by Hardik » Jun 5th, '09, 01:30
The Effect
Banachek's Pre Thoughts is a lecture notes booklet available from most magic dealers. It contains :
1) An excellent introduction by Richard Hatch
2) Thoughts about My Style - An essay by Banachek about his performance style
3) Magician Theories - Another essay by the great Banachek.
4) The Roger Klause Theory - A third essay by Banachek detailing his experience with Roger Klause, and Klause's theory about young magicians.
5) The Show - Banachek's mentalism show
Cost
USD 10 off most dealers
Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)
Well, the effects are mostly 1-2 . But the presentation has to be excellent, and as Banachek says, will take a lot of time and practise !
Review
This was another one of my purchases as a newcomer in mentalism, and I am so happy I purchased this manuscript !
The essays are really great, providing me a good base for some further reading in mentalism.
The Show - Well what can I say ? I was expecting a couple of effects listed out, like they usually are, in a book ! Boy I was in for a surprise ! Banachek actually details every single word he says in the show, i.e. , first he provides the whole transcript of the show, and this I feel was the most amazing part of these notes !
Next, he details each effect and provides thoughts and tips on them. The effects are :
1) A chair prediction effect.
2) An add-a-number effect.
3) The alphabet game - An effect utilizing a wallet Banachek markets
4) Future Card thought - An amazing prediction effect.
I used these effects in a mini-show I performed for friends, using some other effects from Professional Presentations (Al Koran) and Easy to Master Mental Miracles (Richard Osterlind), and the reactions were amazing , especially for Banachek's effects , which are so simple and direct ( or SAD as Looch would say ) . Actually , performing all these great effects together undermined their value ! I really have to routine these effects of Banachek separately so they retain their deserved credit !
Overall
9/10 - Great manuscript for a beginner like me ! It has helped me a lot !