April 26, 2008
Here's what's in this edition of
Jheff's Marketplace of the Mind Newsletter
*** PUZZLE PARADOX - Larry Becker & Lee Earle
*** SWB (Self-Writing Blackboard) - Anton Corradin
*** COMPLETELY COLD EXPANDED - Kenton Knepper & J. Tank
*** MEMENTO - Daniel Madison
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.
*********
So, this past week has been Passover. Since my father
passed away in 1996, I've been leading the seder service for
the family. Of course, when you ask a mentalist/magician to
do a seder, especially someone who likes to do stuff that's
somewhat offbeat but still reverent, you're going to get
some extra surprises. Yep, I do magic seders. Every year,
I do different stuff, and I usually do two, maybe three,
effects. If I do any more, I extend the service longer, and
the longer the service, the longer the wait for the
traditional Passover meal. My family isn't even close to
being Orthodox in their faith, and their stomachs certainly
override the need for strict tradition and patience.
Anyhow, this year I featured two effects. The first was
Puzzle Paradox (see below). Since we had many non-Jewish
guests join us, my patter revolved around the fact that
there were many strange items on the table and that Jews
familiar with the story knew what those items meant like one
knows a puzzle that they've done countless times. The
second effect I did was not mentalism, but it was a
straight-jacket escape. Yep, I put myself into bondage
while someone read the story of how the Jews were freed from
Egyption slavery. My task was to get free by the time the
story ended. Needless to stay, both effects went over well
and were a big hit. Which, of course, meant that my mother
wanted me to do it again this weekend. Sheesh!
New items that will be discussed in upcoming newsletters
and/or added soon to my catalog are Andrew Gerard's STREET
SENSE and ACCURACY, Samuel Catoe's ILLUSIONS OF INFLUENCE,
Sean Field's EXPLICIT FOOTAGE: TOME and EXPLICIT FOOTAGE:
BENZ, Devin Knight's THE BLINDFOLDED CAR BOOK, Gordon Bean's
TIMECARD, John Sheets' NAILED IT, Royal Magic's JUMBO ESP
BICYCLE DECK, and Kerry Summer's FLASH CARDS MEMORIZED DECK.
Some of this stuff is already on the website with comments.
Some of this stuff I will not catalog.
In the last newsletter, I ran a blurb about Gregory Wilson's
Freakey (which I included again below). I got quite a few
orders and several asked me what my routine was. I'll be
more than happy to share it with you. However, I must do
that in an upcoming newsletter (hopefully the next one).
When you read it, you'll know why I must wait. Know this,
though. The gimmick can be used for many mental effects,
although I only use it for the middle portion of my three
phase routine. Anyhow, more details later.
**** FREAKEY
I really do like this. I've been carrying this versatile
utility prop around and "Freakey"-ing people out since I got
it. And it's amazing how many top mentalists I've run into
that when I pull mine out to show it to them, they pull
theirs out. Freakey is simply a set of keys on a key chain.
As keys, they're pretty much indestructible and they make
sense to be in your pocket. I have one routine and about
half a dozen effects I do with it at a moment's notice.
Anyhow, Freakey is difficult to obtain because it takes time
for Gregory Wilson to manufacture them. However, my
distributor has gotten another batch in. I actually bought
an extra set for me, along with stocking up on some. I
don't know how much longer they'll be available before
there's another wait for them to be manufactured. But if
you order now, you can get one. Or two. :-)
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/Freakey.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.
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!
The new issue of Jheff's Journal of the Mind spotlights Paul
Brook, who just recently published an incredible new book
which is featured in the issue, The Alchemical Tools. 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 2008 issues
of Jheff's Journal of the Mind, an all-new e-zine for
mentalists, an additional 5% discount off merchandise from
the Marketplace of the Mind, and many other very cool
features. If you want a taste of what you get, 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 SAFWAN PAPERS by Bryn Reynolds and
RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS by Jerome Finley, both solid
collections of memorable, mentalism material. Also, new to
the section are BILL MASON'S SENSATIONAL by E. Raymond
Carlyle, which is a wonderful Q&A act, and Dr. Bill's
MIRABILL, an elegant update on a Stewart James classic.
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
*********
LARRY BECKER & LEE EARLE
PUZZLE PARADOX
JMOM Price: $135
Suggested Retail Price: $149.50
THE BLURB:
The Mentalist shows two 11x14 inch jigsaw puzzles; one is
fully assembled and displayed in a frame: the other is still
boxed. He quips, "One of the reasons jigsaw puzzles are -
well, puzzling - is that they often use a picture that
provides one set of patterns, cut into completely random
shapes formed by yet another pattern. Most folks solve such
puzzles through a process of elimination: they assemble the
straight edged, outside pieces into a "frame" and then work
their way toward the middle. Some puzzle addicts find it
more challenging to assemble the puzzle face down."
The performer shakes the pieces inside the box. then opens
it for everyone to see the assortment of pieces inside.
"Each of you take one piece, please," he offers to three
nearby participants, "and do your best to memorize its
unique shape."
Taking another piece from the box and handing it to the
first participant for comparison, the performer instructs.
"Cup them in your hands and mix them. It will still be
simple to pick out your piece because there are but two
choices." He retrieves them from the helper and tosses them
back into the box.
Approaching the next person, the mentalist withdraws three
or four more pieces from the box and hands them to that
helper, saying. "Now you try it. It gets tougher with more
pieces, yes? Although I suppose with fewer than half a dozen
different shapes, it's still fairly easy." Those pieces are
also returned to the box.
For the third helper the performer says. "Toss your piece
back into the box." He gives the pieces a shake and holds
the lidless box for the participant to view the contents.
"Your challenge is more complex: with a 150 piece puzzle,
the odds against you finding your piece on the first try are
149 to 1."
"Unless." reminds the performer, "you have assembled that
puzzle so many times it's burned into memory, as I have with
this one." He places the lid on the box. hands it to helper
#3 and instructs, "Give the pieces a good shaking, please,
then lift the lid just enough to take just one hidden in
your hand. Avoid the right angle corner pieces - there are
only four of them. Find an inside piece with no straight
sides: there are more of those."
When the piece has been removed the performer sets the box
aside and says, "When I'm ready, hold up that piece, with
the back side toward me. as I count to three. Understood?
(Yes.) Go! One..two..three. Got it!"
The performer picks up the assembled puzzle, moves his
finger back and forth just above the surface as he views the
shapes, stops over one of them, pries it from the puzzle,
and says. "This is it. I'm positive."
"If just you compared the pieces," instructs the Meutalist.
"not everyone could see the result. Instead, try your piece
for fit where I made the hole." The selected puzzle piece
slips easily into place - a perfect match!
Here are the details that will drive you nuts: The puzzle
box and frame are totally ungimmicked. There are no
switches. Every piece taken is freely selected. When the
participants compare their pieces there is no question that
each is a truly different shape. You employ no sleights or
moves and no memorization is needed. Nothing else is used,
added, or taken away (ie: no plastic baggies, ugh!). You get
both custom made puzzles (one is fully assembled, ready to
slip in the frame and the other is in the box) plus complete
presentation instructions.
Puzzle Paradox is as clean as clean can be from the guys who
originated the concept.
MY COMMENTS:
Those familiar with Lee Earle's puzzle routine in Lee
Earle's Syzygy will notice that the presentation is quite
different. In Lee's original routine, the performer is
trying to find the one piece that will fit into the puzzle
and fill the empty space. In this routine, the performer is
trying to locate the one piece in the puzzle that matches a
piece randomly selected by a participant under challenge
conditions. This is a very different, unique take on the
mentalism puzzle plot. You can still use the original
premise with it and certainly locate that one piece that
fits in the puzzle's empty space.
What makes this great is that there is nothing extra. You
don't use any bags or sleights of any kind to work this.
It's just a completed puzzle and other pieces in the box. I
should note that, to some, the blurb may imply that because
everything is ungimmicked, the puzzle and its pieces can be
completely examined. That's not exactly so. What's given
to the participants can certainly be examined, but you can't
just hand them the whole puzzle box with the pieces and let
them examine it. However, if you follow the presentation
and instructions, this will not, and should not, ever be a
concern.
The puzzle itself is approximately 11" x 14". This is not a
large jigsaw puzzle, but it's large enough for most
audiences to see, yet small enough to fit in a catalog case
or something similar. One puzzle comes already completed
framed. The frame looks nice, but it is a cheap plastic
frame. If this is something you'll use, you can certainly
transfer the puzzle to a different frame. This is not
really a big issue as far as I'm concerned. What you're
buying are the puzzles themselves, which can be quite costly
to put together yourself. The package contains one puzzle
which has already been mounted, additional puzzle pieces,
the puzzle box, and one double-sided page of instructions.
If you're looking for a mental effect involving puzzles,
this is the one you should seriously consider.
*********
ANTON CORRADIN
SWB (Self Writing Blackboard)
JMOM Price: $81
Suggested Retail Price: $90
THE BLURB:
With this innovative device, you will be able to create the
most amazing routines. The possibilities are endless. Test
your creativity and accept the challenge to perform an
original and unique act. We will just give you some examples
of how to use it, so you will have an idea of the
possibilities the S.W.B. will offer you once you have it in
your own hands.
Write a prediction on the Self Writing Blackboard, and put
it inside an envelope so nobody sees it. Then, hand the
envelope over to someone in the audience. Ask for two
volunteers to come to the stage and ask each one to say a
number between 1 and 9. This way, a two-digit number will be
formed. You can also ask them if they want to invert the
order of the numbers so it will change the number.
When taking the blackboard out of the envelope (this action
can be performed by the audience), we will find out that the
number formed by the two volunteers is written on the
blackboard.
You will be able to ask someone in the audience to think
about a loved one that is no longer between us and that only
the participant knows. His/her name or nickname will appear
written on the blackboard.
You can go even farther!!! Put the blackboard without
anything written on it and a chalk inside an envelope and
leave it on a table. Now, ask ghosts to show they are
present by writing on the blackboard. Then, you will take it
out of the envelope and read the messages from the other
world!
You can also write the number and suit of a poker card on
the blackboard, then strew the cards facing up on a table
and tell the participant to choose only one. At the same
time, you explain him that he will be mentally induced to
choose the letter written on the blackboard. Once he chooses
the card, you just have to reveal the prediction.
In all the above cases, the blackboard can be checked by the
audience.
Even though it seems crazy, this is really possible with
Self Writing Blackboard. This blackboard created by Anton
Corradin is much simpler to use and much more effective than
any other blackboard existing on the market.
It's perfect for professionals that work in all kind of
places.
It can be used for stand-up magic as well as close-up magic.
These are just a few possibilities with SWB, but using your
imagination and personal style, you can create thousands of
amzing effects of your own with this blackboard.
Comes complete with blackboard, envelopes and instruction
sheet.
Dimensions Approximately 10" x 14" (25.5cm x 35.5cm)
MY COMMENTS:
This could be a real good prop for those who seance work.
Oddly, it reminds me of El Duco's On Board, which has the
same basic presentation but uses a board that looks like a
kid's toy. Well, basically, it is. And my guilty pleasure
is that I like On Board and still use it.
SWM uses a totally different principle and an actual
ungimmicked blackboard, though the effect is still the same.
With this methodology, there are no extra gimmicks. It is
the envelopes which are gimmicked. There's nothing
inherently wrong with that. A major consideration, though,
is that after 40 or 50 performances, according to the
instructions, the envelope will need to be replaced. You
receive five of them, but no instructions on how to make
your own. So, if this is something you want to perform,
you'll have to buy re-fills (or buy the whole product
again).
As to the blackboard, some may think it's outdated and it
should be a whiteboard, but white on black shows up much
better for crowds and white board does tend to glare in
lights. This is Richard Osterlind's argument when people
comment about his Ultra Board, and I agree with him. By the
way, if that means that inevitably someone wants a
comparison of the Ultra Board and SWB, let me just say they
are two entirely different products with very different
uses. Think of this, and this is another reason why it
reminds me of the El Duco product I mentioned earlier, as a
nail writing tool that allows for bigger writing.
The bottom line is that it does what it claims, and if you
have a particular use for it after considering the points
above, then it'll be something worth getting. Refill packs
for the envelopes are available for $50 MSRP ($45 through
this site).
*********
KENTON KNEPPER & J. TANK
COMPLETELY COLD
JMOM Price: $45
Suggested Retail Price: $50
THE BLURB:
TWO CD Set!
The classic reference for making cold readers in under 24
hours just got pushed to the next level! On two CDs you will
get all the inside work so you can begin to do readings
virtually overnight.
NO memorizing. NO props. Get this material in your head and
be ready to go to work as a reader tomorrow.
This new version contains the entire original material as an
audio book, plus an application for use with a mental card
forcing equivoque, Kenton's answer to those afraid to doing
readings and more. Then a second CD teaches you by example
as you listen to "Cold" in action in real life readings
situations. It's the missing piece everyone has been waiting
to have - here at last.
The Original "Completely Cold" has launched the careers of
many readers, and literally taught mentalists overnight how
to sneak readings into their everyday conversations to gain
rapport.
See the original "Completely Cold" product (below) for
details if you are not yet aware of the power of "Completely
Cold."
We never thought Kenton could make "Cold" better than it
was. Now he has... hear it for yourself with all the extras
at last!
Listen today, perform readings tomorrow.
CD 1 :
*The Original Completely Cold in Audio Book Form
*NEW WORK including how to begin a reading, what else to
say, other words and category options, what you already know
and more.
*Over 60 minutes in length
CD 2 - Live Readings and More:
*Track 1 - Opening Remarks
*Track 2 - Donna's Reading
*Track 3 - Dave's Reading
*Track 4 - Reactions from Donna and Dave
*Track 5 - Kathryn's Reading
*Track 6 - Notes About Kathryn's Reading
*Track 7 - Kathryn's Reactions To Her Reading
*Track 8 - Completely Cold As Card Equivoque
*Track 9 - Live Cold Card Force
*Track 10 - Holly's Extreme Reading
*Track 11 - Ending Comments, Fear and Action
* CD 2 is almost 60 Minutes in length.
MY COMMENTS:
Completely Cold amazingly consists of just a few steps --
two rules, actually -- that will give memorable and accurate
readings. It is quite simple to learn and the claims of
being able to do quality readings within a few hours is
quite accurate. This new CD set features the original
booklet in audio format, plus samples of readings which are
invaluable examples, especially to those who may be
unconvinced that this actually works.
Since the original booklet came out years ago, this reading
system has become quite controversial. I know some really
value this method and others feel this is one of the most
useless cold reading methods available. And I'm sure if you
go on the Internet forums, you'll find those discussions
surfacing again. I can only say that Completely Cold
certainly delivers what it promises in the blurb. It
certainly includes audio examples of its success. My only
criticism is that the original booklet should have been
included in the package, or at least a PDF file of it.
Considering the original booklet sold for around this much,
the price is very fair and perhaps a much better value than
just the booklet, but whether you feel it suits you and the
people you read for will be something you'll have to decide.
Here's the blurb for the original booklet:
For years Tank and Kenton have been working on an "ultimate"
system for "psychic readings". They dreamed of a system
using absolutely No memorization. No props whatsoever! No
having to read a spectator's body language for information!
A system you could do over the phone! Simple. Never fails.
Use it anytime, anywhere. No set up of any kind.
This system is so easy, you can learn to do the readings in
minutes. You only need to know two amazingly simple, yet
potent rules. Even the two rules don't need to be
memorized...Once you know the secrets, YOU KNOW IT COLD!
You have never seen anything this perfect and this simple in
any other "cold reading" materials. It is truly a dream come
true!
If you are a magician who has ever been asked to do
readings, but had to back off because you didn't have a
secure system, this is for you! If you are a seasoned
mentalist or reader, this will greatly enhance what you
already know. Just add in Completely Cold wherever and
whenever you like. You'll never believe the power of this
system's simplicity, until you try it!
"Completely Cold is worth Two Hundred Bucks alone!" - Weerd
Weekend '97
"Completely Cold is truly the Dream System! And for the
price, IT'S A STEAL!" - Dan Harlan
"If you were to forget everything you know about cold
reading, and you had only this manuscript, you would have
more useful information than if you memorized an entire
library of works on this subject..." - Docc Hilford
*********
DANIEL MADISON
MEMENTO
JMOM Price: n/a, special order only
Suggested Retail Price: $30
THE BLURB
Memento is a special deck of cards that brings a myriad of
performance possibilities to a range of performers from card
magicians to mentalists.
The effect comes with a routine that explores the darker
side of psychology and the paranormal as you take your
spectators on a journey into clairvoyance and the reality of
the afterlife. A deck of cards is introduced and held by the
spectator. It is told that the performers' aunt worked as a
clairvoyant and that a few days before her unfortunate
death, she had signed her name across her favorite playing
card within the very deck held by the spectator.
The spectator is then asked to think hard and to try to pick
up which card in the deck is signed by the deceased aunt.
Upon naming the card, the deck is spread and the thought of
card is then found to be the only card in the deck with the
signature of the performers' deceased aunt. Any card can be
named and all other cards are shown to be blank.
The deck comes with many more performance ideas and these
are limited only by your own imagination.
Comes complete with a deck of cards and 8-page Saddle
Stitched Instruction Manual.
MY COMMENTS:
Some of you may know the effect in which a participant names
a card. The performer removes a deck of cards and shows
that only one card has a big X on it. Of course, it is the
named card. I've seen several different methods for this.
The method used here was most recently marketed by David
Forrest (The X Deck). The only difference with Memento is
that it involves a signature. The author claims in his
addendum that Memento and X-Deck use a similar principal,
but "support different performances with equally different
outcomes." Sure, a name is certainly different than an X,
but I feel that it is only a slight creative variation and
it's still essentially the same. In other words, you can
still do the exact same routine and use the claim that the
performer's aunt marked the card with an X, instead of a
name.
Incidentally, the names are not on the cards. You must take
the time to prepare the cards. You don't even have to
prepare the cards with names. The instructions provide
quite a few ideas to use instead of names. Now, this is not
a criticism, just FYI.
Though I know some my debate the point that it's an obvious
and slight variation, I'll also point out that the deck I
received lacked in workmanship. When I spread the cards,
the clumps were more than they were supposed to be. I know
that sounds strange, but I have to be vague without tipping
the method. The point is that the deck did not operate the
way the instructions described. Now this could be just one
exception, I got a bum package, and I'm willing to concede
that.
In any case, I really don't think this deck offers anything
new to the working mentalist. This method isn't necessarily
a bad or impractical one, but mentalists like to rely on
props that are ungimmicked, or less gimmicked than most. As
I said, there are other methods to accomplish this effect,
which rely on decks which aren't quite so gimmicked, if not
gimmicked at all. And, based on the deck that I got, I
can't guarantee the quality will be good. Therefore, I
really can't recommend, nor catalog this product.
*********
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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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