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Hello All!

I've had Skulduggery for a while now and I am still loving the material non-stop. Luke Jermay is one of my many idols and I still believe he is one of magic's most helpful creators.

The material contained in Skulduggery revolves around suggestion and influence. This has been cleared up in many reviews on this product, but I will state it again because of it's extreme importance: beginners should stay away from this material UNLESS all you have been studying is mentalism, suggestion, and other topics on the topic. This DVD is a pretty much a video interpretation of Luke's 7 Deceptions which can be found at the link below:

http://www.mjmmagic.com/store/7-dece...ay-p-4691.html

7 Deceptions is geared toward the intermediate and advanced mentalists out there. Therefore, because Skulduggery is a video interpretation of 7 Deceptions, the material on the DVD will start out tough to the beginner.

For the intermediate and advanced mentalists out there, you should seriously consider picking up Skulduggery, and some other Luke Jermay products because they will certainly help your performance and increase thoughts on mentalism tremendously. Luke's routines are great and are highly recommended.

THE REVIEW ::

THE QUALITY (DVD): While you are watching Skulduggery, you will notice that the video quality is a bit hazy and fuzzy. This should not deter you away from the material within, but it is probably the most disappointing part of the DVD. You really get your money's worth from the incredible routines, thoughts, and teaching styles of Luke Jermay.

THE TEACHING: Luke has a very heavy British accent that you should be aware of. This really didn't bother me much at all, but, if that kind of thing annoys you after a while, it's something you should know.

Other than that, everything is clear, well-explained, and is discussed in in-depth discussion. He gives great advice on the routines and explains great additions to the effects which also make the effects stronger.

Luke teaches the effects while seated at the same performance table with about 5 of his friends in a very formal manner.

THE TRICKS/ROUTINES: The tricks/routines contained on the DVD are very strong and create crazy reactions. Most of them can be adapted to other performing areas with simple adjustments.

Next, I'll be going into the effects and reviewing them. I won't be reviewing the method because there really isn't much to say about them. They are practical and can work in real-world situations.


RGM (Reverse Gestalt Moment)

The Effect: A spectator is caused to forget a card shown to them in full view.

Percent of Suggestion Used: About 50%.

The Angles: As with most of Luke's effects, angles are not an issue. You have a full 360 degree performance area.

Extra: This is a great routine that is truly meant for stage/parlour workers but can be adapted to other areas. But, you will get the best reactions while performing this in stage/parlour atmospheres. Great routine, but will require a fair bit of confidence to perform.

For Andruzzi

The Effect: The magician stops his own pulse and gets it confirmed by a spectator. A second spectator is brought into the game and has their pulse stopped! This is confirmed by another audience member.

Percent of Suggestion Used: Almost all of the trick revolves around suggestion.

The Angles: There are no angle issues whatsoever while performing this effect.

Extra: As with most of the effects in Skulduggery, this routine is not sure-fire. This is a trick where practice, suggestion, and performance come into play big time. It is a great routine once it is mastered. Requires no gimmicks but Luke does suggest purchasing something that may convince the spectator's more.

Synchronized

The Effect: Two spectators are brought forth and one is told to think of a time. The second spectator is told to move the performer's watch to any random time they want while the watch is upside down and hidden from view. The two times are compared and they match perfectly.

Percent of Suggestion Used: About 20%.

The Angles: During the very beginning of the effect, there are some restrictions as to where the people should be, but it's really not a big deal.

Extra: This is my least liked effect contained in Skulduggery. One, it uses (0%#*)*&@^* (somewhat like a stooge). And two, it requires a certain watch. I can't tell you what kind of watches can be used, because that would tip the method way too much. But, if you don't mind these two factors and perform the effect well, it can hit pretty hard.

The Burst Bubble Suggestion

The Effect: More like a revelation. Cause a spectator to feel a thought travel from their mind to the mentalists. Literally feel it leave!

Percent of Suggestion Used: Almost all of the revelation is based around suggestion.

The Angles: No angle issues at all.

Extra: There really isn't too much to say, what you read in the description of the effect is really what you get. Not my favorite revelation, but it is a good one. I particularly prefer Luke's Blowing Bubbles revelation which can be found in his Coral Fang book.

http://www.mjmmagic.com/store/the-co...may-p-954.html

And If I Fall

The Effect: A coin disappears from the magicians hand and reappears in the clenched fist of the spectator.

Percent of Suggestion Used: No form of suggestion is used during this routine.

The Angles: Depending on what sort of coin vanish you use, the angles may vary.

Extra: This is my favorite routine of the DVD. Luke's handling is just pure brilliant. Although this is more of a 'magic' trick than a 'mentalist' trick, you could ply it up to be a mentalist trick. I cannot praise this routine enough.

A Darker Dai

The Effect: This can be done with both playing cards or random objects. Five objects are displayed on a table and the spectator is asked to move their hand on top of each of them until they pick one to choose. This is done with the magician's back turned to the spectator. The magician does the same and is able figure out which object was chosen.

Percentage of Suggestion Used: The whole routine is based around suggestion.

The Angles: No angle issues present while performing.

Extra: Unless you are as good as Luke, the chances of you pulling this off successfully is not the highest. However, if you do perform it correctly and pull it off successfully, this may just make your reputation as a mind-reader.

The 7th Deception

The Effect: A spectator's phobia leaves them in a truly bizarre manner.

Percentage of Suggestion Used: About 30%.

The Angles: There are no angle issues.

Extra: This effect is great for stage work. A real connection between you and the spectator is felt during the performance. You may change the handling to fit your needs because it is so flexible.

A Twisted Palm

The Effect: During a palm reading, the lines on the spectator's palm apparently move and twist on their own. A stunning combination of linguistics, psychology and neurology.

Percent of Suggestion Used: About 90%.

The Angles: Once again, the angles are great and there is nothing to worry about.

Extras: This is not my favorite effect, but I'm sure the experienced performer will enjoy playing with this.


That's Skulduggery by Luke Jermay. One of the best purchases you can make if you are a mentalist. There is something for everyone in here.

I know this is a long review, but I hope you enjoyed it and found it helpful.

Bring on the questions and comments!

.:Ham:.

I haven't got 7 deceptions, but know about suggestion a lot, using it often in my performances.

Would love to see Jermay perform. Would you still recomend picking up the book before the dvd?

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic2870-0-asc-0.php

it's great to see it all in action, but i'd recommend having both, the book for learning, the dvd for seeing it play out...

7 deceptions was going cheap at magicbox a month or so back..might be worth a check...i threw out my original copy by accident...

Seeing as though you know stuff about suggestion and whatnot, for you, I'd recommend getting the DVD and not the book. It's easier to learn from and I think you'll get your money's worth.

.:Ham:.

.:Ham:. wrote:Seeing as though you know stuff about suggestion and whatnot, for you, I'd recommend getting the DVD and not the book. It's easier to learn from and I think you'll get your money's worth.

.:Ham:.

Cheers sir!

I purchase building blocks the other day, and didn't get much from it, in that I already utilise some of the principles.

Though some of the effect ideas were definately nice.

The only thing I don;t have an idea about though, is the pulse stop...that is worth knowing me thinks. Does he go through it well in the dvd?

Building Blocks is a great book, but my favorite publication of Jermay's is the Coral Fang. I highly recommend it. And yes, he goes into great detail of the Pulse Stop effect (For Andruzzi). I love that routine!

.:Ham:.

That's a very full review. I enjoyed seeing the routines from '7 Deceptions' in action, and the extra effects were enjoyable, especially 'A Darker Dai'.

I agree with abraxus; the book and the DVD have different advantages. It's hard to pick up on some of the suggestion in print, but the book explains some of the detail of the effects better.

There's another of 'Skullduggery' review here: http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic2870-0.php

.:Ham:. wrote:Luke has a very heavy British accent that you should be aware of. This really didn't bother me much at all, but, if that kind of thing annoys you after a while, it's something you should know.

You ain't from around these parts are ya, boy?

*pulls pained mindreading face* I'm getting a sense of... American?
*graciously accepts rapturous applause*

pcwells wrote:

.:Ham:. wrote:Luke has a very heavy British accent that you should be aware of. This really didn't bother me much at all, but, if that kind of thing annoys you after a while, it's something you should know.

You ain't from around these parts are ya, boy?

*pulls pained mindreading face* I'm getting a sense of... American?
*graciously accepts rapturous applause*

Heheheheheh...

This riles me so badly... almost as much as the 'default' language on most computer systems being 'English'... with an option of 'British English' or 'International English'. The bloody cheek of those Uncle-Sam drones ('drone' meaning, in the dictionary, 'A pilotless craft being controlled by others')...

Personally, I wish everyone spoke RedNeck, like Kevin Parker. Yeeeeeehawwwwww...

Well. it's a joy for me to hear a British accent for a change, rather than a whiny voiced transatlantic drone whinnying on about 'dollars' and referring to everyone, regardless of sex, as "guys".

Now you know what we have to put up with and maybe learn to speak proper like what we do. God help you if you ever hear Chas 'n' Dave.

On a slight tangent, am I the only person here that finds Michael Ammar intensely annoying? There's no doubt that the guy has talent, but he's also extremely punchable.

pcwells wrote:On a slight tangent, am I the only person here that finds Michael Ammar intensely annoying? There's no doubt that the guy has talent, but he's also extremely punchable.

"Anne eye juss wayyyyyyyve a shardoe offer tha duck..."

ammar = brian cant, even though he can...

seige wrote:

pcwells wrote:On a slight tangent, am I the only person here that finds Michael Ammar intensely annoying? There's no doubt that the guy has talent, but he's also extremely punchable.

"Anne eye juss wayyyyyyyve a shardoe offer tha duck..."

uncanny

.:Ham:. wrote:
Luke has a very heavy British accent that you should be aware of. This really didn't bother me much at all, but, if that kind of thing annoys you after a while, it's something you should know.


You ain't from around these parts are ya, boy?

*pulls pained mindreading face* I'm getting a sense of... American?
*graciously accepts rapturous applause*
Laughing