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Miraclemakers Special user INA 685 Posts |
I like my Dracula Book test.....
I think ultimate flashback book test is great, just a quite expensive, but I believe that's worth it.... |
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Dick Christian Inner circle Northern Virginia (Metro DC) 2619 Posts |
Okay, at the risk of being the proverbial "b*****d at the family picnic" let me suggest that we put first things first and before everyone starts recommending specific products (book tests) might it not be a good idea to find out if newcomers who ask this (and similar questions on other forums) are even ready to consider using a book test? I mean no disrespect here, but I tend to take both magic and mentalism rather seriously -- after all, it's what I do for a living -- and in all candor must admit that I am not wildly enthusiastic about the current explosion of interest in mentalism on the part of magicians in general and especially (at least so it seems) of those relatively new to the art.
I've found that many newbies are laboring under the mistaken impression that because a lot of mentalism is not dependent on great manipulative skill or costly equipment it is somehow "easier" to perform than other forms of magic and that if one simply has the right gimmick you've got it made. As one whose association with magic spans 60 years, 40 of them as a magician (including 30+ as a full time performer) and the past 20 as a mentalist as well (but never combining both in the same performance) I can say with assurance that nothing could be further from the truth. Mentalism, in all its forms, while perhaps less dependent on "mitt work" and props, demands a totally different mindset on the part of the performer, a far more comprehensive and deeper understanding of psychology and far more "audience management" skills than any of the other forms of magic -- which is why it has been referred to as "the most adult form of magic." The successful transition from magic to mentalism requires an adjustment in thinking and attitude (as well as the development a different stage persona) that is not always easily made. We already have an overabundance of lousy magicians. The last thing we need is more lousy mentalists. I hasten to add that I know nothing about dabah2014. He/she may be an extremely knowledgeable and experienced pro with years of study and award-winning performing behind him/her. He/she might also be a 15 year old who just got a magic set for his/her birthday and thinks mentalism sounds like fun. The truth is probably somewhere in between. The truth of the matter is that we don't know and until we do wouldn't it be a good idea to get some sort of understanding of whether or not dabah has the requisite skill and experience to present ANY book test adequately (notice I didn't say expertly -- just adequately). Does he/she have any experience with mentalism already? What is his/her experience level in performing ANY kind of magic? What books has he/she read or studied? Is he/she looking for a book test just to have something new to throw into their childrens' birthday party show or other magic show or a different routine to feature in a well developed and successful demonstration of mindreading? The point is, none of us knows the answers to any of those questions, so until we do should we be quick to recommend something that dabah2014 may or may not be ready/able to handle? In retrospect, I realize that in an effort to be helpful I have probably been too quick to offer suggestions and recommendations in response to these kind of questions in the past even though I try to be circumspect in sharing what I consider to be the "real work" with only those I know either personally or by reputation and have decided to be far less so inclined in the future. So expect me to start asking "who are you?" "what is your background and experience?" and "why do you want to know?" in order to determine if the questioner has a legitimate "need to know" before responding to such queries with suggestions or recommendations in the future. With that caveat I will always be ready, willing and able to the best of my ability to share the benefit of my knowledge and experience (such as it is) with both scholars, peers and serious students at the appropriate level and with a need to know. For dabah2014, if you send me a PM and let me know who you are and a bit about your qualifications I'll be more than happy to try to be more helpful than you probably think after reading this post.
Dick Christian
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JAlenS Inner circle Utah 1526 Posts |
Good point Dick (Mr Christian). You are right.
The reason I recommend outlaw so much is because the booktests allow for so much more than most other book tests. I love storytelling and dabah may not. I love old and "spooky" things especially with mentalism where dabah may not as well. Good food for thought though. Thanks Dick. -John- |
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Dick Christian Inner circle Northern Virginia (Metro DC) 2619 Posts |
John,
I am a fan of the Outlaw tests as well, although I am not currently using any of them. Because their unique nature IMO presenting any of them (Witches Almanac, Homicide or Luna series) requires a special theme or context and I would be very reluctant to suggest using any of them as part of a generic mindreading or mentalism program as they would stick out like a sore thumb. And because they demand a very special kind of presentation, they would be among the last that I would suggest to anyone who was a beginner in mentalism. Absent a carefully themed program such as seance (ideal for Witches Almanac), detective/murder/crime theme (for Homicide), etc., I'd stick with the more generic book tests for use in a typical mindreading/mentalism program.
Dick Christian
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Tom Jorgenson Inner circle LOOSE ANGLES, CALIFORNIA 4451 Posts |
Always the wisdom from this guy. Information from other people, wisdom from him.
We dance an invisible dance to music they cannot hear.
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Dick Christian Inner circle Northern Virginia (Metro DC) 2619 Posts |
Tom,
Thanks for the kind words. Not sure they're deserved, but thanks anyway.
Dick Christian
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Philemon Vanderbeck Inner circle Seattle, WA 4694 Posts |
A generic booktest is suitable for a generic mentalist.
Professor Philemon Vanderbeck
That Creepy Magician "I use my sixth sense to create the illusion of possessing the other five." |
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JAlenS Inner circle Utah 1526 Posts |
I have three different mentalism sets scripted. One is spooky with a booktest, one is very close to spookywith a book test and the other is straight mentalism with no booktest and I understand well what Dick and Philemon are talking about.
I'd say a beginner would be well served to look up a booktest in 13 steps. It costs little to nothing and it works. Thanks guys -John- |
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Philemon Vanderbeck Inner circle Seattle, WA 4694 Posts |
I recently shared with a fellow performer how to easily adapt the Hoy principle to the trilogy of "Twilight" books in order to have current cultural relevance.
Just whatever you do, avoid revealing the word to be "vampire," if you want it to be impressive.
Professor Philemon Vanderbeck
That Creepy Magician "I use my sixth sense to create the illusion of possessing the other five." |
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siepielski Regular user 194 Posts |
Check out the Ross Johnson DVD for some complete performing information.
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magicFreak2 Inner circle 1220 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-11-05 18:35, dabah2014 wrote: AWAP (by David Bui I think) sucks (the method really sucks, its the dirtiest book test ever, even if its clean ), even if it is impromptu. You do things that are completely unnecessary and 2/5 times a spectator yells it out. Hoy book test is the best. Easily the best. Impromptu, easy, bold, and powerful. |
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Colin Inner circle Las Vegas 1355 Posts |
May I humbly suggest checking out my new book 'Contributions' if you like Marc Paul's original.
Best wishes, Col.
Check out Psych-Artist.com now for free essays and other resources.
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Christopher Taylor V.I.P. British Columbia Canada 2314 Posts |
For those interested not just in the "how to" but also the "when to" -- and even the "WHY do a book test" -- I would like to offer my highest recommendation of Alain Nu's "Word Work". Volume 1 covers his philosophy on how create maximum impact and deals with formal presentations while Volume 2 covers impromptu effects. It is the most impressive work I ever seen on book tests. Alain is very forthcoming in these booklets in terms of specific detail, which I have not seen in his earlier works. Once again, my highest recommendation.
Christopher |
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Dick Christian Inner circle Northern Virginia (Metro DC) 2619 Posts |
Christopher's comments re: Alain Nu's Word Work 1 and Word Work 2 manuscripts on booktests is right on the mark. They certainly rank among the most discerning analyses of the subject in print and are by someone whose performance of such effects is one of the best you'll find.
Dick Christian
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