October 27, 2007
Here's what's in this edition of
Jheff's Marketplace of the Mind Newsletter
*** INFLUENCE 2 - Larry Becker & Lee Earle
*** BAMMO NEKRONOMICON - Bob Farmer
*** THOUGHTS ON THE "PHENOMENON" PREMIERE
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*********
Lots of mentalism products and news this week. Most of the
news centers on NBC's Phenomenon. My thoughts on it are
below. I should be releasing another newsletter
spotlighting DVDs such as Allen Zingg's Acting Naturally -
Tibetan Wishing Box, Andrew Gerard's Mind Waves, and Gerard
Bokner's Esoteric. I also got in Lincoln's SHH . . Sneaky
Handwriting Handbook and the Devil of a Bar and Pub book. I
also just got the new edition of Juan Tamariz' Five Points
of Magic and Larry Hass' Transformations: Creating Magic Out
of Tricks. These are theory books, but the lessons appear
that they mostly can be applied to mentalism, too. I'll
check them out and let you know.
And now on to the . . .
**** QUESTION DU JOUR
"So what did you think of Phenomenon?"
In case you don't know, this is a new NBC reality
competition show, featuring Uri Geller and Criss Angel, that
proposes to find the next great mentalist. It premiered on
Wednesday, Oct. 24. In the U.S., you can still see it on
NBC.com. I'm not sure if those not in the U.S. can access
that or not, but I've been told by some that they can't.
In brief, the performers didn't step up to the plate, the
experts showed that they weren't, and the producers had/have
no clue how to show mentalism on TV, assuming that they
actually know what mentalism is in the first place.
Let's talk first about the performers. Let me just say that
I do have the highest respect for all of them for having the
chutzpah to take up the challenge. Unfortunately, I don't
any of the four from this week were able to successfully
meet that challenge. Ehud Segev's routine was good, but his
persona didn't connect with the audience. It was good, but
not the one I would have been opened the show. It somehow
lacked the excitement it needed to have. I actually agreed
with Criss Angel's assessment that Jim Karol's act was
disjointed. I'm not sure how sticking one's hand in a bear
trap is paranormal entertainment, but what was that mind
reading of a celebrity's name all about? Eran Raven's
routine was definitely fast-paced. Personally, I'm getting
tired of all the Russian Roulette routines. Do folks really
think that's the apex of a mentalist's routine? And I did
like Gerry McCambridge's telephone number routine, but his
persona also didn't connect with the audience. I really
doubt his "I'm not a mentalist, I'm THE mentalist!" endeared
himself to American viewers, who mostly don't even know what
a mentalist is!
The experts on the show really needed some coaching. First,
Criss Angel named the routine Ehud did as "PK Touches" that
was created by his friend, Banachek. That certainly
undermined Ehud's illusion that what he did was real, if
someone else has created that routine. Also, it allowed
anyone to go searching the Internet for it, including folks
who want to learn the secret and then sell their own ripoff
version on eBay (or other places). I don't think I need to
tell you that PK Touches is now in danger of being a routine
that professional mentalists may not be able to perform. He
also commented after Eran Raven's routine with a nail gun,
that he did it on his TV show with a "real gun." Of course,
what he meant was that he used a gun with bullets, but it
did come off as if he accused Eran of using a fake nail gun
to accomplish his feat.
Uri fared worse. He criticized Gerry and Ehud (which I
don't disagree with), but raved about Jim and Eran. Though
Gerry and Ehud had their share of problems, I thought they
were actually better than the other two. And if Uri really
thought that Eran's routine showed surprise and danger, then
he hasn't been paying attention to mentalism lately, nor has
he been out much in the last decade or so. Oh, and I'll be
merciful with Uri's home audience participation ESP symbol
stunt. There's not doubt that he actually gave the worst
performance of the evening and I think I'm being quite
generous.
As to the producers, they really don't understand how to
present mentalism on TV. Richard proved how to do it on his
most recent DVD set, No Camera Tricks, but the producers
evidently didn't watch that. There are some things that are
just very difficult to successfully do on TV, like
mentalism, American soccer (football, everywhere else), and
synchronized swimming. (Okay, so maybe nothing can save
synchronized swimming.) Mentalism should be fast-paced,
meaning tight scripting and pacing, but the routines need
the time to build. And what's missing terribly is that
connection that mentalists build with their audience. Most
need time to warm their audiences to them; the really good
mentalists can do it within seconds. Finally, a mentalism
competition really does not work, and definitely not on TV
with the channel surfing mentality of today's TV viewers.
If this was just a showcase for mentalists, it might have
played better. If this was a competition for magicians, it
definitely would have worked better.
As it stands now, the ratings (which I thought were okay
when I saw the overnights) were actually dismal. It
definitely won't be the first casualty of the new TV season
(Online Nation already got that distinction and Viva
Laughlin was the first scripted casualty), though it may
well be yanked before we get to the live finale.
On the positive side, this is live, so they can make changes
for next week's two-hour Halloween show. I can also say
that there are other reality shows, and other mentalism TV
shows, that are far more painful to watch than this. Okay,
I'm specifically thinking of one or two, but still, I feel
it's not on the VERY bottom. Also, for what it's worth, my
ten-year-old son enjoyed watching it. But then his favorite
movies right now are Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver
Surfer and Firehouse Dog.
**** CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR'S REAL GHOST PRE-ORDER
Quite a few people have asked me about me about this offer,
so let me clarify a few things. Chris told me that he
shipped a limited quantity over to Alakazam in England. Of
that quantity, many will be shipped to the U.S. distributor
that I use. They have not received them yet. Once those are
gone, they will be unavailable through me. They will still
be available directly from Chris, though.
Another question I got was from Marketplace Members who
wondered if they can obtain an additional discount as a
member. The answer is yes, of course. The Real Ghost does
not have a special sale price on it. It is my usual
discounted price. It's just I'm offering it before I've
officially received any so that subscribers/customers can
take advantage of the offer. Also, I can't guarantee that
everyone will be getting theirs as I'm fairly sure that due
to demand I may not get my entire order. I'm certainly
doing my best and I am devising a "plan B" but before I
can't say anything more until I know I can make it happen."
Okay, I think that answers all the questions I've gotten.
Here, again, is that offer:
One breakout hit at this year's con was Christopher Taylor's
Real Ghost. Chris sold out of all the units he had brought
with him. Normally, I don't like expensive electronic items
because they are unpredictable and not necessarily more
powerful than a strong routine using inexpensive props from
an office supply store. But this gizmo is something that I
really like.
So, I will be getting Real Ghost and I will be able to
provide a discount. The catch is that my supply will be
quite limited and it will be first come, first served. I
don't know how many I will be able to get, but I will do my
best to fill the order I do get for it. After my supply is
gone, it will be exclusively available from Christopher
Taylor. If you want one from me, then you will have to
order now. I'm not sure when they will arrive, but it will
be soon. So, don't wait.
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/real_ghost.html
**** 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).
***** MARKETPLACE MEMBERSHIP CLUB
The new issue of Jheff's Journal of the Mind spotlights
Mark Strivings, one of mentalism's most prolific creators
and most famous as the creator of the SUC case, which
pros use. To get this issue, 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.
Patrick Redford's unique TRIANGLE has been recently added as
well as more than a dozen of Bob Cassidy's e-books.
Also new to the section are Ron Martin's THE TAROT READER'S
NOTEBOOK, a must-have for Tarot readers; Enrique Enriquez's
incredible book on readings, INVISIBLE READINGS; 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
INFLUENCE 2
JMOM Price: $63
Suggested Retail Price: $69.95
THE BLURB:
An anytime - anywhere - any card miracle!
Spread a shuffled deck face up on the table.
Someone thinks of a random playing card - value, color, and
suit - and writes those thoughts on the back of a business
card you hand him (for example he writes 7, black, Spades).
You square the deck and leave it face down on the table.
Next, he is asked to dial the toll-free number printed on
the card (any phone can be used) to connect with a friend -
a corporate executive, who moonlights as a numerologist.
When he reaches her voicemail (she always seems to be out of
the office) after the standard "Leave your name and number,"
she adds, "The destiny card and lucky number for today are:
the 7 of Spades and 35!"
That's when you ask your participant to deal down to the
35th card - it's the 7 of Spades!
You get a supply of professionally designed full-color
business cards, illustrated instructions, and (although it's
not required) a bonus: Our Demon Deck - a $35.00 value!
Just in case you might wonder:
There is only one toll-free number on the business card.
No switch of business or playing cards.
Your participant writes down his series of choices for
value, color, and suit.
No sleights, forces, moves, confederates, stooges - this is
clean!
Always available, 24/7/365
No special deck is required, but included in this package is
our original Demon Deck - a $35 value - at no extra charge!
MY COMMENTS:
This is a very strong effect and was one of the surprise
hits at Mindvention 2007. This is well worth the money.
The effect plays exactly as written in the blurb. If you're
familiar with Larry & Lee's earlier Caller I.D. and
Influence U., then you know that there may be a time
limitation on your use of the effect. The only other major
consideration is that you'll need a phone, a wet-erase pen
(which is NOT included), some wallet space for the credit
cards (which are made to last a long time as you can wipe
off the writings with a bit of moisture), and a deck of
cards (which many mentalists don't carry around with them).
However, I know that the more experienced mentalists will
know how to alter the routine to produce that "lucky number"
on a slip of paper that's been in their wallet (or some
other place). The package also includes a double-sided
8.5" by 11" instruction sheet. Obviously, if you don't like
using playing cards in mentalism, this isn't for you and
you're probably not reading this anyway. Otherwise, I
definitely recommend this.
*********
BOB FARMER
BAMMO DEKRONOMICON
JMOM Price: $18
Suggested Retail Price: $20
THE BLURB:
The Holy Grail of Any Card at Any Number discovered at last!
Effect
No sleights. You don't switch the card counted to for the
thought-of card. The spectators can do the counting and turn
over the card.
No bizarre calculations or formulas to learn, do the trick
30 minutes after opening the package - it's that simple
(some simple assembly required).
The deck is spread on the table BEFORE the number and the
card are named.
The magician never touches the cards after he spreads them
on the table.
The cards are not specially printed; use any cards you
want.(A Bicycle Deck is supplied)
It is not the same card and number every time (you could
perform this hundreds of times and have a different number
and card every time).
The magician learns the name of the card and the number at
the same time as the audience. No particular card or number
is forced.
No rough and smooth, no short cards, no cards stuck
together. No stooges and no assistants. Resets instantly.
No special clothing! Do it In a t-shirt, jeans and sneakers
(as Bob Farmer does). Works for any conditions: close-up,
stage, standing, sitting, begging. Walk-around and no table?
One spectator can count the cards into the other spectator's
hands. Do it surrounded there are no angles.
It really is as described. As purchasers of Bob Farmer's
other effects know, the description of the effect is the
effect you get - and the method is always diabolical.
Bonus Effect: Also included is a brand new deception
strategy that can be used In many other effects.
MY COMMENTS:
Bob Farmer generates some ingenious material. His Deja
Voodoo is a classic of mentalism that slays audiences. Now,
Bob has taken on the Any Card at Any Number problem and
developed an equally intriguing solution. According to the
blurb it's the Holy Grail, but I don't agree at all. As I
said, it's a highly respectable and intriguing solution, but
I just don't think it's the best solution out there.
Let me begin with a bit of background. In the Fall of 2007,
Bob Farmer produced about 150 units and sold them very
quickly on the Genii Forum. He said that it would never be
sold again. So, what's being sold here are the instructions
only, and it doesn't include the necessary materials. And
unless you have these very specific materials laying around,
it's going to cost you much more than the cost of this
booklet to be able to do the effect and you'll have to wait
until you get them to do this. I can definitely help out
with that. More on this below.
I can say that the solution that Bob has come up is another
example of creative brilliance. I have the highest respect
for it. Everything that it's in the ad is true. There is
some wonderful thinking that made this a joy to read. Bob
made me think about applying his concepts to several other
routines I've been working on.
Unfortunately, there are assumptions that most will make
about this effect, based on the blurb, and when one
discovers what they are, there will be disappointment, to
say the least. The blurb is incredibly misleading. Perhaps
more so than anything from Docc Hilford. So, here's some
additional facts that you need to know:
You CAN'T do this with a borrowed deck of cards.
You CAN'T let the spec choose ANY CARD, though that's how
they'll remember it. Instead the spec is instructed to
FOCUS on a card that they see.
You CAN'T shuffle the deck.
You CAN'T see all the faces of the cards as you deal down to
the chosen card.
You DON'T switch the card, but there is a similarly
diabolical, but not difficult, move involved.
You CAN'T perform this effect 30 minutes after you get it,
UNLESS you have the necessary props, which most performers
probably won't have. (I'm referring to THIS edition only,
not the complete package that Bob Farmer previously sold)
You CAN'T use ANY clothing as you must be wearing pants
which have pockets.
You CAN'T hand the deck to the specs to examine.
You'll notice that I'm being very careful not to expose the
specific workings of the routine, but I think this clarifies
many of the points in the blurb so that you'll be better
informed. As I said, this is a solid and creative solution,
though I don't think it's necessarily the best one that's
out there.
Aside from that, my big issue with this effect is the
"price." I'm not referring to the financial outlay, but to
the presentational trade-off in order to perform this
effect. In this case, the price is pocket-space. You must
have ample pocket space (pants pocket space to be specific)
in order to perform this. For me, that doesn't suit my
style at all and so I doubt I'll ever perform this. But I
certainly will not criticize the routine for this. It's
just a significant point in your consideration of purchasing
and performing this effect.
So, for those who want to perform it, I have put together an
extra package of these materials. It will cost $29.95. You
can specify color choice (red or blue back cards) in the
comments, but I will choose the specific cards based on
availability. You don't need to purchase this, but if you
wish to perform this, chances are you'll need the materials
necessary to "do the trick 30 minutes after opening the
package."
If you're not going to perform this, I do highly recommend
getting the instructions (18 8.5" x 11" pages, folded in a
polybag) and reading them. As I said, there's some really
good ideas in here (would you expect anything less from Bob
Farmer?) and they're worth reading them. If you decide to
perform it, you can always buy the materials from me
separately.
*********
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