X-rated is Sean's second set of mentalism notes, the first being Explicit Content. X-rated is sort of a follow up, a grab bag of random concepts ranging from freaky PK routines to metal building to new sleights. It's meant to be read through a few times and allow the creativity to soak in, and go from there. The magic's not too bad either. Here's a list:
For The Masses - metal bending, but the spectators do it instead of you. Everyone is given a spoon and instructed to stroke it / concentrate / whatever. After a moment of such activity, they compare it to your spoon that you've been sitting idly by with, and upon examination, the spectators have all bent their chosen silverware. I honestly can't say I like this one - it's not that hard to figure out, though if performed correctly it can fool laymen. Though I think you performing visual bends in silverware yourself is much stronger effect. The trick itself is laughably simple, which is good, and does its job perfectly - it's just not my kind of effect.
The Metronome Revelation - A card is selected and kept hidden from the performer. The spectator is told to think of the card's color, and repeat it to herself in a steady rhythm, "Black. Black. Black. Black. Black." over and over. Staring into her eyes, the performer eventually starts to mouth along with what she was thinking: "...black, black, black, black..." This continues until all aspects of the card are finally revealed. It's an easy and freaky way to reveal a card, yet requires good timing. Very nice effect.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind - You allow the spectator to think of a playing card, and it turns out to be the one hiding in your wallet. This is essentially a psychological force of sorts that seems tricky to pull off, yet impossible and beautiful should it be done correctly. With enough practice, this is a great addition to your card work.
North of the Border - Just amazing. It's a new center tear, where you can show your hands open and clean throughout the performance. Even after finished with the tear and handing the pieces back, your hands are completely clean. A magician friend of mine who's wise to the center tear asked to count the pieces immediately after I handed them back, and I obliged - she had no idea how I'd gathered the information from the billet. This is one of those sleights that should have been put in use decades ago - it's so simple and perfect. I think it improves on the basic center tear in every possible way (angles are about the same, though - you do need that "I'll turn around" angle, except you don't actually need to turn around). If for no other reason, get these notes for North of the Border. It is pure genius.
Shades Change - the magician takes a coin in his hand and squeezes it, turning his hand over. He then turns it immediately back up and opens it, revealing the coin to be bent! It happens impossibly fast and looks great, but it's not as visual as other coin bends, and I think it happens a little TOO fast to be believable or as fun as other coin bends. Don't take that to mean the audience will figure this one out - they won't. If you don't mind the speed, this is an extremely deceptive and potent coin bend.
Glimmer - I'd never heard of this type of gimmick in my albeit brief time in magic, but now I'm glad I have. This is a classic magician's gimmick which is seen very rarely these days, built the Sean Fields way. He takes you through how to build and hide the tiny gimmick and gives you a routine to use with it. A card is freely selected and the back turned towards you. Without ever seeing the front, you are able to discern the card. The card remains in full view the entire time and is not forced. The deck can be borrowed and shuffled by the spectator, and you can even go through the entire routine never touching the card at all. You will need to briefly touch the spectator's hand to reposition them, but it won't be questioned.
Shimmer - A bigger yet stronger version of the Glimmer gimmick, this one you'll be able to make for free - you're guaranteed to have the necessary materials in your house right now (and if you don't, you have a weird family). This gimmick allows you to have a spectator write a word, number, or even draw a simple picture on a business card (or similar item) and just by holding it, you gain the information off the card. You can then reveal it however you want - mind reading, psychic drawing, whatever. Seems tricky to use at first, but with proper handling, this one's a gem. (Experiment - I found out a piece of jewelry I already owned was essentially a smaller version of this gimmick. I've used it to reveal cards, and no one's detected the gimmick, instead searching the back of the cards for the hidden marking they just KNOW has to be there)
Wandering Eyes - This one's so easy you'll laugh. Riffle through the cards, looking away as you do. The spectator calls stop and sees the card. The deck is closed, no breaks are held, yet you know the card instantly. No force is used. Your mileage may vary, but this one is slightly painful for me to perform, so I don't. It's still a really great effect.
Materialism - Four blank cards are shown front and back, and one is picked. A playing card is also picked. The chosen blank card is sandwiched in the spectator's hands, and when they open their hands, ghostly writing has scrawled out the name of their card on it! Very spooky, very easy, and an overall great effect. Has a theme of mischievous spirits attached to the routine, though the possibilities are endless.
Bloody Mary - You have to love this one: a make-up compact is introduced and examined, set on the table. The names of everyone present are written down on cards, and one name is selected. You all begin to recount the tale of Bloody Mary, and chant her name - and the compact moves by itself! Opening it, the spectator finds the mirror to be cracked, and the selected name written across the cracked mirror in blood red! Two methods are taught - one with your compact and one with a borrowed compact. The borrowed compact will be permanently damaged, and it only works with certain ones, so 9 times out of 10 you'll use the first method, though the second is good to know about. The routine is designed to be performed for women: the usage of a compact, and Sean's thesis that guys put on a macho image and refuse to be scared, yet girls react better and let themselves be spooked. I have to agree. Lots of fun with this one, and it's unique as well as a visual shocker. I'm currently trying to work in some audio to the mirror cracking (no such solution is offered in the notes).
For The Masses - metal bending, but the spectators do it instead of you. Everyone is given a spoon and instructed to stroke it / concentrate / whatever. After a moment of such activity, they compare it to your spoon that you've been sitting idly by with, and upon examination, the spectators have all bent their chosen silverware. I honestly can't say I like this one - it's not that hard to figure out, though if performed correctly it can fool laymen. Though I think you performing visual bends in silverware yourself is much stronger effect. The trick itself is laughably simple, which is good, and does its job perfectly - it's just not my kind of effect.
The Metronome Revelation - A card is selected and kept hidden from the performer. The spectator is told to think of the card's color, and repeat it to herself in a steady rhythm, "Black. Black. Black. Black. Black." over and over. Staring into her eyes, the performer eventually starts to mouth along with what she was thinking: "...black, black, black, black..." This continues until all aspects of the card are finally revealed. It's an easy and freaky way to reveal a card, yet requires good timing. Very nice effect.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind - You allow the spectator to think of a playing card, and it turns out to be the one hiding in your wallet. This is essentially a psychological force of sorts that seems tricky to pull off, yet impossible and beautiful should it be done correctly. With enough practice, this is a great addition to your card work.
North of the Border - Just amazing. It's a new center tear, where you can show your hands open and clean throughout the performance. Even after finished with the tear and handing the pieces back, your hands are completely clean. A magician friend of mine who's wise to the center tear asked to count the pieces immediately after I handed them back, and I obliged - she had no idea how I'd gathered the information from the billet. This is one of those sleights that should have been put in use decades ago - it's so simple and perfect. I think it improves on the basic center tear in every possible way (angles are about the same, though - you do need that "I'll turn around" angle, except you don't actually need to turn around). If for no other reason, get these notes for North of the Border. It is pure genius.
Shades Change - the magician takes a coin in his hand and squeezes it, turning his hand over. He then turns it immediately back up and opens it, revealing the coin to be bent! It happens impossibly fast and looks great, but it's not as visual as other coin bends, and I think it happens a little TOO fast to be believable or as fun as other coin bends. Don't take that to mean the audience will figure this one out - they won't. If you don't mind the speed, this is an extremely deceptive and potent coin bend.
Glimmer - I'd never heard of this type of gimmick in my albeit brief time in magic, but now I'm glad I have. This is a classic magician's gimmick which is seen very rarely these days, built the Sean Fields way. He takes you through how to build and hide the tiny gimmick and gives you a routine to use with it. A card is freely selected and the back turned towards you. Without ever seeing the front, you are able to discern the card. The card remains in full view the entire time and is not forced. The deck can be borrowed and shuffled by the spectator, and you can even go through the entire routine never touching the card at all. You will need to briefly touch the spectator's hand to reposition them, but it won't be questioned.
Shimmer - A bigger yet stronger version of the Glimmer gimmick, this one you'll be able to make for free - you're guaranteed to have the necessary materials in your house right now (and if you don't, you have a weird family). This gimmick allows you to have a spectator write a word, number, or even draw a simple picture on a business card (or similar item) and just by holding it, you gain the information off the card. You can then reveal it however you want - mind reading, psychic drawing, whatever. Seems tricky to use at first, but with proper handling, this one's a gem. (Experiment - I found out a piece of jewelry I already owned was essentially a smaller version of this gimmick. I've used it to reveal cards, and no one's detected the gimmick, instead searching the back of the cards for the hidden marking they just KNOW has to be there)
Wandering Eyes - This one's so easy you'll laugh. Riffle through the cards, looking away as you do. The spectator calls stop and sees the card. The deck is closed, no breaks are held, yet you know the card instantly. No force is used. Your mileage may vary, but this one is slightly painful for me to perform, so I don't. It's still a really great effect.
Materialism - Four blank cards are shown front and back, and one is picked. A playing card is also picked. The chosen blank card is sandwiched in the spectator's hands, and when they open their hands, ghostly writing has scrawled out the name of their card on it! Very spooky, very easy, and an overall great effect. Has a theme of mischievous spirits attached to the routine, though the possibilities are endless.
Bloody Mary - You have to love this one: a make-up compact is introduced and examined, set on the table. The names of everyone present are written down on cards, and one name is selected. You all begin to recount the tale of Bloody Mary, and chant her name - and the compact moves by itself! Opening it, the spectator finds the mirror to be cracked, and the selected name written across the cracked mirror in blood red! Two methods are taught - one with your compact and one with a borrowed compact. The borrowed compact will be permanently damaged, and it only works with certain ones, so 9 times out of 10 you'll use the first method, though the second is good to know about. The routine is designed to be performed for women: the usage of a compact, and Sean's thesis that guys put on a macho image and refuse to be scared, yet girls react better and let themselves be spooked. I have to agree. Lots of fun with this one, and it's unique as well as a visual shocker. I'm currently trying to work in some audio to the mirror cracking (no such solution is offered in the notes).
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