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WR Special user Utah 945 Posts |
Is this worth the $$$$? Does anyone use anything from it???
WR
"Tell Em WR sent Ya."
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drwilson Inner circle Bar Harbor, ME 2191 Posts |
WR,
In a word, yes. This, together wih Eugene Burger's Spirit Theater, will give you plenty of good ideas. Maybe I am overly sympathetic because there is good coverage on mnemonics. What I really like about this set is that they obviously had a good, solid commercial seance running. They thought everything out carefully and threw out a lot of unworkable ideas. They tell you everything, including some of the stuff that didn't work. After you go through it a couple of times, you will feel as if you worked with them. You will certainly gain a sense of how much careful thought and hard work a seance deserves, which may be more important than any actual effects. So think of it as a way to understand the state of mind of a seance group rather than as another collection of tricks. Yours, Paul |
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mystic1 Veteran user 342 Posts |
A worthwhile investment. But rather than copy what Earle & Co. presented, use their work as a jumping off point for your own creative endeavors.
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Sir T Special user 535 Posts |
I am currently waiting for L & L to get a new shipment in. I can't wait to read this material. I do not think one wishes to copy Lee's material, but seeing how others do things leads to improvements, new ideas, and concepts.
I have been reading a lot on this subject for awhile now and the more I read the more I change my original idea, adding effects and subtracting effects that no longer seem like a good idea. Kevin |
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Necromancer Inner circle Chicago 3076 Posts |
I'm with Paul on this one: Spirit Theater and Manifestations are both extremely valuable for their explanations of the thought process and structure behind two of the most successful modern commercial seances. Additionally, Spirit Theater contains an overview of the history of seances that should be memorized by anybody wishing to perform in this arena.
If I were teaching a college-level course on staging a theatrical seance, these would be the textbooks.
Creator of The Xpert (20 PAGES of reviews!), Cut & Color, Hands-Off Multiple ESP (HOME) System, Rider-Waite Readers book, Zoom Pendulum ebook ...
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Martin Carli Regular user Montreal, Canada 108 Posts |
Hello all,
I would also include two of Mark Edward's books: "Restless Plots", and especially "Sense and Seance". A masterpiece. Martin |
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Sir T Special user 535 Posts |
I have "Sense and Seance", a wonderfully written book. I am still waiting for "Restless Plots", Mary seems to be moving. So my book has yet to arrive, but I can't wait for the book!
Mark's book is a costly investment, at 135.00 a pop. But, each person has to decide what it is worth. I value the book. Kevin |
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Doug Byrd Veteran user VA 361 Posts |
If you don't have a copy, I would highly recommend Jim Magus' "Raising the Dead for Fun and Profit".
http://www.bizarremagick.com/jmagusproducts.html It deals with everything from the different types of seances to marketing seances. Just my 2 Drakma Worth, Doug
"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc"
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Sir T Special user 535 Posts |
I have Jim's book. Even with the price, you can't go wrong. But, I felt it falls a bit short of other books.
Just me, Kevin |
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Bob Baker Inner circle 1111 Posts |
You might also seek out a compilation of "Seance" magazine, edited by Scott Davis. This contained some of the best routines by real workers.
Bob |
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Sir T Special user 535 Posts |
I have just read "Restless Plots". I will have to pass on the card effects; which I feel have no place at a seance, but otherwise there is some really good material in the book. A nice read.
Kevin |
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cogliostro New user Tampa 99 Posts |
WR,
I'm going to agree with Dr. Wilson on this. Yes, it is worth the money. Let me give you a little more detail. Manifestations is a behind the scenes tour of a seance that ran for two and a half years. There are several natural results of this. First - it is not a step by step guide. Lee Earle does give you all of the details so you could duplicate the seance, but unless you have a sizeable room to reconstruct; several key effects are going to have to be improvised if you plan on using them. Second - Since he really did run this for years, he perfected the "crowd control" details and the theatrical staging. IMHO, these are some of the most important details he provides. Sir T - I haven't read "Restless Plots", so I cannot comment specifically on those card tricks. If- and only if- the staging is right, a card trick can be perfectly at home in séance setting. Of course, the same is true for any trick with any setting. SEANCE INTRODUCTION: “You see, truly powerful spirits can pull energy from the heat in a room, in order to gain the energy to interact with the world of the living. This creates the classic "cold spots" that are documented in all haunted houses. However, in recent years ghost hunters have used psychics to "detect" ghosts. Now in this, I beg to differ with their opinion. I do not believe that the psychics are more attuned to ghosts; I believe that psychics have a natural energy that ghosts can access more readily. So, if you will indulge me; I am hoping that we can raise the psychic potential of this room. Enough so that we may communicate with the spirits of the departed.” Of course, I don’t want to push my luck too much; so I start with ESP decks, tarot decks, and whip out a bicycle deck only for “Out of This World”. But, they are card tricks nonetheless. Just my $.02 -Rob |
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Tony Razzano Inner circle South River, NJ 1600 Posts |
We (EvilDan, George Colavito and I performing as Trinity) used ideas from Manifestations and from Seance (bound edition) as a starting point . We came up with our own twists. This led to our own ideas which we incorporated in the highly successful "Cross Creek Graveyard Seance".
There is a snippet of us in the newly released video/dvd the history of magic. We were also shown on the Discovery and Learning channels. My point is, WR; that things like manifestations etc. were extremely valuable for getting us thinking. We used the ideas in the book and tapes to generate new and fresh ideas of our own. It is essential in the general education of the mentalist/ bizarrist/seance worker, that the groundwork be laid. Just as a physician needs a lot of background in various sciences besides medicine, we need background in all of the arcane arts in ordrer to understand and grow. Get your hands on anything and everything written about seance, and then develop your own effects. You (we all) need the background and foundation that these types of readings ( Manifestations, Seance etc.) give. In that regard, they are priceless. Best regards, Tony Razzano
Best regards,
<BR>Tony Razzano, Past President, PEA Winner of the PEA"s Bascom Jones and Bob Haines Awards |
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Sir T Special user 535 Posts |
cogliostro~
I myself do not think standard playing cards are a good idea, as it reeks of trickery. For me, it tends to be out of character. As you noted, any trick can be at home at the table; given the correct enviroment. In "Restless Plots", there are a few card effects I would not feel comfortable using in their present format. "The Summoning of Andruzzi" has potiental of being a nice effect, if one is willing to change a few things around. For the sake of discussion, here is the Reader Digest Version of how it looks: The mage removes cards from a box and begins dealing the cards, one at a time, face up in the center of the pentagram. He stops suddenly, realiIng that precautions must be taken first. "We mustn't let this spell get out of control." Removing a single card; he says, "This card may save us all." You continue dropping individual cards face up in the center of the pentagram, asking the sitter to say "stop" when the spirit moves him. When the sitter says "stop", you turn the packet in the center of the pentagram face down. He places the remaining cards face down, between himself and the frist packet he created. Handing the dagger to the sitter, he asks him to point to the pile of cards he wants to use. The sitter chooses a pile, then is instructed to turn over and note the top card of that pile. It is the six of clubs. The spirit raiser counts six cards down from the other tabled packet. Turning the sixth card over, he reveals the six of spades--two black sixes. He briefly states that such occurrences are exceedingly strange, and had the sitter pointed to the other pile his choice would have beent totally different. The spectator may verify this assertion by looking at the cards in the other pile. The sitter is now invited to learn the identity of the cards where he stopped dealing. It is the six of diamonds! The cards, when laid out, form a distinct numbe within the pentagram circle: 6-6-6! It appears that the beast has been summoned. He nervously glances over the heads of the sitters and around the room, expecting something horribe to shortly occur. He tells the group not to worry, since the powerfull 6-6-6 spell can be broken. He picks up the dagger and points to the tabled card that was originally chosen as a precaution, should something get out of control. It has been sitting in plain view. This card is turned over to reveal the final six-the six of hearts. The spell is broken! As an after thought, the mage states that he is a bit disappointed that nothing terrifying manifested itself. He gathers the parchment to put away. Underneath lies a signed phogap of the Beast, Aleister Crowley! ----------end The whole effect can be found in the book, as well as how to perform it. I feel it does not play well, but if one is willing to change it from standard playing cards to Tarot cards, and change the cards and the final manifestation from a picture to a single rose petal; then I think it plays better. The whole 6-6-6 thing with playing cards holds nothing for me, how many times have I held three of a kind in poker and nothing bad happened?! Then add the signed photograph at the end, it just looks like a card trick. I know some out there can pull it off, me...nope. Sorry, can't do it. Bob Cassidy said, "To be believeable, you must first believe." (Well, at least I heard he did). I just can't believe stardard cards have a place at the seance table. I do believe Tarot cards have a place at the seance table. Good thread so far, I like it. Thanks, Kevin. |
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Seance Elite user Talking on the other side with 427 Posts |
Kevin
Just a thought... I've found that by finding reproductions of old playing cards and aging them, one can use them as props that portray the cards as though they actually belonged to the character in the story at one time; before they were acquired by you. Then the effect will be caused by the spirit of the character. For instance, using playing cards issued at the time of the American Civil War can be used in several effects. As a matter of fact, in "Laughing Souls" by Larry Baukin, the effect "Twins" use this to great effect. Playing cards can be used in place of Tarot cards, ala "Zodiac" by Christopher Chelman, and can offer a little bit of comfort to the participants who are not comfortable with the use of Tarot cards in their presence. My $0.02, Dave |
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chrismatt Special user Why would you read any of my 978 Posts |
Does anyone know an effect with old playing cards that involves Abraham Lincoln and his son, Tad?
Details make perfection, but perfection is no detail.
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Lithix Regular user Tempe, AZ 168 Posts |
You could also try those new black and white bikes... they look spooky.
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constantine Regular user Memphi, on the Mighty Muddy 189 Posts |
Manafestations is worth every cent,if your planing on doing a cotiuing permanent set up it's a little pricy for the merely curious.A good thing.The Houdini tie-in may not be that commercial outside the Magic Castle.I'm waiting for the Lizy Borden boook.Every city,even yours has its famous murder,and often a documented ghost.This offers year round oppertunity for a venue like a bed & breakfast or Victirian Tea Room.
Constatine 49%er
“The way of the transgressor is hard—to quit.” —Jefferson Randolph “Soapy” Smith |
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SandyWeber Regular user 121 Posts |
Does anyone know what the difference is between the two version of Manifestations that seem to be available, other than the tapes? Is there more information in the more expensive package?
Thanks, Sandy |
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rickmagic1 Inner circle MIddle Tennessee area 1544 Posts |
Just a thought, guys...if you're going to use playing cards, get very old ones. I found mine at a company called "Dixie Gun Works" (thanks, Bill Palmer!).
Rick
Richard Green
The Modern Conjurer Coming soon: Victorian Secrets: An Evening With The Spirits! |
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