December 19, 2008

Here's what's in this edition of   
Jheff's Marketplace of the Mind Newsletter

*** THE TABOO TREATISE - Jerome Finley
*** DR. CROW'S URV - Bob Cassidy
*** TECHNIQUE - Matthew Mello
*** UNIVERSAL IMPRESSION - Robert Smith
*** SHAKESPEARE EXPERIMENT COMMENTS UPDATE

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.

*********

Let me begin by saying thank you to all those who came and
saw my act during my week at the Magic Castle.  It's been a
hectic month with lots of stuff coming in, including some
very special items, most of them being part of the Friends
of the Marketplace program.  Also, as I'll remind you below,
because things have been busy and because it's the holidays,
some orders were and/or will be delayed.  Mostly, the orders
affected are the international orders.  They must be hand
delivered to the post office and I can only get there a
couple of times a week.

There's been a bunch of new material from my Friends of the
Marketplace.  Jerome Finlay has graciously asked me to be
the sole reviewer of THE TABOO TREATISE.  This new e-book
features his brilliant, pet material that he is still
performing.  Also, GUERRILLA Q&A has also been released.
Comments on that are coming soon.

Bob Cassidy has a new e-book called Dr. Crow's Unified
Remote Viewing.  It's limited to 100 copies at $50 and is
one of the best I've seen from Bob Cassidy.  I've also added
Sean Waters' PONDERINGS and ODE TO EKMAN. Also forthcoming
to this site is Joshua Quinn's PARALIES and Patrick
Redford's HEPTAGON, not to mention that I still have to
comment on Kenton Knepper's SIGNS OF INFLUENCE.  Some of
this is up on the website already and some of this will be
very soon.

**** JOURNAL OF THE MIND SALE MUST END DECEMBER 23!
Quickly now, other than a love of mentalism, what do Jack
Kent Tillar, Greg Arce, John Riggs, Maurice Fogel, Alain Nu,
Mark Strivings, Stuart Cumberland, Paul Brook, Banachek,
Bryn Reynolds, and Craig Browning all have in common?  If
you guessed that they all have more than three letters in
their first name, then you need to be taken out behind the
shed and dealt with.

Seriously though, if you don't know, then you're obviously
not a subscriber of, or aware of, the Journal of the Mind.
All of the names above have been spotlighted in the first
two volumes of my e-magazine.  Each issue has effects,
essays, and other articles written by and about the featured
mentalist.

I get several e-mails monthly from folks who tell me how
much they appreciate my site and how apologetic they are
because they purchase their products from another source.
They wish there were some other way to support my website.
Well, subscribing to the Journal of the Mind is certainly
one excellent way.

Subscriptions to Journal of the Mind 2009 are now available
and I'm having a bit of a sale.  Right now, for only $39.95,
you can subscribe to the 2009 Journal of the Mind (the first
issue won't be out until February).  And if you've missed
any of the previous two volumes, now is the time to catch
up.  If you haven't gotten any of them, then for only $89.95
(reg. $107) you can get the 2007 and 2008 volumes, plus
subscribe to 2009.  Yeah, I know that's a crazy price, but
'tis the holiday season, as they say.  This sale won't last
long.  More details on the website.

http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/journalofthemind.html

**** HOLIDAY SCHEDULE - DELAYS MAY OCCUR
Due to Thanksgiving, my week at the Castle, and the rest of
the upcoming holiday season, shipments may be delayed a bit.
Also, I will be out for most of the Christmas and New Year's
weeks, but most orders should be shipped no later than the
week of January 5, if they don't go out in a timely manner.

**** JE4
I've been getting quite a lot of compliments about JE4.
Hardly anyone has discussed it on the forums, though.  For
those that don't know, JE4 is my Fourth Dimensional
Telepathy routine that is the cornerstone of my club act,
the one I perform regularly at the Magic Castle.  JE4 stands
for Jheff's Elegant 4th Dimensional Telepathy routine.
Because I'm still performing it, I'm limiting 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.

Here's two more pros who were very excited about JE4:

"Jheff's thinking is direct and to the point. His entire
routine is a lesson on how to apply a classic routine with a
refreshing handling to play to a modern audience. The
manuscript clearly details the specific handling with clear
photographs to aid each phase. The handling is
straightforward allowing you to focus on your routine. The
presentation offered by Jheff is a comical one which most
audiences will relate to! For someone in Jheff's position to
release a manuscript of this calibre you know it's going to
be fantastic. He is well versed in all the classics and
wouldn't release this if he didn't feel he had something
unique to offer. This is the only handling of the routine I
have ever seen which has convinced me to want to try it out
in front of a real audience!"
Colin McLeod
author of "Deceit: The Next Step in Chair Predictions"

"Anneman's '4DT' has been a highly favored staple of
classical mentalism because it is so pure, strong and real
feeling. In Jheff's 'JE4' manuscript we can immediately see
the personal value he's placed upon this routine and how
he's molded and fit the demonstration to suit him and his
style of performance over the years. Learning of Jheff's own
experience, subtleties and touches make this one routine
well worth picking up and comes straight from his current
working act and professional repertoire as performed at The
Magic Castle.

I personally love 4DT and every little nuance, variation in
handling and professional presentation I can find is
devoured and appreciated immediately with 'JE4' being no
exception to this rule! If you love 4DT as much as I do then
Jheff's version and handling of 'JE4' will certainly cause
you to smile and become a welcome addition to your library
and repertoire."
Jerome Finley

http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/je4.html

**** 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.

**** SHAKESPEARE EXPERIMENT UPDATE
After reviewing my comments, and discussing them with Todd
Karr of The Miracle Factory, I realized that I erred in my
description of the choice of words for the book test.  Here
is the updated information:

"The best book tests are ones that operate without a lot of
procedure.  In other words, the participant opens the book
to any page and has a free choice of words.  For The
Shakespeare Experiment, the participants certainly do that,
but they are directed to certain places in the text.  They
must choose the first word of either of the two columns or
the bottom word of either of the two columns. Though you can
certainly direct a participant to select a particular
column, top word, or bottom word, it is not necessary.  It
is a completely free choice.  However, there are two choices
that require the performer to obtain some information in
order to determine which word they are looking at.  In
performance, this will not be noticed by the audience and I
mention it here only for comparison to other book tests."

**** PRODUCT UPDATES
Other new items that will be discussed in upcoming
newsletters and/or added soon to my catalog are Joshua
Quinn's PARALIES, Patrick Redford's HEPTAGON, Kenton
Knepper's SIGNS OF INFLUENCE, Looch's YOUR THOUGHTS ARE MINE
DVD, Tony Eye's POPULAR SELECTION, Aaron DeLong's BELIEVE,
Hondo's INTUITION, Trevor Duffy's MICROPHONE HANDS FREE
BRACE, Chazpro Magic's BLANK MENTAL TELEPATHY CARDS, 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.

***** JOURNAL OF THE MIND
There are two new issues of Journal of the Mind.  Issue #10
spotlights the very controversial and talented CRAIG
BROWNING.  It's a huge issue - more than 50 pages! - and is
just jam-packed with some of the most useful advice you'll
ever need.  Issue #11 features some guy who comments on
mentalism products and spell his name funny.  Yep, it's me.
This issue features my lecture notes from Mindvention 2008
and all the stuff that I didn't have time to pack into that
hour that went really fast.

For $47 you get a subscription to the 2009 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:

The Miracle Factory's THE SHAKESPEARE EXPERIMENT - An
elegant book test using the works of the immortal Bard!
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/shakespeare_experiment.h
tml

Dr. Bill's SUGGESTABILITIES - Three essays and effects
which illustrate some very powerful techniques.
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/suggestabilities.html

Doug Segal's BIG BROTHER'S TAWDRY LITTLE SISTER - A crowd-
pleasing routine in which the performer controls the
audience in a fun game of celebrity elimination.
http://www.marketplaceofthemind.com/big_brother.html

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

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

Have a happy holiday season. Until next time. -- Jheff

*********
JEROME FINLEY
THE TABOO TREATISE
Suggested Retail Price: $1000
Available at:
http://www.sangomahealer.com/performersonly.html

THE BLURB:
The Taboo Treatise is the most current offering from
visionary mentalism artist, Jerome Finley. From the elitist
price tag to the ‘taboo’ nature of its contents, ‘The
Thousand Dollar Ebook’ promises to make magic and mentalism
history.

What it contains:

‘Koran, Koran’
When Jerome used a disclaimer, this was it. As the title
suggests, this routine is Jerome’s take on Al Koran’s
‘Linking Rings’ presentation with multiple hooks and kickers
at the end.

‘The Grandmother Séance’
A self contained Séance that goes the extra mile to create a
Spiritualist flavored miracle for today’s discerning
audiences. This brilliant showpiece is Jerome’s nod to the
true roots of mentalism.

‘The Winter Tarot’
A simple reading with a powerful message and empowering
‘give away’ at the end.

‘Energetic Touches’
This routine is one of Jerome’s signature pieces and his
approach to the classic ‘Invisible Touch/PK Touches’ effect.
Utilizing multiple methods, layers of deception and phases,
any person is caused to FEEL an invisible caress and
energetic sensation multiple times. Hot and cold touches
from close up and across the room, this routine is unique in
that NO PHYSICAL CONTACT IS EVER MADE! It is also completely
impromptu and uses no gaffs, gimmicks or dual reality. Used
by some of the top performers in our field!

‘PIO’
A bold, beautiful and brilliant demonstration of real
Stigmata; based on true events and religious phenomenon! No
gaffs or gimmicks are utilized in this impromptu MIRACLE and
it just doesn’t get stronger or better than this. As with
all the material in this book, use with caution!

‘Q&A Wrap Up’
To be used after your formal Q & A act, this ‘wrap up’
involves the entire audience and gives EVERYONE in
attendance the experience of having a reading created just
for them! The ‘Wrap Up’ can be performed with index cards
and golf pencils or shared completely propless as the cherry
on top of your Q & A performances.

‘Look Ma, No Hands!’
A tough, thought provoking essay regarding propless,
impromptu mentalism and direct mind reading, the criteria
for ‘pure’ effects and a slicing look at contemporary
mentalism.

‘The Meditation’
A guided visualization Jerome incorporates during his
readings, before his séances and ‘Psi-Shows’; used in his
hypnosis programs, PK demonstrations and transformational
training experiences this beautiful and empowering exercise
has a variety of positive uses and effects on a person or
audience.

‘Real Magick’
A cherished favorite! ‘Real Magick’ does not rely on
trickery for its effect but on your connection with another
person; a powerful and beautiful moment to be shared as you
see fit and has the potential to alter a person’s life in a
very strong and dramatic fashion.

‘The Curandero Blessing’
Shared in the spirit of South American shamanism and
traditional healing, ‘The CB’ is used to remove negativity,
stress and spiritual maladies from a person’s mind and body.

‘Psychic Surgery’
No gaffs or gimmicks are used in this demonstration of
‘psychic healing’ and the shamanic extraction of negative
energies. Multiple building phases with a natural ‘distant
touch’ effect built in!

‘The Gift’
A group or solo manifestation exercise to be used in a
variety of situations and venues from close up to stage and
lends something extremely special and memorable to your
program while empowering your audience.

‘Protection Bottle’
How to make a magickal charm for protection to be shared
with your clients and sitters.

‘The Himmelsbrief’
‘A Letter from Heaven’ from the ‘Pow-Wow’
Dutch/Pennsylvanian system and tradition of folk magic;
another potent charm/magical object to create and share with
your clients and sitters with the intentions of protection
and blessing.

‘The Smudging Ritual’
A Native American rite for clearing a person or space of
negative energies and vibrations, purifying the sitter.
Includes a kicker ending from Christian Chelman.

‘A Touching Vision’
The Miracle Worker touches a person causing them to have a
vision of their own future!

‘The Reading’
A propless system for giving natural readings to anyone,
anytime, anywhere. Finally a direct and powerful system you
WILL be able to remember easily and naturally. If you can
talk, you can do this!

Stuart Cumberland’s ‘Power Pendulum Presentation’
An elegant and direct method for answering a participants
THOUGHT OF QUESTION(s) during a reading or other mentalism
demonstration.

‘The Curse’
One of the most powerful (yet simple) demonstrations in the
book and one of Jerome’s personal favorites! This ‘taboo’
bit of business comes straight from the charlatan’s hand bag
of tricks and is used to convince a person beyond all doubts
they are CURSED. Using charms and rites mentioned above, the
mystic is then able to remove the curse through a variety of
methods OR construct a charm to negate its effects.

‘Psychomagia Essay’
Inspired by the work of Alejandro Jordorowsky, Jerome and
Enrique Enriquez explore the concept of ‘Sacred Deceptions’;
illusions meant to disrupt a person’s reality and open their
minds up to psychological healing through magical placebo’s.
A grand lesson in tribal magic is shared via Jerome’s
experience in Africa during the time he spent with the Zulu
healers in Swaziland.

And much, much, MUCH more!

Included in ‘The Taboo Treatise’ is a primer for *Psychic
Mediumship*, Psychomagia ‘healing rites and rituals’,
additional routines, bits of business, séance tips, outlines
and as an added bonus, ‘TTT’ contains PORTIONS of the
legendary ‘Sumerian Mosaic’ material written with mentalist
sensation Paolo Cavalli!

MY COMMENTS:
Jerome Finley has done something that many might consider
insane.  He's released his brilliant, original pet material
from his current working repertoire that nets him some very
handsome, corporate-performer-type fees.  Regardless of
whether one feels the material is good or not, the fact that
Jerome uses it speaks for itself.  It's tested, worked, and
polished material designed for the serious and advanced
student of mentalism.  The only important questions then are
whether you wish to invest in this material and whether the
material is right for you, because, frankly, Jerome's unique
style is not everyone's cup of tea.  And, make no mistake,
this 8.5" x 11", 200-plus page book is an investment.
 
For the record, regarding Jerome Finley's other published
works, I consider Thought Channel and Thought Channel V.2 to
be modern classics.  Random Acts of Kindness and Thought
Dial are important works, too, and well-worth purchasing.
With this work, Jerome has stepped up the quality of his
material (if that's possible) and is presenting his most
cherished routines and thoughts.  They build on previous
works and follow the same themes as material he's previously
released, specifically Random Acts of Kindness.

To know whether this material is for you is to understand
Jerome Finley's work and the direction he's going in
mentalism.  That direction, for those unfamiliar with it, is
taking mentalism into the realm of reality.  In other words,
the techniques rely quite a bit on actual psychological
ploys, rather than gimmicks and magicky principles (although
Jerome certainly includes his fair share of routines using
classic mentalism principles).  Taking this further, one can
say that the material presented here is powerful mojo.

And most of the performance material in here is not easy to
perform and is intended for the serious student of
mentalism.  It's not push-button performing, though
technically that doesn't exist.  The difficulty I'm
referring to is not with sleights, of which there really
aren't any.  I'm referring to the necessity of being quite
experienced with audience management and comfortable pulling
off certain techniques in order to be truly effective with
this material.  Another reason this is for the serious
student of mentalism is that Jerome references many works
and techniques that aren't explained and is assumed the
reader will know.

The book contains over three dozen pieces.  Some of these
are fully fleshed routines, some are essays, and some are
ideas and thoughts which are just a page or two long.  There
are some routines I found to be stunning, such as "Fra-me"
and "The 3-4-5 Opener" which he uses together to open his
set.  The first brilliantly sets the mood and direction of
Jerome's work and the latter is a beautiful word experiment
in which participants merely think of a word three times and
the performer reveals the words each time.  There are no
gimmicks and nothing is written down.  And then there are
some pieces in this book that I found to be solid ideas, but
not nearly as strong or unique as other material in the
book.  For example, "The Grandmother Seance" is a collection
of ideas for putting together a seance.  It's solid
thinking, but most of the ideas are ones I'd seen elsewhere
in other routines of this nature.

And though all of this material is quite good, what really
sends this book into the stratosphere for mentalists is
Jerome's focus on the exploration of concepts known as
"psychomagia" and "sacred deceptions."  As explained in the
blurb, these are "illusions meant to disrupt a person’s
reality and open their minds up to psychological healing
through magical placebos."  These are dangerous and powerful
concepts which rely mostly on psychology and beliefs.  It is
also the material and concepts that I anxiously want to
study more and to include into my act at some point.  This
is specifically addressed in the last half of the book,
although all of the material touches on these themes in some
way.

I know that many may want me to conclude by providing my
assessment about whether it's worth it for the working
mentalist.  I can't.  This book will have a different value
for each person.  Just like with any anthology book or DVD,
the routines and ideas that I find intriguing may not be
ones that you like and you just may find more in this book
that you will use than I did.  I can say that if you're just
buying this out of sheer curiousity, you're not a busy
working professional, and/or your performance style doesn't
suit this type of material, then I can guarantee that you'll
find this book to be overpriced and overvalued.  Its true
value will only be assessed by those who actually understand
the material and will use it.  I know that I will use some
of this material, and that I think highly of it.  So I can't
tell you that this book will be worth it to you, because it
may not be.  All I can say is that this material is most
certainly worth it for my needs and purposes and thus is
highly recommended.                       

*********
BOB CASSIDY
DOCTOR CROW'S URV, OR A FLY ON THE WALL
Suggested Retail Price: $50
Available at:
http://www.sangomahealer.com/performersonly.html

THE BLURB:
This exclusive release by Bob Cassidy will be available for
a limited time from this web site only. To preserve the
exclusive nature of this unique remote viewing routine only
one hundred copies will be sold.

URV is a remote viewing presentation involving complete
audience participation. In a series of tests replicating
actual remote viewing experiments the audience is able,
under what appear to be strictly controlled conditions, to
perform amazing accurate remote viewings of hidden target
photographs.

Such effects are rare in mentalism and have an extremely
powerful impact. They not only provide a unique experience
for any intelligent audience but serve to greatly enhance
the mentalist's credibility.

Two versions of the routine are described.One is designed
for use with a single participant and may be performed
anywhere. The second is designed for presentation in a
platform, banquet hall, seminar or corporate setting.

The special photographs used in the effects are included in
the manuscript. Once the underlying principles are mastered,
however, any set of appropriate photographs may be used.

URV is one of the most powerful and memorable pieces of
mentalism you will ever present. Since its release is
limited, it is particularly well suited for professional
psychic entertainers.

MY COMMENTS:
URV stands for Unified Remote Viewing and this is certainly
one of the best of Bob's recent works.  Besides being a very
strong routine, the main reason is because this is a remote
viewing routine that involves the entire audience, which is
an invaluable element of a mentalist's act.

Ten photographs are involved.  In the first phase, one
person (or an entire audience) attempts to guess the
identity of one picture.  There's no moves or gimmicks in
this at all.  It is simply what it is and it's all done with
psychology and presentation.  Bob includes a version of this
phase that could be done as one-on-one, or close-up, but
it's a few sentences long and feels more like a throwaway
idea.  It's not nearly as good as the version for larger
groups, which I feel is the main routine.

The second phase involves ten photographs and ten
business-sized cards.  The cards are numbered to correspond
to the ten pictures which are also numbered.  One card is
randomly selected and placed in a small pay envelope which
is put on display.  The audience is asked to concentrate and
start to receive impressions.  The performer shows all ten
photographs and the audience selects the one that best
matches their impressions.  When the business card is
removed from the pay envelope, it is shown to match the
photograph.  It's important to note that the choice of
business card is absolutely free and that the cards and
photographs can be completely examined.

Here are a few additional points.  Even though Bob supplies
the pictures he uses, you can certainly customize it with
your own pictures.  For those familiar with the many remote
viewing presentations and handling that Bob has released
over the past decade or so (including the one in The Artful
Mentalism of Bob Cassidy), this one is totally different and
arguably the best of them all.  Or, perhaps, I should say
the best so far.  Incidentally, many of those earlier
releases featured a diary and this one does not.  It's just
pictures and envelopes.

Doctor Crow's URV is a 24-page e-book.  The first thirteen
pages describe the two phases of the routine.  The final
eleven pages contain the full-size pictures for use.  The
pictures are sized to fit on postcards as that is what Bob
uses.  He also uses a display for the envelope which he made
out of a CD or DVD spindle that you get when you buy a
package of 100 blank CDs/DVDs.  This is quite easy to make
if you choose to.  Finally, and this should be obvious,
you'll have to create your own postcards and business-sized
cards.  With desktop publishing though, it's not hard at
all.

This is certainly a solid and winning effect from one of the
most brilliant innovators and creators in mentalism.  I'm
already hearing from some big name performers who are
already working it into their act.  Remember, this is a
limited edition of 100, so I wouldn't think long about
getting this.

*********
MATTHEW MELLO
TECHNIQUE
JMOM Price: $23
Suggested Retail Price: $24.95

THE BLURB:
I want you to imagine that we are at a coffee shop having a
conversation. I ask you to move to the other side of the
room and write down any 2 or 3 digit number while I look
away. I tell you to hold the paper close so no one can see.
After a moment of concentration I am able to tell you with
100% accuracy what number you are thinking of.

Now, imagine if I told you it was completely impromptu. A
way to reveal a spectator's thoughts without peeks, center
tears, impression devices, stooges, or any sort of
linguistic deception. Take every overused method and forget
them…this isn't it.

Based on a nearly lost concept, this technique was redefined
and simplified by Matthew. Similar ideas have cropped up in
the past by such names as Karl Fulves, Al Mann, and even
Tony Corinda. But, what you're getting here is Matthew's
easy to use streamlined version.

Using this technique, YOU NEVER SEE WHAT THE SPECTATOR
WRITES DOWN. You're about to discover a practical method for
the most realistic, jaw dropping mind reading you can
perform.

Other applications of the Technique principal:
Impromptu drawing duplication of simple shapes
Numerical values of thought of playing cards
Realistic demonstration of the standard scientific ESP test
Key points to consider

You never see what the spectator writes.
It is one of the easiest versions of it's kind .
The principle has multiple applications.
Bonus Effect included on the DVD

"Technique has been one of my secret tools. Now it's not so
secret. I must say that I am genuinely upset that Matt let
this go."

Running Time Approximately 46min

MY COMMENTS:
This is an extremely powerful technique or skill that every
mentalist should know.  As far as I know, there's no source
that really discusses this skill, so this DVD is a great
addition to a mentalist's arsenal.  That is, unless you
already know this.

That said, let's focus on "Based on a nearly lost concept"
that's mentioned in the blurb. The technique or skill taught
on this DVD is not new, even though it's only hinted at in
Corinda's Thirteen Steps of Mentalism.  (For those who have
this book, it's in the second paragraph of Part One in Step
Two)  And it would have been nice had Matthew noted that
when he talked about it on the DVD, instead of having it be
merely a credit at the end.  Still, as mentioned above, I
don't know any other source that discusses this particular
skill in detail as this does, so this is a minor critique.

Matthew claims that what is really new here is his way of
ensuring that you are able to perform this effectively.
It's not new, though.  Additionally, there is an out
explained which will make most mentalists cringe.  This
technique does not work 100%, though it certainly hits a
large majority of the time.  The out that is suggested when
it doesn't hit involves a deck of cards and a very old ploy.
Using the old ploy is quite appropriate, but the use of
playing cards is unnecessary.  I am certain that most
mentalists will be able to come up with alternatives that
are so much better.

Finally, Matthew includes his CT technique.  I'm not an
expert on all of the ones out there, but this one certainly
seems valid.  It's more of a bonus anyway, so I'm not going
to complain about its appearance on the DVD.  In function,
but not handling, it's very much like Richard Osterlind's
Surrounded Slow-Motion Center Tear.

Matthew gives me the impression that he is a street magician
dabbling in mentalism.  This observation is not intended to
be a critique, just a statement.  It's intended to explain
the type of thinking that is presented here.  To me, this is
mentalism as presented by a street magician.  But, let me be
clear about this, the technique taught is absolutely
invaluable to the working mentalist.  I'd recommend, though,
that everything else on this recommended DVD besides the
technique be studied with superficial interest.

*********
ROBERT SMITH
UNIVERSAL IMPRESSION
JMOM Price: $45
Suggested Retail Price: $49.95

THE BLURB:
For centuries magicians have sought after tools and effects
that promise to make them appear telepathic. Robert Smith,
creator of Wounded, has designed the most useful tool to
that end.

Flawless in its design, Universal Impression utilizes the
best in modern, low tech, impression material and is
remarkably easy to use. Unlike similar products on the
market, Universal Impression never needs to worry about
messy liquids, smudges or smears, fallible electronics or
accidental erasing of impression. Your audience will be
completely astounded by your ability to read their minds and
convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt of your authenticity.
Limitless in its versatility, Universal Impression can be
used with a card box, a wallet, books, a pack of cigarettes,
or any number of other common items present during impromptu
performances. There are many gimmicks on the market but this
is the first designed for various close-up magic situations.
Universal Impression allows you to perform the strongest and
cleanest mind reading effects imaginable. Simply put, if you
were given the opportunity to perform just one effect this
is it.

Extremely easy
Can be performed in low-light venues
Perfect for strolling, close-up, street & stage
Comes with DVD full of performance ideas and tips from
creator Robert Smith

Running Time Approximately 57min

MY COMMENTS:
There is absolutely nothing new here in terms of ideas or
principles. From the blurb, one can get the impression that
this is better than what's available.  I'm not so sure about
that.  However, this device is extremely functional and
performs exactly as promised.  In fact, this is very similar
to methods employed by clipboards.  This impression device
is just smaller. Oh, I could also gripe about Robert Smith's
annoying David Blaine-wannabee street-magic performance
style, but I'll overlook that and focus on the product at
hand.

The blurb is wildly inaccurate in stating that this is the
first on the market designed for "various close-up magic
situations."  ("magic"?!? This IS mentalism!) There are many
impression devices designed for close-up.  Richard
Osterlind's IMP PAD, for one. I think what's meant is that
there's no gimmick similar to this that's designed for
close-up.  That may be correct.  Most of the gimmicks that
use similar technology are larger.

And that brings us to another key point.  The gimmick is
quite small which means its ideal to be hidden in small
items such as a stack of business cards, slips of paper, a
card case, etc and ideal for one-on-one or small group
performances.  On the other hand, due to its small size, it
is not as easily suited to larger audiences or venues.  Or,
more precisely, there are better devices suited to those
audiences or venues.

The DVD opens with the construction of the gimmick.  Since
the name of this item is the "Universal Impression," I think
it won't be giving too much away that there's an impression
gimmick.  You do get the gimmick already constructed, but
you also get some key materials so that you can construct it
yourself. The dry-erase pens can be easily found in office
supply stores (at least, here in the states).  Fortunately,
that's all in the beginning of the DVD because the rest of
the DVD contains performance ideas and routines.  Most of
them are quite sophomoric or trite.  I highly doubt
experienced performers will use any of them and novice
performers can do so much better.  I recommend buying the
gimmick and learning how to create and maintain it, but come
up with your own ideas and handlings.

*********
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.

This e-mail is copyrighted by Jheff Poncher.  No part of
this newsletter may be reprinted or distributed without the
express permission of the author.

You received this e-mail because you have subscribed.  If
you wish to unsubscribe, then send me an e-mail at
Jheffsmind@aol.com and it will be done.