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Jonathan Inner circle Oklahoma 1223 Posts |
On his video, he does a long effect about an Italian restaurant. While the method, at least to me, is pretty clear, what I was really hoping to learn were the subtleties and details he uses. I was disappointed that this was not mentioned in either the lecture or his book, but he did mention that he did a taped lecture on the effect in length.
I suppose I could get some of it if I go back and watch him perform it again, but would still be limited. Does anyone know anything about this video? Is it available anywhere? Has he written anything about it? Jonathan Grant |
big dan Regular user UK/Canada/New Zealand 178 Posts |
The only video I know of that Derren has done is "The Devil's Picturebook" and is only available through his website:
http://www.derrenbrown.co.uk Is this the lecture video you're talking about?
Some people work to ski....i ski to work!
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david_a_whitehead Inner circle USA 2122 Posts |
He is talking about The Derren Brown Lecture Video by International Magic. On the video he performs Plerophoria, Lift, Reminiscence, Smoke, Coin Bending.
The effect you are talking about was Reminiscence. It is in print in the very first printing of Pure Effect and was removed from later editions, because it is still a part of his performing repertoire. You won't find an explanation anywhere without paying a very high price for the first notes. If you think you have it figured out, then great! Good for you. If you want more information on the concepts and subtleties involved in the method, I suggest looking up Kenton Knepper's work on dual reality. |
seanadl New user London UK 100 Posts |
I would suggest that you still get the International Magic video nonetheless, as it shows Derren performing uncut, with some valuable advice.
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Zod New user 41 Posts |
May I suggest doing a search under ThoughtThief. He has posted in the past a very insightful and detailed reviews of Reminiscence.
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Dr Omni Regular user UK 199 Posts |
"The DB Lecture" video was recorded at a magic convention in 1999 and is available exclusively from the shop International Magic, whose owners, the MacMillan family, organise an annual magic convention in London.
This video is the best place to start to get the fundamental concepts behind Derren's mentalism, which I think are more valuable than the actual effects demonstrated (superb as they are). They will help any performer develop a certain appearance of authenticity in his act, even if he's completely different in style and repertoire from Derren. The book "Pure Effect" is essentially the printed version of the video, but given the choice, I'd definitely go with the video. Later on DB produced his own video "The Devil's Picture-book" (on card work and mentalism) and a self-published book "Absolute Magic". Both are excellent, of course, but you have to have a high level of proficiency in card work to do justice to the effects in "Picture-book". "Absolute" is a somewhat intellectual book on the showmanship and theory of magical performance. It is absorbing reading (I stayed up all night to read it in one sitting) and has many flashes of insight which trigger off ideas in the reader's mind about how he can improve his own act. It contains no effects. |
Jonathan Inner circle Oklahoma 1223 Posts |
I actually feel that Derren Brown's brief cameo appearance in Andy Nyman's lecture video is more valuable in my opinion. I think there is a wealth of information in observing it. It tells basically the whole story in that short amount of time and pretty much sums up who Derren Brown is and how he goes about the art.
It speaks volumes, at least to me. It also sheds light onto his specials and shows how he thinks and pretty much intellectually proves that VERY little if any of it is genuinely how it looks. I feel the price of the video is worth it just for the very end where Derren comes in to demonstrate the effect. Of course, he presents it like he has no idea what he's supposed to be doing, but rather is using the opportunity to create a moment unique to Derren Brown. (Well, unique in comparison to the majority of mentalists.) After reading other threads on here it becomes obvious that this has become somewhat of a larger-than-life effect that people will do anything for. To be honest, I was not 100% impressed by either effect. The method seemed fairly obvious to me, as I would hope it would be to most mentalists. What I was curious about was the subtleties and thinking he used to get around the flaws in the "after show discussion" (especially in corporate shows). I'm assuming from what I read that this is not available, but instead remains a flaw. Knowing what I do about Derren Brown, I was assuming he had some brilliant thoughts on dealing with the flaw. Being as entrenched in the idea of "double speak" as I am (possibly the single most powerful concept in mentalism in my opinion), I could benefit greatly from such discussion. Jonathan Grant |
Mel Toyer Loyal user Luton, England 216 Posts |
Also don't forget about Derren's brilliant card skill. This, along with other unusual talents, combine to give you a finished product.
If you have a keen eye you will notice that Derren mixes standard magic with mentalism in more ways than one. Mel. |
JamesCheung Loyal user London, UK 214 Posts |
I agree with that Derren's appearance on the Nyman video is very, very insightful. It's actually done in a very tongue-in-cheek way and goes to show how a little bit of acting and a bit of cod psychology ups the believability stakes.
The most difficult lie to detect is the one hidden inside something that is or could be true. Reminiscence is a wonderful effect and if you can present an effect of this nature (and I say this as I think that only Derren should be performing Reminiscence as written) with enough passion, credibility and panache, you'll be remembered long after the show is over. Bob Cassidy was wise to point out that the performer should transcend the effect, and it is he who should be remembered, not the effect. I think the point should be, don't look at the mechanics of Reminiscence but at Derren's packaging of the effect as, ultimately, that is where the sweetest fruits can be found. |
Zod New user 41 Posts |
What effect Derren has performed on the Nyman video?
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Glenn New user Seaford, Sussex, UK 80 Posts |
The effect is called Witness for the Prosecution.
It is a two-person effect where someone is murdered, and the psychic detective works out who was killed, with what weapon and who the murderer was. Glenn |
Jonathan Inner circle Oklahoma 1223 Posts |
Right. Honestly, though, the effect involved isn't what was important. Just that situation really showed a lot of the performance ideas he uses and says volumes, in my opinion.
The thing that I'm still curious about is the lecture video and/or notes that he refers to in that lecture video about him going into great detail and length to talk about the subtleties of the Reminiscence effect. That's what I'm interested in, to be honest, not just the method in some rare edition. I just really would like to hear his (brilliant, I'm sure) subtleties on the effect because of the specific type of effect it is. Are these not available anywhere? He made it sound as if they were available (it was his excuse for not going into it). Jonathan Grant |
Jay Elf Elite user 466 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-02-17 01:38, Jonathan wrote: Which DVD has Derren Brown's appearance in Nyman DVD, International Magic's Nyman DVD or Get Nyman DVD? I know the title of the effect is "The Witness of The Prosecution". However, I don't see any such title in International DVD and Get NymanDVD. Thanx. Sincerely, @Jay@ |
ChristopherM Special user UK 844 Posts |
Jay, it's on the International Lecture recording. Also features in Andy's Lecture Notes, Kosher Products.
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Jay Elf Elite user 466 Posts |
Hello, ChristopherM,
I asked it over one year ago! I forgot asking it. Thank you much for your info, Christopher. |
ChristopherM Special user UK 844 Posts |
No problem, Jay. Glad I could be of (a little) help. Cheers.
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