talkmagic.co.uk

Hi there,

Does anyone have this?

Here is a video clip: http://www.mjmmagic.com/index.php?main_page=page_2 - Scroll down to Prediction Impossible.

The item is available from many sources such as Davenports -
http://www.davenportsmagic.co.uk/

I have a good idea as to what is going on - I'm just wondering if the specs ever ask to look at the second envelope after the trick.

Thanks!

It's a nice effect - works equally well in a stage/close up environment as it does in a close-up. I am pretty sure it is atually an Annemann effect originally. although i would have to check my books first.

It is also taught on one of the Osterlind ETMMM DVD's - number 3 if memory serves.

No one ever asks to look at either envelope.

First of all , - I liked the girl more than the effect

Secondly, I am not sure how he did this, but I for sure know a couple of ways that it could have been done. What I find unnatural is that she doesn't get to see the cards she selected, before she puts it in the envelope....

I get your point. It's almost a "Mental-magic" effect.

If the spectator were to see the cards and make a decision it could presented as mindreading or psychological influence, but as the spectator doesn't see the choice and neither does the performer does it therefore fall into the more "magical" sphere of influence I wonder?

I bet there is a more "scientific" style of presentation here somewhere...for someone else to figure out as it is Monday morning... and I can't be ar*ed at the moment!

rcarlsen wrote:First of all , - I liked the girl more than the effect

so did the camera man I think...

also I am pretty sure you wouldnt be able to use this on the same spec if it works the way I think it does.

If the spectator were to see the cards and make a decision it could presented as mindreading or psychological influence, but as the spectator doesn't see the choice and neither does the performer does it therefore fall into the more "magical" sphere of influence I wonder?

Totally agree. It can't be presented as mindreading, body language, muscle reading or even suggestion (although at a push suggestion could sort of work).

They way I have always presented this is as an experiment in the ability to predict the outcome of a random event. We already know that ESP cards are used for such Psychic testing experiments, and future prediction has always up there with everything else.

The only problem with this approach comes when they say something like

"well why dontcha just predict the lottery then magic boy"

Don't under estimate this one. It may be obvious to you, but I find it isn't to lay people. Especially if you have already been doing something with similarly backed ESP cards. For example, try doing it after jeff Pierces Telepa-Three effect. They have been handling the ESP cards themselves for 5 solid minutes.

I agree, I like the effect and the method.

I don't like the cards! Why, oh why do people insist upon printing stars on the back of ESP cards!!! Why not just print rabbits, magicians wands and top hats and be done with it!

I wonder if other cards could be used like Beyond ESP 1 or 2 or if they might even do up a set for this type of effect...hmmmm

Finally the cards you get (granted, far less offensive than many I might mention) could use something I often do with cards of this type...corner rounding. You can get cheap and cheerful corner rounders from craft shops and places like "cards4magic.co.uk" for a few quid. These are great for corner shortening cards and for svengali construction. I also use them to round the corners of my business cards for ease of use in wallets and envelopes. Cards like the ones in "Prediction Impossible" "Minds Eye Deck" and most business cards suffer from very sharp corners that like to hang up in wallets and envelops, plus these sharp bits of cards make shuffling and handling the cards difficult for most people...enough already...I have strayed.

Having said all of the above, I would strongly recommend "Prediction Impossible" as an effect ...the cards are just fine...as I said, there are far, FAR worse ones out there! I have never had a problem with people in terms of suspicions over the cards or envelopes.

I don't own this, but like a lot of Sankey's effects I have figured it out. Thing to remember with Sankey is he goes a lot more for the overall EFFECT rather than coming up with a compltely diabolical secret. Sure, it may be obvious to us as magicians with our knowledge but to a spectator it's not. On occasion with effects like this, where a choice has to be made out of sight, or similar, I usually present them as examples of coincidence or as having the ability to predict the future (although I feel that this can make people think that you must have MADE them end up with that card or whatever) and I qualify the fact that the choices have to be made out of sight by saying that it proves that I'm not using suggestion or trying to influence them - that it's something completely different and much more impossible, etc.

Sankey though, great, entertaining performer.