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Christopher Williams Inner circle Portsmouth, UK 4464 Posts |
Hi guys, below is part of a Mark Elsdon newsletter I recently received, hopefully he won't mind me posting it here for everyone...
Mark showed me this when he lectured in Torquay a couple months ago...was brilliant! Read this, as it was exactly what happened...Myself, Gary Jones, Mark Elsdon, Mark Bendall etc were sat sessioning around a table in a bar Torquay...all of a sudden, Mark stops us mid conversation, and says 'Do you mind? Sorry, can't concentrate with the noise from the TV', then he pointed at the TV, and it just turned off!!! And then he carried on talking...it was hilarious and incredibly baffling at the same time. The bar staff just looked in shock at the TV. Then they had big grins on their face. We went and showed them some Magic, and as we left, Mark pointed back at the TV and turned it back on!!! He hadn't been there before us, as we met him when he arrived in Torquay! I hounded and hounded him after the lecture to teach me or explain, and he just smiled, knowing he had us all fooled...now I see it is being released! It isn't cheap, but OMG it will be worth it, so many possibilities, my order is in! Limited edition, so my advice, get one quick!!! This may sound like a cliche, but these will sell quick! Mark Elsdon’s ScreenBurn Four professional mentalism effects which ultimately end with the same effect: at anytime the performer chooses he can invisibly switch on or off any standard, plasma or LCD TV screen. Here are details of the first effect: The mentalist is concluding his performance in a bar and offers to show one last ‘extraordinary moment’. Several spectators look around the room and write down on napkins (or business cards, or whatever) the names of random objects they can see: drink, bottle, pool table, window, TV, fan, bartender, etc. One spectator is nominated and he chooses a napkin. He presses down on the napkin while the performer simply passes his hand above. The spectator exclaims that he can feel a ‘strange tingling sensation’ in his hand. Immediately he says this, the TV screen switches straight off. Anybody who looks across at the performer at this point would see that his hands are empty. The spectator turns over the napkin and it bears a single word: Television. The fourth effect plays like this: After he finishes his set, the performer says that the spectators can now have some further entertainment, albeit of a less magical nature. He takes out his business card, hands it to someone and asks them to draw a remote control on the back of it. After this is done he directs them to point it at a nearby TV and press the ‘ON’ button. When they do, the TV turns on! This is one business card they will keep... Honed over hundreds of performances during the last 3 years, the four ScreenBurn presentations offer theatrical effects of great resonance which are as at home in a formal performance as they are in an (apparently) impromptu setting at a friend’s house. Every detail of the psychology and scripting of each effect is fully taught and the reasoning behind it is explained. All the effects are completely practical, one-person, real-world performance pieces. No stooges, rigged clothing or special conditions are required. Mark Elsdon’s ScreenBurn is available in a limited edition of 250. It comes complete with all necessary hardware (which carries a full 2-year warranty) and a signed, numbered booklet of instructions and effects. The hardware is very easy to use, has been extensively tested and works worldwide. It can turn on or off any standard, plasma or LCD TV screen as many times as you like. Minimal set-up time, no programming, codes or specialist knowledge required. No demos will be available. Price is £50, and if you want one, just email Mark at onetruemerlin@hotmail.com |
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Piers Inner circle A Limited Edition of 1394 Posts |
I guess this could also be achieved with one of those remote control sockets made in China?
www.justgiving.com/piers-cancer-fund www.justgiving.com/Piers-Cancer-Fund-2 www.justgiving.com/Piers-Cancer-Fund-3 Finished my 4 months of Chemotherapy in 2009. 3 monthly checks since... and into 2021! As seen on the QE2 and QM2. Author of Salem's Cornucopia - SUC Book |
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Y2John Inner circle 1498 Posts |
Though it's possible to easily get a hold of gizmos that can turn tv's on and off, maybe the routines provided will give us a reason to actually use them.
The gizmos cost a few quid, but this might not be one of those readily available ones, and could be custom designed for all we know. Of course if you just want to turn TV's on and off, then go for one of those gizmos like TV-B-Gone... but there must be more to this release than at first appears. Who knows though I guess... maybe we'll hear from the creator on this one. |
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Christopher Williams Inner circle Portsmouth, UK 4464 Posts |
It depends how you see it or build it, and as I haven't seen Mark's gimmick, I don't know what it is, however, a gag I think not, a serious feat of Magic I think is more appropriate. I think when Mark performed it for us, it wasn't a gag, as we didn't laugh, and neither did he...we were in shock at what he had done. When you see it done on the offbeat like Mark, you don't think anything like 'He must have some sort of gadget that does it'...you just think to yourself...'What the?!?!'
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PsiDroid Inner circle 2164 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-07-16 16:47, Christopher Williams wrote: true. but what some peoples comments I think meant was the fact that IF it's only a gizmo they can easily buy a tv b-gone or tv-out for a mere $5. and don't think other people have not used those CHEAP gimmicks as a mentalism routine because I know of at least two people who did use those gizmo to TURN OFF TVS in a serious way - Not a gag. so what I will expect to buy for £50 has to be at least one solid routine otherwise I can buy a gizmo for european/asian tvs and one for Usa tvs for a total of $15 or less and be set to turn off and on almost any tv screen. if there are some solid routines going with the gizmo,only then this is something to consider buying |
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kannon Inner circle BCN 1025 Posts |
I have no doubt Mark has some great routines behind it, but I feel switching off a TV via a remote control is so common place, so well known the effect may well then just become a puzzle to the spectator "where did he hide the remote control"... if there is initially a shock factor I'm sure the thought after was "did he have a remote" and then the funny side will set in....i.e "ohh man almost fell for that".
Shame I wasn't there myself to experience it.
My work and the Mtangulizi here http://kannonsworks.weebly.com featuring work on drawing duplications, a fiddle-free billet tear, bar mentalism, pendulums
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fooksau Loyal user 299 Posts |
Not only that, they will think "okay, who has the remote control?"
How many Magicians does it take to advertise a trick? Three.. One to steal the trick. One to steal HIS trick. And one to write a good review.
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Mark Elsdon Loyal user 249 Posts |
Hello!
A couple of points brought up in this thread warrant comments, so I'm very happy to do so. ScreenBurn is almost 100% to do with the routines. The gimmicks involved are almost irrelevant. Whilst the effect I did for Chris and the guys was perfect for them in that environment, I think that simply turning off a TV is the worst possible use of ScreenBurn! That said, when I did it for Chris, my hands were empty and no one saw anything That particular effect, though, whilst good for magicians is not one I have ever used for laymen. It is fully described in the endnotes section of the ScreenBurn booklet, along with several other ideas. It is NOT one of the four fully-scripted routines that I have spent the last couple of years honing. For the ScreenBurn effect to achieve its full potential, it should seem that the physical result of the effect is that almost anything could have happened: a radio might have turned off, a glass might have smashed, a menu might have fallen over or... the TV turned itself on. The consistent reaction I get is not "who's got the remote?" (which would be a very, very poor effect) but "how is that even possible?" Think about that for a moment. Eveybody who ever sees ScreenBurn performed ALREADY knows how TVs are turned on or off. With a remote control. So for them to be fooled is completely a matter of context. Now of course, if anyone looks over at me after the TV goes off, they will see that I'm not holding anything, remote control or otherwise. I can tell you from experience, though, that the spectators' first reaction isn't to look at me, but to stare at the screen with a kind of bewilderment. As I say, it's all down to the context. In three of the four effects, the first one of which is described in Chris' initial post above, I am apparently unaware of what has been chosen by the spectator. So the climax of the effect is NOT the TV going on or off (strong though that is) but the final revelation of the spectator's choice. I hope that you can see why that is such a big difference... Regarding the mini-remotes available on ebay, one of which is linked to above, I have tried them all! There are 3 or 4 different kinds if you search carefully. They all have the same attributes, though: about a third of them don't work from the moment you receive them and about a third pack up after a day or two! The gimmick that comes with ScreenBurn is a modified version of an existing unit and comes with a full 2-year warranty, meaning that if it should stop working, I will replace it. I honestly don't expect to need to replace very many though. Finally, the reason I decided not to make a demo was very simple: the ScreenBurn effect needs to be personally experienced to be appreciated. If I had made a demo, all the comments would have been that someone off-camera was simply using a remote control, despite the fact that it would have been me, in full view on-camera, who was fully controlling the TV. Remember the TV going on or off is just one part of the ScreenBurn effect, essential though it may be. I hope these comments and additional details help anyone who is interested in the ScrenBurn effect to make an informed buying decision. So far 131 of the 250 available have been sold. I fully anticipate selling out before the release date. If you have any futher questions, please feel free to PM me. Cheers, Mark Elsdon
Check out The View From Here:
http://elsdon.blogspot.com/ |
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bond19 Inner circle Blackpool, England 1338 Posts |
£50...
I don't have this but what ever the routine containes judging by Marks decription I just don't get it?, I mean come on £50!! |
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Y2John Inner circle 1498 Posts |
Hey...
Cheers for coming on and giving us all the info, and I think I understand now the way you've gone with this piece. I had thought that there would be more to it than at first seemed, and that the value would be in the routines themselves. 50 quid is pretty steep for what at first appears to be turning a tv off, but I can see the power in having there chosen/thought of selection suddenly reacting in some way. So your saying that both hands can be seen openly whilst till activating the device? If so then that would be a cool thing to have. |
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Mark Elsdon Loyal user 249 Posts |
Hi Chris (Bond19),
That's fair enough, you're obviously entitled to your opinion and free to vote with your wallet IMHO it IS worth that though, based on my experience with how strong it plays and the amount of time and thought I have put into developing the ScreenBurn effects. In fact, if the price for this was a TRUE representation of the amount of work I have put into this, it would be much, much higher. Just to repeat what I said earlier: ScreenBurn really needs to be personally experienced to be appreciated. Hence why Chris Williams is hugely excited I am releasing it and you don't think it's worth the money! Cheers, Mark Elsdon
Check out The View From Here:
http://elsdon.blogspot.com/ |
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matt.magicman Inner circle Mars 1524 Posts |
When is the date for release mark?
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Mark Elsdon Loyal user 249 Posts |
It will be released on August 11th 2008.
Cheers, Mark Elsdon.
Check out The View From Here:
http://elsdon.blogspot.com/ |
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Mark Elsdon Loyal user 249 Posts |
Just a heads up that there are only 29 of these left out of 250. When they are gone they are gone...
Please PM or email me if you need more info... Cheers, Mark Elsdon
Check out The View From Here:
http://elsdon.blogspot.com/ |
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mindcontroller Regular user Inside your Head! 173 Posts |
Must be a good booklet, I have been carrying around a tiny remote control for over a year (it's actually a sophisticated digital micro-computer) I often walk past Electric shops and switch off the display models when I'm bored, or if they are off, switch them back on or increase the volumes as often they are muted (I get bored easily lol). It can even "grab" the coding information while the target TV is turned off!
More recently I've been switching plasma TV's off during the night at Travel Agents! (I live in a town centre) Not tried the bookies yet though lol, Sports events at Pubs would be a giggle, airports, bars, neighbours, restaurants! I often turn down the TV volumes at the gym! If anyone wants one, I'll sell my remotes for £5 delivered in UK, £6 worldwide! You supply your own routines! |
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felix2 New user 96 Posts |
Put me in for one.,mindcontroller.Id like to play with this.
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kambiz Inner circle Perth, down by the cool of the pool 1129 Posts |
Hey mindcontroller, I am keen for one also....how can we get in touch with you?
Best Kam
If I speak forth, many a mind will shatter,
And if I write, many a pen will break. .....and when I consider my own self, lo, I find it coarser than clay! |
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mindcontroller Regular user Inside your Head! 173 Posts |
Hi guys just send me your email address in a PM and I'll get back to you, having now purchased one of the limited released Screenburns for the booklet alone, I can say the remote controls are exactly the same design however mine work a lot more quickly. Not impressed with the booklet at all or the routines!
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VcosNJ Inner circle 1179 Posts |
Hey mindcontroller, I can't pm you for some reason. I'm interested as well.
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Astrocity Special user 523 Posts |
Mindcontroller,
Why isn't there a PM link in your profile? I'm definitely interested in your remote... Thanks, Hank |
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