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procyonrising Special user New York 698 Posts |
Some people think Greg Arce is brilliant. Others think he's crazy. Personally, I think he's crazy for putting this out; it's simply brilliant.
Wait. That could just be my opinion. After all, I've known Greg for years, and, admittedly, we're friends. So, I'll leave some descriptions below the effects to let you decide for yourself. Additionally, if you don't know who I am, let me just say this: I'm a borderline mentalist; former psychic reader turned full-time professional hypnotist. I've developed a unique philosophy for choosing effects: they have to be as real as possible and as strong as possible. Therefore, if I'm going to do any mentalism at all, it better be really good (the logic being, if I'm not doing much of it, what I do decide to do better kill 'em dead - each and every time). And Greg's stuff here is that good. POINTILISM A drawing duplication effect for those who don't like peeks or switches or pre-show work. It has a very "free-will" feel to it, while being sneaky as hell. Greg, you could have marketed this. THINK THAT TUNE This is an idea based on Pointilism, however, the effect is totally different. Basically, you predict the song a spectator will play: the spectator comes up and plays a song on an xylophone, and SOMEONE ELSE comes up to guess the name of the song. When you pick up your prediction, it has the name of the song, the spectator's name and how many notes it took before they got the song. AWE-SOME TOTAL Based on Larry Becker's work, this one made me sick. Truthfully, I think Greg should've kept this one to himself and made a great reputation off of it. (Hear that Greg? You could've been rich.) I think it has great potential as an effect that could kill just about anywhere (especially trade shows). And it has the added benefit of being able to fool magicians - even those who think they know the method. Basically, you're shown a small paper bag onstage; inside is a calculator and some slips of paper. The audience then calls out numbers, eventually creating a six-digit number. Then, someone comes up and adds the numbered slips in the gift bag - the total is the same as the just-created six-digit number. No forcing, no switching. No trick calculator. The numbers on the slips can change every night you do it AND can be examined before the effect begins. Amazing. (This is an effect I will start working on immediately). After this, he offers presentations and bits of business on several marketed effects. This is something you'll want to read if you're interested in how a great thinker like Greg approaches an audience. There's some stuff that's a bit too magic-y here for my taste, but Greg performs for all kinds of people: magicians, mentalists, executives, and weirdos. He's a former stand-up comedian who knows how to entertain a crowd. All of these presentations have been audience-tested and have been shown to work. He's a guy who fools laymen AND magicians consistently...and it shows. Lastly, once upon a time Greg and I talked about having someone point to a spot on a map, and turning around another map to show you've marked the very same spot. He's altered the idea a bit to be one where you've written down the place they've chosen (and it's a free choice to them) in advance - for the sake of simplicity and clarity. However, the effect can be done either way. This is an effect he could have mass-produced and marketed, but instead, he reveals the method here and offers you the opportunity to make this yourself. (Talk about generosity!) This effect has "reputation-maker" written all over it and is perfect for TV. (Greg, will you let me do this on my demo tape? What I'd like to do is to have two people, hypnotized, choosing the same spot on two different maps. It'd be cool if they were twins.) So, there you have it. On one hand, Greg's a friend, and I'd like to see everything he does succeed. On the other, I'm a selfish *** who'd like to keep this stuff under wraps - especially since 99% of you reading this could never, ever figure some of this stuff out. So, I'm going to end this by saying it's probably a limited run, and you probably can't get a copy - no matter how badly you want it. HA! All right, I've heard Greg is putting this thing out for $30. For the record, he's crazy. |
Greg Arce Inner circle 6732 Posts |
Wow... thanks, procyonrising. You'll see in my last post under Radio Sum Total why I do these things.
Crazy? Well, that's an easy one for me to answer. Yes. But I love this community and I love the entertainment world. I see this as no different than being a doctor who creates some sort of device that helps people. Should he keep it to himself and be the only one to offer that service so that fewer people get well? Some would say yes, because of the money factor. Or should he sell his product to other doctors so they too could help more people? Well, he still would make money, but now more people benefit from the device. I know it's not the same field, but I like to look at it that way. Besides, I have many more secrets that will stay with me for a while, and I'm sure I'll come up with more. As you know, Procyonrising, we have a very big secret that we've been working on for quite a while now. That one will stay under wraps until the time comes---hopefully sooner than later. For now it makes me smile every time someone writes back and says they've included one of my ideas or routines in their act. I get a big kick when I hear of someone restructuring some idea I had and making it their own. Tony Blake took my Emotion-all idea and put it through his own mind blender. What came out was a walk-around method that can be very funny and can be changed around to fit the audience that you have at that moment. Heck, he uses part of his routine to pick up women---and it works. So knowing that my idea turned into that is, as Paul Harris once said to me, a happy thought. Anyway, thanks to all who have been interested in my little ideas and thanks to those who continue to write to me and exchange thoughts. Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
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tboehnlein Inner circle ohio 1787 Posts |
OK, so where do I get it?
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procyonrising Special user New York 698 Posts |
Greg,
I've always said there should be more people like you. Except in mentalism, because, then, I'd feel like a total dumb-ass. Regarding our big idea: I've hired out some pros to help us develop the package. Pro writers, pro designers, pro everything. It'll get looked at; I'm not leaving that to chance. And Greg, help out tboe... Best, James. |
Lord Of The Horses Inner circle 5406 Posts |
Greg, some time ago, shared with me his "gimmick" concept for the MAP effect...
I'll tell you Greg's idea has so many applications to other kind of effects that, that alone, is worth the small price for his new book! Greg, BTW, I also want to know how to get your full book! Paolo Cavalli
Then you'll rise right before my eyes, on wings that fill the sky, like a phoenix rising!
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Greg Arce Inner circle 6732 Posts |
Okay, the new e-book SIMPLE MINDED is ready to go.
For those who have not gotten my first e-book DEEP THOUGHT, I'm offering it again, in e-book form. The file for SIMPLE MINDED is 1.5MB so be aware that's what I'm sending. Please put a note as to what you are getting, because right now I have a few items in my PayPal account, and I don't want to get them mixed up. Thanks for all the interest. Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
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Lord Of The Horses Inner circle 5406 Posts |
Well, I finally got the full book and, while I still think that the simple gimmick Greg devised for the MAP effect (readily applied to magazine tests!) is one of the most sneaky things Greg has come up with, the book itself is jam-packed of strong stuff!
I especially liked the twist on KUROTSUKE (EKUSTORUK), and the presentation Greg conceived for Psi-Con-Ruse is simply hilarious! If you are a fan of Greg, then you MUST get this book! If you aren't a fan of Greg, after having read this book, you will be one! Paolo Cavalli
Then you'll rise right before my eyes, on wings that fill the sky, like a phoenix rising!
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MIC Regular user 169 Posts |
The idea for the MAP effect "you are here" is truly outstanding! It could be marketed as a stand-alone effect! The best thing in the book and one I will surely use in the future! Great Stuff!
Thanks. MIC |
Greg Arce Inner circle 6732 Posts |
Thank you, MIC. That is one that was considered for marketing, but, as I said, I'm lazy and didn't want to go through all the steps of packaging it. I had several guys tell me to keep it under wraps, but I'm crazy that way.
I hope to hear what routines come out of that idea. Greg _______________________ From Banachek about SIMPLE MINDED: "Thanks once again, Greg, always fascinated by your thinking. "Really cool stuff. I like the map idea a lot by the way. And, yes, I think indeed it could be manufactured. "I like your version of Sum total as well. Very, very nice. "Banachek"
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
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Samuel Catoe Inner circle South Carolina 1268 Posts |
After reading this book I have something to say. I am not going to review the tricks contained. There are a few good reviews already. Instead I am going to give my thoughts. First some of the tricks.
Pointilism: It is a cute idea to me but of no good to me. I could not draw a picture if you gave me the finished product and all I had to do was sign my name to it to get credit. This lack of ability applies to this routine as well. (This is also why I don't do drawing dupes.) Think That Tune: This is a very well thought out routine and excellent use of the mentalist's best friend. It does remind me of an effect that was produced by Larry Becker. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not. Very well done though and far enough away that it is a completely different type of routine from Virtuosity (for those who have it) and worth a look. Awe-Sum Total: The description alone makes me salivate. And the explanation made me cry. I have performed this effect several times without much fanfare from the audience. I have just learned how to REALLY perform it. If you learn this effect, perfect this effect, and USE it; you have found the jewel. All in all, this is an interesting read and a romp around someone who is, to my mind, quickly becoming one of the more prolific among us and also a brilliant mind. Greg has been generous with those of us on the Café for quite some time. This does not mean we should buy the book as a thank you. By no means. Instead we should thank him for his generosity and buy the book for our own selfish gains. I submit this challenge to you the reader, the performer. Purchase this book and read it, then re-read it. There is far more to it than I have talked about, but that I leave for you to discover on your own. If you perform mentalism or just plain mental magic, you WILL find something of use here. It may be something that gets your own creative juices flowing to come up with an effect that you can call your own, it may be a reworking of an effect you currently use, but you WILL find something of use here. And that is definitely worth the price of admission. Those are my thoughts, for what they are worth. Good luck and enjoy the read. Thank you Greg for the work. And thanks for all the fish. 42 Samuel
Author of Illusions of Influence, a treatise on Equivoque.
PM me for details and availability. |
Pete Legend Inner circle Ireland 1401 Posts |
AWE-SUM TOTAL is a monster piece Its late here in Ireland and Im going over some of my older e-books and cant believe Ive forgotten about this Greg your a genius
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Greg Arce Inner circle 6732 Posts |
Wow... it's pretty strange to see this thread pop up after all these years. It's also weird because I did Awe Sum Total in my Parlor act at the Castle last year. I think I have a new idea with it to even add some more deception, but I'll keep working on it.
Thanks, guys! Greg
One of my favorite quotes: "A critic is a legless man who teaches running."
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AlluTallu Veteran user Finland 394 Posts |
Where can I get this?
-Aleksi |
drezmagic Regular user 161 Posts |
Yes, I am also very interested in this. Greg, do you have a site or way I could purchase this book?
- JD |
Stefan O. Special user 624 Posts |
He does: http://freestylebooktest.com/cashout/
Simply scroll down the page. You can also get the eBook separately if you ask Greg politely ;-) Stefan AWE-SUM TOTAL is really great... |
AlluTallu Veteran user Finland 394 Posts |
Greg just sent me a PM Thanks!
-Aleksi |
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