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True Mysteries by Fraser Parker Review:
One book, 50 pages, one DVD, 1.75 hours, one concept and $56-ish bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
Effect
This is another one of Kenton Knepper's students, and it shows in the type of work you're getting. Basically you're getting a handful of effects all using the same basic concept. This concept allows you to create moments of pseudo-hypnosis at various points in your routine. They aren't, necessarily, stand-alone effects, but rather they are additions to your existing routines.
You're not really hypnotizing them, but you're definitely making it seem that way to everyone (including the spectator) who is watching.
Method
Kenton Knepper - that's the main method. It's a branch off of his concepts taken in a new direction by Fraser Parker. These are simple subtle direct and bold methods that create simple illusions giving you credit for much more power than these simple methods seemingly could create.
Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy is pretty solid. Believe it or not, every claim made is accurate. The only one I would say is a little iffy is the claim that they change their belief in God. You certainly create that illusion for everyone else, but the spectator has a slightly different experience. However, the rest of the effects have the same impact on the participant and the rest of the audience.
Product Quality
The 1914 is known for top level production qualities. The book and DVD are well produced, well lit, well mic'd, well written, etc. The book, however, has no page numbers. That's two books in a row that I've reviewed that had no page numbers. That is a bit frustrating when trying to go back and find something in the book later. No table of contents and no page numbers makes Jeff sad.
Also included on the DVD is an ebook with further ideas. The ebook is not the best looking thing, but it gets the job done.
Final Thoughts
The type of stuff found in this "system" is deep stuff that can really make your audience members feel like you've really gotten into their heads, because you have. Use this power ethically. If you're looking to add an extra level of depth and awe to your magic (whatever kind you do - except for maybe kid shows), then you've found what you're looking for.
Final Verdict:
4.5 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem
13 Comments
Hi Jeff,
I was fascinated by your review and have looked at this in the past but was not convinced that it would be a worker in all situations. I suppose it is confidence issue!! I was about to buy when i noticed a review by Joe Diamond on My Lov… of True Mysteries 2.He pulls the book quality apart but also the methods and only gives it 1 Star.I have always found your reviews to the most reliable so before buying i thought i would invite you to comment on Mr Diamonds review. I am not interested in his opinion about book quality only his critique of the method.Sorry to be long winded!!
Best Wishes
Steve
@Steve – Joe is reviewing volume II. This is a review of volume I. Two totally different books. I have not read volume II yet, so I can’t comment on Joe’s review.
As for this volume (volume I), I can tell you that the methods are legitimate. They take some confidence. However, they’re the kind of thing that even if you don’t do it right, it doesn’t really screw anything up.
Think of the classic force. The best way to practice it is to just do it. Every time you have a card selected, do it. If you miss, it’s no big deal because nobody knows you were doing a force anyway. The methods in True Mysteries volume I are that type of thing.
What you see in the preview trailer is exactly what it looks like, but if you screw it up while learning it, nobody is the wiser. Just like other magic (e.g., watch steals), the only way to practice it is to do it.
This seems very interesting and I would like to wait to see your response to the above comment.
Hi Jeff,
Many thanks, as usual for your prompt reply,. It may be me being stupid but as i understand it True Mysteries 2 uses the same ideas and methods as the original just more advanced and Joe’s critique is of the method which i assume is the same in both versions.Could you confirm if this is the case of not.As i say i am not concerned about the quality of the books involved.Joe seems to suggest that material on hypnosis would be better investment!Whilst there will always be different opinions on a product ratings between 1 and 4.5 stars seems little odd I know they are different versions but they use the same method and Joe specifically pulls that apart,i just wonder how much of his low rating is down to the book quality or the method .I thought you might know!
Many Thanks and Best Wishes
Steve
@Steve – Until I read the second book (coming soon), I can’t really say. I will say this, however, just because a method works really well in one place, doesn’t mean it’ll work well elsewhere. As a silly example, an expanded shell is excellent for a coins across routine, but terrible for ambitious card. I know that’s silly, but it proves the point. I can definitely tell you that the methods and techniques used in volume I are real, and they will really work. Kenton Knepper has made a living at this kind of stuff.
However, just because they work for the stuff taught in volume I doesn’t mean they’ll work for the stuff taught in volume II, but I can’t say until I’ve read it.
Greetings all. I own True Mysteries and have been practicing the method described therein for about a year now. The method is not a hard one, per say, but it does require the performer to be bold and very confident in their own performing abilities to pull it off. This will take a lot more practice to get the preferred results but it is not far out of reach for the “right type” of performer. I like it. Scripting is key.
@Jeff – Hi. Thanks for the comment. You’re definitely right, scripting is key for sure. This entire system is dependent upon the proper scripting and the proper confidence.
Hey, I know I am late to the party and I would be surprised if anyone replies, but… I have heard it is based on wording and scripting. Does that affect it if I want to do it in another language? Are some not possible because his “scripts” is in english?
@Simon – Better late than never brother. I think that conceptually, you could convert this to any language. It’s not so much about specific words, but more about how something is said. However, you’d have to be able to fully understand it in English before you could even think about doing this in another language.
Wow, thanks for the fast reply and I apologize for my late answer
So if I understand the concept thaught on the dvd/ in the book I can use them and apply them to any language and more importantly I can perform to a non-english audience?
So its not like he gives you a script which you can read from the top to the bottom and it works? 😀
You are correct.
Thanks a lot, I really appreciate your fast replies!
Happy to help brother.