July 12, 2008
Here's what's in this edition of
Jheff's Marketplace of the Mind Newsletter
*** THE SPACE BETWEEN - Jason Palter
*** TH1RTE3N - Nicholas Paul
*** EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE - Luke Jermay
*** WORDS OF WISDOM - Rachel Colombini
To make a purchase of any item in the JMOM newsletter,
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*********
I know I've said this before, and it's not a wholly unique
obvservation, but as you get older you get these little
jolts of memory of your childhood that you're reminded of
because they come to a end, only to be enjoyed through one's
memory. Of course, I'm referring to the recent passing of
Larry Harmon. I'm sure many readers probably feel the same
way towards him as the guy who lives four blocks over and
four streets down in the corner apartment on the fifth
floor. In other words, "Huh?! Who?!"
For those who don't know him, Larry Harmon was known as Bozo
the Clown. If that rings a bell, you're probably part of my
generation, or the few that precede it. Larry didn't
originate Bozo the Clown. That honor goes to Pinto Colvig,
the original voice of Goofy. Larry bought the rights to
Bozo the Clown from Pinto and merchandised him brilliantly.
For awhile, there was a local Bozo the Clown show in every
major city of the U.S. market. His image was on everything,
including cereals, lunchboxes, and toys. Definitely, he
left his mark on generations of kids and that's impressive
for a kids' performer, or for any performer. Period. He
certainly was an inspiration.
Okay, enough clowning around and let's get to the important
stuff. There's actually going to be a couple of newsletters
coming right on top of each other. The next one will
feature Larry Becker & Lee Earle's BUCCANEER BOOTY, Jay
Sankey's OMNILOPE, Patrick Redford's GLEMME, and Erik Jan
Hanussen's MIND READING AND TELEPATHY. All of these items
are now on the web and my comments on each are available
now.
**** SHIPPING AND HANDLING RATES
Quite a few customers have noted that they feel that the
rates seem to be higher than necessary. Specifically, I'm
referring to U.S. rates, as the non-U.S. rates seem to
mostly be fine. I am working on the problem, but if you're
a U.S. customer and the rate is higher than $11, then
contact me first. That should be the limit for most orders.
You can also contact me if you feel the rate is higher than
it should be. I do have a manual workaround I can use. I'm
still working on a better solution, but until my entire
website has been redone, that's the best I can do for now.
**** DR.BILL'S MIND INDEX
After reading my comments, Dr. Bill made some slight changes
to his blurb and he also pointed out some minor details that
I had erred on. This doesn't change my opinion of it at
all, but I did alter my comments. This is still
recommended.
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/Mind_Index.html
**** PRODUCT UPDATES
Other new items that will be discussed in upcoming
newsletters and/or added soon to my catalog are Larry Becker
& Lee Earle's BUCCANEER BOOTY, Erik Jan Hanussen's MIND
READING AND TELEPATHY, Jay Sankey's OMNILOPE, Patrick
Redford's GLEMME, Jerome Finley's THOUGHT DIAL, Menny
Lindenfeld's PSYCHIC CREDIT CARD, Sean Field's EXPLICIT
FOOTAGE: TOME and EXPLICIT FOOTAGE: BENZ, John Sheets'
NAILED IT, Haim Goldenberg's INSIDE THOUGHTS and MY
PRECIOUS, and a bunch of cool stuff from Craig Browning.
Some of this stuff is already on the website with comments.
Some of this stuff I will not catalog.
**** MAX MAVEN: A FABULOUS MONSTER
Lots of people e-mailed me earlier this year inquiring about
the Max Maven documentary that was glowingly reviewed in
Genii magazine. I did obtain a copy from Max about that
time, but could not get quantities at wholesale. Next
month, probably around the middle of July, I've learned that
this exhilarating documentary will become available to the
general public and be available from your favorite magic
dealer.
Here's the important part: Until it's released, you can
pre-order it now at the usual discounted price, PLUS FREE
SHIPPING! Yep, that's not a typo! FREE SHIPPING!
Unfortunately, the FREE SHIPPING offer is ONLY available to
U.S. customers.
To take advantage of this offer, simply go to the webpage
and click on the Special Offer banner. Here's the link:
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/Max_Maven_fm.html
But how about getting the disc at 50% off the SMRP?
This is an offer for subscribers only, and does include all
customers. The disc itself is $20 (MSRP) and I'll sell it
to anyone, including non-U.S. customers, for $10 if your
purchase exceeds $100. Of course, this means that you don't
get free shipping on the other items in your order that will
require shipping and handling charges. Also, the order will
be shipped when the Maven DVD is released. Finally, this is
still a pre-release sale, so when the disc is released,
whenever that will be, the sale is over.
To take advantage of the offer, please use "FABULOUS OFFER"
as the coupon code. DON'T FORGET TO CLICK THE APPLY BUTTON!
If the special offer isn't applied to your order, I cannot
change it to give you the discount. PLEASE check your order
before you finalize the payment. Contact me if you have any
problems.
**** 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 the $47 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 ILLUSIONS OF INFLUENCE by Samuel Catoe, a
wonderful exploration of the art of equivoque. Two other
recent additions are 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
*********
JASON PALTER
THE SPACE BETWEEN
JMOM Price: $45
Suggested Retail Price: $50
THE BLURB:
Possess the power to predict the space between any two
objects!
There are MANY performance possibilities. Here is the BARE
BONES EFFECT:
Some can move things with their minds. Some can read a
person's thoughts. But you have a very strange and obscure
power. You can predict the SPACE BETWEEN two randomly placed
objects—even before they are arranged. You display a sealed
prediction envelope with the words "SPACE BETWEEN" written
across it. The spectator is given two objects and told to
place them apart, at random positions. They are allowed to
change their mind and the positions as often as they like.
When they are satisfied, the distance between the two
objects is precisely measured, using a standard tape
measure. The length is announced out loud. You recap what
they did, explaining there are thousands of possible
outcomes. Then the prediction envelope is opened, and the
number written down is the EXACT measurement that the
spectator just called out!
Picture the incredible possibilities:
* Foretell the personal space or "comfort zone" of a
random spectator!
* Predict the random distance between a husband and wife
as they stand with you on stage (huge comedy potential
here)!
* Demonstrate your amazing vision by stating with
precise accuracy, the distance between two randomly placed
objects! Imagine all of this—and much more!
Stuff to remember:
* The spectator arranges the objects, and they can
adjust the distance as often as they like.
* There are no funny moves, no difficult sleights, no
switches and everything may be examined.
* The effect can be repeated for the same audience using
a completely different measurement with different distances.
* Can be done close-up or on stage.
* Includes many different performance ideas and scripts,
including versions where the spectator determines the
predicted measurement.
* Easy to do, and perfect for all magicians and
mentalists.
Comes complete with Imperial/Metric measuring tape, routines
and scripts, instructional DVD, and the "special something"
that makes this miracle work!
From the creative mind of such fantastic tricks as "iKnow",
"The Red Carpet", and the best-selling "Third Degree Burn",
Jason Palter's "The SPACE BETWEEN" is a fresh, simple to
perform stunner that is a totally unique application for
mentalism and magic!
MY COMMENTS:
It's rare when one comes up with an ingenious new gimmick
and plot. The credit for this effect actually goes to Haim
Goldenberg who sold the rights to Jason Palter. Joshua Jay
also has a measurement effect as well. But this version is
quite clever. The heavy duty measuring tape that's included
can be examined.
There is one inaccuracy in the blurb above. It claims you
can do this close-up. You can't and the reasons are clearly
explained on the DVD by Jason Palter. It does have to do
with the psychology involved with the method. This is a
parlor or stage routine.
That said, I really like this effect a lot and I've just
finished putting the measuring tape and the extra gimmicks
(you get more than one) into my performing case. I see
loads of possibilities with this prop and this is definitely
would be a winning investment for any mentalist. Definitely
recommended.
*********
NICHOLAS PAUL
TH1RTE3N
JMOM Price: $27
Suggested Retail Price: $30
THE BLURB:
An ingenious gimmick that allows the perfect card at any
number!
Prepare to blow people away with Thirteen.
You will laugh out loud when you see both the gimmick and
the method for this brilliant piece of magic. Already being
called the trick of 2008, do not miss this.
The perfect card at any number, 100% correct everytime. No
force, a different card everytime. A brilliant method and
gimmick that allows you to perform this classic effect.
* No outs
* Only one deck used
* Resets itself everytime
* Always bang on the card.
An incredible piece of mentalism, great gimmick, Simple to
do, with MAXIMUM impact. Perfect for strolling and stand up
performers.
Real Mentalism? or Simply TH1RTE3N?
Comes complete with precision made gimmick and instructional
DVD.
MY COMMENTS:
Sorry, guys, this isn't a true any card at any number. But
that's only for the purists. It certainly appears that way
to the participants. To them, you apparently show one deck
and one card is freely selected from it. There is no force.
The performer can spread the cards face-down and any card
can be taken. Another deck is then removed from the
performers pocket and it says "Thirteen" on it. The cards
are cleanly and fairly counted down to the thirteenth card.
Even the participant can do it. The selected card and the
thirteenth card match. The cards can then be put back into
the box for a nearly instant re-set. There are no angles,
no sleights, no stooges, no preparations, no switches, no
mathematical computations, and no outs. It's pretty-much
self-working. The effect can be repeated and exactly the
same thing happens.
Now, knowledgeable mentalists may carefully read the blurb
above and figure out what's going on. There's one little
phrase that pretty much tips it, but I won't say anything
more. Suffice it to say that you get one deck that's
gimmicked and an instructional DVD that's not too long,
because the method is quite simple to do.
The only element of this that I disliked is that you have
two decks of cards and that first one is marked
"Prediction." I try to stay away from making predictions
and so I carefully peeled off my "Prediction" label and
covered with one that said "Regular" (as in "regular deck").
That's my style, though, and you may not be uncomfortable at
all with it, so this point is minor.
The package includes the gimmick, a deck of cards, and an
instruction DVD. There's also a one-time preparation for
the gimmick. With a dab of glue, it's easy to do, but you
do want to be careful.
Once again, I'm well aware that this miracle is done with
cards, so this won't be everyone's cup of tea. But I like
many of the products that Mark Mason produces, including the
magic ones, and this one is no exception. It's clever and
powerful and recommended, if you're looking for easy version
of this plot.
*********
LUKE JERMAY
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
JMOM Price: $27
Suggested Retail Price: $30
THE BLURB:
Phase 1: START SIMPLE
The performer attempts to read a spectator's mind.
The performer displays a stack of index cards / business
cards / napkins. Each card has an emotionally-charged word
written on it. The cards are mixed. A spectator is asked to
select one of the cards and remember a time they felt that
emotion.
The performer begins to vicariously experience the
emotion... vaguely at first... almost like a psychic
reading... but the performer gets more and more specific and
eventually names the emotion exactly.
Phase 2: BUILD ON IT
The performer attempts to transfer his/her psychic abilities
to a spectator.
One spectator selects an emotion card and thinks about a
time in his/her life when he/she experienced that emotion.
With the performer's help, a second spectator is able to
intuit the emotion the first spectator is thinking of and
name it exactly.
Phase 3: MAKE IT MEANINGFUL
The performer attempts to name specific details from a
spectator's life.
The cards are mixed. A spectator removes one of the emotion
cards. The performer asks the spectator to think of a
specific name and a time period they associate with the
emotion they have chosen.
The performer removes a notepad and pen. One-by-one the
performer writes down the specific details he/she is sensing
from the spectator's life. The performer is specific.
His/her intuitions are committed to writing so there can be
no mistake.
The performer is accurate to a degree that proves shocking
to the spectator. This is an emotionally-CHARGED climax that
can go in many directions. The performer is guaranteed three
hits.
A Framework for Cold Reading
EI provides the performer with three phases and five
guaranteed "hits". The methods Luke teaches are surefire and
can be depended upon in performance. EI does not rely upon
cold reading or guesswork.
That said, EI is ALSO an ideal framework for cold reading.
Within the context of EI, performers can apply cold reading
techniques without fear of failure. The three-phase
structure of the routine and the FIVE GUARANTEED REVEALS
ensure a great performance regardless of the accuracy of the
cold reading.
"I wish I had a routine like EI when I was learning cold
reading." -- Luke Jermay
Manufacturer Says
Features over an HOUR of live performance footage.
Performance venues include:
* The Magic Castle in Hollywood
* The Onyx Theater in Las Vegas
* Psychic Eye Book Shop in Las Vegas, NV
MY COMMENTS:
This is a solid and very strong routine. However,
professional mentalists need to note that there's nothing
groundbreaking here. If you're looking for some of Luke's
cutting-edge, unique thinking, which can be found in books
like 3510 and Building Blocks, you may be disappointed.
Professionals will certainly appreciate this routine, but it
just may not be what's expected. This routine comprises
classic principles put together to make a solid,
entertaining routine. It's sort of a cross between the
Osterlind Design Duplication System, Herb Dewey's reading
system, and Annemann's Fourth Dimensional Telepathy. The
basic principles of each of those are used here along with
another classic one used for the second phase which I can't
mention.
Using emotions is an intriguing and powerful angle. Greg
Arce popularized that idea within the last few years with
his brilliant Emotion-All. This routine, though, doesn't
rely completely on emotions. To clarify the blurb, the
"emotion cards" aren't cards with emotions on them, but
cards that elicit emotions. For instance, money and sex are
not emotions, but when people think of them, they do have an
emotional response to it. I'll also note that a key "SCAM"
idea Luke uses is by Herb Dewey and Luke doesn't credit the
late psychic reader. Finally, the methodology for phase two
may make some mentalists uncomfortable. Sorry, I can't be
more specific. But this phase isn't crucial. One can
always come up with a different phase or eliminate it
entirely.
In any case, if you're somewhat new to mentalism, this is a
great routine to become familiar with. It's versatile in
terms of venues. It can be used for close-up, parlour,
stage, walkaround, etc. On the DVD, Luke explains the
details of this routine. The DVD is not the slickest
production, but you get everything you'd want. There are
demos of each phase of the routine, along with commentary.
There is even a bonus section featuring Luke talking about
the art of cold reading. If you're a novice mentalist still
learning the craft, this has a lot to offer the serious
student. If you're an experienced mentalist, you may not
learn any new techniques, but if the routine interests you,
you'll definitely find it worth it for that.
*********
RACHEL COLOMBINI
WORDS OF WISDOM
JMOM Price: $9
Suggested Retail Price: $10
THE BLURB:
An incredible "Book Test" routine from an original idea by
MAURICE FOGEL. You toss ANY book to the audience and ask a
spectator to open it at ANY page (no force whatsoever). You
then ask him to concentrate on his chosen color and you
reveal the first three words of that page. Can be repeated
over and over again. Easy to do. You will be amazed at the
simplicity of the method. Can be customized to your own
specification. It comes complete with book and the extra
'something'to make the trick work.
MY COMMENTS:
Well, it's very fairly priced. What's not being told in the
blurb is that there are colored bookmarks that are used.
I'm sure that not knowing that makes the blurb seem quite
odd. Why would someone choose a word on a page and then a
color? And the bookmarks being colored really have nothing
to do with anything. You're not predicting the color
choice, nor using the color choice to select a word. Also,
the bookmarks are way too large to be anything BUT
suspicious. The basic idea, sans color, was indeed Maurice
Fogel's and it's a good one. This version seems to be a
magician's version of that idea. Also, the book that's
included is a very thin, seemingly almost a child's version
of, Ben-Hur, which is definitely not a book that I'd think
would be ordinary if someone carried it around. Despite the
fact that it's fairly priced, I really cannot recommend this
to the serious mentalist. If you're looking for a really
good, inexpensive book test, check out WORD IN A MILLION.
NOTE: I'm quite certain this idea is in Richard Mark &
Christopher Woodward's Maurice Fogel book. Unfortunately, I
can't access the book at this time and I'm unable to verify
this.
*********
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