The Blurb
A secret writing technique for close-up performers. Learn this crazy skill and you’ll be able to read minds and create stunning prediction effects under fire. This is next level.
“This is the best thing I’ve seen in a couple years.”
– Bob Cassidy
“No matter where you are, who you’re sitting with, you’ll have this. Predict their thoughts, read their minds. It’s whatever you want it to be, the potential is overwhelming.”
– Alvo Stockman
From the unconventional mind of Alvo Stockman comes a revolutionary technique for group level mentalism. BFF isn’t just one trick, it’s an entire system for prediction you can
use to create a limitless number of miracles. Here are some examples:
At a restaurant, with 3 friends, you offer a demonstration.
“You guys know me so well… you’re three of my best friends. I want to try something interesting. Whenever we talk, a lot of times, I feel like I know what one of you is going to say before you even say it. For example, John, if I said the word ‘barn’ to you, what’s the first word that pops into your mind?”
“Horse”
“‘Horse’, right. Well if I predicted that, it wouldn’t be so impressive. A lot of people would probably say ‘horse.’ What I’d like to try is something a little more difficult. I’m going to try to predict a chain of associations that the 3 of you will have. For example, if I said ‘barn,’ John said ‘horse,’ Luke said ‘jockey,’ and Michael said ‘helmet,’ predicting the final word ‘helmet’ would be considerably harder!
I’m going to write down a word here, and I’m going to try to start a chain of events that will end with Michael saying this word. I’m going to cover it with my hand for now. Now to start off, John, what’s the first word you think of, when I say ‘blue?'”
OR
“We’ve known each other for a long time. And we’ve had some great times, haven’t we? I’m thinking of one of those times. I’m going to write down a word that reminds me specifically
of that time, and I want the three of you to figure out not only what event I’m thinking of, but the word that sums up that experience.”
What’s great about this plot is that it gets your friends to reminisce about some of the best times the four of you have had and to decide on one and a word. This elevates the mood
of the group and builds rapport.
OR
“I’m thinking of a time. A time that was special to the four of us. A very specific time, and I know that the three of you subconsciously know what I’m talking about. I’m going to write down the time here on the placemat.
I want John to say a number between 1 and 12. This will be the hour. Four? Great. Now, Luke. You say a number between one and sixty. This will be the minute. Michael, ‘AM’ or
‘PM?’ Perfect.
Do you guys remember the time we were at the beach in San Diego and played beach volleyball with the women’s national team? We must have all been thinking about that
subconsciously, because that was at right around 4:37pm, just like I have written here.”
OR
Toss out 4 different colored pens. Everyone grabs one, secretly writes their lucky number on the table in front of them and covers it with their hands. Using the remaining pen, you write your lucky number as well. All four pens are returned to the center of the table and after your three friends have revealed their 3 numbers, you reveal that yours is the largest one. What’s not immediately obvious, is that your number is the sum of their lucky numbers!
OR
With one friend, write down a word and cover it with your hands. Ask her to try and read your mind by looking into your eyes. Have her try to read the word you’re thinking of. “Window?” she asks? “Very close!” you exclaim. “I was thinking of ‘wind'” you say as you uncover the word.
AND MUCH MORE! Read on..
Introduction
[from the manuscript…]
While the method of this manuscript is a prediction technique, the magic of it is the involvement of a group of people sitting around bonding and reconnecting.
In an effort to be thorough, I looked up “friendship” in Wikipedia and it says it’s a term used to denote co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more beings. I’m not sure that’s how I would have put it, but now that you know what friendship is, we can move on.
BFF grew from my desire for a magical routine I could use to bring people together. Specifically, I wanted a way to perform for my close friends and family that made sense,
helped us all subtly remember the value of our relationships and could be performed in a casual environment.
What follows is my solution.
Includes 29 page saddle stiched manuscript and props.
My Comments
Alvo's material is specifically for those who perform in coffee lounges like Starbucks. That's not a criticism, and I've nothing against that, except that much of the stuff he
markets isn't geared towards the working mentalist. It's geared to the guys who want to impress their dates or their buddies. It's stuff that most of the time you really can't do in performance.
What Alvo has presented here is a novel secret writing technique. You apparently are just sitting at a table with your fingers of your hands interlocked on a sheet of paper. It's a very natural position for most. However, when you're ready, you can lift up your hands and show that the paper contains an accurate prediction of anything you like. It's kind of like a technique that often uses a stubby pencil, but it is done on the table.
I haven't mastered this technique, nor tried it out in front of an audience, so I can't personally vouch for its effectiveness. However, I have tried it and I can see how it could be effective for someone who has mastered it. My initial workings with it came out the same as when I was learning to do another secret writing technique that uses a gimmick involving the fingertips. But after a few tries, I could tell I was getting better.
Aside from needing to be at the table, there are other considerations. First, the technique is not easy, though it's not incredible difficult. It must be practiced like many techniques mentalists use. Second, the routine included is okay, but I think experienced mentalists can easily conceive of better presentations. Finally, some of the handling is awkward. I could see instantly where one can improve the handling. I'm not referring to the technique, but the handling necessary to get into position to do the technique. I can't go into details, of course.
The package contains the 29 page saddle-stitched 5.5" x 8" manuscript and two pens which are ideal for this technique (but, by no means, are you limited to using these). This
is, indeed, an intriguing technique. I did say that the technique is not easy, but just how difficult depends on your skill level. If this interests you, then I recommend it only to learn what this technique is because if you can do it, then you have one more valuable skill in your arsenal.