August 18, 2007
Here's what's in this edition of
Jheff's Marketplace of the Mind Newsletter
*** INFLUENCE U. by Larry Becker & Lee Earle
*** CLOUD BUSTING SECRETS by Devin Knight
& Jerome Finley
*** HYPER SMITH by Richard Mark
*** ESP TESTING DECK by Vernet
*** 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.
*********
As the summer winds to a close and I have to start my day
job again (as a high school English teacher for those who
don't know), I'm feverishly trying to get a lot of comments
and products up and so you may be seeing a bunch of
newsletters between now and Labor Day. That's if I'm lucky.
Besides the new stuff in this newsletter, I did get Menny
Lindenfeld's X Board. If you liked the AFA Clipboard, this
one looks promising. I'll have comments up on the site
soon. I also have to add and/or post comments for more than
a dozen of Cassidy's e-books, some more of Stuart
Cumberland's e-books, and a few books that have been sitting
on my desk for the past year.
I know this next concern has cropped up before, but I need
to repeat it. I think it's great if you wish to share my
comments and site with others, but I'd prefer it if you
simply provide a link, rather than post the review. The
reason is that I may change my thoughts. Case in point: I
had just posted my thoughts on Influence U. on the website
when Larry Becker contacted me with some clarifications.
Which was great. My comments now reflect it, but the ones I
put up earlier did not. And one might have gotten the
impression from me that there were far too many drawbacks to
consider purchasing this. This is not so, as you'll see
when you read the comments below. So please, if you could,
simply provide a link when you want to share my words. I
appreciate that in advance.
The 2007 Great Shelf Clearance Sale is still on and I still
have some great stuff in it. It's only for those who are on
my subscriber list. Those reading this on the website will
not see the link to the list of sale items. Already, I've
had a couple of inquiries in which those customers did not
remit payment within 48 hours of my sending out a Paypal
bill and so those items are still on the list. Details are
below.
*** 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:
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/Sale2007.html
**** MINDVENTION 2007
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
*** 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 new 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
*********
LARRY BECKER AND LEE EARLE
INFLUENCE U
JMOM Price: $63
Suggested Retail Price: $69.95
THE BLURB:
Imagine sitting at a restaurant table with a group of
people, saying, "Before you decide it's impossible for words
alone to influence your choices, consider why corporations
spend 26 billion dollars a year in product and brand
advertising."
"A friend in the ad business, John Shrell, agreed to share a
few insider tips to show how it works," you continue, "With
the condition that he be allowed to verify my success. So
when we finish, we'll have to make a phone call to satisfy
him. He owes me lunch at (a local fine restaurant) if I show
him I've learned enough. Here's his toll-free number." You
write it on a paper napkin of a packet of Sweet'n'Low and
toss it on the table in full view.
Nearby items are quickly grouped in the center of the table
- a salt shaker, a spoon, a glass, a packet of Equal, a
napkin - the normal things found on most restaurant tables.
Then you continue, "All but one item will be eliminated in
the fairest way possible."
Here's how it's done," you explain, "Everyone will take
turns pulling two items slightly away from the others. One
of them will be eliminated and the other will be returned to
the center. But first, I'll attempt to influence your
decision by using marketing terms. Just keep in mind, the
final choice will always be yours."
As each pair of items is selected, you describe them with
advertising hyperbole and 'buzz words', "You are deciding
between a clean, shiny spoon and a sensible, conventional
pepper shaker," or "You're evaluating the fragile shaker
full of sweet, delicious sugar and a sturdy cup for a
man-sized serving of robust coffee."
One by one the participants around the table cull the
assortment of items until only one remains, for example, the
napkin. "I'm surprised," you admit, "how dependable certain
words are for influencing choices."
"But don't take my word for it," you continue, "Let's call
John to verify." Offer your cell phone to the person holding
the number you wrote earlier. "Go ahead, make the call. Let
John know he owes me lunch." A voice mail message answers
the call on John's line; he apologizes for being unavailable
to take the call, and asks the caller to leave a 30-second
message - especially if the caller is holding the thought of
a napkin!
Influence U is small enough for your shirt pocket and always
ready to go. All you need is a cell phone (required), a
restaurant, coffee shop, or diner - and someone you want to
blow away.
* No forces
* No gimmicks
* No sleights
* No electronics (well, your ungimmicked cell phone)
* No memorization
* No set-up
* No assistants or stooges
* No special conditions.
No matter which item they choose, John names if
specifically!
This is not a P.A.T.E.O. force. We'd be ashamed to sell
something like that for this price. Influence U is not any
other kind of force, either. Period. It's a free selection.
John Shrell will name ALMOST ANYTHING normally found on a
table at the diner.
For a single person (or when not actually at a restaurant)
you could just as easily say, "Imagine you've just sat down
at a booth in a coffee shop. Let your eyes roam over the
things on the table - does the glass have dried water spots
on it? Are the fork's tines bent? Is the menu appetizing?
Look at other things; the salt shaker, the teaspoon, the
napkin... Now, imagine me reaching into your imagination and
removing one of the things you've visualized. Which one did
I take?"
Remember, your 'back story' is that you are going to
influence their choice, to an item you already have a wager
on.
Note: Influence U is indented for use in the U.S. and Canada
only!
Comes complete with everything you need to pull off this
amazing feat of mentalism!
MY COMMENTS:
Let's just spill the beans right now. This is the old Mr.
Wizard updated for the 21st century. The big difference is
that you can now perform it solo. And you're not using
playing cards. This is a very strong effect and can be
done anytime and anywhere, so long as you have your
cellphone with you. I should also point out that though
this uses items found at a dining table, you don't have
to be at a dining table to perform this. Simply have
someone imagine being at a dining table. This makes this
ingeniously updated classic suitable for performance in
any type of venue that you can get the audience to hear
the cellphone.
The blurb is absolutely correct. Although there are some
considerations, most of them being minor. First, the
blurb says that it requires no memorization. That's
true, but only if you want to use a crib. To that end,
there is a special "hidden-in-plain-sight cheat sheet"
included, should you need it. I found that this item is not
in the style of something I'd normally carry, but this is
my individual preference and not a slight on the item at
all. Of course, after performing this for awhile, you
probably shouldn't need it anyway. Larry and Lee have
designed some simple mnemonics that some may be able to
learn immediately. And you can certainly and easily
design other types of cribs that would better suit your
style if you wish.
Finally, and again this point is minor, it is the same
one that I have for their brilliant Caller I.D. Larry and
Lee have purchased a special phone number that you call to
get your message. It's paid for through 2009. After that,
you may not be able to perform this. However, the set-up
here is far easier to set up yourself (even though it may
be more costly than buying the effect itself) than the one
in Caller I.D.
Originally, I was going to point out that because it uses
a U.S. based phone number, those outside the U.S. will not
be able to use this. And, technically, that is true.
However, Larry Becker informed me that there will be an
international edition, which is great news. Non-U.S.
mentalists will have a number they can call to get the
message. The message will still be in English and the
mentalist will be responsible for all international tolls
and fees. When that separate edition is released, I'll
update these comments. For now, non-U.S. based performers
will not be able to use the toll-free number and should
wait until the other edition comes out.
I really do think that this is really a clever item and
highly recommend it. I've performed it a few times now
and I know that if you get this, you will use it and get
the same tremendously strong reactions as I'm getting.
This stunner comes packaged in a colorful envelope with
a single sheet of instructions and that "special hidden
cheat sheet" something.
*********
DEVIN KNIGHT & JEROME FINLEY
CLOUD BUSTING SECRETS
JMOM Price: $36
Suggested Retail Price: $39.95
THE BLURB:
THE ULTIMATE STREET MAGIC EFFECT!
Two of the World's Foremost 'Cloudbusters' Reveal Their
Inner Secrets of Cloud Magic!
In this book the authors strip away the veil of secrecy,
revealing cloud secrets only known to a select few. Learn to
make clouds vanish and appear. Sculpture them into images of
selected playing cards, thought of numbers, ESP symbols,
faces, and even animals.
Nothing is held back! Apparently change the weather by
delaying rain or snow or even by making it warmer. Believe
it or not you can do a lot of this long distance by using a
cell phone! With the material in this book you will be more
than just a magician or mentalist. You will be a real
miracle worker, who apparently has complete control over the
elements!
The book will teach you how to:
* CAUSE A CLOUD TO VANISH FROM THE SKY. It will also
show you methods where that cloud and ONLY that cloud
vanishes. The others remain intact.
* CLOUD MATERIALIZATION --magician points to an empty
space in the sky and causes a cloud to suddenly form.
* BLUE SKY--magician causes ALL the clouds to vanish
leaving a blue sky
* Cloud Moving--How to make clouds Move
* Cloud Sculpture--change the shape of clouds into
objects
* How Fake Psychics Stop & Start Rain
* Secrets Behind Making Rainbows Appear
* How to Reveal Selected Cards with Clouds
* Make Thought of Numbers Appear in the Sky
* All THIS AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!!!
In addition this book contains one of the most detailed
sections every written on how to approach people on the
street. Even if you never vanish a cloud, you will find the
section on approaching perfect strangers on the street
invaluable regardless of the street magic you do. Lots of
people sell street effects, but few actually tell you the
proper way to get an audience.
WHAT THE PROS ARE SAYING:
"At the right time, in the right place...get ready for
something people will tell their grandchildren about
witnessing."
- Paul Vigil
"I can honestly say I was bowled over by this work. To see
someone really examine and refine an area of mentalism that
has pretty much remained ignored for so long was a real
treat. You will understand the basics in no time and soon be
on your way to performing some great and inspiring takes on
a forgotten effect." - Luke Jermay
"The authors have examined every nuance of cloud effects and
give totally practical advice for pulling them off. In
addition to the actual methodology, they give you a ton of
related material from which to draw upon. This is
information you will want to have and which could make a
reputation for you. Get this!"
- Richard Osterlind
Pages 132 - Softbound.
MY COMMENTS:
I would think it pretty obvious that this book contains
material that cannot be used in your show (unless you
routinely perform outdoors). But this is stuff that, when
the time and opportunity arises, you can seemingly perform
miracles of mentalism, psychic phenemona, and/or magic,
depending on your presentation. And you don't necessarily
need to be outside, by the way, the book tells you how you
can phone a friend who must look outside. In that case, the
conditions must be right.
The book has four parts and an introduction by Paolo
Cavalli. The blurb certainly is honest about what the book
contains and I agree that the chapter on approaching folks
on the street is valuable information. Even if Cloud
Busting seems like something not in your repertoire, this is
useful information to know. For the price, this 5.5" by 8"
perfect-bound book is well worth having in your collection.
You never know. In the right time and place, a miracle like
this could be an incredible reputation-maker. This is
without question the definitive work on the subject and
definitely recommended.
*********
RICHARD MARK
HYPER SMITH
JMOM Price: $16
Suggested Retail Price: $17
THE BLURB:
A parapsychological sensation!
Hyper Smith is a very practical and self working mental
effect. It allows you to reveal a word and a symbol randomly
selected by two spectators. No fishing and nothing is
written or forced. With Hyper Smith you can create a
sensation at your parlor or close up show. Very visual and
easy to do.
MY COMMENTS:
An earlier version of this won the Linking Ring magazine's
trophy as the best mental effect published in 1998. This is
truly a stunning effect. If you have Richard Osterlind's
recent No Camera Tricks, you can see him perform a version
of this and what the audience reaction is. And those with
that DVD are now looking it over and probably confused.
You see, this effect is almost exactly Bryn Reynold's Double
Down. This is not to say that this one is a rip-off of the
other or that it's identical. Far from it. The two have
distinct differences. Double-Down uses playing cards and
casino names. Hyper Smith uses symbols and words. And
these words are generic categories so that one can do
readings, if they like. Also, Hyper Smith uses a few more
cards. Other than that, the routine is virtually identical.
And since the routine isn't described, I'll do that right
now. A stack of cards and symbols are shown. One spec cuts
the cards, looks at the bottom symbol or word and remembers
it. The performer then reveals that info. For the second
phase, the remainder of the cards are now handed to a second
spectator. The two are instructed to secretly and silently
count the cards and remember that number. The cards are
then put together and shuffled. The performer now shows and
counts the cards, instructing the first spec to remember the
symbol or word shown at their number. This is then repeated
with second spec. The performer then reveals both of the
looked-at info.
Again, this is a very powerful little piece. I liked Double
Down a lot and I like this one, too. Like Double-Down, it
does require some memorization, but the mnemonics make it
easy to learn. It comes with a nice little plastic envelope
which can be used to carry the cards, a folded sheet of
paper with the instructions on it, and the cards. If you
have Double-Down, then you'll want this because it will
allow you the option to do this routine with words and
symbols, instead of being locked into that casino theme. If
you don't have Double-Down, (I think you know what I'm going
to say) get both!
*********
VERNET
ESP TESTING DECK
JMOM Price: $8
Suggested Retail Price: $9
THE BLURB:
These cards are built with the best material and the marking
system is clearly visible to the performer but completely
invisible to the audience.
With this deck you have a powerful marked and ordered deck
that allows you to perform clear and shocking miracles.
You receive 25 marked ESP cards of the best quality. Comes
with full instructions and four stunning effects.
MY COMMENTS:
These are quite comparable to the Royal Magic ESP cards. The
differences are that the markings are in a different place
(similar to the Boris Wild marking idea) and the back design
is different. It's closer to a Bicycle back in that it has
two identical circles with a figure inside. Finally, it
comes with a box that says ESP Testing Deck on it and is
labeled from the "Psychic Laboratory." Oh, and these are
slightly more expensive.
Like the Royal Magic ESP cards, these cards have a white
border, which is useful for some routines. And it can also
be a one-way deck (look between the circles). I don't think
the markings on these cards are any easier or harder to see
than the Royal Magic cards, but you may prefer these. Maybe
not.
The tri-fold single page of instructions includes four
routines, "Guessing a Symbol," "Guessing Three Symbols," The
Clairvoyant Spectator," and "Double Guess." Though all of
these are strong, none are original, nor do they include
credits.
I certainly like these as much as the Royal Magic ESP cards.
Except for having a box, I can't really find anything to
make it better or worse that isn't a matter of individual
preference (back designs, markings). If you use ESP cards,
get some of these and play with them. They're certainly
well-produced and you can't go wrong with them. Definitely
recommended.
*********
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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.
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