The question of how one gets started in entertainment stage performance hypnosis has come up on a couple lists recently. I am editing my response to the most recent query which I also posted on the Hypnosis Technique Exchange as I know a number of the readers of Life of Brian are also interested.
A general question from a querant was posted asking for folks to direct him to books, distance learning, or live training programs in stage hypnosis. My first response is to just say, "Welcome to the wonderful world of entertainment hypnosis." Now, to some of the nitty gritty.
Ormond McGill’s New Encyclopedia of Stage Hypnotism is pretty much the best and most comprehensive book on performance entertainment hypnosis on the market. It is presented in a clear format that you can actually take as a chapter by chapter self-learning program. He has some pointers for getting folks to practice with as well for beginners. He has literally over one hundred inductions in the book as well as complete shows. It is a goldmine of information that honestly would be valuable for anyone interested in any sort of hypnosis, stage, hypnotherapy, or otherwise. Ormond was a kind and loving man and this book is just one of his legacies that continues to be of enourmous value to any who sit down and truly read through and learn the material.
You might also wish to consider Jerry Valley’s book Inside Secrets of Stage Hypnotism on the subject. Jerry gives a clear and concise accounting of all the basics of stage hypnosis. He even has three complete show outlines in the book as models you can build your own shows from.
As to live training, my first inclination would be to say you should take my course on the subject as it is WONDERFUL! 🙂 However, depending upon schedule, budget, and interest there are others out there who are also teaching the subject, some of whom do a fairly good job of it.
Jerry Valley – http://www.jerryvalley.net – teaches a class in stage hypnosis in Las Vegas – http://www.valleyhypnosis.com/framesetstage.html – that has quite a number of followers. It’s a great way to hang out with other working stage hypnotists. For those who aren’t able to attend a live training, Jerry’s course is on DVD with a number of guest lectures by such industry icons as Ormond McGill and others. He also has a number of performance videos which you can watch with a critical eye.
Don Mottin – http://www.donmottin.com – teaches a course on stage hypnosis as well. I’ve seen a few performance videos from Don but am not specifically familiar with his course.
Mark Cunningham – http://www.trucor.com – does a stage hypnosis training with Mike Doubet which I’ve seen positivie reviews of. He used to do it every year in Thailand but this year it will be elsewhere. His course is available on video. I haven’t seen it so can’t review it other than to note that a number of folks whose opinions I normally trust have said it was an excellent experience for them.
If you are interested in stage hypnosis . . . see a LOT of stage hypnosis shows. Either live, if available, or on video. The more you see the better your understanding . . . plus, even though many folks use the exact same model for their show there’s always a twist here and there and audience reactions are always interesting. There are a few performance video clips in the "entertainment and performance hypnosis" category of my blog, and others. Just go to my webpage at http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com and the blog link is in the left sidebar or go directly here or to the catchall for hypnosis videos here.
You can also mine youtube and googlevideo for videos, albeit most are very brief so they won’t give you structure ideas. If you’re starting out, then you might consider getting a number of full length shows from different performers and outlining the shows. If you get a few shows from the same performer you will note that basic structures often do not change but that timing and responsiveness do.
I would suggest seeing shows aimed at different markets, if possible . . . G, PG, R, and X . . . even if you’re not interested in certain markets as you will pick up how to adapt content to audience. Many hypnotists work in multiple markets and find the adaptation of material to context not all that difficult one to make. However if really raunchy shows bug you then steer clear (they don’t bug me unless they’re of the humiliate the sujbects brand of entertainment which really bugs the bejeepers out of me).
If you can see some of the folks who do improvisational stage hypnosis, it is worth it (folks who ask the audience to fill out little cards with suggestions and then roll with ’em, mixing them into their regular set – these are often folks like Tony Lee who have a following of folks who have seen a few of his shows and have favorite bits – note I am using Tony as an example of a type, his show is very intense and definately isn’t for everyone but it is very successful within his market).
If possible, get your training from someone who is good at what they do but who is also an experienced teacher in the subject. For me, there are extra points if the instructor teaches the skills with a caveat of taking care of the committee.
Shows are much more successful when you look at the volunteers as the stars who should be cared for. Set it up so everyone is laughing WITH the volunteers and having a wonderful time WITH them, not laughing AT them. That is, of course, my opinion. You are free to develop your own routining.
Do keep in mind that stage hypnotists are NOT hypnotherapists, even if they happen to also be hypnotherapists. Your primary purpose for the evening when you step on stage is to entertain. Stage hypnotists need not be the most artful "hypnotists" but they MUST be engaging "performance hypnotists."
For more, consider joining discussion lists on performance hypnosis. Some are more active than others while a few are now of very little value as they have become spamtraps (much like many general hypnosis discusison lists). However, there are gems in the mix . . . some of which are limited only to working stage hypnotists . . . some are not about stage hypnosis but do discuss the topic fairly regularly . . .
- Stage Hypnotists Only – http://groups.yahoo.com/group/StageHypnotistOnly
- Stage Hypnosis – http://groups.yahoo.com/group/StageHypnosis
- Hypnosis Technique Exchange – http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HypnosisTechniqueExchange
- Derren Brown – http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Derren-Brown
- Comedy Hypnosis Show – http://groups.yahoo.com/group/comedyhypnosisshow
I hope this has been helpful.
All the best,
Brian
STAGE, PERFORMANCE, ENTERTAINMENT HYPNOSIS – Sept. 4-8, 2006
Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [phillips@nccu.edu.tw]Certified Hypnotherapist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com
