereas the parrot is real, so I guess he
got priority.
2 - Big Bach fan.
3 - Belfast was a wonderful last night. Next year we're planning on playing
Dublin too, as we didn't manage to secure it last time. Apologies to
any Dubliners. Don't
know if it was substantially different, as
one tends to feel more exhilerated anyway on the final night of a tour.
Thanks, and it was delightful to meet you both.
db
Tips?
Any tips to help
along performances? Always ready to learn from
a master!
Script everything carefully and thoughtfully, then learn the script. Never make
it up as you go along. You must deliver it well and naturally, and can ad lib
a bit from the script or discover new moments where they occur, but it means that
if you're ill or not on form one night, you'll still get everything right and
give a great show.
That's what I think, anyway.
db
Which way now?
Hi Derren! firstly, congratulations
on your phenomenal success! Well done that
man!
Since the airing of the Mind Control Series
a few years ago you have significantly and
consistently
raised
the performance
bar
and added a much needed breath of
fresh air back into magic with performances
that focus heavily on the spectator creating
the magic
for themselves
but one
where the spectator doesn't feel patronised.
You have also inspired and rekindled an incalculable
number of peoples' passion for magic as evidenced
by the 1000s of
posts relating
to you and your work on
this site alone.
For some of the effects you have performed
and the underlying ideas I find it difficult
to see
how you
could better
them and that you
have stretched the use
of them to the absolute max. Obviously, you
are working in a very pressurised environment
where
everyone
is expecting you to keep
raising the bar and creating
more and more magical experiences. Because
of this and the
fact that you are still a youngster I was wondering
where you see your
career heading...whether you see
yourself continuing to perform within the realms
of psychological illusion or will choose to
walk in a
totally different
direction whether performance related
or not?
All the best.
Justin
Justin - thanks for the nice words. That's very flattering, though not necessarily
true...
If I start to feel that there's no life left in this, then obviously I'll shift
direction, or continent. But for the moment, there's a lot I'd like to explore,
and in many ways it gets easier to think up new ideas, as I have a clearer sense
of what I want to do now than before. I vastly prefer the live shows, so I think
I'll keep touring for a long time, even if I cut right down on the TV shows or
leave them altogether (by choice or otherwise. Probably otherwise.)
Thanks for the 'youngster' bit. Don't feel it much at the moment.
Thanks...
db
Derren, a push in the right direction...
Hi Derren
I've just recently seen your shows air'd on television, since we
are really delayed in that department. But,
after the first show of yours that I have seen, I knew
there and then that I want to become a magician/mentalist.
What I want to ask you is how did you become who
you are today? Is it
through research and if so
where did you research. The reason I ask this
question is, I need a push in the right direction. I'm from South
Africa and
the magic
industry is not as bustling
as it is overseas. Many people in this forum,
suggest
joining a magic club....well, there is no magic club
where I'm from. I
don't
earn dollars so I cant really purchase
books over the internet. My local library sucks.
So what else can I do?
Thanks Derren
Keep up the good work
Regards
Ian
I didn't go down the magic club route. I think they have their advantages and
disadvantages. I took a roundabout route through hypnotism and conjuring, and
can only recommend reading whatever you can get your hands on and to have fun
coming up with things. You have the advantage, if there's not much of a scene
in South Africa, of being unfettered by a received style or other people's thoughts
on what you should do. Two of the card greats - Guy Hollingworth and Lennart Green
- and I'm sure many others - came up with their ideas in relative isolation, and
the results really show. So take whatever passion you have and let it take root
in whatever's available.
Borrow what you can, watch and read what you can, find who you can, and just
keep at it. It'll kick in, or you'll get bored of it and do something else. No
rush.
Best of luck - sorry I can't be of much use.
db
Questions concerning nerves and other performers
Q1)When faced with a large audience
do you ever find yourself struck down with
nerves. If so what do you do to overcome them?
Q2)Whom are your favourite other magical performers, and
why?
Yours Jordan
Thanks -
1)No, never really had that problem. In fact I have to struggle to find nerves
sometimes: they are very useful. I don't like it when I'm trying new material
that's unworked though. That makes me uneasy beforehand.
2)Canasta, Berglas and Teller spring immediately to mind. They have a real understanding
of the theatre of their magic, and ultimately that's what it comes down to.
Hope that answers those ok. Cheers.
db
Top Notch!
Hi Derren,
Saw your show in Nottingham, my mate and I thought you put on a
fantastic performance. Bravo!
The question I would like to put to you is
this. Now, that you are infamous - do you still
hang
around with
the crew or
do you
swan around in a diva like fashion
making impossible demands?
Big fan and long time stalker
Lee
Lee - thanks for coming. Very good of you.
I work with the most delightful crew, so I get to hang around with them. But
yes, there's a terrible danger of turning into a wanker, if I'm not there already.
Horrid.
db
Any plans on a new book?
Hi, I'm a magician,
not a mentalist, but nevertheless I found your
books
interesting
and
very helpful to
my presentation etc, especially Absolute Magic.
Just wondering if there are any plans to release
a new book or any otehr new material?
Oh, and that 9-inch nail was never a 9-inch
nail, come on! (How big was it really?)
Thanks,
-Nik
Never said it was a nine-inch nail. Didn't say anything, from what I remember.
Pleased you liked the book. No, no plans to release any more books or videos
for magicians. In fact when I do, it'll be a subtle sign that my career over here
is flagging a bit.
I'm gagging to release a huge tome, as it were, and I'm sure one day I will.
But not for a long time I think. I am considering writing a book for the general
public, which has been on my mind for a while. Occasionally I read on the net
that I have such a book planned, and that it's a 'self-help style book of standard
psychological techniques you can use at home'. Sounds terrible. I hope if I do
write one, it will be something more interesting, and something I can be proud
of.
Cheers,
db
Andy's personality re: yours
Humour. Andy Nyman. etc
You don't really 'joke' on your shows. How hard has it been NOT
to want to have more 'fun'? I am sure that
during shooting you have a blast with all involved.
However, I can then imagine you having to pull
yourself together again to be 'DB the TV guy'.
How did you feel about humour before your TV series,
and how has the TV series changed the way you
perform - do you see
live performance
now a place where you
can have more fun?
There is SOME humour in what you do like in
the spec as mindreader street stuff. This is
lighter
entertainment
that some of the
material you offer. It's obvious
you are now diversifying slightly in your tv
persona.... yes, slightly, but creeping somewhere
else... where
there's more
room for maneuver
perhaps?
Anyway. Humour. Etc
Such is the problem with having got here early
LOL
Bev
Good point. It took us a while to convince C4 that there could be any humour
in the show at all. Part of the problem is that the show is pretty fast-moving,
and just telling the story is hard enough to fit in. Some great gags (and some
dreadful ones) have been lost.
It is getting looser and more wry in places, I like to think. And yes, the rehearsal/creative
process consists mainly of weeping with laughter. Certainly the live show allows
for a lot more fun than the TV, which is partly why I enjoy it so much.
I like the balance now. Think it is less ponderous and solemn.
db
Invisible Deal
Mr Brown,
Thanks for all the wonderful ideas and magic you've offered to
the magic community. I can tell it's because
of the loyalty and fondness you have for the average magician,
especially coin workers and strolling guys
in bright suspenders.
Anyway, I think many of the effects in Devil's Picturebook
are absolutely brilliant. Invisible Deal is
one of my favorites... sorry, favoUrites.
I seem to be consistently off on suit -- i.e. I get
the color right, and miss the suit, then get
the odd/even part right,
and the number.
Any further tips that
aren't on the video? I have analyzed and analyzed
my patter and my observational skills, and can't find
the
cause.
Any general tips on that effect would be welcome
as well. I do love performing it, and of course
it gets
tremendous
reactions
when I get it right (it gets pretty
good reactions even when the suit is wrong.)
You can spell out to them that they have to visualise everything perfectly, and
show them each time where to deal the piles, making sure they hear the instruction
that tells them which one to start with. It's just being bold with the emphasis,
probably.
Tips - pretend to be using a deck yourself, and mime choosing and dealing your
own. That way you can look right at them, but apparently you're just looking at
your own (invisible) cards. Takes the weight off you watching them. You can shift
the effect so you both apparently choose the same card from your decks. If that
makes sense. Name your card and ask what he had. Obviously you say the one you
know he has chosen.
Don't have them deal R and B at the start. Takes too long. Just give them an
imaginary R pile, and an imaginary B pile. Have them choose either. Cuts out one
round of dealing.
Always predict the card first, and try and nudge them that way with your gestures
as you ask them to make their choices. If you know they've gone with other cards,
reach over and change the prediction. It doesn't matter.
Hope that helps. Struggling to keep up with the questions now!
db
Inspiration
Hi Derren
Would like to know who inspired you all those
many years ago you started out, and who (even
now) do
you learn
from?
Seeing a hypnotist called Martin Taylor started it all off. Now my influences
are Canasta, Teller and unavoidably the delightful Andy Nyman, with whom I work
pretty much every day.
Hope that's Ok,
db
Stage hypnosis
Hi Derren,
I'd like to know your views on stage hypnosis (I know you started
as a stage hypnotist), and the hypnotic state
(if such a state exist).
And keep on the good work, you've created a new art form
...
Promethee
That's a massive topic, and I am struggling now to answer what I can.
I don't think hypnosis is a special state. There's nothing that can be done 'in
it' that can't be achieved out of it. I think it's a shorthand term for a mewrging
of a lot of psychological techniques like suggestion, charisma, response expectancy,
hype etc.
It's easy for stage hypnotists to argue that this makes it entirely safe, and
that any criticisms are nonsense. However, this doesn't take in to account that
some are slapdash and irresponsible performers, and that if subjects are left
confused and resentful, or made to have a horrific time, then you're asking for
trouble - real or imaginary.
I use a lot of the techniques within that spectrum for my routines, as I find
it such a rich and interesting area. But it can be a seedy business.
Thanks,
db
Young Mentalists
Hi,
I am a young magician, and aside from the
common aspects of magic which I love, I have
a particualr
fondness
for mentalism
and I
will probably perform souly this
in later life. Now I have been told this
on numerous occasions that 'being young in
mentalism
just aint
gonna work'. I hate
it when people say this to me. As I
enjoy performing mentalism and people enjoy
watching me perform (without being too big
headed). But
also becasue you are not
even given the chance to show that
it can work you are automaticaly labeled.
I realy dislike this.
So is there any hope for the young mindreading
genius or do I have to wait untill I am older?
P.S
I realy loved your show which I caught in
sheffield. I am the young and handsome whipper
snapper
who said 'We will probably
work together
someday, as I am going
to be a famous magician' If you remember
me I must apologise for my rather starstruck
behaviour,
and
I am not nearly
the bumbling
nervous youngster I shamelessly portrayed
myself as. Sorry.
If you don't remember me, its ok, forget
about it. But I will hold you to my statment.
Yours Jordan
Good question - an interesting issue. The answer, I think, lies in the fact that
mentalists tend to think within a certain box. Somehow there is this idea that
there is one dynamic - psychic vs. psychologist, and that there is little else
to do than decide which side of the line you fall on. Few start up a brand new
and original way of performing it - and I certainly don't include myself in that
number. So if you're 15 (and if you are, that's an effect right there, by the
way), be a 15-year old with an ability. The reason why most youngsters don't get
it right is because the think they have to be sombre mini-grown-ups, and it's
silly. Ignore the role models. Be 15 and bring to what you do all that entails.
Look at that Russian girl a while back who claimed to be able to see inside people
and tell what was wrong with them. It's not a choice for everyone, but it absolutely
fitted her age. So if you're geeky, be the weird geeky freak who can move stuff
without touching it, or who has near-epileptic seizures when he can read thoughts
of those near him. Don't pretend to be sombre and super-cool and much older than
you are if it's not you. If you're asking people to see you as imposing and ponderous
if you're not, of course it won't work.
Of course that's easier said than done: firstly because it's hard to think that
originally, and secondly because it seems to take away the appeal of the mentalist
character. But that's why good mentalism isn't easy. But that's only because people
try in all the wrong places. Look at who you are, and play with what comes from
that character. You can be 10, or 15, or 50, it shouldn't make any difference.
And I think Luke does get it right, though he's old enough not to have to worry
much about it.
Good luck with it -
db
A bit harsh on trad mentalism?(Invisible Compromise)
"no matter how hard they watch the video over and over again there's nothing
for them to see" DB
Having read "Pure Effect" and wacthed you
International Magic lecture (which I enjoyed
immensley) I
couldn't help feeling
that maybe
you were a little
harsh on traditional mentalism. isn't the
extent of Invisible Compromise in some
way
correlated to the skill of the performer
and the knowledge of the spectator?
Having watched Marc Salem a few years ago
without knowing any magic at the time , to
me , then,
his method was
invisible. Now I've
sudied "Corrindar,Banacheck
and the like his methods are visiible to me but they they were stilll invisible
to the rest of the audience. I beleive your show is far ahead of your competition
and so many of your methods seem invisible. But isn't this simply another way
of saying "i've got the best tricks " and
no one (including other mentalists) knows
how
they are
done? Having watched
Reminsice several times I finally
figured out the bulk of the method, did it
become a visible compromise?
Or is it all
in
the eye of the beholder?If a well known visiting
US mentalists hides their swami well enough
is he performing
invisible
compromise?
I have been harsh in the past, but only for reasons of rhetoric. 'Invisible Compromise'
was about creating an ideal, not something that one should insist that every performance
adhere to. Equally it has been misquoted and misunderstood, to the point that
I can't quite remember myself what I meant by it. But I stand by the idea of not
compromising the effect - of keeping it simple and pure - a straight line - and
eliminating clutter. Which goes back to Vernon, most famously. Don't worry about
it - it wasn't about great methods, or not knowing how something is done; it was
just about maintaining purity of effect by not letting the necessary 'compromises'
interfere with the story of the routine.
It doesn't matter - you have my permission to dismiss it as rubbish. I talk a
lot of boll*cks sometimes.
db
A Class A Question
Derren,
I debated putting this post in as I can see there are a mountain
of questions to answer. However, your television
show has piqued the interest of quite a few
friends, relatives and colleages a few who
went to your live show. I asked if any of them had any questions
they
would like
to ask
you. Most were stumped, apart
from my wife who asks (honestly):
" Our baby is due next week, what shall we call it?"
Feel free to ignore this post - there are better things to attend
to.
Cheers,
Beetroot
I suggest 'Derren'. Has a lovely ring to it.
Thanks
Derren - you've made my wife's day by responding.
Pleasure... congratulations to the both of you. Hope he/she brings you lots and
lots of joy. I understand the first six months are really easy.
db
Reactions
Hi there,
first of all, huge fan.
I just wanted to ask if you ever get, or
have ever been disappointed with the reaction
of
someone
who maybe didn't
appreciate a
trick or illusion as much as
you'd hoped, or are you happy with any reaction
at all?
One particular reaction that springs to mind
for me which I was disappointed with on your
behalf
was the
primary
school
teacher's
(bear trick).
There I was, couldn't have been more impressed,
and I just felt that she could have been
a bit more enthusiastic
about
it.
Sorry if I've worded that badly, I tried
to say it in a way that didn't make me sound
like
a numpty.
Thanks
Yes, she was a little understated. Once the cameras were off and the kids were
out of the way, she swore like a trooper. But it wasn't natural for her to react
strongly with the kids there. Should have thought of that.
I find it hard to keep a straight face when we've gone to a lot
of trouble and the punter just isn't impressed. There's been the
odd one who just stood there,
experiencing nonplussed acceptance, bewilderment
or vague disappointment. Makes me laugh, anyway.
db
Kafka
Derren,
I read somewhere that you've written essays about Kafka. I've always
found your writing delightful and inspiring
and I wondered if maybe there was a way to get
a hold of these Kafka essays or anything
else you may have written.
UJ Pesonen
Wichita, KS
UJ -
Very flattered, but it's hardly extensive writing. Just essays and papers from
university. Nothing you'd really want to read. Big fan, though. Sorry if this
information got rather exaggerated...
db
Absolute Magic and Pure Effect
Absolute Magic
I recently purchased this book (I got the last one at Davenports)
and have almost read it completly fron to
back 4 times. There is a such a wealth of ideas in the
book and feel genuinly honoured that you
would release such advice to the magic fraternity. Now I realsie
that it
has been
a while
since you wrote the book, and
would like to know if any of your views have
changed over time?
Also I recently attempted to buy Pure Effect which to
my horror I found out of print. Will the
book ever be back
on the market,
or
am I destined
to spen
the
rest of eternity trawling through ebay or
book bargain bins.
PE is being re-printed again, so hang on in there. AM is probably better though,
so I hope you're not disappointed.
I can't remember all my views in AM, so I can't honestly say how they've changed.
(I don't do close-up any more, so my thoughts are now elsewhere.) But yes, they
probably have a bit, and doubtless for the better.
db
Psycho groupies
Oh yeah, I was on your site
the other day and went on the forum......
@#$%:* ME!!!!!!!
How do you sleep at night knowing that people
who follow you aroung, asking each other
what you smell
of, and
reporting sightings in
boots actually
exist, and
are out there looking for you?!?
...No, I didn't really expect it. The only thing to do to keep well is to not
read such things at length or think about it too much. I have had some genuinely
worrying or even dangerous people turn up after stage shows, which is making signing
difficult for the future. Hundreds of letters and emails from obvious schizophrenics,
(including a few Jesus Christs, one of whom accused me of raping her.)
But hey, I get lots of free stuff.
db
Creating and building a routine
Hello!
I thought I'd pick your brains or creating and building a routine.
What do you feel is the best way to go about building a routine?
Where do you start and how do you tend to
structure it?
Any thoughts/tips/pointers would be much appreciated
as I am currently in the process of putting
together a Parlour routine
at the moment.
Other than that I would just like to ad my
congratulations to the many others for 'Absolute
Magic'. I have
recently recieved it and
some of the ideas in there
have prompted me to completley rethink how
I present myself.
Thanks,
I think it's honestly too much to go into - going back through the book will
give you the best answers. I just think in terms of maintaining clarity, and I
tend to think in threes for a sound structure (Tommy Wonder - or was it Tamariz?
- has written a lot about this, if that sounds new to you.)
Sorry, very hard to give advice on such a (very important but) general question.
Cheers,
db
Unavercity advice?
Hi, derren
I'm just wondering about things to study
at univercity,
to get into hypnoses
phycology, and things like
nlp ect
(what did you do)!
Be prepared from some sarcastic answers.
x
Would like to meet!
Hi there derren, when is the
next time you are in Norfolk, I missed your
show at the theate royal
and was wondering
if you
will be returning! If you do would
you like to come round for dinner? My dear
lady wife(to be!) is an excellent cook , she does beans AND
toast ,
sometimes at the
same
time! have a
nice visit here
at the magic Cafe.
God that sounds good. Going for a crumpet
now, which is the nearest thing.
Trolling for your secrets
Hi Derren,
Whenever word of one of your pieces leaks
onto the board, invariably a number of questions
begin appearing
along
the lines of, "Is
this trick in print, how does he do it, where
can I buy it?"
Your work is clearly the most coveted of
any performer in recent memory.
How then do you feel about magicians seeing
your specials and then attempting to parrot
the material
you have
developed? How do you
feel about message
boards such as this when speculation to your
methods occur? (Usually the poster begins
saying something to intimate they want to
perform said piece, but when called on the
questionable
ethics always
reverts
to
the safer, "It's only for mere curiosity
and intellectual growth" gamnbit.)
Do you feel magicians should respect each
other's work and honor their ideas by leaving
them
be, or do you
care whether
or not everyone
has a go at trying
to be you?
Respectfully,
Brad Henderson
Brad -
I've enjoyed your posts here in the past a lot. Nice to talk to you. The copyist
issue I've answered elsewhere, if you can be bothered to look for it. That side
of things is inevitable, and a perfectly sensible way of someone getting started.
Speculation as to methods is part of the game, I suppose, although the internet
is very unforgiving. Someone - I believe it was your good self - likened it to
magicians coming to a live show and then talking too loudly in the bar afterwards
and spoiling it for the rest of the audience.
It's annoying when I read "I know someone who works closely with DB's team and
he assures me that such-and-such was used." It's never true. But I've learnt to
let it all go. I remember a magic convention where a top French magician had apparently
stolen a rope routine of an American veteran and performed it during the close-up
rounds. The American veteran was performing in the gala show, and started the
act with that trick. He then said something to the effect of "You've all seen
that trick already this weekend, I just thought you should see it done by the
originator and not the man who stole it." There
was much outrage from both sides - juicy
politics and an enormous scandal. But if
you step
back a bit,
it was two
old men arguing about lengths of rope.
So I keep methods secret because it's an important part of the fun. But I'd go
mad if I worried about it all.
Respectfully,
db
Fans and Fora How do the questions
on this forum compare to your own Official
Derren Brown Forum (your fertile
female
fans!!)
How do you see your 'angle' on magic/mentalism/entertainment
evolving over the coming years? How long
do you think this type of psychological
magic will remain
popular? Do you see any new styles emerging?
Forgive me, I've covered these issues elsewhere now, and have to try and keep
up. Nice picture, though. Notice there how I'm very tall.
db
Card Magic
Derren, you are one of the influences who
drew me into card magic. I have such a passion
for it, however my family and peers often laugh at me for
practicing. I guess they still think of magic as being
performed by uncharismatic men who often hold the audience with
contempt
who just perform
'card tricks'.
It is, however, their laughing and mockery
which spurs me on. I totally see why they
have the attitude
they
possess and I
want
to change their viewpoint. I do
not have the technical ability yet to perform
to them as I feel showing them half-good,
sub-rated effects
would be humiliating
on my part and would just reinforce their
beliefs of magic. I have a few ideas about
my performance
and possible
effects (I find most card effects leave me
cold so I want to create myeffects)
and I feel soon I will have a routine which
is totally me.
So, after that long and pointless ramble,
my question is this: Your direction in magic
has
shifted much
over the past decade
or so and it must seem as though
an eternity has past since writing Pure
Effect
and Absolute Magic. In your books you come
across as having very strong views on magic, but has you attitude
changed since
writing them and
how
do you presently rate card magic?
Hi Laura,
As I've said elsewhere, it's been a while since I wrote those books, and I think
whatever I wrote (which I sort of remember) still stands as my thoughts on close-up
magic, but I haven't done it for a long time. I don't think my attitude has changed
much, although everything else has. My strong opinions were more about rhetoric
and challenging than anything else, if that doesn't sound arrogant.
I still love a good card effect when I see one. Most leave me cold though, too.
I trust you'll keep at it and see where it takes you. I wish you all the best.
db
Blockhead
At what point during the development
stage of the last series did the inspiration
hit you to hammer a nail into your nose?
Although beautifully presented, apart from the gratuitous
snot shot at the end, what was your thinking
behind this? Are we
going to see a shift towards some more
bizarrist style effects in the future?
'Derren Brown performs Psychic Surgery' special
on the cards? So
any plans for more bizarre style effects?
Spike through eye or, as is popular in our
household, Cotton Bud in ear!
Richard
Actually that idea came from Andy. I was wary at first, but actually I really
love it. My idea was to get someone to hammer it up their own nose without realising.
Proved too dangerous.
I guess you didn't think it sat well with the other material. Well, maybe,
but maybe that's a good thing. As with the nail, one must keep pushing...
As I say, I loved it. And the snot was
a good touch, I thought. Went on ebay
for a fortune.
db
Becoming world famous...
Hi Derren,
I first
saw 'Mind
Control'
while I
was
living
in Washington, DC. I really enjoyed
it; it
was
entertaining and
thoroughly
intriguing,
and the next day my friends
were all avidly discussing 'the British guy
who could
push another
guy
backwards round
a
market and
read
his mind.'!
I know
that you
