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Stunninger Inner circle 2819 Posts |
So far I’m only 46 minutes into this 4 hour lecture, but wow! Dan Harlan opens Tarbell 52, part 2 with a live demonstration of the classic audience message reading act, where the audience writes pieces of information on slips of paper, fold them in quarters, and all of the billets are collected and put in a clear bowl. Some might call this a Q&A routine, but I believe it I would be more accurate to call it audience message reading.
The entire audience participates, and you can tell from their reactions they are really enjoying the experience. Dan gives a really nice, entertaining performance that I thoroughly enjoyed. The core method of course has been around for ages, but Dan adds some really nice subtleties. Following the performance, Dan explains everything clearly and in great detail. I’m really enjoying this video course, and will continue my review as I watch more of it. |
Greg Arce Inner circle 6732 Posts |
Dan is an excellent teacher and he always puts a bit of his creative spins on everything he touches. I've gotten several of his Tarbell series, even on subjects I don't normally care about, and yet I always went away learning something.
Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
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Stunninger Inner circle 2819 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 17, 2020, Greg Arce wrote: He really is a great teacher. He knows his stuff and explains things very well. |
Stunninger Inner circle 2819 Posts |
On the Penguin webpage for this download, the second effect is described as follows:
“Then, I inject a personalized connection into a devious new method where nothing is ever written down, yet you can reveal amazing details about each participant.” This is a second, complete audience reading act where nothing is written down, but the Mindreader is able to tell audience member very personal and highly accurate things. The presentation Dan gives involves the use of miniature crystal balls, which is interesting and adds to the drama of the effect. Some of the thinking here is very clever. I would probably combine it with other methods. But it is an approach well worth thinking through and considering. |
Greg Arce Inner circle 6732 Posts |
There are two guys who make me want to go back into just regular magic: Dan Harlan and Scott Alexander. Every time I see one of their lectures I long for the days of just doing cards, silks, productions, vanishes, etc. I marvel at their creativity. I just love all the touches and subtleties they put in standard effects.
I've never worked with Scott, but met him several times years ago at Denny & Lee's, but now I have many of his lectures.. However, I've known Dan for a long time and worked with him on a Keith Barry special. Dan is proficient in EVERY field of magic. Not only is he a technician, but he has knowledge of many other fields: science, woodworking, sewing, plastics, etc. He can make just about anything by hand. He is a multi-talented dude to the Nth degree. Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
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Stunninger Inner circle 2819 Posts |
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On Nov 17, 2020, Greg Arce wrote: Very cool. Thanks for sharing that, Greg. The only Scott Alexander lectures I have are the Christmas Extravaganza specials he did with Dan, which are really fun. I’ll have a to check out some of his other work. |
Stunninger Inner circle 2819 Posts |
The third routine is described on the webpage as:
“Next, I show you how to inject a unique aspect of yourself into the process as I treat everyone to a Theremin solo while dialing in on their thoughts.” I’d never heard of a Theremin before, and it’s very cool! Dan plays the Theremin while revealing thoughts from multiple members of the audience, thoughts they wrote down, folded up and kept. This is a third audience thought reading act, and there is a lot going on here. One of the things Dan teaches is how to make a very innocent looking ID that can be used to secretly collect the thoughts of up to 18 people! The amount of valuable content in this video course is tremendous. And I’m only about half way through. |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
One of the best songs using a Theremin is Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys. Thanks for the reviews Stunninger.
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Martin Pulman Inner circle London 3399 Posts |
Dan's teaching on the Tarbell series is indeed excellent. There are so many wonderful touches and subtleties, all clearly explained by an incredibly experienced performer. The actual performances I wasn't as impressed by. Dan's persona doesn't really lend itself to Mentalism effects, I don't think. He feels like an actor demonstrating rather than someone living the part. But it's definitely a course worth watching.
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Stunninger Inner circle 2819 Posts |
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On Nov 18, 2020, Mindpro wrote: Never realized Good Vibrations used a Theremin, but now that you point that out I can hear that part in my head |
Stunninger Inner circle 2819 Posts |
The next part of this video course is described on the Penguin web page as:
“I also teach you my preferred presentation for the perennial favorite Tossed Out Deck that keeps the focus on the stage and guarantees a big reaction.” This is one of the cleverest TODs I’ve ever seen. It does require some basic arts and crafts, but the result is very deceptive. Some of Dan’s subtleties are genius. Really enjoyed this one. Once again, Dan’s teaching is thorough and wonderfully detailed. |
Stunninger Inner circle 2819 Posts |
The next effect is described as:
“For a change of pace, you'll learn an intimate presentation perfect for one-on-one, close-up, or stage of a psychic regression to happy childhood memories.” This is a very cool effect that seems utterly impossible. Dan credits John Riggs for the method he uses. Riggs did a demonstration on his Penguin lecture using this method for a different effect. One thing that jumped out at me was the choice of spectator and how that impacts the effect. John Riggs chose a very tall man and the positioning and spacing between the performer and spectator appeared fairly normal. Dan chose a smaller female spectator and the positioning and spacing between the performer and spectator seemed unnatural and uncomfortable. It seemed like Dan was invading her space. At one point towards the end of the routine the spectator took a big step back. What I learned from this is, for this particular method and handling, the physical size of the spectator does make a difference. |
Stunninger Inner circle 2819 Posts |
The next effect is described as follows:
“Then I tackle the thorny realm of the Living and Dead Test by giving you three alternatives with much more room for entertainment. First, I explore the difference between cats and dogs. Then, I add just a touch of magic to the lost and found department to locate (and identify) a lost article belonging to my helper. And, I teach you yet another very subtle system to easily identify (and announce) a secret bit of information. In this case, where in the world someone is hiding.” Dan performs and then teaches two different group presentations of the classic “Living and Dead” test, but rather than use names of living and dead people, he changes the themes to “Cats and Dogs” and “Lost and Found”, making the presentations upbeat and a lot of fun. Very clever (and totally impromptu) m****** method that I would not have thought of This section closes with a one-on-one effect where the participant writes on blank cards the names of five cities they have not been to, and one they have visited. Dan is able to know which one they traveled to. Another simple and very clever approach. |
Greg Arce Inner circle 6732 Posts |
I agree on the Living & Dead test impromptu method. It's one of those ideas to have in your arsenal so you could do at a moment's notice with just a piece of paper and a pen/pencil.
Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
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Stunninger Inner circle 2819 Posts |
The description on the website concludes:
“And finally, you'll learn how to use a pencil as a medium to transfer thought impulses from one place to another. It looks silly, but it really works. Once again, every piece has been revised, updated, and modernized with strong presentations, multi-layered subtleties, and even brand new methods.” This last effect is quite clever, with thoughts appearing to be transferred to and from the spectator’s mind through the use of an ordinary pencil. Part of this I had no idea how it worked, and another part where I was sure I knew how it worked, I turned out to be cool completely wrong. Over-all, this four hour long video course offers a wealth of presentations, ideas, subtleties, insights and methods, making it a very solid (and quite affordable) choice. Highly recommended. Well done Dan and Penguin Magic. |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Mentally Speaking » » Dan Harlan Penguin Magic Tarbell 52: Mental and Psychic Mysteries (Part 2) (8 Likes) |
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