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Post by livvykitty on May 22, 2016 18:10:43 GMT
Here's the guide no one asked for, from the girl who spent way too much of her childhood looking into this! So here's how to play a semi-realistic hypnotist and how to play a hypnotized character that isn't boring as hell!
~Playing the Hypnotist~
In technical terms, the hypnotist is more like a guide to the subject, acting as someone to give suggestions in a completely safe environment.
There MUST be some kind of trust between hypnotist and subject!!! I cannot stress this enough. If the hypnotist is someone the subject hates, then there's no way in hell that subject would ever relax around them, much less take any dumb suggestions they may have. How strong the rapport between hypnotist and subject is depends on prior relationship between them. Matesprits will have a much stronger bond than a stranger in a hypnosis show, leading to deeper trance and long lasting results if that's what's already been established.
This brings us into the types of hypnosis and what inductions would be best. There's a difference between stage hypnosis and other hypnosis scenarios.
During a stage show, the hypnotist is forcing your subconscious to listen to him only for a short time, and because the subject volunteer, there's a very small measure of trust involved that the hypnotist will make them do things. And because the subject knows it's a show, it's easier to take silly suggestions, because to their subconscious, it's fun!! It's childish!!! It's nice to let go and have fun with the audience laughing and egging them on!!
During a stage show, a quick induction is best, with something like the magnetic hand technique working best.
During more traditional settings of hypnosis, where it all happens in the home, it's normal for the hypnotist and subject to talk over what will happen before hand. The subject will tell the hypnotist what they do and don't want, and the hypnotist respects that to lead the subject into trance. Here, a much larger measure of trust is needed, so for any therapy settings, make sure the hypnotherapist is doing the best they can to have a friendly and inoffensive presence.
For this, it's best to use gradual relaxation techniques like focusing on each part of the body, and then deepeners such as the spiral staircase. It's also best for the hypnotist and subject to have spoken beforehand, though it is possible to trick someone into trance!
To trick someone into trance would mean setting up the environment in such a way as to make the atmosphere relaxing, and do some repetitive motion for the subject to focus on, such as knitting or talking. As the hypnotist talks, they can slip in little suggestions to relax, the listen, and as the subject is unwittingly descending into trance, it's possible to really launch into a full induction.
Warning: this type of hypnosis would certainly not be as deep as even the stage hypnosis, and should one wrong move be made, trance can be broken and the subject CAN wake up
~Playing the Hypnotized Character~
So your partner is playing the hypnotist to your subject (or victim, depending), and your character will be dunked straight into trance. You're dreading it, because hypnotized people are boring, right? They don't have thoughts or anything of the sort to expand on, and they barely speak!
Well... No. Not exactly.
Before anything, lets expel some myths about hypnosis. The subject can absolutely refuse to do any suggestion that the hypnotist may suggest, if it conflicts with their morals or if they need to be convinced. As the subject, it is your character's right to just wake up, whenever they may please. They may be slightly disoriented, but they don't need to stay under because the hypnotist has them under.
Now, onto how to actually play a hypnotized subject! This is a bit of a tricky subject, because everyone experiences hypnosis differently, but here are a few examples on what you could do with the first characters that come to mind
- If you're playing a hypnotized Dave, no need to have him be in any way quiet. He's absolutely relaxed, his mind open, and now there's no way to stop him from rambling on and on in metaphors that make even less sense than usual. He's still Dave- he makes little jabs at the hypnotist, he rambles without end- but he's much more quiet and relaxed, ready to just melt into whatever he's set on
- if you're playing a more bubbly character like Feferi or Jade, or hell, even a character that's more reserved like Rose, you can absolutely play them as a little more giggly than usual, finding things absolutely hilarious when they're not that funny in reality, but still relaxed and loose lipped. They might admit some things, even, that you wouldn't have expected
- you can play a reserved character like Dirk as equally reserved and meditative, kind of floating inside their own headspace. They can even be a little curious about why the fuck the hypnotist wants them to do something, asking for clarification and just generally a little confused now that they're not thinking as much as they normally would
There are even more ways to take it, and those are only a few examples! There's no need to play your character as the emotionless robot or mindless slave. Have some fun with it! Explore the possibilities!!
I hope this random little guide is helpful!!
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