Price$19.95
Media TypeTrick
CategoryMentalism
Date AddedAug 15, 2008
Random Thoughts
Devin Knight
(Based on 2 reviews)
The spectator is then shown an ungimmicked newspaper and is asked to choose of the sheets from it. The performer then tears that newspaper sheet in half four times resulting in a stack of torn papers. This stack is placed on a table. The spectator then counts down into packet,using a number that was arrived at by throwing a pair of ungimmicked dice. The number selection is fair and any number rolled can be used. The spectator (not the performer) then counts down into the packet of torn papers and removes the piece at the random number just thrown.
The spectator is then asked to verify that the random torn piece has words printed on both sides. There could be an article on BOTH SIDES! He is then ask to freely choose either side to read from. He is asked to look over that side and call off random words that would be unique to that article. Names of people, numbers, company names, etc.
As he calls out this information at random the performer writes the words called out on a large piece of cardboard so the audience can see and remember the words.
The envelope that has been in full view is opened and a single index card is dumped onto the table showing the envelope otherwise empty. The performer doesn't touch the prediction. Written on the index card in BOLD LETTERS are the random words the participant just called out!
This is one of the strongest and most impossible-looking prediction effects you will find. Strong enough to close a show!
NO DUPLICATE PIECES, NO SWITCHES, NO NAIL-WRITERS, NO SECRET WRITING AT ANY TIME, NO COMPLEX FORMULAS, NO SPECIALLY PRINTED NEWSPAPERS. Use any borrowed newspaper. No sleights. Dice are ungimmicked.
Comes complete with everything you need to do the effect including envelopes and dice. You provide the newspaper. Includes 27 pages of fully illustrated directions covering every detail and nuance of this effect.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Overview
Random Thoughts by Devin Knight is more than just a “trick”, it’s a procedure. Housed within an effect, you can utilize the technique you learn from Random Thoughts in numerous ways. Devin Knight simplified a confusing and often abandoned method and streamlined it for the masses. For $20 you will be learning a skill you can use anywhere and anytime you find a newspaper.Effect
A prediction is placed on a table; it is never touched again by the performer. A spectator fairly chooses a number by rolling some dice. The dice are normal and not gimmicked in any way. The performer takes a newspaper and tears it into 16 pieces. The spectator counts down to the number he threw on the dice and takes that piece. He looks at both sides of the shard of paper and pick a word, name or number that stands out. He says it out loud. The prediction envelope is opened and the exact phrase the spectator said is written on a piece of card in the envelope.Method
The method is a force, cleverly disguised in the tearing up of the paper. The technique you will learn is to place the desired piece fairly and openly in the proper position for the spectator to choose. Devin Knight took what was a complex and confusing procedure and laid it out more simply. It’s not simple but not as complex as it was before.Product Quality
You will receive a twenty-seven page document outlining the procedure to force the proper piece. Every detail is explained with clear instructions and photographs. Devin Knight has the wonderful attribute of conveying the complex and making it easy to comprehend. You also will receive a couple of envelopes as well. One of them was designed to “hedge” your prediction. That being said, I probably had never seen such a sloppily packaged magic trick in my life. Twenty-seven pages folded like yesterday’s trash shoved into a small plastic bag. The creases were so bad some of the words were obscured.Ad Copy Integrity
If one were to take the time to digest the procedure and commit it to memory, you will have one killer routine that you can perform anywhere there is a newspaper handy.(Top ▲)
For $20 bucks you get a poorly packaged effect that totally kicks arse . . . kicks arse* enough to ignore the packaging problems.
So here's the packaging problem: You're getting a 27 page 8.5x11 document that's been stapled at the top left corner and folded into quarters and jammed into a plastic baggie with 2 dice and a couple of envelopes. The problem was that when trying to read the instructions the paper kept wanting to refold making it hard to read.
The effect includes two really cheap dice which I'd recommend replacing with your own dice. Additionally, you get a cheaply made "special" envelope that I would also suggest replacing.
These are easy things to replace and frankly, even had Devin Knight left out the envelope and dice and just released this as a PDF, I'd be willing to pay the $20 bucks. In fact, I may have preferred that since the printout is jammed into a plastic baggie.
All those things aside, I still must recommend this product. The effect is very clean and the method is brilliant. Quickly, here's the basic effect:
No stooges; no special paper, no secret writing.
The effect is very strong.
The method will take very little work to learn. The folded up document that teaches the method covers every single detail imaginable. It teaches you everything you need to know to perform the effect as well as tips on how to practice. He even gives you some exercises to do that will help you master the routine a little at a time. Additionally, there are several subtle tips that are beautiful that will make this piece a real show stopper.
It seems clear to me that Knight has truly (as he claimed) performed this for many years. His experience with the effect shows greatly. Every little nuance and subtlety with the presentation, the technique, everything, is covered.
If you do any type of stand up work and you want a relatively simple to do mentalism effect, I'd spend the $20 bucks today.
For the crappy envelope that is not as clean as the directions say (but can easily be replaced with one that is) and the poor packaging a star is lost.
Thus . . .
Final Verdict: 4 stars with a Stone Status of GEM!
*Kicks arse is Scottish for awesome!
So here's the packaging problem: You're getting a 27 page 8.5x11 document that's been stapled at the top left corner and folded into quarters and jammed into a plastic baggie with 2 dice and a couple of envelopes. The problem was that when trying to read the instructions the paper kept wanting to refold making it hard to read.
The effect includes two really cheap dice which I'd recommend replacing with your own dice. Additionally, you get a cheaply made "special" envelope that I would also suggest replacing.
These are easy things to replace and frankly, even had Devin Knight left out the envelope and dice and just released this as a PDF, I'd be willing to pay the $20 bucks. In fact, I may have preferred that since the printout is jammed into a plastic baggie.
All those things aside, I still must recommend this product. The effect is very clean and the method is brilliant. Quickly, here's the basic effect:
- Spectator chooses a sheet of newspaper
- Magician tears up the paper into bunch of small sheets
- Spectator picks the 5th (or whatever he rolled with the dice) torn piece in the stack
- He then chooses which side of the torn piece to use
- Your prediction that has been on the table from the beginning (no switches) matches random words that the spectator reads off of the torn piece
No stooges; no special paper, no secret writing.
The effect is very strong.
The method will take very little work to learn. The folded up document that teaches the method covers every single detail imaginable. It teaches you everything you need to know to perform the effect as well as tips on how to practice. He even gives you some exercises to do that will help you master the routine a little at a time. Additionally, there are several subtle tips that are beautiful that will make this piece a real show stopper.
It seems clear to me that Knight has truly (as he claimed) performed this for many years. His experience with the effect shows greatly. Every little nuance and subtlety with the presentation, the technique, everything, is covered.
If you do any type of stand up work and you want a relatively simple to do mentalism effect, I'd spend the $20 bucks today.
For the crappy envelope that is not as clean as the directions say (but can easily be replaced with one that is) and the poor packaging a star is lost.
Thus . . .
Final Verdict: 4 stars with a Stone Status of GEM!
*Kicks arse is Scottish for awesome!