Things are often not like in Hollywood. I believe some people can do it fully with their minds, indeed I've seen it happen and they let me put my hand on it so I could feel it happen.

I think the first step towards that ability (which I do not have.... Yet!) is using physical manipulation as training wheels. So it's not brute force, it's just light pressure. Luckily I am very naturally weak so I know I'm not brute force strengthing it 🤣

But the metal stops being rigid and starts acting like wet clay and you can just put it into the shape you're imagining.