November 3, 2008
Here's what's in this edition of
Jheff's Marketplace of the Mind Newsletter
*** THE WRITE STUFF - Tony Eye
*** WHITESTAR - Jim Critchlow
*** SANKEY'S BEST MENTALISM - Jay Sankey
*** CUT TO THE CHASE - Craig Dickson
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 the website. All of the recent past newsletters are
archived there.
*********
Mindvention 2008 is right around the corner and I hope to
see quite a lot of you there. I'll be leaving in a few days
for it so this will most likely be the last newsletter until
after the big event. For those who don't know what this is,
there are more details below.
From the last newsletter, I got a number of queries about
JE4 and wanting more information. First off, for those who
are worried that I'll sell out at Mindvention, I'd be very
surprised if that happens, but I cannot predict just when,
if at all, that will happen. Also, for those who were
asking, there are a few more details below.
Docc Hilford's The Whispering Buddha and Larry Becker & Lee
Earle's Word Work just crossed my desk. Though they'll be
on my site for ordering later today or tomorrow, I can't
promise I'll have time to write comments on them until after
Mindvention.
Also, due to Mindvention, some orders will have to be
delayed until I return.
Finally, please check out the Journal of the Mind. I can
tell you that I'm working hard on making the last three
issues of this year's subscription truly memorable and they
will be coming out within weeks of each other so that I can
have all six released by year's end. Well, at least, I hope
to do that. There's more information below. Incidentally,
all those who are subscribers to the 2008 Journal of the
Mind will be able to download my lecture notes after
Mindvention. The reason why will be made clear to
subscribers soon enough.
**** IMPORTANT CHANGE FOR INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS
I've had to change the shipping charge policy for
international orders. Since the price increases earlier
this year, I've allowed international customers to make
choices. Unfortunately, this has proved disastrous. For
example, I've had several customers order using the Flat
Rate Envelope Priority Mail option, however the items would
not fit into that envelope. Several orders have been lost
or seriously delayed with the standard air mail option.
So, from now on, international customers will automatically
get the priority mail option. I can certainly accomodate
cheaper shipping methods, but you'll have to e-mail first
before you order and I can tell you what they are so we can
work out the best and most inexpensive way to mail the
stuff. If you think an order can fit into a flat rate
envelope, write to me and I'll let you know if that
option can be used. Just contact me first.
Hopefully, this will work out, but things may change.
**** MONSTER MENTALISM SPECIAL RETURNS!
I have a few sets left of the most talked about DVD set of
the year. So, for a limited time, I'll offer that special
again. You can get an additional 15% off for a total of 25%
off the Suggested Retail Price. This offer will last until
the few that I have on my shelf are sold and then the
discount below will be deactivated again. You can save even
more if you're a subscriber to Journal of the Mind.
To take advantage, use "DOCC" (without the quotes) as the
coupon code. Make sure you see the discount before you
finalize your order or I will NOT be able to refund the
difference.
**** JE4
Yep, it's a new item of mine on the website. It'll be
officially making its debut at Mindvention. What is it?
It's my Fourth Dimensional Telepathy routine that is the
cornerstone of my club act, the one I perform regularly at
the Magic Castle (which, by the way, I'll be booked into the
first week of December). JE4 stands for Jheff's Elegant 4th
Dimensional Telepathy routine. Because I'm still performing
it, I'm limited this to only 100 copies and selling it for
$100 each. And, boy, have I already been taking the heat
from some professionals familiar with my routine who told me
that was way too low. But I already made my decision. And
wait until you see the bonus that I threw in. Anyhow, after
Mindvention, the link with a full description will be up and
running.
**** 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 WORD WORK, Docc Hilford's THE WHISPERING
BUDDHA, Juan Tamariz' VERBAL MAGIC, Wayne Fox's THOUGHT
PROCESS and FULL HOUSE, Aldo Colombini's TRI-COLOR
DIVINATION, Menny Lindenfeld's PSYCHIC CREDIT CARD, three
from Dave Powell (HAUNTED HAND, INVISIBLE CARD PUNCH,
MICROWRITER), 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.
**** MINDVENTION
Don't forget that November 9-11 is the 2008 Mindvention at
the Palace Station in Las Vegas. Luke Jermay, Marc
Spelmann, Docc Hilford, Christopher Taylor, Paul Vigil, Mark
Strivings, Lior Manor, Rick Maue, Paul Draper, and some guy
who uses his first, deliberately-misspelled first name to
impress people. (Yeah, that's me, of course). And Marc
Salem has just been added to the lineup and he'll be doing
a lecture entitled, "Why I Don't Lecture for Mentalists and
Magicians." It's still not to late to make reservations and
join in the fun. If you're interested, here's the link.
http://www.mindvention.com
***** JOURNAL OF THE MIND 2008 SUBSCRIPTION AVAILABLE NOW!
The new issue of Jheff's Journal of the Mind spotlights
BRYN REYNOLDS, a highly regarded part-time pro who's
produced some very fine material. To get this issue, you
need to subscribe to the Journal of the Mind.
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.
Recent additions include:
Alain Nu's WORD WORK, VOLUME 2 - Alain's legendary work on
book tests using an unprepared or borrowed book!
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/Word_Work2.html
Greg Arce's HANDS OF TIME - Three brilliant new effects
from one of the most creative minds in mentalism today.
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/Hands_of_time.html
Bob Cassidy's 21ST CENTURY Q&A - A brilliant Q&A routine
combining classic ideas and principles in mentalism.
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/21st_Century_QA.html
Bob Cassidy's THE MAG-EYE MOVE - Bob's brilliant take on
a classic peek move.
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/Mag_Eye_Move.html
Ron Martin's PALM READER'S NOTEBOOK - The classic is back
and updated with plenty of impressive extras.
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/Palm_Readers_Notebook.html
Dr. Bill's FOURCE - A clever new updating of a classic
force!
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/Fource.html
Kenton Knepper's THE GUIDE - Anyone can hypnotize their
audiences with this new tool from the creator of Wonder
Words!
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/Guide.html
Jerome Finley's THOUGHT CHANNEL - An incredible new version
of a classic effect that uses no gimmicks and appears like
real minding!
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/Thought_Channel.html
Jerome Finley's THOUGHT CHANNEL 2.0
The sequel to one of the most incredible routines to come
out in decades, this manuscript has a no-gimmick version of
pseudo-psychometry that is a must-have for serious
mentalists.
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/Thought_Channel_2.html
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
*********
TONY EYE
THE WRITE STUFF
Suggested Retail Price: $30 (e-book); $45 (printed)
Available at:
http://www.leapinglizardsmagic.com
THE BLURB:
Imagine, constructing a picture with elements randomly and
freely named by members of the audience, allowing them to
change their minds and add addition elements, then revealing
that you had previously drawn a similar or even identical
picture.
Imagine, performing a non-force, real time mental epic
routine with a piece of paper, index card, notepad,
whiteboard, blackboard, or nearly anything that can be
written on, it could even be borrowed.
Imagine, reading minds or predicting names, words, pictures,
nearly anything that can be named up close, or on stage.
Imagine, not needing anything “special” to perform these
feats.
Stop imagining!
Tony Eye’s “The Write Stuff” provides you with the tools to
do this, and more.
Here is what they are saying:
"We'd say it was brilliant but we usually reserve that term
for our own material.
Ah, what the hell ... 'The Write Stuff' *is* brilliant! It's
well a written, nicely photo-illustrated concept that
belongs in every Mentalist's toolbox."
Larry Becker & Lee Earle
“ The Write Stuff is Good Stuff"
John Riggs
“It is a devilishly clever … it is something that is going
to be talked up a lot and will become an instant classic.“
Sebastian Black
MY COMMENTS:
Tony has taken a classic mentalism technique (we'll refer to
it as "DW" and experienced mentalists will know what I'm
referring to) and brought some incredible new thinking to
it. Be warned, this is not a technique that you'll be able
to do five minutes after reading. It will take some
practice. However, the difficulty level will be different
for each person depending on their present skills.
In this 45 page 8.5" x 11" book (available in e-book and
printed formats), Tony discusses how to use this technique
with various mentalists' writing tools. Among the fourteen
sections of this book, one discusses performance ideas, but
the routines aren't really the focus. Professionals should
have no trouble coming up with routines to use this for.
This is not a book of routines, but a book about a technique
and how to apply it. In mentalism, there are only a handful
of really good techniques that mentalists should master.
Contact mind reading and billet work are among those on the
short list. The technique presented here can proudly be
added to that list of skills that will be invaluable to the
working mentalist. It's definitely recommended.
*********
JIM CRITCHLOW
WHITESTAR
JMOM Price: $54
Suggested Retail Price: $60
THE BLURB:
A Perfect Separation of the Living from the Dead
The performer is seated at a table opposite two volunteers.
The performer places a small article in front of each
person, such as an old coin and an old fountain pen (these
are to act as 'markers').
The performer now takes out from his wallet, a small packet
of old photographs which he quickly thumbs through as he
mentions to the volunteers that they may recognize some of
these as they have appeared in books or programs about the
Titanic as they were all passengers on that ill fated liner.
The packet is squared and turning to the first volunteer,
the performer says that he is going to show him/her the
photographs one at a time and if they feel somehow drawn to
some, they should tell him and they will be placed in front
of them and their 'marker'.
The performer shows the photographs, one by one to the
volunteers, who either decides to take one and place it on
the pile forming in front of them or reject it. The rejected
photographs forming a discard pile in the center of the
table.
'Look at this young lady please, what emotions do you think
she is feeling.....'
When all the photographs have been chosen to be kept or
rejected, the performer brings attention to the discard
pile. Thumbing through the photographs the performer starts
talking about specific photos (the person's name etc)
stressing how absolutely any of the photos could have been
retained by the volunteers.
The performer explains that what they have both just done
was part of an experiment. He also explains that he has
found that the best results only occur when nothing is
explained beforehand and that the results are always
different (quite true to a point).
The performer then states that the old coin was taken from
one of the bodies found in the wreckage of the Titanic and
the fountain pen was used by a clerk to write out the list
of all the survivors. The person with the coin is asked to
turn their photographs over and in doing so they see each
photograph has printed on its back, the name of the person,
a few details about them and that they DIED! The spectator
holding the fountain pen turns their photographs over and
sees the similar details but all their photographs have
SURVIVED printed on them! The discarded pile is turned over
and shown that there is a complete mix, in no sequence of
both the DIED and SURVIVED photographs!
After the initial amazement, the spectators may ask how this
was possible to which the performer replies, "As I said, it
was an experiment. The fact is I can't explain it! It seems
to be just another mystery surrounding the Titanic".
At this point, the performer can sit back and relax as the
volunteers spend the next half hour or so looking at all the
photographs and reading the details on the backs. Onlookers
too will want to read the backs and quite often a chat
session about the Titanic takes place.
If you only want to perform one effect in an evening, this
is it. If you want to finish an evening on a high note, this
is it.
Comes complete with 28 high quality professionally produced
cards and a detailed, photo illustrated 21 page book
teaching you the full routine, presentation and tips and
techniques to make this effect a reputation maker.
FEATURES
No Sleight of Hand Required!
The cards are completely ungimmicked, and fully examinable!
Instantly resets to perform again!
The cards REALLY are completely mixed up and shuffled by the
spectators. The performer does not change the order of the
cards AT ALL once the spectator has mixed them, or after the
spectators have chosen the cards they want to keep!
No switched or swapped cards or packets. The spectators
decide if they want to keep the cards or discard them and
that's FINAL. The performer does not need to do any sneaky
switches or adjustments to the cards the spectators have
chosen!
Jim Critchlow goes into great detail about the creation of
White Star, the history and origins of the methods used and
the psychology that can be applied to the effect to not only
surprise and amaze the spectators, but to leave a lasting
psychological impression on them long after the performance.
Additional Routines Included:
White Star Revisited - An alternative handling for the
effect created with the help of Karl Bartoni
Beyond White Star - A version of White Star using a regular
deck of genuinely shuffled playing cards with additional
endings from Karl Bartoni and with a borrowed shuffled deck!
MY COMMENTS:
My first impression when seeing the blurb was, "Here we go
again with another Out of this World variation." But this
one is good. Very good. I've not seen this approach before
and the tie-in to the Titanic (White Star was the name of
the shipping line that ran the Titanic) is really a clever
touch, though admittedly it may not be everyone's cup of
tea. The pictures are quite clever in that they are marked,
and everyone can see their marks, but they only mean
something to the performer (hidden in plain sight!).
I'm sure that this is another one of those effects that when
you read the instructions, you'll think "OK, how can ANYONE
be fooled by this!" But, then, realize that Out of this
World is a killer and this one is just a variation. I
performed this for my students and thought that, for
certain, they wouldn't be impressed. Not only was I wrong,
but they wanted me to do it again immediately! And they've
been asking me to do it again every day since!
The package includes a glossy 21 page instruction manual and
28 photographs which are 3" x 4". If you don't like using
the Titanic theme, you can always adapt it to a theme of
your choosing, although you'll have to gather your own
props. There is a also a method with playing cards. Though
it's still effective, I found that stepping back into the
use of playing cards makes this more mundane, although a
borrowed shuffled pack is not a bad alternative if you want
an impromptu version. Definitely recommended.
*********
JAY SANKEY
SANKEY'S BEST MENTALISM
JMOM Price: $23
Suggested Retail Price: $25
THE BLURB:
An amazing collection featuring 20 of Jay's most startling
and creative mental effects!
Includes 'lost Sankey gems!' Little know, wildly creative,
hard-hitting effects from some of Jay's earliest DVDs!
Over 25 years in the making! All of Jay's BEST mental
routines on one incredible DVD!
Many of these routines require very little sleight-of-hand.
Perfect examples of Jay's own 'mind over muscles' creative
philosophy.
Outstanding value & convenience!
A wonderful VARIETY of mental effects!
Also recommended: SANKEY'S BEST STREET MAGIC, SANKEY'S BEST
COIN MAGIC, SANKEY'S BEST CARD MAGIC, SANKEY'S BEST MAGIC
WITH ORDINARY OBJECTS!
For LESS than the cost of many 1-trick DVDs sold on the
market, you can now own 20 of Jay's BEST mentalist effects!
Startling mental effects with symbol cards, wristwatches,
playing cards, notepads, newspapers, paper bags, colored
paper and more!
1.SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME/ A self-working mind-bender with a
pack of home made symbol cards!
2.PAIN KILLER/ A prediction effect with a shattered watch
and a paper clock face!
3.A VERY GOOD YEAR/ A totally devious effect involving the
date on a borrowed coin!
4.GRAFETTI/ 100% impromptu effect where a spectator's own
name appears on a card!
5.WHAT IF/Jay's been freaking people out with this 2-phase
notepad routine for over 20 years!
6.SIMULTANEOUS/ Super clean 'Do as I Do' handling!
7.TRINITY/ Very commercial effect with the names of two
spectators! Ideal for restaurant and bar work!
8.SIMPLY DIVINE/ Impromptu card prediction effects don't get
cleaner or more direct than this!
9.COLOR BLIND/ A true miracle with a few colored slips of
paper and small envelopes!
10.SOLITARY CONFINEMENT/ One spectator correctly divines
another spectator's 'thought of' card!
11.ON IMPULSE/ This 4-card revelation is a 'Lost Gem' from
the Sankey/Sanders Sessions!
12.MIDNIGHT SPECIAL/ Predict the hour someone was born!
Super sneaky method!
13.SHUFFLE CUT DEAL/ Jay's lethal application of a classic
dealing principal!
14.SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION/ The 'thought of' card literally
goes UP IN FLAMES!
15.X'S & OH MY GOD!/ A simple game ends with a mind-bending
prediction!
16.SPEECHLESS/ Boris lives! Mentalists around the world have
praised the method and theater of this effect!
17.AGAINST ALL ODDS/ 3 cards named at random + 3 perfect
predictions!
18.HIDE,KEEP & GIVE AWAY/ A wonderfully realized
presentation 'meets' a truly practical handling!
19.THIRD EYE/ A deck of cards, a paper bag, and a doll's
eye! Mentalism does not get more commercial (or easier!)
than this!
20.CLASSIFIED/ Jay's professional presentation and handling
for the classic newspaper prediction. Priceless routine for
any pro!
Running Time Approximately 2hr 26min
MY COMMENTS:
Jay puts out so much stuff that I suppose it was inevitable
that he release a Greatest Hits package. Of course, with
Jay, it's not unexpected to see him release a series of
them. This one focuses on his best mentalism effects.
There's not much more to say, really. Personally, I don't
think that this is his best as there are some awesome items
he has on some of his other DVDs, but the selection is
purely subjective. My choices are not necessarily others'
choices. Despite that, the material included is very good.
There's no doubt about that. And there's no doubt that 20
effects for $25 is a very good deal. If you don't have any
Sankey DVDs, this one is a great starting point to be
introduced to his style of performing and mentalism.
*********
CRAIG DICKSON
CUT TO THE CHASE
JMOM Price: n/a, by special order only
Suggested Retail Price: $20
THE BLURB:
The Memorized Deck for the Forgetful
Any card called for is immediately located, in a variety of
fashions. One of the most impressive uses is to immediately
tell the spectator what position in the deck the card is at.
Suiting words to action, the card is counted to at the
number the magician stated it would occupy, and it is
certainly that thought of card. This only scratches the
surface of what can be accomplished.
Name the position of any card called.
Nothing to memorize
Learn in minutes.
Comes with Instructional manual, DVD, and two bicycle gaffed
cards.
MY COMMENTS:
This is basically a utility item for those that might find
this useful. Unfortunately, it's not even remotely a new
idea and keeping what this is secret in the blurb is
unnecessary. However, for me to expose it completely would
also be unethical. So let's just say that the gaffed cards
contain what you need to know to determine the position of
any card in the deck.
My other concern is the deck itself. It uses a well-known
principle usually credited to someone whose real name is
William Coffrin (the initials are "SS")and created around
the turn of the last century. This principle was discussed
in Scarne on Card Tricks and many other sources that discuss
mentalism and cards. Now, certainly it is quite easy to use
this principle to determine the position of cards, but in
the last few decades other similar principles have been
created that make the deck look much more, ah, natural.
Also, certain cards are modified to make it easier to locate
cards.
I know I'm being somewhat vague, but I will respect the
creator's choice to keep hidden from the purchaser what this
really is. To be quite blunt, though the method still
works, it's not new. Nothing about this is new and the fact
that it's not mentioned that an old principle is used to
create this effect is quite misleading as one will assume
this is a brand new principle or technique. Finally, though
this may be fine for a novice mentalist (or a forgetful
one), this is an old idea that most professionals will find
little use for and I'm certain will find to be a
disappointing purchase. So I cannot recommend nor catalog
this.
*********
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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