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The title issues have been correct... seems that was about as far as many got (haha) given the number of comments I've seen on several posts I will offer a word of warning (again)... the opening pages of this book are not flattering to the whole skeptic/critical world that most get exposed to...

Not to insult anyone in particular, but after the billionth time of seeing someone post a "How Can I Learn Cold Reading?" request I decided to do something silly and pen a short essay on the subject complete with one of the most current and complete lists of resources (books, ebooks, learning...

To me there is no way to really make Stigmata or Ashes on the Arm, etc. anything but a "Bizarre Magick" trick... BUT, that is not to say you can't slant it with a "psychic" flare... Ashes has been done that way for at least 90 or so years... it was a demonstration of "yoga" I think, originally...

Stigmata has been pased off as being "Mentalism" but in truth, it falls into the Bizarre Magick ben which, unfortunately, has gotten blended in with Mentalism for several logical reasons (the two deal with odd phenomena, the surreal, etc.) Secondly, Stigmata tends to be a Card Trick for most...

Recently I've gotten into an exchange with someone in the UK that supports the whole Wikileaks philosophy (which I don't, for many, many reasons. The first of which is the door it opens for everyone to ultimately loose ALL of our current freedom because of such exploitation). What is being...

Sorry, I do MENTALISM not TRICKS... maybe... just maybe, some of you can understand what that means and explain it to those that don't (I'm no longer encouraged to even try... something about casting pearls and swine...) My top three favorite skills within mentalism however, are solid Billet...

According to Blackstone, Jr whenever rehearsals go smooth and perfect, you're bound to know a major failure during the show... in my experiences over the past 40ish years I'd have to say he's right. Going back to my late teens and an appearance I made on a local TV show... we did the Melborne...

Dai Vernon's favorite solution to dry, tough skin can be summed up in two words -- CORN HUSKERS! It was the one hand lotion the old geezer loved most and I'll go so far to say that he hooked many others on it as well. I can't give you much in way of help for joint pain in the hands other...

It was the Christmas of 1963 that my mother made the horrid mistake of getting me a Mark Wilson ALAKAZAM Magic Kit... while we didn't have much in way of money when I was young, I did wear out a couple of library cards getting all the books I could that were age appropriate as well as few that...

I've not waded through this thread so what I'm saying may be an echo to what others have already shared. That said... the most spellbinding effect going is the one that YOU manage to get the strongest audience reaction from... it's that simple. Fortunately, it will not be the same effect for...

If you have colleges, which I'm certain you do, then look into the psychology department; I'm confident they have courses in Hypnotherapy and proper modes of doing hypnosis that will earn you the proper credentials... I just can't imagine this not being the case for most any nation that has...

As much as I have given big kudos for "Reality is Plastic" I still encourage the hypno-neophyte to stick with the classics when it comes to learning this skill, starting with Ormond McGill's "Encyclopedia of Stage Hypnosis"... we're speaking about the gospel of hypnosis penning by a man that...

WRONG! I once saw a guy in an AA meeting with a hat that read "Instant A**hole, Just Add Alcohol"... the truth being, you don't need Alcohol to be an A**hole... it's simply who and what one is. If someone is being a jerk, and I don't care if it's a Congressman or popular Actor... they are...

Sorry, but that photo looks very photoshop from my end... the shadow looks like one of the brushes I have.

Practice DOES make "perfect" PROVIDED you have a solid director/coach helping you get the flaws out of your handling. Peter Pit showed me this in other acts that we would "review" for the Castle; how you could tell which acts listened to either a very solid and seasoned magician who'd been...

Theme parks are very much the better market to focus on but chances are the competition will prove more than stiff and too, given our present economy, it's just doubtful many such facilities will be bringing in "new' talent. For that reason alone I'd suggest doing a season on the road with a...

Do a search and pick up a copy of Paul Brook's THE GIFT, it is a very sound guide to Pre-show (one of only 6 or so that exist -- we old guys want to keep such a secret weapon quiet) Preshow is a valuable technique but not one most are comfortable learning to work with. If you ever get to see...

There are numerous Drawing Dup bits that you can pay a small fortune on and many more that can be done for next to nothing. My first suggestion is to learn Bob Cassidy's handling of 4th Dimensional Telepathy it is one of the cleanest, most practical bits of billet work I think I've ever seen...

Ok... 13 Steps has been mentioned but I'd also recommend you pick up some other key material, some of which is a bit "advanced" but I think it's where you are envisioning things. Start with the following; MIND READING - Kenton Knepper & Co. PSYCHOLOGICAL SUBTLETIES (all 3 volumes) Banachek...

Ok... first things first, PM me if you'd like some serious guidance on this front. I traveled for over 20 years doing a major illusion show and managed a couple of very large collections aside from my work with Creative Illusions. I'm always glad to help new blood trying to build something...