June 16, 2007
Here's what's in this edition of
Jheff's Marketplace of the Mind Newsletter
*** CALLER I.D. by Larry Becker & Lee Earle
*** CRITTERS by Craig Browning
*** SHERLOCK HOLMES INDUCTIVE TEST
by Alexander Black & Troy Cherry
To make a purchase of any item in the JMOM newsletter,
please go to http://www.MarketplaceoftheMind.com
and use the shopping cart. If you're unable to do
this, you may respond to this e-mail.
To make sure you've not been missing any newsletters, check
out my blog, which is accessible from the main page. All of
the recent past newsletters are archived there.
*********
Tomorrow is Father's Day here in the U.S. So I send out
congratulations to all of you dads who have kids. I'm
spending the day taking the kids to Disneyland (for my
sake, not theirs), because I want to brave those long lines
and check out the newly re-opened submarine ride (which is
now a Finding Nemo attraction) and the new Mark Twain
Island, which is now pirate themed to tie-in to a certain
silly summer movie series.
Anyhow, I just got finished reviewing three book tests from
Alexander Black and Troy Cherry, and now it's time to
include another one that I hadn't seen yet. By the way,
as I mentioned last time, the Dracula Book Test, which is
perhaps their best book test and was featured on Richard
Osterlind's newest video, is now available again.
Also, for those who are waiting for the new Maurice Fogel
book to be released before ordering, the book is on its way
to the distributor right now. I should have them about the
end of next week to ship out. Want to get an even bigger
discount on the book? It's available for 20% if you're a
Marketplace member. See below for deails.
*** ALAIN NU UPDATE
NU SECRETS & REALITIES is officially sold-out. However, he
does have two new books, ASTROLOGIC and NU WAYS. They're
not up on his website yet. As soon as they are, I'll be
putting up some pages with info on them and providing my
comments. I've already read them and they are certainly up
to the superb standard that his other works have reached.
And, while we're on the subject of Alain, he wanted me to
pass on the news about his workshop that was held last week.
He wrote me that "the workshop was a huge success, with guys
attending from Portland, Seattle, New Orleans, Las Vegas,
Baltimore, New York, New England, Germany, and even
Australia! Another one will be scheduled to happen sometime
next year-- there's talk of it possibly happening in England
in March 2008. Anyone interested in being notified to be put
on a waiting list for available seats should contact me at
alainnutv@yahoo.com."
*** GOLD DRAGON TATTOO
I'm down to my last few before I have to wait for Fred
Darevil to send more of this wonderful, unique new close-up
mentalism effect featuring tattoo art. If you want one now,
order fast. Otherwise, you may have to wait for a few weeks
for my next shipment from France.
*** SUMMER SPOTLIGHT: MENTAL ACTS
Here's a new feature that will call attention to products
that I feel shouldn't be overlooked by the working
mentalist. The following products are or can be complete
mental acts by themselves.
DOUBLE COINCIDENCE -- This three-phase book test is one of
the most powerful book test routines I've seen. Though one
book is prepared, it's the routine that is strong, not the
props. The first phase involves picking up images from a
selected passage; the second, the performer draws the
thought-of word; and the third phase involves an impossible
prediction of a freely chosen word.
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/Double_Coincidence.html
CRUISE CONTROL -- This routine involves many elements of a
cruise being freely chosen and all of them being predicted
by the performer at the routine's finish. I've always gotten
great response from this routine and feel that this is one
of Larry Becker & Lee Earle's most underrated creations. If
you do a travel themed set, you certainly want to check this
out. Heck, I'd recommend it just for the special traveler's
cheques which are ingenious.
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/Cruise_Control.html
QUESTA -- A professional Q & A routine that blends a trio of
principles together so that anyone "in the know" wouldn't be
able to backtrack. This is not a routine that is
recommended for mentalists with little experience, but they
can certainly purchase this and know what to work on and
towards.
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/Questa.html
*** MAURICE FOGEL: IN SEARCH OF THE SENSATIONAL
This book is not due out until about June 21 (according to
Hermetic Press' website), but I'm taking pre-orders now for
it. If you're a Marketplace Member, then log in to the
Marketplace Members' page and you'll find an additional
pre-order discount on this book. I haven't seen it yet, but
anything mentalism related by Hermetic Press has always been
a must-have. Why should this be any different?
*** IMPORTANT NEW POSTAGE INFORMATION
In Mid-May, the United States Postal Service raised their
rates and changed policies. The major change, though,
occurs with non-U.S., Mexico or Canada orders. The small
Global Priority Mail envelopes are no longer being used by
USPS. And Global Priority mail prices have gone way up.
The price for shipping in a larger envelope by me is now $13
(I use to charge $11). It can be cheaper through regular
airmail, and if the weight isn't much (under 2 lbs, I
think), I will use that. If it doesn't fit in the large
Priority Mail envelope, or it's pretty heavy, it could get
rather costly. I'm still trying to figure it all out,
because, as usual, the USPS doesn't have a user friendly
quick-start rate manual. For now, though, disregard the
postal information on the site. I'll try to have it updated
by this week.
***** TRIO AND THE MEMORY PILL ACT
The creator of the classic Blister effect, Jack Kent Tillar,
has a new book destined to be a mentalism classic. TRIO is
a book comprised of three complete knock-out mentalism acts.
And THE MEMORY PILL ACT, one of Bascom Jones' favorites, is
a complete act, as well. Getting paid to do any one of
these acts will more than cover the cost of both. Step on
over to the Marketplace of the Mind and check them out, if
you haven't already. And, if you have and have not ordered
them, do so. I know that you'll be glad you did.
Incidentally, the second volume of The Private Files of
Jack Kent Tillar will be out at the beginning of July.
Those who purchase TMPA will be receiving an e-mail about
how to obtain the next e-book before anyone else and at a
special sale price.
***** MARKETPACE MEMBERSHIP CLUB
The latest issue of Jheff's Journal of the Mind spotlights
Maurice Fogel, the subject of the new book by Christopher
Woodward and Richard Mark entitled Maurice Fogel: In Search
of the Sensational. To get it, you need to buy a membership
in the Marketplace of the Mind. For the $37 cost you get a
subscription to the 2007 issues of Jheff's Journal of the
Mind, an all-new e-zine for mentalists, and an additional
5% discount off merchandise from the Marketplace of the
Mind. There will also be specials and other stuff
throughout the year. Check out the preview edition
of the Bonus #0 issue featuring Jack Kent Tillar. Go to
the website and click on the banner at the top. Or use
the link below.
Check it out here:
www.marketplaceofthemind.com/jmmc.html
***** THE FRIENDS OF THE MARKETPLACE
Don't forget to check out the new Friends of the Marketplace
section. This is for those creators who are producing
wonderful products that I don't carry. This is because, to
save overhead, I order as needed from my distributor, and
these creators aren't mass distributing it. If you'd like
me to review your product and help you sell it, then you'll
find details about the Friends of the Marketplace program on
the website. There's a button on the left hand side for you
to click on.
I've just added the Craig Browning's CRITTERS, which is good
old fashioned mentalism fun with the theme of animals.
Also new to the section are Ron Martin's THE TAROT READER'S
NOTEBOOK, a must-have for Tarot readers; Alan Strydom's
PALMISTRY QUICKIES, a must-have for palm readers; Loren
Tindall's beautiful new THE DELPHI PORTAL, which is a
must-have prop for anyone who is a reader; and Gene
Nielsen's THE MAGICK YEARS, a jam-packed e-book filled with
over 70 professional and varied routines.
Remember, I don't make a dime on this stuff. I do this
because I think the stuff is very good and worth it.
http://www.jheff.com/friendsofthemarketplace.html
Until next time. -- Jheff
*********
LARRY BECKER & LEE EARLE
CALLER I.D.
JMOM Price: $270
Suggested Retail Price: $299.50
THE BLURB:
A breathtaking NEW CONCEPT from the minds of Larry Becker
and Lee Earle!
A different type of telephone book routine.
Two years in development and worth the wait!
Expensive and worth every penny!
What would make the perfect telephone routine? Since the
vast majority of your mentalism presentations are for
corporations or at the very least for people who work -
everyone is familiar with business cards. And, everyone has
seen multi-page business card organizers in office supply
stores. Chances are you have one on your desk right now!
It's the perfect solution for keeping all of your contacts
in one neat, organized area.
Now, it's the perfect solution for the perfect telephone
routine that kills audiences and eliminates any and all
suspicion. In a nutshell, Caller I.D. sets you apart from
anything else out there! Don't be like every other mentalist
who pulls out a phone book from the hotel room. Been there,
done that. They've all seen that one. Toss out a collection
of business cards and use anyone's phone? Now that's
different! Want to be unique? Get Caller I.D.
Every piece of information seen on every card, by anyone who
wants to look, is different.
The selection process is open, fair, and uncomplicated.
Each business card is different; information, papers,
colors, fonts, graphics, sophistication of design, and even
businesses and industries are in area codes across the
country.
This one-man routine is so easy you can focus on
entertaining your audience; no mental gymnastics.
There are multiple revelations with no pumping, peeking, or
procrastinating.
The finish is kick-*ss and perfect in every way; and it's
different if repeated an hour later.
We are thrilled to be able to offer this extraordinary
combination of premise, props, and practicality. There's one
more 'P'. Perfection!
"In the sea of telephone routine sameness, Caller I.D. is
truly memorable! I've seen all the others and this is the
Godfather of telephone routines! They say it's expensive; I
say it's priced far too low. What a small amount to pay for
something that will launch your reputation into a new
dimension!"
-- Scott Deming, Corporate Mentalist and Motivational
Speaker
Start with a deluxe, zippered, personal planner and binder -
the 'DayRunner' type that has pages retained with snap-open
rings. Inside are a dozen clear vinyl pages, each holding
six business cards in 3 pockets, back to back, for a total
of 72 cards. Every card is unique - no two have similar
businesses, names, images, logos, addresses, etc. Hand the
binder to a participant who is encouraged to browse through
the impressive variety of top quality business cards. You
don't touch the binder again until the routine is over.
Then, out of your view and from anywhere in the binder, he
removes two cards.
After verifying they represent different companies, cities,
& phone numbers, he hands one of them to a person close by.
The binder is tossed to a third, completely random person of
his choice.
That individual opens the binder, again - while you cannot
possibly see, and takes out any full page, removes all six
business cards from the page, and looks them over to satisfy
himself that each is unique - no duplicate information. Then
he discards all but two, using his own, unannounced
criteria. Perhaps he prefers color printing over black and
white; maybe he doesn't like round corners; it could be he
is attracted to double-sided cards. You truly have no clue
about his process of elimination; you don't even know which
cards he holds.
To avoid 'dead time' as he is narrowing his selection, you
turn to work with the first two persons, each of whom holds
a single, freely and randomly selected business card that
has been kept hidden the entire time. One of them
concentrates on his card's telephone number, digit by digit,
including the area code. You openly write numbers on a
drawing pad and then ask him to read aloud the phone number
on that card. The audience can clearly see that you have
successfully identified all ten digits!
Turning to a fresh page in your drawing pad, you request the
second helper to visualize the graphic elements on his card
- colors, shapes, photos, etc. - while you doodle on your
pad Then he tells everyone what's printed on the card and
your sketch matches his description of the card he holds -
in explicit detail!
Finally you ask anyone with a cell phone to dial the number
on either business card that the third participant has
randomly selected - his choice. He is to repeat whatever the
individual on the other end of the call says. As the
connection is being made on his own cell phone, you write
furiously on your pad - turning pages like a whirling
dervish as you fill up each sheet with words, sketches, and
numbers. When the call is answered - the participant repeats
everything he hears from the other end of the connection.
Simultaneously, you show page after page on your pad -
detailing an almost word-for-word precognition of names,
replies, comments...and even if the call is automatically
answered you can still reveal info from that number's voice
mail announcement!
Caller I.D. comes with a quality, DayRunner-style zippered
binder, the pages to hold more than six dozen professionally
designed and printed business cards, full DVD instructions,
and the awesome 'secret something' that makes it possible.
You supply the pad, pen, & audience - they supply the
standing ovation.
MY COMMENTS:
As usual, Larry and Lee have come up with a brilliantly
thought-out routine that has the potential of being a very
powerful, reputation-making performance piece for the
working pro. And I'll happily report that the blurb above
accurately describes the performance and the props you'll
get.
I'm not going to rehash what was said in the blurb. I know
you want me to get straight to the info that isn't
mentioned. First, there is some memorization involved.
Larry and Lee have it covered though and have a diabolical
crib sheet and its use is ingeniously woven right into the
routine! There is quite a bit to learn. However, it's a
pretty easy bit of memorization, and after a few uses you
may not need to look at it. If you already know things like
"one is a gun," "two is a shoe," "three is a tree," etc.,
then this should be a piece of cake, memory-wise. There are
no sleights, just some moves which are very logical and very
open. This is very easy to do and can be re-set rather
quickly for the next performance (although this is not
really suitable for walkaround).
There are a couple of important considerations. To begin
with, the number being called is a toll-free 800 number.
Unfortunately, that number is NOT toll-free outside the U.S.
That means that this routine, regrettably, is not
recommended for non-U.S. performers. And, due to the other
phone numbers being U.S. based, it would take quite a lot of
work to adapt this. That's also assuming that business
cards like the ones in the U.S. are common in that part of
the world.
The second, and far more important, consideration is that
there is a possible limited time in which you can use this
effect. For now, at least, that time ends June 2009. At
that time, Larry and Lee will determine if the technology
and demand still warrant its use. By then, they may have an
updated method or set of props. By registering Caller I.D.,
you'll be kept up to date with this info.
However, one also needs to look at it this way: If you buy
this now, it's like you're paying less than fifteen bucks a
month to perform this routine. To the working pro, that's
spare change and more than worth it. Heck, there are items
on the market which sell for the same or more than this and
which will break down in a shorter period of time. (Oh, I
think we can all name some of those, right?)
Caller I.D. comes with a 16-page instruction booklet, a DVD
(which, disappointingly, does not include a performance of
this), the 72 business cards, and the elegant dayrunner
zipped binder. Also, the DVD is somewhat choppy on the
instructions. I would have liked to see a run-through of
the entire routine and then chapters expaining each feature
and each step of the routine. As it is, I recommend you
read the booklet first, then watch the DVD instruction
manual. Oh, you also get a link to their website to
register and receive some extremely important info regarding
some errata to the products.
This is very highly recommended if you are a regular working
pro in the U.S. If you don't plan on using it right away,
then be aware of the time factor in its use. You may not
get the chance to use it when you finally decide on it.
This is certainly one of the best routines I've ever seen
from
Larry Becker and Lee Earle, two of the most creative minds
in mentalism.
*********
CRAIG BROWNING
CRITTERS
Suggested Retail Price: $36.70 (book), $27.50 (download)
Available at:
http://www.lulu.com/content/916730
THE BLURB:
Six Dynamic Mentalism Routines + a Bonus Book Kicker!
Critters Allows the Psychic Entertainer to Explore the many
ways Humans & Animals Connect with One Another by employing
simple toy animals (small plastic or large stuffed ones).
PLUS Craig has included his exclusive "Baby Elephant Walk"
-- Chair Prediction Routine -- a fantastic large scaled
stage productions loaded with comedy potential and perfect
for the family market -- a most excellent piece of Mental
Magic that's suitable for the more traditional Magician and
Mentalist alike.
MY COMMENTS:
For some reason, people think Craig is a very serious
mentalist and bizarre magician who is incapable of knowing
how to have fun with our art. Well, he may not be injecting
fun into his act, but this e-book will prove that Craig does
indeed know how to have fun with mentalism.
As an exercise, Craig decided to see what classic mentalism
routines he can create with an animal theme. Expectedly,
there's nothing groundbreaking here as Craig has simply, and
creatively, applied the theme to existing material. But
these effects are quite a lot of fun. I haven't performed
any of these, but they are certainly very commercial and
very professional.
Routines included are Which One?, Animal Magnetism, More
Animal Magnetism, Totem Channels, One Day at the Bar,
Animalgram, and Baby Elephant Walk. The book is thirty-nine
pages, including the bonus book, and is available in both
a downloadable form or a physical book.
*********
ALEXANDER BLACK & TROY CHERRY
SHERLOCK HOLMES INDUCTIVE TEST
JMOM Price: $45
Suggested Retail Price: $49.95
THE BLURB:
This wonderful looking book, a classic of English literature
recognized and enjoyed all over the world, can now be a part
of your library of specially made books that help you
perform wonders for friends, colleagues, or any audience
you're performing for. It can be anyone! Though you can
perform with this book on its own, the genius of the gaff
enables you to use this book in conjunction with any other
book of your choice, gaffed or not!
Here's how it works: the mentalist or magician talks about
how Sherlock Holmes was one of the all-time best detectives
in history. The performer explains how this Victorian age
CSI expert would use his five senses to discover clues and
induce facts that would ultimately lead him to solve crimes
that stumped the famous Scotland Yard and stopped them dead
in their tracks.
This person is then asked to look through the book and tell
the audience how many pages there are. With nearly 300 pages
to choose from, this participant is asked to choose one at
random and WITHOUT LOOKING. It is a totally free choice!
The number is then revealed to the audience and the person
is applauded back to their seat. Another person is then
freely chosen from the audience and asked to pick up any
other book sitting on a table.
There can be one or 30 books; it doesn't matter. They can
even change their mind and pick up another book. No problem!
This second person is instructed to turn to the page number
previously chosen at random and to being reading the page in
their mind as if they were projecting it to you.
IMMEDIATELY you reveal the first word as they are getting
through the first paragraph. You then being to reveal the
contents of the whole first paragraph!
She is instructed to continue reading in her head. But you
are able to piece things together just like Sherlock Holmes
but even better. You are able to tell her about the whole
page! You "see" what she is reading.
Totally self contained, ANY book can be used with the
Sherlock Holmes Inductive Test. You can use as many books as
you like. It can be done close-up (just carry a couple extra
books for them to choose from). You can even use a
spectator's book! No kidding.
MY COMMENTS:
For many years, the only way you could get a book similar to
this is to buy a set of Larry Becker's Ultimate Flashback.
Black and Cherry have now re-leased and re-designed the book
so the "secret" is much harder to be spotted by the average
participant. The book can be handled by participants, with
reasonable audience management, and it will be highly
unlikely they will discover its secret. I really like how
this book was re-designed to do this.
Though I had some formatting issues with a few of Alexander
and Troy's other book tests, this one is much better. Oh, I
can quibble about the paragraph indentions being too wide,
or the cover which looks like two faces were photo-shopped
in to the main characters (and indeed those faces are Black
& Cherry's), or that the "middle section" has too many pages
and there could be a few more in the first and last
sections. I'm also not too fond of the presentation of the
routine that they include, but it's clearly presented only
as a possibility. These points are minor, and definitely so
compared with some of the issues I had with a couple other
book tests that Black & Cherry have released. And, no, I'm
not being biased because the creators mentioned yours truly
in the instruction booklet. (Thanks, guys!)
Besides the 256 page book (6"x9"), you get a 12-page
instruction booklet. Incidentally, Richard Osterlind helped
with the creation of the book and does get credit for that.
Also, this book is perfect for those who'd like to perform
Chuck Hickok's incredible book routine as presented in
Mentalism Inc.
*********
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