talkmagic.co.uk

Garret Thomas "The Ring Thing"

available from:

Ellusionist @ US$24.95
http://www.ellusionist.com/Blaine/Trick ... Thomas.php?

Penguin @ US$24.95
http://www.penguinmagic.com/product.php?ID=1394

a total of 57 minutes including detailed explaination, background history, alternative handling ideas, previews of other DVD's avail (of course)!

what do they say?
The Effect
When Garrett Thomas introduced THE RING THING at the famous FFFF invitation-only close-up magic convention, some of the top close-up magicians in the world were asking to see it over and over again. Luminaries such as David Blaine, Jeff McBride, Gregory Wilson and many others have asked Garrett to teach them this fabulous impromptu routine. Why? Because it looks like real magic! And now, every detail of THE RING THING can be yours— Garrett Thomas has held nothing back.

THE RING THING looks like trick photography . . . but it’s not! It’s a quick, visual, impromptu miracle that you can do right before their eyes. You pull off your finger ring, toss it back towards your other hand . . . and it visibly appears back on your finger!

Garrett doesn’t just stop at teaching THE RING THING. This DVD is a post-graduate course in finger ring magic. Of course, effects that can be performed at a moment’s notice and with no preparation are some of the most valuable tricks to know and finger rings are everyday objects that are always available. Imagine visibly taking a ring on and off right through your finger! Imagine visibly changing a coin into a ring and then back into a coin again! Imagine causing an invisible ring to really become visible! All of this . . . and much more . . . are revealed in Garrett Thomas’ THE RING THING!

My thoughts...
Garrett Thomas is a solid teacher. his explainations (with the aid of DVD technology... pause, rewind, fast fwd etc) are solid.

the overall style of this DVD is good. step by step, one by one you are taught the basic moves. then ultimately you are shown how to put the various moves together.

the moves are quite simple but will require some significant practice to master the necessary dexterity, however once mastered, well worth the time invested.

in simple terms, you are taught (1) a series of "put a ring on your finger" moves, (2) a series of "take it off moves", and (3) a series of "put it back on moves". with this 3 step combination, you are taught the basis of some great routines, however once you have mastered these 3 steps, the number and style of routines you can come up with is really up to you.

Q & A:
what does it take to perform?
sleight of hand and practice... and some sort of ring... hence the name.

difficulty?
1 = easy >>> 5 = very tough.
3.5 to begin with, quickly becoming 1.5 - 2 with practice.

angle sensitive?
somewhat... some routines almost no problem, others require more care.

gimmicks or special rings?
no gimmicks. no special rings either HOWEVER... GT does explain how some designs and sizes of ring are better than others. if you dont already own a suitable ring, then the ring you would need is NOT very expensive. furthermore, the methodology is NOT limited to rings, band aids, coins with holes in the middle, cigar wrap rings, in fact almost anything cylindrical of "ring type dimensions" that can maintain it's shape and fit on your finger can be used for at least "some" of the routines.

set up?
none to speak of, just have a ring or similar suitable item available.

reset?
none. instantly ready to "go again".

can borrowed rings be used?
yes, although the style and size of a borrowed ring may determine which effects it is best suited to.

overall:
to some extent this is another "coin in soda can" type situation. looks great in the preview, then when you learn the trick you kick yourself you didn't work it out... however...

you didn't work it out. give credit where it's due, it is well explained and the detailed handling techniques are vital to a good performance so that makes the DVD good value for money.

a score?
solid 8/10 for mine. perhaps as i practice more and get some big reactions that can improve to a 9.

Great review mate I looked at this. How many routines (if any0 require an additional ring or (worse still) a look alike ring?

That sounds right up my street... would you say a Wizard PK ring would be suitable for much of the material?

Anybody know if there is a UK supplier, I'm away on holiday soon and fancy getting this in time to take away and practice!

Cool thanks!

this looks like a souped up version of Greg Wilson's "ring fright". If you have seen the "on the Spot" video then you will already know the basic mechanics. However from the demo vids this looks infinately more slick. Greg presents it as kind of a throw away comedy effect as an opener to "karate coin" style ring skewer. this seems like a mucj more solid routine and strong reinvention. Probably will buy this the for teaching and angle advice though I already know the underlying principle.

a PK wizard ring would be suitable for many of the routines. however it is not the "visually ideal" ring for all routines as you will learn from the DVD. but dont sweat it because the "perfect" style of ring can be sourced very cheaply from a market or similar.

one ring is enough for most of the routines... most dont require anything additional. as i said, a borrowed ring is OK for most routines. the reason a specific style of ring is suggested is less to do with the magic and much to do with visual impact. it is easier for the spec to see and so makes yr routine look more impressive.

Bobby, that was an excellent review!

Even though I have done a little work with rings in the past and I am familiar with some of the techniques employed on the video demo; I intend to purchase this one-day as I have heard on several occasions that Garret's teaching is very thorough.

But for now I am still trying to improve on my rope work not to mention that I am constantly under surveillance by the CUPS police !

Couldn't resist.... I've just ordered my copy!

One more question, does anyone know if there's a Karate Coin in UK coinage available anywhere.... or am I gonna have to get nasty with a hammer & chisel on a 2p piece!

sorry i dont know, suggest you PM Seige. he is a magic retailer for yr neck of the woods who would most likely know what is available.

well I was on my way home last night in a long car journey, and thought to myself "how would I achieve such a thing"? I ended up figuring out the basic method! It is very ingenious, and am definately going to uy the dvd soon. It is so easy, and looks so deceptive (as you can see).

I cant wait until i get all of the proper teaching on it!

My DVD has arrived and I really can't wait to get practising! This is going to be very practical and workable. Thanks for the recommendation.

My only problem is that, to do the effects I want, I have now had to order a wedding band to match my Wizard ring in a big enough size to slip easily on and off my index finger (slim fingers with biggish knuckles you see). Next I can see myself succumbing to buying a whole series of rings/karate coins and loosely related items that will go on (and off) my fingers!

So my CUPS has now developed into CUPS & BALLS (Compulsory Uncontrolled Purchasing Syndrome & Buying Associated Loosely Linked Stuff).

CUPS & BALLS (Compulsory Uncontrolled Purchasing Syndrome & Buying Associated Loosely Linked Stuff).

Brilliant!

if you're anything like me Yorkshire, you are now wondering why you bothered sending back the PK wizard ring you bought first that was too big!!!

however as you will note from the DVD, there are more suitable rings available, the kind you would most likely be able to find at a market or similar. good luck!

Great review - I may have to give into the CUPS and BALLS