[Magic Video|Mentalism & Hypnosis] Micro Billet Q&A by Stunninger

Where Q&A 1-2-3 was designed for close-up, and for one, two or three participants, MICRO BILLET Q&A is for smaller-ish groups of 10 or 15.

When I designed MICRO BILLET Q&A, my goal was to be able to use materials that most mentalists have or can easily obtain, the billets would be folded into quarters, each billet would be opened after the question was revealed, and the opened billet could be handed back to the participant before moving on to the next billet. Additional requirements I set were that any necessary moves must be easy to execute in the heat of performance, and the handling must be deceptive with no awkward movements.

In experimenting with different materials and methods, I discovered MICRO BILLETS were ideal for a specific handling. This handling only became useful after I developed Q&A 1-2-3, when the dots connected, and MICRO BILLET Q&A was born.

MICRO BILLET Q&A combines an ages old principle with a couple of new/newer/newish concepts. I have shared MICRO BILLET Q&A with a number of well-read colleagues in the field, and to the best of my knowledge, this combination of methods and this specific handling is unique.

Some reviews from themagiccafe:

• Micro Billet Q&A by StunningerFirst off, for complete transparency, while I don’t know Stunninger personally I did receive a complimentary viewing of his Micro Billet Q&A. However, that doesn’t mean I’m automatically going to give this a favorable review.I will give it a very favorable review because it’s simple in method and revealing for the spectator.
  Without giving anything away the props used are very simple, basic, and indiscreet. More importantly, you probably have everything necessary for the routine right now. Even better, you have the ability to expand on the routine as you see fit and as your personal cold reading skills allow.To me, this is a very good way to perform an intimate type of Q&A routine. Whether it’s at a dinner party or a small gathering type situation, this would be perfect. I personally wouldn’t use this as a Q&A done from the stage. Not that it couldn’t be a part of a larger act, I just wouldn’t do it as is from the stage. I also don’t think Stunninger meant it as a stage act anyway. 

  Stunninger begins by giving us a starting point, a frame of reference, for his thinking about why he does this routine a certain way. No surprise, the routine uses billets, and he goes through thoroughly how to prepare the billets for this routine. Again, not to give anything away, this is a very structured and leading routine. The billets are prepared a certain way not only to give a specific reading for the person, but to actually name that person AND allows you to expand the reading using a specific word or feeling for each spectator that they didn’t even know would/could be part of the reading. If that wasn’t enough he completes the Q&A Reading with a convincer, using a different oracle completely, to bring the reading to a satisfying conclusion. At this point you are immediately ready to go on to the next person and give an equally satisfying reading to them.

  I like this. Stunninger put a lot of thought into giving a satisfying reading with the least possible steps. This is the magic equivalent of “Pack Small and Play Big”. All of the necessary props (except one, but you could easily work around that) will fit in your pocket so you could be always ready to go. The reading process is perfectly set up from beginning to end and the steps necessary flow together smoothly.

  While this is a simple routine it is by no means easy to perform right out of the box. While Stunninger does give you all of the preparation and mechanics you need he does assume you can give a reading. But here is the good news…. this routine is that flexible that it provides you the perfect way to practice your cold reading skills.

  This is a no-brainer. When it’s offered you should get it to keep in your back pocket. Literally.

• I was fortunate enough to receive a review copy of Stunninger’s Micro Q&A.And as far as methods go, it couldn’t be easier. The method/framing can be universal, meaning this isn’t limited to a deck of cards. Your favorite picture card stack, tarot deck, numerology, key/bone/dice casting, Scryer/Webster A-Z, you name it!This is a universal Q&A in which you can be ready to go at moments notice. It can be performed for a small to medium sized group. That being said, it would be easy to modify this for stage. For written questions, it truly is simple and direct. It can also be married with your current (and I imagine most) Q&A routines.If you’re looking for variety and adaptability (and a very practical, workable, and real world Q&A) check this out.

• I was fortunate enough to get an advance copy of this but I always try to be as honest and fair as I can whether I paid retail for it or not. I’ve always felt that many Q&A methods favored a larger group for them to be effective. This is the first time I found a method which is actually perfect for an intimate setting. I have a few of Bill’s other effects so I was expecting it to be elegant and clever but I didn’t expect to get an entire treatise on doing readings in addition to a beautifully thought out routine. It took less than a few minutes to make up everything and adjusted for me. Once I had that, it was such a wonderful method to play with and explore the possibilities, within 5 minutes it was almost effortless and seemed so natural to work with.This builds perfectly on his other Q&A idea which I already loved. To have such a versatile tool and building block to carry anywhere is a joy. In addition to all of his great thinking, I can see using it with different “options” as well so you can get even more information from different people. This is one of those workers I’m going to keep with me. Now that we are restricted to groups of 10 or less, I can’t think of a more impressive routine to have ready to go. Minimum effort with maximum impact… what’s not to love about that?