Bob Cassidy - Séance Post Lecture Notes [PDF]

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Séance Post Teleseminar Notes

POST TELESEMINAR NOTES

Bob Cassidy ©2010 by Robert E Cassidy

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Séance Post Teleseminar Notes

Séance Post-Teleseminar Notes

I’d like to thank everyone who “attended” the Séance teleseminar. Special thanks go to Jheff Poncher and Tony Blake for making it possible and to my good friend and coconspirator Michael Weber for keeping me on topic and for his wonderful contributions to the material. These post-notes contain my reflections on some of the most important points raised in the live teleseminar. (A copy of the audio has been provided. If you did not listen to it yet, I suggest you do so now or the following commentary is not going to make much sense.) As I mentioned in the broadcast, an early review of the Séance eBook seemed to entirely miss one of the most important points of the book - that atmosphere and audience expectation are the most important elements of séance work. The fact is, and it’s worth reiterating, that these alone – without any “effects” at all – can make a very eerie, and completely self-working, séance. To fully understand this, I strongly recommend that anyone getting into this type of work should first attend or conduct a few “real” séances in which the participants themselves are encouraged to receive and communicate messages from the spirits.

On Table Tilting Michael described an excellent means of facilitating table movement by attaching a rubber pad to one of the table legs and felt pads to the other three. The rubber pad acts as a “brake” and causes the table to make erratic circular movements. If you are using several tables, it is only necessary to gimmick one of them in this fashion. The specially prepared table actually can take the place of the confederate used in the Bacheldor approach. As soon as one table starts moving it is likely that the others will soon follow.

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Séance Post Teleseminar Notes

Addendum to the Five Candles I recommend the special eye-drop containers that Michael mentioned. I tried them out and was very pleased with the results. They are easily transported and concealed and also help to simplify the handling.

The Black Silk and Reel During the broadcast I described how to create a very startling “side-effect” with a black silk and reel. The reel I use for this is the standard locking type available from magic dealers. I recommend a good quality reel that operates silently. The effect is simply that a dark shadow suddenly whisks across the table during the sitting. As described, the shadow will fly towards you and into your inside jacket pocket. Obviously, this effect is only useful in nearly complete darkness. Minimal candle-light is fine and the speed of the silk can cause the candle flame to flutter or even blow out. Just be absolutely certain that the silk flies well above or to the side of the candle. If it were to strike the candle the results could be disastrous and possibly dangerous.

Questions and Answers Following are some questions that were submitted during the teleseminar together with my answers:

In the material you say that the creation of expectations is most important and that this is assisted by the atmosphere, ritual, and seriousness of purpose. What effects would you use to help set "the atmosphere" as a precursor to the actual séance?

“Living and Dead” tests or even the “Fairy Goblet” routine discussed in the eBook are ideal for setting atmosphere and creating expectations. But keep in mind the expectations you are seeking to create. Anything that even vaguely resembles a magic trick or a rehearsed performance piece can actually destroy any hopes you may have of creating a powerful séance. As I noted in regard to séance effects – less is more. For the same reason, you should avoid doing regular “act” prior to a sitting. One or two seemingly impromptu effects will suffice. In addition to those discussed in the teleseminar and in the lecture notes I have found that my telekinetic pen routine (described in The Artful Mentalism of Bob Cassidy) and Banachek’s “Psychokinetic Touches” work very well. These are both very powerful pieces that look like the “real thing.”

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Séance Post Teleseminar Notes

Do you suggest music to help set "the atmosphere"?

While soft background music can be very effective during the preliminary phases of the séance, its use during the sitting can be distracting, so it should be selected and used with that in mind. It can be used most effectively to assist in the creation of EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena), either to “mask” any audible sound caused by your hidden recorder, or as the actual source of the EVP. (The “EVP” can actually be prerecorded over the background music.) The problem with music is that it can make the whole thing seem too theatrical if it is not used carefully. (A prerecorded “score” is a bad idea.) If the music is actually connected to the subject of the séance, however, it makes a lot more sense. It might, for example, be a favorite tune of a departed spirit. (A music box that once allegedly belonged to the deceased can also be used to good effect.) Now there is another way that music can be used in a very startling way - if there is a piano in the room, for example, it can be very powerful if one or two notes are suddenly heard when no one is near the instrument. This is even more believable if something falls onto the keyboard during the sitting. (Remember my discussion on the use of thread in the eBook and you should have no problem working out a way to accomplish this.)

What other physical phenomena do you recommend?

I have found that unexpected metal bendings, discovered after the séance, can be most effective. As discussed in the material, bottled pendulums and table tilting both are excellent types of physical phenomena. But the all important rule of “less is more” absolutely applies. It’s not what people actually “see” in a séance that makes it powerful. It’s all about what they feel and imagine.

In complete darkness, what kind of physical phenomena would you suggest?

It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to achieve complete darkness in most séance settings. For those rare occasions where it is possible, simply touching someone with an ice cold hand can be very frightening. (Remember Annemann’s ice pack in the pocket idea?) I’ve also found it amusing to use a pump-style sprayer to fire a mist into the air above (not at) the sitters. (Suitable pocket size sprayers are available in most department stores.)

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Séance Post Teleseminar Notes

(And don’t forget, that whether or not you are working in complete darkness, having a confederate in the room with you can help facilitate most of the phenomena I’ve been discussing.) Where do you normally hold a séance? At your home, a clients home, theater etc?

For the most part, I usually perform séance work in people’s homes. They can also be effectively presented, especially for publicity purposes, at locations purported to be haunted. In fact, many séance workers have made a good living promoting local tourist attractions, bed and breakfasts, etc., by performing séances, “ghost tours” etc. Straight message reading sessions can be presented in almost any venue, but it is extremely difficult to present and authentic looking séance in any sort of theatrical venue. (Unless the place is allegedly haunted, such as the “Birdcage Theater” in Tombstone, Arizona, etc. – and even then the presentation should be for a small group and not a packed house of theater goers.)

What is the maximum and minimum amount of sitters you would suggest?

Ten to fifteen sitters is ideal. This is enough to increase the possibilities of the Bacheldor effect. Too many more and it becomes difficult to control the atmosphere.

What type of spectator is normally more interested in this type of material?

With the current popularity of the “Ghost Busters” and “Paranormal Investigation” style shows on cable television, the 20 to 35 year old demographic is particularly interested. Generally speaking, though, it is not the age of the participants that matters. It is a simple fact that most people won’t attend a séance unless they have at least a passing interest in the subject in the first place. So if an event is advertised as a séance you will have no problem attracting interested participants. On the other hand, your audiences may be less receptive if a séance is presented as an unannounced addition to a traditional appearance or show.

How would you market séances?

Unless you are doing the “publicity type” events referred to earlier, I have found that séances are best marketed in the same manner as psychic house parties. In the past I

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Séance Post Teleseminar Notes marketed most of my own séances by promoting them with flyers, etc. at psychic fairs and “new age” events in which I was already booked as a reader or performer. Nowadays they can be profitably advertised via the Internet – not only on promotional web sites bit via the new and very powerful medium provided by the social networking sites such as FaceBook, MySpace, etc.

Do you present this as theater or as the real thing?

As discussed in the notes and in the broadcast, séances can be presented either as real spirit phenomena or as a manifestation of a so-called “group mind” (the Philip approach). Either way, an effective and believable séance cannot be presented as theater per se, because theater, by definition, is an imitation of reality.

How would you price this? Would you charge per person or one flat fee for the entire event? This is obviously dictated by the venue and the nature of the event. Usually, psychic house parties involve a per-person charge with a required minimum. But since a straight séance does not necessarily mean that each participant will receive a reading or experience a “paranormal” event, I generally charge a flat fee and the number of participants is agreed to beforehand.

How do you avoid conflicts with the religious beliefs of the spectators? This question basically has been answered in the notes, the broadcast, and between the lines in for foregoing questions. If the event is advertised as a séance to begin with, you are not going to have to worry about offending the religious beliefs of those who choose to attend and participate. Like me, however, you may occasionally enjoy the experience of having your more highly promoted events being picketed are targeted by religious extremists and/or skeptical groups. This, however, is a benefit, not a problem. Just make sure the media picks it up and they spell your name right!

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Séance Post Teleseminar Notes Once again, I want to thank you all for participating in the Séance teleseminar. I hope to “see” you all at future events. Good Thoughts, Bob Cassidy _______________________________________________________________________

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: (Registration for the following event was originally priced at $1000.00 per person. Due to the venues ability to provide for a few more participants and our desire to accommodate all interested mentalists, registration has been reduced to $500.)

Bob Cassidy's Jazz Mentalism Workshop Seattle, Washington An Intensive Seminar and Workshop for Professional Mentalists, Semi-pros and Advanced Amateurs WHEN: April 23rd, 24th and 25th Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Informal “night before” gathering on Thursday, April 22nd – See schedule below for details) WHERE: Courtyard Seattle Southcenter Marriott (free transportation from SeaTac International Airport http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/seasc-courtyard-seattle-southcenter/ Due to the hands-on and one-on-one nature of this event, registration is limited.

Syllabus: Mastering Billets: Intensive hands-on sessions devoted to all aspects of classic and modern billet work, with special focus on the techniques used in the Jazz Mentalism approach to Q & A

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Séance Post Teleseminar Notes "Q &A" - The Major Effect in Mentalism: Lecture and hands-on sessions covering classic models and innovative modern handlings Includes: •

Analysis, psychology and in-depth instruction in the classic Baldwin/Sunshine/Dunninger/Volta/Nelson approaches to Q&A

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The Hanussen Technique and variants, including the Scorpio approach

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Steals, switches and reads

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Impression devices, proper preparation and handling, the right devices to use, allaying suspicion, impromptu impressions

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The New Plexiglas box

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The Handwriting Analysis approach

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Blindfolded Q and A and modern innovations

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The Art of Answering

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"Audience reading" approach

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Cold reading integration

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Modernized and modified Anderson/Hoy techniques

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Misdirections - The Logical Disconnects of Q & A and billet work.

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Jazz Mentalism - the most powerful Q and A approach extant

Note: Since all elements of the workshop are performance oriented, interested registrants will be invited to present a 7 to 10 minute routine for professional analysis and critique of handling, presentation and stagecraft.

Tentative Schedule of Events Thursday, April 22nd 8:00 PM - For registrants who arrive early, there will be an informal "meet and greet" with Bob in the lounge.

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Séance Post Teleseminar Notes

Friday, April 23rd 10:00 AM – Noon: Material distribution and informal discussions with early arrivals 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Jazz Mentalism Workshop Session 1 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Session 2 Saturday, April 24th 9:00 AM – Noon: Session 3 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Session 4 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Session 5 Sunday, April 25th 9:00 AM – Noon: Session 6 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Session 7

The registration fee covers ALL of the following: Continental breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday (Coffee and beverages will be available at all times) The Jazz Mentalism Workbook, seminar notes, CDs of relevant writings (including exclusive new materials and presentations prepared especially for the workshop), and all required physical materials for the hands-on sessions.

[By registering to the event, all participants agree to keep these exclusive materials confidential. They may not be copied, shared or distributed in any manner. Attendees, however, are granted full performance rights, including television, to routines taught in the Workshop.] Registration fee: $500.00 (Registrations are limited to 40 attendees.) Note: Lodging and transportation are not included. To Register: Contact Jeremy S. Weiss at [email protected]

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