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Al Straker Grammar Host Australia 1129 Posts |
Again, this book must be praised for it's freshness in approach and excellent subtleties. Bryn has covered all the details very well for each of his routines and IMHO he has created true 'mentalism' pieces due to the simple, minimal props needed and psychologically based methods. Outstanding book destined to be a cult classic.
Cheers, Al
Al Straker
Resident Mystery Entertainer at Multiple Venues Music & Mentalism Specialty Act 'Completely Mental' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyGhApqnG7I (Old clip, show has changed quite a bit since then!) Jazz & Contemporary Musician/Composer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnN3JNmeKns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU_zfOvpneA |
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12945 Posts |
I've had so much fun with SEVEN I haven't used anything else yet except the hand thing. I test that out quite a bit.
John |
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jjsanvert Special user Paris, France 581 Posts |
I just received TSP yesterday and just could not stop my reading. The first effect is "Seven" and it is sooooo clever, I had to read this book further - thinking in myself "Ok, that was the good one, let's see the other effects". Believe it or not, every effect is great. It was so good, I had again that "Why didn't I think of that myself" *** syndrom running in my head all the day (and still today as I a writing these lines....)
The effects are great, the methods are great, the descriptions are great - and even the anecdotes are great. Most of the material use everyday objects, most are impromptu, most can be presented in close-up, platform, or on stage - and most of them will open you mind to new directions for new effects. And - when I see the pictures of Bryn Reynols doing his "other" job (see his non magic site) I understand that when he is doing the "magician's choice" - he is giving you a proposition that you can't refuse. Just kidding.
JJS
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Tom Jorgenson Inner circle LOOSE ANGLES, CALIFORNIA 4451 Posts |
May I add my appreciation for a book of anecdotal writing? All too often we get the bare bones of effects, but have absolutely no insight into the person or the person's life. The Safwan Papers is interesting even without the strong effects.
How many banknights do we need? Not many more after Bryn's take on it. Strong and easy. Seven is getting the Knepperphiles Kranking...a rare do-it-with-nothing impromptu powerhouse. And his instruction of the Koran thing, during one of his effects, is the clearest most understandable explanations I think I've ever read. Bryn is continuing a strong record of strong offerings. A very good buy and a definite bullet-point on his Mentalism resume. I hope it's not too long before Safwan 2 hits the market.
We dance an invisible dance to music they cannot hear.
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NeilS Inner circle 3225 Posts |
I couldn't agree more about the anecdotal writing. Apart from the brilliant effects, this added extra meaning to the book and how some of the effects evolved. I was fascinated - and like so many others, eagerly await Bryn's next offering.
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facebooktricks New user 2 Posts |
I had to purchase this after reading all the wonderful things about it. So many times I've fallen into this trap only to be disappointed. I am happy to say that TSP has greatly exceeded my expectations.
TSP is a fascinating read because of the stories Bryn tells and the history of the effects. He shares quite a bit about his life and some amazing stories of how these effects began. It was terrific for him to share this with us as opposed to other ebooks that are filled with hype about the thing you just paid for! Seven is great, as others have said. I was familar with the concept but I think Bryn's ideas make it seem more natural. I was most impressed with Your Lucky Nite and Bottle Cap Koran. BOHT is simply remarkable and summarizes the whole theme of the effects. This is really clever. The story behind it makes it legendary. It was great that Bryn makes you read the effect of Your Lucky Nite from the spectator's position. I was reading it and thinking how impossible it sounded, there's no way the spectator's can ACTUALLY do that. I was confident the method c ouldn't meet all the requirements laid out. But it does. This is real magic. I have only 2 "negative" things to say. - The PDF is very nice, however it is lacking a table of contents. - I will not use *******-string simply because I do not have what is required. Most of you might, but I don't. I like the concept and the effect gives you a lot of freedom. I might end up buying what's needed just for this. You need to buy this. It's really that good. |
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CAROLINI Special user 607 Posts |
Another exceptional offering by Bryn.
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12945 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-23 17:36, facebooktricks wrote: NO table of contents -- negative? huh? $20 for the special something. negative? Huh? JC PS: Huh? |
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kinesis Inner circle Scotland, surrounded by 2708 Posts |
I have just finished reading through TSP. Wow! What fantastic collection of effects from a very creative mind. All the effects have very simple methods but all result in an incredibly powerful performance. I was blown away by ‘Your Lucky Nite’. Very simple in method that lends itself to the finest most convincing bank night effects I’ve ever read. Seven is also going to become part of my impromptu arsenal, a finely honed script does all the magic. BOHT is bold and beautiful, and yes I believe I have the B***s for this, it’s too good not to perform it.
All the effects are clean, simple and very strong. The publication is very well written. Bryn, the person is interwoven into each page, making a very enjoyable read. This pdf cost a fraction over £15 and is worth many times more. Recommended |
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Virungan Inner circle Here and There 1156 Posts |
I agree on "Your Lucky Nite".. As I said before I consider this the last word on Bank Night effects- and the way the method is wrapped up in the fairness of the handling is ingenious... I would have paid the same (or more) for this one effect...
Personally, I've recovered from the emotional trauma caused by the lack of table of contents...
When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth...
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princehal Loyal user Pennsylvania 214 Posts |
A production of Harvey I directed opened last night. I did 7 with the cast before curtain last night, having them pass what remains of the "deck" around, different people making the choice at each step.
Worked beautifully. |
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lumberjohn Special user Memphis, TN 626 Posts |
I have recently finished this and played around with some of the effects for the last week. For your $30, you will receive a well laid out Ebook containing four mental-themed effects, one subtlety/handing for a “which hand” routine, and one idea for the construction of a utility item. Each of the effects has an impromptu feel. Three could actually be done impromptu, while one (I’ll leave you to determine which) will require a certain gimmicked item, which can be purchased for $20 to $30. One effect, “Your Lucky Nite,” could be done close up, parlour, or even on stage. Here are my thoughts on each.
SEVEN This is Mr. Reynold’s approach to the psychological card force. Similar effects include “Invisible Deal Force” by Derren Brown, “Red Handed” by Sean Waters, and “Scorch” by Greg Arce. Essentially, the mentalist is able to place down a prediction, and then through a series of verbal cues and subterfuges, guide the spectator to arrive at the predicted card under the guise that they are making free choices all along. There is a very Knepper-esque quality to this routine. As in most of these effects, it will not work 100% of the time, but even when it doesn’t work, you will be very close, and as Mr. Reynolds points out, will be able to take credit for being so near the mark. I like Mr. Reynold’s approach, and believe it is likely to succeed more often than some of the others I’ve seen. As with other effects of this type, however, you would not want to repeat this effect to the same person or group. If you are interested in this type effect, you should definitely check out Seven. BOTTLE CAP KORAN This is a three phase routine (the second phase can be extended indefinitely) in which the mentalist is able to determine the location of a borrowed coin placed by a spectator while the mentalist’s back is turned several times, and then turns over a prediction made at the beginning to reveal he predicted his hit/miss rate and (sometimes) the date on the coin. This is not my favorite of the routines. The first phase would not appear very impressive to me as a spectator. The second phase involves a process that seems overly procedural and not at all like what a real mentalist would do if he were able to divine the location of the coin. I think it makes the entire thing look like a puzzle rather than a piece of direct mentalism, though I have no doubt most people would be fooled by it. The final prediction simply confuses the issue of what power the mentalist was to be demonstrating. After revealing the correct location several times, the mentalist reveals that he knew before he started how many times he would be right or wrong and (sometimes) what the date on the coin would be. To me, this just seems confusing, but I know others will disagree. In any event, if you like the premise, this is one that can usually be set up impromptu and will fool people. YOUR LUCKY NITE Much has already been written about this effect on these boards, and I agree that it is a very good take on the Bank Nite routine. The spectator does virtually all the handling and yet the mentalist is able to determine which of several envelopes another spectator’s bill is in. The mentalist will need five envelopes, a pen, several slips of paper, and a few minutes before the effect begins to set up. In this way, the effect could be done relatively impromptu (assuming the mentalist can round up these necessary items), but I believe it would play much stronger and make more sense if presented the way Mr. Reynolds does, which will require some special materials (non-gimmicked, but not something you are likely to have on you at a moment’s notice). This is fine, since I think this would play better as a parlour/cabaret type effect than a close up effect. It is inherently theatrical and works best if drama could be introduced incrementally, which is difficult to accomplish in impromptu settings. I have one minor issue with the effect in that the envelopes, which are mixed face down throughout (a definite strength of the routine), are turned face up before being eliminated, which seems a bit inconsistent to me (and may tip off magicians), but I don’t doubt that this will fly by most spectators. BOHT Rather than a separate effect, I would characterize this as a handling/ subtlety/ out for a “which hand” routine when you really don’t know which hand the object is in. Personally, I would never use this, as it seems obvious to me and would not allow for a repeat performance. I don’t think any “which hand” routine is that impressive to an audience unless it is done several times to rule out guessing or chance. If I were a spectator, this particular approach would send up red flags immediately that guessing may be involved, leaving me anxious for a second run. But that would not be forthcoming. Nonetheless, Mr. Reynolds presents this as an option to take when you simply must be right, and by that criteria, it does fit the bill. You will appear to be right no matter which hand the object is in. HIMBERSTRING This effect uses a gimmick which is readily available and surely owned by many magicians and mentalists. Mr. Reynolds notes that the effect has a “Bank Nite” feel to it, and I would agree. Several strings protrude from the mentalist’s closed fist. The spectators remove the strings one at a time, hoping to leave a prize attached to the last one. Finally, one string remains and it does indeed contain the prize. Mr. Reynolds adds a cute and clever presentation to this simple effect, which would surely play to all ages. $4 BILLET INDEX Mr. Reynolds has provided instructions for construction of an index that will fit inside any wallet and hold eight billets. The cost: four dollars, and some tape. This is a great idea for those who like to use indexes, but hate having to carry a special gimmicked wallet around. For those who use a gimmicked wallet that already contains a built in index, this will provide eight more index slots. This is certainly a clever idea that many will find very useful. Overall, I would recommend this Ebook to anyone with any interest in the above categories of effects and who has first mastered the materials of Osterlind, Banachek, Corinda, Cassidy, Knepper, Waters, Earle and Becker. There is much here to like. |
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Miikka Regular user Finland 160 Posts |
Excellent ideas Bryn, I like your book very much! I especially like Seven and the 4$ billet index. But a word of caution: if you don't live in USA and you don't speak English in your country, you will have to do some thinking on few of the tricks, but it's definately worth it.
Thanks Bryn for the book! Miikka |
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mindhunter Inner circle Upstate NY 2280 Posts |
I am truly humbled at astonishing, and in-depth, reviews that The Safwan Papers has received!
Thank you all very much for posting! Bryn
Bryn D. Reynolds, Author of:
"The Safwan Papers" & "The LOGAR Scrolls" Mentalism ebooks - PM any interest. My artwork: https://darkmountainarts.com |
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NeilS Inner circle 3225 Posts |
I have always enjoyed presenting effects for friends via email. And I have found a way to perform SEVEN. If you already have The Safwan Papers and are interested, do PM me.
Neil |
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LLL Inner circle 1574 Posts |
Just Got this, had a quick look at work and will have a more in depth read later but really like the ideas. Love the $4 index and the thinking behind "your lucky night". I can understand why this is getting the praise it is now.
Great stuff Bryn Andy (gonzo, lol)
The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words.
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CAROLINI Special user 607 Posts |
I hope that other interested parties do not judge an offering such as SAFWAN PAPERS as and end to itself. All I have ever wanted from any purchase in our field of interest is to learn the principle involved and then apply it to whatever presentation I can think of. As mentalists I have always believed that we should first and foremost be thinkers, not copiers. I would never want to perform an effect exactly as the originator provided. Where is the challenge in that? We should all want to be different. For example, I have always sought the perfect (?) reading of a bill's serial number. By gathering a piece here and another there I am constantly trying to improve it. The latest "breakthru" was in the TRI ANGLE booklet. As good as it is presented my presentation would be different. Don't mean to be preaching to the choir.
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mindhunter Inner circle Upstate NY 2280 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-05-05 13:42, NeilS wrote: Neil: Thanks for being so kind to share this with others! Again, I am very appreciative for all the nice comments! Bryn
Bryn D. Reynolds, Author of:
"The Safwan Papers" & "The LOGAR Scrolls" Mentalism ebooks - PM any interest. My artwork: https://darkmountainarts.com |
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kinesis Inner circle Scotland, surrounded by 2708 Posts |
I've just used a combination of email and phone for presenting Seven. Initiate the call and tell them you've sent them an email. Do Seven over the phone and then tell them to open the email. I attached a jpg image of the playing card. Brilliant reaction
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NeilS Inner circle 3225 Posts |
As the many who contacted me about my email version of Seven will know, I am a great fan of email mentalism. However I have just read Derek's suggestion - what a fantastic master stroke. Thank you Derek. A stroke of genius to an already brilliant effect.
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