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Dreamweaver by Paul Carnazzo Review
One booklet of instructions, one "dream card" and $30 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
Effect
The bare bones effect is that you are able to name exactly what your spectator dreamed about. Your spectator is given a "dream card" which shows several different common dream symbols. Your spectator is asked to think of one and to visualize it in various different colors. Without the spectator saying a word, without the spectator writing anything down, without the spectator telling anyone, you are able to name what dream symbol she is thinking of.
Method
The method is a very old and common principle in mentalism. It is a very reliable method that has stood the test of time. Further, it is very cleverly disguised in this particular effect. It's one of the sneakiest ways I've seen this principle used. It will require very little audience management, and can be done with or without having to memorize anything. It's very simple in concept and is within the grasp of most skill levels.
Using the principle that makes this effect work, you are able to know which of the dream symbols on the card they are thinking of. Once you know that information, you are able to describe details about the dream because you know what the main focus of the dream is.
You won't be 100% correct, but you'll be so close, and you'll also be able to name the exact dream symbol . . . spooky for sure. On top of that you are able to do a cold reading based on the meaning of the dream symbol. The cleverness of all the techniques at play here make this feel as close to real mind reading as possible.
Finally, the prop itself (i.e., the dream card) is a very justifiable prop. Your claim is that you got it from a new age book store to help you control your dreams, understand your dreams, stop bad dreams, etc. All pieces combine to make a very surreal and spooky experience with minimal work on your part.
Ad Copy Integrity
Take a moment, right now, to read the ad copy. Believe it or not, everything stated in the ad copy is true. Soak that in for a minute. There are some bold claims, but they're true. The only caveat I would put in there is the claims about describing details of the dream. My comments above in the Method section should clarify that.
Product Quality
The booklet is well written and covers the method, the effect, a possible way to perform it, a simple mnemonic (or a crib sheet if you don't want to memorize anything) and the meanings of each dream symbol. Everything is covered in detail and is easy to understand. The included dream card is also well made and looks like something that you might actually get at a new age book store.
Final Thoughts
Since I got this card, it has become a permanent part of my wallet repertoire. It stays in my wallet and will make an appearance whenever the subject of dreams comes up. Out of all the magic I carry in my wallet, this is the most organic and non-contrived non-magic-trick-like thing I have. It feels more like a reading and a super powerful one at that. However, just because I like and use the product doesn't mean you will. What you have to decide is if you like the effect and presentational possibilities. If so, you will be very happy with your purchase.
Final Verdict:
5 Stars with a Stone Status of GEM!
14 Comments
Jeffu,
Perhaps some on else has already pointed it out but I do believe that you have already reviewed ‘Look’ and to memory, it was not a great product.
@Dr. J. – You are mistaken sir. I have not reviewed LOOK.
Yeah, I figured it out about an hour later after looking through the past reviews. My bad! 🙂
Dr. J.
@DJ – No worries brother. I didn’t lose any sleep over it. I have way too many other things to loose sleep over. 😉
I guess not – my bad. I could have sworn I remember you doing this. Oh well.
J
I’m pleased that this actually has PRINTED INSTRUCTIONS. Can’t tell you how bored I usually get from most videos. We’ll return to that in a moment.
If I’m correct, there was a card which used this principle – a card published by Rick Roth – can’t remember the name. And I’m not too wild about Carnazzo using the name of the terrific linking pins effect from the Enchantment folks…around 2002?
That said, this looks as good as you describe it. I think I’ll be ordering next month. But, like Dr J, it sure seems familiar to me..
Oh – Why am I usually bored by video instructions?
1 – I can read more pages per minute than any video can show or speak in a minute. Videos are just TOO SLOW for me.
2 – There is a tradition of Very Bad Music for magic videos. Except for some classic music used on Ammar’s tapes/DVDs, music on magic videos – no matter what type, no matter what era – really irritates me…and frequently drowns out the performer/instructor.
Superamalgamated bummer!
@Chetly – Thanks for the comment brother. Paul Carnazzo credits everyone in the booklet. The concept is a few pieces combined and he gives proper credit. As for videos, I hear you. Too often they try to make the videos super hip and forget that we’re there learn something. That’s one of my favorite things about Sankey’s video. He spends his time teaching (and playing around a little bit), but doesn’t try to make it all hip with editing effects, etc. As for the Dreamweaver effect itself, it’s one of the cleanest effects I do. It’s one of my favorite things in my repertoire.
“Out of all the magic I carry in my wallet…”
Ok, what magic DO you carry in your wallet?
(Perhaps save this as a topic in case you get in a bind with your review-each-day policy)
@Bob – Thanks for the post. I’ve mentioned this in other reviews in the past, but for those who missed it, here’s the list:
Hi Jeff
how does this comnpare with Kioku by Outlaw Effects? I will buy one or the other
thanks
Art
jeff, how do you not ask the spectator any questions, am I missing an important part of the presentation? its a nice trick ,but at this time ( I just purchased it , )but it feels like fishing to me, gets good reactions, but there are questions, unless you can prove wrong, i’m willing to learn alternatives, pleased with my purchase though, based on your review, but still puzzled about no questions !!!! thanks in advance , greg wilson
@Greg Wilson – Its a little misleading to say no questions are asked. Instead of saying “do you see your dream scenario in the red column?” he says “if you see your dream in red, close you eyes and visualise it in that colour”.
That’s not necessarily correct. In the instructions Paul includes a short “demo routine” (which he says up front he doesn’t use) that does not ask any questions. From that example it is easy to develop a presentation that fits your style and also does not include any questions. The spectator does not have to utter a single word during the “divination process and the magi doesn’t have to say “if” anything.
FWIW, I would love to see Paul going through the routine for a paying audience to see an example of how he really does it.
Art and Bob, thanks for your input, I can see now how its possible to ( not )ask any questions, makes for a longer, extended, type presentation though, will try it with the ( visualize )and close your eyes method , and see if it improves the ( mystery )of the effect! thanks again, Greg Wilson