October 28, 2007
Here's what's in this edition of
Jheff's Marketplace of the Mind Newsletter
*** MINDWAVES - Andrew Gerard
*** ACTING NATURALLY: TIBETAN WISHING BOX - Allen Zingg
*** ESOTERIC - Gerard Bakner
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.
*********
Several folks wrote to me about my unfavorable review of
NBC's Phenomenon. They thought it wasn't that bad given the
constraints of the performers and that it was great
opportunity to see other mentalists work. Let's not kid
ourselves. The constraints were part of the problem. As an
example, I can tell you right now that Gerry McCambridge's
phone number routine was rushed and it showed. I'd rather
see it done the way he intended for it to be done and the
producers should have let him. And though I agree that it's
a nice opportunity to see other mentalists work, this is not
the place that showcases their best work, now is it? True,
as mentalists, we'd enjoy the show more than laymen who
don't really know our art form, but, as I said, I'd hardly
call this enjoyment when the art is not being respected by
the producers and the so-called "experts": Criss Angel and
Uri Geller.
Anyhow, I finally found the time to watch three DVDs that
have been sitting on my desk. I still have Lincolnworld's
SHH . . . Sneaky Handwriting Handbook Vol.1 to watch, not to
mention some books I gotta read through and other stuff.
Much of this stuff is already up on the website. And,
remember, if I haven't commented on the item yet that you're
interested in (or if you don't see it), let me know.
**** 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
*********
ANDREW GERARD
MIND WAVES
JMOM Price: $54
Suggested Retail Price: $60
THE BLURB:
This 3 DVD set by Andrew Gerard is a complete look at
everything you will need to know about performing
mentalism on the radio, from gaining publicity locally
in your area to promoting your show.
On these DVDs Andrew Gerard explains the effects
thoroughly leaving no question unanswered. Audio clips
of the effects taught (performed by Andrew Gerard on
National Radio) are also provided giving you the
inside look at the effects from both sides.
Also covered are the Who, When, Where, How and What
you need to know about going on the radio. From
entering the station to leaving like a pro, dealing
with crazy callers, disclaimers, newspaper
predictions, etc.
Listen in as the lines get flooded with callers all
claiming they have been amazed at what is happening to
them over the radio.
This DVD set was designed to give you the confidence
to do a radio show of bulletproof real world material
that works extremely well.
"Mind Waves is a gold mine of information from a real
pro! This will put you...on air!"
- Kuffs
Disc 1 Running Time Approximately 47min
Disc 2 Running Time Approximately 50min
Disc 3 Running Time Approximately 42min
MY COMMENTS:
Here are the complete contents for the three discs:
Disc 1:
Triangle/Circle
Two Numbers [37 effect]
Tree/Car
Three Objects
Bonus Idea
Disc 2:
Serial Number Switch
PATEO Ticket
Bonus Tips
Disc 3:
Newspaper Prediction Balloon Version
Newspaper Prediction Sealed Box Version
Final Word & Credits
All of these effects are very effective on radio. There is
no doubt that these effects have served Andrew Gerard well
and, should you use them on radio, they'll serve you well,
too. In fact, some of these are now standard effects that
most mentalists are probably very familiar with. If they're
not familiar to you, they should be, especially the material
on the first disc. What Andrew Gerard has done is carefully
craft and hone each one of these effects for maximum impact
on the radio. And some of the subtleties he has are very
good. For instance, there is a subtlety he uses on the
Triangle/Circle that I haven't seen before that allows the
performer to get it 100% right every time.
Certainly, Andrew has covered everything on this disc. In
addition to teaching effects, he discusses why radio work is
so important to the working pro, what to do when you arrive,
how to set-up, what to bring, and how to handle the folks
who work at the station, among other topics. Included on
this disc are many audio recordings from Andrew's on-air
appearances. There's no video to go along with this, so
there's a visual of a radio while you listen to the audio.
It would have been nice if we had some video of someone
simulating being "at home" and following the instructions,
or something as creative. On the other hand, this disc is
not out to win any awards. It's designed to give you the
information you need and it does that.
I know that many will want to know how it compares to
Banachek's Radio Magic. I did not have a chance to
re-listen to the CD set before writing it and it has been
some time since I have listened to it. The obvious
difference is that some will find seeing Andrew explain the
methods and doing certain subtleties more helpful than just
listening to descriptions of it. Also, this DVD is more
expensive than Banachek's. Other than that, and a different
slate of effects taught (though there is some overlap), I
remember enough that I can definitely say that both
accomplish the same thing.
Which one should you get: Banachek's Radio Magic or Andrew
Gerard's Mind Waves? Together, you'll be spending a bit
more than $100US. I've spent more than that on publicity
and promotional information that provided less. So, my
answer is to get both, especially if you're a working pro
(or plan on being one), and you don't have experience with
doing radio work. And so I do highly recommend this 3-disc
set (it comes in a single case) for anyone who fits this
description.
*********
ALLAN ZINGG
ACTING NATURALLY - THE TIBETAN WISHING BOX
JMOM Price: $27
Suggested Retail Price: $29.95
THE BLURB:
The third volume in the Acting Naturally Trilogy, this DVD
covers all of the details, nuances and psychology that makes
Allen Zingg's Tibetan Wishing Box a performance classic.
Also covered are techniques for ball and card magic such as
gravity, doing less, and other natrual and easy actions by
which to accomplish your magic. Create amazing magic with
minimal effort!
Contents include:
* The Tibetan Wishing Box
* The Egyptian Ball Mystery I
* The Egyptian Ball Mystery II
* Superstition
* Premonition Too
Plus
* The Natural Top Change
* Double and Deal
* A Center Steal Variation
* And More...
Running Time Approximately 1hr 2min
MY COMMENTS:
Allen Zingg is one of mentalism's premiere thinkers and the
material he presents here is first-class. Unfortunately,
it's not really mentalism. The Tibetan Wishing Box can be
used for mentalism, and indeed there are many mentalism
effects in the manual for it. On this DVD, he performs one
effect and it's a card to box routine. It's a great
routine, but it's not mentalism. The two different Egyptian
Ball Mystery routines are wonderful, but not mentalism. The
only effect on this DVD which can be called mentalism is
Premonition Too, which is a mental magic effect using cards.
Once again, it's a very strong effect, and certainly
exemplifies Allen's great thinking. In other words, as a
magic DVD, I'd highly recommend it, but if you're looking
for mentalism, it's not really on this DVD. However, there
are some very valuable lessons in the craft of performance
that even mentalists can use.
*********
GERARD BAKNER
ESOTERIC
JMOM Price: $31
Suggested Retail Price: $34
THE BLURB:
People are always fascinated by esoteric. In this DVD,
Gérard Bakner teach you 13 tricks in the field of esoterism
using rune stones, tarot cards, voodoo phenomenon,
Nostradamus predictions, stones, diaries etc…
Laguz
The mentalist puts four cards face down on the table. A
spectator takes a rune stone and places it on one of the
cards. The choice is totally free. The sign on the card
matches the one on the stone.
7 Stones
A little bag is laid on the table in front of 7 different
stones. The spectator chooses one of these stones. This
stone matches the stone in the little bag.
Voodoo
The mentalist draws a hand on a pad and a stain on the hand.
The stain is then magically transferred on the spectator’s
closed hand. Gérard Bakner teaches you a new way of doing
the classic “ashes on the hand” trick with no ashes,
everything is self-contained. It’s a perfect trick for the
walk-around magic.
Nostradamus
The mentalist talks about a Nostradamus’s prediction. 22
tarot cards are shuffled by a spectator. 3 cards are then
selected. These cards are shown and match the prediction.
Diary #1, Diary #2 and Diary #3
Two very clean ways to do the diary trick: from a shuffled
deck of playing cards, a day is selected. The spectator
looks in a diary, on each day is written a different card.
On the selected day, the written card matches the prediction
card contained in the diary.
The Lenormand Cards Deck
Experience the mysteries of the Lenormand cards deck. In
this full multiple-phase routine, effects and coincidences
happen one after the others.
Other Effects Include:
* Past Present Future
* B
* In The Mirror
* A Splendid Day
* Lotto
Running Time Approximately 1hr 20min
MY COMMENTS:
There are thirteen effects on this DVD dealing with tarot,
runes, rune cards, voodoo, and other bizarre props.
Gerard's presentations are amateurish (meaning weak
presentations) and I really disliked it when he discussed
the "Palindrome Principle" which is used in a few of the
effects presented here. Gerard, if you're reading this,
it's called the "Gilbreath Principle" after it's creator,
Norman Gilbreath. Not only is that not credited properly,
but there are no credits at all. The main language on this
disc is French, but you can choose the English option and
hear an English translation. By the way, just because
English is not his first language and because he lives in
Europe, I don't think it an excuse for a lack of proper
crediting (as certain other mentalists have done). Despite
this, there are some interesting ideas in here. They are
good but not groundbreaking or exciting, and I'd certainly
advise that you develop better presentations for them.
*********
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.
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