"If you already know how theatrically smart and methodologically devious Docc Hilford can be, I don't have to tell you that his live lectures are "don't miss" events. If you have never encountered the good Docc-tor before, you are in for the very best kinds of surprises." -Michael Weber

"Docc Hilford is unique in the world of mentalism. A prolific creator and author, he's successfully combined traditional mentalism with elements of bizarre magic and purely "psychic" presentations. He's bold and dynamic with an imposing presence that, nonetheless, remains very approachable. He's also a good friend and I like the way he thinks." -Bob Cassidy

"Docc is a living legend. He has seeded the mentalism/magic world with originality, class, brilliance, linguistic finesse, and supreme cool. He cannot teach you to be Docc , that is DNA , but if he lets you just glimpse behind the thinking, you will have miracles galore. This lecture is worth 10 times the price. Actually it's priceless . Don't do it Docc." -Marc Salem

"He’s one of the kindest guys I know, a more charming man you’ll never meet. He’s the Devil himself!" -Luke Jermay

"Don’t let Doc Lecture! His stuff is too good. It should be kept secret.. Not only are his effects practical and professional, he tips the real work in his lecture. He has to be stopped." -Rich Marrotta

What will he teach?

Black Hole Sun- A deck of cards is given the subject to be freely shuffled. The subject makes a random cut and selects a card. Without touching the deck, the mentalist reveals the chosen card. A previously shown envelope is opened to show an artist’s sketch depicting the mentalist revealing the same freely chosen card! No crimps or forcing of the cut at all.
This tight effect uses a deadly principle whose origin may surprise many and it can even be performed over the webcam.

Picture Perfect- Docc's favorite design duplication effect. A subject is given paper and pen and sent to another room. There he draws any picture, signs and dates it. He folds the paper, seals it in a borrowed envelope and seals that in a larger envelope. The mentalist does NOT touch the paper or envelopes. No one has seen this picture. In fact, the mentalist DOES NOT KNOW THE PICTURE FOR CERTAIN, UNTIL THE PAPER IS UNSEALED AND SHOWN!
And yet, the mentalist is able to reproduce it on a whiteboard. There is no impression used, no forces, a completely free choice of the picture and the gimmick required is something that you probably already own.

Face Force- A convincing HANDS OFF card force with a shuffled borrowed deck. There seems to be no possibility of trickery because the deck is face up and the cards visible. Any number of cards can be forced and from there, the mentalist can create any effect he desires; from a book test to a magic square.

Three Sided Circle- This hidden gem was the closely guarded secret of one of Europe’s greatest mind readers! Everyone at an informal gathering is asked to think of a single digit number, 1 through 9. Using a random handful of cards, the mentalist cleverly, cleanly and uniquely reveals three people’s numbers without a single question. This single effect kept Docc living on a yacht in the Caribbean for an entire summer.

Indispensible Sleights- Mentalist are often sleight of hand weak. Here are a few simple card sleights every mentalist needs to have in their arsenal. I'm also discussing the proper use of playing cards in mentalism. A lesson valuable for all mentalists and magicians.

Eyes of the God- A classic in self working card magic. By applying some basic strategy, Docc illustrates how this effect can be used as an extremely convincing mentalism demonstration.

One to End- It uses just a few slips of paper. no sleight of hand, Only sleight of mind. Banachek called it his favorite demonstration of real mind control.

Who is he? 

Docc Hilford is a fascinating, yet real-life, character. He has been a pickpocket, hypnotist, mindreader, illusionist and kid show performer. He’s been a working cowboy in Utah and lived with the tribal medicine man on the Navajo reservation. He has also been the stage manager for Alice Cooper and he’s opened for Aerosmith and Black Sabbath with his Film Noir Magic Show. For a while, in Phoenix, Docc ran a private palmistry office specializing in exotic dancers. Plus, he earned a Doctorate of Divinity from the University of New Mexico. For a few years, he had a small psychic church in Florida which offered authentic, camp-style spiritual seances.

He has studied with a diverse group of influential teachers, including: Dusty Cravens, Orville Meyer, Mike Skinner, Ormond McGill, Thessalonia DePrince (High Priest of VooDoo) and Tony Andruzzi. He’s tried his hand at an under-water escapology and fire-eating among many other side-show stunts. He’s been the editor of The New Invocation (a magazine aimed at magical Bizarrists) and he organized and hosted The Weerd! Weekend , an international convention focused on bizarre magic.

Through the years he has been a guest of honor at magic conventions, was a featured speaker/performer at The Smithsonian Institution and in 2001 was honored at Abra-Kid-Abra for his comedy kid show. He’s made an incredible number of magic/mentalism videos, and written countless books and manuscripts for the mentalism trade. Currently, he performs for celebrities, athletes and political figures around the world.

Where can you see the greatest creators and performers share their professional magic act in front of a live audience and then teach you to do it? Only Penguin LIVE: ACTS!

 

The world's best magicians spend years developing the perfect act. Magic fans almost never get a chance to learn the real secrets behind what makes the top pros act so amazing. Until now. Penguin Live Acts gives you exclusive access to the biggest names in the industry, as they share how to perform their powerful A-material.

First you'll get to watch the show, performed for a real audience, from start to finish. Then you'll go behind the scenes to learn about the routines, and the real secrets about building an act that can take decades to learn.

Many of the ideas shared have been held back for years, and you can only learn it at Penguin LIVE: ACTS!