Richard Mark
DUPLICATE
$41
Suggested Retail Price: $45
THE BLURB:
An easily accomplished design duplication that will convince
others of your mental powers.
Mind to mind communication. Is it possible? Duplicate is a
remarkable tool, a mental illusion that enables you to
immediately acquire the thoughts of your participant. The
thought drawn by them is delivered to the Mentalist without
resorting to impression, pre show, billet switching, mirrors
or electronics. Relying on established principles used in a
unique manner you will be able to demonstrate the transfer
of a drawing from the participants mind to yours. You will
be able to maximize the presentation and stun your audience.
This is visual mental entertainment at its best.
Design duplication methods and presentations are plentiful
so why, you may ask, create another? This device will allow
you to accomplish the task in full view of the audience. It
is a very straightforward method that allows you to
concentrate on the script and make it a truly personal
presentation. Some very light and funny moments are possible
and the method is completely deceptive.
MY COMMENTS:
Richard Mark, the highly-acclaimed author of MIND WARP and
MIND WORK, has released this and this is a great little prop
that enables one to do some very easy drawing duplications.
Everything, except the pens, is included to do this routine
right out of the package.
However, if you're looking for groundbreaking, new
principles from one of mentalism's best creators, you will
be disappointed. In truth, there is nothing orginal in terms
of method or effect (the method is quite old) and it is
stated as such and credited in the instructions. What Mark
has done is provide you with the right materials in order to
accomplish this effect and saved you some valuable time in
searching for them and in desktop publishing.
Oddly, the blurb is vague on the actual effect. So let me
describe it. The performer has a participant remove a sheet
of paper from a folder to draw on. They are then instructed
to replace it back in the folder face down. The performer
then takes the folder, takes a second sheet of paper and
does the same. When the drawings are compared, they match.
This is an effect that can be done for close-up, parlour, or
stage. The paper used for the drawings is 8.5" by 11". It
can be re-set in a minute or so if one wants to repeat the
effect. And, with this effect, you can repeat it because
anything can be drawn. There are no forces, no sleights,
and no memory work. Also, the items are not gimmicked,
though I wouldn't recommended letting your participants play
with the props for longer than the routine dictates.
There are a couple of serious considerations. The first is
the plastic, bright red, two pocket folder as opposed to a
clipboard. This is definitely not a criticism, just a
consideration. If you use clipboards in your act already,
switching to the red plastic folder may not be wise. So it
depends on whether you can fit this into your act and
whether your style suits using this.
The other consideration I see that some may think about is
the price. Some may feel that the price is too high for an
effect which uses nothing new in terms of props or
principles and that the price is too high for items that you
can get for less at an office supply store. I won't
disagree with these points. However, to me, it is quite
worth the convenience of having these ready to go in one
package, and of saving me the time to search through the
office supply stores to find just the right type of
materials.
Besides all the props you'll need to perform this, you get
two pages of double-sided 8.5" by 11" instructions.
This certainly delivers what it promises: a simple,
easy-to-do, powerful drawing duplication suitable for a
parlour or stage act.
An easily accomplished design duplication that will convince
others of your mental powers.
Mind to mind communication. Is it possible? Duplicate is a
remarkable tool, a mental illusion that enables you to
immediately acquire the thoughts of your participant. The
thought drawn by them is delivered to the Mentalist without
resorting to impression, pre show, billet switching, mirrors
or electronics. Relying on established principles used in a
unique manner you will be able to demonstrate the transfer
of a drawing from the participants mind to yours. You will
be able to maximize the presentation and stun your audience.
This is visual mental entertainment at its best.
Design duplication methods and presentations are plentiful
so why, you may ask, create another? This device will allow
you to accomplish the task in full view of the audience. It
is a very straightforward method that allows you to
concentrate on the script and make it a truly personal
presentation. Some very light and funny moments are possible
and the method is completely deceptive.
MY COMMENTS:
Richard Mark, the highly-acclaimed author of MIND WARP and
MIND WORK, has released this and this is a great little prop
that enables one to do some very easy drawing duplications.
Everything, except the pens, is included to do this routine
right out of the package.
However, if you're looking for groundbreaking, new
principles from one of mentalism's best creators, you will
be disappointed. In truth, there is nothing orginal in terms
of method or effect (the method is quite old) and it is
stated as such and credited in the instructions. What Mark
has done is provide you with the right materials in order to
accomplish this effect and saved you some valuable time in
searching for them and in desktop publishing.
Oddly, the blurb is vague on the actual effect. So let me
describe it. The performer has a participant remove a sheet
of paper from a folder to draw on. They are then instructed
to replace it back in the folder face down. The performer
then takes the folder, takes a second sheet of paper and
does the same. When the drawings are compared, they match.
This is an effect that can be done for close-up, parlour, or
stage. The paper used for the drawings is 8.5" by 11". It
can be re-set in a minute or so if one wants to repeat the
effect. And, with this effect, you can repeat it because
anything can be drawn. There are no forces, no sleights,
and no memory work. Also, the items are not gimmicked,
though I wouldn't recommended letting your participants play
with the props for longer than the routine dictates.
There are a couple of serious considerations. The first is
the plastic, bright red, two pocket folder as opposed to a
clipboard. This is definitely not a criticism, just a
consideration. If you use clipboards in your act already,
switching to the red plastic folder may not be wise. So it
depends on whether you can fit this into your act and
whether your style suits using this.
The other consideration I see that some may think about is
the price. Some may feel that the price is too high for an
effect which uses nothing new in terms of props or
principles and that the price is too high for items that you
can get for less at an office supply store. I won't
disagree with these points. However, to me, it is quite
worth the convenience of having these ready to go in one
package, and of saving me the time to search through the
office supply stores to find just the right type of
materials.
Besides all the props you'll need to perform this, you get
two pages of double-sided 8.5" by 11" instructions.
This certainly delivers what it promises: a simple,
easy-to-do, powerful drawing duplication suitable for a
parlour or stage act.
