February 17, 2008
Here's what's in this edition of
Jheff's Marketplace of the Mind Newsletter
*** IKNOW - Jason Palter
*** SUBLIMINAL EFFECTS - Kenton Knepper
*** BAFFLING B.S. - Larry Becker & Lee Earle
*** FROZEN IN TIME - Katsuya Masuda
*** MENTAL DENTAL BOOK TEST - Magic, Inc.
To make a purchase of any item in the JMOM newsletter,
please go to http://www.MarketplaceoftheMind.com
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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.
*********
Oh, this was a big OOOPS! Just as I was putting the
finishing touches on the previous newsletter, I got Magic,
Inc.'s Mental Dental Book Test. It didn't take me long to
add my comments and since it was short enough, I decided I
wanted to add that at the last minute to the newsletter.
However, I forgot to actually put the review in. Savvy
readers who checked my website already found out that it's
not there, which means I don't recommend it. I've included
it in this issue (really!). Also, the date for the first
Conversations of the Mind has changed and I forgot to alter
that which did lead to some confusion. It's now set for
Thursday, Mar. 6 (and, yes, it's still tentative).
Okay, not much new news since the last newsletter, so
there's the usual announcements below.
**** CONVERSATIONS OF THE MIND
Okay, hopefully most of you know about the Marketplace
Membership which features the Journal of the Mind, plus
specials and discounts on merchandise. I've decided to add
a brand new feature called Conversations of the Mind. This
will consist of conference calls to discuss various subjects
and also to converse with top performers in the field. Many
top performers are not releasing books or new material and
do not fit the format of the Journal of the Mind, but they
would be ideal for the new Conversations of the Mind.
Subjects that I've been requested to cover include
structuring acts, effects that can be done totally impromptu
and with ungimmicked items, Q&A routines, marketing, and
selecting material for your act.
These conversations, which will be recorded and available
for download, will be accessible only to those who have
Marketplace Memberships (see below). However, the very
first one will be available to all newsletter subscribers as
that one will be available later as a free preview. I have
tentatively scheduled the first conversation to take place
on Thursday, Mar. 6, probably at 6 p.m. PST (and it's
very tentative right now). Unfortunately, there is only a
limited number of folks who will be able to participate. I
can't tell you how many yet as I'm still undecided about
which service I'll use to make this happen.
The first topic will be an important one to all mentalists:
the difference between performing mentalism and magic. It's
an issue that I've been working on for awhile (and I'm
planning on finishing my book on this subject to be out by
the year's end). For those magicians who wish to get into
mentalism, I'll discuss the differences and how to make the
mentalism more effective. For mentalists, the information
may help you greatly improve your act. Of course, this
topic is one that I can use to cover quite a few questions
that people have.
Speaking of that, if anyone would like to submit questions
ahead of time to me on this topic, please do so. I will
definitely answer all the questions I have in the allotted
time. And, of course, I will certainly send out details and
instructions as we get closer to the date of the conference
call.
**** PAOLO CAVALLI
Paolo has long been considered one of the most creative
thinkers in mentalism. I've just added six of his works to
my website as part of the Friends of the Marketplace
program. They are Omicron, Sigma, Upsilon, Con-Federacy,
The Watermark Codex, and The Flytrap Experience. I hope to
have comments on them soon.
**** 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.
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 FOR 2008 AVAILABLE NOW!
For extra discounts and six issues of Jheff's Journal of the
Mind, which spotlights mentalism's hottest and most creative
talents each issue, join the 2008 Marketplace of the Mind.
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.
Outlaw-Effects have a beautiful new aged book called The
Witches' Almanac and it is their best aged book yet. 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. Also new to the section are Ron
Martin's THE TAROT READER'S NOTEBOOK, a must-have for Tarot
readers; Joshua Quinn's DUPLICITY, which takes your favorite
drawing dupe routine to the next level; 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
*********
JASON PALTER
IKNOW
JMOM Price: $18
Suggested Retail Price: $19.95
THE BLURB:
"With iKnow, you instantly divine a song the spectator has
randomly chosen from your iPod or MP3 player! An incredible,
impromptu trick that is ready to do-anytime!"
Effect
A spectator is invited to listen to as many songs as they'd
like from your favorite playlist (a folder that contains a
compilation of 60-70 songs) on your iPod or MP3 player. They
are all different. The spectator is asked to scroll through
and randomly stop at any song in the playlist, while the
iPod is out of site-behind their back or under the table.
They are now encouraged to remove the headphones and sing
the tune in their mind. You can be in another room as this
happens. Now for the mind-blowing climax: You bring your ear
close to theirs. You explain that you are listening for the
beat and melody of the tune that is still reverberating off
their eardrums, and vibrating in their head. To the absolute
disbelief of the spectator, bit by bit you start to hum the
tune they are thinking of, and then suddenly you name the
selected song!
Some cool points:
* Easy to do.
* Always ready to go.
* Instantly repeatable.
* Nothing is added or taken away during the
performance-it's completely self-contained within the iPod
itself!
* Your iPod is not gimmicked, and can function as a
regular playing unit at all times.
* Full instructional DVD guides you through every step
of the preparation, including full presentation and bonus
ideas.
* Use your own music & playlists.
* Works with iPods and most other MP3 players, that have
display screens.
From the creator of such amazing tricks as Third Degree Burn
and The Red Carpet, Jason Palter's iKnow allows you to do an
incredible, impromtu routine with your own iPod or MP3
player - anytime.
Includes a FREE unlimited access pass code to the exclusive
iKnow online forum, with downloads!
TESTIMONIALS:
"Jason has created a wonderful mystery involving our love of
music and our fascination with all things iPod...A devious
effect involving technology that feels totally organic."
- Andrew Mayne
"A fresh, hip mind reading miracle. If you own an MP3 player
then you have to own iKnow !"
- Richard Sanders
"I think this is great! You have to HEAR it to believe it!"
- Daniel Garcia
"iKnow is without a question the best thing you can do with
your iPod…It's as if iPods were made just for iKnow."
- Justin Miller
Running Time Approximately 55min
MY COMMENTS:
Experienced performers who are familiar with how iPods/MP3
players work will kick themselves, metaphorically speaking,
when they find out the method to this effect, which plays
exactly as stated in the blurb. It seems like it should be
kind of obvious to knowledgeable mentalists, but this is not
at all to say the method is transparent to laymen. It's
quite effective, actually. I don't have an iPod, or an MP3
player (at least not at the time of this writing), but I
confiscate many of them from my high school students who
prefer using them to doing classwork, and so I am familiar
enough with them to know that this can certainly work well.
It is important to note that you use this with a regular
iPod that you can use as an everyday listening device. You
do have to take the time to prepare it. However, this is one
of those one-time set-ups. Once you set it up, it'll be
ready to go anytime. Obviously, you must own an iPod, or
similar MP3 players, and cannot borrow someone's on the spot
to do this. And Jason Palter, on the DVD, walks you through
the steps to set everything up and he does cover the various
formats of MP3 players. There's also a registration number
so that you can join a discussion forum about iKnow. If you
use an iPod or MP3 player, I certainly recommend checking
out this very fairly priced DVD.
*********
KENTON KNEPPER
SUBLIMINAL EFFECTS
JMOM Price: $41
Suggested Retail Price: $45
THE BLURB:
Kenton is releasing at last some of the secret CDs he has
used to make a deep impression on clients and everyday
audiences.
The first CD package creates instant credibility. You will
be able to prove immediately that you are a trained and
certified expert in subliminal programming and telepathic
influence.
Gather a group of friends together and watch as they learn
to pick up on subliminal influence... You'll perform for 30
minutes, and the most you need do is a card force and
equivoque (only once each) - and only if you wish to add
these in. You do not need to perform these to use the
majority of the CD.
Your friends will be highly impressed as they begin to
accurately pick up on the subliminal cues on the CD (yes,
these subliminals are really on the CD).
Kenton has used such audio devices to instantly generate
respect and credibility as a mentalist, suggestionist,
hypnotist and more.
Put on this CD, tally up the amazing results, and your
guests will be so intrigued that they will be begging you to
talk more about your abilities and special knowledge.
This is the perfect introduction to mentalism performed in
your home, as a lead in to booking hypnosis or mentalism
shows with a small group, "training" people to tune into
subliminal, telepathic or personal intuition, selling
subliminal CDs, and more.
Kenton's special wording, psychological forces and
applications, subliminal recording, sound marking and other
sneaky things are at work on the CD - so that you don't
really have to work at all.
All that you need do is show your Certified Tester's
Certificate (included) and then focus on interacting with
your guests as the "official" CD plays.
Then be prepared to be taken VERY seriously.
All with little work on your part.
Subliminal testing CD, Detailed Instructional CD by Kenton
himself, and Two Certified Subliminal Tester Certificates
included.
Sure there's a trick to it all - but your guests and
audiences will think it is as legitimate as can be.
These CDs helped make Kenton's reputation as a serious
investigator of suggestion and mentalism. The CDs can do the
same for you - instantly.
Frankly, it's also just a lot of fun for both listeners and
performer!
Make for a memorable evening in your home or group with
Kenton's special "Subliminal Effects CD Set".
Important!: If you want to appear as just a typical
trickster, do NOT order this special set. This special set
is for those who wish to appear legitimate and well-trained
in suggestion and/or telepathic influence only.
CD 1 Running Time Approximately 36min
CD 2 Running Time Approximately 60min
MY COMMENTS:
This is another intriguing concept by Kenton Knepper. It's
a handsomely produced 30 minute interactive program with
your audience that consists mostly of well-known
psychological forces which prove to the audience that you
have the ability of suggestion and subliminal persuasion.
You get two CDs. One has the program on it and the other
has full audio instructions by Kenton.
There are a couple of considerations I have regarding this.
First, the program makes the performer out to be a qualified
subliminal tester from a fictitious organization. To me, I
don't want my audience to think that someone else trained
me. I want them to think that I'm the expert and could
possibly train them. This is by no means a major criticism
because some performers will certainly find this approach
quite effective for their style and work.
Also, the blurb says, "You'll perform for 30 minutes, and
the most you need do is a card force and equivoque (only
once each) - and only if you wish to add these in."
However, before the initial program ends the voice states
there's a few more exercises the tester can do if the tester
is qualified. Should the performer or tester stop at that
point, it would suggest that he/she isn't qualified and I'm
not sure that's something one would want their audience to
perceive. The script should have had the program end before
that point and then a few seconds later start with up with
an additional exercise. If you plan on doing the whole
program, then this isn't going to a problem for you. But if
you wish not to use these two exercises (one involves cards
and the other involves choosing randomly selected objects)
you'll have to stop the program at an appropriate point
before the announcer officially ends the main part of the
program and begins the bonus demonstrations.
Again, those are personal considerations that came to mind
after I listened to the program, and may not apply to you at
all. As stated above, the quality of this recording is top
notch. As one hears the program, there are background
noises (sounding kind of like running water and other
noises) that the audience will learn later contribute
greatly to their choices. Though I have not seen this
performed in front of audiences, or performed it myself,
I'm sure that this can be a lot of fun for the right
performer. It's one of those ideas that if it suits your
style, it will be great for you as it's a complete mini-act
that you hardly have to do any work to do.
*********
LARRY BECKER AND LEE EARLE
BAFFLING B.S.
JMOM Price: $91
Suggested Retail Price: $99.50
THE BLURB:
"The bumper sticker," begins the performer as he shows a
selection of them - all of which are cut in half, "is a
source of 5-Star wisdom often using four-letter words.
They're a short form expression of attitude, philosophy, and
humor. You can find them at truck stops, novelty shops, and
bargain swaps."
He shows the halves of two different bumper stickers saying,
"If you cut them in half and mismatch them, the results can
be interesting." (The audience will laugh at a couple of the
combinations, we designed them for that purpose.)
Placing a business envelope in full view, he continues,
"There are halves of two different bumper suckers in here
(they can be seen through the address window) that usually
combine with others to get an amusing reaction."
"One of you will choose another half from these," the
performer continues, spreading the stack of severed stickers
face up for a nearby participant. "As you can see, there are
more than two dozen random possibilities. Which one would
you like."
After the helper freely chooses one of the halves the
Mentalist instructs, "That was an intentional choice,
influenced perhaps by color or subject matter. Next, you
will select one unseen."
He turns the stack of half-stickers face down and reminds,
"Because it's selected blindly, and randomly, it will be a
surprise for both of us"
"I'll keep you in suspense a moment longer," remarks the
performer, as he withdraws one of the sticker-halves from
the envelope (with its back toward the audience) to align
with the unseen sticker-half.
"This combination doesn't work," the performer informs,
tucking it back in the envelope and pulling out the other
one inside. "Hopefully this combination will be better." He
aligns it with the randomly selected half, smiles, and tucks
the pair partially in his breast pocket, still (and always)
fully visible to the audience.
"Let's try the half sticker you picked earlier," suggests
the Mentalist, reaching for the participant's piece. He
aligns it with the remaining half from the envelope and his
eyebrows go up. "Well, this is weird," remarks the
entertainer. He turns them around: they are opposite ends of
the same bumper sticker!
"But I promised you something funny," reminds the Mentalist,
removing the pair of half-stickers from his breast pocket.
"And this is funny!" He holds them up for everyone to see;
the second pair is also a perfect match!
You get everything you need to perform this outstanding
routine, bumper stickers, an ungimmicked window envelope, a
'special something' and instructions. The 'bumper stickers'
are printed on glossy card stock and pre-cut into halves.
There is a simple, one-time setup task that takes ten
minutes or less and you're good to go for years to come.
MY COMMENTS:
This is another fun routine from the prolific and creative
minds of Larry Becker & Lee Earle. Besides what the blurb
says, I'll just note that the bumper stickers really aren't
bumper stickers. They are smaller-sized than actual bumper
stickers and are cards on glossy card-stock. Also, the
blurb says that the "audience will laugh at a couple of the
combinations, we designed them for that purpose." As with
most effects with built-in humor, you may not be amused by
what is included, but you can use as little or as much as
you want of the gags that are provided. There is some
preparation to the "bumper stickers," but it takes minutes
and is quite easy to do. You get about two dozen different
"bumper stickers," all cut in half, a single page of
instructions, and an extra necessary item needed for the
preparation (it's a fairly common office supply product).
There is also an online video that purchasers can access
that shows a key move in the routine. It's not at all
difficult and it's well explained in the instructions,
but seeing it may make it easier to learn.
*********
KATSUYA MASUDA
FROZEN IN TIME
JMOM Price: $77
Suggested Retail Price: $85
THE BLURB:
A magician shows a picture of a pocketwatch which is sealed
inside a lucite block. The lucite block is kept in a
transparent plastic cover. A black spot on the plastic cover
hides the watch face so that no can see when the watch was
photographed. The magician asks a spectator to name any
hour. (This is not the magician's choice or a force.) Then
the lucite block is removed from the cover revealing that
the watch diplays the same hour as the spectator's choice.
Frozen in Time allows you to predict a randomly selected
time with nothing more complicated than a photograph. No
electronics, no complicated gimmicks.
Comes complete with picture in lucite block, transparent
cover and instruction sheet.
MY COMMENTS:
This has been around for awhile, but is only now available
to me. I've had many, many requests for this and, when you
see it, you'll know why. It's a beautifully made prop that
looks exactly like a special photograph that's been
protected in a special plexiglass frame. Of course, it's a
small frame, so this effect is really only suitable for
close-up or one-on-one performances. The effect, as
described above, is simple. Any hour is named and it's not
a force. The photograph in the frame is revealed to show a
pocket watch that displays the same hour.
Now, I can talk quite a bit about the wonderful quality of
the prop, how realistic that photo looks, or that, even
knowing the secret, you really can't tell that the
photograph is gimmicked (yet it is). Instead, I'm going to
address the question of why use this when one can use a real
watch that will accomplish the same effect. It's definitely
a valid question and one that must be understood that there
is a significant difference with advantages and
disadvantages to each. The advantage to using a watch is
that it's more authentic to use a watch in a watch effect.
The advantage to using an encased photo is that no layman
would ever suspect that you can do with the photograph what
you're really doing. In other words, the named time that
appears on the photograph is just impossible to an audience.
The only consideration to this is that you can't let anyone
else handle the lucite block, but you can let them touch the
protective plastic to see that it's solid, which is all
that's necessary.
This really is a beautiful prop that, though made by a
magician, could easily and powerfully be used by a
professional mentalist. Personally, I don't care for the
transparent cover, but it needs to be there and it does look
like it's use is protective. However, the black spot on the
cover that hides the watch is just totally unnecessary.
I've already removed mine. When I initially display the
photo in lucite block which inside the cover, I merely hold
my fingers to cover up the watch section on the photo.
Anyhow, besides the block and and the cover, you get a
single instruction sheet with the instructions. That's all
you need, because this imported effect from Masuda is so
very easy to do. I definitely recommend this for anyone who
does close-up effects.
*********
MAGIC INC
MENTAL DENTAL BOOK TEST
JMOM Price: n/a, special order only
Suggested Retail Price: $49.95
THE BLURB:
A spectator is asked to hold up a single hand indicating a
number (one through five). Let's say four fingers are held
up indicating the number four. A second spectator is asked
to do the same thing. Let's say five fingers are held up,
indicating the number five. A third spectator (or one of the
first two) is asked to decide if they want page 45 or page
54. They turn to whatever page is indicated in ACCEPTED
DENTAL THERAPEUTICS (37th Edition) and the Magician (without
looking at the book) tells them the first word on the page.
* Stunning Mentalism Effect
* Mystifying
* Instantly Repeatable
Comes complete with three textbooks and instructions.
MY COMMENTS:
Do I really have to tell you that I give my official thumbs
down on this? You know, if this were priced at around
$15-$20, I might say that this is a cheap enough book test
to add to one's book test collection. But it isn't. And
with so many book tests, and with so many being simply
derivative or knock-off works of others, there's just no way
I can recommend this one when something similar, such as the
Dracula Book Test, is the same price and far superior to
this.
For those who don't know why I don't rate this higher, the
process of choosing the page is indirect and awkward as
compared to others. Fingers are being held up to create a
page number and then you only get to look at the first word
on the page. In comparison to the DBT, a participant can
open to any page, not mention the page number at all, and be
able to get the word. Oh, and then there's the silly name
and the idea of using a dentistry textbook, which certainly
doesn't compel me to want to buy this, perform this, or
recommend this. But, hey, if the dentistry theme really
appeals to you . . .
*********
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this, you may respond to this e-mail.
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