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The Marc Spelmann DVD shoot
£89.99 for all 4 DVD’s from www.alakazam.co.uk

Overview.
A while ago I, and a few other of the Talkmagic members were privileged enough to be invited at a live magic DVD shoot. As you can imagine it was a superb day, but not just because we got to see the ins and outs of what happens when a magic DVD is being recorded (my first observation is that if anything goes wrong, it is ALWAYS the sound man’s fault.). The main reason it was such a great day was because of Marc Spelmann himself.

It’s possible that before reading this you may not have heard of Marc Spelmann ( www.marcspelmann.co.uk ), but I can assure you that you won’t ever forget him if you get a chance to see him perform. Without a word of a lie, Marc Spelmann is an awesome performer. He has a stage charisma that just endears him to you, and his dark mystical appearance is one that anyone performing mentalists would crave. In short his whole persona is so believable.

From what I have been told there will be four DVD’s. They will be split between stage magic and close up magic, but always with a mentalism theme. I only saw the stage magic being performed as I couldn’t stay for the close up session, but this just makes me even more eager to see the DVD’s when they come out.

It’s a little strange, if not premature, writing a review for a set of DVD’s that haven’t yet come out, but I thought that it would be interesting as all I have to go on is what happened on the day. I didn’t see any explanations, and I have to admit that I didn’t see the filming of the close up session , but from what I did see, I firmly believe that these DVD’s will be right up there with the Richard Osterlind’s, the Banachek’s and even the Max Maven’s.

Believe me, I don’t say that lightly. I really do love those 3 guys. I have so much admiration for them, and yet I am serious when I say that Marc Spelmann, and the material he was doing is every bit as good (if not better!). Marc Spelmann was doing some of the strongest mentalism I have ever seen.

You may believe that I am saying this just because I was there for the filming. It’s a fair point, and if I am honest you could well be right. However, I still remember my excitement at seeing his performances. Captain Fantastic, Roman59 and myself just couldn’t stop talking about what we saw in between the sessions and on the way home. This guy is good. He is Very good.

I am not going to go into too much detail about the effects he performed, as I am trying to move away from reviewing DVD’s by just listing a series of effects, but I do want to give you a flavour of the sort of magic he does. In saying that we were chatting to him in the bar after the stage sessions, and it seems that as well as the mentalism, he is also a very accomplished and well rounded magician in the general sense of the term.

I should also point out that I don’t know the name of any of the effects he performed, but hopefully when the DVD’s are announced you will be able to work out which is which. Also the effects described are in no particular order.

Effects

1. Mind Control
This is a marketed effect, that is actually out now. It is a Peter Nardi Effect, but the routine is pure Marc Spelmann, and he played it beautifully.

Two spectators are called up on stage. One is asked to sit down, She is then requested to shut her eyes and relax. Obviously the spectator for this needs to be chosen very well, but Marc made her feel comfortable, and assured her that everything would be ok. Marc has a very trusting nature and she was more than happy to comply.

A deck of cards is then brought out, and Marc showed everyone that the cards were all different. A band was applied to the cards and in a similar fashion to the tossed out deck a card was peeked by the second spectator, who was then asked to write down the name of the card on a supplied pad.

Marc takes the pad (it is ok that he sees the card) and shows it to the audience so we can all see. He puts his fingers to his lips and points to the seated spectator who still has her eyes shut.

He then takes out another deck of cards, and explains to the seated spectator that a card has been selected, and that he is going to ask her to peek a card from the same deck.

Again he puts his finger to his lips and shows the new deck to the audience. The deck is blank. Both face and back. This isn’t just R&S either, or at least it appeared not to be. Cards were freely taken from hand to hand. He places a rubber band around the deck, and places the deck in the seated specs hand, asking her to keep her eyes shut for a moment longer.

He then explains to her what is about to occur. As he explains he is using subtle wording to influence her of her choice. For instance, you cut break the deck at any point, it could be in the centre, near the top or near the bottom. It could be THREE cards from the top. It could be THREE cards from the bottom. As he emphasises the word three, he underlines the 3 that the other spec drew on the pad.

He then uses a similar technique for apparently forcing the suit. Remember we have all seen a blank deck, and yet when the seated spectator opens her eyes and comes out of her relaxed state, she does indeed see a card. And the card is the one suggested by Marc Spelmann.

The power of suggestion. (I was going to say the power of suggestive thought, but that would have been an entirely different effect!!!)

2. The Book Test

Four Books are shown. The smallest has 230 pages, so a spectator is requested to write on a piece of paper a number between 10 (to avoid prefaces etc) and 230. The paper is passed to a second spectator who is asked to come forward and select one of the books and to find the page in question.

Meanwhile, I think I am right in remembering that Marc did a card trick to another spectator.

When the spectator had found the page on the paper, they were asked to think about it and Marc Spelmann successfully divined the gist of the text on the first line…

This one was very interesting, Taking into account that I know how a good few Book tests work, this one had me very dumbfounded at the time. We did spend much of the car journey on the way home discussing how this may have been done, and I believe that we may have come up with a working solution, however I would have to re-watch the performance to be sure. (Actually if I watch the explanations instead, I would probably be surer!).

3. Words, Words and more Words

I have a specifically fond memory for this one, as I was the spectator. (I am on a DVD – woohoo!). During one of the breaks, an A4 pad was passed around and everybody was asked to write a long word and a short word.

When the effect was to be performed, we were reminded of this, and I was asked to come forward and study the results of our handy work. Marc took the pad, and spent approx 15 seconds studying the page, then handed it back to me.

I was then asked to merely think of a short word, and then a longer word.

There was some byplay with another spectator, and then Marc named (actually he wrote them down) both words.

I suspect I know the general idea of how this was done, apart from that is, one factor that I won’t go into here. I am sure that when I watch the DVD again I will see what I missed the first time round, but at the time (and indeed now) I am still a little baffled.

4. Bank Night

This was actually his closer, and for me one of the strongest effects of the day.
He has 5 coloured envelopes, and talks about the different colours and how he could use those colours to influence choice. There was Black (deep and mystical like himself), blue - very pleasing - especially for men, red, yellow and green. He had something interesting to say about them all. Making it feasible that whatever colour is chosen was because that’s the one he wanted you to pick.

On the table were 5 large tubes, each with a number on. The audience was told us each tube had a prize inside.

One by one a spectator was chosen to select a coloured envelope. The envelope was ripped open, and a folded piece of paper was taken out. When the paper was unfolded it was found to have a number on it.

After 4 of the spectators had chosen, he opened the last envelope, and showed that inside was the last number.

Each spectator was then asked to call out their number and the corresponding tube was lifted and the prize uncovered. All 4 spectators won a different bottle of drink. (The Martini’s are on captain Fantastic btw).

So what was under the last tube?

A champagne flute, filled to the brim of £20 notes…

And as if that wasn’t enough, the selected spectators looked under their chairs to reveal that it was predicted exactly what bottle they would win…

5. BlockHead

Marc did two effects during the day that will not be for everyone. You will read this and either think. “WOW. I have to be able to do that!!!”, or you will think. “Nope. That one just isn’t something I will perform”

I guess they fall into the category of “Shock Magic” (is that a category of magic?)

The effect is simple. He hammers four 4 inch Nails up his nose, into his face. These nails are fully examinable before (and after) the effect. Judging by the response from the lucky spectator chosen to witness the effect, I have to conclude that this is for real. In fact talking to Marc afterwards I know it is for real.

As I said. It’s either for you or not for you, But either way, it certainly leaves an entire audience with their collective mouths wide open. I just hope that on the DVD there is a shot of the audience at that point.

Bottom Line

Obviously I can’t tell you how easy or difficult these effects are to perform as I haven’t seen the explanations yet. There are a few I believe that I have worked out, but the vast majority I am eagerly awaiting the release to see how they were done.

The latest news from Peter Nardi is that Alakazam will be taking pre-orders for the set by the weekend.

I have also had an email from Marc Spelmann (I did say he was a jolly nice chap didn’t I?), and he said that they had a tremendous amount of fun filming the close up and explanations, and that we may be treated to a few outtakes on the final DVD.

Remember the name Marc Spelmann, because when these come out, EVERYBODY will be talking about him.

Sounds great another must have. Just wish I could have been there.

Great review Bananafish!

One routine that you forgot to mention was the Russian Roulette Routine using 4 heavy duty regular staple guns.

That was my favourite routine of the day.

Cheers

One routine that you forgot to mention was the Russian Roulette Routine using 4 heavy duty regular staple guns. That was my favourite routine of the day

There were just so many I could have mentioned, but you are right this played to the audience really well. It had just the right mix of fun and fear.


The Russian Roulette Staple Routine.
On the table are three industrial strength carpet staple guns. It is mentioned that only one has been loaded with staples.

A spec is called up, the guns are mixed up and then assigned a number between 1 and 4.

3 other specs are then called up one at a time. and they each choose a gun. The gun is then fired against the back of their hand. You can imagine the fun the magician can have with this.

Each spec breathes an audible sigh of relief as the gun fires air.

The last gun is picked up, and fired against a playing card and a piece of wood.

The last gun is clearly seen to be loaded

This was obviously a great effect for the audience reactions, and Marc played it up for all it was worth.

At the time I did have an idea how I thought that it may have been achieved, but then talking to Mr Spelmann afterwards, I found I was totally wrong.

Played in the right hands this would be a killer

This set of DVD's is now available for pre-order...

where can one purchase this from?

Well I would pre-order, but Alakazam's site seems to be down at the moment! Does anyone have the phone number to hand?

Here you go 01233637888

Thank you soo much for the praise, I merely stand on the shoulders of giants. Peter and I have spent the best part of today at the edit. It is a huge task and placing each effect has proved quite timely.

I just want to say a huge thank you to evryone that sat through the performances, we calculated 31 routines in all my the end of the day. Way to much magic for anyone.. Also the sweltering heat was crazy.. I think I lost a stone during the shoot.

I cannot thank the audience enough who were absolute stars and some even agreed to having staple guns fired over their hands... Now that is kind of them (if not a little mad...)

Seriuosly though thanks to all who attended and gave their support. I truly hope you use something from the dvds, even if only a principle or idea.

Untouched - The PK movement has been very well received, I may put out a booklet devoted to various ideas using the technique..

I have loved Prize Draw and still use it to close to this day, although I have 4 different methods. The one taught on the dvd is most practical for most performing environments..

Thanks guys and girls..

Marc Spelmann