Price$35.00
Media TypeBook
CategoryMentalism
Date AddedMay 31, 2014
The Professional Mentalist's Field Manual
Richard Osterlind
Jim Sisti
(Based on 2 reviews)
This book is unlike any other ever offered. His hard-hitting advice is incredibly insightful and priceless for the working performer.
Beware though:
Richard doesn't pull any punches! However, if you have ever attended one of Richard's lectures or workshops, you will immediately understand the value of this book.
Real-world experience oozes off every page as Richard deals with such topics as the proper structure of a mentalism show, handling audience participants (not volunteers!), professional stagecraft, and so much more. And, in a lengthy chapter, Richard deconstructs his own show in meticulous detail and bares, for the first time, the reasoning behind his own professional choices in putting together the show that has taken him around the world.
When you really get serious about your career as a professional mentalist, it's time for you to read The Professional Mentalist's Field Manual.: A professional survival manual for performers on the front lines!22 loaded chapters filled with some of the most important tactics you will ever read!Straight shooting secrets that are right on target!Hard hitting advice that will lead you to victory!
Perfect bound, 114 pages.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Overview
1 pocket "field" manual, 114 pages, tons of advice, 1 Richard Osterlind, $35 bucks, and 1 The Professional Mentalist's Field Manual magic review. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.Effect / Method
Did you ever watch Burn Notice on the USA Network? If not, what are you doing with your life? It's on Hulu.At the beginning of every episode, ex-spy Michael Westen gives a brief "spy tip" that ends up, of course, being a part of the plot of that particular episode.
The tips, however, most of the time were super clever, and I always thought that USA Network should make a small pocket spy manual with all of the tips. I even went as far as starting (but never really pursuing in any depth) to capture each episode's tips so I could compile the book myself.
Richard Osterlind has captured that spirit and vibe in The Professional Mentalist's Field Manual. It's a small book that will fit into any inside suit coat pocket. It really does feel like, look like, and read like a field manual for The Professional Mentalist.
There are 22 tips in the form of (with a few exceptions) 1.5 to 2 pages plus a spot for notes on how to implement the tips.
The advice ranges everywhere from tips on looking the part, acting the part, how to properly interact with clients outside of the show, extra little "thingies" to add that oh so sweet "Osterlind Optimization" to your show.
It has his thoughts/tips about working with so-called "volunteers" along with his thoughts on pre-show, stooges, and other controversial topics.
There are no effects. The closet we get is one chapter on his act. But even then we're not learning how to do it. That particular chapter is all about how to structure an act.
Product Quality
This is a beautiful somewhat nostalgic yet "official" looking little book that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy when I look at it and read it. It feels like what it claims to be. It's super easy to read and Richard makes his points absolutely clear, and even the stuff I didn't agree with was still fun to read.Ad Copy Integrity
Watch the ad trailer, and you'll immediately get the vibe and feel of what you're getting. It perfectly captures what he was trying (and quite successfully I might add) to accomplish.The ad copy is dead on.
Line from the ad copy:
This book is unlike any other ever offered. His hard-hitting advice is incredibly insightful and priceless for the working performer.
Yep! 100%. This is true. The rest of the ad copy is also true, but I singled out this statement because it's the boldest of the claims, and it's correct.
Final Thoughts
Reviews on products this solid are often quite short. This is awesome. That's awesome. Everything is Awesome. You're welcome.While reading this I experienced several different "things."
- Thing 1: I already felt this way, and totally agreed with his advice.
- Thing 2: I never thought about that, but totally agreed with the suggestion and realized how smart it was.
- Thing 3: I thought Richard was totally wrong and did not agree with his advice. The more I read it, the more I disagreed.
- Thing 4: I thought Richard was totally wrong and thought I would disagree with his advice, until I kept reading it, and he began to sway me.
If a book of advice doesn't make you think, it ain't good. This one made me think. Helped me. Maybe even corrected me. Plus it's just a cool looking book. What more do you want? The advice of someone in the industry for 50 years? Oh wait. You get that too.
Final Verdict:
5 Stars with a Stone Status of GEM!
(Top ▲)
This is one of those books that is small in size and gigantic in wisdom.
The focus is on real-world advice from a working professional - the key word is professional. Unlike a book of effects, this is a manual on how you should look, act, plan, and think as a professional entertainer
Although it is aimed toward mentalists, anyone who wishes to take their act to a new level can find wisdom here. This book could be helpful for a beginner but it is really useful for workers with experience who can relate to the information and put it to use.
As with all his published work, Osterlind has given the field another important work. This is great stuff - buy it, read it, re-read it again and again.
The focus is on real-world advice from a working professional - the key word is professional. Unlike a book of effects, this is a manual on how you should look, act, plan, and think as a professional entertainer
Although it is aimed toward mentalists, anyone who wishes to take their act to a new level can find wisdom here. This book could be helpful for a beginner but it is really useful for workers with experience who can relate to the information and put it to use.
As with all his published work, Osterlind has given the field another important work. This is great stuff - buy it, read it, re-read it again and again.