Robbie wrote:You'd probably like Docc's "Band of the Hand" (I do!) but it's hard to imagine real-life scenarios where you'd use the tricks. Unless you actually do get invited to parties where you're pressed to do bizarre stunts.
I can recommend Trickshop who have a lot of mentalism material for instant download at very good prices. For a start, they have a load of Annemann's stuff, including "202 Methods of Forcing", "The Book Without a Name", and two full half-hour routines (Jinx One-Man Act and One-Man Club Act).
The thing to learn from Docc is that you create the situations/conversations that allow you to move into whatever scenario you're ready to introduce as a demonstration. You must understand that Mr. Hilford's real occupation is being a professional teenager and party goes which is why most of his material relates to "when you're at a party" At the same time, he's relating some potent real world perspectives that we all need to weigh -- socializing and being part of the "action" crowd is how you get gigs and develop networks. Even at 14, this is not an impossibility in that you have school functions as well as an amazing plethora of side-ventures you can now participate in that let you show off. I used to exploit my gaming nights in this manner (D&D/Rifts/Masquerade, etc.)
To me, the Annemann material is more complicated and confusing than what Docc offers. Too, if you want something that's a bit more spontaneous and similar to the Annemann routines just learn Billets and be prepared... one of the best examples of this is Cassidy's Jazz Q&A routine or the Karmolovich impromptu Night Club act... better yet, develop YOUR OWN ROUTINES based on said inspirations.
I've used at least 90% of the material in Band of the Hand but not as Docc outlines it and performs it... I made it my own and that's the real "trick" to it all... transform the ideas you find in that or any manuscript so as to fit the kind of character you see yourself as being.
Yes... Trickshop and Library.com both have a wonderful array of older books and downloads that can help you out... but it's best to learn one thing first and learn to do it well, before you run off to grab up a bunch more stuff that you'll simply skim through and not learn a thing from.
... just go look at your book shelves at all the stuff you have and how much of it you actually use or "need"... look through 13 Steps and the Annemann book and consider how much of it you actually know and use or could use, should opportunity present itself... I'm willing to bet that most that own those two "bibles" are barely able to work with more than 20% of the information contained... not my statistic but rather a known common within certain Market & Research studies concerning specialized fields of study and hobby connection; just like church, less than 15% of those patronizing the institution actually study it and strive to know it and that group are what actually keep it alive.
Anywho... the moral of the story here is to learn from these sources and possibly gain inspiration through them, not to parrot everything said in a routine or manuscript. Once you KNOW IT then you can create situations via which you can open the door towards demonstration.
