talkmagic.co.uk

I suppose someone may have thought of this before, and for all I know, it may be a marketed effect. I am curious as to whether this might work.

I am not experienced by any means, I took up magic/mentalism less than half a year ago, and am still kinda living in a closet. This is, I think, my first "original" idea (developing own methods for other peoples' tricks is another story). Yet for what it's worth, here comes:

It is basically a (pseudo-)hypnosis demonstration, and I assume that the same effect could be achieved using genuine hypnosis. But for the rest of us...

The performer flips through the pages of a book, asking the spectator to perhaps read a few lines or just take a look at the pages. The performer talks about how there are some things we learn, and at some point, we do them without really thinking about them, such as riding a bike - or reading a book. How we don't see the actual letters, but only the words, or perhaps we don't even see the words, but only the images they signify.

But what would happen, if we suddenly lost that subconscious connection between a word on paper, and a thing in reality? What if something - or someone - disturbed our ability to form images from words... if words remained words? If our perception of this almost telepathic semiotics which we call writing changed to simply observing curvy lines on a piece of paper?

The performer goes on to "hypnotize" the spectator.

He flips through the book again, but this time, the spectator is unable to make sense of the letters. He can be made able or unable to read, as the performer likes.

The mechanics are simple, age-old, and well-known. Anyone entitled to know, will realize how this is achieved, and a lot of laymen as well. As a result, the spectators will come upon the solution quickly, if they suspect trickery, so it will probably take a good bit of presentation. As you have guessed, the book is non-examinable.

A special-made book would of course be needed for this, but that is another story entirely.

So...

What do you think?

- CB

It's an interesting idea.

However, I feel that if it was to be made up and sold, the price would be a little high for a one effect trick.

It would be worth thinking of other uses for such a gaffed book, or think of something other than words to use.
as a sugestion if this was a graphic novel, or a commick book, it could also be used in the normal manner of such things.

lulu.com - print your own, then get ask your friend Sven to help out

Keith Barry does it in his stage show.

Harry Guinness wrote:Keith Barry does it in his stage show.

Oh, okay.

Who's Sven?

His title is Mr. Gali

ignore the guys and their card refferences.
The book doesnt work in quite the same way as a svengalli deck.

what they assume your describing is known as a blow book.
( or flick book)
and interestingly enough, your idea takes the effect back to it's roots somewhat, as this link shows....

http://wernernekes.de/00_cms/cms/front_ ... ?idart=505

its original use was steeped in mentalism.

I remember seeing Keith Barry doing this during his show. He coupled it with a tear/no-tear pad, and one or two other effects into a demonstration of hypnosis.
Although I liked what he did (and it is more certain than hypnosis) it still left me feeling a bit unsatisfied. But his audience loved it. And he draws big audiences.

Haha... I get it now.

But yeah, that is the method I was describing.

For the record, Penn and Teller rigged their book "Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends" with a similar setup. Instead of hypnosis, they have the mark believe that the book requires special (goofy) glasses to be read.

So with at least two others having come up with the same, I guess it doesn't really count as an original effect, eh?

Still, it's reassuring to know that I have actually come up with the same idea as Keith Barry!

I'd say, personally, it's a lot more impressive to come up with a similar idea to Penn and Teller, than Keith!

Hahahha Keith come up with an idea!!!!!!

Contrabass101 wrote:So with at least two others having come up with the same, I guess it doesn't really count as an original effect, eh?

Still, it's reassuring to know that I have actually come up with the same idea as Keith Barry!

or who ever sold it to him. He only does dealer items.

I just say that it is closer to Keith Barry's effect, as my idea was to use it as a piece of mentalism, which I don't think is what P&T do. My point being, that it can't be a totally shitty idea then

Out of interest... do P&T describe any method for making the book? lulu.com seems like a good place, but for a non-US resident like myself, it may get costly with shipping and taxes.