Sanctum 2

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Sanctum 2

Postby Morgaine » Sep 16th, '07, 18:43



The Effect

A small business card with several quite dark mentalism routines, ranging for really simple, through to quite difficult. The card is an interesting object in its own right, but it also some with a very comprehensive book, containing all the background you could ever want, a range of routines - from the very simple, through to what looks like a complete act. There are also additional bonus routines and many other ideas.

Cost £15 (unbelieveably), from Outlaw Effects.

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).
No routines require slights as this is pure mentalism folks! 2 routines are easy, then the other routines span 2 to 4 on this scale.

Just got my order for the Outlaw wallet and Sanctum card.
All I can say is that I am bowled over! I came across Outlaw effects quite by accident. At first I was a little reluctant ordering, as they are based in the US. But what they had looked so interesting that I thought I would give it a go. I am so glad I did! The package came quicker than many UK suppliers and the effects themselves are totally amazing!

I have seen a review for the Outlaw Wallet, but I have not come across the Sanctum card before. So I will concentrate on a review of this effect.
By the way, it is called Sanctum 2, anyone know what Sanctum 1 is?

Review.

This is a really deep effect with many layers, some of them easy to pick up, some more difficult. So I thought I would write a review as a sort of a diary.

I opened the envelop and out dropped a rather thick and rather intimidating looking book of instructions. I almost missed the actual effect, a tiny business card, tucked in-between the pages.

The card is really beautiful - it looks so authentic and so detailed - I am sure that I can use this to convince people that I am in a weird secret society. The front has some of the simpler effects and is covered in some really interesting looking Masonic (?) illustrations. The back is a very detailed photo or painting of a mysterious looking room (more on this later).

When I get a new trick, I like to read the instructions quickly and 'give it a go'. Sanctum wasn't having any of this - the book starts with a short story, followed by some simple routines and ends with what looks like a complete course in mind reading!

First, the story. The small novel which starts the booklet is really interesting and a very enjoyable read. I suppose it really does set the scene and give you a feel for the whole thing. However, I am not too sure how to use this, as I think the story is too long and the audience would get a little fed-up listening to it. So I doubt I will use the story as written, but it does give you loads of interesting ideas for presentation.

One interesting point - I have performed the effect several times now (to family and friends, I am 'only' an amateur) - one interesting thing I have found is that in some weird way, using the effect has really improved my performance and confidence in story telling. So, the story can work as an entertainment, but it also 'gets under your skin', and encourages you to develop your performance.

The next part of the book goes through a few simple routines. These really do work well and with little effort. I suppose that this is what I was looking for - something I could do straight away.

Ok, by now I had read through the book once (some bits a few times) and tried out the easier routines. It suddenly struck me what a fantastic thing this actually is. With the two routines I had learnt, I already had far more value for money than anything else I have bought - and, I had only just scratched the surface.

I then started working with some of the harder routines. In the first one the idea is that you get the spec to visualise the rather complicated drawing on the front of the card. It is quite difficult to get your head around this one - and when I tried it for the first time, it just didn't work at all. However, on the second time - I managed to force two of the main shapes. Then it all seemed to go wrong - the spec said he saw shapes that weren't on the card (a fox) and got other details wrong. So, I thought - this one isn't working at all. Then the spec asked to see the card anyway - this is what was really odd - everyone standing around were speechless! (my favourite reaction – when a spec stares at you, doesn’t say anything for a beat or two, then says – ‘that’s weird... how on earth!’) I have never had such a big reaction - and I thought I had got it wrong! They focused on the two shapes they did get right, forgot the rest and even made sense out of seeing the fox.
This really got me thinking - the next time I tried it, I approached it with far more confidence. It was amazing! It worked so well that it genuinely started to freak me out. It then occurred to me that not only did I have the most powerful piece of mentalism I had ever performed, but without me realising it, the thing was teaching me and developing my abilities!

Using the front successfully, gave me the confidence to start working with the really deep stuff on the back. Now, I don't know if it was because I was getting used to the ideas, but I found using the back actually easier. If I say too much I will give it away. But the idea is that you take the spec back in time (I think) to a weird room, where 'something' cataclysmic had happened (it never actually says what in the book). By following the script, you actually get the spec to see the room in incredible detail.
This effect is totally beyond anything I have come across before! I must say I have not tried it out too many times (it can take a long time to perform properly), but every time has been amazing - I mean REALLY amazing.

It has started to occur to me how much potential there is in this tiny little card. Also, how much room there is to develop your own ideas. All this and I haven't even touched on any of the many bonus routines.

As you can tell, I am really impressed by this effect.
I do have a few quibbles, but I do not want these to put anyone off from buying this really great effect.
As an English Teacher, I did get annoyed by the typos in the booklet (although they do not get in the way of the enjoyment really).
I think that the credit card idea is great - I can really see where Outlaw effects are coming from, trying to pack as much as they can into a tiny space. But - the card is really small, so I can only see this working with a small group of people who can pass it around for a close look.
My final quibble is that at first glance, it does look really difficult. There is so much in the book that it can be a little daunting - although there are more than enough simple 'out of the box' tricks hidden away.
By the way, this is deep, dark stuff - it will NOT go down well at a children's party!

Conclusion - the Sanctum card is without doubt the most powerful and the most interesting effect I have. The price is stupidly low; you get an enormous amount with this. It is not only a fantastic little idea with a wealth of routines, but it is a complete course in mentalism. It has many, many layers - you can easily get your money's worth without even using any of the routines - just as a weird thing in your wallet! You can use it for some simple tricks and leave it at that. With a little more effort, you can do some of the most effective mentalism routines I have come across. Working with it will develop your own performance and thinking - it will teach you without you even realising it.

I cannot say too much about this fantastic thing. I have heard good things about Outlaw Effects, it all seems true, I cannot recommend this effect highly enough.

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Postby DrTodd » Sep 16th, '07, 19:00

This has been reviewed already, but is surely one of my top effects at the moment!

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Postby Part-Timer » Sep 16th, '07, 19:20

That's a very good review (and welcome to the forum, as that seems to be your first post).

I should be getting this effect soon, and it seems to be just what I'd hoped.

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Postby mdawg » Sep 16th, '07, 19:48

I ordered mine alone with kioku, wallet and scorpion, How long did delivery take?

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Sorry

Postby Morgaine » Sep 17th, '07, 18:26

Sorry, I did not realise that there was a review posted, as it was not in the review section - but I should have looked first.
As to how long did the delivery take - It came within a week.

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Signs of Life?

Postby Dr.Spirit » Sep 17th, '07, 23:34

I must say it is with some sense of relief that I find this thread.
After Sanctum2 came out there was very little response from my native UK.

Dr Todd did indeed post a review that demonstrated a genuine understanding of the subtleties behind this item - thank you again DrTodd.

Although Sanctum has been selling very well in the US - no one seemed to be picking it up in the UK. This was disappointing, especially as I had sent out a few review copies to people I respect - only to be met with no real response. I had come to the conclusion that there was something particularly offensive to UK sensibilities in the book!
So I am pleased to see this thread open up.

Although Morgain has posted a very perceptive and agreeable review, I would like to clarify a few points.

Sanctum2 was designed to work on many levels - as a series of routines, each one building in complexity. As a tool for developing performance (I am particularly glad that you picked up on this) - and also as an entertainment in it's own right. So the story, is just something to fill your head with strange dreams. You certainly would not read it out in full during performance. But you could well plant seeds! Also, in the bonus routines, I talk about how the context can be used to chill the subject, well after the performance is over.

As to the typos - there was a little mix up there - the penultimate proof was printed for the first run. Outlaw assure me that the print run going out now is the final version.

I had thought the book was arranged in a logical manner, leading from the simple routines to the more 'interesting' stuff. However, I do take your point. Remember, you cannot possibly do all of routines in one performance.
Try some of the more simple routines on the front, as a 'test' of the subjects suitability to enter the Sanctum. If this goes well, move on to some of the deeper stuff.

As to the size - the images are very detailed, as the card is intended to fit into your wallet and look like a very odd business card. It is true, it will only work in an intimate group. However, stay tuned as we are working on a addition which will develop the Sanctum idea further.

Thank you again for your kind comments - Roth and I have plenty of feedback from the US, but feedback from my native Avalon is of particular interest to me - so please do no hesitate to 'msg me' with your thoughts, positive and negative.


C!

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Postby DrTodd » Sep 18th, '07, 08:06

It will please you to know that at the Ipswich Magical Society's meeting last night (the real one in the pub aftewards) many of us were raving about this effect.

These sorts of effects are the future of mentalism in my view, but they cannot be done 'out of the packet'; you really need to think about the context and flow of the presentation.

Outlaw and Dr Spirit have really put in the hard work on this, and you will not be disapponinted with the product or the service.

Thanks for posting the review. I look forward to hearing more views on this wonderful effect.

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Postby lindz » Sep 18th, '07, 08:18

I really can't wait to pick this up in a couple of weeks when I get back from my holiday, I am like a little kid at the moment as I have never been so excited about any magic effect I have had to wait for in the past. So now I have my holiday to look forward to on Friday then when I come back a week later I have to look forward to picking this one up it's like being a kid all over again :lol:

L J M
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Postby mdawg » Sep 18th, '07, 10:23

Im a little concerned i sent for mine over a week ago and rick hasnt replied to my last email.

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posting times

Postby Dr.Spirit » Sep 18th, '07, 11:30

I would not worry, stuff from Outlaw tends to come though really quick - and Rick will have noted your Email and acted on it (I know this from my experience as a buyer). But, in the UK we are somewhat at the mercy of the vagaries of the British Postal system - did order on Global Priority?
I feel confident that the build-up of expectation will be worth it.
If you don't get it through in a day or two, msg me.
Christos

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Re: posting times

Postby Yorkshire Pudding » Sep 18th, '07, 13:24

Dr.Spirit wrote:I would not worry, stuff from Outlaw tends to come though really quick - and Rick will have noted your Email and acted on it


I'll second that. After an initial hiccup with an order, Rick was ultra efficient and prompt with shipping the goods and replying to my PM's. Top class service I reckon!

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Postby mdawg » Sep 18th, '07, 14:26

thanks doc, Rick did say it would shipped global priority just hope my scorpion hasnt caused problems in customs!

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Postby roddy » Sep 19th, '07, 07:05

I shouldn't worry too much just yet. I've bought quite a few effects from Outlaw and they've all taken different times to arrive. I live in Germany and the system here is supposed to be so efficient but cotrary to stereo type the German posties are just like any other. Rick at Outlaw is fast , answering
any queries quickly. regards Rod

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Got Sanctum2? Get this!

Postby Dr.Spirit » Sep 24th, '07, 21:54

For all of you owning Sanctum2, we would like to direct you to this important post on the Outlaw Forum.

http://www.professionalmagicroutines.co ... sp?TID=294

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Customer Service

Postby jacko » Sep 26th, '07, 09:36

I haven't received this yet (through my own stupidity), although I have ordered it. But I just wanted to reinforce a message that seems to be pretty prevalent across TM. The customer service provided by Outlaw is second to none and Rick is an absolute pleasure to deal with - I cannot recommend them enough.

I'd like to blame my ba**sing up my order on the fact that I was being sent overseas at ridiculously short notice, but in fact it was just down to operator error on my part. A definite case of "the customer is always wrong". However a couple of messages through TM later and everything is sorted and the order is dispatched.

We are all quick enough to complain at shoddy service so I think it only right that praise is given where it is merited. Rick - many, many thanks. And I will add a review of the effect when it gets here.

Richard

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