I remember watching his lecture on Luca’s FB page, this guy knows his stuff. I’m excited to check it out.

https://mentalismtools.com/password



Here is the blurb.
I began to write this book nearly 5 years ago with the intention of completing it within a few months. But months soon became years as the content expanded significantly. Around the 3-year mark the realization hit that, despite my love of writing, it was unlikely that I would ever take on another book of this scope and magnitude. So, I decided to include almost all of my original material – including my closer which has garnered standing ovations across the globe for over a decade.

If you’re already familiar with my work then you likely know this: when I release something to the community, I want performers to know exactly what they’re spending their hard-earned money on. So I’ve avoided highly edited video demos, hyperbolic ad copy, and unrealistic product claims. In fact, I offer no-obligation private product tours of items like BOX-X and TableVision, during which I demonstrate precisely how it works and what it can and cannot be expected to do. My motivation comes from the many times I’ve anxiously waited for a product to arrive in the mail, only to open it and experience a feeling of utter disappointment. Hence my goal; when you receive something of mine, I’d like the only surprise to be a pleasant one!

To that end, here’s my best effort to honestly describe the contents of this book:

Setting the Stage: Content & Character for the Stage Mentalist is comprised of two distinct sets of chapters: Centre Stage and Backstage.

Centre Stage chapters are original routines which I've performed. There are 33 routines in the book, very few of which have been previously released. A handful do involve the use of specific items, including what I would describe as high-end tech; while in other instances, the referenced item may be difficult to find. In these cases, I have tried to offer alternative methodological options. That said, It's my hope and intention that even in the case of a routine which you may never perform, the structure, thinking, and subtleties will inspire ideas that you can apply elsewhere.

There are twenty-seven Backstage chapters, which deal with the off-stage aspects of being a performer. And while Setting the Stage is a book primarily intended for the stage mentalist, I am confident that these chapters apply, equally, to anyone who performs, regardless of venue, content, or style. Backstage chapters deal with wide-ranging issues from character development, to set structure, scripting, rehearsal, mindset, marketing, media, and a host of other topics which I believe to be essential to being the best performer that we can be.

The physical book is something we spent a great deal of time designing and printing (with help from Phill Smith). From the unique cover to the 420-pages of text and images, this is a book that I wanted to be proud of in both content and design. It is not intended as a limited edition, but because of the unexpectedly high production time and cost, I will, for the first time, be offering a pre-release sale, so that I can accurately judge how many books to print for the release.

Alas, Setting the Stage is not a book for everyone. No book is. But whether you are a serious hobbyist, part-time worker, or full-time Pro, it is my hope that it provides you with solid, usable content, thought-provoking ideas, and a bit of inspiration to take things to whatever the next level might be on your journey.

***********************************************

To date, only five people from our community have been invited to read the book. To say that I have been blown away by their response would be an understatement! Here’s a sample of what they had to say:

“…this is the book I wish would’ve been smart enough to write at some point in my career. Eric captures everything beautifully, in perfect detail and it is shared in a style that will convince you that you’re in the presence of a master. You are about to understand the evolution of not only fresh ideas, but, more importantly, how to become a mentalist people want to watch.”

Colin Mcleod (excerpt from the foreword to the book)
“I have a special shelf for books that I have referred to throughout my career and on it are "Maximum Entertainment", "Stunners Plus", "The 7 Habits of highly effective people" and a few select others. This book is going on the shelf next to them. You not only learn strong material and methods, but more importantly you learn lessons that can be applied to anything you do. Fantastic!"

Craig Filicetti, ProMystic
“Most magic books give you the “how”. This book gives you the “why”— in intense detail. Making this book, from a full-time pro, intensely valuable.”

Ken Weber, author: Maximum Entertainment 2.0
“In the decade I've known Eric he's never delivered less than 100% on anything. Whether it's keynote performances for his corporate clients, game-changing products for his growing list of demanding customers or practical advice about scripting and presentation for the fortunate magicians and mentalists for whom he consults-- the work is never less than clear, compelling and commercial. Setting the Stage is no different. There are lots of books filled with routines that a performer can use to "build a reputation", but Setting the Stage with its mix of routines and essays joins the pantheon of works like Ken Weber's "Maximum Entertainment" and Chuck Hickok's "Mentalism Incorporated" that allows a performer to build a career. It is overflowing with great effects, important details, and a humour that carries the reader along on a wild ride.”

Dave Moses – Television Writer/Producer
“Setting the Stage is a Masterclass in complete thinking. Every routine has been clearly thought out, refined and presented in a concise way. Eric conjures not only original, meaningful themes that your audiences will immediately relate to, but delivers methods, structure and humour that will leave them thoroughly entertained and, ultimately, blown away!”

Bro Gilbert
AND A FEW MORE COMMENTS ON ERIC’S BODY OF WORK:


"Eric is an exceedingly rare discovery in the world of mentalism. A guy who has been out there, in the wild, working hard on creating strong, original, and high impact material for real world performance. Even rarer is his desire, which defies both reason and logic, to be generous enough to share the inner details of his discoveries and creations with the rest of us. Eric shares lessons, insight, and discoveries all of which have been earned the hard way in countless professional performances. Sit back, keep your eyes, ears and brain open and learn from someone who has much to teach."

Luke Jermay

"Whilst theory is useful & can inspire, it is the methods and presentations used whilst actually in the trenches that count. Eric presents commercial streamlined effects with charm and ingenious methods; his passion is inspiring and his execution thoroughly entertaining."

Marc Spelmann

Best book on mentalism in the 21st century.

According to the shop, the book is "in stock" - but in the text presentation, he writes about a pre-release sale. Is the pre-release over ?

Pre means before. The book has been released, so...

Apologies for any confusion with the conflicting website copy - which has now been updated.
The book is in stock and shipping within 1-business day of all orders.

Eric

Eric - is this going to be a limited run or indefinite printing? Definitely want to pick it up but can't right now.

Hey Chris,

Good question.

While I am not calling this a limited edition, because of the high printing cost and minimum copy requirement of my printer, it is not clear whether or not a second printing will be viable.
So, inventory is good for the immediate future, but I can't speak beyond what is currently in-hand.
Sorry to be so vague, but this has been a beast to get to market!

e

Eric...In addition to the 'high end tech', how many of the routines require p** s***, st****s or du** re****y?

Thanks..... Scalito

I will do my best to decode your question, scalito!

= On the few occasions that I do reference tech methods, I always try to offer a non-tech options.
I mention tech methods if I believe that option to be the cleanest and most reliable way to achieve something.
But the book leans heavily on fundamentals applied in some new and creative ways.

= There is no P.S. - certainly not in the standard definition/principle.
In other words, no prior audience interaction.
As much as I am a fan of its potential, as a (mainly) corporate performer I rarely have any interaction with my audience prior to the show. So it's simply not practical for me.

= D.S. I can only think of one instance that I use anything of this ilk and it's a minor component of an overall effect.

= If St***s refers to Curly et al - it's something that I reference, but never use as a method.


Hope that's clear...I'm still confused

Thanks Eric.....If D.S. means D.R. then we're on the same page!! Sounds great... Scalito

Oops, yes it does mean D.R.
I'm not very good with all this secret code stuff...would make a terrible spy

Since we are speaking in code at this point, all I will say is GTFB! It's wonderful

As I'm quoted in the blurb of "Setting the Stage" I won't pretend I'm impartial about this hardcover opus-- and it is an opus-- it's enormous and frankly an elephant of a read that you'll only be able to digest one bite at a time--
I'm going to list a few of my favourite routines and essays "down below" but there's a couple things I'd like to add to what I've said in determining whether this book is for you.

First-- this is NOT chocked full of new methods. Not that there aren't any but If you come to the book looking for that you will be disappointed. The good news is that there are zero pipe dreams in here either.

These 420 pages are a textbook on how to make an effect your own-- whether its Bank Nite, Kurotsuke, Sneak Thief, Target Number, Which Hand or the dozens of other effects Eric taken them apart and put them back together again so they work for him and he gives you the keys that will allow you to unlock them for yourself too.

For me there are two effects that epitomize Samuels's thinking-- one is in the book and the other isn't (although he talks about it) one is his closer and the other is his marketed version of Koran's Medallion.

At the time he was developing both of these effects there was a group of us in Vancouver following in fascination and, frankly, disbelief as Eric explored, tested and discarded method after method after method.

His approach was what I'll call "Staniforthian". Just as Nate Staniforth took his commitment to Lottery Prediction effect to the extreme Eric tackles the routines here in the same way. Read the essay "Backstage Chapter 16: Whatever it Takes" for a glimpse into Samuels's obsessive work ethic and how far he's willing to go to create a really strong effect and that effort is applied to every routine in the book. Even with a tool as simple as a Phil Deck, Eric created a number of approaches that reflect a variety of performing conditions as well as tweak what the actual effect being demonstrated is.

Which brings me to another to another reason not to invest in this book. I don't think there are many routines in here that don't require at least a bit of thought. It's not exactly a "That's neat, I'll just pop that in my pocket and show some friends this tonight" kind of book. Don't misunderstand me, there are plenty of straight forward effects but I would argue that "Setting the Stage" is for performers looking to build parlour and stage mentalism acts.

My last reason that you might think twice about buying the book is that if you're new to mentalism. I don't mean that in a condescending "there's work in here you won't understand" way. It's just that there are many routines that-- in their strongest form-- require that you have access to "professional tools." To be fair to Eric, he provides low tech solutions to almost all the routines here-- but some definitely require a working knowledge of, or ability to acquire tools that will allow the performer to present some of the most powerful versions of the routines. One of the strengths of the book, however, is that it provides performers with well-structured, thought-out and scripted routines.

On the other hand, if you are new to mentalism, with its plethora of commercial routines and great advice, pairing "Setting the Stage," with "Maximum Entertainment" would be a strong foundation for a terrific career as a corporate entertainer

Tremendously happy to say that the first run of the book is completely sold-out!
Next shipment from the printer will be here end of the week.

Only arrived today but I can’t put it down. It is very easy to read in Eric’s style of writing. It’s almost as if he is sitting next to you and talking you through it. I will read this a couple of times to get right into it. Highly recommended on just the first 75 pages!
This book will be a classic and very sought after, make sure you get a copy now!

I'm interested in checking this out, but the site requires a password. I am still fairly new to mentalism, so my ability to read minds to figure out the password is shabby at best. Anyone care to help?

Never mind. Should have clicked on the link before posting the question. Yes, I'm an idiot.

@eSamuels

How about your new project with the dice and cups and ...?
This project should have been on the market for a long time.
It was planned for 2019.

Any news?


Darko