Easy to Master Mental Miracles - Richard Osterlind

Review area devoted to Magic Downloads, DVDs, Videos and similar non printed formats.

Moderators: nickj, Lady of Mystery, Mandrake, bananafish, support

Aeternum Servare Secreta MagicWorld Magic Shop for Magic Tricks Best prices around! Best prices around! Playing Cards for Magicians Sorcery Shop - Home of the ITR

Easy to Master Mental Miracles - Richard Osterlind

Postby jacko » Jun 23rd, '07, 15:06



Easy to Master Mental Miracles - Richard Osterlind

This is my first review - so go easy!!

£27.99 each or £89.99 for all 4 volumes from http://www.magictricks.co.uk but available from most magic stores.

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)

I would say 1 and 3. There are some very basic sleights involved (glide and the essential billet switch spring to mind) and loads of effects with none at all. The "3" is because these are all about presentation. While the mechanics are straightforward, the "wow" factor comes from really selling to the audience - and that will need practice.

Review

I currently have volumes 1,2 & 3 (yes i know it would have been better to buy them all in one go, but I couldn't afford that!!! :roll: )

Effects on each DVD - descriptions taken from magictricks website

Volume 1
SWAMI OPENER (Corinda): The performer enters holding a business card. A spectator calls out a two-digit number. That number is predicted on the business card! This is a perfect opener guaranteed to catch the attention of the audience.

MAGIC VS. MINDREADING (Annemann): The performer causes a deck of cards to spell to a mentally chosen card, then shows a remarkable coincidence with a second deck and finally shows the card was actually predicted long before the show!

A QUESTION AND THE ANSWER (Annemann): One of Theo Annemann's greatest routines! The mentalist answers a secret question in the most direct manner possible! This is a monster effect using only a pencil and a few pieces of paper!

EXTRA-SENSORY PERCEPTION (Annemann): You can duplicate chosen designs in the fairest possible way using this classic method! Make this up in just half an hour!

A WORD IN THOUSANDS (Koran): A spectator chooses any word from any page in a huge book. Without any pumping, the mentalist reveals the chosen word on the back of a blackboard! This mind-boggling effect is fully explained along with complete directions for the construction of the apparatus!

EL NUMERO (Bergson): Using a few index cards and an envelope, the mentalist causes a spectator to choose the very number he has predicted on the back of the envelope. This is direct, simple and awesome - the fairest version of this effect yet!

SYD BERGSON CENTER READ (Bergson): This utility technique will enable you to gain any information written on an index card without any tearing or burning. Osterlind's touches make this a masterpiece!

TELEPHONE DIRECTORY (Tong): Anyone freely chooses a page in a legitimate telephone directory. The mentalist reads his mind and writes down the telephone number the person is thinking of! This is clean, clear and direct!

SEVEN KEYS TO BALDPATE (Annemann): This is the original (and best!) version of the classic effect. Only one key out of seven opens a lock. Audience members freely choose the keys and the mentalist determines who has the right key! Both the lock and keys are legitimate!

MARKED THOUGHT (Mason): The mentalist causes a spectator to find the only matching pairs of ESP symbols while they are face down. This method allows for a completely free choice and an ordinary deck of ESP cards!

Volume 2

MAGIC MEDALLION (Koran): Three spectators call out a single digit number. The mentalist removes a case with a medallion inside and shows the number to be inscribed on the back! Osterlind considers this one of the strongest effects in all of mentalism!

FIVE STAR PREDICTION (Koran): This has to be the strongest mentalism card effect ever created! The mentalist shows an envelope containing one card. The spectator deals cards face up from a deck and stops whenever he wants. A duplicate of that card is found inside the envelope!

CLIP LINE (Spackman): This mind-blower is a classic piece of mentalism. A spectator tells the mentalist when to cut a news column. Although every line is different, the exact words at the spot the paper was cut is predicted! You can make this masterpiece up in minutes!

HOY BOOK TEST (Hoy): David Hoy's classic book test is fully explained with Osterlind's handling secrets that make the working simple and foolproof. Read the spectator's mind with ungimmicked, borrowed books!

BLINDFOLD ROUTINE (Classic/Gann): Richard demonstrates the classic blindfold routine with professional touches learned from the late Ronnie Gann. This is one of the best blindfold acts and uses nothing but household articles.

FLIP FLOP FLUSH (Becker): This delightful routine by Larry Becker allows you to let a spectator choose a poker hand from a face-up deck while your hand is determined by chance. Still, you end up with a Royal Straight Flush in Spades! An ungimmicked deck is all that is necessary.

ULTIMATE MATRIX (Becker): Another routine by Larry Becker has an apparent mistake turn into a great climax. Freely chosen cards form numbers which open a locked combination lock that is trapping the spectators' borrowed rings!

THE TRICK THAT FOOLED EINSTEIN (Koran): The mentalist predicts the amount of money a spectator removes from a bowl of coins. This is repeated a second time under even fairer conditions. You'll marvel at the ingenuity of this!

MENTAL NUMBERS (Dalban): Vincent Dalban created this wonderful effect where the mentalist reads the minds of two spectators at the same time! The number cards can be made up from normal index or business cards in minutes.

HEADLINE PREDICTION (Koran): This effect is a killer! The mentalist tears an ordinary sheet of paper into sixteen pieces. A spectator chooses a piece and a headline. The information is found already predicted in a sealed envelope!

Volume 3

PAR-OPTIC VISION (Annemann): A spectator pockets three cards from a deck in his possession. Even though he is thoroughly blindfolded, the mentalist names the cards as they are withdrawn. This card masterpiece is unbelievable!

FOURTH DIMENSIONAL TELEPATHY (Annemann): This classic routine allows you to read the minds of three assistants who have written information on papers and sealed them in envelopes themselves. No special apparatus is needed for this incredibly fair routine!

THE THIRD CHOICE (Corinda): Five ESP cards are shown all different and sealed in normal envelopes. Still, the mentalist cleanly predicts which one will be chosen. The secret is simple and diabolical!

LOCKED EYE TEST (Classic): The mentalist locks the eyes of a spectator! Osterlind shows how to make this foolproof.

LOCKED HANDS TEST (Classic): A continuation of the above in which the mentalist causes all the spectators' hands to become locked! Again, this is a foolproof method!

THE ABNORMAL LIFT (Classic): If you've never seen this before, you're in for a treat! Four spectators lift a fifth adult with nothing but their fingertips! One of the highlights of the series!

TERVIL (Meyers): In this bold routine, the mentalist makes a prediction and lays it aside. A spectator writes down a number, a color and a name. The performer's slip is read and he is exactly right! Osterlind shows you how to make this routine work.

IMPROMPTU BOOK TEST (Corinda): This delightfully simple routine will enable you to perform a book test that is second to none. The book is ungimmicked and borrowed and the gimmick is something you have in your pocket right now!

SLATE WRITING (Classic): A spectator thinks of the name of a departed individual. The mentalist shows both sides of two ungimmicked slates and numbers each side. A piece of chalk vanishes and the name appears on the slates! This routine was one of the highlights of the video shoot!

LIVING AND DEAD (Corinda): The classic routine is demonstrated using the simplest of methods. Not only is this a wonderful routine, but it will enable you to learn a valuable tool in mentalism!

ENCORE CARD STABBING (Koran): This was Al Koran's encore closer! The mate of a pocketed playing card is found in a daring way with a knife! The routine is as simple as they come.

Summary

Each set of effects on the dvd is performed in two sets with the explanations given after each set. Richard and Jim Sisti run through the presentation of each effect in great detail, touching on the effects origins/creator. Richard will explain the reasoning behind his approach, his "patter" and even his movement in a full and detailed explantion of the skill involved in performing what are, for the most part fairly "Easy to master" effects, to get the best audience reaction.

As for the effects themselves, each DVD had at least 5 or 6 that I think I will be learning and practicing. Some of them were simply 'must haves' and you will watch the performance stunned and then the explanation will stun you further with its simplicity. "Clipline" on the second DVD actually had me applauding the TV as I watched the sneaky cunning of the explanation; if you can get the performance of "Tervil" right on DVD 3 you will have something to wow any audience; and you'll have seen variations on the "Headline Prediction" many times.

Not everything caught my imagination, but I bet that anyone watching them will find a good number of things that will fit their style and approiach, and on top of that you get the benefit of Mr Osterlind's masterclass in performing to an audience.

Overall
Anyone, and I mean anyone, with any interest in mentalism needs to watch these DVDs. They are a great companion for someone just starting out and working their way through 13 steps or Practical Mental Magic. But even a more seasoned performer would, I think, benefit from a look at how such simple effects in the hand of a master can look so stunning.

Richard Osterlind is a true master of his art and his explanations and performance suggestions are so clear and thoughtful you cannot help but learn something from him.

Score
9.5/10 - only because there is no such thing as perfection

If you prefer to learn by watching - buy these DVDs.

If, like me, you prefer the combined effect of reading and watching, then these DVDs are a superb companion to 13 Steps.

If you can't stand learning from a DVD and swear blind by books, buy these anyway - they really are that good!!!

Richard

I will add a review of the 4th DVD when it gets here!!

User avatar
jacko
Full Member
 
Posts: 83
Joined: Feb 17th, '07, 11:08
Location: Yateley, Hampshire, UK (36:EN)

Postby Sexton Blake » Jun 25th, '07, 20:52

Osterlind is great - he's just so darn avuncular. He seems humble and generous and, at times, as though he's almost as baffled by what's happened as the audience. It's precariously hard even as a magician, but to pull of having not a trace of smarm as a mentalist is a wonderful bit of skill. As I understand it, these DVDs are a collection of the old, 'classic' effects: I really can't think of anyone I'd choose over Osterlind to watch demonstrate them.

User avatar
Sexton Blake
Senior Member
 
Posts: 363
Joined: Mar 21st, '06, 15:23
Location: Britain

Postby Tomo » Jun 25th, '07, 21:03

The Third Choice is one of my favourite ESP routines. It really is diabolical, and his matter of fact explanation makes you wonder how much there still is to discover. It's very bold, but with proper handling it's a complete stonker.

Image
User avatar
Tomo
Veteran Member
 
Posts: 9866
Joined: May 4th, '05, 23:46
Location: Darkest Cheshire (forty-bloody-six going on six)

Postby jacko » Jun 25th, '07, 21:03

How did you manage to say that in four lines when I had waffled on for pages trying to achieve the same effect????

:oops:

Richard

User avatar
jacko
Full Member
 
Posts: 83
Joined: Feb 17th, '07, 11:08
Location: Yateley, Hampshire, UK (36:EN)

Postby Replicant » Nov 19th, '07, 20:55

Does anyone know if these DVDs should be purchased in order, starting with volume 1? Or can I get volume 2 first? I ask because volume 2 is only £15, whereas 1 is £25. If I like number 2 I can then go on and get the other volumes. Thanks.

User avatar
Replicant
Elite Member
 
Posts: 3951
Joined: Jun 7th, '05, 13:46
Location: Hertfordshire, UK (36:AH)

Postby storm01 » Nov 19th, '07, 21:57

Oh no !!! cheque book coming out agen.

User avatar
storm01
Senior Member
 
Posts: 351
Joined: Oct 4th, '07, 10:51

Postby Demitri » Nov 20th, '07, 08:36

Bicycle - You can certainly buy the dvd's out of order. They are all stand-alone pieces that form an entire set, so you don't need to worry about missing anything, since all effects are fully explained (ie. you won't have a moment where he says "Do this like you learned in volume X).

User avatar
Demitri
Elite Member
 
Posts: 2207
Joined: May 23rd, '05, 20:09
Location: US, NY, 31:SH

Postby Replicant » Nov 20th, '07, 13:25

Thanks, Demitri. I thought that would be the answer, but I always like to check, just in case.

User avatar
Replicant
Elite Member
 
Posts: 3951
Joined: Jun 7th, '05, 13:46
Location: Hertfordshire, UK (36:AH)

Postby Markdini » Nov 20th, '07, 16:34

I use Loads of stuff from these not everything but quite a bit.

Acidus plus
Marked thought
Blind fold routine.
The medalian
Viewed prediction.

Amongst others these are a great set to get you started. And when you see the explinations you think really it cant be that easy.

I am master of misdirection, look over there.

We are not falling out young Welshy, we are debating, I think farlsy is an idiot he thinks I am one. We are just talking about who is the bigger idiot.

Vincere Aut Mort
Markdini
Elite Member
 
Posts: 2705
Joined: Jan 13th, '06, 01:25
Location: London 24 (SH)

Postby ElliottB » Dec 13th, '07, 03:28

These are great "Must have" DVD's.

ElliottB
Preferred Member
 
Posts: 162
Joined: Nov 26th, '06, 21:40
Location: NYC

Postby gypsyfish » Dec 19th, '08, 17:42

I'm gobsmacked by how good these are.

In magic videos, I generally prefer to have the explanation directly follow the performance of the effect, but because Mr Osterlind performed @20 minute sets (five or six effects), it didn't bother me that I had to wait for the explanations. In fact, his explanations were so detailed and clear it wasn't necessary to review the performances.

For me, the locked eye, locked hands, and abnormal lift were the weakest part of the series. I'm curious about what working mentalists have to say about this comment. Maybe, because I'm such a neophyte, I can't see the whole picture, but these seemed more like stunts.

The rest of the material, however, was great. Better than I had expected. I'd heard that this set was excellent so many times that I couldn't see how it would live up to the hype. IT DID!

I can't recommend it highly enough. It's the perfect companion to Corinda and Annemann. If you learn by watching, as opposed to reading, it just what you need. If you learn by reading, it's still a good purchase because you can confirm that you're performing the 'moves' correctly.

gypsyfish
Full Member
 
Posts: 79
Joined: Nov 20th, '08, 08:53
Location: Seoul, Korea

Postby TerryC » Mar 9th, '09, 23:35

I noticed that the original reviewer had only DVDs 1-3. I have the complete set, so here is a brief review of Vol 4.

ACIDUS PLUS An index card is used to read the spectator's mind three times!

MAGAZINE TEST The performer names pictures, words and even whole lines with this method. Spectator gets a free choice between two magazines.

PATEO FORCE First -- the magician makes his prediction on a slate (or anything you wish) Then, objects are put on the table. Finally, one spectator and the mentalist take turns eliminating objects until only one returns. The slate is turned over. Shazam! Right on!

PSEUDO PSYCHOMETRY Spectators seal personal objects in individual envelopes. The envelopes are gathered and mixed by a spectator. The mentalist then gives a reading for each spectator.

PREDICT-TAC-TOE Perfomer plays a game of tic-tac-toe with any spectator. At the conclusion he opens an envelope (in view the whole time) to show a photograph of a group of children playing, and finishing with exactly the same result.

SYNONYMENTAL Using 21 blank cards with a noun written on each, he deals them out into three rows of seven cards. (Starting to look like the simplistic "Tell me which row .... etc" but it isn't. Indeed, the spectator places three objects on three cards which, of course, turn out to match the word written on the card.

ORIGINAL CENTRE TEAR A nice little effect demonstrating one of the basic of mentalism. Worth watching just to enjoy his showmanship.

VIEWED ESP PREDICTION This is Richard's own creation. He writes his prediction on a pad; hands it out to the audience so all around can see what he has written! Then he has a spectator choose ESP cards one at a time, which are laid on the table. The spectators watch in amazement as each of the five chosen cards is revealed and matches the prediction and the position of each card

SPOON BENDING A classic spoon bending routine.

KEY BENDING ditto with a key

PHANTOM ARTIST Orgami on steroids! Spectator selects a presidents name from a bag, the mentalist then snips away at a sheet of 8" x 11" paper which, when opened, the cut out matches the selected president.

Review
My feeling about this complete DVD set is that you simply watch the DVDs and choose the effects that suit your style. Each trick is well within the skill level of anyone who will take time to learn the basic billet switch, centre tear, etc (which he teaches).

Phantom Artist may not work out of the U.S. Without giving away secrets he forces Abe Lincoln on the spectator because he has a pre-cut out of Lincoln. The point being, in the UK, except for Churchill, I am not sure who else has such a well-known profile. And, we don't have a Churchill in Canada! However, he has created a new twist on the force bag--it's worth watching just to see this.

Pseudo Psychometry
This is a magic trick, but Richard does a reading on each of the objects. This seems to take this routine out of the Easy to Master category. And, Richard quite rightly says that to merely reveal which item belongs to which person isn't nearly as effective.

The Pateo Force is a stunner. I am one of only three magicians in the world who had never heard of this force. So, my advice is--beware of becoming jaded by your knowledge. I have watched this several times and refuse to check my books etc. to learn about this force until I can figure out how he performs this.

In conclusion. If you don't know Richard Osterlind, he is a soft spoken, laid back person. He frequently says things like "Is that fair?" in a warm manner that charms his audience. If you like his style, then you will learn a lot more than magic with this set.

Rating

The original reviewer gave Vol 1-3 9.5/10 -- I have to agree that Vol 4 matches this very high standard.

User avatar
TerryC
Preferred Member
 
Posts: 139
Joined: Jan 22nd, '06, 05:51
Location: Alberta, Canada (70, AH)

Re: Easy to Master Mental Miracles - Richard Osterlind

Postby kevmundo » Sep 17th, '12, 12:52

I have DVD's 1 - 3. The first two are fantastic but personally, I think the third one is a bit of a let down. I've held off buying the fourth one but I'm sure I'll give in at some point.

PLEASE HELP
Anyhow, my question for anyone who owns this set. Osterlind regularly performs false shuffles. However, there is one particular shuffle that he does that I've never seen him explain. He uses it frequently in ETMMM and I've seen him do it 13 steps. Basically, he performs what looks like a standard farrow shuffle. He does it standing up and performs the shuffle against his leg. Since I know he's using a stack, the shuffle has to be false.

Does anybody know if this is taught, where it is taught or if it has a name??

Many Thanks

Kevmundo :D

kevmundo
Senior Member
 
Posts: 651
Joined: Aug 16th, '12, 22:04
Location: Huntingdon & London

Re: Easy to Master Mental Miracles - Richard Osterlind

Postby aquarog » Sep 17th, '12, 18:00

Hi Kevmundo, I think I remember him saying it was from Tarbell Volume 1. It's an in the hands false riffle shuffle if we're both thinking of the same thing :)

Edit: Maybe you could post in the Support & Tips section for some more help, in case I'm wrong :lol:

User avatar
aquarog
Full Member
 
Posts: 53
Joined: Sep 13th, '11, 21:49
Location: Cornwall,20:EN

Re: Easy to Master Mental Miracles - Richard Osterlind

Postby kevmundo » Sep 17th, '12, 19:16

aquarog wrote:Hi Kevmundo, I think I remember him saying it was from Tarbell Volume 1. It's an in the hands false riffle shuffle if we're both thinking of the same thing :)

Edit: Maybe you could post in the Support & Tips section for some more help, in case I'm wrong :lol:


Thanks of that :D I'll re-post as advised and see if we're on the right track!

Kevmundo :D

kevmundo
Senior Member
 
Posts: 651
Joined: Aug 16th, '12, 22:04
Location: Huntingdon & London


Return to Reviews - Electronic media format

Visit Magicbox for all the latest and best effects! Web Design for Magicians A web site set up to sell my book, THE STRIPPER DECK, and future magical/mentalism titles. World-Of-Magic, Suppliers of quality Magic Worldwide UK's Online Magic Tricks and Jokes Shop offers kids and beginner magic tricks and jokes. Dude That's Cool Magic Manufacturer of modern & unique magic apparatus!

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests