I always thought this part is the most tricky...

We all know the rule of thumb of the opening act.
It should be quick (to capture attention). And it should be impactful (to keep attention).
I always thought this is 2 conditions that is kinda difficult with mentalism.
Because to create a sense of "reality" is so important with mentalism, it takes significant efforts in building up the presentation, and that usually takes some time.

So what do you guys do for an opener for mentalism for, say, a palour/stage setting (performing for more than 30 pple)?

How do you guys set the mood yet capture their attention asap?

walk up on stage, and your head burst...strong, visual, and you can proceed to your next mind reading effect without your head.

Just kidding.

as we all know mentalism is not so visual and fast paced so i thought maybe we can use comedy instead of a quick effect to capture the attention?
as for impact...i think PK effects are impactful enough since everybody can see it, or you just ask your spectator to name any card and use multiple out.

or try more interaction when doing your presentation. More dramatic action when doing "mind reading"

i agreed. Mental need slow presentation to build up the effect. But the result is nice.

I've been thinking quite a bit about this since the MMF mini convention. What I've decided is (I hope) is to open with a mild and subtle but visual magic effect.

Since I'm not playing a "psychic" ...just a mental illusionist, I think its not taboo for me to do that.

Gotta wait until I perform next (probably will never happen) to see if it works or not. If not, back to the drawing board.

Open with an effect from Jermay. It uses a principle by the late Dunniger.

Come up on stage and ask the audience to think of either green,red or blue.(Three cannisters are ready on the stage)

Bring an audience up and ask him/her what colour was she thinking.Slam your hand on that cannister.Show that the two other cannisters have a knife under them.That really gets the audience going.Works well and is very fast paced.

Either I'll start with that or some comedy by play with a volunteer then doing the tossed out deck.I always want to get the whole audience involved for my opener.I currently use Cody Fisher's TOD.

Another great opener is the Invidible Deck.Wayne Dobson's presentation is simply hilarious.Imagine starting off with the classical Bill Malone presentation then moviong to Wayne's.

Wayne : Ok,since you can already see the invisible deck,bring that invisible chair over here.
]
Volunteer brings chair....

Wayne: Good,now sit on it.

I always want to get the audience moving and laughing for my opener,it breaks the ice.