How to get started with stage/demonstrational hypnosis

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Permalink Reply by Paula Saxon Nongard on July 15, 2008 at 1:00pm

Nike, baby - just do it! Study, learn, practice; study, learn, practice; rinse and repeat.

It sounds like you just need more experience and education on the entertainment side of things.

I recommend video learning (on stage and street hypnosis, induction styles, using hypnotic phenomena, creating skits and routines), and a live mentor if possible, and a live training class, if not. These resources will teach you the subtlties of putting together stage and/or street show performances - the structure and order, the hows and whys of necessary components, safety issues, working in different venues, and so forth. This is your background preparation.

And then, again, Nike, baby - just do it! Study, learn, practice; study, learn, practice; rinse and repeat.

Take every opportunity you have to practice and demonstrate - with friends, strangers, family, co-workers. Hold a party at your house, and have some fun. Go to other people's parties, and have some fun. Drive your spouse and/or kids crazy reciting inductions and skit patter. Do it in the shower, while you're driving down the road.

It's all about CONFIDENCE - and on your first 'real' gig, you just have to get up and do it - and then you'll astonish yourself by how easy it was - and your next gig will be a breeze :)

How did you get started in clinical hypnosis? You studied, studied, studied, then you practiced, practiced, practiced - and then your first client showed up - and you.... DID IT - right?

Same thing. Get busy!

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Permalink Reply by David on July 15, 2008 at 1:18pm

That is the number one problem with stage hypnosis and probably what keeps most people out of it. There really is not practice but doing. It seems like you have been into hypnosis long enough to have all you need to have a killer show already. I would suggest you write up an outline of the inductions you would use and then plan out the content making sure that your suggestions build up over time. (Don't start out with hallucinations, start with basic stuff like ideomotor responses, analgesia, amnesia, hallucinations) Always build by compounding what you did before.

If you are unsure what you want to do with your show, there is a vast amount resources for you to check out. Get on YouTube or similar video sites and look up clips from hypnosis shows. You will find TONS. Compile all of this into a show, make sure it is all logical, and then approach local night clubs and comedy clubs to do a few shows. You could even go to open mic nights and do some simple 15 minute demonstrations (if you are so brave) and use that as a way to build some buzz. If this sounds interesting to you, but scary... You could always get some pseudo trance material (ala Kenton Knepper, his stuff is pretty solid.) and use that at an open mic to promote yourself and your more advanced and indepth stage show.

I hope you find that useful. Best of luck!

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Permalink Reply by Brian Dean - TheCorporateHypnotist.com on July 15, 2008 at 3:36pm

Hello James -

The number #1 resource I benefited from when starting my Stage Hypnosis career was inviting other stage hypnotists to evaluate and critic my performance. Nothing compares to having a master-mind of Stage Hypnosis professionals that are dedicated to helping you succeed. The input that you receive from your trusted "inner-circle" will be invaluable.

The second most valuable tool to help you gain ongoing improvement is a video camera. I recommend that you video tape every show. You will also find it very helpful to video tape your rehearsals. This will allow to evaluate small details in your speech, mannerisms and delivery that would otherwise go unoticed.

The third most important part of your professional development is to recognize your improvements. Nothing fuels success - like success!

If you are attending the NGH Conference this year I would be happy to meet with you in person to provide any additional insight that you feel may be helpful. On Sat. Aug. 9th I will be presenting a free program entitled "The 3 C's of Stage Hypnosis Success".

Best,

- Brian Dean

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Permalink Reply by Geoff Ronning - www.StageHypnosisCenter.com on July 15, 2008 at 5:42pm

James,

First, separate out stage and demonstration hypnosis. They are not the same and should not be prepared for simultaneously.

Second, the best way to practice is the same way other performing artists prepare, in private. I recommend you go get a bunch of stuffed animals and set them up. Act as if they are your volunteers. Then go over your induction, again and again until it is second nature.

When you are ready to really pump it up. Get a set of file cards. Write out one challenge per file card. That challenge should be anything you can imagine happening to you during any induction / and or show. Things like:

* Opens eyes and looks at me
* Wakes up and stands up
* Wanders off stage
* Vomits across the stage
* Starts laughing
* Takes off panties and writes Hypnotists name on them (OK, that is a joke)

The key is to write every challenge you can imagine. Then shuffle the file cards, turn them face down and deal them out one file card per stuffed animal, face down.

Go back to rehearsal.

Cruise along with your show, then when you are feeling comfortable flip one card over and deal with the challenge spontaneously.

Solve that issue and continue on.

Get comfortable and flip another challenge card over.

Do that sixty minutes a night and in a few weeks you will be confident and able to handle almost any situation you can imagine (99% that will NEVER actually happen).

Have fun,

Geoff

P.S. Although you say you have a number of classic books on stage hypnosis, you may want to pick up a modern book on the subject. This exact exercise is in my book and has also started many Stage Hypnosis careers the world over. If you happen to have my book then turn to the page with the challenges and you will instantly have every problem you could ever imagine and be well on your way. You can pick it up at Amazon, here: http://www.stagehypnosiscenter.com/products/item141.cfm , from Richard Nongard, etc.

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Permalink Reply by Richard Nongard - HypnosisGurus.com on July 15, 2008 at 8:42pm

Goeff has a great idea here with the stuffed animals. One of the big issues is that you can;t really get 10 people together to practice (unless you are lucky like me and have a house filled with teenage kids), but the practice DOES make perfect. I first heard this idea from Geoff a while back, and have been recommending it ever since. Sometimes I hear others say "waht a stupid idea..." but these are the people who probaly wish they thought of it first! LOL
It really is a great way to practice patter, speaking to a group, and building confidence. My theory is it is essentially the convincer for the hypnotists! It's like the lemon drop convincer we give to people. The candy isn;t real, but yet they can taste, smell and feel the candy in the mouth.... The stuffed animals will become real, and great subjects if you just treat them as real....

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Permalink Reply by Tommy Vee on July 16, 2008 at 4:12am

Hello Jim-

It's great to learn of your interest in stage hypnosis. Stage hypnosis is probably the most popular it has ever been.

How do you get started? Bare minimum, go out and read about it. I have two suggestions here. Ormond McGill's, "Encyclopedia of Stage Hypnotism." The newer version is "The New Encyclopedia of Stage Hypnotism." Ormond was known as the Dean of American Hypnotists. The second must-have book is Jerry Valley's "Inside Secrets of Stage Hypnotism." This book is word for word and covers all the bases.

Jerry has been working as a stage hypnotist since 1969 and was partners with Ormond McGill. They ran the Masters Ultimate Stage Hypnosis Seminar. Since Ormond's passing, Jerry, myself and our staff run the Ultimate Stage Hypnosis Seminar (www.StageHypnosisSeminar.com).

Besides reading, enrolling in a live stage hypnosis seminar is a must. There are a few out there. My suggestion is to check the credentials of the instructors. You really want to learn from someone who has been in the business for some time and someone who performs as a stage hypnotist.

One opportunity you do have is to attend the NGH (National Guild of Hypnotists) convention this August in Massachusetts. Jerry & I are teaching a stage hypnosis workshop, pre-convention. The details can be found at: http://www.ngh.net/Convention/127.pdf.

To answer your number one question.....PRACTICE. IN other words, learn your material so well that you don't have to think about what you are going to say, but you can focus on HOW you are saying it.

I hope this helps. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan Chase on July 16, 2008 at 4:18am

Do charity shows.

Works like this.

Every organisation needs funds and will usually find you the venue, sell the tickets and get the press. There is less pressure on you as the point of the thing is essentially to fund raise.

I use fund raisers to test new skits all the time. It's a win win.

Jon
author Deeper and Deeper

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Permalink Reply by James Malone on July 16, 2008 at 5:33am

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses-much appreciated! Jim Malone

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