The Magic Cafe Forums - It's Your Choice by Paul Brook

The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Latest and Greatest? » » It's Your Choice by Paul Brook - New Hardback Book (78 Likes)

Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3~4~5~6~7 [Next]
corindaman Special user 555 Posts	Posted: Dec 2, 2021 07:42 am 0 Quote: On Dec 2, 2021, MadisonH wrote: Quote: On Dec 1, 2021, a brown 1968 wrote: Hello Madison , I appreciate that you took the time to write your thoughts but for an in-depth review it seems to omit from answering so many questions that spring to mind . 1) Given the price tag of £150 did you consider this book value for money ? While as a performer having multiple presentations to choose from , what surely is key to value is the impact of the effect would have on spectator’s. So if a performer say performed B’Wave which is another 4 card effect , with 3 phases to a small group and then later Paul’s effect . Is the Group going to blown away by Paul’s effect and B’Wave forgotten ? With 7 times the price difference between the 2 effects , how of the value is in the choice of presentations to pick from and how much of the value in the actual impact on the audience? 2) If the group in the walk around ask later to see the effect again , can it be repeated ? 3) There is a card move used in the effect , how long would it take to learn and be comfortable using the sleight ? 4) Is misdirection required to cover the sleight or is it burn able by the group ? Regards Andrew 1) The debate of price comes up with almost every release. Ultimately I feel it is up to the creator to decide what price to charge. You are paying for their time developing the routine, writing it up, and illustrating it. You are paying for their time even more than you are paying for their ideas. That said, I certainly feel this is on the higher end of the scale perhaps even over priced. 2) I would not repeat the same presentation. You could repeat another presentation but why would you? It’s not a simple four way multiple out if that’s what you’re getting at. 3) It uses a simple beginner card magic move. 4) The move is burnable. As for the b’wave debate, that comes down to the performer. I think most of the value in these presentations comes from the fact that each one creates interesting conversation and interactions that will be remembered long after the performance is over. I would say the premise and hook of these presentations will live in their memory far longer than the memory of b’wave. But this isn’t the type of effect that is going to absolutely blow their brains and melt their eyes. Madison Sounds like this is overpriced and overhyped already!
Paul Brook Special user UK 908 Posts	Posted: Dec 3, 2021 05:23 pm 0 Hey Everyone Having seen a few recent comments about pricing, I thought I would address some points. Firstly, I think that if you reduce 'It's Your Choice' down to simply a trick, then the value is completely missed. In the same way that a 'Zig-Zag' illusion is just wood and metal if you look at it in a reductionist manner. By focusing on just the secret, elements such as the craftsmanship, nuances and the effect the illusion has on the audience are disregarded. 'It's Your Choice' will allow a person to learn many things above just a secret and help build a strong routine that can earn money and successfully entertain an audience. Books are tools. In the same way a tool needs to be used and utilised correctly, 'It's Your Choice' needs to be wielded skillfully. After many years of being my own apprentice to this effect, I have learned the best ways to deliver consistently solid results. Creating and producing a book takes a lot of time and effort. Don't forget this isn't just a single sheet patter paper for a trick; it is over 40,000 words. Not just any words, but carefully thought about words that have been typed and retyped in order to make sense, then proofed by others, to make sure there are no errors. The time it takes to write 40,000 word book isn't days, or weeks, but months. That's not to mention the creation of nearly 170 illustrations and the cover artwork creation. Think back to the last time someone questioned your performance fee and undervalued your effort into learning how to entertain. There are so many more factors at play that some people do not give value to, even though the end result is not possible without these prerequisites. At the end of the day, the creator indeed sets the price, and those who wish to buy can buy, and those who don't see value can carry on as they were. However, I wanted to post this to give an insight into how I think about pricing. I never just slap a random figure on my work. I sit down and work out what it has taken to get to the point of release, the time spent and the knowledge cost. I could have slapped a £500 ticket on this book and sold fewer copies. But it's not about maximising profit for me, it is also about keeping the art of mentalism progressing and the sharing of actual workable materials. Personally, I have spent thousands on a single effect for my show, and I know others that have too. If you purchase a tool to help you make money, it is effortless to make the money back on the purchase of the tool. 'It's Your Choice' is a tool I have crafted, and inside the book, I hold back nothing in showing the reader how to use it successfully. Cheers, Paul PAUL BROOK FREE MENTALISM Free hard-hitting effects, routines and methods, just a click away THE MENTALISM LAB Fresh mentalism every month, including exclusive routines, tech ideas, performance insights and material you won’t find anywhere else
Mr. Mindbender Inner circle 1640 Posts	Posted: Dec 3, 2021 06:28 pm 1 I've bought $15 and $20 effects in the past and when all was said and done, felt completely ripped off (in the spirit of the holidays, I won't name any of them). I've also spent over a $1,000 on something (like Promystic's Real Die) and have easily gotten my money's worth and more. It's the never-ending seesaw of price vs. value. When it comes to pre-orders, you know the price, but have no idea of the value you'll get. So, when I do pre-order (and I have preordered this), what I'm investing in is the value I've gotten from the creator in the past. Some of my best purchases have been Paul Brook products (The Chrysalis of a Polymath, On Mephisto's Shoulders, Certified Mentalism). I find his material creative and thought-provoking. So I look forward to reading all 40,000 words!
Yepski Regular user 186 Posts	Posted: Dec 4, 2021 06:14 pm 1 Still trying to understand the ability of this effect to be repeated with the same participant? Is this repeatable with different outcomes or no? I mean using the same cards (not changing the theme of the effect I understand there are multiple themes of the effect in the book).
Edahi New user 11 Posts	Posted: Dec 5, 2021 02:37 pm 1 Is this included in the 20% off on the website? Do the early adopters get this discount off their orders too?
Paul Brook Special user UK 908 Posts	Posted: Dec 7, 2021 02:37 pm 0 Quote: On Dec 5, 2021, Edahi wrote: Is this included in the 20% off on the website? Do the early adopters get this discount off their orders too? Actually, those who got 'It's Your Choice' prior to this offer were sent a *VERY* generous present from me, as a sign of my personal appreciation. Trust me, early adopters certainly haven't missed out regarding deals. It is no longer 20%. The deal at the 'HeKnows Shop' right now is something I have called a *'Reverse Advent Calendar'* where there is an automatic discount applied to the shopping cart at the same rate as there are days left until Christmas. So today there are 18 days left until Christmas, so if you order today, you get 18% off automatically at the checkout. Not sure if you were making a subtle point that some customers are not being taken care of, but I can say safely that I *ALWAYS* try my best to make my customers happy and often go way beyond in order to do so. As I'm sure others can attest? Cheers, Paul PAUL BROOK FREE MENTALISM Free hard-hitting effects, routines and methods, just a click away THE MENTALISM LAB Fresh mentalism every month, including exclusive routines, tech ideas, performance insights and material you won’t find anywhere else
Paul Brook Special user UK 908 Posts	Posted: Dec 11, 2021 03:11 pm 1 Quote: On Dec 4, 2021, Yepski wrote: Still trying to understand the ability of this effect to be repeated with the same participant? Is this repeatable with different outcomes or no? I mean using the same cards (not changing the theme of the effect I understand there are multiple themes of the effect in the book). Good question. It CAN be possible to present more than once, it requires the creation of an additional set of cards. For the sake of clarity, and limited ability to speak freely on an open forum, I would say assume that 'It's Your Choice' is NOT repeatable for the same person as it is written in the book. The presentational elements in 'It's Your Choice' really take the effect away from being a one-trick-pony that needs to be repeated. In fact, due to the premise of the effect, the participant is left fully believing that there was not any other possible outcome. So it really doesn't make sense for them to try it again, they would know what card to avoid and, and it would be silly to ask. With regards to the use of 'It's Your Choice' being used repeatedly for different groups at an event, there is no issue. Sometimes you get the guys who follow you around, and when they do, if they notice a different result. Simply explain that you have a number of cards that you bring into play throughout the event, so that the guests don't get the 'upper hand'. I hope this helps to clear this up for you and provide a bit more insight into the effect. Cheers, Paul PAUL BROOK FREE MENTALISM Free hard-hitting effects, routines and methods, just a click away THE MENTALISM LAB Fresh mentalism every month, including exclusive routines, tech ideas, performance insights and material you won’t find anywhere else
Paul Brook Special user UK 908 Posts	Posted: Dec 11, 2021 03:15 pm 0 Hi Everyone Even more reviews have just been added to the 'It's Your Choice' page. Find out what some of the top professionals in the field of mentalism have to say. The review section is towards the bottom of the page. Cheers, Paul PAUL BROOK FREE MENTALISM Free hard-hitting effects, routines and methods, just a click away THE MENTALISM LAB Fresh mentalism every month, including exclusive routines, tech ideas, performance insights and material you won’t find anywhere else
Paul Brook Special user UK 908 Posts	Posted: Dec 14, 2021 09:23 am 0 Quote: On Nov 25, 2021, jbadman wrote: Hi Paul - one question: Your site states that the first 100 people to order will received graphic files required to print custom cards? Does this mean that if we order outside of the first 100, we don't get these files? They seem kind of fundamental and belong with the book... Sorry, this may not have been as clear as it could be. The graphic files are NOT needed in order to perform 'It's Your Choice' at all. If the book sells 100 copies prior to the release date, those 100 people to order will get a specially printed set of cards from my own personal stock. Essentially these are graphic designed professional looking versions, along with the graphic files so that they can be easily ordered from your local printer. This is very much a bonus though, and not fundamental to perform 'It's Your Choice', you can very much perform without them. Hope this helps? Cheers, Paul PAUL BROOK FREE MENTALISM Free hard-hitting effects, routines and methods, just a click away THE MENTALISM LAB Fresh mentalism every month, including exclusive routines, tech ideas, performance insights and material you won’t find anywhere else
phillsmiff Inner circle UK 1885 Posts	Posted: Dec 15, 2021 11:51 am 1 Paul kindly let me have a prerelease copy of It's Your Choice to look at. The effect is a refined version of a relatively simple (quite old school) piece, but Paul comes at it from every possible angle and explains the hows and whys of his routine in intricate detail. It's good, it's strong and intriguing and it has a very 'real world' vibe to it. There's almost nothing to carry, it's trivial to make up, and as soon as you've performed it you are immediately ready to go again. Allow me to zoom out a moment and use this text to talk about Brook himself slightly. Paul has been on my radar for a LONG time, and his signature used to be quite exotic psychological routines with methods that sometimes edged into a more experimental space. He certainly had a few effects which people were angry about the methods for -because they loved the effect but the method (whilst brilliant) was not something that would fit their regular performing style. It was stuff that, in the right moment, in the right place, would leave spectators floored, but I think for a lot of people that proviso may have been a little off-putting. Over the last ten years though, PB has pivoted his performing quite heavily into a very specific corporate space and it's been interesting to watch how this has manifested in the material he's developed - increasingly his methodologies are built to be bombproof, functional for a very broad range of commercial audiences and reading It's Your Choice you can see how worked the material is. The method is well explained, very easy, and it works 100% of the time. It's not circumstantial, dependent on finding the exact right situation or moment - you can walk up to anyone, any time, anywhere, and this trick will work, in a very self-contained high-impact way. Whats nice is that these more streamlined presentations actually still manifest the same character as the OG PB stuff, this psychological wunderkind exploiting weird and little-known aspects of human psychology to create miraculous moments, but in a more every-day doable way. And because the structural method is simple, that allows Paul to explore the presentational options, and a big chunk of this text is variations on the presentation, so even if the core effect doesn't suit your style or persona, there will be something in here that does. So, overall, it's a good solid routine that I think a lot of workers will be able to incorporate into their professional performance, especially in the corporate space. Plus, because it has a super flexible method, amateurs will also be able to have fun developing handlings and variations for their own unique styles. Phill Check out the INCREDIBLE new Switchblade utility app for iOS and Android: -+: https://phillsmithcreative.com/switchblade :+-
TimonK Veteran user Amsterdam 375 Posts	Posted: Dec 18, 2021 12:19 pm 1 Hi all,   hope you’re well. I, too, have been so fortunate as to receive a preview copy of It’s Your Choice from Paul.  In short, this is the exact type of book I personally enjoy reading (and writing). It’s a deep-dive into a single methodology, shining a light on it from every conceivable angle and using what is a simple base method as a vehicle to convey and explore the underlying aspects of scripting and presentation.  It’s Your Choice is, at it’s core, a routine with a comparatively minor effect, being a one in four prediction. The impact, however, runs much deeper thanks to the faux process that can (should, rather) be shown to your participants. It’s very convincing. So convincing, in fact, that it’s impossible to repeat the exact same It’s Your Choice presentation twice for the same audience - it just wouldn’t make sense.   One of two ways I’ve been playing it has been with four different sets of It’s Your Choice cards, each thematically leading into the next and allowing me to repeat the effect without compromising each previous presentation. (The second way is as the end of an existing three phase influence routine. That routine has been unchanged for a couple of years. The fact that It’s Your Choice fits perfectly at the end of it makes me a very happy man indeed.)  Over the past two years I’ve been heavily gravitating towards effects that are, on paper, ‘small’ but leave much room for interaction during the performance, as well as discussion after. It’s Your Choice fits that trend for me.   If you’ve followed this thread, you’ll know that the bulk of the book is made up of different presentations for the same basic effect. I really like that, others might not want that. Like I mentioned at the start of this review, Paul uses a simple and effective premise to share with us a boatload of practical tips and applications.  All of these presentations as well as the basic effect are geared towards close-up performances. I don’t see the effect working for on-stage performances as is, even if you had a camera, unless you were performing it within the context of a lecture or workshop (for some TV settings, however, it’d probably work great).  That being said, I still got plenty of inspiration for my stage shows, which make up the bulk of my work, especially through Pauls Hidden Persuaders: essentially his range of (very, very smart) convincers that what you claim happened, actually happened.   As with any of Paul’s work, the writing and teaching styles are clear and easy to follow.   I dare say that if you bought and enjoyed my Which Hand book, you’ll enjoy this book too. They’re similar in that it’s a thorough analysis of a singe plot (only that Paul is a much smarter man than I, as evidenced by the content of It’s Your Choice). If currently you’d rather have a book with a bunch of different methods to play with and make your own (nothing wrong with those, either), then this honestly isn’t for you.   Big thanks to Paul for letting me read this!   Hope that helps,   all the best & stay safe,   T. "But overcome space, and all we have left is Here. Overcome time, and all we have left is Now. And in the middle of Here and Now, don't you think that we might see each other once or twice?" - Richard Bach, 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull' www.timonkrause.com
NeilS Inner circle 3514 Posts	Posted: Dec 18, 2021 02:27 pm 1 Thank you Phill and Timon for your helpful and informed reviews. Much appreciated. Neil
Paul Brook Special user UK 908 Posts	Posted: Dec 27, 2021 01:50 pm 1 Hey Everyone I hope the festivities are treating you well? I know I've had a little too much food and drink the past few days. So the significant update is that the foreword for 'It's Your Choice' has now been added to the book and the proof copy has been ordered. This means we are in the final stages prior to release and those wanting to grab the pre-release bonuses should think about securing their copy sooner rather than later. Especially, as we are very close to the first 100 pre-order copies being sold, and these get the extra special bonuses. The page for 'It's Your Choice' has also been updated with some more reviews and a final page count, for those like me, who like to know the nerdy stats Obviously, responses at the moment may be slower than usual, but I am trying to respond to all messages as timely as possible. Cheers, Paul PAUL BROOK FREE MENTALISM Free hard-hitting effects, routines and methods, just a click away THE MENTALISM LAB Fresh mentalism every month, including exclusive routines, tech ideas, performance insights and material you won’t find anywhere else
lucavolpe Inner circle Italy - London 3434 Posts	Posted: Dec 28, 2021 05:30 pm 1 Great news! Luca Volpe "The Italian Mentalist" https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/lucavolpe http://www.lucavolpe.com
Paul Brook Special user UK 908 Posts	Posted: Jan 14, 2022 11:08 am 1 Great news everyone It's here! The proof copy landed yesterday and it got the green light, so the final books have now been ordered If you want to get in on the bonus effect, physical props and big money discount, then you need to grab your copy of 'It's Your Choice' before the printed books arrive. I've been given an estimate of 7 - 14 days. As soon as the books arrive the bonus will no longer be valid. .. FAIR WARNING .. The top tier bonus is nearly sold out and I know a number of people who don't like pre-ordering have been waiting until the books are at the printers before purchasing. So if you want the extra goodies, you need to act sooner rather than later. Also, it may be of interest to you that Craig Petty interviewed me on 'Magic TV' and it recently went live, you can watch it here: Hope that you enjoy the interview and find it useful. I certainly shared a lot and tried to give as much value as I possibly could. Cheers, Paul PAUL BROOK FREE MENTALISM Free hard-hitting effects, routines and methods, just a click away THE MENTALISM LAB Fresh mentalism every month, including exclusive routines, tech ideas, performance insights and material you won’t find anywhere else
Roslyn Inner circle UK 3405 Posts	Posted: Jan 15, 2022 07:50 pm 1 Exciting. Can’t wait to get my copy. The Magic Cafe account of The Conwy Jester, Erwyd le Fol formerly known as Roslyn Walker. My home online Join me on Facebook Follow me on twitter
Paul Brook Special user UK 908 Posts	Posted: Jan 22, 2022 03:11 pm 1 Hi Everyone There are ONLY 8 copies of 'It's Your Choice' left if you would like to grab the top-tier bonus. The books have been printed and I've been told by the printers that I will get them this coming week. So this means there are only a few days left to grab the bonus professional edition along with the real-world props included. Also, just to remind you that all buyers get a discount card, with one lucky person getting a whopping £150 GBP discount card! https://www.heknows.co.uk/shop/its-your-choice/ Good luck, Paul PAUL BROOK FREE MENTALISM Free hard-hitting effects, routines and methods, just a click away THE MENTALISM LAB Fresh mentalism every month, including exclusive routines, tech ideas, performance insights and material you won’t find anywhere else
Paul Brook Special user UK 908 Posts	Posted: Jan 22, 2022 06:22 pm 1 Quote: On Jan 15, 2022, Roslyn wrote: Exciting. Can’t wait to get my copy. I'll be posting them all withing 24 hours of getting the stock. While I'll be swift, the postal service speed may differ Cheers, Paul PAUL BROOK FREE MENTALISM Free hard-hitting effects, routines and methods, just a click away THE MENTALISM LAB Fresh mentalism every month, including exclusive routines, tech ideas, performance insights and material you won’t find anywhere else
Paul Brook Special user UK 908 Posts	Posted: Jan 27, 2022 03:08 pm 1 Great news! The books not only arrived... ...but all of the current orders have also now been shipped While the pre-order bonus didn't get met it was only by a few sales. Therefore, I have decided to honour the bonus and all the books have been sent out along with the bonus items. Going forward, I will also honour the top-tier bonus for the last few copies and the second-tier bonus for the remainder of the stock. Hopefully, the postie will get this to you sooner rather than later. Enjoy, Paul PAUL BROOK FREE MENTALISM Free hard-hitting effects, routines and methods, just a click away THE MENTALISM LAB Fresh mentalism every month, including exclusive routines, tech ideas, performance insights and material you won’t find anywhere else
TimonK Veteran user Amsterdam 375 Posts	Posted: Jan 27, 2022 05:01 pm 1 Congratulations Paul! I'm very curios to hear what readers think, as to me this was an excellent book and I've returned to the presentations within many times since my initial read-through. Best, T. "But overcome space, and all we have left is Here. Overcome time, and all we have left is Now. And in the middle of Here and Now, don't you think that we might see each other once or twice?" - Richard Bach, 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull' www.timonkrause.com
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Latest and Greatest? » » It's Your Choice by Paul Brook - New Hardback Book (78 Likes)
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3~4~5~6~7 [Next]

[ Top of Page ]

All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2026 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved.
This page was created in 0.13 seconds requiring 5 database queries.

The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café
are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic.
> Privacy Statement <

ROTFL