July 15, 2008
Here's what's in this edition of
Jheff's Marketplace of the Mind Newsletter
*** HEY MR. DJ - Docc Hilford
*** FLOW - Dan Hauss
*** LEADING READING - Luke Jermay
*** PERFECTION - Oz Pearlman
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
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the recent past newsletters are archived there.
*********
The latest question that I've gotten asked is about video
reviews and whether I will do them and add them to the site.
The answer is that I am certainly planning to. But right
now I'm in the middle of moving and I have to get settled
into my new place before I can start doing them. However,
the video reviews will only be for Journal of the Mind
subscribers. If you've not subscribed, see below.
And that brings me to another point. It seems that many are
confused with the two subscriptions. One is free. One is
not. The reviews and this newsletter are free. Journal of
the Mind and Conversations of the Mind are part of the
Journal of the Mind membership (formerly Marketplace
Membership) and are not free. I've even had quite a few
pros ask me when the Journal of the Mind will be launched.
Even the blurb in every issue doesn't seem to clarify
things, so I'm hoping to do that now with this announcement
and you'll see other changes happening soon.
**** CORRECTION FOR GLEMME
Thanks to all those who pointed the, um, embarrassing error
in my comments on Glemme, including Patrick Redford. In the
first paragraph, it should have read, "It's certainly not
self-working, because it takes an experienced performer who
understands tone and confidence, among other techniques."
It has been changed on the catalog page and on the archived
newsletter on the newsletter page. And if you haven't
purchased this book yet, I do recommend it.
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/Glemme.html
**** PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
WORD IN A MILLION
This has been around for awhile, but it's one of the coolest
book tests. There are some limitations, but you can hand
virtually ANY book to someone have them choose ANY word and
then reveal it. If you don't have this, it's cheap enough
that you should take a look at it even if you already have a
good book test.
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/Word_In_A_Million.html
PREDICTIONARY
This versatile new gimmick will actually work with any book
test and any book, not just a dictionary. In fact, it would
go great with WORD IN A MILLION or any other book test. It
allows you to reveal any freely chosen word which has been
circled on a page.
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/Predictionary.html
PSI-WAVE
Rick Maue's masterclass in the art of equivoque focuses on
ESP cards, but one can definitely apply it to other items.
There are very few good texts available on the art of verbal
control, and this is a must-have for those who use this
technique. Which, admittedly, should be every mentalist.
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/Psiwave.html
**** PRODUCT UPDATES
Other new items that will be discussed in upcoming
newsletters and/or added soon to my catalog are Devin
Knight's RANDOM THOUGHTS, 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.
***** JOURNAL OF THE MIND 2008 SUBSCRIPTION AVAILABLE NOW!
For $47 you get a subscription to the 2008 issues of Jheff's
Journal of the Mind, an all-new e-zine for mentalists.
Plus, you get 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
*********
DOCC HILFORD
HEY MR. DJ
JMOM Price: $18
Suggested Retail Price: $20
THE BLURB:
Mentalism You Can Dance To!
Music is a big part of the entertainment at weddings, bar
mitzvahs and graduations. If a mentalist can incorporate the
DJ in his program of mind reading, he's a rare commodity and
worth more money.
Hey Mr DJ is a complete routine that enables the mentalist
to know ANY songs that three different people at the party
think.
The audience creates a list of current song titles without
any input from the mentalist. Three randomly selected
participants THINK of a song title from the list. They don't
write their choices down and their choices are completely
"free." Yet, the mentalist knows the song titles in their
minds!
The greatest feature of this practical routine is that the
final song title is seemingly telepathically projected to
the DJ! Without any kind of prior arrangement, the DJ plays
the song that comes into his mind and IT'S THE SAME SONG AS
THE ONE PICKED BY A SPECTATOR!
This is a finale trick that sends everyone to the dance
floor to continue the party. What's more is that this can be
performed COMPLETELY IMPROMPTU. It can be presented in night
clubs, karaoke bars and people's homes. Where ever there's
music and people you can create a sensation!
Hey Mr. DJ has these important features:
* You're always ready to perform - anywhere, any time.
* No extra gimmicks are needed.
* The spectators don't write anything.
* ANY song titles can be used.
* You don't need to be familiar with any of the chosen
song titles.
* The spectators' choices are "free."
* Spectators can change their selections if they wish.
* No pre-show work AT ALL.
* Nothing is forced on the DJ.
* DJ just looks at the list and chooses.
* The DJ actually believes the song title is projected
into his mind.
* Great for ALL kinds of parties.
* Easy to learn and do.
FREE bonus: The MP3 Pro-tech Routine
Pages 20 - Saddle Stitched
MY COMMENTS:
One issue with dealing with mentalism and music is that if
you ask someone to think of a song, it could be one of
hundreds of thousands. The songs could range from any
genre, any time people, and any culture or language. But
what if you could have someone think of any song and the
performer doesn't need to familiar with any of the songs?
Docc has solved this problem with this powerful three phase
routine. Even though it will seem to the audience that the
emphasis is on the song title and the choice of it, the
performer doesn't need to be familiar with any of the music
selections at all.
The blurb is a little vague on the routine, so let me detail
it a bit more. At an event with a DJ, the performer calls
for an assistant. A marker board is numbered one through
eight and the assistant writes down any songs next to any
position on the board. As each song is freely chosen, the
DJ confirms the song selection is in his tune library.
After the board is filled, the performer shows some slips of
paper that are numbered. They are placed in a stemmed glass
and handed to the assistant.
The assistant now selects ANY slip from the glass and it is
handed to a participant in the audience to hold. This
participant now goes to any other person in the audience (a
second participant) who randomly selects ANY slip from the
glass and holds it in her fist. Finally, the assistant
selects a slip for herself.
The performer then has each participant look at their slips
and reveals the song that was chosen. For the finale, or
the revelation of the tune the assistant has chosen, the
performer shows the DJ the list of remaining tunes and has
the DJ freely choose and play one. The DJ does and it's
revealed that it is the song that the assistant was thinking
of.
Now, if you look at the blurb again, you'll see the points
make more sense. There is no arrangement with anyone,
including the DJ, before the routine. There is no pre-show
work other than to get the materials set-up. And the
materials are things that you can get easily: a pad, a
marker, a stemmed glass, and slips of paper. This routine
will play in any situation where there are people and music.
The music doesn't have to be from a DJ, incidentally, it can
be one person with lots of music on their personal listening
device, such as an iPod.
The one key consideration not mentioned in the blurb is that
you'll need pockets with pocket space. This is because the
performer must have certain things in certain pockets for
some of the movements involved. Docc has very carefully
choreographed this routine. As he states, "the simplicity
of correct blocking can transform an adequate trickster into
a phenomenal performer...Where you place the items in your
pockets as well as where you and your assistant stand, are
imperative details."
One point that should be mentioned is that you can use this
routine for any category, not just music. It's just that
music is quite sensory and that helps make this routine much
effective and memorable. Also, as the blurb says, tends to
be a big part of celebrations and events and this routine
beautifully works with other entertainment to make it
professional. The finale of the routine sends everyone to
the dance floor to have a good time.
Okay, I'll definitely end with the caveat that I'm biased
towards Docc's work. It's a very rare exception when he
comes out with something I don't like or won't recommend.
This 20-page 5.5" x 8" booklet also contains a handling by
Michael W. It should be of no surprise to anyone who
regularly reads my columns that I highly recommend this
routine.
*********
DAN HAUSS
FLOW
JMOM Price: $32
Suggested Retail Price: $35
THE BLURB:
Dan Hauss has discovered a rare piece of strange that
brilliantly abuses the laws of nature-allowing you to
mysteriously and from a distance stop and start the flow of
liquid from an innocent bottle of designer water.
Your spectator actually experiences the entire astonishment
in her own hands! You never touch the bottle-or
water-throughout the entire effect. All can be immediately
examined: the empty bottle, the spectator, you, the water,
the street, everything!
Dan Hauss' Flow uses a completely original crazy new
principle that will leave you gushing with delight!
* Prepare any bottle in under ten seconds
* Works with bottled soda, tea, and most other
beverages.
* No discs or caps used. Nothing to hide, steal or get
rid of.
* Perform Flow completely surrounded.
* Once the effect starts the performer never touches the
bottle, the water or the spectator.
Comes Complete with gimmick and an instructional DVD with
Bonus Effects.
Running Time Approximately 32min
MY COMMENTS:
You may remember that little plastic gimmick that's now
included in many magic sets. It enables you to turn a
bottle over and the liquid doesn't fall out. You can even
stick a toothpick into the mouth. On command, the liquid
falls out. This was the inspiration behind this. Dan Hauss
searched for a modern method that allows the participant to
handle the bottle. And it's a great method.
Considerations for this trick are that you must use a
plastic bottle. It won't work with other types of bottles.
Also, even though it does take "under ten seconds" to
prepare, it cannot be done impromptu. The bottle is
prepared in advance and can't be done while the participants
watch. It's a simple matter to take a bottle, go off
privately somewhere, and do what needs to be done. Finally,
the gimmick is consumable and you will need more if you
perform this regularly. At the time of this writing,
replacements are quite inexpensive and can be obtained
easily through many sources.
As the blurb says, it can be done surrounded and it can all
be done in the participants hands. The DVD contains not
only a presentation, but a teach-in where Dan teaches an
attractive young lady how to prepare the bottle and do the
effect. It's a great format that feels much like being at
an instructional workshop. In the package, you get the DVD
and the gimmick. If PK is a genre of mentalism that you
perform, or this effect interests you, then I certainly
recommend this.
*********
LUKE JERMAY
LEADING READING
JMOM Price: $12
Suggested Retail Price: $13
THE EFFECT:
The perfect companion to Emotional Intelligence. Further
study on cold reading. Learn Luke's "Marked Personality"
routine + 7 stock readings!
The goal of what Luke Jermay calls "Leading Reading" is to
transform a cold reading situation into a hot reading
situation through the secret acquisition of surplus
information mid-routine.
In this booklet Luke outlines his approach to cold reading,
provides a routine that serves as the perfect example of
Leading Reading (A Marked Personality), and provides 7 stock
readings for use on their own or with his Emotional
Intelligence routine (sold separately).
Pages 28 - Saddle Stitched
MY COMMENTS:
This is NOT a booklet about cold reading, despite what the
blurb says. Even Luke makes this point in the book and in
the name, "Leading Reading." This is simply how to take
information already gained -- secretly, of course -- and
using this information to give a brief reading that enhances
an effect. This information is designed for performers who
want to add reading, and not to provide a comprehensive
system of reading all by itself. Within the 28 pages of
this 8.5" by 5.5" book, Luke discusses the basic stock
reading and Forer's Effect and he gives THE SCAM system,
which was Herb Dewey's (though he's not credited). He then
gives you an example using a playing card reading and then
gives you some examples of using each category of THE SCAM.
This is neither comprehensive on the subject, nor is it new.
This booklet was originally a free bonus for those who
pre-ordered Emotional Intelligence and this booklet just
goes into more detail about information presented there.
I'd recommend you get Emotional Intelligence, and if you
like that routine, then get this book if you feel you need
more information. As a stand-alone book, it's not bad as a
primer for readings done by performers and it's priced right
for that. You could do far worse than this. Unless you're
not familiar with Herb Dewey's wonderful THE SCAM system,
experienced readers will probably not find anything useful.
NOTE: For those familiar with the difficulty of reading
3510, let me just note that this book has been edited.
*********
OZ PEARLMAN
PERFECTION
JMOM Price: $18
Suggested Retail Price: $19.95
THE BLURB:
Imagine this: you shuffle a regular deck of cards (no
gaffs!) and your spectator takes about half. She shuffles
her half, and you shuffle yours. You both start to deal
cards face-up. She deals a red 5, you deal a red 5. Could
this be a coincidence? She deals a black king, you deal a
black king... she deals, you deal, and every single one of
her cards matches yours, in perfect order. EACH AND EVERY
CARD. ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE DECK.
Perfection is one of those rare routines where spectators
handle the cards and are in total control. They don't just
witness the impossible, they experience it.
In performance, Perfection has a similar feel to Paul
Curry's legendary "Out of this World"--the audience gets to
make all the decisions, and as each card is dealt the effect
becomes more and more unexplainable. The difference with
Perfection is that the dealing sequence IS the climax so you
get to the reaction sooner and build from there. Modern
audiences are fully engaged and react with spontaneous
laughter and applause.
* Instant reset and instantly repeatable!
* Tons of audience participation!
* Learn one of the easiest and most convincing false
shuffles in existence! This shuffle is easy to do, very
versatile and truly gives the illusion of a deck being
shuffled.
* Uses a regular deck of cards--no gimmicks!
As a SPECIAL BONUS, Oz teaches you how to perform Perfection
with ESP cards. The ESP Match Up routine allows you to
demonstrate your mind reading abilities. It can be done
impromptu--at a moment's notice--by writing ESP symbols on
the back of business cards. This is mentalism that can be
done anywhere, anytime!
Running Time Approximately 51min
MY COMMENTS:
This is a very cool effect that I somehow overlooked when it
first came out. It takes "Out of this World" to a different
level. It's not an improvement, because it's different, but
it has that same power on laymen. It uses a regular deck
cards which needs to be prepared, but it's quite easy to do.
After the effect is over, it does re-set quickly. Or, if
you like, you certainly could use the deck for other
routines. This can also be done with ESP cards and, as the
blurb says, it can be done impromptu using the back of
business cards.
Technically, there are some sleights, but they're not
difficult. One is a false shuffle, which the blurb already
notes. It an easy false shuffle, and a very good one, but
it will take a bit of practice to perform it smoothly. The
other, which hopefully you understand I can't name, is
actually easier to do. If you don't mind doing very strong
demonstrations with playing cards, then this is something
well worth checking out.
*********
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