Marc Spelmann Collection

THE BLURB:
"These discs have been unavailable for the last six months
and since their original release over four years ago have
earned Marc a reputation in the Magic world as a creative
and original thinker and performer.

Alakazam Magic are proud to re-release this unique four DVD
set in a beautifully presented collector’s edition box set.

Marc has been invited to perform for the worlds elite
A-list, from Eric Clapton, Lennox Lewis, George Michael,
Jack Nicholson, Hugh Grant, Davina McCall, Gerry Halliwell,
Johnny Vaughn and HRH Prince Andrew.

His client list is truly extensive with corporate giants
such as Sony, Vodafone, Columbia Pictures, Jaguar, BMW,
Dyson, TheBBC, Carlton Television, Channel 4, Channel 5,
Madam Tussauds, Rail Track, Credit Lyonnaise and Amtrak as a
mere few of Marcs regular clients.

I managed to finally get Marc to release some of his
treasured routines for the magic community and I have to say
that as a magic dealer I cannot remember a book or DVD set
with so many real world routines. Marc has delivered
material that knocked everyone out at the filming. I am
confident that anyone of any level who purchases these DVDs
will use Marc’s killer routines and principles.

In my opinion Marcs fantastic chair routine One In
Thousands, Staple Roulette and his diabolical approach to
the bank night theme The Prize Draw are all individually
worth the price of the entire set of DVDs to a working
professional and could be sold for hundreds of pounds each.

On the day of filming a shattering 31 routines I could not
decide which routines I wanted to ad to my repertoire, I was
spoilt for choice, a rarity for any set of DVDs. The
privileged audience who saw the filming firmly believe that
every effect was a true performance piece.

Marc thinks outside of the box and creates workable real
world effects that play huge. I can honestly say that it is
an absolute pleasure to be releasing this unbelievable set
and the two and a half year process of finally pinning Marc
down has been worth every second. All of this from someone
who is not really known in magic circles and at a young age
for his wisdom, knowledge and maturity with the impossible.
Our art will benefit I'm sure."

Peter Nardi

[A complete list of effects is included below the "My
Comments" section.]

"Marc Spelmann is one of those unusual characters that come
along once in a generation who knows how to create an idea
in such a way as to create a stunning performance piece of
mentalism, He also knows that presentation is everything."
Banachek

"The material is first class, easy to understand and most
important of all, highly entertaining. I like your style.
Friendly, courteous and very disarming. The material is
delightfully commercial. If the viewer doesn't come away
with some of the most workable and entertaining effects I¹ve
seen in some time, they should try stamp collecting."
Larry Becker

"The effects I saw are very clever and seem to have no
explanation. Marc handles his audience well and leaves them
with a very good feeling about his "powers!"
Richard Osterlind

"Marc Spelmann has an inspired Alchemical knack at combining
ideas and principles in proper measure to create new life.
His reworking of classic ideas and effects will leave you
breathless. The Spelmann touch is close to a knock over the
head with a club. It hits you where it counts and leaves you
dazed, blurry-eyed, and excited. Do yourself a favor and
study Marcs work, I think you too will find yourself highly
rewarded for your effort."
Kenton Knepper

Disc One Running Time Approximately 4hr 28min
Disc Two Running Time Approximately 3hr 30min
Disc Three Running Time Approximately 3hr 37min
Disc Four Running Time Approximately 2hr 44min

[A complete list of effects is included below the "My
Comments" section.]

MY COMMENTS:
Previously, this set had been released as four separate DVDs
at $50 each. Since the price was a big part of my comments,
I've revised the first and last few paragraphs of my
original comments to reflect this new packaging and pricing
which is 50% of what it was originally. Also, I've revised
it because I felt that my comments were more subjective than
it needed to be. In short, this set is now, quite simply, a
veritable bargain for mentalists and certainly recommended.
More on that below.

Of the two questions I keep getting regarding this set, the
most frequent question one is "Is it worth it?" We'll get
to my answer to that question in a bit. The other question
I've been getting about these DVDs is in regards to what I
think of Michael Close's scathing review in the Jan. 2005
issue of Magic magazine.

Let me begin by saying that I do think that Marc Spelmann is
a talented and creative individual. I admire his work and
creativity and most of the effects contained within the DVDs
can be very strong stuff. I did thoroughly enjoy a number
of his effects.

So now, let me turn to Michael Close's review. In brief,
Mr. Close states that the mentalism presented is mental
magic and explains why it's not even good mental magic. He
cited, as examples, his examinations of some of the key
effects: Staple Gun Roulette, A Card in 52, and One in
Thousands, the chair routine. He didn't care for Spelmann's
performing style, which he says lacks pacing, energy, a
performing persona, and interesting patter. I refer you to
the January 2005 issue of Magic for more details.

Okay, I do agree that the DVDs don't show Marc Spelmann
utilizing the greatest of performing styles and his
performance certainly doesn't have a lot pacing, energy,
interesting patter, etc. It is difficult to say whether
that is deliberate on his part, a result of the particular
performing conditions of the DVD shoot or a sign of his
inexperience in the craft of mentalism. Sure, a livelier
style would have made it made it more entertaining, but
that's not really the main reason for puchasing these DVDs,
right?

And, yes, I do agree with Mr. Close that a good number of
these mentalism routines are really mental magic and,
sometimes, needlessly so. Let me give you an example. In
Free Call (volume 2), an object out of twenty is freely
selected. A prediction is opened, it's revealed to be a
phone number, and that phone number is dialed. We then hear
a recorded message from Marc's office which ends with a
revelation of that chosen item. This would be pretty
strong, if this effect were that direct. However, Marc
inexplicably has the participant pull six items out of the
box and then has that person eliminate five of the items one
at a time. This slows the pace of this effect considerably
and adds a bit of unnecessary and indirect business. In
addition, this effect features no new groundbreaking
principles. The method is one that may well be obvious to
the experienced and well-read performer (it's not the
typical Mr. Wizard method, by the way), but it does present
original thinking in the merging of known principles.

Finally, I also agree with Mr. Close's assessments of the
staple gun and card routine, but I feel he was being way too
hard on the chair routine. The method may well be obvious
to magicians and mentalists, but I don't think that laymen
would find it obvious. And that's who we're performing for,
aren't we? I found the chair routine thoroughly entertaining
and well worth the effort to perform, if it'll fit into your
act.

What Mr. Close missed was one very important point of this
DVD that overshadows its many weaknesses. Despite's Marc's
overkill in many of the presentations, his many ideas are
clever and solid. At least one routine I know of
("Orifice") has gone straight into a friend's working
repertoire.

Let me briefly address the advertising blurb, which was
blatantly written by Peter Nardi, who produced this set. He
wrote,"I managed to finally get Marc to release some of his
treasured routines for the magic community and I have to say
that as a magic dealer I cannot remember a book or DVD set
with so many real world routines." So, these routines are
intended for magicians? And what about Osterlind's Mind
Mysteries set or Chuck Hickok's Mentalism Inc? The
implication is that Spelmann's DVDs have more real world
routines than, at least, these two recent classics, which
any mentalist knows just isn't true. The ad reeks of
hyperbole and one has to ask why. My advice is to take it
all with a truck-full of salt.

But the ad has little to do with the product itself. So,
now, let's answer the question about value and whether it's
worth it. Though I may not think of this set as highly as
do others due to the shortcomings that I discussed in
countering Mr. Close's review, this set has quite a bit to
offer to every level of performer and is well worth checking
out. The price for this new edition is more than reasonable
and definitely recommended.

-----

The effects on this remarkable four chapter set include:

Transmission

A drawing duplication that is real time, no impressions, no
pre show, no stooges. You send an image to a random
volunteer in the hope that they will receive your thought.
You repeat the process a number of times matching image
after image to an astonished audience and a baffled
volunteer.

A Card in 52. A Word in Thousands

A direct card divination combined with a triple book test,
the books are cheap paper backs, a spectator choses a random
page that they do not tell you, next another spectator
chooses one of three books yet you clearly divine the words
and them of the line they are concentrating on and you don't
even know what page or book they are looking at.

Sweet Sensation

A packet of wine gums is used to manipulate one of the most
unexploited senses, that of taste. Five volunteers are to
imagine a sour taste, however one will imagine a sweet taste
you divine exactly which spectator is imagining the sweet
sensation.

£1,000,000 Serial Killer

A volunteer is asked to take part in a challenge guessing
game of which hand holds the prize, they win every time, as
a finale not only do you divine the serial number on their
£20 note but reveal an incredible coincidence never seen
before.

Staple Gun Roulette

Four ungimmicked industrial staple guns, one genuinely
loaded are used in a psychological killer routine where the
audience gamble with their choices. Three staple guns are
fired over their hands whilst the forth is fired into a
block of wood to conclude a seriously tense piece of mental
theatre.

1 in Thousands

Hailed as one of the most incredible chair routines and
already in the repertoires of some of the worlds leading
mentalists. Marc has held this back for years and still
closes with it to this day. Four participants, four chairs,
four envelopes and a killer surprise in a routine that
literally has a thousand outcomes.

The Orifices

Marcs variation on an old classic from John Ramsey, taken to
a whole new level. Beans are snorted and regurgitated, the
final bean travelling from your ear, under your facial skin
through to your eye socket. Not for the faint hearted.

Free Call

An absolute killer routine that has fried some of the most
distinguished performers. 20 or so objects are placed into a
box, a volunteer is handed a single prediction before
choosing one of the objects as an example the 10p coin is
chosen. They open the prediction that has been in their
possession since the beginning to reveal your office phone
number, the number is

dialled and the message heard which says "Hi sorry I'm not
here to take your call, please leave a message, if however
that is my helpful volunteer you should be holding a 10p
coin."

No forces of any kind, no switch of the prediction, the
object is freely selected and clearly predicted.

Just 15 seconds

A real time word memorisation and divination. 40 to 50
Spectators write long and short words on a pad, you take the
pad and ask someone to time you for just 15 seconds. You
however do not simply call off the words on the pad but
instead take it to another level by divining two randomly
selected thought of words.

Do You Believe?

Coins, keys and pieces of examined cutlery are placed into a
glass as you demonstrate mass psychokinesis, first by slowly
moving each piece of cutlery, then moving all of the
cutlery. Finally you get the audience to imagine the glass
toppling over at which point it moves eerily before toppling
to the floor. A fork is twisted like string, a coin bent
almost in half and a key bent at right angles.

Untouched

Marc Spelmanns unique premise to creating unbelievable
psychokinesis with practically any small object. Marcs hands
are examined before and after the demonstration and yet he
still moves objects apparently with only the power of his
mind. Move a fork, pen, lighter, business card etc etc etc.
This revolutionary technique has already been adopted by
some very knowledgeable performers as the most practical way
to mysteriously move objects. Remember both hands are very
freely moved around, quick set up and invisible clean up.

Thief In The dark

Four Drawings unseen by the performer, each placed sight
unseen into envelopes, yet you locate the owner of each
drawing and finalize by duplicating the finale drawing that
remains sealed inside of it's envelope. Inspired by Larry
Becker’s Sneak Thief by using a totally different principle.
A killer packs small effect that plays big.

The Last Man Standing

Marcs approach to the single card in envelope premise, a
random volunteer is asked to do the impossible as you tell
them that you placed a single card inside of the envelope
you are holding. What colour is it? High or Low? Odd or
Even? What suit? Believe it or not they get it absolutely
right every time. No palming, no complex system just an
easy-to-do effect that fools the best.

What, Where, When?

Three volunteers are asked to join you for a demonstration
of remote viewing. One is to visualise a simple design, the
other a location somewhere in the world and the last a time
of year. You divine everything in a very clever routine that
you can carry in your pocket yet amaze an entire theatre.
Multiple possibilities and different outcomes are possible.
The effect can be adapted to any theme once the premise is
understood.

From Beyond the Grave

You introduce a small wallet which holds a single envelope
as you tell a participant that this is for them, the
envelope is marked with their initials as they are asked to
regress to another time, place and even body. Every choice
is completely free and comes from the participants own
imagination. You open the wallet and remove the initialed
envelope which is opened to reveal a letter that predicts
every choice with pure accuracy. No palming, forcing or
impression devices. No pre show or instant stooging.

Mind To Mind Location

A group of index cards are written on by the entire
audience, they are gathered and one randomly chosen by a
spectator. The name of a person comes through, after some
thought you announce that it is the father, another name
comes through which proves to be the mother, both names are
divined clearly even though you have not seen the index
card, you next get the exact date written on the index card.
Obviously one person in the room realises you have divined
their thoughts at which point you go into the audience and
locate that very person.

The Prize Draw

"This is going straight into my act." Marcs handling of the
famous Bank Night routine is taken to a whole new dimension.
Everyone wins but not quite as much as you do. A fantastic
routine that uses a principle lost in time but is sure to be
used again and again once this masterpiece is seen. This has
been one of Marcs most talked about routines by magicians,
mentalists and of course the paying public for the last five
years. In my opinion the best bank night routine ever.

In The Shadow Of Geller

Marc Spelmann’s unbelievable one handed coin bend that has
fooled everyone who sees it, incredibly clean and best of
all the coin slowly bends at the finger tips. Not just a
reveal of a bent coin but the audience actually see it bend
at which point it is fairly handed to the owner.

Just A Thought

A shuffled deck of cards is openly spread for a spectator to
just think of one, no forces of any kind. The thought of
card is slowly divined and placed on the table for the
dramatic revelation.

Out Of Sight Just In Your Mind

Marc Spelmann’s variation of the renowned classic by Dai
Vernon, streamlined handling, minimal sleight of hand in
probably the most direct mind reading card effect. Marc has
made Dai Vernon’s classic effect easier and more accessible
for all to do. No table required, no breaks held, just pure
mind reading.

Business Confidential

A stack of regular business cards are used to demonstrate
psychometry and clairvoyance. A volunteer draws a simple
image on any business card; it is then mixed and lost into
the stack, the performer talks of the old mediums and how
they could divine information from an object that is
personalized. The business cards are slowly dealt until the
performer thinks they have it

at which point it is placed sight unseen under the
spectator’s hand. Now the impossible happens as the
performer duplicates the drawing down to the finest detail.

In The Shadow Of Banachek

Marc pays homage to a modern master and inspiration with a
direct easy to do visual coin bend that is ready to go in an
instant, a reputation maker that creates a souvenir that
will be kept for years. The audience sees you with empty
hand take a coin from a spectator. The coin is held in one
hand only and the audience help create an energy at which
point your hand is opened and the coin eerily bends at the
finger tips, again it is cleanly handed back to the
spectator.

Clearly Predictable

A chosen hour is thought of, a card freely selected and an
ESP symbol chosen. Three outcomes from hundreds of possible
combinations all of which are clearly predicted in a single
photograph in your wallet which has been in view from the
start. Direct, strong and impossible for a lay audience to
back track. "Another effect going straight into my intimate
act."

Alls Fair

A shuffled deck is randomly cut by a spectator who memorizes
the cut to card. The card is replaced and shuffled back into
it's half of the deck. You ask one question and one question
only as you spread the upper half of the deck "Is the mate
of your card in this half?" At which point you name the
memorised card. Remember, the deck is shuffled by a
spectator at the

beginning. They cut anywhere, even changing their mind if
they choose yet you hit every time.

Shade

A card is cut to and secretly remembered. Four other cards
are introduced as red herrings, all five are placed on the
table as you ask the volunteer to place his shadow over each
card, after which you capture his shadow. You then run your
hand over the cards and stop on his thought of card. A
dramatic piece of simple yet astonishing mentalism.

N.A.M.D.

This alone is worth the price of the DVD, it fooled me
badly. Marc Spelmann’s killer application with a regular
Bicycle deck that he has held back for sometime, fooling all
those who have seen him use it. The most invisible of its
kind. Very easy to create and even easier to use. Best of
all it costs you nothing to put together.

Mental Approximation

A deck of cards is shuffled and a card thought of, the cards
are instantly squared, left in their random order and
pocketed. The spectator is to visualize the colour of the
card, then the suit, then imagine the card in it¹s numerical
position in an imaginary spread. Not only do you divine the
card but mention that the card was approximately 23 cards
down in the deck at which point you reach sight unseen into
your pocket and instantly remove the card, no force of any
kind, Marc generates huge impact from something that is easy
to do. Perfect for situations when there is no table or
spectators hands to use.