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Greg Arce Inner circle 6732 Posts |
I can't believe no one is talking about this book. It's great! Here is the review I put in a thread that was dealing with Archer's Magic Square:
Okay, I just got Stimulacra by Doug Dyment. Once again he has put together some great ideas and routines. Yes, he gives you an interesting touch with the Magic Square. And there's some great ideas with ESP cards, but there are two standout ideas: Disjuncture and The Real Thing. There's been a wave of new Bank Nite effects that have recently hit. This is another one, but he has a different feel and a very devious method that combines an old ploy with a very sneaky idea. In the effect you and the spectator get to pick from six envelopes and everything plays fair and above board... yet in the end you have the three envelopes that contain the money, or ticket or whatever and they get either the empty ones or whatever you've decided they would end up with. I love the underhanded way Doug makes the performer end up with the correct envelopes. No TTs, No Switching and it can be done practically impromptu with about 30 seconds to set it up. Next was The Real Thing: Wow. Another winner. This is similar to The Human Phone Number and Eat At Joe's but it's all hands off. The spectators do all the shuffling and yet they end up spelling the correct word or showing the correct phone number or whatever you need them to have at the end. Both of these ideas could easily have been sold on their own. Very, very nice. Although I like the Bank Nites I have, I know I'll probably throw in Doug's Bank Nite from time to time. And I have to work out a worthy presentation for The Real Thing so I can use this idea from Doug. Wonderful stuff! Greg P.S. Another great thing about buying Doug's work is that he gives you a link to added bonuses and corrections to his work. If you buy Stimulacra you can then see three extra ideas I gave him. Doug's a real worker and thinker and you should not miss out on some of his brilliant ideas. Oops, here's a link to his site: http://www.deceptionary.com/
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
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aussiemagic Special user 937 Posts |
I am really happy with this. Doug's customer service and products are top notch.
This book contains a lot of great material. "The Real Thing" is great! There will be a lot of times when a routine like this would be perfect. His essays are really great too. Very happy with this.
How to become a professional magician:
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Chris K Inner circle 2544 Posts |
A couple things you should know going into my review:
I have Mindsights, Stimulacra, and Sign Language from Doug and have used his free online guides/tutorials quite often (the force matrix one helped me create a really cool impromptu effect for example). So, obviously, I am a fan. I am also an idiot. I say this because there are little things (tips, ideas, etc.) that Doug talks about that add so much to the effects that I feel like an idiot for not thinking of them myself. As for Stimulacra itself: The Bank Night type effect (the idea is applicable for so much more than just a BN effect though) was really thought provoking. Like Greg, I like the one I currently use (which, so far, has seemed original with me) but I might throw this one in when, for whatever reason I can't perform my own. One of the pieces of gold, imho, was The Real Thing. There are various reasons and way in which I use the principle but Doug's approach really got me thinking. Personally, I have yet to agree with Doug's essays on cards and his thoughts on the way to say "equivoque" but that makes it more interesting to me, not less. I'd recommend it but I sort of like that this has gone under the radar so far. L |
SM41 Special user 831 Posts |
Im a fan of Doug also!
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dmoses Inner circle 2261 Posts |
I got Mindsights several months ago and liked it a lot. I just ordered this last week and can't wait to read it.
"You're a comedian. You wanna do mankind a service, tell funnier jokes."
TPR by Dave Moses and Iain Dunford T-shirts for Magicians and Mentalists |
ddyment Inner circle Gibsons, BC, Canada 2499 Posts |
I just noticed that Lemniscate wrote:
Quote:
[Doug's] thoughts on the way to say "equivoque" ... Actually, my only "thoughts" on this subject are that people should learn to check the dictionary before aping the obvious errors of others! Thanks to all for the nice reviews, and especially to Greg for reminding folks that there is always more to be found on The Deceptionary.
The Deceptionary :: Elegant, Literate, Contemporary Mentalism ... and More :: (order "Calculated Thoughts" from Vanishing Inc.)
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Sealegs Inner circle The UK, Portsmouth 2596 Posts |
Just like to add my praise for both the content of Doug's publications and his customer service.
I ordered Stimulacra and it got lost in the post and so never arrived. Doug, without any questions, immeadiately offered to send out a second copy to me as soon as he became aware of the booklets non arrival. This replacement copy got to me in a matter of just a few days days here in the UK. Thanks again Doug. Neal
Neal Austin
"The golden rule is that there are no golden rules." G.B. Shaw |
JanForster Inner circle Germany ... when not traveling... 4190 Posts |
It's true, not much words about this fabulous booklet. And to be honest - at least talking about myself - I didn't want to talk about it. The material is just that good. Jan
Jan Forster
www.janforster.de |
Chris K Inner circle 2544 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-11-20 01:05, ddyment wrote: LOL! That is what I mean, Doug. A simple check of the dictionary definitions of "equivoque" can be found here: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/equivoque None of which are applicable to the manner in which it is used by the magic/mentalism community (no, definition 3 doesn't fit either, though it is closer than the others). So, we are using a word differently than any of the definitions listed. As such, I take the Maven approach, if we are making up a definition, why be constrained by the given pronunciation? If given a choice between using the correct definition and incorrect pronunciation, incorrect definition and correct pronunciation, or incorrect definition and incorrect pronunciation, I'll go with the third option because nobody can actually say you are wrong. Please note that this is the reason I don't disagree with the pronunciation of the word "mnemonic" because we are actually using the correct definition. Again, even though I (obviously) happen to think I am "more correct" on this than Doug, I look at it as a plus, not a minus. I do, however, take exception to his "look in a dictionary" comment because it is, frankly, incorrect. And, as long as we are on the topic, for the record, there are non-medicated versions of Vagisil thus Doug's analysis in his book is actually not strictly correct, it is only correct in regards to medicated Vagisil. Does the fact that Doug is not an expert on Vagisil detract from his accomplishments? NO WAY, I still love his stuff. Disagreement and back-and-forth are not bad things inherently. Lem |
ddyment Inner circle Gibsons, BC, Canada 2499 Posts |
Lemniscate wrote:
Quote:
A simple check of the dictionary definitions of "equivoque" can be found here: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/equivoque Well, Lemniscate and I shall simply disagree, then; in my view, the first and third definitions of the referenced source are precisely how the word is used by magicians, at least any that I have heard. I don't understand his concerns about my Vagisil comments either. Of course I'm aware that the company makes a good many products, but I was quite clear about the specific products I referenced, and fail to understand why he believes that my analysis is in error. I welcome corrections, but I am unaware of any in this regard.
The Deceptionary :: Elegant, Literate, Contemporary Mentalism ... and More :: (order "Calculated Thoughts" from Vanishing Inc.)
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Waters Inner circle 2508 Posts |
To be honest...
My knowledge about this book(let) came of late. As I had mentioned elsewhere on the Café', I had a friend use one of the ideas on this book on me. I loved it. I was thrilled. What a great idea is the "Verbiage Force". Immediately after experiencing this, I ordered this from Doug, so I could begin to apply my new-found joy. At once, my neurons were firing with ways to incorporate this with other things (like Joshua Quinn's "Thought Chunneling" from his book ParaLies). I am also quite pleased with the brilliantly direct and commercial "The Real Thing" routine. I am sure this will go into a performance soon enough. I have "toyed" with other similar principles and methods, but Doug's shifts the gears up and gets this moving. It's wonderful. Disjuncture- I really like this nice Bank Night routine, which I think I will best suit me in informal situations, due to the wonderfully free, open and direct methodology. It simply waits for one to apply their personailty to it. Of course, Doug's work on ESP cards, including a full deck stack and some other ESP routines, are great as well. I will spend some more time on these. This really is a steal for the price and Doug certainly needs no comment from me, but I do like to make mention of excellent work. This one is fantastic. Sean |
Waters Inner circle 2508 Posts |
...I was right.
I had a performance this evening for which I used "The Real Thing" as a closer. I know many may feel being alone on stage is the only way to close, but 13 people with an influenced message is one great looking "frame" on stage. Doug's routine is perfect! I can't believe he is giving this away in his book. Thanks Doug! Sean |
Bartelli Elite user Belgium 403 Posts |
I have just read 'Stimulacra' from beginning to end. Just to get a basic feel of the booklet. A specially like the "musings". I like Doug's thinking. I can't really comment on the effects or the practicality, but at first sight I think there will be a few of them I'll try.
Mentalist / Mindreader Bart Nijs
www.bartnijs.be Belgian Mentalist / Mindreader Bart Nijs Some webapps for mentalists |
ferryascanio Loyal user Jakarta - Indonesia 264 Posts |
Is the website still down?
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aussiemagic Special user 937 Posts |
"The Real Thing" is fabulous! I like to incorporate the company name or some type of message in my shows and, for me, "The Real Thing" is the best thing I have found for that.
How to become a professional magician:
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ElliottB Inner circle 3250 Posts |
I recently purchased “Stimulacra” by Doug Dyment and have already put one item from within to excellent and repeated use. I highly recommend this fine manuscript!
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NeilS Inner circle 3225 Posts |
I too have just acquired this and just like Elliott I have put one of the pieces to excellent use. Furthermore it passed the wife test and that is saying something!!!
Neil |
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