Secrets of Indirection by Kenton Knepper
Available from Wonder Wizards or Magic Shop
Costs $30.00(WW)/£23.99(MS)
Description
"This is the principle behind nearly all of my work... as important as Wonder Words or suggestion, indirection is perhaps a bottom line to most of what I accomplish. It is a concept on which I most wholeheartedly rely" - Kenton Knepper
As those who have attended some of Kenton's more exclusive and expensive workshops know, "Indirection" is a key principle in Kenton's work. Far more important than "mis-direction", indirection is a subtle way to cause the audience to accept things as true without conscious criticism.
This manuscript details new effects and techniques based upon this powerful principle. From making "standards" truly remarkable (such as the Linking Rings, Egg Bag and even the Lota Bowl) to new works such as Kenton's "Indirection Bowl" direct from the opening of his act, or "Drawing Duplication" from television, many great effects and ideas are examined in detail.
It's hard to get a room full of magicians to applaud a Lota Bowl or hardcore mentalists to be fooled by the use of a stooge. But "Secrets of Indirection" reveals how to do all of this and more. Once you grasp the principle, you'll apply it to nearly everything you do.
Kenton's use of making a compass move while attempting metal bending is in here too. This is not the same thing as "Kenton's Kompass". You'll find Kenton also tips for the first time his "Famous Bottle Vanish" used in clubs, banquets and on full stage. This alone is worth the price of this manuscript to any performer - and it is easy to do. Many more effects are detailed.
This manuscript will change how you look at everything you do in performance. The simple concept of "indirection" will radically alter our magical and mental arts - if we but think and apply this remarkable tool.
The majority of effects described are magical in nature, though some mentalism is of course included. Magic examples make for the easiest and quickest way to grasp the indirection concept, that you may then apply to mentalism and everything else you do. While effects may be magic oriented, this will not dissuade the thinking mentalist who is after principles, not simply tricks.
This key principle upon which Kenton depends in all manner of work and styles of performance is now revealed at last.
This is the latest of the in-depth work by Kenton upon which so many await and rely. You will want to get ahead of the pack and begin reconsidering your act using the power of indirection.
Over 50 full size 8 1/2" X 11" pages
Difficulty N/A
The Review
This I received free as part of a deal at Wonder Wizards when I ordered Twists and Trances and Secret Scent-Sations. I was pleased that this was the book I'd received as I'd been meaning to check it out (and the delivery was superb, came within just a few days!).
The book is in a similar presentational style to Kentonism, 7 Deceptions, Miraculous Ploys etc. You know the kind
, lovely white glossy cover, a little bigger than A4-sized, ornate cover, that sort of thing.
The content inside is even better. I already knew a little of Kenton's thoughts on this principle from some of his other works, so I was quite looking forward to reading this. In the introduction he begins by explaining what Indirection is, what he wants to bring to your attention, and gives a very nice example in the way of a card effect.
Moving on from there Kenton shows how he has applied this principle to classics of magic and mentalism, as well as shares some of his own effects. By the end of the book you should have no problems whatsoever understanding this very valuable tool and applying it to your own material.
A few examples and thoughts on Indirection are then given by a few guest contributers, Allen Zingg and Davide Bussola. Kenton then rounds the book up by giving a few tips on how one might apply this principle to their own effects.
Yet again Kenton enthuses his writing with his passion for magic and desire to improve it; he clearly feels that Indirection is one very good way to go about it, to make our magic and mentalism more impossible, and I agree with that notion. You'll find yourself considering things such as the Linking Rings and marvelling at the ideas the Kenton tips towards them, or the Egg Bag...and that Compass effect described above it very, very good indeed, as is the Bottle Vanish!
What more can I say? For the price, this is well worth it. Recommended.
Out of Ten 8.5
