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DrewBstoss Special user SLC, Utah 583 Posts |
(Brace yourself for a lengthy and information filled post haha.)
I'm nearing completion of my new book. Due to an increase in the number of emails and PMs that I've received in the last two weeks - I thought it might be time to provide some details on the teaser sitting in my signature line. The content of the book might surprise some. If you're familiar with my work, you'll know that I primarily rely on classic methods which are pretty much guaranteed to deliver within a paid performance. I'm not opposed to leveraging concepts from the world of "propless mentalism" - but I typically do so only to enhance more sure-fire material. I rarely ever perform something solely built on propless methods. One routine in my repertoire breaks that mold though, and it is the main focus of this new book. What is the routine? In short, it's a PIN divination that I like to call ELEMENTARY. I readily admit that there's an abundance of such routines on the market but, in my eyes, nearly all of them fall short of the mark. Most don't FEEL like "genuine" mind reading for one or more of the following reasons: they suffer from a heavy (and obvious) mathematical procedure; they play out like a game of 20 Questions due the amount of fishing required; they make no sense from a presentational point of view; they are too cumbersome for the participant and/or performer to navigate during the heat of performance. ELEMENTARY, in my humble opinion, addresses those problems directly. You offer to demonstrate how your skills might allow you to pull an ATM PIN from someone's mind. Out of respect for the participant's privacy, you request that he think of a substitute PIN. You even invite him to change his mind several times before settling on four digits. This new PIN is never written down or spoken aloud until the successful conclusion of the performance wherein you divine the number. Here are a couple points that are worth emphasizing: 1) There is no math involved in the process used to generate the substitute PIN. The procedure in play is minimal, feels extremely fair and is completely motivated. 2) The PIN creation process takes approximately one minute - around the same time needed for traditional peek approaches. 3) The system delivers you most (if not all) of the PIN within seconds and WELL BEFORE the participant could fathom that you could possibly know anything. This feature allows you to relax and enjoy the performance along with everyone else. 4) This is one of those rare routines where the presented method and the real method are so closely aligned that it FEELS authentic to all involved (including you as the performer). Don't misunderstand me, you aren't ACTUALLY reading the participants mind, but it almost feels that way! 5) The method works in any language, anywhere in the world. 6) Once you become comfortable with the scripting and system(s), this is just as reliable as any of your favorite peek strategies. Speaking personally, over the last two years I have only used peeks for names, drawings, memories and the like - when I want to reveal a PIN, I use ELEMENTARY and the number only ever exists in the participant's mind. 7) Most importantly, please understand that this is not "self-working" and you won't be performing this within minutes of learning it. To become fully comfortable with the system(s), it will take some time and effort. That said, the work involved is comparable to learning a star sign anagram (so it genuinely isn't that difficult). Once it clicks in your mind, you'll find that you aren't relying on memory as much as logic and deduction. Not only will you learn the basic system, I also share nine variations - each one providing a wealth of additional enhancements and subtleties built off of the core method. These include a spectator-as-mind reader variant, two "silent" approaches, a handling that uses two participants for a double PIN reveal, and two versions that are perfectly suited for stage performances. After nearly every chapter, I have prepared practice sessions designed to help you gain confidence in the system(s) before using them in the real world. The book also includes a bonus concept I call "Amalgamation." This is yet another one of my favorite propless techniques. It's an extremely deceptive and reliable verbal strategy to force thoughts ranging from names to countries to drawings (and more). This fits well alongside the overall performance aesthetics and philosophies found in the ELEMENTARY system, so I thought it would make a nice addition to the project. I went to great lengths to capture every nuance of the systems within the book - resulting in a page count over 230 pages. That length is not a function of complexity but rather because I want others to be extremely successful and confident during performance. I hope readers recognize the book as a toolbox wherein the ideas and variations can be mixed and matched to construct a PIN divination perfectly suited for each performer. After sharing this with a handful of people across the globe, I have come to appreciate that it is helpful if you get to experience the routine before learning the system. That way, you'll have a clear idea on how efficient, direct and deceptive the method is. For that reason, I have decided to set aside a few hours each week to demo the most basic version of ELEMENTARY for anyone who may be interested in purchasing the book. In some ways, the "basic version" is the least deceptive approach I share in the book - so if you like it, I'm confident that you'll be THRILLED with the other variations. The basic version is also the one that I anticipate readers will perform most frequently. If you'd like to jump on a quick 10-minute zoom call to see ELEMENTARY in action, use the following link to schedule a time. I'll send out zoom details at least one hour before the time you select. The only thing I ask in return is that you take a moment to share your initial experience with the routine in this thread. https://calendly.com/drewbackenstoss/elementary-demo NOTE: I'm in the MST time zone (GMT -7) so please plan accordingly. I look forward to meeting some of you soon! I will share more details about the book (price, availability, etc.) when things are ironed out over the coming weeks. Best wishes, Drew
"The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before." Neil Gaiman
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Mac_Stone Inner circle Miami, FL 1424 Posts |
Fans of prop-less mentalism will love this.
Fans of mentalism will love this too. |
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Ori Ascher New user 85 Posts |
This is VERY exciting, Drew!
As an obvious fan of this plot, I'm really looking forward to this. |
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Nathan Alexander Inner circle 2024 Posts |
TLDR: It's awesome. Drew's awesome.
We all have access to so many versions of so many things, so I hope you'll appreciate what that means when I say I love this. I have more duplicate/versions of secrets and props than I'll use as my go-to. So when I choose which wallet for peeks, that says something. Or what goes on my key rings. Or what I'll carry *in* my wallet (limited space, right?). The billet tear I'll use. You get it. (PS - Andy got me sticking and going back to the classic center tear, as far as that goes.) That kind of thing. Drew performed this on me. This is the one propless PIN reveal that I'll be using. I've seen others, never cared to learn them. If you're fans of Drew's work, you already know what to expect. He's one of what...maybe 7-10 guys you can trust has a hit with pretty much every release? He's a thorough teacher and has performed everything he's proposing for routines; this isn't 6 pages of triple-spaced, mostly blank pages with half-baked ideas. He's thought about this a lot, and it shows. And he's proficient at explaining it well. He's a detail nut, he cares, and it shows. I've had the chance to get familiar with the routine but haven't performed it yet. Hectic in the Stockwell household with all of us recently testing positive for COVID and being busy with everything else (we're all fine, though). That being said, as I noted above, this will be my "go-to" PIN for propless. I was truly shocked when I knew that HE knew my PIN, even though I knew it was coming. There was one section that on hindsight I reverse engineered as a magician, but of course, we have our magician hats on. One of my favorite effects from Drew's book is Common Cents Prediction. Like that routine (or any from his incredible book) you know he covers every detail and has thought it through. I mention the above because his stuff is workable and meant to be used in "the real world". This is now part of my mental EDC (and that space diminishes a bit each year). You'll like it. You'll use it. PS - Drew didn't ask, nor did he know, that I would post this. |
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Manos Kartsakis Loyal user 240 Posts |
I will keep this short. Everyone here knows that Drew is a good friend of mine. When he wanted to show me this my response was "I don't really like propless PIN divinations. I tried it a few years ago and dropped it. I think it's better if they just write the *** thing down and then you peek at it."
Then Drew showed me his version and I loved it. I was wrong. THE END |
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Martin Pulman Inner circle London 3399 Posts |
Sounds very interesting. Would it be accurate to say this technique can only be used to divine a substitute PIN rather than the participant's actual PIN number?
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elimagic Inner circle 1664 Posts |
Drew has performed this on me and we have chatted about it and I can safely say this is the fairest propless pin divination I've experienced. It's also quite easy to do. Like everything from Drew, his attention to detail and his innate inability to provide anything other than well thought out, fully formed ideas in excruciating detail is a huge asset. I've read one of the more recent drafts and you learn the system within the first 20 pages or so... and yet there are well over 200 plus pages in the book. So there are options, ideas, practice sessions, etc. I don't normally like propless routines as like drew said above, they are very seldom that a game of 20 questions to the spectator. This does a very good job of disguising the process as normal conversation. This is something I will use.
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Nathan Alexander Inner circle 2024 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 25, 2020, elimagic wrote: Hahaha... this was what I was trying to say. You're much more eloquent than me. Sums it up nicely. |
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MadisonH Inner circle 1754 Posts |
Wow, I don’t want it to seem like I’m hopping on a hype train, but I have read these and they are awesome pieces of work as typical from Drew.
Drew took existing ideas and “completed” them. He has added his unique Backenstoss touch which elevates this propless pin divination from a puzzle to something that genuinely feels like mind reading for all involved. And as others have said, he doesn’t stop there. He gives you idea after idea after idea and you are CERTAIN to find one of the systems that work well for you and your character. You get the information incredibly quickly and invisibly in a process which many performers would add as a presentational touch anyway! It’s typical Drew brilliance. The worst thing about being Drew’s friend is he makes me feel dumber than a box of rocks because his thinking is always next level. Amalgamation is also a beautiful propless revelation of something other than a PIN. It is largely influenced by the works of Turner and Fraser, but honed in to make it 100% accurate and totally deceptive for all involved. As I’ve said, drew has a way with adding small touches which take things to the next level. This is another great example of this thinking. If you have any interest at all in this work, you won’t be disappointed. It’s the best of the best for what it does. P.S. Yes you can only use it to reveal a substitute PIN, but this is the gentlemanly thing to do rather than blurt out someone’s personal details. Madison |
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DrewBstoss Special user SLC, Utah 583 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 25, 2020, Martin Pulman wrote: Hi Martin, Yes, that is an accurate statement. That's how I have always performed PIN divinations though (regardless of the method used). If you perform pickpocketing at an event you run the risk of being accused of theft if someone misplaces one of their belongings. As a Mentalist I could be exposed to a similar risk if I reveal someone's actual PIN and subsequent to the event the account is compromised. The chances of it happening are small - yes - but I'd rather completely avoid the risk. Additionally, I've always received strong reactions using a substitute number. From a presentation standpoint it's also incredibly easy to justify, "Think about this, the PIN you just created ONLY exists in your mind. It's not like I could have looked over your shoulder while you entered it into you phone or an ATM machine. So in a lot of ways, this number is even MORE secure than your actual PIN." Best wishes, Drew
"The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before." Neil Gaiman
Please consider subscribing to my newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hmdnUX |
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Mark_Chandaue Inner circle Essex UK 4191 Posts |
The only thing I need to know about this is that it has Drew’s name on it!! If you have read AOTM and/or seen Drew’s Penguin lecture that tells you all you need to know about Drew’s releases. If you are lucky enough to have his Omni Test you know that his attention to detail is second to none. I have never seen anything from Drew, either published or not, that has failed to impress me.
Mark |
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Martin Pulman Inner circle London 3399 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 25, 2020, DrewBstoss wrote: Hi Drew, Thanks very much for your reply. It is indeed very easy to justify not using a real pin but I think the effect loses a lot of its power that way. I much prefer Mentalism to deal in personal experiences and information, where possible; especially in conversational settings. For the same reason I think many of the incredibly clever methods that have been devised to reveal names, memories etc are badly compromised when those names, memories etc are not personal to the participant. It's always about where the compromise is made and the inability to reveal a real phone pin, for example (which, unlike an ATM pin, doesn't really suggest a terrible security risk) is compromising too early, for me, personally. I note there is a spectator as mind reader version, however, so if that means the participant can reveal your pin (which will be taken as authentic) then I'm certainly intrigued to study that version, as I have been highly impressed by everything of yours I've seen so far. Regards, Martin |
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Mark Timon Special user 596 Posts |
I am intrigued by this because if the spectators only thinks of a pin number, it is impossible to guess it unless you ask a LOT of questions. Which turns the routine into a quiz instead of mind reading.
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elimagic Inner circle 1664 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 25, 2020, Mark Timon wrote: This does not suffer from that syndrome I really despise those propless routines and this is not one of them |
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no2ss Inner circle California 1027 Posts |
I am generally not a fan of any style of pin revelations. I often find them tedious, but will almost certainly pick this up because I always learn useful things from Drew's thinking... (I ordered his first book literally on the side of the highway punching info into my phone in the middle of a road trip (remember those?), because I wanted to be one of the first to order it...)
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DrewBstoss Special user SLC, Utah 583 Posts |
To all those who celebrate it - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
I'm truly grateful that magic/mentalism has helped me see so many places, meet so many wonderful people, and gift the experience of mystery to so many audiences. Thank you one and all who have taken a moment to comment or ask a question on this thread. I was just informed that all of the demo slots I made available for the next three weeks have been filled (that was quick!) - so I carved out a little more time tomorrow afternoon while my youngest naps Just use the link at the bottom of my OP to schedule. On another note, my friend Nique Tan just informed me that PINs in Singapore are 6 digits long. To be clear, ELEMENTARY is only designed for 4 digits. I'll see if I can accommodate two extra numbers - but that might be a nut I crack further down the road Best wishes, Drew
"The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before." Neil Gaiman
Please consider subscribing to my newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hmdnUX |
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Mark_Chandaue Inner circle Essex UK 4191 Posts |
I suspect Nique Tan is thinking of phone pass codes rather than PIN’s. The standard bank card pin is 4 digits in Singapore.
Mark |
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Illucifer Inner circle 1403 Posts |
Get this. Trust me (and all the others above who’ve sung its praises).
This is real, workable, solid material that you will absolutely use. Like with everything Drew releases, he has thought this through exhaustively. He could’ve stopped halfway through developing these pieces and still had an excellent product. But, if you know Drew, you know that’s just not possible for him, so you gain the tremendous benefit of his inability to stop his very clever mind from obsessing over an idea or concept.
It's all in the reflexes.
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JamieD Inner circle London 1800 Posts |
There are few creators whom as soon as I see a product of theirs, I without fail and without even reading the ad copy, purchase the item. I consider 'Architect of the Mind' to be one of the finest modern mentalism books available and so, whist I havent seen this, I know it will be incredible and I cannot wait to get hold of it.
Jamie Daws
TORCE - VMRS - DARK SERIES
www.JAMIEDAWS.CO.UK |
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nique Special user Singapore 940 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 26, 2020, Mark_Chandaue wrote: Hi Mark, I did mention to Drew that I might be using phone unlock codes for the presentation of the Elementary method because of the issue with the length of our PINs. Funny story: Timon Krause lectured here last year and taught a PIN reveal. He got a shock during the performance of the routine when he realised it was 6 digits instead of 4 - needless to say he had to take longer on the method used. 🤣 He still nailed it, obviously. Local bank cards here, when we use them at ATMs are in fact, 6 digits long. If you’re a foreigner using our ATMs here, I have read online that in such cases they will accept your card and your 4 digit PIN. However, us locals here key in 6 digits when using ATMs or when making electronic payments. If you haven’t had Drew perform this for you, I recommend you arrange for a session. It’s something you need to experience to know how direct this feels. ~ Nique
https://youtube.com/user/nateuqin
"ChairLess - A Chair Prediction" "Epique - A Mental Epic" "TAP - The Assignment Prediction" PM or email me for details: niquetan@gmail.com Reviews here: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=462773&forum=303&13 https://m.facebook.com/niquetanmindreader/ www.niquetan.com |
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