Ian Rowland – 2016 Lecture Notes

My First Completely New Set Of Material Since 2013

These lecture notes mark my first fresh collection of magical insights since my lectures and conventions in 2013. They feature material I’ve eagerly wanted to share, including my current favorite routine: “C.O.T.” The audience reactions to this piece are incredible, even if it seems simple from a magician’s perspective.

This set is not about quantity; it comprises around 46 pages, with some sections dedicated to theoretical musings and personal opinions.

If you feel these notes aren’t worth the price, please don’t purchase them. I want you to feel satisfied with your investment.

I thoroughly enjoy my work in corporate talks, training, and consultancy. The corporate environment is ideal for showcasing ‘mentalism as metaphor,’ a concept elaborated in these notes. I’m excited to share some of the techniques I regularly employ.

Now, let’s dive into the tricks included!

RAMA

RAMA stands for ‘Read Any Mind Anywhere.’ This is my ultimate method for mind reading or making predictions. It’s adaptable, deceptive, and suitable for close-up or medium-sized performances. Essentially, it’s a variation of ‘Albertest’ by T.A. Waters, known from ‘Mind, Myth & Magic,’ but with significant enhancements. You can read anyone’s mind, anywhere, anytime, without any special tools (not even a nailwriter). The entire process unfolds in their hands, with no hidden elements or awkward movements. You write your prediction, they make their choice—letters, numbers, celebrities, dates, anything—and you’re correct every time.

The Instant Genius

In its simplest form, the effect is this: a spectator views a complex data table they’ve never seen before. This data can range from Superbowl winners to the largest lakes in the world. After just 10 seconds of observation, a random audience member asks a question based on the data, and the spectator somehow provides the correct answer! It’s as if they have ‘absorbed’ the information almost instantaneously.

You can repeat this with any spectator in the audience (no pre-show or selection). The beauty of this effect lies in its clean illusion. To the audience, it appears as though the spectator simply glances at the data and then just knows the answer.

This effect is the culmination of over eight months of development, during which I explored various methods that ultimately didn’t achieve the ‘clean’ deceptive effect I desired. This routine is incredibly versatile, allowing you to transform a spectator into an ‘instant genius’ on any topic you choose! It’s both entertaining and mysterious.

Warning: Some construction involving ‘paper and glue’ is necessary to create the lists and tables seen by the audience. However, no special equipment is required.

C.O.T.

This routine is a personal favorite. I’ve used it as my closing act at corporate events for the past five years, consistently eliciting the reactions we, as magicians and mentalists, strive for: audible gasps, strong applause, and expressions of sheer amazement. The audience witnesses something they cannot comprehend.

However, there’s a catch. While spectators perceive it as a miracle, magicians may view it as trivial. I share this to pass on knowledge to the younger generation of mentalists, emphasizing that sometimes the simplest ideas yield the most significant reactions.

Here’s how it works: you hand a spectator a deck of cards, allowing them to shuffle it thoroughly. Once satisfied, the audience checks the top card—let’s say it’s the five of diamonds. You have predicted this accurately, and your prediction can take any form: a piece of paper in an envelope, an engraved plate, or even a message etched into a mountain. You KNOW the top card will be the five of diamonds. No stooges, no pre-show. The spectator who shuffled the deck will be left astounded.

Does it sound impossible? Yes. Is it what actually happens? Not entirely. But is it what the audience believes? Absolutely. Everyone will swear this is what occurred.

Venus Mind Trap

This is a straightforward, perform-anywhere mind-reading effect. A spectator thinks of something, like a favorite song, and you reveal it.

I’ll share the main component: it’s essentially an instant stooge effect. However, this method stands out from typical IS routines due to its subtlety and built-in safeguards, ensuring you won’t get caught. If you’ve ever worried about ‘What if they talk afterwards?’ this is the IS effect for you. Plus, the routine is engaging and involves the entire audience in mind-reading fun. [Previously published in MAGIC magazine].

I Chant Now

If you’re looking for entertaining mentalism, this routine is for you. It’s designed for clubs, stages, or parlors, where a spectator thinks of a famous movie, and you attempt to read their mind. You approach this in a unique manner, incorporating breathing and chanting exercises that you claim enhance the telepathic process. Initially, you fail to read their mind, but after a second attempt, you reveal that you not only can read their thoughts but predicted the exact film they were thinking of. This routine is filled with humor and culminates in a delightful twist, providing a satisfying surprise. [Previously published in MAGIC magazine].

Parity Party

This is one of the most peculiar effects in magic. A spectator randomly deals red and black cards into separate piles, yet the two piles exhibit a curious property: the number of red cards in pile A matches the number of black cards in pile B. Even when the spectator tries again, the outcome remains consistent, despite their efforts to alter the process. It’s hands-off, baffling, and works even when participants attempt to make it fail! This intriguing effect can be performed with playing cards or any items that can be divided into two groups. Entirely mathematical and self-working, it’s worth mastering. I can derive ten minutes of captivating entertainment from this! [Submitted for publication in MAGIC magazine].

Some Aimless Musings

The booklet concludes with five short essays on various aspects of magic and mentalism that resonate with me:

• The Joy Of Scripts
• Theory Lectures
• Anything Can Be Mentalism
• The Joy of PACE

The Mind Maze

It’s important to note that my effect ‘The Mind Maze’ is not included in these lecture notes. It is sold separately as it requires a specific physical gimmick for performance. Therefore, I only offer ‘The Mind Maze’ at lectures and conventions, where I can provide the gimmick and allow attendees to download the ‘Mind Maze’ documentation from this website.