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Mind Guerrilla Posted: Sep 6, 2009 01:52 pm 0

I devoured this book in one sitting as soon as it arrived. It is closer to


PS2 than PS1 in that its emphasis is on routines. It's over 200 pages
and has over 50 routines. The price was a wee bit steep for my budget
but a book helmed by a master of the art is, of course, a must buy.

Inner circle My thoughts on some of the contents:


Queens, NY
2643 Posts
DEDICATION:
I was moved by this. In a way, it's the most important guidance found
within the book.

PREFACE:
I was one of those who didn't expect the shift in emphasis from tools
to routines in PS2. I wasn't sure whether PS3 would be closer to PS2
or PS1. I'm glad Scott Wells points out more clearly here the direction
this series of books is taking. I expect the new edition of PS1 will
include more routines to supplement the original material.

SUBTLE DEALING WITH DIFFICULT SPECTATORS:


The title of this chapter isn't too subtle! But seriously, this chapter
could just as well have been titled "Subtle Audience Management". I
run a small group for mentalists (professional and amateur). We meet
and exchange ideas/experiences. A few of my members are magicians
looking to introduce mentalism into their act. Some members are
developing full fledged mentalism acts. This chapter should be useful
in helping them overcome fear of difficult volunteers.

ROBERT DOMENECH'S "CARROT TOP":


As I said regarding the "PC Principle", I am a bit of a skeptic when it
comes to psychological forces/subliminal suggestions. X
I know Derren Brown has popularized this notion but I think his
"explanations" are part of his act, designed to mislead the audience
into thinking "A-ha! That's how he did it" when, in fact, his effects are
actually accomplished with tried and true methods.

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It would be interesting to compare how often the carrot choice is


made without the "carry it" mispronunciation.

If this method truly makes a difference, why not add an additional cue
like: "Orange (aren't) you glad you're a vegetable farmer?"

CHESHIRE CAT PRINCIPLE:


This is an effect that appears on volume 2 of Banachek's Psi Series
DVDs. Instead of just doing a drawing and saying, "Is this it?" He
leads the audience to believe he is actually reading the spectator's
thoughts as they draw the picture in their mind. Brilliant.

MARC SPELMANN'S "TRANSMISSION":


This is a killer effect which turns the tables on the standard design
duplication. When my NYC Mentalism Meetup got together for a
discussion on design duplications recently, I made sure that this effect
was on our agenda.

Printing the explanation in PS3 actually improves upon Marc


Spelmann's DVD (which I still strongly recommend). There is some
confusion created on the DVD because the steps taken during the
performance do not match the explanation (in performance, Mr.
Spelmann, tears out a picture from his pad and commits to it before
looking at the spectator's drawing, making it unclear why he has
another drawing in reserve). I was going to email Peter Nardi to ask
for clarification but now I don't have to. It's as though Banachek read
my mind.

DON MARCO'S "DRAWN & QUARTERED":


In this section, it is said in passing, "The 'White Dwarf' principle gives
you a peek of the spectator's drawing." I'm unfamiliar with the "White
Dwarf Principle". Some guidance in the book would have been
appreciated. I've been told it can be found in "The Artful Mentalism Of
Bob Cassidy". Is that right?

MARK ROBERTS' "TAKEN!":


The "k" animal I thought of was "kitten" so when it got to the part
where he says, "Think of the country where you most likely would find
that animal" I knew I had not come up with the one he was aiming for.
When the drawing was described, I thought, "Oh! He was going for
'koala'!" Then I thought "D'oh!" when I saw that he was really going
for kangaroo (although koala does also work).

LEO BOUDREAU'S "THE MORSE CODE SUBTLETY":


This is very clever and I like how it can be used with an ungimmicked
copy of "The Da Vinci Code". I think I'd be terrified to perform it
without a cheat sheet, though. X

"Kenton'S KALENDAR":
"The effect originally sold for $20 , so as you can see, you have
already managed to get a big fraction of your money's worth from this
book with this effect alone."
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Well, not quite, considering how the trick requires a stack of


gimmicks, although I'm sure one more adept than I could print them
out from their computer.

I believe there is a typo on page 117:


"I do believe the date and year are March 3rd, 1997..."

On page 112 it says:


"...just remember the year 1977 goes with the third of March."

I don't think pointing this out is being nitpicky because the effect is
somewhat complicated (at least on first reading) and the dates are
crucial.

Michael MURRAY'S "THIS LITTLE PIGGY":


This is pretty cool in theory, especially when applied to PK Touches.
However, in practice, I think it doesn't look like a completely natural
way to hold one's hands and so may arouse some suspicion. Agree?
Disagree?

"A MUSICAL INTERLUDE":


I had a hard time understanding just what this effect was and had to
read it over several times. It was not until seeing what the postcards
looked like that I got it. In a second printing of PS3, it may be a good
idea to show the six postcards up front.

"TELEPHONE RUSSIAN ROULETTE":


I really like this one. I'd be paranoid, though, about the person on the
other end of the phone screwing things up.

"GREY ELEPHANTS IN DENMARK":


I feel really dumb because, if I did hear of this before, I must have
forgotten it.

FRANCIS J. MENOTTI'S "MERCI, MERSAULT":


I really like this one! I played along and all the subtleties worked. I
definitely want to check out the "Violent Book of Mentalism" now.

SUBTLE PARADOX:
"I am not at liberty to give Max's working here..."
Does anyone know why that is?

Michael MURRAY'S "YOUR (REDUNDANT) PIN NUMBER":


I like this one. Depending on the script I think it could be a killer. The X
nature of the information creates a credible justification not to read it
aloud to the audience.

LEO BOUDREAU'S "COLOR CONTROL":


This section would benefit from graphics. Try as I might, I was unable
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to reproduce on paper what is described here. Thankfully, someone on


the Magic Inpsirations forum provided me with examples.

"LIE, OLD MAN, LIE":


I think this is my favorite effect in PS3.

It might be good in your spiel to mention pareidolia-when a vague or


random image is perceived as recognizable (seeing Elvis on a grilled
cheese sandwich, for example). If you want to get really "Derren
Brown" about it, you can add, "There are some who suggest that a
person experiencing pareidolia becomes much more susceptible to
subtle inflence" (or some such rubbish).

It might be fun to dismiss the first spectator after he/she does their
thing and have the other two people find they've been sitting on the
predictions the whole time. This may lead a coarse comic mentalist to
ask "Has anyone ever suggested you're sitting on your brain?"
http://www.meetup.com/Mentalism/

todsky Posted: Sep 6, 2009 02:04 pm 0

Great review, Mind Guerrila! Thanks for that.


We carry Murphy's Magic, Ellusionist products, Bizarre Magick, etc.
Inner circle www.magicstore.ca
www.magicstore.ca
2220 Posts

ElliottB Posted: Sep 6, 2009 02:15 pm 0

Thank you so much, Mind Guerrila. Now, I have some specifics to look
forward to when I order the book later this week.

If my memory serves correctly (and I don't have any books in front of


me,) Bob Cassidy has at least two different versions of "White Dwarf;"
Inner circle one in Art of Mentalism and another in Artful Mentalism.
2925 Posts

Elliott
My websites are:

http://ebswitch.googlepages.com/home

https://sites.google.com/site/manualofmystery/

https://sites.google.com/site/mindblastersusa/

Mind_Magic Posted: Sep 7, 2009 07:46 am 0

Great Review MG.


Now I'm swallow waiting for my signed copy.

Inner circle
The Sunshine State
USA
X
1229 Posts

Nathan Pain Posted: Sep 7, 2009 09:40 am 0

I've heard through the grapevine that Don Marco is ACTUALLY our
very own Don Theo III...unless you don't like the routine...& then Don
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Marco is some lame dude that no one will ever hear of again...

Nathan

Inner circle ...


iowa
2787 Posts

DT3 Posted: Sep 12, 2009 03:15 pm 0

"The White Dwarf" was the name Bascom Jones used for the
routine/principle. As mentioned above, Cassidy writes about it in The
Art Of Mentalism using the title "The Two Envelope Test."

Inner circle Richard Busch has a handling of Bruce Bernstein's take on the same
Hill Valley
1917 Posts technique in the first pages of Peek Performances (look at the routine
titled "Special Delivery." on page 9.)

D
Mind Blasters USA

El Mystico Posted: Sep 22, 2009 12:11 pm 0

The White Dwarf has its origins in the Khan Envelope test by Corinda;
I don't know if the original is still available, but Corinda deserves
credit for this wonderful idea.
http://leamingtonmagician.com/

Special user
550 Posts

Miraclemakers Posted: Sep 23, 2009 03:33 am 0

Thanks for the review Mind Guerrila

Special user
INA
664 Posts

Lord Of The Posted: Sep 24, 2009 03:06 am 0


Horses
Quote:

On 2009-09-07 10:40, Nathan Pain wrote:


I've heard through the grapevine that Don Marco
is ACTUALLY our very own Don Theo III...unless
you don't like the routine...& then Don Marco is
Inner circle some lame dude that no one will ever hear of
5410 Posts again...

Nathan
X
Really?

I always thought they were two distinct entities...


Then you'll rise right before my eyes, on wings that fill the sky, like a phoenix rising!

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Posted: Sep 24, 2009 06:17 am
Nathan Pain 0

Paolo,

It's been over a year since Don & I have been in the same room but
Inner circle
that night...all 3 of us were there...
iowa
2787 Posts Nathan
...

jlevey Posted: Sep 25, 2009 06:10 am 0

Thank you for your detailed synopsis and insightful comments, Mind
Guerrilla.

It seems like this great book is chock full of effects and important
(previously held to the chest) techniques.
Inner circle
Montreal, Quebec, I would be interested to know what percentage of this book shares
Canada
2131 Posts
Banachek's thoughts on building the Mentalist's stage persona,
audience management, approach towards effects and routining. Are
some of the above dedicated chapters in themselves or simply
integrated throughout the book.

Has Mind Guerrilla listed each and every title/chapter in this 200
page+ book, or are some missing. If some are missing, if possible
(and you have the time/energy/will) please list these missing titles.

Many thanks.

Jonathan
Jonathan
Max & Maxine Entertainment
Magicians with a touch of comedy!
___________________________________
www.maxmagician.com
www.mindreadershow.com
www.monsieurmagic.com

jlevey Posted: Sep 26, 2009 09:01 am 0

Anyone?
Jonathan
Max & Maxine Entertainment
Magicians with a touch of comedy!
___________________________________
www.maxmagician.com
Inner circle www.mindreadershow.com
Montreal, Quebec, www.monsieurmagic.com
Canada
2131 Posts

jlevey Posted: Sep 27, 2009 12:22 am 0

Scott Wells was kind enough to answer my many questions in a PM.

Thanks Scott! X
He also sent me this "fresh" link to a promo video that has him and
Inner circle Banachek discussing some of the contents of this great book and even
Montreal, Quebec, doing a telephone telepathy demonstration during this short but
Canada
2131 Posts
insightful Youtube clip.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viRdCazb014

Realizing that this book is a "keeper", I have decided to end my search


for this book in "used condition, and will, instead go ahead and order a
brand new PS 3 book directly form Scott Wells himself via his site:
http://www.magicinspirations.net/

Thanks again Scott! And thanks to Banachek for putting this book out
on the market to share with the rest of the mentalist/magic fraternity.

Jonathan
Jonathan
Max & Maxine Entertainment
Magicians with a touch of comedy!
___________________________________
www.maxmagician.com
www.mindreadershow.com
www.monsieurmagic.com

Mind Guerrilla Posted: Sep 27, 2009 11:38 am 0

Quote:

On 2009-09-26 10:01, jlevey wrote:


Anyone?

Inner circle
Queens, NY
2643 Posts
Jonathan,

There is one chapter dedicated to audience management entitled


"Subtle Creating the Perfect Situation". So I guess this is roughly 7%
of the book.

I have not listed every chapter title or routine in my posting. Just the
ones I had specific comments on.

Best Regards,
Tom
http://www.meetup.com/Mentalism/

Mind Guerrilla Posted: Sep 27, 2009 11:41 am 0

Quote:

On 2009-09-26 10:01, jlevey wrote:


Anyone?

Inner circle
Queens, NY
2643 Posts
Jonathan,

There is one chapter dedicated to audience management entitled


"Subtle Creating the Perfect Situation". So I guess this is roughly 7%
of the book.
X
I have not listed every chapter title or routine in my posting. Just the
ones I had specific comments on.

Best Regards,
Tom
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http://www.meetup.com/Mentalism/

jlevey Posted: Sep 27, 2009 06:36 pm 0

Thanks for this added info Tom. Very much appreciated. I ended up
buying PS 3 new, directly from Scott Wells at
http://www.magicinspirations.net

Scott was kind enough to send me a fresh link to a Youtube clip (as
Inner circle mentioned above) that shows him and Banachek talking about this
Montreal, Quebec, wonderful book...
Canada
2131 Posts
They even do a short telephone minndreading demo in this Youtube
clip which is fun and helpful to watch.

Scott sent me a written breakdown


down of (I beleive) ALL chapters. I will
post this soon in my very next posting on this thread so that otehrs
can have access to this detailed info.

Best regards.

Jonathan
Jonathan
Max & Maxine Entertainment
Magicians with a touch of comedy!
___________________________________
www.maxmagician.com
www.mindreadershow.com
www.monsieurmagic.com

jlevey Posted: Sep 27, 2009 06:48 pm 0

In one of his last correspondences to me, Scott wrote the folling


summaries of each of the PS 3 chapter...

"....here's more of a rundown:


down
Psychological Subtleties 3 has dozens of routines filled with layers of
Inner circle subtleties and psychological principles for your mentalism/magic
Montreal, Quebec, toolbox.
Canada
2131 Posts
In the Introduction to Psychological Subtleties 3, the living legend and
international man of mystery, David Berglas talks about his
relationship with Banachek and his respect for his skills.

Chapter One - Subtle Dealing with Difficult Spectators: Have you ever
had your performance disrupted by a cell phone? Have you ever had a
spectator refuse to reveal their thought-of number/card/item? Have
you ever had a spectator deliberately lie to you about what they were
thinking? This chapter deals with preventing and creating the perfect
performance situation so these will never happen to you again.

Chapter Two - Subtle Creating the Perfect Situation: In this chapter


you will learn how in the first two minutes to make a perfect
impression for the rest of your show, equivoque subtleties, plus you
will learn two amazing principles where you will appear to know X
intimate details about complete strangers. Why do psychological
subtleties work for some performers but not for others? Banachek
talks in this chapter about how conviction is the key. This chapter also
includes how to use politically correct statements in your performance
to influence your volunteer’s thoughts and a wonderful pseudo
explanation to your audience of how you can made them think of a
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specific vegetable.

Chapter Three – Subtle Verbal: This is all about verbal “dual reality”
and how to be both right and wrong at the same time. It is also how
to phrase something so it is understood differently by your volunteer
than by the audience. A couple effects from this chapter include
“Picture Perfect” wherein a spectator is able to describe the color of a
shirt, the color of the eyes, the time on a clock and the name of an
individual in a picture without ever having seen it. “Ultimate
Imagination” is a coin visualization routine wherein the performer is
able to tell a spectator which invisible coin they are thinking of and
which hand holds the coin.

Chapter Four – Subtle Drawings: Drawn from Banachek's professional


repertoire, this chapter reveals one of his favorite ploys: the Cheshire
Cat Principle. In this effect you know how a spectator is drawing a
picture in their mind and also the fact that they left out a major detail
in their drawing. Among other effects and principles in this chapter,
you will learn a multiple picture duplication, another picture
duplication using nothing but psychological subtleties, and a routine
where the performer predicts a picture drawn by a spectator.

Chapter Five – Subtle Letters: This chapter revisits Banachek's


principle where spectators mix up letters in a word and think of one
and you know what it is. The first two effects take this principle to a
new level by allowing you to not only know the letter, but also
animals, places, people, and other specific things that reside in the
spectator’s minds. The chapter closes with a very diabolical book test.

Chapter Six – Subtle Cards: This chapter deals with how to use
various psychological principles to force playing cards.

Chapter Seven – Subtle Dates: Four spectators think of a date on the


calendar. The performer correctly identifies the dates that three
spectators are thinking of and concludes with a startling revelation of
a fourth spectator’s thought. This was originally sold for $20.00 as
Kenton’s Kalendar. Also included in this chapter are two different
methods for revealing the day of the week in a calendar year.

Chapter Eight – Subtle Psychokinesis: When it comes to metal


bending, it is imperative that the audience sees the participant feeling
the psychokinesis (PK) happening. Do you want to make spectators
feel hot, cold or feel taps/touches or feel metal bend in a bag? This
chapter goes into detail on how to create these impressions both
psychologically and physically.

Chapter Nine – Subtle Telephone: Play a dramatic game of Russian


Roulette, reveal a song that a spectator is thinking of, and detect a lie
all while on the other end of the telephone.

Chapter Ten – Subtle Numbers: This chapter revisits Banachek's


“Reversal” principle that gives it meaning and applies it to an X
ingenious book test. We also take an in depth visit to the “Gray
Elephant in Denmark” principle and give it new clothing. Also included
in this chapter is a prediction effect that culminates in creating a
souvenir gift origami raven using psychokinesis.

Chapter Eleven – Subtle Paradox: Using the written word you are able
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to predict which coin will be chosen and whether it is heads or tails;


which invisible M&M will be selected and whether or not it will have
nuts; whether medication is taken for two weeks or four days, and;
successfully predict the make of a car and whether or not it is a four-
wheel drive. You will also be able to show that you knew the
spectator’s Personal Identification Number (PIN) in advance and in
another effect, how to create two separate realities at the same time.

Chapter Twelve – Subtle Perceptions: Optical illusions are applied to


psychic effects in this chapter. For example George Washington on a
one dollar bill reveals whether or not a volunteer is telling the truth
and in a separate effect, two spectators read the performer’s thoughts
by staring at a third spectator’s scribble.

Chapter Thirteen – Subtle Betting: You will learn two different


methods that will make it appear that you predicted the correct results
of the lottery plus a clever way to show that you correctly bet and won
on a sporting event.

Chapter Fourteen – Subtle Dunninger: This chapter reveals some of


the bold subtleties used by Dunninger on stage and behind the
microphone on his number one rated television show.

Chapter Fifteen – Subtle News: Banachek reveals one of his most


coveted methods for predicting the headlines of the newspaper."
___________________

On a related note, if anyone would like more info from Scott Wells
directly on Banachek's recently released PS 3 book, I know that they
can PM hiom through the Café or reeach him directly through his
http://www.magicinspirations.net web site.

I have found Scott to be a true gentleman and he is always very quick


to respond, and very helpful.

Of course, we are also fortunate to have Banachek himself as a fellow-


member , here on the Café. And when he is not on the road he seems
to mysteriously pop up and generously shares his insights with all
those that have genuine interest.

Thanks guys! This is what the Magic Café is all about

Jonathan
Jonathan
Max & Maxine Entertainment
Magicians with a touch of comedy!
___________________________________
www.maxmagician.com
www.mindreadershow.com
www.monsieurmagic.com

Nash Posted: Oct 4, 2009 03:57 am 0

The PS series never cease to inspire us. X


I've been doing Ultimate Imagination from PS3, combining that with
Max Maven's "Positive/Negative" as a kicker/ a fall back. They have
been absolutely killing for me.

Inner circle Highly recommend this book.


Hong Kong ~ Seattle

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1037 Posts
Don't give up, don't EVER give up.

Corporate magician - Nash Fung

JanForster Posted: Oct 5, 2009 04:27 am 0

This book is indeed excellent.


But please note that the in Chapter Seven proposed mathematical
system to calculate any day in the week for a given date is not always
working. Using a similar system I was already not not sure when
reading it the first time. The months of January and February you've
Inner circle to handle differently. Just try e. g. the 2nd of February 1924... you're
Germany ... when answer will be wrong using that system. Jan
not traveling...
3605 Posts Jan Forster
www.janforster.de

JanForster Posted: Oct 6, 2009 11:02 am 0

As it concerns this book I like to post it here as well:


The work around is quite simple: First you should know that all leap
years can be divided by 4 (2 exceptions or things to know: 1900 was
not a leap year, 2000 was a leap year).
If someone wants to know the day of a week in January or February of
Inner circle any given leap year (and it does concern only the months of January
Germany ... when and February of a leap year!) just proceed as explained in PS3 except
not traveling...
3605 Posts
that you subtract 1 from the final result before you divide it by 7 to
get the rest (indicating the day of the week). All other calculations
remain the same; also that you have to subtract 1 before your final
calculation for the years starting with 2000 a.s.o.
That means (e. g.) for a given date in January or February 2000 (or a
later leap year) you would subtract 2 instead of 1 before dividing by 7.
I hope that helps, because besides that the described system is quite
easy and quick. Jan
Jan Forster
www.janforster.de

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