Looking for an explanation

Mercutio · 1st November 2006, 07:56 AM

Please do not disclose any secrets in this thread...but I wouldn't mind a bit if you disclosed them to me in PM.

So the deal is, one of my daughter's friends went to see a "psychic show" at the University last week. The Evasons returned to UNH after a sold-out show last year, and did many of the things I have seen others do at TAM, like

Quote:

As part of the performance, Jeff chose an audience member named Chrissy, who owned a cell phone. Tessa stood with her back toward the audience and had her choose one phone number from her list, telling Chrissy to think really hard about the number. Astoundingly, Tessa was able to come up with both the number and the name of Chrissy's friend. Chrissy held her hands to her face, astonished at what Tessa was able to do.

Jeff chose many audience members randomly to take part in the mind-reading phenomenon. He had parents and students take out objects that meant something to them, and had Tessa blindfolded. She guessed their names, what the object was, and what significance the objects had to them. Tessa was even able to figure out the name of the person who gave the object to them and the serial number on a ten dollar bill.

But the bit that scared my daughter's friend was their final act.

Quote:

Tessa chose a woman named Paula, and asked her to come onto the stage. She was asked to have either a member of her family participate with her, or a person chosen at random. Paula chose her daughter, Ashley.

Jeff asked yet another person to participate, this time someone who was into photography. The person who was chosen was asked to take a picture with the Polaroid camera given to him. When given the signal, he was going to take a picture of Paula from the chest up so that there was a lot of the white space behind her.

Jeff told Paula to relax and think about the day she got a visitation from the ghost. "In a few moments you are going to see certain things of your imagination," Jeff told Paula. "You may feel a sudden change in temperature . . . you may feel like someone has touched you . . . if any of this happens, please remember." Jeff gave the photographer the signal, told the audience to focus on the white screen in back of Paula, and the picture was taken.

When the picture developed, Jeff showed the audience, and many gathered around the stage to see that there was a face behind Paula. When Paula was asked to identify the face, she said it was her mother, and started to cry from the thought that she made a connection with her mother who had passed away.

(the paper goes on to give the obligatory quotes from people who did not believe until they saw this...)

Now, I am guessing there are probably several different ways this could have been done (this based purely on knowing there are multiple versions of many tricks), but it is clearly not something I have any experience in or expertise about. But my daughter's friend asked me specifically, because I teach a course on belief in paranormal. I told her I would ask some more knowledgeable people; she said "please do, I am really freaked out about this!"

So...any info? Does it sound like a known trick that she could find if she bought the right book? Or the right gizmo? Anything at all that I could tell her to calm her down...

(I see that they are fairly well-respected, although one magic forum had a rant about their ineptness by none other than our old friend Mark Lewis! If he hates them, they must be good!)

Their website is here, if that helps any.

Dinsdale Piranha · 1st November 2006, 08:22 AM

Merc,

I sent you a PM.

firecoins · 1st November 2006, 01:39 PM

The Evasons are excellent

deBergerac · 2nd November 2006, 01:24 AM

Actually I find parts of their act a bit tedious. But there is no question about the fact that they are good at what they do.
I do not know if Merc got the real method they use in the PM but I urge him not to explain it to too many people since the Evasons are making their living from performing this effect.
It is true that the method is only a part of a good act but it can be an important part.

T'ai Chi · 2nd November 2006, 04:16 AM

My question is what goes on before the act starts.

Mercutio · 2nd November 2006, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by deBergerac

Actually I find parts of their act a bit tedious. But there is no question about the fact that they are good at what they do.
I do not know if Merc got the real method they use in the PM but I urge him not to explain it to too many people since the Evasons are making their living from performing this effect.
It is true that the method is only a part of a good act but it can be an important part.

First, I do not think I got their method. I don't know, but I don't think so. From what I got, I would not be able to reproduce it, nor even guess at how. Second, I have no desire to explain it, even to the girl in question, in any manner that gives away their secret. If I could say "yes, they did what is called a deBergerac manipulation--if you want to find out, you will have to search for it and pay to learn it from the people who developed it", that would be more than enough. (Third, I think it would not hurt their act a bit if they were to tell people, as some others do, that this is not what it seems. Frankly, from what I have been able to glean from magicians' forums, they are respected because of their skill at this art; why not admit that it is a lot of hard work, rather than "psychic skills", that produces their effect. And yes, some would not believe them even then... I thought I had seen such a disclaimer in their website last year, but I could not find it this year, so it is likely my memory is faulty.)

rebecca · 2nd November 2006, 06:44 AM

I've never seen the Evasons perform, but judging purely by Merc's description of the Polaroid effect this sounds exactly like a very old gimmick described in detail in one of the Penn & Teller books - I believe it was Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends but I could be mistaken. Merc, I think I have it somewhere at home so I can look it up then and lend it to you if you'd like.

rebecca · 2nd November 2006, 06:47 AM

Also Merc, I looked up their web site and found this bio, which does clearly state that they claim to have no supernatural powers.

http://www.evason.com/images/evasons-bio.pdf

Dinsdale Piranha · 2nd November 2006, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by rebecca

I've never seen the Evasons perform, but judging purely by Merc's description of the Polaroid effect this sounds exactly like a very old gimmick described in detail in one of the Penn & Teller books - I believe it was Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends but I could be mistaken. Merc, I think I have it somewhere at home so I can look it up then and lend it to you if you'd like.

Rebecca is correct on the method but it's in How to Play in Traffic.

The book describes how to use the Polaroid effect in a card trick and provides the necessary "gimmick".

firecoins · 2nd November 2006, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by T'ai Chi

My question is what goes on before the act starts.

nothing. Ive seen them and nothing seems to be done pre show.

rebecca · 2nd November 2006, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by Dinsdale Piranha

Rebecca is correct on the method but it's in How to Play in Traffic.

The book describes how to use the Polaroid effect in a card trick and provides the necessary "gimmick".

Ah, thanks for looking into that DP. Merc, I should have that one at home as well, which, again, I can lend you if you need it!

Dinsdale Piranha · 2nd November 2006, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by rebecca

Ah, thanks for looking into that DP.

But, of course.

Did you ever do the trick, Rebecca? A buddy and I used to use it all the time when we were woking a local restaurant. Eventually we lost the gimmick with the card imprint.

Besides, who the hell has a Polaroid these days?

rebecca · 2nd November 2006, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by Dinsdale Piranha

But, of course.

Did you ever do the trick, Rebecca? A buddy and I used to use it all the time when we were woking a local restaurant. Eventually we lost the gimmick with the card imprint.

Besides, who the hell has a Polaroid these days?

That's exactly why I never did the trick. Pola-what? I'd totally have one if they weren't so damned expensive. And yet bankrupt.

Dinsdale Piranha · 2nd November 2006, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by rebecca

That's exactly why I never did the trick. Pola-what? I'd totally have one if they weren't so damned expensive. And yet bankrupt.

Does anyone still sell those dinosaurs these days?

I thought they went the way of 110 and 126 cameras.

Azrael 5 · 2nd November 2006, 02:39 PM

Those intersted in The Evasons may like to research The Piddingtons,similiar act were around in the 1950's(I think)caused quite a stir by not ruling out telepathy,nor did they rule it in!!
Their slogan was "You be the judge"

NeilC · 3rd November 2006, 06:56 AM

Originally Posted by firecoins

nothing. Ive seen them and nothing seems to be done pre show.

You've no idea what kind of pre show work they might do.

Going from the description (which is quite probably incorrect in a few small but essential details) they chose the person each time. Why? Why not throw a ball around the crowd and get a random person up? Let's say it really was random and they picked me. I've not (thankfully) at this point had anyone close to me die whose face I can remember. It also mentions "about the day she got a visitation from the ghost" when did the ghost come into this? I've never seen a ghost, nor has anyone I know. So maybe Paula would react weepily to any vague impression of an old woman? There are lots of possibilities.

firecoins · 3rd November 2006, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by Splossy

You've no idea what kind of pre show work they might do.

.

I have more of an idea than you might think. I don't like giving methoda away. I hope know one PMed anyone actual methods.

Bob Klase · 4th November 2006, 03:30 AM

Originally Posted by Dinsdale Piranha

Did you ever do the trick, Rebecca? A buddy and I used to use it all the time when we were woking a local restaurant. Eventually we lost the gimmick with the card imprint.

Besides, who the hell has a Polaroid these days?

There are still Polaroid cameras and film floating around (it's still easy to find the film). I know at least 2 bar magicians that use it just about every night.

And recently similar tricks have appeared on the magic scene that use digital cameras and cell phone cameras.

1st November 2006, 07:56 AM	#1
Mercutio Shakespeare's Sock Puppet Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Live Free Or Die Posts: 16,329	Looking for an explanation Please do not disclose any secrets in this thread...but I wouldn't mind a bit if you disclosed them to me in PM. So the deal is, one of my daughter's friends went to see a "psychic show" at the University last week. The Evasons returned to UNH after a sold-out show last year, and did many of the things I have seen others do at TAM, like Quote: As part of the performance, Jeff chose an audience member named Chrissy, who owned a cell phone. Tessa stood with her back toward the audience and had her choose one phone number from her list, telling Chrissy to think really hard about the number. Astoundingly, Tessa was able to come up with both the number and the name of Chrissy's friend. Chrissy held her hands to her face, astonished at what Tessa was able to do. Jeff chose many audience members randomly to take part in the mind-reading phenomenon. He had parents and students take out objects that meant something to them, and had Tessa blindfolded. She guessed their names, what the object was, and what significance the objects had to them. Tessa was even able to figure out the name of the person who gave the object to them and the serial number on a ten dollar bill. But the bit that scared my daughter's friend was their final act. Quote: Tessa chose a woman named Paula, and asked her to come onto the stage. She was asked to have either a member of her family participate with her, or a person chosen at random. Paula chose her daughter, Ashley. Jeff asked yet another person to participate, this time someone who was into photography. The person who was chosen was asked to take a picture with the Polaroid camera given to him. When given the signal, he was going to take a picture of Paula from the chest up so that there was a lot of the white space behind her. Jeff told Paula to relax and think about the day she got a visitation from the ghost. "In a few moments you are going to see certain things of your imagination," Jeff told Paula. "You may feel a sudden change in temperature . . . you may feel like someone has touched you . . . if any of this happens, please remember." Jeff gave the photographer the signal, told the audience to focus on the white screen in back of Paula, and the picture was taken. When the picture developed, Jeff showed the audience, and many gathered around the stage to see that there was a face behind Paula. When Paula was asked to identify the face, she said it was her mother, and started to cry from the thought that she made a connection with her mother who had passed away. (the paper goes on to give the obligatory quotes from people who did not believe until they saw this...) Now, I am guessing there are probably several different ways this could have been done (this based purely on knowing there are multiple versions of many tricks), but it is clearly not something I have any experience in or expertise about. But my daughter's friend asked me specifically, because I teach a course on belief in paranormal. I told her I would ask some more knowledgeable people; she said "please do, I am really freaked out about this!" So...any info? Does it sound like a known trick that she could find if she bought the right book? Or the right gizmo? Anything at all that I could tell her to calm her down... (I see that they are fairly well-respected, although one magic forum had a rant about their ineptness by none other than our old friend Mark Lewis! If he hates them, they must be good!) Their website is here, if that helps any.
	__________________ "But to see her was to love her Love but her, and love forever."

1st November 2006, 08:22 AM	#2
Dinsdale Piranha A cruel man, but fair. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: In the conversation pit. Posts: 842	Merc, I sent you a PM.
	__________________ "Don't hit me with them negative waves this early in the morning." Oddball from Kelly's Heroes. "I almost had a psychic girlfriend, but she left me before we met." Steven Wright

1st November 2006, 01:39 PM	#3
firecoins Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nyack, NY Posts: 3,065	The Evasons are excellent
	__________________ NY Paramedic, skeptic, 9/11/01 Reality-ist. I am both right wing nut and left wing lunatic. Deal with it.

2nd November 2006, 04:16 AM	#5
T'ai Chi Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 11,233	My question is what goes on before the act starts.
	__________________ http://www.statisticool.com

2nd November 2006, 06:01 AM	#6
Mercutio Shakespeare's Sock Puppet Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Live Free Or Die Posts: 16,329	Originally Posted by deBergerac Actually I find parts of their act a bit tedious. But there is no question about the fact that they are good at what they do. I do not know if Merc got the real method they use in the PM but I urge him not to explain it to too many people since the Evasons are making their living from performing this effect. It is true that the method is only a part of a good act but it can be an important part. First, I do not think I got their method. I don't know, but I don't think so. From what I got, I would not be able to reproduce it, nor even guess at how. Second, I have no desire to explain it, even to the girl in question, in any manner that gives away their secret. If I could say "yes, they did what is called a deBergerac manipulation--if you want to find out, you will have to search for it and pay to learn it from the people who developed it", that would be more than enough. (Third, I think it would not hurt their act a bit if they were to tell people, as some others do, that this is not what it seems. Frankly, from what I have been able to glean from magicians' forums, they are respected because of their skill at this art; why not admit that it is a lot of hard work, rather than "psychic skills", that produces their effect. And yes, some would not believe them even then... I thought I had seen such a disclaimer in their website last year, but I could not find it this year, so it is likely my memory is faulty.)
	__________________ "But to see her was to love her Love but her, and love forever."

2nd November 2006, 01:24 AM	#4
deBergerac New Doc on the Block Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Uppsala (Sweden) Posts: 445	Actually I find parts of their act a bit tedious. But there is no question about the fact that they are good at what they do. I do not know if Merc got the real method they use in the PM but I urge him not to explain it to too many people since the Evasons are making their living from performing this effect. It is true that the method is only a part of a good act but it can be an important part.

2nd November 2006, 06:44 AM	#7
rebecca Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: some other spring Posts: 6,852	I've never seen the Evasons perform, but judging purely by Merc's description of the Polaroid effect this sounds exactly like a very old gimmick described in detail in one of the Penn & Teller books - I believe it was Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends but I could be mistaken. Merc, I think I have it somewhere at home so I can look it up then and lend it to you if you'd like.

2nd November 2006, 06:47 AM	#8
rebecca Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: some other spring Posts: 6,852	Also Merc, I looked up their web site and found this bio, which does clearly state that they claim to have no supernatural powers. http://www.evason.com/images/evasons-bio.pdf

2nd November 2006, 08:08 AM	#9
Dinsdale Piranha A cruel man, but fair. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: In the conversation pit. Posts: 842	Originally Posted by rebecca I've never seen the Evasons perform, but judging purely by Merc's description of the Polaroid effect this sounds exactly like a very old gimmick described in detail in one of the Penn & Teller books - I believe it was Cruel Tricks for Dear Friends but I could be mistaken. Merc, I think I have it somewhere at home so I can look it up then and lend it to you if you'd like. Rebecca is correct on the method but it's in How to Play in Traffic. The book describes how to use the Polaroid effect in a card trick and provides the necessary "gimmick".
	__________________ "Don't hit me with them negative waves this early in the morning." Oddball from Kelly's Heroes. "I almost had a psychic girlfriend, but she left me before we met." Steven Wright

2nd November 2006, 09:02 AM	#10
firecoins Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nyack, NY Posts: 3,065	Originally Posted by T'ai Chi My question is what goes on before the act starts. nothing. Ive seen them and nothing seems to be done pre show.
	__________________ NY Paramedic, skeptic, 9/11/01 Reality-ist. I am both right wing nut and left wing lunatic. Deal with it.

2nd November 2006, 10:59 AM	#11
rebecca Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: some other spring Posts: 6,852	Originally Posted by Dinsdale Piranha Rebecca is correct on the method but it's in How to Play in Traffic. The book describes how to use the Polaroid effect in a card trick and provides the necessary "gimmick". Ah, thanks for looking into that DP. Merc, I should have that one at home as well, which, again, I can lend you if you need it!

2nd November 2006, 11:20 AM	#12
Dinsdale Piranha A cruel man, but fair. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: In the conversation pit. Posts: 842	Originally Posted by rebecca Ah, thanks for looking into that DP. But, of course. Did you ever do the trick, Rebecca? A buddy and I used to use it all the time when we were woking a local restaurant. Eventually we lost the gimmick with the card imprint. Besides, who the hell has a Polaroid these days?
	__________________ "Don't hit me with them negative waves this early in the morning." Oddball from Kelly's Heroes. "I almost had a psychic girlfriend, but she left me before we met." Steven Wright

2nd November 2006, 11:30 AM	#13
rebecca Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: some other spring Posts: 6,852	Originally Posted by Dinsdale Piranha But, of course. Did you ever do the trick, Rebecca? A buddy and I used to use it all the time when we were woking a local restaurant. Eventually we lost the gimmick with the card imprint. Besides, who the hell has a Polaroid these days? That's exactly why I never did the trick. Pola-what? I'd totally have one if they weren't so damned expensive. And yet bankrupt.

2nd November 2006, 11:34 AM	#14
Dinsdale Piranha A cruel man, but fair. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: In the conversation pit. Posts: 842	Originally Posted by rebecca That's exactly why I never did the trick. Pola-what? I'd totally have one if they weren't so damned expensive. And yet bankrupt. Does anyone still sell those dinosaurs these days? I thought they went the way of 110 and 126 cameras.
	__________________ "Don't hit me with them negative waves this early in the morning." Oddball from Kelly's Heroes. "I almost had a psychic girlfriend, but she left me before we met." Steven Wright

2nd November 2006, 02:39 PM	#15
Azrael 5 Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Yorkshire,Uk Posts: 4,219	Those intersted in The Evasons may like to research The Piddingtons,similiar act were around in the 1950's(I think)caused quite a stir by not ruling out telepathy,nor did they rule it in!! Their slogan was "You be the judge"
	__________________ "I achieve these results through a mixture of magic,misdirection,suggestion and showmanship"-Derren Brown Photography here

3rd November 2006, 06:56 AM	#16
NeilC Graduate Poster Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,085	Originally Posted by firecoins nothing. Ive seen them and nothing seems to be done pre show. You've no idea what kind of pre show work they might do. Going from the description (which is quite probably incorrect in a few small but essential details) they chose the person each time. Why? Why not throw a ball around the crowd and get a random person up? Let's say it really was random and they picked me. I've not (thankfully) at this point had anyone close to me die whose face I can remember. It also mentions "about the day she got a visitation from the ghost" when did the ghost come into this? I've never seen a ghost, nor has anyone I know. So maybe Paula would react weepily to any vague impression of an old woman? There are lots of possibilities.
	Last edited by NeilC; 3rd November 2006 at 07:02 AM.

3rd November 2006, 02:45 PM	#17
firecoins Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nyack, NY Posts: 3,065	Originally Posted by Splossy You've no idea what kind of pre show work they might do. . I have more of an idea than you might think. I don't like giving methoda away. I hope know one PMed anyone actual methods.
	__________________ NY Paramedic, skeptic, 9/11/01 Reality-ist. I am both right wing nut and left wing lunatic. Deal with it.

4th November 2006, 03:30 AM	#18
Bob Klase Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 2,445	Originally Posted by Dinsdale Piranha Did you ever do the trick, Rebecca? A buddy and I used to use it all the time when we were woking a local restaurant. Eventually we lost the gimmick with the card imprint. Besides, who the hell has a Polaroid these days? There are still Polaroid cameras and film floating around (it's still easy to find the film). I know at least 2 bar magicians that use it just about every night. And recently similar tricks have appeared on the magic scene that use digital cameras and cell phone cameras.