August 7, 2007
Here's what's in this edition of
Jheff's Marketplace of the Mind Newsletter
*** ANNEMANN 666, VOLUME 1 by Stuart Cumberland
*** TRULY SUBLIMINAL by Ben Highway & Kenton Knepper
*** WHACKED BOOK TEST by Mark Elsdon
*** PAST NEWSLETTERS NOW ONLINE
*** 2007 GREAT SHELF CLEARANCE SALE
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.
*********
In just about two months, Robert Allen & Danny Archer's
Mindvention will be held at the Palace Station in Las Vegas,
Nevada. The dates are October 7 - 9. So now is the time to
register and to make reservations and travel plans.
Featured guests include John Archer, Patrick Redford, Sean
Taylor, Jon Stetson, Joe Atmore, and Eugene Burger, plus
many, many more surprises. And, yeah, I'll be there, too.
For more info, and the complete schedule, visit
www.Mindvention.com
Okay, I've got a lot more Bob Cassidy e-books to review,
more Stuart Cumberland to review (the first is included in
this newsletter), and a bunch more items that I've been
backlogged with. Also, Influence U. is Larry Becker & Lee
Earle's new item. I'll have one for review later this week.
Details about it are on the website.
*** PAST NEWSLETTERS NOW ON-LINE
Finally, I broke down and just decided to be plain lazy.
Instead of taking the time to re-format the newsletters and
make them all pretty looking for the blog, I decided I'd
rather spend the time on other more important things like,
oh, keeping the website up to date with the current
mentalism products and my comments. Right now, I'm only
posting the 2007 newsletters. Perhaps, in time, I'll put
more up.
So, there's a whole new section where you can see all the
past newsletters. If you subscribed and aren't receiving
them, either check to make sure that the newsletters aren't
being considered spam by your Internet provider, or
re-subscribe (which is the easiest).
*** THE 2007 GREAT SHELF CLEARANCE SALE
You want to know what happens to products that I buy for
review and can't use? Or products that I stocked up on
because I think are terrific but for some reason don't sell
as well as I think they ought to? Or products customers
order and then change their mind about getting? The answer
is that these products sit on my shelf until I get enough
stuff that it's time to do a clearance sale.
And that time, of course, is now. How it works is all on
the site and this offer is only for those who receive this
newsletter. Just know that the sale is on a first-come,
first-serve basis and must end August 20. After that, these
items will either return to my stock shelf, be auctioned on
eBay, or donated to a local magician's club.
Save this link as this section will NOT be posted on the
website:
(Link removed)
*** ALAIN NU FANS, ANYONE?
If you are, you'd definitely be interested in checking out
the news about the next issue of Jheff's Journal of the
Mind. See the news below about the Marketplace Membership
Club.
*** HOLLYWOOD MAGIC SQUARES
The 2nd volume of "From the Private Files of Jack Kent
Tillar" has just been released. Jack has tackled the flaws
in most magic square methods and come up with a brilliant
solution.
Hollywood Magic Squares, a 24-page downloadable e-book,
takes a classic, yet complicated, method for accomplishing
the magic squares and applies some simple, subtle, and
sensational touches to make it a powerful new method for
this popular effect.
*** 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
***** MARKETPLACE MEMBERSHIP CLUB
The next issue of Jheff's Journal of the Mind spotlights
Alain Nu, another of mentalism's most unique and creative
performers. And this issue is a departure in that it
features material, or versions of material, not printed
anywhere else. 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 third and the most important of Enrique
Enriquez' Invisible series, INVISIBLE READINGS. This is
definitely an e-book that every mentalist should check out.
Also new to the section are Ron Martin's THE TAROT READER'S
NOTEBOOK, a must-have for Tarot readers; Craig Browning's
CRITTERS, an animal-themed collection of mentalism; 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
*********
STUART CUMBERLAND
ANNEMANN 666, VOLUME 1
Suggested Retail Price: $45
Availabe at:
http://www.annemann-666.com
THE BLURB:
Six of Annemann's classic effects presented by Stuart
Cumberland.
Pseudo Psychometry
The effect is pure classic: items are borrowed from
spectators while the mentalist's back is turned. One by one,
by handling the objects, the mentalist picks up vibrations
and gives uncanny psychic personality readings of the owner
that are remarkably correct! Not only that, the performer
returns each article correctly to the owner! It's mysterious
and amazing! Done properly, you'll have a crowd eager for
personal readings after your show. Such power!
You get my personal presentation of this reputation-building
effect.
It's cliche to say, but this presentation is worth 10 times
what I'm asking for this book. Why?
Because for the first time ever, I'm revealing my secret to
NEVER getting stumped when giving readings and how every
reading I give is unique, fits the person to a 'T' and NEVER
fails to amaze.
The problem with most mentalists is they get caught up in
the trick. The most important part is the reading. Most just
wing it. They stumble... or worse... they give canned
memorized "cold readings". They stumble and they suck.
You won't suck. Guaranteed. Give me one night and I'll give
you a powerful presentation that will make a local legend
out of you!
Best part: my idea is so easy that you will wonder why you
never thought of it. It's awesome.
Dead Men Tell No Tales
Do this any time, anywhere. It's as close to real
mindreading as you can get. No billets, no glimpses, no
trick pads... nothing. Just a miracle.
Effect: Spectator takes an unprepared pad and pencil and
while the mentalist turns his back writes down six names on
a pad. Five names are people he knows who are alive. One
name is that of a dead person. Mentalist turns back, takes
the pad and asks the person to concentrate. He scratches,
one by one, names off of the list. The spectator finally
reveals the dead name. When the mentalist turns the pad...
the only name left is the dead name!
The method is bold and gutsy. Most are afraid to try it.
I'll give you tips, suggestions, patter and presentation
that will give you the courage to try it. And once you've
had success with it, you'll do as I have done... you'll keep
using it!
It's a true mindblowing Living & Dead Test that people
remember for a long time.
Test Of The Tiber
I'm reluctant to even teach this one. "Everyone" knows it,
but I have NEVER seen anyone do it. Annemann considered it
to be one of his greatest creations and used it in his act
for over 10 years...
Effect: An ordinary phonebook is borrowed. It's unprepared
in any way. A volunteer is asked to be a judge and sit in a
chair on stage. He initials a piece of paper. He points to
anyone in the audience. This person secretly writes a 3
digit number. This paper is passed to another person who
writes a single digit number from 1 to 9. The performer DOES
NOT know what the 3 digit number is nor does he know the
single digit. NOR DOES HE TOUCH the paper as this last
person personally delivers it to the judge. The judge
verifys his initials, opens the book to the 3 digit page
number and counts down to the name selected by the last
person.
The mentalist proceeds to NAME the person AND as a kicker...
reveals the PHONE NUMBER.
This effect is HUGE. I've performed it for small groups and
on big stages with large audiences.
My presentation is a "challenge" presentation and NEVER
fails to entertain, amaze and astound.
I'll take you personally step-by-step through the routine,
get past the confusing parts and show you how to make this
YOUR personal reputation maker.
No gaffs. No special props. A basic knowledge of billets is
required.
Mystery Of The Blackboard
A moneymaker for me. Perfect if you're looking for something
'visual' and ideal if you want to fill the stage.
Effect: Three volunteers come on stage. A large pad is on
the stage along with a marker. The mentalist is blindfolded,
led to the opposite side of the stage with his back turned
to the pad. Each volunteer is invited to participate. One
writes a three-digit number. One writes a word. One draws a
basic picture. The paper is torn off and the members return
to the audience. Blindfolded still, the mentalist invites
the audience to send him the thoughts. He then reproduces
the number, word and picture with dramatic flair and to
thunderous applause!
All the presentation tips, script and more to make this a
huge success. Learn what to use, what not to use and why.
$1000 Test Card Location
Chances are, if you're doing this effect, you aren't doing
it to it's full presentation potential. And if you aren't
doing it, you should! It blows minds!
Effect: Mentalist demonstrates a fun card trick. He then
offers to demonstrate telepathy. A volunteer shuffles the
cards, cuts them repeatedly until satisfied and then looks
at a card. This card is shoved into the middle of the deck.
The deck is put aside. The mentalist looks into the
volunteers eyes and... REVEALS THE CARD.
Tips, tricks and suggestions on making this you pet trick.
This one is a jaw dropper, literally as it stuns those who
see it. It seems so fair and above board. Best part: it's
EASY to do.
Easy Design Duplication
I'm saving this one for the book. It's so easy it's
embarrassing. It is strong and it plays very well, but
magicians often poo-poo it for being too simple. It's pure
Annemann, and it's a terrific effect.
BONUS Section
A collection of thoughts, tips and suggestions for becoming
a better mentalist. Tips from the front lines! It's a brutal
blast of honesty and given with the hopes you'll apply the
lessons and succeed!
The fee for this eBook is $45.00. Instant download. Order it
and get it right away.
Remember, this ain't "airy-fairy" crap. This is the real
deal.
But don't decide now...
You Get My Outrageously Fair, No-Risk,
6 Month Money-Back Guarantee
Order the eBook and give it you own personal "test run".
Take a full 6 months, and use my methods. If you aren't
completely thrilled at the results...for any reason, I'll
refund you every penny! No questions asked. No hassle. No
delay.
Why would I make such an outrageous guarantee?
Two reasons. My stuff works. I've poured my guts into this.
I really do stand behind my offer.
Secondly, I want to treat people the way I want to be
treated.
Customer service today is virtually dead. But not with me. I
want YOU to be completely happy with my offering. I have
nothing to hide, so why shouldn't I guarantee it?
Get Annemann 666 Volume 1 today. 6 Powerful effects that are
"plug-and-play" ready. I've done all the work for you so you
can go out and mystify folks with!
MY COMMENTS:
A mentalist not having the complete works of Annemann, or
being familiar with them, is like a preacher not owning, and
being unfamiliar with, the Bible. I'm serious. Everybody's
looking for the hot new mental effect and they overlook
classics such as Ted Annemann's work. This material was
powerful when he did it nearly one hundred years ago and
it's still powerful now. Sure, it needs to be tweaked a bit
in terms of handling and presentation to reflect modern
times and techniques, but not much.
That's where Stuart Cumberland comes in. He discovered this
eye-opening fact years ago and has been performing almost
exclusively his variations of Annemann's routines. And he
performs at corporate venues collecting four figure fees
while performing routines that are nearly hundred years old!
Ya gotta love it, right?
In this three-part series, Stuart tips the work he's done on
eighteen Annemann classics, six per e-book. Here's my take
on the six presented here. As usual, my comments are
additions to what has been said in the blurb, so read that
first, if you haven't yet.
Pseudo Psychometry is a mentalist's staple. To date, there
are countless variations and "improvements" in the method.
The original is still the best and simplest. Stuart
revisits this, plus gives some great cold reading tips that
make this one of the most enduring classical mentalist
routines ever!
Dead Men Tell No Tales looks like it can only be done with
real minding. In fact, Rick Maue recently took this same
plot and provided a brand new, powerful technique in his
Imagine. This uses a different technique, one that
mentalists are often apprehensive to try, but it's essential
for mentalists to learn how to do.
Mystery of the Blackboard is a very simple blindfold
routine. After exploring all sorts of other blindfolds and
techniques, Stuart prefers a simple handkerchief over the
eyes. He discusses why this works so well and all the
handling details about the handkerchief you need to know.
Test of the Tiber is a terrific phone book test. The blurb
is a little unclear as to what happens. Let me clarify.
One spectator writes down a 3 digit number. Someone else
writes a single digit on the slip. A third person takes
that slip, opens the phone book to the number written down
by the first spectator, and uses the single number from the
second spectator to count down to an entry. The performer
reveals the number as described above. Very powerful and
very easy to do.
$1000 Test Card Location is a card effect (which may turn
off some folks right here), but it's a powerful and bold
one. The method may not be everyone's cup of tea because of
their apprehension to try it.
Finally, Easy Design Duplication is a very simple drawing
dupe of a chosen card. I didn't particularly find this one
to be as strong as the others. It's still good, though.
(And, yeah, another card trick!)
I'll say it again: Annemann's works must be on every
mentalist's bookshelf. Since this work discusses and
updates his work -- and does it well, natch, I can't
recommend this highly enough. Even if you already do these
effects, you'll appreciate Stuart's approach and insight
into these classic routines.
*********
KENTON KNEPPER AND BEN HIGHWAY
TRULY SUBLIMINAL
JMOM Price: $23
Suggsted Retail Price: $25
THE BLURB:
Once again Ben Highway and Kenton push past the barriers of
what can be done in mentalism and magic. Like Kolossal
Killer before it, this brings a new standard to dealing with
spectator intuition and free spectator choice, challenging
all previous methods.
A card is selected and returned to the deck. The deck is cut
or mixed. It’s NOT a card trick. It is a real demonstration
of subliminal influence.
The spectator deals cards face up on to the table, stopping
whenever they feel the need. They are not to think about
when to stop, but rather to stop when they feel it is time
to stop. In other words, the participant must stop dealing
using only his or her own intuition.
The performer remains hands off as the spectator deals. The
spectator deals using intuition, until they arrive at their
own selected card. The spectator does not know how he or she
deals to their own card. But they do. Really.
The effect may vary slightly, but in any case the effect is
that the spectator is influenced by subliminal impression to
stop dealing and find his or her own card.
The method is even more amazing than the effect, and that’s
saying a lot.
This is as real as it gets to demonstrating intuition and
subliminal influence, because this is in part how the effect
actually works. Yes, we are very serious. It’s little wonder
audiences are completely floored.
Kenton and Ben Highway have had everyone wondering whether
or not they were “just lucky” when they performed this
effect for mentalists and magicians in several countries. It
isn’t luck, friends. It’s a devious secret you won’t believe
until you try it.
Ben and Kenton have worked out all the angles so that you
will never fail. It’s simple and easy to perform. The
audience and participant will always be impressed with their
ability to tune into subliminal influence or use their
intuition.
No conscious cues, no stooging, no trick deck. The spectator
is as impressed as the audience. Standard and basic sleights
are required only, plus a secret bit of something that will
blow you away when you read it.
Just wait until you try it a few times! This is unlike any
other method on the market today. It will change how you
look at spectator influence forever.
We know Truly Subliminal works wonders on our audiences –
Find out how well it will work for you too! The novel
breakthrough that has them all talking...
Pages 14 - Stapled
MY COMMENTS:
This is one of those effects that look really good. And
then you get it and read it. Your first thoughts will be
that you've been had. It's not a truly free choice of cards
as the performer does have some control over that. For
reasons I can't state, the effect isn't suitable to be
instantly repeated (at least, as written). It also is not
truly impromptu in such that someone can hand you a deck of
cards and you can immediately do it. (You'll have to do
another trick of two first.) At this point, you want to
bury the booklet in your files, complain about it on the
Internet, and/or sell it immediately on Ebay.
And later on, when someone fools you badly with this, or
when you see someone fry other people with this, you'll
realize that you made a terrible mistake. Now, if you don't
like using playing cards, then you have no excuse for being
disappointed as you shouldn't have bought this in the first
place. But this isn't really a card trick. It is a routine
that performers will mistakenly judge by what they think
they know, not by what the audience perceives. Magicians
may think that this is a simple effect and that it will not
be a strong fooler. That is, until they try it out and see
just how powerful this puppy is.
According to the booklet, this effect is "inspired by the
research of Pawel Lewicki and his colleagues." Okay, maybe
the presentation is, but not the methodology. I have a
certain fondness for an effect called "The Lazy Man's Card
Trick". It's credited to Jack Miller and can be found in
the classic Close-Up Card Magic by Harry Lorayne.
Essentially, this a brilliantly re-thinking of that -- okay,
a Kentonesque version of that. Also, with a little thought,
one could perform this effect by having someone truly select
any card. To do that, you must also be familiar with
Vernon's "The Card Trick That Can't Be Explained." Armed
with that, there are far more possibilities than Kenton
explained. (So far, in working with this, I've found that I
only need the Q, 10, 6, and 2, with 3 Xs in between all
pairs except the Q and 10 which uses one X. Those who get
this will know what I mean. If not, e-mail me.)
Despite the crediting issues, which are arguably important,
this is a highly recommended mental effect using playing
cards. And, though I think that Kenton and Ben Highway
could have gone farther to eliminate some of the flaws in
the handling, the presentation is well worth it and the
methodology is certainly effective as is.
I should also mention that there's an additional effect
within the pages of this entitled Riffling Intuition. It's
a terrific effect, but I'm fairly certain that I've seen
this before somewhere . . . not sure where, though. I'll
stop short of any accusation that it's an unintentional
ripoff because of that uncertainty (which could mean that
I'm wrong).
*********
MARK ELSDON
WHACKED BOOK TEST
JMOM Price: $162
Suggested Retail Price: $180
THE BLURB:
The performer introduces a book, "Dave Gorman's Googlewhack
Adventure", which he says he has enjoyed reading recently.
After briefly explaining the concept of 'Googlewhacking', he
passes the book to a member of the audience, who looks
through the book and eventually decides on one of the
'Googlewhacks'. After some typically funny byplay and a
couple of false starts, the performer gets serious and tries
a proper test. He detects subtle inflections in the
participant's voice and is able to discern specifically
which letters the participant is thinking about and
consequently the exact words which comprise his chosen
'Googlewhack'. The participant is allowed to keep the book
as a gift and a souvenir.
So what exactly is 'Whacked!'? It is a 10 minute
mind-reading routine which revolves around Dave Gorman's
best-selling book "Googlewhack Adventure". If you've no idea
what that is, you can bring yourself up to speed by heading
over to http://www.davegorman.com/googlewhack
You receive everything you need to perform this incredible
routine, including full details of Mark's script and
psychological approach - which is one of the things that
lifts 'Whacked!' head and shoulders above so many other
book-tests. The presentation has been honed over many, many
performances for a wide variety of audiences, which ensures
that the routine plays as well for a group of top
professionals at a business luncheon as it does for a crowd
of hip college students at a birthday party. The
presentation is funny, sophisticated and guaranteed to
deliver a great audience reaction every time it is
performed.
The technical demands on the performer are minimal: no
pre-show, no forces, no anagrams to remember and the book
used, "Dave Gorman's Googlewhack Adventure" is absolutely
normal and may be given away at the end of each performance
(in fact we encourage you to do so!) The 'method' is
entirely self-contained and will withstand the closest
scrutiny. There literally is nothing for any spectator or
participant to 'see'. Also, there are no extraneous props -
everything used to perform 'Whacked!' is entirely natural to
the proceedings, with no justifications required for any
aspect of the handling. This leaves the mentalist free to
concentrate on just one thing: entertaining his audience.
Finally, you'll be pleased to know that the principles and
techniques used to accomplish 'Whacked!' are not dependent
on the use of Dave Gorman's book and that ANY book may be
used in ANY language. This booklet contains full
instructions on how to alter the method for use with other
books. Whilst not impromptu, the preparation is minimal and
does not need to be repeated for subsequent performances.
The method makes use of modern technology, but there is
nothing to break, run out or let you down during a
performance.
'Whacked!' is not another book-test to add to your
collection. It is a fully developed, real-world performance
piece designed to be used by a professional performer at
paid shows.
MY COMMENTS:
The first thing that probably caught your eye was the price.
For a book test that requires no gimmicked or specially made
books, it seems rather high. Sure, it's imported from the
UK and that explains some of it. With the price that high,
the question becomes, "Is this a unique book test that's
different from the others and worth the price?"
From an audience perspective, the answer is no. One word
(or phrase) is selected and the performer reveals it.
Unlike book tests like the Flashback series, Double Vision,
or Chuck Hickok's book test routine, there are not multiple
moments of amazement. There is only one and that is the
revelation of the thought of word. Also, the words used are
abstract and unusual. This means that you can't draw the
words, but the unusual words themselves makes the feat
impressive. Don't get me wrong, by the way, it's obvious
that this routine has been honed, is professional, and is
very entertaining. I'm merely pointing out comparisons to
other book tests.
That brings us to the methodology. Is it a new and unique
methodology? Unfortunately, I have to say no. It's one of
those older-than-the-hills methods.
However, Mark has used technology which gives this method an
entirely new breath of life. With this method, you can have
a transparent clipboard and you can show the four of five
sheets of paper to the audience. The audience will be
looking straight at the "secret something" but only the
performer will be able to see it. And, no, you don't need
special glasses, but those with poorer eyesight may have
trouble with this.
The package does contain a copy of Googlewhacked, a
transparent clipboard, sample gimmicks, and a CD-Rom that
contains a PDF and MS Word files so that you can customize
(if you wish to) and/or print out additional gimmicks. Also
included is an 8 page instruction booklet. The print in the
booklet is small and it does contain the discussion of the
entire routine which is detailed and well-explained.
The main issue I have with this routine is the price.
Apparently, this is a pet routine of his and it's also a
limited edition. This is another reason for the high price.
It's just that I don't think this a groundbreakingly
original routine. The uniqueness of the methodology far
exceeds that of the presentation. The Googlewhacked book
may fit Mark Elsdon's personality, but it may not fit yours.
In fact, it is encouraged that you find your own book (and
Mark explains what types of books work great this
methodology). I really like Mark's methodology and highly
recommend it, but I feel he could have better served the
working professional by just providing a more inexpensive
package that includes the CD-Rom with the files and the
instruction booklet.
*********
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