Max Mavens Videomind

THE BLURB:
Volume One - Parlor Mentalism
It's done under what can be the most difficult conditions:
performing for a medium - sized audience with no formal
stage setting to focus attention. Sightlines are often poor,
and people must be drawn into the experience even if they
can't see everything clearly. Too, you may be working
surrounded, so you'd better be sure there are no angle
problems. And, as it's likely to be a social occasion filled
with potential distractions, your material needs to be
compelling from the very first moment: intriguing
presentations that build to powerful conclusions. This video
features a range of commercial Parlor Mentalism. No pre-show
work, no secret assistance; this is practical material for
the solo performer, using subtle and unusual methods that
are as fascinating as the effects they produce. You'll
learn:

    * The Mockingbird - A sampling from the fabled "Birds of
Prey" series. At its core, an inexplicable demonstration of
playing card telepathy - but you'll discover how audience
participation and an unfolding plot structure can transform
an already strong effect into a full - fledged routine.
    * Autome - An extraordinary book test using plain,
ungimmicked props under the fairest conditions. This is a
remarkable routine in and of itself, but it also introduces
principles for which you'll find a host of other uses.
    * Divine Write - (Previously Unrevealed): Mutual
mentalism with built - in appeal. The performer tries an
imposing experiment in clairvoyance, working simultaneously
with a member of the audience. Despite the overwhelming
odds, the outcome is successful for both!
    * Zenvelopes: - A test of intuition using several
participants and a number of ESP symbol cards hidden inside
opaque envelopes. These are thoroughly mixed by the
spectators, who then pair them off by playing their hunches.
When the contents are examined, all the symbols have matched
perfectly.
    * Kurotsuke - (Previously Unrevealed) An ancient game
from the imperial court of Japan is turned into a delightful
routine of stand - up mentalism that lets several people get
involved. And, best of all, it can be done entirely
impromptu using only borrowed materials.
    * The Mind's Eye Deck - A pack of some 40 design cards
is used. Each one is different, and the deck is shuffled.
While the performer's back is turned, a spectator removes a
card. Without turning around, the mentalist starts
describing the thought - of design, eventually drawing it on
a pad of paper. It's as straightforward as that.

Volume Two - Close-Up Mentalism
Perhaps the most intimate form of entertainment that can be
presented in public. It requires a delicate interplay in
order to achieve a balance between the charming and the
disquieting. This is material designed for very small
groups, or even working one - on - one. This video features
a range of commercial Close - Up Mentalism. No pre - show
work, no secret assistance; this is practical material for
the solo performer, using subtle and unusual methods that
are as fascinating as the effects they produce. You'll
learn:

    * Shape - Up (Previously Unrevealed) - One card has been
removed from as ESP deck. A person is invited to deal
through the rest of the pack, turning cards face - up one by
one and stopping at any time. The stopped - at symbol is the
same as on the card that was previously set aside.
    * Changeling - A pleasingly simple routine using a
handful of ordinary coins, in which the mentalist
successfully predicts precisely how many coins will be
selected by the spectator.
    * Isolation - The participant chooses which of several
unprepared magazines will be used. That is opened to a
random page, from which a random word is noted while the
performer's head is turned away. In a convincing telepathic
display, the mentalist extracts the word from the person's
mind
    * Key To The Future - An amiable variation on the
classic "Seven Keys to Baldpate" effect using an ungimmicked
padlock and several keys, only one of which can open the
lock. This time it is the spectator whose psychic abilities
are tested. Will the working key be located - and will the
performer know the outcome in advance?
    * Symbalance (Previously Unrevealed) - A standard pack
of ESP symbol cards is employed along with two participants.
The mentalist divines the first person's thought - of
design. He then discerns the second person's symbol with an
offbeat demonstration of "tactile intuition.";
    * Positive Negative - A lesson in spectator management
in the form of an engaging bit of prognostic pantomime with
a baffling payoff. Better yet, it's completely impromptu -
you an do it with a moment's notice, using borrowed items.
    * The Hawk - Another impossible card routine from the
"Birds of Prey" series. Two spectators select and replace
cards while the performer's back is turned. They also
shuffle the deck. Nevertheless, the mentalist deals through
the face - down pack and stops on one selection, then tops
that by promptly naming the other.

Volume Three - Stage Mentalism
Formal performance conditions: a stage, a schedule, and the
obligation to entertain an audience of paying customers.
What you need for this type of situation is material that
will allow you to connect with a large group; routines that
are efficiently structured for maximum impact so that
they'll generate interest, maintain a robust energy level,
and hold the spectators' attention from start to finish.
Goal Mine (Previously Unrevealed) - This is an ideal opener:
a routine of mental persuasion that serves to establish the
performer's credentials, gets several audience members
involved, has a climax that virtually guarantees laughter
and applause - and all of the props can fit in your breast
pocket.

    * Tossed - Out Tech (Previously Unrevealed) - One of the
most valuable techniques of mentalism has also been one of
the least understood - until now. This section covers an
effect that has been a feature item in Max Maven's
professional repertoire for over two decades. This is not a
basic "bare bones" description; it is an in - depth
analysis; knowledge developed through years of study, and
honed during thousands of performances. The information that
is disclosed here constitutes a virtual "post - graduate
course" in mentalism.
    * Khan Artist (Previously Unrevealed) - The performer
forecasts how members of the audience will rearrange a set
of symbols. The props are so uncomplicated, so innocent in
appearance....it's no wonder that this deceptively simple
effect has hoodwinked some of the keenest minds in the
business.
    * Contimental - Could there be more direct exhibition of
mindreading? Consider this: A spectator thinks of an
international location; the mentalist reveals it. The end.
There's no advance work, nothing is written down, and there
are no props required. You can even perform this over the
elephone
    * Psign - A prediction, quick and to the point. A large
board is displayed, back - out. A spectator selects one of
eight different designs, which proves to be the very one
printed on the front of the board. The participant can stay
seated in the audience - leaving the performer alone on
stage at the finish, to accept all of the applause.

MY COMMENTS:
Even if you don't use a single one of these routines in the
series, Max's brilliant thinking will enlighten you with
useful ideas and invaluable presentational pointers.
Classics such as Autome, Kurotsoke, Positive Negative,
Tossed-Out-Tech, and Contimental are discussed on Internet
forums almost daily and have inspired countless variations.
Now available on DVD, this series is a must-see for
mentalists, mental magicians, and magicians, too.