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Last Laugh Inner circle Grass Valley, California 3498 Posts |
These newer tests using the flashback principle and the associative/opposite word pairs look pretty good.
(I have and like Ultimate Flashback but it certainly isn't all that examinable) I have a question for anyone who has one of 'em (Frakenstein, Persuasion, Dracula 2.0, Sherlock 2.0, and more). Does this method allow the exact chosen word to be reliably named, and if so, does that mean the word choices are fairly simple? or do you end up with the concept of the word only. I tend to use Banachek's subtlety for having the spec choose a letter in the word. Would that be reliable with the newer Black's magic books? Peace, Matt
My Mentalism Podcast:
The Mystery Arts Podcast Check out my products! Direct from me (PW: cassidy) On Penguin Magic |
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Dick Christian Inner circle Northern Virginia (Metro DC) 2619 Posts |
For starters all of the 2.0 versions you mentioned are by James Clark who is no longer associated with Black's so I would suggest that you purchase them from him, rather than through Black's.
Now, to answer your question, many of the word associations are obvious if you know the method (yet invisible to those who don't know the method); however, some are more of a stretch so one needs to be familiar with the specific associations in each book (and there may be over a hundred of them). I would not recommend any of those books for beginners. There are other similar books (e.g., "Flashback," "Ultimate Flashback" and others) that -- with proper management skills -- will serve adequately for most performers. For example: I've seen Jamy Ian Swiss use "Ultimate Flashback" quite effectively.
Dick Christian
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Last Laugh Inner circle Grass Valley, California 3498 Posts |
Thanks, that answers my question exactly. I have never had a problem with Ultimate flashback (after changing the covers of course) but I like the idea of the books standing up to examination. Are there books other than these and Becker's using this principle currently available?
Thanks, Matt
My Mentalism Podcast:
The Mystery Arts Podcast Check out my products! Direct from me (PW: cassidy) On Penguin Magic |
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Dick Christian Inner circle Northern Virginia (Metro DC) 2619 Posts |
IMO, Clark's latest releases -- the ones you mentioned, plus "Edgar Allan Poe" and "Alice In Wonderland" (but NOT Tom Sawyer, which is a different animal altogether) are all good.
Hope this helps.
Dick Christian
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Last Laugh Inner circle Grass Valley, California 3498 Posts |
Thanks for the info. I'm glad he's also making the Tom Sawyer type book. I have gotten a lot of mileage out of the one with a similar gaff that came with Ultimate Flashback. The think that irked me, that particular book has a cover that says "Ultimate Flashback by Larry Becker" so if anyone notices and does a web search... but of course I never draw attention to that book, and it is out of play as soon as the page is selected. I changed covers one of the other books, but was a little nervous that I might goof up on that one (which is the only one of it's kind). So I'll probably pick up the Tom Sawyer as well...
Thanks, Matt
My Mentalism Podcast:
The Mystery Arts Podcast Check out my products! Direct from me (PW: cassidy) On Penguin Magic |
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Dick Christian Inner circle Northern Virginia (Metro DC) 2619 Posts |
I wouldn't be overly concerned about using Becker's "Ultimate Flashback" book as is. Unless you are performing for magicians/mentalists no one is likely to recognize either the name Larry Becker or the title "Ultimate Flashback."
As re: other book tests that incorporate the "flashback peek" method, there are quite a few. Among them: "Final Flashback" by Becker & Earle, Dennis Loomis "The Wicked Book Test," several of the early releases from Black's Magic Group (i.e.; their original “Dracula,” “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” and the “War of the Worlds” book tests although they adapted in a slightly different way), Orville Meyer’s “Incredo Book Test,” “The Closer” by Rudy T. Hunter (1991), “Double Vision” by Becker & Earle (Mentalism Unlimited, 2003), the “Cousin Of All Book Tests” by Leaping Lizards Magic and others. You may also be interested in another of the early releases by Black's Magic Group -- the "Harry Houdini Book Test," which uses the original text of Houdini's "Miracle Mongers," and like the newer "Tom Sawyer" book it is gaffed for use in Hoy's "Bold Book Test."
Dick Christian
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Rod Pringle Special user 543 Posts |
Hello:
I just purchased the Ultimate Flashback , and waiting for it to arrive. The advertising said it was like the original Flashback, but you could do more routines with this Ultimate Flashback. I was wondering as I read these post..Is the FINAL FLASHBACK the same as Ultimate Flashback? I really wanted Final Flashback, but I couldn't find it for sale . If I want to do Final Flashback...do I need to buy it...or can I use Ultimate for the same routine? Any help on this would be appreaciated. Thanks, ROD |
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equivoque Special user 861 Posts |
I own Poe, Frankenstein, Persuasion and Sherlock Holmes 2.0 and of these "flashback" books, I prefer Poe followed by Persuasion. I also have X3 which is, essentially, a nicely produced version of Annemann's magazine test, The Man Who Knows, War of The Worlds and the Sherlock Holmes force book. In addition, I own the Final Flashback. Why? I picked most of them up for a song right here! I wouldn't recommend any of these to beginners but the Final Flashback is an entire routine while the others are essentially one offs. I feel that all of James Clark's book tests are nicely produced (although some have issues with the cover art and type setting of some of these books). All of these products could be part of a good book test (mind reading) routine. I would avoid using the Houdini book test because I feel that the subject matter itself makes the book suspect. Some feel that force books are not necessary and that a simple miss call is a better option, while others like the fact that a force book CAN leave the audience with the impression that the performer does not know the page number.
All that aside, the only person that I would take book test advice from is Dick Christian! The issue with "flashback" type books is that they can leave an audience flat (as can other methods). Keep in mind that telling someone a single word is not much of a routine. I have seen professional performers add a book test to their routine and have a big build up to reveal a single word with lack luster results! Food for thought. |
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Rod Pringle Special user 543 Posts |
Hello Equivogue:
Thanks very much. I appreaciate the time you took to explain the book tests. I will see how the Ultimate Flashback works for me. Thanks again ROD |
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Dick Christian Inner circle Northern Virginia (Metro DC) 2619 Posts |
If you are going to use a book tests (regardless of the method) to reveal a single word my preference is to avoid trying to give the revelation a "big build-up" but to use a rapid-fire "biff, bam, thank you ma'am" approach instead. The few exceptions I make are in the case of MOAB or when the single word evokes an image, a sensation (e.g., hot or cold) or an emotion in which case a bit of a build-up can be effective so long as it is not overdone. IMO mentalists who employ exaggerated struggles, strains and histrionics when making their revelations tend to kill rather than enhance the effect.
If you want to see what IMO are some of the best presentations of mentalism watch Bob Cassidy, Tim Conover, Banachek, Craig Karges, Jon Stetson just to name a few.
Dick Christian
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Rod Pringle Special user 543 Posts |
Hello Dick:
Great info here, Thanks for your time on this. ROD |
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Decomposed Eternal Order High Desert 12059 Posts |
Area, Moabt, Dracula (Blacks) and WTYM for one word reveals IMO. Dracula can be any page also.
Reflections for more then just a word.
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Dick Christian Inner circle Northern Virginia (Metro DC) 2619 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-01-25 10:41, Rod Pringle wrote: Rod, Although they all rely on the same underlying methodology "Flashback," "Ultimate Flashback" and "Final Flashback" are NOT the same; however, they are all different effects based on the "peek book" concept credited to Paul Curry's 1944 effect "Out of This Phone Book" which in turn may have been adapted from Dr. Frank V. Taylor’s “Peek Deck” card trick published in The Phoenix No. 25 dated December 25, 1942. Of the three adaptations, "Ultimate Flashback" is the most popular and considered by many to be the most versatile.
Dick Christian
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Last Laugh Inner circle Grass Valley, California 3498 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-01-25 13:28, Dick Christian wrote: Good advice, thanks Dick. It seems like one has to strike a fine balance between selling the effect and not hamming it up. On a separate note... anyone using a book test to get one ahead in a 4DT type routine? Peace, Matt
My Mentalism Podcast:
The Mystery Arts Podcast Check out my products! Direct from me (PW: cassidy) On Penguin Magic |
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Rod Pringle Special user 543 Posts |
Thanks Dick:
It should be arriving any day now, and I will work it over , After seeing Flashback, Final Flashback and now Ultimate flashback covered here on the Café, I didn't know which one was the best to purchase. Thanks again for your great info on this. I appreaciate it! ROD |
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Dick Christian Inner circle Northern Virginia (Metro DC) 2619 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-01-26 01:01, Last Laugh wrote: Matt, Offhand can't name anyone who is regularly doing so, but there is no reason why a book test couldn't or shouldn't be used to get one-ahead for any effect requiring one to do so (e.g., mental epic, 4DT, etc.).
Dick Christian
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Decomposed Eternal Order High Desert 12059 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-01-26 07:42, Rod Pringle wrote: Post back and let us know how you get along with it Rodster.....Curious about this adventure. Decomp
ClICK HERE for HOW TO MAKE TRANSITION FROM MAGICIAN TO MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER WORLD NEW BOOK!
Click here for NEW PROMO TRAILER! 90 seconds of pure laughs without a standing ovation! Click here for Magicians Austin Mentalist Performance https://www.facebook.com/AustinMagicians https://www.speakermatch.com/profile/gianicano/ Magicians Company Entertainers in Dallas, TX https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8sHW_zVuSc https://about.me/motivationalpublicspeaker |
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david12345 Special user 714 Posts |
Hey guys, for those who are not members of hocus pocus, they have on clearance the x3 book test which I just ordered for 11.95 and some some real cheap dvds. Definitely worth a look.
I don't think this was too far off topic. David |
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Rod Pringle Special user 543 Posts |
Hello Decomp!
Will do!!!!! ROD |
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equivoque Special user 861 Posts |
Quote:
I had the pleasure of seeing Bob Cassidy perform at Monday Night Magic here in NYC and he was just phenomenal. |
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