Explicit Content by Sean Fields

[Tom Frame]

Explicit Content (PDF) by Sean Fields $19.95
76 pages, 87 photos
Available at: http://www.seanfieldsmagic.com


Given the provocative title, Im disappointed to report that this PDF contains no porno.

Instead it features 13 mentalism effects. The author does a fair job of teaching the material. You will find numerous typos and grammatical errors, as well as the abundant hype that we have come to expect from Mr. Fields.

I was pleased to see that Mr. Fields has discovered the wonders of photography. Unfortunately, the photos are squintingly small. They should have been twice their size. The photos arent numbered and they arent referenced in the text. So youll have to figure out which images correspond to which action steps.

Kenton Knepper provides a flattering Foreward. He states that [Sean] is dangerously close to explaining methods some have used to start religions.

He warns us that, You must be clear how you define and label what you do however, or be thought a prophet.

With great power comes great responsibility.


The Breach Technique: This is the authors technique for bending a key. The method involves switching a straight key with a duplicate, pre-bent key. The switch occurs while the key is held at the fingertips and features a nice retention of vision element.

I like it.


On Contact: Here is another method for bending a key. It also involves a switch. The method can be used with coins as well. Mr. Fields describes how he combines this method of coin bending with another coin bending effect that employs a mechanical coin bender and uses a borrowed coin. The effects work well together because the methods cancel each other out.

Mr. Fields lets his participant keep both coins. Thus, when the participant later shows the coins to their friends, she will say, Look what he did to my coins!

This type of false memory testimonial strengthens the impression that the performer can bend borrowed objects. This is a delightful psychological swindle.

I like it.


The Omni Bender: Mr. Fields describes the apparatus he has developed to bend keys. You can purchase the necessary materials at a hardware store for less than $1.00. His procedure for bending the coin is quick and painless. He offers two well motivated handlings for ditching the bender.

The author describes how to enhance the bending sequence using the optical bend technique popularized by Ben Harris. He also includes Kenton Kneppers idea of causing a key ring to bend while it is being held by a participant.

I like it.


The Callous Bend: The participant removes one of her keys and gives it to the performer. He holds it in his closed fist to ostensibly demonstrate how he wants the participant to hold it. He gives her back the key, which she tightly squeezes in her fist. Upon opening her hand, she discovers that her key is now bent, and possibly useless.

If your participant is at least three years of age and speaks your language, a demonstration of how to hold a key in her closed hand is not necessary! Unless the method demands it.

Mr. Fields tells us that bending the key will cause us physical pain.

He also tells us that, Because she is squeezing so tightly, the key will begin to dig into her skin slightly, and cause some minor discomfort, and she will mistake this cutting sensation for a burning sensation.

I have never felt compelled to suffer for my art. Nor would I ever ask my participant to do anything that will cause them discomfort. Mr. Fields is clearly cut from different cloth.

I dont like it.


Ringu: The performer borrows a participants ring and lays it on his hand. With no cover, the ring begins to bend. The performer picks up the ring, displays its bent condition and hands it back to the participant.

Mr. Fields tells us that he warns the participant ahead of time that her ring will get bent. But I have to wonder how many women would actually give their ring to a stranger who offers to deform it? Why would they do that?

So lets say the woman is unfortunately in the throes of a brief manic episode and impulsively gives her ring to the performer, who bends it. She is now left holding her bent ring, which may not fit anymore. Several scenarios emerge, none of which is particularly pleasant.

The performer re-bends the ring back to its original form. If he does so, he is essentially proving that he was physically capable of bending it in the first place.

Or, the woman is able to bend her ring back into its pristine state, proving to herself that anyone can do it.

Or the woman has to make a special trip to the jewelers to have the ring resized.

Or the woman decides to never wear the ring again. It becomes a cherished memento of her magical evening and she wears it on a chain around her neck, or builds a little shrine for it at home.

Or the woman gets hospitalized against her will.

The initial bending sequence relies on suggestion and a purported optical illusion that doesnt work for me. Maybe its just me, but I cant see it.

Regarding the secretly bending process, Mr. Fields admits, this is very gutsy, because you are putting the bend in when the heat is high.

I wouldnt call it gutsy, Id call it bad. The timing is wrong.

In another effect, a ring is held between the fingers and thumb of the left hand. The right fingers pivot the ring several times and ultimately the ring is seen to be bent.

I dont think the best time to bend a ring is when its gripped between the fingers and thumbs of both hands. Isnt that transparent?

I dont like it.


Pent: The performer rubs the center of his pen and it bends. The pen is handed out for examination.

The effect requires two pens, a simple switch and common methodology. Theres nothing new here.

I dont like it.


Pent-Ultimate: This is Banacheks method for performing the same effect. Only one pen is used. This is clever.

I like it.


The Tesla Experiment/Standard Center Tear: : A participant writes someones name on a billet, to help her focus her subconscious. The performer tears up the billet.

The participant is told to imagine the name as a little ball of energy that resides in one of her fingertips. He correctly determines which finger houses the energy. The participants finger gets warm and it begins to glow.

The performer brings his finger close to hers and there is a loud zap and a bright flash of light. The performer reveals the persons name.

Obviously, this is a billet tear with lots of bells and whistles. The effect employs two other well known mentalism techniques and some hardware. Its well constructed and builds to a surprising magical moment.

I like it.


Elemental: The performer pours a small cup of water. He stares intently at it and it begins to boil. He causes the boiling to stop and a moment later causes the water to freeze. He inverts the cup and bangs it on the table, depositing the mini iceberg.

The author gives a nod to Michael Weber, for previously developing a similar effect.

In addition to a stack of plastic cups, you need a frozen cup of water, a pitcher of water, two chemical items and two secret devices.

I cant imagine where you could perform this effect, except in your own home. The authors instructions for a switching technique are inadequately written and confusing. This strikes me as more of an interesting thought experiment, than a performance piece.

I dont like it.


Molten: The performer massages the stem of a spoon until it emits a red glow. It begins to melt and the bowl droops down. The performer halts the heat and drops the spoon on the table in its now bent form.

This is a nice combination of standard one-handed spoon bending and a very popular light device.

I like it.


That Which You Fear: A participant writes her greatest fear on a billet and gives it to the performer, who tears it up. The performer has her close her eyes and imagine an encounter with her feared creature. She is startled as she feels something touch her.

The performer instructs her to open her eyes as he explains, You have faced that which you fear most, and triumphed over that fear. From now on, you will no longer fear spiders.

With a straight face he writes, The climax of the effect is the spectators reaction to being touched, however, the revelation and subsequent curing of the phobia closes the effect nicely.

This effect is of the PK Touch variety and the authors method and presentation are clever and effective.

But as a psychotherapist, Im heavily biased against this effect. Maybe Im taking it too seriously, but its in my fiber to take mental disorders seriously. Claiming to cure a phobia by using frightening guided imagery and then scaring the [censored] out of the participant is just sick and wrong.

I dont like it.


Post Impression: This is Mr. Fields very cleverly designed Post It impression pad. It takes but seconds to gaff the pad, using a common household item. It will hold up to cursory examination by the participant. Proper lighting is needed to read the impression, but this shouldnt pose a problem

I really like it.


Glacius: The performer displays his empty left hand and makes a loose fist. He picks up a glass of water with his right hand and pours a bit into his fist. Upon opening his fist, the water is seen to have frozen into a real block of ice.

Mr. Fields adapts a method previously employed in a very popular coin effect. The result is a very cool (oops) piece of magic. His handling is good and even his method for creating the block of ice is clever.

I like it.


Given my previous negative reviews of Mr. Fields material, Im surprised and impressed by this PDF. I hope that Mr. Fields other products are of similar quality.

Recommended.

[Irving Quant]

I was expecting you to go insane with all the bad reviews...good to see that you still got something good for your time after all :)

[Tom Frame]

Hi Irv,

I was fully expecting to go insane. Happily, I can save that experience for another day.

[SeanFields]

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