Banachek with Eugene Burger
Hoodwinked with Todd Robbins , Richard Turner , Bob Arno and Banachek .
This sentence does a few things , one it lets them know that they are not to try to trick you , heck , if they do ; you have the proof in their pocket . You soften this attitude a bit by saying it also protects them from you . Best to do this so you do not create an attitude in the audience member .
“ This will be the first thing I do . If you can keep thinking of this country from time to time , I might be able to tell you something about the country from your body language . I may not be able to tell you the exact country , but I might get what continent it is in , or something about the country itself . Your first cue to think about the country will be when I come out on stage , I might say something like , ‘ if I was to ask everyone to think of a country they might think of London or Paris ,’ that will be your first clue to start thing of your country . The second cue to think of the country is when I ask everyone else to think of a country . Don ’ t change yours ; keep thinking of yours over and over again . Do you understand , don ’ t change yours , just keep thinking of it over and over .”
Now you have told them exactly when to think of that country and not to change it . You have told them you will ask everyone to think of a country and that when you do that , you want them to think of the country they wrote , the one that is on their mind .
“ If this works , I will be able to tell the audience exactly how I am getting the information from your body language and teach them how to do it . If it works it will break down barriers in the audience so I can get numbers , words and entire sentences they will be thinking of . Again , don ’ t change it or it gets difficult for me and you will be sending me conflicting signals . Do you understand ? Also notice I have not asked your name or anything , it is important I do not know anything about you . Also , I can ’ t guarantee I will use you , if I can ’ t get anything , I won ’ t have you stand up so please don ’ t tell anyone what we have talked about until after I do it , I would hate for you to tell people that I am going to use you for something and then I don ’ t , I have had people get upset at me for that telling me ‘ I told all my friends and you did not use me .’”
This paragraph does a few things . In telling the spectator you will be teaching the audience how you are doing this , it causes the spectator to think everything will be out in the opening so you are not being secretive there is no reason to try to trick you . It makes the spectator think you will be using other spectators , and you will in your show for other effects . You again tell the spectator not to change the country . You have also set the spectator up so that later when you ask if you know anything about them they have to answer no . You have insured they will not tell anyone in advance you spoke to them prior to the show by telling them you may not use them .
Now when you are ready to use the information in your show you might say something like , “ If I was to ask everyone here to think of a country you might think of London or Paris , I want everyone to think of a country please , anyone but London or Paris . Now I need a few people to help me .”
Now select your pre-showed spectator / s . You