Unlocking the Absurd: A Journey into Reality-Bending Magic

Dale A. Hildebrandt is celebrated for his unparalleled approach to magic—an inventive fusion of the strange, absurd, and surreal that consistently yields powerful, thought-provoking effects. In 'Hypnohole and Other Absurdities,' you'll delve into a world where reality itself becomes the canvas for your illusions. This isn't just a collection of tricks; it's an invitation to explore the very nature of perception, guided by a master who views the world with a uniquely pliable lens. Prepare to challenge your audience's understanding of what's real, leaving them astonished and inspired by your ability to manipulate the seemingly impossible.

Master Influences and Psychological Ploys

Hildebrandt openly shares the diverse tapestry of influences that shape his distinct magic, drawing heavily from the likes of Kenton Knepper, Derren Brown, Eugene Burger, Paul Harris, and Banachek. Beyond traditional magic, this ebook integrates principles of neurolinguistic programming (NLP) and hypnosis, embedding sophisticated linguistic devices and psychological ploys into each routine. You'll learn how to leverage these hidden tools to craft effects that don't just entertain, but deeply resonate, making your performances profoundly impactful and truly unforgettable. This fusion creates magic that stands apart, often fooling even fellow magicians.

Practical Surrealism for Real-World Audiences

While delving into the surreal, 'Hypnohole and Other Absurdities' maintains a steadfast commitment to practicality and performance art. The primary goal is to equip you with magic that works flawlessly for real people in real audiences. Hildebrandt's methodology is designed to make spectators question the solidity of their world, transforming abstract concepts into tangible, awe-inspiring moments. Forget purely theoretical exercises; this ebook provides actionable routines and insights that translate directly into powerful, on-stage or close-up performances, ensuring your audience leaves wondering just how pliable their reality truly is.

What's Inside This Second Edition

This digital download is the second edition of 'Hypnohole and Other Absurdities,' comprising 173 pages packed with Hildebrandt's unique insights and effects. It's a comprehensive resource for anyone seeking to elevate their magic to a level of profound absurdity and wonder. Please note that this edition focuses purely on the core content, meaning it does not include the bonus section material or the essay 'Punching Clowns' from the first edition. However, the vast majority of the original groundbreaking material remains, ready for you to explore and implement. Kenton Knepper himself remarked on Hildebrandt's 'twisted tap dance along the spine of reason,' a testament to the ebook's profound impact.

Original Specs

Hypnohole and Other Absurdities by Dale A. Hildebrandt ( Instant Download )

Many have discovered Dale Hildebrandt as a thinker like no other. His creations are unique, weird, absurd, surreal and lead to extremely strong effects. He writes in his introduction:

Hello, my name is Dale A. Hildebrandt and I'm addicted to weird magic. I like to invent magic that is absurd, strange, and surreal. There's nothing better than creating an effect or routine that makes people stop and think. Then there's the effect that astonishes them into silence. And we can't forget about the effects which make them wonder just how pliable the world is in the hands of those who can ply. Paul Harris often refers to playing cards as his canvas, in his "Art of Astonishment" trilogy of books.

I like to go one step further and view reality as a canvas. How can we reach out and manipulate reality in order to astonish people and inspire a sense of awe and wonder? This is the question I often seek to answer with my effects and routines. These effects range from the simple to the sublime, often with the slant being towards the surreal. The vast majority of these effects will fool the socks off lay people. Some of them will even fool your fellow magicians.

You will see a heavy influence of Kenton Knepper, Derren Brown, Eugene Burger, Paul Harris and Banachek in these pages. I've also been heavily influenced by neurolinguistic programming and hypnosis and you will notice many linguistic devices and psychological ploys used throughout the book. I've tried to add a surreal level to my magic. In most cases, I believe I've succeeded quite well.

It has been a long journey to get here, but it has been well worth it. Sometimes technology doesn't catch up to your imagination for a few years. Sometimes you have to search for something that is a suitable gimmick. Sometimes you figure out ways to make gimmicks out of language. Sometimes you learn to make a gaff out of imagination.

For the most part, practical magic and performance art pieces have been the primary goal. Surrealism often takes a back seat to practicality. Magic that will fool real people in real audiences in the so-called real world has been the name of the game. The goal was to make those real audiences in the real world question just how real and solid their world was to them. There are few items in this book which are pure exercises of thought. If you cannot tell the difference between the two, perhaps you will create new and astounding magic. Or you may fail horribly. But don't worry, it isn't failure, it is feedback that tells you that perhaps, but only just perhaps, that item was an exercise in thought left to entice you to do more, to do better, to come up with a way to shape reality in that fashion.

Leave the ordinary at the door. Let consensus reality bend before your very eyes. Take off your hat of presumptions, hang up your coat of objections, and enjoy the journey.

"Applying concepts such as my dual-reality approach is not easy to do well. Dale Hildebrandt's work is a twisted tap dance along the spine of reason" - Kenton Knepper

This is the second edition. It does not contain the first edition bonus section material and does not contain the essay "Punching Clowns". The rest is the same as the first edition.

2nd edition, 2006; 173 pages.
word count: 62723 which is equivalent to 250 standard pages of text

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