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Showing posts with label mind reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mind reading. Show all posts
11. Question & Answer (Readings)
"Millions of dollars and pounds have been made by people who have acquired the knack of telling others what they want to know."
-Tony Corinda, 13 Steps to Mentalism, Introduction to Step 11
- Bauta - Betraying the face of Illusion (Scott Grossberg)
Book and 2CD set...
"In this book, Scott delivers some tools that will dramatically and successfully change your Tarot readings, palm readings, personality analyses, and mentalism performances, in general. Scott uses some of these same techniques in his "Thinking Magically" seminars because the concepts you will be learning go far beyond the confines of a mere performance.
These tools have been used in corporate boardrooms, university classrooms, on cruise ships, and around the world. They are also written about in his book "The Mask of Tarot" which is being released for the new age public. This can help give YOU as a reader/performer as much credibility as possible. The principles presented here are new for the Tarot community and you can instantly refer the curious to popular booksellers, like Amazon, and, in so doing, your clients can learn just a little more about your cutting-edge skills, but not, of course, the secrets found behind THIS mask.
CD 1 discusses memory queues to make the learning of this sophisticated material easier. There is discussion of the background of the Hiding Places system. Scott begins by setting up some mutual outcomes for the cds and where you will go throughout them. There is much more expansion of ideas only touched on in the text and includes a mini Tarot workshop which teaches exactly how Scott uses this system. Scott also explores how the technique can be used with palmistry, personality profiles, ESP symbols and much more! Scott goes into detail on the "alchemy of human needs" from the book and discusses using these systems in group readings settings.
CD 2 goes deeper into the actual process of doing a reading and has several demo readings. You will learn about using the techniques in group readings, small sessions, corporate lectures and more. Scott touches on using an Internal Tarot system, doing readings without using a real deck. This recording goes into detailed discussion and exploration of the sample readings from the book. Palm Reading is discussed as it relates to the Hiding Places system. Scott talks about his Pocket Palm Reader TM , the artwork for which is provided as a free bonus with this book. For those who prefer to do things other than Palms, Tarot or the like, Scott offers a system of ESP Symbol Readings that also flows seamlessly into the rest of the Bauta concept...
- Wonder Readings - Kenton Knepper
The Classic Wonder Readings Course and System hailed by professionals worldwide, is at last on Compact Disc. Honest, direct, with readings from psychological to psychic, for the psychic, mentalist or magician, this one blows all other systems off the map. With experts in NLP, symbolism and The Mysteries, this system covers it ALL! Available HERE
- Completely Cold - Kenton Knepper
The classic reference for making cold readers in under 24 hours just got pushed to the next level! On two CDs you will get all the inside work so you can begin to do readings virtually overnight. NO memorizing. NO props. Get this material in your head and be ready to go to work as a reader tomorrow.
This new version contains the entire original material as an audio book, plus an application for use with a mental card forcing equivoque, Kenton's answer to those afraid to doing readings and more. Then a second CD teaches you by example as you listen to "Cold" in action in real life readings situations. It's the missing piece everyone has been waiting to have - here at last.
- Emotional Intelligence - Luke Jermay
Described as being the perfect practice ground (framework) for cold reading. This is a 3-phase routine with 100% hits at the 3 climax points, but with ample opportunity to embellish upon with cold reading techniques.
Read more HERE.
6. Billets
"All this involves hard work, considerable practice, a lot of confidence in your own ability and nerve." -Tony Corinda, 13 Steps to Mentalism, Introduction to Step 6
In the spirit of non-exposure and the purpose of this site, I will assume that you know what a billet is, and I will continue to call it this. I list here various published sources for works on billets - books and DVD's. Along with this, The Centre Tear and related techniques will also fall under this chapter.
13 Steps to Mentalism and Annemann's Practical Mental Effects both have chapters on billets and the switching of billets, but they're both pretty short and not very inspiring. Some of the great routines with billets are included in these books, but personally I've never felt motivated to really learn these routines. Maybe because they're not packaged and presented in sexy MTV editing, magic shop newsletters and demo videos with quasi rock-'n-roll backtracks. But, we all always hear and read that these routines have always been the back-bone, the foundation of real mentalism. I guess (most of us coming from magic and card tricks) we feel that a 'simple' switch of papers cannot really have the impact that they all talk about. I mean, these techniques are so old...
A spectator is asked to think of any geometric shape, ESP symbol or number.You display a stack of post-it notes and proceed to draw a circle on the face.The note pad is handed to the spectator and they are instructed to take the pen and draw the shape or number they are thinking of in the circle while you look away.The pad is then passed to a second spectator who is instructed to remove the drawing from the pad, fold it up tightly and put it in their pocket. Now, according to what the presentational angle is, you are able divine with 100% accuracy whatever has been written. Very smooth... get it here
To start of and really get to grips with billets and their applications, I feel this is the ultimate work to study. For $20-00 you get a 118 page book, with 189 pages of supplements (at the time of writing...). In the SwitchCraft manuscript itself, Mr Bresler describes 13 different techniques for switching and reading billets - ALL of which are described in meticulous detail with photos at every point, making learning these techniques especially easy to study. This is then followed by a barrage of routines and presentational ideas.
The main book (without all the supplements) do not contain many tricks or routines, rather applications for these techniques (and where you can find these routines). Although, the tricks described in the main book are all just as meticulously explained as the switching techniques themselves. One of the best applications is for Annemann's classic "A Question and the Answer", where Mr Bresler takes us down different paths to accomplish this effect. Along with this, there are applications for the switches as 'Outs' or Forces. Also a whole range of direct mind reading applications, close-up. Mr Bresler also describes a aroutine he calls Epic X - a close-up triple-prediction effect, with variations. At the end of the book, he goes over some ideas for Pocket Writing as well, and finishes the book with a list of books and sources for the billet student.
I have to repeat, this book is very well researched, with references almost on every page. Every effect and technique is explained in complete detail. There are even tips on Dual Reality uses and Equivoque. The book would have been great on its own, but then Mr Bresler also included MANY updates and 'Supplements' to the original, and this make it shine even brighter.
The Supplements I received started with what he calls 'The Billet Machine' - billet techniques for mass mind reading. This spans a good 30 pages, just as meticulously explained.
The main book (without all the supplements) do not contain many tricks or routines, rather applications for these techniques (and where you can find these routines). Although, the tricks described in the main book are all just as meticulously explained as the switching techniques themselves. One of the best applications is for Annemann's classic "A Question and the Answer", where Mr Bresler takes us down different paths to accomplish this effect. Along with this, there are applications for the switches as 'Outs' or Forces. Also a whole range of direct mind reading applications, close-up. Mr Bresler also describes a aroutine he calls Epic X - a close-up triple-prediction effect, with variations. At the end of the book, he goes over some ideas for Pocket Writing as well, and finishes the book with a list of books and sources for the billet student.
I have to repeat, this book is very well researched, with references almost on every page. Every effect and technique is explained in complete detail. There are even tips on Dual Reality uses and Equivoque. The book would have been great on its own, but then Mr Bresler also included MANY updates and 'Supplements' to the original, and this make it shine even brighter.
The Supplements I received started with what he calls 'The Billet Machine' - billet techniques for mass mind reading. This spans a good 30 pages, just as meticulously explained.
This is followed by 'Billet Proof', a 43 pages treatment on what is known as the 'Annemann Switch', with routines and variations on this technique. This supplement also includes a billet routine by Jeff Anderson - the Pusillanimous Billet Read.
After this, a supplement called 'Silver Billet', explaing Bresler's take on a combination of two effects; A nod to Pocket Watch from Simple and Direct, by Looch, and Bob Cassidy's Pocket Watch Premonition. Also, he describes a handling of another Q&A routine inspired by Milbourne Christopher.
The next supplement is called 'Back from the Dead', a collection of billet reading techniques.
Then, 'Stack Master', a reading method 'from a stack' (you'll have to buy it to find out what this means...), inspired by the works of Marc Paul - plus variations and applications.
'CT's Switch' follows, CT being Christopher Taylor. This is a beautifully deceptive switch, described by both photographs AND video.
'Q4U2' is a write-up of the billet technique and a routine of Roei Zaltsman, one of the mentalists who competed on Phenomenon.
'The Zombie Chicken Read', the final supplement included in my package, is another read handling ("for chickens").
SwitchCraft is one of the best buys I have ever made, and it really suits to demystify billets and their applications. It is also WAY too cheap - $20.00
SwitchCraft is available here.
_____________________
- Stuart Cumberland also has a very comprehensive discussion and a CLEAR explanation on billet switching in his treatise on the Annemann One Man Psychic and Mental Act.
- Another wonderful, albeit more expensive opus on billets, is Stuart Cumberland's package, King of the Billets. Be sure to check it out.
_____________________
This is a 4-volume DVD set by Allen Zingg on seemingly everything related to billets and their use.
Volume 2 - Switchwork Penguin MagicProShop
Volume 3 - Jazz Dancing Penguin MagicProShop
Volume 4 - Q&A with Billets Penguin MagicProShop
You can see the demo video here.
2. Pencil-, Lip-, Sound-, Muscle Reading
This is really one of the fields that seem to be the least explored in the entire field. Maybe it is a little foreign, somewhat exotic, for modern mentalist pallets. But know this, especially for muscle-reading (contact reading), this is almost as close to the real thing as we'll ever get...
One of the classic texts on this has always been CONTACT MIND READING EXPANDED - appearing in 1945. This has now been republished by Trickshop.com as a downloadable eBook. This book takes the reader through all he/she needs to know about this obscure art form. From Chapter 1:
Probably because successful performance is entirely dependant on extremely
subtle principles, the general run of magicians seem to make no attempt to
incorporate it their repertoires. Yet it is not nearly as difficult as it
seems...contact mindreading is an extremely fruitful endeavor magically.
This completely re-typeset version of the book is supremely readable, and the information still perfectly relevant (we have evolved only 60 years since this version of the book was published...). It includes very simple tests that can be used right away and goes right up until full performance suggestions - routines and ideas still used by the top guys today (just think of Derren Brown's presentation in Venice in Trick of Mind series 3, or Criss Angel winning the Dodge Viper in Mindfreak series 1). This is a very intriguing skill to have, and for the performer even more so - you're actually doing what you say you are!
Buy this book HERE
1. Swami Gimmick
- Shh... The Sneaky Handwriting Handbook Vol.1 (2 DVD Set)
2 DVD's of anything you can think of regarding the use of Nail Writers. For instance:
-
Make a spectator think they have ESP!
-
Getting started and ditching your "NW"
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Practice tips to get you up to speed quickly.
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What to do when someone says "SHOW ME FIRST"
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How to personalize for maximum effect
-
The invisible display
-
What to write on
-
Special Wallet and Envelope work
-
How to generate more gigs with "Shh..."
- Swami Teach-In DVD (Hosted by Lee Earle)
Six routines from six masters, plus instructions on how to make one's own swami gimmick. Contents include :
- Money in your pocket - Ted Lesley
- Kidz Kardz - Denny Laub
- Veg-a-Mental - Marc Salem
- Blow Out the Candles - Pierre Barry
- Domestic Deception - Ken Grady
- Boris and Natasha - Terry Parett
- Construction Instructions - Lee Earle
Annemann 2005
Today the audiences seem to "go for" the mental type of trickery more than ever. It is more of a "grown up" phase of magic and mystery and there seems to be a greater element of wonder when one can reveal unknown knowledge or something personal about his audience – from the 1935 introduction to ANNEMANN'S COMPLETE ONE MAN MENTAL AND PSYCHIC ROUTINE by Theodore AnnemannPublished 73 years ago, those words are still just as fitting today as they were then. In fact, I suspect they will always be true. Annemann did and published a lot of magic in his lifetime, but today he is best known as almost the “father” of modern mentalism – at least as far as easily obtainable, great mentalism is concerned.
The original pamphlet was only 26 pages and was (and still is!) published as a complete act, running at about 30 minutes. One of the first “packs small, plays big” acts, with the only external things used by the mentalist on stage being two slates (done away with by Cumberland).
In all of Annemann’s writing it is clear that he did not much care for complicated methods and involved storylines, and this act is no different. To modern mentalists, used to Luke Jermay, Derren Brown and the like, the methods are very simple and almost mundane. Maybe this is the reason that this booklet is overlooked by almost everyone as a performable act.
Enter Stuart Cumberland.
ANNEMANN'S COMPLETE ONE MAN MENTAL AND PSYCHIC ROUTINE—2005
What Cumberland brings to the table is experience. After one read through his book you immediately realize all the details Annemann left out. Details that only experience can teach you. Annemann opened the doors, but only gave us brief flashes of what lies inside those rooms. Cumberland flipped the trip-switch, installed brand new xenon light bulbs and takes us for a guided tour through the act, exactly as performed by him today for very high-paying audiences.
Cumberland’s book is a healthy 72 pages, and includes the original text by Annemann. Throughout the book, the original is printed in bold, followed by the comments and tips by Cumberland in normal text.
THE BOOK
The book starts with a chapter where Annemann lays out the prerequisites for the act. This is followed by Cumberland outlining his props and why he uses certain items and why others are less practical for him.
The next chapter details the billet switching used in the act. While Annemann gave adequate details to master the moves (including a caveat for people suffering from magicians finger – you know, the little finger pointing straight out while displaying something in the hand…), Cumberland also gives detailed explanations with photos. Plus a wealth of other tips on handling the billets. Pre-folding, what paper to use, everything. Plus a lot of tips on psychology and misdirection. This chapter really inspires you to practice and practice and practice. Before this, I have never really understood what the power of switching “two pieces of paper” could have. I understand it now. Thank you Stuart.
The next chapter is the opener of the act. Magic vs Mindreading.
This is a piece with two packs of cards – instead of someone picking a card, the cards are fanned out in front of a spectator for him to think of one. After a quick shuffle, the card is spelt to…and it’s there. What’s more, the other pack in the spectator’s pocket has the thought-of card in the exact same position! A great effect. Cumberland gives his entire script plus the psychology behind everything.
The Telephone Drama and The Dead Name Test.
A great routine that really establishes the performer as a mind reader. A telephone number, followed by two names. This is a knock-out effect. Again, Cumberland explains timing and psychology only obtainable by doing this many many times.
The New Nile Divination.
This effect involves a whole group, with one person silently writing down a number in the corner of the room. Five or six people each think of a number. When these are added up, they total to the number previously written down by the first spectator. Cumberland also gives an alternate routine to use at this point. He then takes time to explain the thought-processes of the audience at this time, and goes into why and what he uses at this time to build some suspence – setting up the next affect as a self-imposed challenge, using a telephone book…
Book Mentalism
This is essentially a book test using a borrowed book. The performer divines a random name on a random page in a random telephone directory. Cumberland expands a lot on the original text, with a lot of information given to really blow up the drama.
This is essentially a book test using a borrowed book. The performer divines a random name on a random page in a random telephone directory. Cumberland expands a lot on the original text, with a lot of information given to really blow up the drama.
Telepathy Plus
This is a great routine. Using nothing but 3 billets, the performer divines a name, a number, and finishes with a dramatic drawing duplication. All the billets are handed back to the helpers, with the paper in their hands before the thoughts are divined… This is the routine that uses the billet switching methods described in the first chapter, with all the extra tips starting to make practical sense.
This is a great routine. Using nothing but 3 billets, the performer divines a name, a number, and finishes with a dramatic drawing duplication. All the billets are handed back to the helpers, with the paper in their hands before the thoughts are divined… This is the routine that uses the billet switching methods described in the first chapter, with all the extra tips starting to make practical sense.
BONUS: Q&A
To lengthen the act, Cumberland describes a Q&A act and where to put it in the act. This will take the act up to around 45-50 minutes, perfect for corporate presentations.
BONUS
This section, also not from the original, is a section on general tips for the act and performance in general. These include topics like Timing, Performing at House Parties, Appearance, Performing for Teenagers and Students etc. This is some great advice from an experienced professional, things that can turn you from an irritating guy frowning in front of an audience, to someone really entertaining a large group of people. Except, with his advice, you cut out a few years of trial and error.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Personally, what I liked about this book is Cumberland’s descriptions of the psychology behind the effects. When one truly understands this, it is easy to slot one out and substitute it for another routine from another source. You can really play Lego with this – when you understand why the effects are in these specific positions. Also, the chapter on billets is amazingly clear. Easier to follow than Michael Ammar on DVD. You can perform the act exactly as described by Cumberland and become a huge success. I am at this moment rehearsing it, except for one routine I substituted for another…
This section, also not from the original, is a section on general tips for the act and performance in general. These include topics like Timing, Performing at House Parties, Appearance, Performing for Teenagers and Students etc. This is some great advice from an experienced professional, things that can turn you from an irritating guy frowning in front of an audience, to someone really entertaining a large group of people. Except, with his advice, you cut out a few years of trial and error.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Personally, what I liked about this book is Cumberland’s descriptions of the psychology behind the effects. When one truly understands this, it is easy to slot one out and substitute it for another routine from another source. You can really play Lego with this – when you understand why the effects are in these specific positions. Also, the chapter on billets is amazingly clear. Easier to follow than Michael Ammar on DVD. You can perform the act exactly as described by Cumberland and become a huge success. I am at this moment rehearsing it, except for one routine I substituted for another…
Stuart Cumberland
Stuart Cumberland is the nom de plume of a Canadian stage hypnotist and mind reader working corporate shows all over the planet. He has published many works for the "fraternity" of mentalists. These include works in e-book format and performances on DVD.He is best known for his work on the writings of Theodore Annemann, publishing a very limited set of DVD's with live performances by himself of some of Annemann's greatest pieces, as well as a host of e-books detailing modern handlings of the classics put forth by Annemann more than 70 years ago. He has also published works on contact mind reading, billets, "money making" methods for mentalists and courses on stage hypnosis. He also has a blog with his thoughts on many topics relating to the field. Well worth checking out.
You will see that "Cumberland" is a sucker for the classics, and through his writings one can truly learn to appreciate their value.
There is nothing new under the sun, and this is very true when it comes to human nature, the only real prop of mentalism.
__
ANNEMANN'S COMPLETE ONE MAN MENTAL AND PSYCHIC ROUTINE—2005 Today the audiences seem to "go for" the mental type of trickery more than ever. It is more of a "grown up" phase of magic and mystery and there seems to be a greater element of wonder when one can reveal unknown knowledge or something personal about his audience – from the 1935 introduction to ANNEMANN'S COMPLETE ONE MAN MENTAL AND PSYCHIC ROUTINE by Theodore Annemann Published 73 years ago, those words are still just as fitting today as they were then. In fact, I suspect they will always be true. Annemann did and published a lot of magic in his lifetime, but today he is best known as almost the “father” of modern mentalism – at least as far as easily obtainable, great mentalism is concerned. The original pamphlet was only 26 pages and was (and still is!) published as a complete act, running at about 30 minutes. One of the first “packs small, plays big” acts, with the only external things used by the mentalist on stage being two slates (done away with by Cumberland). In all of Annemann’s writing it is clear that he did not much care for complicated methods and involved storylines, and this act is no different. To modern mentalists, used to Luke Jermay, Derren Brown and the like, the methods are very simple and almost mundane. Maybe this is the reason that this booklet is overlooked by almost everyone as a performable act.
Enter Stuart Cumberland.
What Cumberland brings to the table is experience. After one read through his book you immediately realize all the details Annemann left out. Details that only experience can teach you. Annemann opened the doors, but only gave us brief flashes of what lies inside those rooms. Cumberland flipped the trip-switch, installed brand new xenon light bulbs and takes us for a guided tour through the act, exactly as performed by him today for very high-paying audiences. Cumberland’s book is a healthy 72 pages, and includes the original text by Annemann. Throughout the book, the original is printed in bold, followed by the comments and tips by Cumberland in normal text.
THE BOOK
The book starts with a chapter where Annemann lays out the prerequisites for the act. This is followed by Cumberland outlining his props and why he uses certain items and why others are less practical for him.
The next chapter details the billet switching used in the act. While Annemann gave adequate details to master the moves (including a caveat for people suffering from magicians finger – you know, the little finger pointing straight out while displaying something in the hand…), Cumberland also gives detailed explanations with photos. Plus a wealth of other tips on handling the billets. Pre-folding, what paper to use, everything. Plus a lot of tips on psychology and misdirection. This chapter really inspires you to practice and practice and practice. Before this, I have never really understood what the power of switching “two pieces of paper” could have. I understand it now. Thank you Stuart.
The next chapter is the opener of the act. Magic vs Mindreading. This is a piece with two packs of cards – instead of someone picking a card, the cards are fanned out in front of a spectator for him to think of one. After a quick shuffle, the card is spelt to…and it’s there. What’s more, the other pack in the spectator’s pocket has the thought-of card in the exact same position! A great effect. Cumberland gives his entire script plus the psychology behind everything.
The Telephone Drama and The Dead Name Test. A great routine that really establishes the performer as a mind reader. A telephone number, followed by two names. This is a knock-out effect. Again, Cumberland explains timing and psychology only obtainable by doing this many many times. However, he does not add the telephone number as described by Annemann.
The New Nile Divination. This effect involves a whole group, with one person silently writing down a number in the corner of the room. Five or six people each think of a number. When these are added up, they total to the number previously written down by the first spectator. Cumberland also gives an alternate routine to use at this point. He then takes time to explain the thought-processes of the audience at this time, and goes into why and what he uses at this time to build some suspence – setting up the next affect as a self-imposed challenge, using a telephone book…
Book Mentalism
This is essentially a book test using a borrowed book. The performer divines a random name on a random page in a random telephone directory. Cumberland expands a lot on the original text, with a lot of information given to really blow up the drama.
Telepathy Plus This is a great routine. Using nothing but 3 billets, the performer divines a name, a number, and finishes with a dramatic drawing duplication. All the billets are handed back to the helpers, with the paper in their hands before the thoughts are divined… This is the routine that uses the billet switching methods described in the first chapter, with all the extra tips starting to make practical sense.
BONUS: Q&A
To lengthen the act, Cumberland describes a Q&A act and where to put it in the act. This will take the act up to around 45-50 minutes, perfect for corporate presentations.
BONUS
This section, also not from the original, is a section on general tips for the act and performance in general. These include topics like Timing, Performing at House Parties, Appearance, Performing for Teenagers and Students etc. This is some great advice from an experienced professional, things that can turn you from an irritating guy frowning in front of an audience, to someone really entertaining a large group of people. Except, with his advice, you cut out a few years of trial and error.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Personally, what I liked about this book is Cumberland’s descriptions of the psychology behind the effects. When one truly understands this, it is easy to slot one out and substitute it for another routine from another source. You can really play Lego with this – when you understand why the effects are in these specific positions. Also, the chapter on billets is amazingly clear. Easier to follow than Michael Ammar on DVD. You can perform the act exactly as described by Cumberland and become a huge success. I am at this moment rehearsing it, except for one routine I substituted for another…
You can buy this book here. Please share your experiences.
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