Phantasm by Larry Becker

Description

Larry Becker – Phantasm

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Effect: The performer selects a spectator to participate in an experiment

in synchronicity. Two minds with but a single thought. The spectator is shown

a card containing twelve different photographs of movie and television

celebrities. The spectator is asked to think of any one of the celebrities depicted

on the card as the performer counts aloud from one to five. When the spectator

has confirmed that she has one of the celebrities in mind, the performer urges

her to picture the name of her mentally selected celebrity as if it were on a

large theater marquee. The card containing the twelve photos is discarded.

The performer then positions the spectator with her back to the audience.

The spectator is handed a piece of white cardboard and a marking pen. The

spectator is told that as soon as she is standing back-to-back with the

performer, she is to print the name of the celebrity she’s concentrating

upon inside a geometric shape on the card. The spectator is cautioned not

to allow anyone to see what she is writing.

Standing back-to-back with the spectator, the performer writes something on

a small dry erase board. The spectator is told to inform the performer when she

has finished writing on the card. The performer has the spectator turn and face

the audience. Retrieving the spectator’s card, the performer notes that it

contains the name of television comedian, Jay Leno, inside an octagon.

The spectator is asked to confirm what is written on her card. Turning the dry

erase board towards the audience, the performer shows that he has precisely

duplicated the spectator’s thoughts. The board contains the name of comedian

Jay Leno, printed inside an octagon.