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Drewmcadam Inner circle Scotland 1239 Posts |
I’ve recently come up with a drawing replication idea that works like a dream. I’m not a great fan of iffy looking clipboards, wallets, business card holders as impression devices, however as I am a journalist a reporter’s notebook is always at hand… So, I whip out my notebook and hand it to the spec, requesting that they draw some object that is easily recognizable… the usual sort of thing. The first couple of pages have my scribbles on them, so I tell them to ignore those pages and go to the next one. The drawing completed, I get them to rip out the drawing and place it in a pocket or other place of safekeeping. The next page is torn out, “in case the pen has left a mark through the page…” and the same with the next page… “just in case.” By this point the dirty work is all but done (even though if they look through the notebook there is nothing to see.)
And that’s where the problem arises. Obviously I need the notebook back. There are the usual “subtleties” like having the pen attached to the notebook by a bit of string (which looks fishy, to say the least.) And there is… “Oh, I’ll need my pen” (keeping the quivering note of rising panic from my voice in case they hand me the pen, and the pen only, but not the notebook.) Question: how do you get your impression device back from the spec, yet make it look casual and natural? |
Paul Inner circle A good lecturer at your service! 4409 Posts |
I don’t see the problem here, why would he want to hang onto it? You loaned it to him to write or draw something, he has torn that from the pad, just take it back.
Take it back while requesting him to fold his pages if you need motivation, he can’t fold the pages one handed. In taking it back you are being helpful? I think possibly you are making a mountain out of a molehill here Drew. Paul Hallas. |
Jonathan Inner circle Oklahoma 1223 Posts |
Sounds good. I wish you could email me or PM me about how to build one. I agree with Paul, just ask for it back. You've already proven it has nothing to do with the notebook in their mind.
Jonathan Grant |
Drewmcadam Inner circle Scotland 1239 Posts |
Perhaps it’s Magician’s Guilt. Getting the device back is crucial, and perhaps I just award more importance to it than it deserves. However, it’s always in the back of my mind that any spec with half a brain is going to think “carbon paper” – even if the method is wrong. “If I give him this back, then he’ll somehow see what I’ve drawn…”
Paul, I think your point of taking the pad back while requesting him to fold his pages and his hands are full with envelope, pen and drawing is a good one. Seems reasonable, and makes you look helpful. I like that – thanx. Just had a thought... what if the spec rips out the spare sheets and tosses them in the bin... INCLUDING the one that has the impression on it. Later retreival of the naughty piece, and Bob's your uncle. Now that has possibilities! |
laidback New user NJ 51 Posts |
Drew,
After they've drawn their picture you can immediately begin the theatrics of reading their mind. But once you start to receive their image, you will need to draw the imagage you're receiving, right? So it should be fairly natural that they give you the pad back. |
Lee Marelli Special user Aurora, Colorado 876 Posts |
Hi Drew: If you worry about whether your audience participant will find out what you are doing, they will sense your discomfort and will think something is going on.
All the advice you got is correct. Just do it like you do when you are interviewing someone. If you ask them to write a phone number down, etc., in your Notebook. I imagine you do not leave your notebook with them. I’m sure they were as awed as you were, you asked Geller to give back your notebook. If they inadvertantly tear out and throw away the "page", so what. Thank them and tell them that you may get back to them later in the show. Then just leave and go on to another person and do it again. Hope this helps.
"Mentalism is a state of mind." Marelli
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Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
Drew,
I will give you some advice that comes in one sentence from Aldo Colombini: "You are the only one who knows!" In this case, you're the only one who knows the effect AND the method. It's your pad--why on earth would they keep it? Do your thing, take the pad back and get on with it. Remember the words of another great magician, John Ramsay: "The audience will consider important what you consider important, and unimportant what you consider unimportant!" Or, even Nike: "Just Do It!"
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
Jonathan Inner circle Oklahoma 1223 Posts |
Just take it back, don’t even look at the book look into their eyes. Talk to them, it’s natural to take it back then.
Jonathan Grant |
crossroader New user 78 Posts |
Or, you could tell them that they should try to read your mind. You take the notebook, do your dirty work, and then draw a simple psychological force (triangle-circle).
Ask them to think of two simple drawings, one inside the other. If they miss, OK. If they hit, it's great and then continue as usual. Christos |
Alex Reeve New user 63 Posts |
I think the answer is in your post.
You want your note book back because you need the scribbles, writing that you have on the first couple of pages in order to write your next article or because thoses notes are important to you Alex |
Mr Amazing Special user 617 Posts |
A little non-verbal communication does the trick - simply strech out your hand as you patter about his thoughts. This encourages him to give you the pad in a casual manner.
Additionally, your reason for needing the pad is justified if you are to draw a similar drawing as his (one line at a time, letting the picture become clear gradually). Sincerely, Matias |
Martin Pulman Inner circle London 3399 Posts |
I concur with all of the above as I take my pad back in my routine without any qualms.Surely peek wallets etc are much more suspicious, I mean why are you taking their written words/symbol back from them?
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
Why are all of the pages in your notebook blank to begin with?? Wouldn't it make more sense to have notes in the book and to turn to a blank sheet for use in the effect?
Obviously you would then need to get your notebook back--- it has your notes in it! I think this is an important point in most impromptu mentalism. If a device is to be used it should appear to be something that just happens to be handy and not something that is specifically needed for the experiment at hand. Example: "I need a piece of paper. Wait, here's one." The mentalist uses this line while looking about for something to write on, and acts like he just remembered that he had a notebook. He flips through the written on pages until he arrives at a blank one. Hope this helps. Bob Cassidy |
brownbomber Regular user Edinburgh 156 Posts |
I agree with Bob, on the top page of my notebook I always have some phone numbers or 'things to do' - also I have a couple of pages half torn out. It looks totally authenticated and not like a magician's prop - there's no suspicion whatsoever.
bb |
Tony Razzano Inner circle South River, NJ 1600 Posts |
Bob is, as usual, right on the mark.
Also, we need to read more...especially Bob's books. Best regards, Tony Razzano
Best regards,
<BR>Tony Razzano, Past President, PEA Winner of the PEA"s Bascom Jones and Bob Haines Awards |
Martin Pulman Inner circle London 3399 Posts |
Quote: If I am performing impromtu I use my gaffed diary which also doubles as my real diary.I have also used an address book.The alphabet down the side makes for easy access to my gimmick.
On 2002-05-07 17:44, mastermindreader wrote: |
Necromancer Inner circle Chicago 3076 Posts |
Of course, Bob is right if we're talking about impromptu-looking mentalism.
If, on the other hand, you want to do a "test conditions" effect in which the audience participant, pre-show, writes on a piece of paper torn from a notebook, wraps it in tin foil, seals it in an envelope, and KEEPS both the envelope and the notebook in his pocket until the moment you, during your show, duplicate whatever figure he drew with uncanny accuracy, there's a very cool routine in one of the Osterlind books.
Creator of The Xpert (20 PAGES of reviews!), Cut & Color, Hands-Off Multiple ESP (HOME) System, Rider-Waite Readers book, Zoom Pendulum ebook ...
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Andy Leviss Inner circle NYC 1179 Posts |
Or if you can still get your hands on a used one, get Ted Karmilovich's Vision in Black, my favorite drawing duplication method, which is a similar test conditions effect. It's not currently available for sale, although Ted did mention that it would be detailed in "the book" later this year.
Note: I have PMs turned off; if you want to reach me, please e-mail [email]Andy.MagicCafe@DucksEcho.com[/email]!
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Darmoe Special user Ohio 741 Posts |
I like much of what I'm hearing... logic and a few angles I've not wieghed before.
When I'm doing shows I have the clip boards laying on a table as guest come in and a girl asking if folks want to participate, etc. Once they've filled out their card, placed it into an envelope and put it into their pocket they do what's nature... they return the clip board where they found it... no one thinks a thing of it. Once everyone is in, the girl does the dirty work and gets me the data in our own special way... she also switches the clip boards! We replace them with regular little wood or see-thru duplicates that have nothing at all wrong with them! (Just so folks can come out and a.) see them undisturbed; b.) check them out just in case they think something's up.) It's done innocently and very passive. Never had a single problem with them!
"I firmly believe that of all the Arts and Crafts of Mentalism, there is nothing more satisfying than one who is a first-class Reader. It is the ultimate in Mentalism..." - Tony Corinda * 13 Steps To Mentalism
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