December 15, 2007
Here's what's in this edition of
Jheff's Marketplace of the Mind Newsletter
*** SIMPLY PSYCHIC - Ross Johnson
*** POCKET SPACE - Anthony Miller
*** PK PUTTY
*** DIARY OF DESTINY - Benoit Pilon &
Christopher Williams
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.
*********
Here's yet another round of stuff as I promised you. I
do have quite a few more items to deal with and you may very
well be getting several newsletters in the coming week.
Tommorrow, I'll send out a special newsletter discussing my
list of the Best Mentalism Products of 2007. I'm putting
the finishing touches on that and will probably send it out
tomorrow night.
Also, there will be a very important message for Marketplace
Members this weekend. I should have started taking
subscriptions for 2008 over Thanksgiving weekend, but I
didn't. As soon as I finish setting up the new pages and
revising the old ones, I'll be sending out a letter about
taking 2008 subscriptions (which will still have that extra
5% discount that makes the subscription "pay for itself").
Those of you are Marketplace Members should watch for it.
Okay, now on to the current announcements and comments on
products . . .
**** MAIL ISSUES & HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
Though the shipping costs problems has been corrected,
apparently not every order is being charged. If you don't
see the charge on your invoice before you check out, try
entering your address again. Any order that does not have
the shipping charges applied will not be processed until
they are processed.
I will be out of the office right after Christmas and
through New Year's week. So any orders placed after the
20th of December may not be sent out until January 7.
Orders placed after Christmas definitely will not be sent
out until January 7. This excludes e-books and Marketplace
Memberships, of course.
**** REAL GHOST STILL AVAILABLE
My distributor did get a limited supply of Christopher
Taylor's Real Ghost, but apparently some that were earmarked
to be distributed were not claimed. So there is a nice
supply of this wonderful new utility item that should last
through Christmas. Oh, and I'll be adding my comments about
Real Ghost within a day or so.
**** 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.
Enrique Enriquez has a wonderful new e-book on the Tarot,
LOOKING AT THE MARSEILLES TAROT, which is suitable for both
beginners and experienced readers. Joshua Quinn's DUPLICITY
takes your favorite drawing dupe routine to the next level.
Also new to the section are Ron Martin's THE TAROT READER'S
NOTEBOOK, a must-have for Tarot readers; Patrick Redford's
TRIANGLE, a comic book featuring 3 clever new items; 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
*********
ROSS JOHNSON
SIMPLY PSYCHIC
JMOM Price: $14
Suggested Retail Price: $15
THE BLURB:
Simply Psychic is the finest introduction to mental magic on
DVD, from the art's finest practitioner - Ross Johnson.
Imagine reaching inside someone’s head and discovering his
innermost thoughts. On Simply Psychic, Ross Johnson performs
and explains impossible and explains the unexplainable. The
effects on Simply Psychic are as evocative and
thought-provoking as they are entertaining -- no mere magic
tricks. Best of all, they’re aimed at the beginning
mentalist, require few, if any special props. Ross’ clear
and concise teaching makes every effect easy to understand.
Each explanation is peppered with carefully considered,
professional advice, hints and tips - salient points that
professionals will find invaluable. Watch Simply Psychic,
learn the material and perform. It’s that simple.
On this DVD you will learn:
- How to interrupt the thought and speech patterns of an
entire audience - psychically!
- To predict the outcome of future events, including the
flip of a coin and the selection of a card!
- What a spectator will do before even he knows!
- And much, much more!
Voted the top psychic entertainer in the world, Ross
Johnson’s uncanny abilities have taken him around the globe.
With over 25 years as a professional mind reader, he brings
a wealth of knowledge and experience to Simply Psychic. He
knows what you’re thinking.
Running Time Approximately 87min
MY COMMENTS:
Figure this as Ross Johnson's version of Osterlind's
Easy-to-Master Mind Miracles. The latter's title was a
misnomer because mentalism is not "easy" to master and the
title of this one isn't much closer by labeling psychic
routines as simple. Be that as it may be, this is a very
nice introduction to the basics of mentalism. A few of
these are variations or effects that are not well known
(such as the Drawing Duplication and Odd Man Out), but
most are effects that experienced mentalists know, or at
least they know the principles. The rest of the effects
are demonstrated and performed by a master who truly
knows how to perform these. So if you want to know the most
effective way to perform the Stroop Test or Book Test (Hoy's
version), Ross shows you on this DVD.
The best part of this DVD, which is surprisingly not
mentioned in the ad blurb, is a 15-minute plus interview
with Ross Johnson in which he discusses his background and
gives important tips for mentalism. This section alone
(which is marked as "additional information" on the menu) is
worth the price of this DVD which is quite inexpensive. Of
course, if you know that this produced by Fun Inc.(Royal
Magic) that explains the high quality and low price.
Definitely recommended for those who are new to mentalism
and certainly enjoyable for all levels.
Here's a complete list of the effects:
Stroop Test
Odd Man Out
Lie Detector
Voice Print
Omar's Prophecy
Jackpot Coins
Heads Up
Book Test
Drawing Duplication
*********
TONY MILLER
POCKET SPACE
JMOM Price: $23
Suggested Retail Price: $25
THE BLURB:
What is POCKET SPACE?
Effect
A spectator cuts an invisible deck of cards. He tells you
how many cards he cut off the deck. You remove a business
card and a playing card from your wallet. The spectator
takes the business card and turns it over. Printed on the
back is all 52 cards of the deck. In a random order. With NO
repeats! He sees what card is at the cut number. (You don't
know-really!) HE turns over the playing card. It is the same
card...
RESET? You put both back in your wallet (ungimmicked
wallet). Next table? Different number, different card! NO
Sleights, NO Gimmicked cards.
Plus, it takes up almost NO space and gets a great reaction.
"Think of it as a combination of acaan and card to wallet. I
came up with it after playing with acaan. But I HATED all
the dealing and extra decks and all the preparation and
fussiness plus all the space they took up…
So I showed it to several people such as Jack Carpenter,
John Mendoza, Chad Long, Jason Dean and Todd Lassen. They
all gave Pocket Space a unanimous thumbs up. Plus about 100
people at the Midwest Magic Jubilee in St. Louis. Everyone
said bring it out... so I am...
I guess the only real problem is that it takes up almost no
space and most magicians want a hi-tech gimmick. They won’t
like this. The whole thing, instructions and all weigh less
than an ounce. Those who are expecting a big box of shtuff
will be sadly disappointed. But ****! It is a way fun
effect!" - Tony Miller
Includes 4 x Business Cards and instruction manual.
MY COMMENTS:
The method for this is very clever. In a way, it's similar
to Kenton Knepper's Kolossal Killer. You can actually do a
very similar effect without the 52 on 1 card (for lack of a
better description of it). However, the methodology is
totally different. In truth, they are not naming any card,
but any number which cleverly and secretly limits their card
choices and allows you to reveal the one card they will
choose.
The big issue I have with this is that the pre-printed card
that has the playing cards listed on it looks like it came
out of a magic set. Also, it just seems odd to carry around
a list of playing cards. You could certainly take the time
to handwrite the cards onto pieces of paper and that would
certainly add more realism to this effect making it less
gimmicky. And I certainly can see possibilities in adapting
this trick so that playing cards aren't used.
The package includes a 10-page, 5.5" x 8.5" instruction
booklet, plus the necessary business-card size 52 on 1
cards. You must supply a deck of cards (though you don't
need a complete deck and so an old deck will do) and a
wallet. This is a lot of fun, very clever, and, if the
description intrigues you, worth getting.
*********
PK PUTTY
JMOM Price: $5
Suggested Retail Price: $6
THE BLURB:
PK Putty is an easy to use ferromagnetic wax for shimming
coins, cards, bills, plastic silverware, business cards,
just about anything!
This combo pack includes both sticky soft wax and hard
anchor wax made ferromagnetic with iron additive. For use
with general PK tricks, including PK ring applications. Use
as supplied or mix soft and hard wax together for desired
consistency.
* Shim items on the fly!
* Wax is very easy to control!
* Becomes magnetic temporarily!
* Convenient, pocket size containers!
Just a dab of wax on the back of a dollar bill, playing
card, or coin will make it attractive to magnets. PK Putty
is versatile, but it doesn't come with instructions. The
tricks are up to you!
Contains about 15 grams of soft and hard PK Putty, combined.
Heat sensitive. Do not microwave. Safe to touch. Use only as
directed. PK Putty may stain some surfaces. Wax responsibly!
MY COMMENTS:
This is a very useful product that mentalists can use.
Using this putty means that you magnetize just about
anything. It makes this easy to make shim cards, bills,
coins, etc. You get two pocket-size containers of putty.
Each container is about 1" in diameter and about 1/2" high.
One container has soft putty and one has hard putty. It
comes in a small polybag which is about 3" x 4". At the
time of this writing, I haven't used it, so I can't say how
good it is. If it doesn't live up to its amazing potential,
I'll certainly let you know.
Additionally, note that this item is rather inexpensive. If
your order is for just one, the shipping charges will cause
you to essentially pay double. So you may want to order in
quantity or order it with something else.
*********
BENOIT PILON & CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS
DIARY OF DESTINY
JMOM Price: n/a
Suggested Retail Price: $14.95
THE BLURB:
Are we in control of our lives...
Do we shape our future with our actions... Are our choices
really that free...
Do we even have a choice...
Could it be that some things are already predetermined...
that no matter what we do, we’ll inevitably end up reaching
an unavoidable event... an event that has been decided for
us, and that we cannot escape...
Do... You... Believe... In... Destiny...
You Will...
The performer shows that he/she has a playing card in there
pocket, and that they'll be getting back to that a bit
later. The participant is handed a Journal/Diary, and is
asked to browse through it... they'll notice that on every
date is a playing card. Now they are handed a deck of
playing cards... they can look through them all they want,
and can shuffle to there hearts content. Now they'll use the
cards to come to a random month and date... all this happens
entirely in there hands, with the performer being completely
hands off. Once a month and date has been decided, they are
to turn to that date and look at the card written, but not
to say it. You then ask them to go through the deck and
remove the card that's on there date... it's not there...
The performer then reminds them about the card he/she had in
there pocket prior to starting... it's removed and handed to
the spec... it's the card they were thinking of.
That was what happens at it's most basic.
Some points about the effect:
* Performer completely hands off
* Normal Deck... can even be borrowed
* Journal/Diary is examinable
* One time set-up on the journal/diary (unless you want
to set more up)
* No patterns, no markings, no sleights, no constantly
repeating specific cards...
* Simple to perform
Also, for those who do not wish to carry around a
journal/diary, there is an alternative included which offers
the exact same effect.
Contains 8 pages of detailed instructions.
MY COMMENTS:
The description makes it look attractive for those who like
diary tricks. A borrowed deck of cards and a normal diary
is used. Unfortunately, that's about as attractive as it
gets. The performer must force one of two cards and the way
it is done by using a principle developed by Stewart James
and used in his classic Miraskill. No, I'm not kidding.
All the cards must be dealt out in pairs to determine the
day. Then the remaining piles are used to determine the
month. This is far too procedural and not very dramatic.
It's not natural to deal cards to select a day and date.
It's also nowhere near as direct as Bob Cassidy's
Chronologue, or a couple of other clever variations that in
the market. If you're interested in this diary type of
effect, seek out those versions. And though this product is
only nine pages of instructions, which makes the price very
fair, it's still not a version of the diary effect that I
can recommend or catalog.
*********
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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