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Dr Spektor Eternal Order Carcanis 10781 Posts |
Ok, here is the amazing reviews from Banachek on the two volumes:
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......10&0 Go read them and then come back here... I'm throwing in my 2 cents as I think these two books were amongst the best purchases I made for 2005 - as the material is fantastic. I'm going to say the two volumes are masterpieces in showing how one can use a simple method and create miracles - Redford has a theme of using his spectators in ways that make the experiences very personal from fun to downright scary... the theme/conceit of the books is "Experiments in Lying for the Professional Entertainer".... but this in itself does not capture the essence - its really how to use verbal / psychological misdirection to the Nth degree - I suppose we can say all magic is about lying - but then so is all attempts to understand reality - and quantify it - reduction creates partial truths - and many of the effects touch on existential and metaphysical concepts of creating things from thoughts - imagination shaping reality - memory as malleable - and thus - in a weird way - I'd say these effects are "lying to demonstrate truths" - thus this conundrum is perfect for describing Patrick's work in general. Let's start off with a classic lie - in the 2nd book Consecution, he has an Essay called "Thoughts on Metal Bending" - where he claims he will not tell you how to do it but just talk about why he won't... but of course, this is a lie... he does tell you how to do it.... since he is a genius... read between the lines - he gives sources of methods, basically states exactly how he came up with his own version - and then basically describes why the method isn't really important - he gets to the whole framing thematic use of metal bending - and thus I would have to say he explains metal bending presentation in a unique way - and is an object lesson in considering how an effect can be used to evoke the arts and humanities - such as a famous painting of Dali's - and thus this essay is not only thought provoking - I humbly submit it should have been in book 1 near the beginning - but since these books are full of mystery... on second thought it belongs hidden in the 2nd volume in the middle .... although I think it frames the two books well! In book one you get the effect of photo reading which many here have praised to high heaven and I also praise it there too... because its simple genius of some basic magic moves and a creative imagination and good cold / warm reading skills turns the effect into a personal into the head of the spectator mind-melter. Since it can be done impromptu - something to do when the opportunity arises. In fact, the use of cold reading in different contexts is used to the max by Redford... go read the books goshdarnit. He even has a unique ACAAN effect - which fits with his theme of taking anything a spectator thinks of and turning it into reality.... (Auspicious Coincidence)... Then to my personal favs of book 1 - Naughty Bits and the Forgotten.... Naughty Bits so very cool - you basically can describe it as spectators all choosing different elements at "random" to divine - or basically create out of their imagination - something under a mystery cup. I've adapted the concept already to have spectators create all sorts of wild things.... with a little extra duality you can also make it look more fantastic by making the choices look almost totally out of the spectator's personal thoughts ... but imagine how powerful you can play it - spectators thoughts transforming into something material???!!?.... Leading to the last effect - the most powerful, scary, and dangerous effect in the book - showing how reality / memory is malleable.... and I salute Redford for going into detail of how to present this effect to minimize its possible odious nature (his words) - that is, the power to erase thoughts from someone's memory - and it is an ingenuous innovation on Jermay's RGM ... well, again I salute Redford for quoting all his sources (for all his effects (a true gentleman of virtue (funny how that fits within a book about lies!!!!))..... but I've tried it and it works amazingly well - I used to try RGM but I had only 80% chance of selling it (I'm sure others are better than I) - this thing has been working for me 100% - I actually use it adapted to help create a simulated feeling of experiencing Alzheimer’s disease symptoms! In any case, I'd say this effect alone was worth the money.... but you got to have guts to try these effects. True theatrical showmanship is required for these artistic delights! In book 2 we start off with a powerful card hallucination effect entitled Eidolon - and I have collected many of these types of effects for my Sims on psychosis... but this one is very cool in that its methods are again simple - and the verbal/psych frame elevates it to truly psychosis as opposed to a card vanishes from a deck - what is real? What is unreal? The themes continue from book one to book two - also, a wonderful artistic symmtery between the Forgotten and Eidolon are formed if you like looking for weird literary process connections not to mention magical nods to each other!!! Next is the Sticky Spirits - a utility move / technique - alas and alack - this one effect I can't say fits with my theory - except as all magic is about perception control - which it does - but I guess its because this one is very great move but Redford does not give it a cool presentation angle - I guess I was so hyped up on all the rest this one - although a very creative move - made me say "c'mon show me a routine with it - c'mon...!!" - or maybe this little thing in some way highlights the fact a lot of these effects really shine in their intensity for how strong an impact they will have on an audience - this effect, you have to figure it out yourself...! But if you have been following along, it shouldn't be hard to come up with something! Fantasy Animal Divination harkens back to Naughty Bits in that you can divine imaginary images in the spectator's mind - and I used this as a lead in to Naughty bits (adapted).... * ESPhrontary and a Sailing thought round up the effects in the book. One is pure boldness but a very excellent Zenner card effect which again plays with the reality of lies shrouded in truths which are lies to reveal a chosen ESP symbol.... the last is like a tribute to Robert Neale - and I won't say much but it involves origami and the theme again comes across of dual realities and switching from one to another - but that in this case, both realities can be valid... thus what is the truth? Then there are the amazing essay-ettes that come with the effects. I already mentioned the Metal Bending one - and the rest are similar in that "Patrick" reveals his thinking in developing his magical effects and his drive to create certain presentations. Ok, I admit we are all biased and see everything through our own cognitive schema (hence why Patrick's works are so amazing) and so all the above is my interpretation of the writing... like a Rorschach inkblot - oh yeah - did I mention the covers of the books look like they are ink blots...??? Maybe I am "right" but of course I am - as truth is malleable.... so in my current state of mind, I am rating Mendacity and Consecutation 18/10 each - because besides being books of effects - there is a very strong metacognitive narrative that is just delightful to delve into! Please keep the material flowing, "Patrick".... All the best, "Dr Spektor"
"They are lean and athirst!!!!"
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spycrapper Loyal user Indonesia 295 Posts |
I'm sorry, where can I found info about this book? I've checked patrickredford.com but it has no information about these books. thx
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Phil C Special user Ontario, Canada 903 Posts |
I heard great reviews of these books. I am interested myself.
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Lord Of The Horses Inner circle 5406 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-08-29 06:04, spycrapper wrote: This should be impossible, if you click on that you are redirected to another url. Anyway, try this one - http://www.magic-by-george.com/enter.htm His books really will make you think and Patrick is a clever fellow. Higly recommended!
Then you'll rise right before my eyes, on wings that fill the sky, like a phoenix rising!
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Richard Hatch Regular user Logan Utah 127 Posts |
If you have trouble (as I just did) following the links to the products, you can also order them from us at H & R Magic Books... We currently have 4 Patrick Redford titles in stock...
Richard Hatch
www.HatchAcademy.com |
Glenn Watson Special user 781 Posts |
Since it is password protected why not put the books on the product page?
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spycrapper Loyal user Indonesia 295 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-08-29 15:46, Lord Of The Horses wrote: yes, I've came to that page, and I've entered the password, and get into this page: http://www.magic-by-george.com/*******.htm. but there's no infos there.. thx |
Waters Inner circle 2508 Posts |
I bought them from my friends at H and R. Hello Richard!
These books really are intriguing works, full of creative ideas. Prevaricator is brilliant... You will see the same thinking throughout Mendacity and Consecution. Eidolon (sp?) is a routine with a "mind control" or "influenced hallucination" theme is very direct and yet requires you to exercise your ability to believe. His solution to the "pattern interrupt/forgetting" routine is very unique as well... it really reveals Patricks ability to look at a "problem" from a novel direction. His work on a remote view/cold reading (called "Photoreading") of a random family picture is really fascinating. I haven't tried this yet, but I am looking forward to the opportunity. Great works! Sean |
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