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Svengali83 New user 53 Posts |
Hey Guys,
Here is a little bizarre routine I concocted a while ago and I'm bringing it out now. It's called "Never Bet The Devil Your Head". Bang on time for Halloween! Hope you like it! BLURB: Most magicians know the power of a great giveaway at the end of a routine. As a mentalist, what if you could leave your spectators with something other than a bent coin or a drawing on the back of a business card? What if you had the opportunity to create an interactive theatrical experience wrapped neatly in storytelling and ending with a powerful souvenir for your volunteer? Never Bet The Devil Your Head is my attempt at finding a solution to those very questions. Influenced by two effects by Docc Hilford and Paul Brook, it is a complete mentalism routine that flirts with the realm of Bizarre Magick. In a nutshell, your audience is invited to embark on an imaginary Faustian journey that culminates with a rather eerie revelation of a special coin that is immediately offered to an audience member as a memento that will forever be reminiscent of a rather puzzling moment they have just experienced. In that regard, this is NOT the type of effect that you will do in a table-hopping situation. Method-wise, it is extremely easy! However, its true power relies on the presentation. Thus, although the effect is quite versatile and caters to a wide range of performers (magicians & mentalists), it is better suited for quiet or intimate environments where you can easily set the scene for an immersive, dramatic experience. - Suitable for Close-Up & Parlour - No sleight-of-hand - No special gimmicks - Very little preparation - Almost impromptu: keep a small coin in your pocket and you're ready to perform the routine! - Works in any language Never Bet The Devil Your Head comes with the complete and detailed script of my presentation. TESTIMONIAL: "Never Bet the Devil With Your Head is a very clever and compelling bizarre mental act to suit the more intimate occasion. Francis has taken some already incredible influences and masked them with a diabolical method that the spectator will never see coming as the storyline performance has been honed to mask it so well. Highly recommended!" - Steve Drury (committee member of PSYCRETS, British Society of Mystery Entertainers) Special Halloween Discount (Until 31st October - Midnight) ORIGINAL PRICE ===> £15 Discount ===> £10 http://arcanearts-ltd.com/never-bet-the-devil-your-head/ |
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Isper Veteran user 398 Posts |
Just saw this and am interested. What kind of coin is needed for this effect? Can it be done in foreign currencies?
Thank you for your assistance. |
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marc_carrion Special user 639 Posts |
Isper, it can be done with any currency. You will 'prepare' the coin you want to use.
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Sudo Nimh Inner circle 1874 Posts |
I purchased this because it sounded like my "Positively No Negative" - but with a story. And it is EXACTLY that. Though, I use an 'X' on my coin and Francis uses something different for meaning, but same idea. I will say that I did enjoy Francis's story.
I only bring this up because once again, I have been left out of the crediting for this effect. As I have mentioned before on the Café, I was selling this in a magic shop I ran in Vancouver in the late 90's. Many local magicians there are well aware of this fact including Andrew Gerard, who called me in 2011 to inform me that somebody was teaching this (without permission) in an extracurricular course at the University of British Columbia. I called this person to ask where they had acquired the routine, and they informed me that they had learned it from a mutual friend whom I had passed it on to. Richard Busch published "Peek Performances" in 2000 or 2001 - if memory serves correctly. I didn't contact Richard to discuss the issue because when I did discover this, I was not aware of his routine for quite some time and didn't care. Paul Brook later published the same idea in 2008. In Francis' book, he states that he independently came up with the same idea but was later informed and mentions Busch, but credits Paul Brook, and once again, I'm not mentioned. Frankly, I don't really care. But I want to set the record straight as there is the odd troll (one in particular), who insists on claiming that I stole the idea from Busch, and without taking exception to the Brook routine either. Here is yet ANOTHER person who has also conceived the exact same concept. |
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Tom Cutts Staff Northern CA 5925 Posts |
Be forewarned, this is not mentalism. It is bizzarre magic. The statement...
Quote:
As a mentalist, what if you could leave your spectators with something other than a bent coin or a drawing on the back of a business card? ...is a bit misleading in that respect. That said, it is a delightful, possibly gripping bizzarre magic presentation which may spark one's creativity to develope their own such presentation if the tone of this one does not fit them. |
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marc_carrion Special user 639 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 2, 2017, Sudo Nimh wrote: I have to say that after I read the description I thought it was exactly that too, but I also bought it. I prefer Sudo's version, Svengali83 version is too much talking for too little effect. And I don't think the coin looks like what's supposed to look (or at least the one I made). |
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Max Hazy Special user 543 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 2, 2017, Sudo Nimh wrote: I'm very interested in your "Positively No Negative" Sudo. Is there something similar to compare or give an idea?
"Your method is in my opinion the very best way to do Q&A"
Millard Longman "Max has pushed some less known and seldom used principles a huge step forward" Jan Forster Arcane Grimoires Vol 1- http://www.maxhazy.com/arcane-grimoires/apocryphal-reach/ Arcane Grimoires Vol 2- http://www.maxhazy.com/Codex-Mentis/ |
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Sudo Nimh Inner circle 1874 Posts |
Hi Max.
I have dismantled my website permanently and am no longer selling items. Though it helped me to get through a very rough patch in trying to get my life back on track after nearly 9 long (and horribly gruesome) years of addiction, my original intention was always to share freely and give back to the community. So that's what I will return to doing in the days ahead. Check your PM's - I'll send you a copy. I also mentioned a long time ago that I conceived a myriad of methods for this effect - and I indeed did. I will be sharing another of these very shortly here at the Café called "Two-Fold" which further demonstrates my explorations with the concept being discussed here as further evidence. It is a truly wonderful routine and approaches this plot from an entirely different angle - though the downside to it is that it is not strictly impromptu. Once you have gathered the required things for it though, you can carry it in your wallet and always be ready to go. It appears to be "impromptu" to viewers however. It uses as many coins as you'd like to use and ZERO "equiv-OK". |
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Max Hazy Special user 543 Posts |
I don't want to derail the topic, but that's great to hear Sudo. We all have our demons (just read my signature) and I'm glad to hear you've surpassed yours.
Thanks a lot, I'm looking forward to hear more and coming from you, I'm sure it's bound to greatness! Cheers
"Your method is in my opinion the very best way to do Q&A"
Millard Longman "Max has pushed some less known and seldom used principles a huge step forward" Jan Forster Arcane Grimoires Vol 1- http://www.maxhazy.com/arcane-grimoires/apocryphal-reach/ Arcane Grimoires Vol 2- http://www.maxhazy.com/Codex-Mentis/ |
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Senor Fabuloso Inner circle 1243 Posts |
Senor Nimh it's no trick to kick the drugs or alcohol. I know how to fight but it also kicked my butt. Today life is better but I still feel bad when stolen from. Somebody took a bike from my porch over the summer. I read what you say Joshua 1:9 and I want for me to. Thank you.
No matter how many times you say the wrong thing, it will NEVER be right.
If I'm not responding to you? It's because you're a TROLL! |
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Sudo Nimh Inner circle 1874 Posts |
Thanks Max and Senor.
But just for the record Senor - I'm not making any accusation of theft. Just pointing a thing out, that's all. |
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Francois Lagrange Veteran user Paris, France 380 Posts |
I used to perform Richard Busch's Double Equiv-OK from Peek Performances. Is that the effect similar to Positively No Negative? In the Busch effect the coins are real but the tosses are imaginary. He credits Gene Grant, Phil Goldstein, Larry Becker and more...
Protect me from my friends, I'll deal with my enemies.
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Svengali83 New user 53 Posts |
Hello guys,
Sorry I haven’t replied to those messages, I am not on the Café very often. Anyway, I’m glad you like the routine! To answer Tom Cutts’ comment, yes this effect belongs more to the realm of bizarre magic than mentalism per se. That being said, it still retains a mental flavour and, being a mentalist myself, I designed this routine for those of us who like to add something different to a mentalism show. This is the kind of thing you can do when you want to “change gears”! Sudo Nimh: I honestly did NOT know about your effect. As I mentioned in the introduction of the PDF manual, this effect was originally born as a variation of a Docc Hilford’s routine (“Nightmare Coin”). I came up with the final revelation independently, however, prior to the official release, I was informed that the method was similar to Paul Brook’s “One In The Hand”. Thus, I specifically asked his permission to bring this out. Had he refused, this would have never seen the light of day. I am not sure how different/similar your routine is to either Paul’s or mine but, had I known about it in the first place, I would have definitely contacted you as well. I think you will appreciate that I have tried to be as extensive as I could with regards to the crediting. Unfortunately, your contribution might have gone under my radar, despite my research. If such is the case, I genuinely apologise. |
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Tom Cutts Staff Northern CA 5925 Posts |
Quote: A seemingly very careful choice of words. There is no "might have". It clearly did fly under your radar. No mention of correcting the PDF, which can be easily enough done.
On Nov 5, 2017, Svengali83 wrote: Actions will speak louder than words, and I'm sure you will do the right thing now that this is on your radar. |
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Svengali83 New user 53 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 5, 2017, Tom Cutts wrote: Indeed, I am always very "careful" about my words and my work in general, which is the reason why I have spent a lot of time researching the background and credits behind this effect. Furthermore, the manuscript has been peer reviewed by several knowledgeable (some of them well-known) mentalists/magicians, who helped me put it all together. As a matter of fact, I have even been told I did not have to go through such lengths but hey, it just goes to show you that you really can't be too *careful*! As I mentioned before, unfortunately Sudo Nimh's effect *might have* slipped through the cracks. The intentional use of that modal verb basically stresses the fact that, although I do not question Sudo's honesty, I have not yet been able to compare his effect for myself. Once again, I apologise if the method happens to be similar in some way or another. Independent ideas are produced on a regular basis in this craft, especially when using a common plot to work on (Larry Becker's in this case, dating back to the 1970's), which is why I find it important to research an effect. Sudo Nimh mentioned that his effect is no longer available and probably hasn't been for years. Thus, I guess that is potentially one of the reasons why none of the people who reviewed my manuscript pointed out that he was missing in the credits. Sudo Nimh stated that, even though he "did not care" about not being mentioned, he simply wanted to "set the record straight". I am all for that! In fact, the extensive credit section is meant to demonstrate that quite a few people have developed this plot before me. In that regard, I am open to add Sudo to the reference list if he wishes me to (I am extending this invitation in a PM). However, Tom Cutts, you strike me as someone who enjoys lecturing others. Therefore, feel free to enlighten me about the next "actions" to take! |
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Sudo Nimh Inner circle 1874 Posts |
Francis, I replied to your PM.
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Sean Giles Inner circle Cambridge/ UK 3517 Posts |
Richard Busch should be credited because he published it first.
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Sudo Nimh Inner circle 1874 Posts |
Well Yuan, er, I mean Sean...
YES, Richard Busch was the first to have it in MAJOR publication. That doesn't change the fact that I had published and shared it with the local market beforehand. I've already mentioned one person of credibility who is well aware of that - among others. But here's yet another... In 2000, Dan Harlan came into town to do a lecture for the local IBM Ring. Afterwards, he and I got in a cab and went to a place in Gastown called "The Purple Onion" where we proceeded to exchange Magic ideas for the rest of the evening, surrounded by Goths and Vampires. "Positively No Negative" was one of the things I shared with him. Not only did he like it, but Dan immediately came up with a very nice additional touch which I will share here for those interested. Dan's idea was to hand the participant an "imaginary" marker after they had selected one of the "imaginary coins". You then ask them to choose a side of the "imaginary coin" and use the "imaginary marker" to have them "mark" it accordingly. When finished, their imaginary coin matches exactly the REAL one you have hidden underneath the business card. While on the subject of coins, he also shared a neat little "bet" with me where he stacked 12 (I believe it was 12) pennies on top of one another and then laid a dime on the table and asked me to bet on which was one taller: the stack of pennies or the dime? Turns out they were the same height exactly. Are you going to try and dispute this? |
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Sean Giles Inner circle Cambridge/ UK 3517 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 6, 2017, Sudo Nimh wrote: John/Sudo, you’re so thin skinned dude. Chill. I was simply pointing out that Busch gets the credit as he published first, which he did. Strange you called me Yuan though because I mentored someone who is on the Café by that name. I have no idea how you would know that about me though! |
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Sudo Nimh Inner circle 1874 Posts |
Some of us might be the real deal.
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