List of Products
I’m proud to
announce my newest release – PSI-CHI.
I’ve
literally spent years in developing the concepts in this manuscript and
sincerely believe that
PSI-CHI and
its variations are a significant addition to the arsenal of our art.
Here's what others are saying about PSI-CHI:
Ken Weber:"Sometimes what is called 'mentalism' is really 'mental magic'. But that
does not describe what Bruce Bernstein does. Bruce is a purist. He devises, and
has devised, some of the cleanest, most powerful effects in the Mentalism
canon. PSI-CHI continues that tradition. No suspicious props, no extraneous
dialogue. Just good, hard-hitting Mentalism."
Joe "The Mindshark" Curcillo: “Bruce Bernstein‘s understanding of mentalism concepts is phenomenal. His
latest release, PSI-CHI, Is yet another example of his mastery of simple and
deceptive mind reading. Using nothing more than a pen and paper, Bruce has
created a marvelously impromptu gem you will use again and again!”
Jon Stetson: "I consider Bruce
Bernstein to be a true creative genius. Bruce’s material is the backbone of my
working repertoire. His latest creation, PSI-CHI, is a masterpiece. A Perfect,
Practical, and Profound Performance Piece. Pure Mind Reading at its Best.
PSI-CHI is my new 'go to' I love it!"
Lior Manor: "I have read all of Bruce’s books and have learned so
much from him over the years. I always learn something new in his new
publications and PSI-CHI is no exception. Bruce takes classic concepts and
shines new light on them. I love it."
SEPARATION ANXIETY - $25
Over the years I have worked on and developed many versions of the classic
effect, OUT OF THIS WORLD. In fact, the first effect I ever released was called
COUPLES — a version of OOTW that, at the time, Paul Curry stated was the best
variation of his original that he had seen, and offered to market it for me! It
was a most encouraging start to what has become a most interesting field of
endeavor.
Now, these many years later, I’ve finally developed an extremely
straightforward, hands-off, two-phase routine that utilizes deeply layered
methods, befitting this classic effect of Mentalism. Watching the impact it has
on both laymen and Magicians/Mentalists alike has convinced me it’s one of the
most powerfully direct and clean presentations available.
Via an ebooklet, with embedded videos, you can also learn this most
amazing of effects that slayed them when premiered at the prestigious MEETING
OF THE MINDS and has fooled some of the best minds in the business.
Here are a few unedited quotes:
Barrie
Richardson: Elegant.
The trick of the year.
Doug Dyment: With Separation Anxiety, Bruce has
taken a well-loved plot ('OOTW'), added a dollop of ideas from others, and then
worked his well-known magic, streamlining the action, removing the dead time
and false actions, clarifying the display, simplifying the mechanics, and
topping the whole thing with a killer ending. A tiny, elegant masterpiece, and
one of the few "card tricks" I perform.
Few creators
understand what mentalism should really look like in performance better than
Bruce. The first phase of Separation Anxiety is as perfect as any
mental card effect could be. Gone is the unusual procedure of most
versions of Paul Curry’s classic effect. A spectator psychically
separates a small back of cards into reds and blacks. That’s it! It’s
that direct. But Bruce doesn’t stop there. As soon as the spectator
has picked her jaw up from the floor, he has her do it again, but this time
with a twist so diabolical it just has to be seen to be believed.
I never thought
I needed another card effect in my repertoire until I saw Separation
Anxiety. Now I know better. It’s definitely going into my repertoire.
The spectator is handed a packet of 20 cards and told to deal them into two
fairly equal piles, but not haphazardly or simply alternating piles; she is to
“follow her intuition”. The wizard counts one of the piles and
congratulates the spectator when the total is seen to be 10 ‒ precisely half.
The top card of one pile is turned over ‒ it is red. The top card of the
other pile is black. Several more cards are turned over in pairs ‒ again,
red in one pile, black in the other. The remainders of both piles are turned
over, showing a perfect separation.
As a follow-up, the wonder worker removes an Ace of Spades from his pocket and
states that he will make the spectator treat this card as red, as he openly
inserts it into the packet of cards and mixes them. Again, the cards are
dealt into two piles. One pile is shown to consist entirely of black cards, the
other of all red cards ‒ except for the Ace of Spades, seen in the centre of
the “red” pile.
As one would expect from Bruce Bernstein, this is devilishly clever. $25
might seem a bit expensive for a 16-page pdf, but the price is for the years of
thinking that went into the method, and the fact that the working mentalist
will get a lot of mileage out of this. Three brief videos are included
illustrating a few of the fine points.
You hand a spectator a small packet of ungaffed, face-down cards. You tell her
to follow her intuition and deal the packet into two piles on the table--but
she is to deal the cards completely at random (i.e., not back and forth in a
regular manner, but helter skelter).
She does so. When the two piles are checked:
1. There are exactly ten cards in each pile.
2. She has somehow divided the ten red cards from the ten black cards.
This is about as clean and fast an "Out of this World" effect as you
can get. Bruce also provides a second phase, different from the first, which in
effect is different enough to be interesting, and in method relies on something
the audience has understood from the first phase.
It's 16 pages of unmitigated sneakiness and I highly recommend it to one and
all.
Ross Johnson: Bruce Bernstein is in creative mode and
has traveled to a new solar system. On the heels of the ground breaking
"TABOO" comes a refined take on the always intriguing "Out of
this World". Only the mind of Bernstein can both simplify method and
expand impact at the same time. This is a routine not to be overlooked by any
worker who presents miracles of only the highest quality.
Of course,
the plot, which you probably know already, involves the participant
amazingly separating red and black cards. This version, which only
uses twenty cards, is based on ideas from Brad Henderson and Jon
Armstrong, who, in turn, based their work on ideas from Martin Gardner and
Paul Curry (though not all of Gardner's and Curry's ideas are in
SEPARATION ANXIETY). It starts and ends clean and most definitely
can be done with a borrowed deck of cards and in impromptu situations.
In fact, it's probably best for that.
Using
twenty cards certainly solves the controversial issue of the effect being
too long. The entire stack is handed to the participant to separate
which makes this a very nice hands-off presentation. And the
clean-up is much cleaner and far less awkward than the usual manner in which
it is done. For those familiar with Jon Armstrong's "Out of This Blah Blah
Blah," know that this was certainly Bernstein's inspiration and starting
point, but he has added some touches that take this effect into an entirely
new and different level.
I'll also
note that Bernstein includes a second variation which allows for the
effect to be repeated. It is rather amazing as it features a
powerful prediction that's quite a shocker to the layman.
This is
being sold as a 16 page downloadable PDF with some embedded videos. I
know that this should be obvious but I'll say it anyway: this is highly
recommended.
SEPARATION
ANXIETY, the effect in detail
SEPARATION ANXIETY is available as a PDF with 3 short
embedded videos to make the handling crystal clear.
Sent as an email attachment – no shipping/handling charges.
PayPal $25 USD to BruceMBernstein@gmail.com
------------------------------------------------
An autographed “Hard Copy” on a CD is $25 + $8
shipping via priority mail in the US. (total = $33.00)
Shipping to Canada is an additional $20 USD (total
= $45.00)
Elsewhere, shipping is an additional $25 USD (total =
$50.00)
-------------------------------------------------
UNREAL - $75.00
The manipulation of thought, memory and
perception in psychic entertainment
At last, a three year
effort at collecting, reorganizing, and rewriting all of my previously
published works, (whether well known or highly obscure), has finally been
completed. Whenever appropriate, the material has been rewritten to make it
even more accessible and clear to the reader. I've added tips, touches, and
updates to many of the effects, as well as including ten new essays, specially
created for this book. All of the material has also been reorganized by the type
of effect being presented.
Now, gathered in 256 pages, bound in deluxe hardcover; all of my materials
published before 2012 have been newly edited and expanded, as well as being
expertly illustrated by Tony Dunn.
UNREAL contains it all - from what I, and many others, believe is the most
commercial effect ever created, Eat at Joe's, to card miracles such as Psych-Out,
a revelatory improvement to the 10 Card Poker Deal concept, to must-learn
techniques as my Bernstein Center Tear, and beyond. UNREAL covers
territory essential to every wonder worker's repertoire.
The book outlines mysteries with the most basic of objects: slips of paper,
cards, and money, as well as inexplicable feats of thought reading:
predictions, mind reading feats, psychometry, utility techniques for obtaining
secret information, cold reading scripts and techniques, and more.
Click here for TABLE OF CONTENTS
If purchased directly through me, I would be happy to autograph to you
personally.
Barrie Richardson: "This is
the most stimulating book on Mentalism or Magic I've read in years."
Jeff McBride: "I've just gone on tour and had 3 bliss filled
days with your book UNREAL. I love so many of the ideas too, and
have already started to work on a few!"
Jheff's Marketplace of the Mind: "These are the facts:
Bruce Bernstein is one of the most creative thinkers in mentalism. This book is
a collection of most of his material. Also, quite a bit of his material I have
used, still use, or plan on using at some point in the future. Most everything
in this book is classic stuff that professional mentalists the world over have
been using for years, such as "Eat at Joe's."
"Really, besides what's already written in the blurb, is there
anything else that needs to be said? Oh, yeah, the book is gorgeous (real linen
hardcover; 7.5" x 10"; 242 pages). For those wondering what kind of
mentalism effects that Bernstein specializes in, I think I can safely say that if
you like the work of Barrie Richardson, then you'll like this."
"One more thing: I don't often say that something is a must-have, but if
anything released this year deserves that label, this is it."
David Britland: "Unreal contains nine chapters in all, the
remainder covering routines with money, psychometry, 13 variations of a routine
involving time travel, and a chapter on techniques that also details Bruce’s
Centre Tear. Interspersed between the chapters are essays on various aspects of
mentalism from presentation and exposure to getting caught and the basic skills
that every mentalist should have. Bruce Bernstein is a clever fellow and it’s a
pleasure to read the additions and twists he gives to many standard plots. The
routines are very practical, inherently crafty, and incorporate the kind of
psychological touches that are increasingly part of contemporary mentalism. The
tricks have weathered the years well, possibly because Bruce was ahead of his
time when he devised them. Taken together, the variety of presentations,
methods, techniques, and good advice not only make the book a valuable source
of ideas for the experienced performer but also a great first book for anyone
who wants to try their hand at mentalism."
TABOO - $100.00
TABOO is the first offering in
a series of restricted releases aimed at the "inner-school" of
Psychic Entertainers. These manuscripts will only be available directly through
me and will not be wholesaled to dealers. My plan is to release materials over
time that I've been holding back, or that have been created recently that meet
only the highest standards of which I am capable.
I'm proud to start these offerings with the release of TABOO, since I feel it
represents some of my finest thinking and blazes new ground in Psychic
Entertainment. The concepts explained in this book will show you ways to reveal audience
members' deepest, darkest secrets, in an amazingly entertaining manner.
Here's what I wrote in the introduction - "TABOO is a unique
melding of concepts I’ve been working on for nearly a decade and is perhaps the
most advanced routine of Psychic Entertainment I’ve ever created.
It would be wrong to just call TABOO an effect, it’s so much more than
that. Let me also state as clearly as I can, that TABOO is only suitable for
the boldest and most charismatic of performers. This is not something to be
done casually for some friends or as a demonstration of mental magic.
But that said, even if you never perform the effect, I believe that you’ll find
there is much to be gleaned from my thinking about this presentation from the
“cutting edge.”Another point I should make clear at the start is that TABOO
must be personalized and custom tailored to the particular performer who is
brave and talented enough to tackle this presentation. To expect a “one size
fits all” script or approach is only asking for failure. But with the
techniques and variations I’ll be sharing in the book, the right performer
will have found his or her miracle.
Although, I describe several variations on the theme in the book,
including "THE ULTIMATE TABOO, which I created for my own personal use,
here's the basic plot:
Several spectators are asked to join you onstage and are requested to think of
things they have done, or might do, that would be considered "Taboo"
by most people.
You then start to read their thoughts all at the same time, revealing
facts and information in a way worthy of a soap opera or reality show.
Even though they are asked to keep a "poker face" and not give you
any hints about their secret Taboo, you are able to "zero in"
more and more on each of their secret thoughts, until it starts to become clear
you're starting to figure out just which Taboo each of them are thinking of.
Then, in the most incredible of climaxes, each of them individually
acknowledges time and time again, just how how accurate you've been
in discovering their most personal of information.
O.K. - Although that sounds incredible, I know what you're thinking.
Even if that were possible (which it is!), I'm sure you're thinking that
this routine could easily cause embarrassment or discomfort to those
participating. But, perhaps the most amazing part of the routine are the many
psychological subtleties and powerful gambits I teach that will actually put
them at ease and show them how to thoroughly enjoy their roles as the
"Stars" of the presentation.
Christopher
Carter: "Bruce Bernstein is a genius. This fact is accepted by everybody
who knows his work. Where others put out minor variations of popular and
frequently over used themes, Bruce’s published effects consistently range from
innovative to groundbreaking. It’s not that he doesn’t draw inspiration from
prior creators. All creators do that. What makes Bruce’s work stand out are two
things. First, he sees the potential in ideas that the rest of us breeze over
without noticing. Second, he combines these ideas in such a way that the result
is vastly greater than the sum of the parts."
"Taboo is a perfect product of Bruce’s devious mind. Within the method,
there are elements that we all will recognize but they are applied, in
combination, to a devastating effect."
"And what is that effect? It’s practically the holy grail of mentalism.
When people find out that you’re a mind reader, they worry that you’ll be able
to divine their deepest, most intimate secrets. Thanks to Taboo, you do exactly
that. Amazingly, Bruce stages things so that you reveal their secrets in such a
way that they will never be publicly embarrassed, and yet there is no doubt
that you have received impressions you really should not be able to know."
"When Bruce first shared his idea with me a few years ago, I was delighted
with its boldness and simplicity, and I hoped to one day be able to do it.
Since that time he has refined the routine and added subtleties that make it
even stronger. It ranks, in my opinion, among his best work."
"I have one caveat about Taboo. The characteristic that makes Bruce’s work
stand out is that he understands the difference between mentalism and magic.
His best effects rely on subtle methods that require a bold and confident
performance to pull off. No sleights are required, but you must be able to
bluff with impunity. Because of this, brilliance of Taboo will probably go
unrecognized by the beginning mentalist or mental magician. That’s bad news for
Bruce in terms of product sales, but great news for the rest of us. Those who
study and perform this will have a miracle that I predict very few others will
be doing."
Jon Stetson: "Taboo is Too Good. It's Bruce's greatest
creation to date! At $100.00, this masterpiece is way underpriced. For me,
it is worth thousands - I wish I could keep this one for myself. Thank goodness
Bruce uses his power for good!"
"PS. For anyone wondering the difference between Mentalism and
Mental Magic, buy Taboo and find out."
TABOO is 18 pages and printed on high quality paper, spiral bound with
Art quality covers, featuring my custom calligraphy.
WILL POWER - $50
I sincerely believe it to be
original, dramatic and as close to an actual demonstration of how material
objects can be physically controlled by the power of the mind as may ever
be developed. You receive a 12 page booklet that breaks the routine down in
detail along with those other special "things" you'll need.
Banachek: "Every mentalist or magician is looking for that Holy Grail
of effects. You know the one, the one that looks impromptu, the one that can be
performed anywhere anytime, close up, cabaret or stage, the one that can be
whipped out for a newspaper story and become the center piece for the reporter
to hang his words of astonishment upon."
"With Bruce Bernstein's contribution
of WILL POWER, that Grail has been created for us. Bruce has
fabricated a brilliant routine with props that fit in your change pocket. It
really is that tiny but the impact and reactions are incredibly huge. The
effect is non assuming yet grows with each stage of the routine. The
impossibilities stack up one on top of the other to create a well-choreographed
piece of theater that does not feel like theater, it feels genuine. This
is not mental magic, it can not even be described as mentalism as that would
not do it justice, it appears to be a real feat of psychic power. But
hey, what would you expect from the mind of Bruce Bernstein, nothing less. I
will carry this with me."
Ken
Weber: "I was asked which effect was the hit of the Psychic Entertainer's
Association's annual convention, the 'Meeting Of The Minds.' While I
loved many routines, Bruce's WILL POWER stole the show. It is a novel plot, it
builds and builds in its impossibility, and it was presented brilliantly. For
me, in terms of seeing something new and wonderful, THIS was the winner."
"Let me add that if you simply read the description supplied on
Bruce's website you will understandably assume that this is strictly a close-up
effect. It's not. I watched Bruce perform the routine from many rows back and I
can tell you that although I could not see anything happening in terms of the
coins, the sounds of the coins spinning on the plates, as carried over the
sound system, lent this routine a dense layer of drama that added immensely to
its effectiveness. In other words, this can be strong as a stage effect! And
yes, it will be wonderful close-up as well."
Larry Becker: "I've thoroughly enjoyed using Bruce
Bernstein's "WILL POWER" since I acquired it from Bruce. It's a spell
binding close-up effect that plays larger than life thanks to the intriguing musicality
of the spinning coins and Bruce's entertaining routine."
Ross Johnson: "With WILL POWER, Bruce Bernstein has produced a complete
routine that is practical and actually do-able as it stands. Not since Ned
Rutledge's "Minding the Store" has a performance piece been so
thoroughly explained and analyzed for maximum impact. Every nuance is covered.
It's impact is long lasting. Will Power has become one of three Bruce Bernstein
products that I will not leave home without."
WILL POWER, the effect in detail
PSI-DECK
My take on the famous “Tossed Out
Deck”, but so diabolically clever, it will fool anyone familiar with the
original.
Max Maven: "If Machiavelli had wanted
to do card mentalism, he might have come up with something like Bruce
Bernstein's PSI-DECK -- but he probably wouldn't have had the patience to make
the gaffs."
Larry Becker: "Unreservedly recommended. Outstanding...a beautiful product."
Craig Karges: "With a combination of
principles and an ingeniously constructed deck, Bruce has put together a
wonderful routine with PSI-DECK. It is inexplicable and what mentalism with
cards should look like - simple, direct, and baffling."
Ford Kross: "Regular readers of mine,
are aware of my antipathy to card tricks. So, if I rave about one, I must
really be impressed. Such is the case with Bruce Bernstein's PSI-DECK."
"Dave Hoy's Tossed-Out deck is already a classic, but imagine this
improvement. A deck of cards is fanned and shown to appear normal. Three
participants are freely selected. As in Hoy's classic, a rubberbanded deck of
cards is given to #1, he looks at one card. The same deck is given to #2, same
procedure. You are able to name the cards looked at and even tell who has
which, unlike Hoy's effect, they have different cards. With the third
participant, you remove an envelope and place it in sight, the slowly dealing
from the same deck on to the table, you ask them to tell you when to stop.
After the chosen card is shown, they open the envelope and reveal that you've
correctly predicted it."
"As you might think, this is not an ordinary deck. Bruce has produced a
beautiful gimmicked deck that is extremely versatile."
Richard Busch (author of Peek Performances): "PSI-DECK is beyond my inadequate words
altogether. After two participants each hold the cards themselves (!) and each
peek a card, a card is CLEANLY dealt that matches a premonition that was in
plain view beforehand. You can instantly name both peeked cards and hit on the
premonition. No switching, no switching predictions, no switching anything, I
mean nothing. If this isn't stunning and direct, then I don't know what is. Considering
the incredible, unbelievable, time consuming workmanship involved in this
creation, Bruce's decks are well worth the investment. More!"
PSI-DECK is available in 2 different versions, so you may repeat the effect for
the same audience without the same selections being made.
To read a detailed description of the effect, just click on:
PSI-DECK,
the effect in detail
A single PSI-DECK sells for $100.00.
The 2 deck set sells for $175.00
ALTERED - $40
My version of what is perhaps the
greatest force deck of all times - the Monte Cristo Deck. I produced a
small run of these at the same time PSI-DECKS were made. I have never
advertised or wholesaled these decks and will not be making more when the stock
is gone.They have the same Mermaid backs (only available in blue) and are made
from the same high quality casino card stock. In addition to the deck itself,
additional gimmicked cards are supplied that will allow you to perform some
powerful routines not possible with the force deck alone. (Since it forces the 2 of Clubs, it is the
perfect deck to use in my Bernstein's Bet routine, described in my book,
UNREAL.)
ALTERED, additional effects in detail
BERNSTEIN LINKING PINS ROUTINE - $25
An incredible four phase
routine that you will use!
Includes the two, three inch safety pins, a DVD with the routine and full
explanation, and a 17" x 22" poster (no page turning with props in
hand) with seventeen line drawings to make learning easy!
All Pins purchased directly from me are personally double checked and tested
before shipping.
Barrie Richardson: Bruce Bernstein's Linking Pin
Routine is one of the most astonishing and entertaining effects on this planet
- period!
Hank Moorehouse: From A to Z - the best linking
pin routine I've ever seen.
Bruce Barnett: "I liked Bruce's Linking
Pin Routine. This is a routine where large safety pins link and unlink in slow
motion. There is a finale, and at the end - the pins are passed out for
examination. (no switch!) Even when I knew the principle, he fooled me with
it."
Phil Wilmarth (Linking Ring): "Here is a superb four part routine... The
final phase is a wonderful visual unlinking of a spectator's finger ring from a
pin as a separate pin immediately links to the very same pin the ring just
left. Bruce also explains how to pass the pins out for examination, upon
completion of the routine, without switches. It's a fooler of a routine, yet is
not that difficult to do..."
Please email me for shipping and handling charges
I accept PayPal to the following email
address, or check/M.O
For more information, please email:
BruceMBernstein@gmail.com
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