Price$79.95
Media TypeDVD, Trick
CategoryMentalism
Date AddedApr 22, 2014
Infamous Deluxe Set
Daniel Meadows; Anthony, James
Anthony, James
(Based on 2 reviews)
Infamous is a book test like no other. Where other book tests end, you're only just getting started! Infamous is a routine with a kicker climax that brings things full circle.
Includes:
- detailed instructional DVD with bonus ideas
- Specially Gimmicked deck
- Companion Book
Also:
- Easy to do
- Instant reset
- Repeatable for the same audience with a different word
- Suitable for walkaround
- Many ways suggested to enhance your existing routines
- Companion Infamous book and gimmicks available in Deluxe Pack
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the difference between the Standard and Deluxe packages?
Both packages contain the DVD and special cards that allow you to perform the core routine as seen in the trailer. With the Standard package you will need to supply your own book (almost any book will work), and you will need to create your own gimmick (instruction is included on the DVD to guide you through this). The Deluxe package contains a book and a gimmick. After assembly you will be ready to go in about 5 minutes. The book contained in the Deluxe package has been specially prepared to allow you to perform a number of bonus effects that will not be possible without it.
I am terrible at arts and crafts. Will I have trouble assembling the gimmicks?
I doubt it! It is extremely simple and uses standard items you are likely to have lying around the house.
How examinable is the Deluxe package's book?
The book is extremely examinable. It contains over 300 pages of text from the real book and it has been specially modified so that you could read it cover to cover and not discover the secret. It contains a well-known principle in a new way to tie in with the Infamous premise.
Will there be an option so that purchasers of the Standard package can later upgrade to the Deluxe package?
While there is no immediate option for this, something might be made available in the future. However, the best deal will be to buy the Deluxe package at the outset.
Is this suitable for walk-around?
This was developed with the walk-around performer in mind. The book contained in the Deluxe package is the ideal size to be carried in a jacket pocket. While the effect will play out the same each time, the word selected by the participant can be varied each time.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
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Infamous Deluxe Set Review:
One DVD, one pack of "Stroop Test" cards, one modified copy of A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and $80 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble?
Effect
Several effects are possible. Watch the trailer for the main effect which is a book test with a kicker ending that ties in the Stroop Test. Additionally, this "Stroop Kicker" can be used in other contexts; not just with a book test.
Method
There are multiple methods, but it basically comes down to some standard book test secrets. Those in "the know" are definitely familiar with the principles at play. First, you are supplied with a special gimmick that is a very smart and clever update to an old book test gimmick. In my opinion, this is, by far, the best version of this gimmick that I've seen.
This gimmick allows you to do the effect with any book. So if you wanted to get the non-deluxe version, it's only $29.95 and it includes the Stroop cards and the book test gimmick. The deluxe version also includes a copy of the aforementioned Sherlock Holmes book. This book has been modified to allow you to do a more traditional book test without the special gimmick and without the Stroop cards. In this case, you riffle through the book and they can say "stop" at any page (no force). They look at the first word on the page, and you are able to "read their mind." This can be repeated ad nauseam with a different result every time.
The advantage of this method is that it's much more portable. Just carry the book in your pocket while strolling, and you're all set. The advantage of using the Stroop cards presentation is that you have a fuller routine, but both methods are solid and super easy.
Additionally, there's a bonus method for doing the Stroop method in a parlor setting. It's a rough idea that they're still working on, but the concept is solid and can really turn this into a nice stand up piece.
Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy is 100% accurate. The effect is what you see in the ad trailer and in the written copy. Further, the claim that the book is examinable is absolutely true.
Product Quality
The DVD is well lit, well shot, well mic'd and well taught. You get a lot of bang for your buck. The special Stroop cards look great and the gimmick is well made. The Sherlock book is perfect.
Further, they give a ton of excellent presentational tips. They really went the extra mile.
Final Thoughts
Both Daniel Meadows and James Anthony did a very good job crediting and giving history of effects, methods, etc. They really took the time to do things right. The only negative I have to say about this product is that on the DVD, they mention a website where you can go and share ideas on the product. The site/page is not there. That's a bit of a bummer, but since it wasn't advertised as being part of the product and because it doesn't impact your ability to learn or do the effect, it's a small point.
Final Verdict:
4.5 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.
(Top ▲)
Wow! This is simply a beautiful take on the book test. I like the premise of this particular book test because it is not just having someone pick a word and you go on to divine it. Here, you have the possibility to go much deeper with influence, coincidence and more if you choose. You demonstrate a psychological test (which really exists), you have a page freely chosen in a book, then a word. You divine the word and in the end, you explain how they chose the word they picked. Actually the explanation is a false or pseudo-explanation, which ties into the premise
To some it may seem like a lengthy effect or routine but that is more the point - you can get a good five to maybe even ten minutes out of this, depending on which handling and which parts you choose to include in your set. As for the basic handling, watch the trailer. What you see is exactly what it looks like.
This package comes with a deck of cards that are gimmicked in a way which is not part of the method at all for Infamous. They state this outright and explain that they gimmicked the cards in this way because it would have been a missed opportunity not to do it. It is easy to come up with lots of ideas utilizing this feature, both within the Infamous routine and with others. There is one idea given as an example and the rest is left up to your imagination. I think it would have been nice to see a couple more examples, but really it is hardly necessary.
That said, the cards are very well made and can be examined. The cards can be used in many other effects once you know how they work. Everything about the cards very well and very clearly explained. Two of the cards in this deck are used to make the gimmicks - they are the arts and crafts part that is mentioned in the ad copy. They are very easy to set up and since you have two of them, it allows for up to four different forces with plenty of different words to choose from. You also get the necessary materials to complete these gimmicks.
The book that you get in this set is gimmicked using a well-known principle and like the cards, it can also be examined. The book contains the real text of the novel (A Study in Scarlet) so if anyone familiar with the novel were to read it, they would find absolutely nothing. They explain how to introduce the book, how to handle/use it and give a few other ideas using the book. The included book also allows you to do other things within the context of this routine, but also with others - there are loads of things you can use it for. There are other types of books that exist within the system of this principle - they mention and talk about those types of books and how using them with Infamous would make it even stronger. They say that these two extra books (along with the necessary extra pages) will be available as a bundle (no price mentioned) and to get in touch with Magic World to inquire about it. At the time of this writing, the extra bundle is not listed on their website. Having said that, they also dive into the possibilities for when you do have the extra books. Now to tie into that...
Once you understand how Infamous works, you can actually use just about any book that you like with one small caveat: you would need two of that particular book. In that case, you will also have to find words that work with the Stroop Deck.* Naturally since these books will be purchased from a book store or other similar source, they will not contain the aforementioned principles. You can use one book or you can use multiple books if you want. If you choose to use more than one, again there is a small caveat: The books must all match the gimmick(s). I cannot really say too much more without tipping anything, but it is far less complicated than it sounds.
The ad copy for this is 100% spot on The production quality for the DVD is excellent - it is well lit, the sound and video are crisp, clear, everything is very well explained and easy to understand. Now about the price. I think for what you get - the work that has gone into the book, the quality of everything included (the deck, the book, the extra pages and the DVD), $80/USD is a great price because there are book tests out there that sell for three or four times that price just for the one or two books used in it! The menu is easy to use but once you click one of the three choices (Performance, Explanation or Bonus) you have to watch it all in one go - it is not broken down into chapters. This is annoying when you want to go back to find a particular part of the explanation. You have to search for it via the fast forward or the rewind button - that is really the only gripe I have with the DVD.
The crediting on this disc is very, very good and very thorough. I want to touch down on something along this line that was discussed on the DVD, and from me they get big bonus points for this. Daniel was on the fence as to whether or not he would release the book portion of this routine as it used a principle belonging to Larry Becker. He and James both tried multiple times to contact Larry Becker for permission, both directly and through close friends of his, all to no avail. The undisclosed but well-respected friends of Mr. Becker stated that in their opinions, the principle in question has been around long enough that they would consider it public domain so long as the credit for its creation is duly given to Larry Becker. Having said all of that, Daniel explicity stated that if any time in the future Mr. Becker contacts them and says that he is not happy with the books being available using his principle, they would immediately remove them from the market and not offer them for sale, no questions asked. Now THAT is taking the ethical high road - good on you James and Daniel!
They also show a concept that would allow you to take this primarily close-up effect and do it in a parlor or possibly a stage setting. Daniel shows you how to make everything up using a drawing pad which will essentially replace the Stroop cards but work the same way, then explains the ins and outs using this method. He states that at the moment of taping, this concept was still just an idea and he had not worked out a handling for everything to make it smooth. I will say that this method is very doable, very workable and there is nothing wrong with the working of the drawing pad - it just needs a handling to help it flow, particularly the reveal as Daniel points out. He also tells you where he got the inspiration for this idea. Very clever method in my opinion and a valid way to do this routine.
The bonus section will show you a performance and explanation of another clever way to use the Stroop cards to reveal a selected card - it is sort of a double prediction/influence effect and a clever way of using the cards. They also cover a couple ways of doing card forces along with their sources.
*It is mentioned in the explanation that the word choices provided with this set all work with one set of the Stroop Cards and also that if you were to purchase and use a second set of the Stroop Cards, the possibilities of word choices expands greatly and indeed they do. At the time of this writing I have not been able to confirm whether or not the Stroop Decks are available individually.
If you like what you see in the trailer and you like book tests, you will be very happy with this product. You will certainly be able to get much more out of it than what is presented as well - very versatile components in this package.
VERY highly recommended!
To some it may seem like a lengthy effect or routine but that is more the point - you can get a good five to maybe even ten minutes out of this, depending on which handling and which parts you choose to include in your set. As for the basic handling, watch the trailer. What you see is exactly what it looks like.
This package comes with a deck of cards that are gimmicked in a way which is not part of the method at all for Infamous. They state this outright and explain that they gimmicked the cards in this way because it would have been a missed opportunity not to do it. It is easy to come up with lots of ideas utilizing this feature, both within the Infamous routine and with others. There is one idea given as an example and the rest is left up to your imagination. I think it would have been nice to see a couple more examples, but really it is hardly necessary.
That said, the cards are very well made and can be examined. The cards can be used in many other effects once you know how they work. Everything about the cards very well and very clearly explained. Two of the cards in this deck are used to make the gimmicks - they are the arts and crafts part that is mentioned in the ad copy. They are very easy to set up and since you have two of them, it allows for up to four different forces with plenty of different words to choose from. You also get the necessary materials to complete these gimmicks.
The book that you get in this set is gimmicked using a well-known principle and like the cards, it can also be examined. The book contains the real text of the novel (A Study in Scarlet) so if anyone familiar with the novel were to read it, they would find absolutely nothing. They explain how to introduce the book, how to handle/use it and give a few other ideas using the book. The included book also allows you to do other things within the context of this routine, but also with others - there are loads of things you can use it for. There are other types of books that exist within the system of this principle - they mention and talk about those types of books and how using them with Infamous would make it even stronger. They say that these two extra books (along with the necessary extra pages) will be available as a bundle (no price mentioned) and to get in touch with Magic World to inquire about it. At the time of this writing, the extra bundle is not listed on their website. Having said that, they also dive into the possibilities for when you do have the extra books. Now to tie into that...
Once you understand how Infamous works, you can actually use just about any book that you like with one small caveat: you would need two of that particular book. In that case, you will also have to find words that work with the Stroop Deck.* Naturally since these books will be purchased from a book store or other similar source, they will not contain the aforementioned principles. You can use one book or you can use multiple books if you want. If you choose to use more than one, again there is a small caveat: The books must all match the gimmick(s). I cannot really say too much more without tipping anything, but it is far less complicated than it sounds.
The ad copy for this is 100% spot on The production quality for the DVD is excellent - it is well lit, the sound and video are crisp, clear, everything is very well explained and easy to understand. Now about the price. I think for what you get - the work that has gone into the book, the quality of everything included (the deck, the book, the extra pages and the DVD), $80/USD is a great price because there are book tests out there that sell for three or four times that price just for the one or two books used in it! The menu is easy to use but once you click one of the three choices (Performance, Explanation or Bonus) you have to watch it all in one go - it is not broken down into chapters. This is annoying when you want to go back to find a particular part of the explanation. You have to search for it via the fast forward or the rewind button - that is really the only gripe I have with the DVD.
The crediting on this disc is very, very good and very thorough. I want to touch down on something along this line that was discussed on the DVD, and from me they get big bonus points for this. Daniel was on the fence as to whether or not he would release the book portion of this routine as it used a principle belonging to Larry Becker. He and James both tried multiple times to contact Larry Becker for permission, both directly and through close friends of his, all to no avail. The undisclosed but well-respected friends of Mr. Becker stated that in their opinions, the principle in question has been around long enough that they would consider it public domain so long as the credit for its creation is duly given to Larry Becker. Having said all of that, Daniel explicity stated that if any time in the future Mr. Becker contacts them and says that he is not happy with the books being available using his principle, they would immediately remove them from the market and not offer them for sale, no questions asked. Now THAT is taking the ethical high road - good on you James and Daniel!
They also show a concept that would allow you to take this primarily close-up effect and do it in a parlor or possibly a stage setting. Daniel shows you how to make everything up using a drawing pad which will essentially replace the Stroop cards but work the same way, then explains the ins and outs using this method. He states that at the moment of taping, this concept was still just an idea and he had not worked out a handling for everything to make it smooth. I will say that this method is very doable, very workable and there is nothing wrong with the working of the drawing pad - it just needs a handling to help it flow, particularly the reveal as Daniel points out. He also tells you where he got the inspiration for this idea. Very clever method in my opinion and a valid way to do this routine.
The bonus section will show you a performance and explanation of another clever way to use the Stroop cards to reveal a selected card - it is sort of a double prediction/influence effect and a clever way of using the cards. They also cover a couple ways of doing card forces along with their sources.
*It is mentioned in the explanation that the word choices provided with this set all work with one set of the Stroop Cards and also that if you were to purchase and use a second set of the Stroop Cards, the possibilities of word choices expands greatly and indeed they do. At the time of this writing I have not been able to confirm whether or not the Stroop Decks are available individually.
If you like what you see in the trailer and you like book tests, you will be very happy with this product. You will certainly be able to get much more out of it than what is presented as well - very versatile components in this package.
VERY highly recommended!