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Dead or Alive by Ted Karmilovich

Created by: Ted Karmilovich

Dead or Alive is a mentalism trick that plays on the themes of life and death, creating a profound sense of mystery and wonder. It involves the magician seemingly predicting or influencing a participant's choice between two outcomes, often symbolized by 'dead' or 'alive'. This trick is suitable for close-up or parlour settings and is designed to be adaptable to the performer's personal style, making it a versatile addition to any mentalism repertoire.

Key features

  • Adaptable to modern presentations and personal styles

  • Suitable for performers of all skill levels

  • Creates a deep sense of mystery and engagement

  • Can be performed in close-up or parlour settings

Pros

  • Highly adaptable and customizable

  • Engages the audience on a deep, emotional level

  • Does not require complex props or setups

Cons

  • May require practice to personalize effectively

  • Thematic elements might not suit all audiences

Effect

The trick Dead or Alive is a mentalism routine where the performer appears to determine whether a chosen historical figure is dead or alive without any prior knowledge. The audience experiences a moment of mystery as the magician seemingly reads their thoughts or taps into an uncanny ability to discern facts beyond normal perception.

Full Details

Dead or Alive is featured in Practical Mental Effects by Ted Karmilovich. The routine involves a simple yet effective method that allows the performer to accurately reveal whether a randomly selected historical figure is deceased or living. The trick can be adapted to different presentation styles, making it versatile for close-up or stage performances.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick is ideal for magicians interested in mentalism, particularly those who enjoy audience interaction and psychological effects. It works well for performers who want a quick, impactful routine that requires minimal props. Beginners will appreciate its straightforward method, while experienced mentalists can expand on the presentation to create a more layered performance.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

Dead or Alive is considered easy to learn and perform. The method relies on a clever principle rather than complex sleight of hand, making it accessible to magicians of all skill levels. The challenge lies in presentation—selling the effect convincingly to maximize audience engagement.

What Magicians Say

EruditeMagic, a reviewer of Practical Mental Effects, highlights Dead or Alive as an example of a routine that can be easily customized. He emphasizes the importance of adapting tricks to fit one's personal style rather than performing them exactly as written. His recommendation of the book suggests that the trick is well-regarded among mentalism practitioners.

The trick’s simplicity and adaptability make it a strong choice for performers looking to add a quick, puzzling mentalism effect to their repertoire.

What people are saying about Dead or Alive

EruditeMagic says...

The creator emphasizes that *Practical Mental Effects* is one of the best magic books available, regardless of price. He believes its omission from his previous shelf display was a significant oversight.

Review videos