The Art of Sleight of Hand by Jay Sankey
Available From: Merchant of Magic
Price: £19.99
Difficulty: N/A
Description:
"In the spring of 2005, Jay hosted a very special live show featuring 9 outstanding sleight-of-hand magicians. Taped at Toronto’s George Ignatieff Theatre by a professional 4-camera crew in front of a sold-out crowd, the DVD documents memorable performances by Jay Sankey, Richard Sanders, Mike Skutt, Jason Maloney, David Peck, Wij, Allan Nackan, Colin Bartlett and Ray Chance.
Watching true pro's do what they do best in front of a thrilled audience is an education in itself, but the “real gold” of this DVD is found in the DOZENS of intimate interview segments.
Take your own sleight-of-hand to the next level as each seasoned performer generously shares their invaluable thoughts on:
The Keys to Outstanding Sleight-of-Hand
Their Favorite Sleights
Philosophies on Practicing
The Importance of Timing
Advice to Beginners
What they Love About Performing Magic
And so much more!
BONUS!
And as a very special EXTRA ADDED BONUS, Jay has agreed to include his classic “Locomotion” card effect AND his killer “Private Property” mentalist effect complete with full instructions PLUS THE SPECIALLY PRINTED BICYCLE CARD GIMMICKS!
LOCOMOTION is a traveling pip effect that Sankey has been performing for years. It's one of those tricks that you can do a dozen different ways depending upon your own style.
PRIVATE PROPERTY is based an Ted Annemann idea and includes a gimmick that allows you to transform an ordinary Bicycle card case into an undetectable 'impression gimmick' in less than five minutes. And the gimmick has a thousand great uses, especially for brain-blowing mentalist effects.
These two effects and the amazing ART OF SLEIGHT-OF-HAND DVD make this one of the best buys of the summer."
The Review:
Okay, this is a product which hasn't so much polarised opinion as shoved it straight in to the negative. Pretty much every review or comment has been unanimous in the comment that this is a bad DVD.
Truth is, it isn't. The advice given is sound. Real, good advice - however, the vast majority of it will only be of use to beginners. One or two pieces made me stop and think however, and it's an enjoyable DVD to watch. I did, however, receive it free as the prize of a magic competition, so I guess I don't have the perspective as someone who's shelled out twenty notes for it.
Let me address where I think the bad reviews have come from: firstly, the title is way off. Most of the comments are about sleight of hand, but none will really improve yours. No moves are shown. No handling tips. Philosophies behind sleights, which as I mentioned earlier beginners may find useful, is what you really have here, interspersed with about two or three minute clips of each contributer performing for a real audience. Which is good, because their performances by and large back up what they have been saying, and the two kind of support each other. It would, I feel, have been nice to have seen the whole show as there were some enjoyable performances.
While the advice is good, there's not a great deal of it - the DVD is just about forty-five minutes long after all. But for beginners, it is good.
The comment "Learn the REAL SECRETS to becoming a master sleight-of-hand magician!" is ludicrous in my opinion. This DVD will do no such thing. I think this is the root of many complaints - inaccurate advertising...
...coupled with the price. £20, as I think I said before, is a lot for this DVD. Drop the price to about £10 and with some more accurate advertising and the bonus effects I think it would have received far better reviews.
Now, on to the bonus effects! I had Locomotion before, but the cards were becoming worn out. It is a great, simple little bit of magic, and you receive two of the specially printed cards so I am glad about that. Private Property is a reworking and simplifying of an old Anneman idea and effect. It's pretty good, and something of a DIY job (you supply MOST of the necessary items for it), but nothing especially special.
So, my closing comments...I really hate giving anything a bad review. Please understand that the advice is solid. Great advice from great magicians who provide great performances. It is the price and the misleading title that make this probably best to give a miss. If, however, you are a realtive newcomer and you can pick it up a bit cheaper than this may be of interest to you. Just know that you won't learn any sleights, effects or handlings or anything like that, but some good philosophies to go behind the moves.
A quick note on the superficial things - it's very slickly-presented, the DVD has been properly pressed this time so you shouldn't have any problems playing it (as I know there have been with a few people and a few of Jay's other DVDs) in a good quality DVD case.
Topics covered (performances are indicated by the performer's name)
Good Sleight of Hand
Jason Maloney
One Sleight
Wij
Practice
Allan Nackan
Inspirations
Mike Skutt
Dislikes
Ray Chance
Favourite Sleight
Jay Sankey
Advice
Colin Bartlett
Supernatural Powers
Richard Sanders
Real Magic
David Peck
What Do You Say