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RedDevil Inner circle Deep South 1315 Posts |
Hi, all. I'm 41 years old and have been enjoying the art of magic, like most of you, since I was 8 years old. For about 15 years, I have become a decent card worker (my goal has never been to win FISM, but just know 20 card tricks that blow the 21 card trick out of the water and do them extremely well). I've had the fortune to publish a few effects in Linking Ring, blah, blah, blah. I recently wrote an ebook (The Card Camera) that some thought was cool, but is not groundbreaking.
But I told my wife the other night that I'm, well, changing. It's weird. I enjoy 4-ace tricks as much as the next guy, but when I think back over the last two decades, the tricks I have always enjoyed the most have been mentalism effects. My thought transmitter is my all time favorite toy. Crystal Thought is my favorite effect from the "Expert Card" book. I think I have always known that this type of illusion is what I really love, but I have been working on sleights instead. Doing public speaking and crowd control is already a mainstay part of my job, and I think mentalism just feels more natural to me than cannibal cards (love that trick). Anyways, I'm also a reader and researcher. When I got my private pilot's license, I read everything. Now, I am fascinated with learning the fundamentals of mentalism. Osterlind's MInd Mysteries was a catalyst that just set it on fire. I've pulled out my annemann book that's been on my shelf for 15 years. I pulled my psy subt banachek book back out. I pulled my Theater of the Mind book back out. I can't get enough. Thus, I need your help. I am very attracted to billet work. I had 25 pads cut for me made up of thick paper for billets. As I said, my sleight work is already pretty solid (I don't have to think about p#$%*&g and transfers of small objects, etc.). My question is, where I can find some modern material on the handling of billets in a parlour setting so that I can apparently read the billets in order. I don't have the vocabulary to describe what I am saying, and I don't want to talk too much about methods, but what resources can you point me to so that I can easily set up three billets in the apparent correct order under close scrutiny. For instance, I have Jermay's "Make Mind Reading Real", and in his performance, I saw clearly (only because I know the basic method; he's awesome) how he took care of the numbering of the envelopes (and how he handled the assistant in the audience who held the envelopes for him). My thing is, however, I probably won't be performing for 50 people. Most likely, I will be in a more intimate setting with 5-8 people. I am thus looking for resources that I can either read or build that make the apparent numbering of the envelopes and reading them in order as fair as it can possibly look. Maybe I am making it too hard. I tried a letter envelope ploy based on an idea in Annemann on my family, and it worked, but it was cumbersome (I don't have any coin envelopes, but I have ordered some).Does this make any sense at all what I am trying to describe? Has this problem evolved since Annemann? If more appropriate, I would be glad to PM with anyone that is willing to share a little advice for a card guy having a mid-life crisis. Thanks in advance.
www.reddevilmentalism.com
F-F-U-L-Ri-F-F-Li-R-U-F-F |
Moderncelt Veteran user Twin Cities MN 343 Posts |
If you are specifically looking for billet information, it's going to be hard to beat Switch-Craft By Elliot Bresler. Huge amount of information, he keeps adding to it and you get the updates for free.
https://sites.google.com/site/ebswitch/home |
Ray Bertrand Inner circle Ottawa, Ontario 1452 Posts |
Quote:
On 2014-02-12 23:22, Moderncelt wrote: AND... THE PRICE IS RIGHT! Ray
Mentalism in Ontario.
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
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On 2014-02-12 21:01, RedDevil wrote: Yes, I'd say it's evolved considerably since Annemann. I've developed this effect considerably over the last thirty some years. Its evolution is described in my "Journey Through the 4th Dimension." You can see my version in performance at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC-rwZdqc......&index=4 Good thoughts, Bob |
Pakar Ilusi Inner circle 5777 Posts |
No Mid Life Crisis really...
In my opinion is that for someone over 40, Mentalism works better, as you have that maturity and "authority" that comes with age. Well, my opinion anyway...
"Dreams aren't a matter of Chance but a matter of Choice." -DC-
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cirrus Inner circle his minions made 1751 Posts |
If you want to learn billet work, then Switchcraft is what you need.
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B. Morrison Regular user 109 Posts |
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On 2014-02-12 23:22, Moderncelt wrote: No kidding. In these times when the "real work" can go for hundreds of dollars, this resource stands out as possibly the best value in mentalism. Someone with some extra time on their hands should put together a list of resources that don't cost you an arm and a leg. |
sbays Inner circle Burbank, CA 1065 Posts |
Switchcraft is really great. But listen to Bob Cassidy ... his work on 4th Dimensional Telepathy is probably the best I have ever seen. Also check out his Name/Place routine. These just can not be beat.
"Opportunity may only knock once, but temptation leans on the doorbell."
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rjbullock New user 41 Posts |
I have Allen Zing's Complete Billet Course, Volumes 1-4. I'm considering selling it. I just never got that much into billets. Think I paid $120 for it... Would probably take $75 if you're interested.
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RedDevil Inner circle Deep South 1315 Posts |
Mr. Cassidy et al,
Love 4dt! I didn't realize that Jermay was using your version. Love the routine very much! This is what I showed my family with my improvised system with letter envelopes. Question, if you were performing this with just a few people, say, in a living room, they will inevitably want to engage in conversation later about the effect. Perhaps they might ask, as my daughter did, why I didn't show her the billet as I opened it from the env. In stage presentations this wouldn't be a problem because we wouldn't have to talk with them and socialize afterwards. Can you point me to any resources or advice as to how to deal with this problem in parlor and close up situations? Or should I avoid it all together in such contexts? How do you handle this when someone inquires this during performance? The only solution that comes to mind would be to put the billets in a bowl or hat after each opening and do biz at the end to be clean. Not asking to cheat methods here, only advice and direction. I LOVE this routine.
www.reddevilmentalism.com
F-F-U-L-Ri-F-F-Li-R-U-F-F |
RedDevil Inner circle Deep South 1315 Posts |
And thanks to all about advice about switchcraft. Would this book offer me some help with the type of question I posed?
www.reddevilmentalism.com
F-F-U-L-Ri-F-F-Li-R-U-F-F |
mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts |
RedDevil-
In my routine you can, if you wish, return the billets immediately after each revelation, so there is no problem. (And sometimes I do apparently show it as I'm reading it. All of these finesses and details are described in "A Journey Through the 4th Dimension.") That said, I don't perform for family or close friends unless they happen to be in the audience at a regular show. Good thoughts, Bob |
dusty Veteran user 352 Posts |
Hi Red Devil,
All the advice re Eliot's publication is spot on, a must have! I have a privately produced routine called Clue & A which allows a performer to begin revealing the contents of the billet BEFORE they touch the billet. No vague statements No pre-show, no peeks and no one-ahead. This is done in real time in full view of the audience.
Regards,
Dusty aka Max Gordon. "Always give 100%, Unless you're a blood donor!" Exclusive publications available from: www.solutions.yolasite.com |
bevbevvybev Inner circle UK 2672 Posts |
You may want to take a look at a routine called 'Psi-Graphico' - it's not billets exactly although it does use cards, and it's a great way to do a Q + A style thing that you can tailor to your own needs.
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B. Morrison Regular user 109 Posts |
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On 2014-02-14 05:25, bevbevvybev wrote: While the write-up in MAGICK gives complete details, for my money Jon St. Germain provides the ultimate description of this classic in "The Compleat Fortune Teller". Plus, he obtained Cicardi's blessing to do so, and that makes him one of the good guys in my book. |
David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts |
There are just so many things you can do with billets. Two of the resources I've found most useful are Cassidy's 4DT and Osterlind's Perfected Center Tear. These are two routines that I actually USE every day.
It really is a subjective call, of course. The question you might want to consider asking is: Where do YOU want to go with billets? There's a pile of material out there to enjoy and learn from. David
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except bears. Bears will kill you.
My books are here: www.magicpendulums.com www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com |
Ray Bertrand Inner circle Ottawa, Ontario 1452 Posts |
Bob Cassidy's 4dt is without a doubt one of the very best routines out there.
Ray
Mentalism in Ontario.
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