The Effect
Destined to do for the restaurant magician, what Corporate Close-Up did for the corporate worker. For the first time, James spills the beans and release some of his favorite routines and gives valuable hints and tips that will make you a high earner in this lucrative field.
Cost
£18 per DVD
Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)
As a general rule for the whole DVD, I would say a 3, although some arent quite so difficult, and others are a little bit more nacky
Review
VOLUME 1
Mirrors:
MIRRORS - James' unique finish to any card routine. Placing the deck INTO THE SPECTATOR'S HANDS, they solidify into five solid pieces of Mirror! An amazing hands-on routine that will get audible gasps!
I think this is an absolutely fantastic routine. Its very similar in handling as the Omni deck, and creates a similar effect, but the ending of 5 mirrors in the speccys hand is amazing. I personally think this has the potential to be the new Omni Deck.
Difficulty - not particulaly difficult at all, a couple of basic moves are used that any competant Magician will allready know and use
Out of ten - 8
REPEAT TRAVELLERS - Three cards vanish from the deck and then appear inside the magician's pockets. Put back inside the deck, they instantly vanish again and re-appear back in the pockets. Direct, powerful, and a great opening routine.
I like this one, quite a lot. The reason why I say quite a lot is because to make the effect strong, you will need a clothing modification, which I will probably do soon. James teaches the routine well, although when teaching the "diagonal palm shift" I think it could be clearer. the DPS isnt a move ive ever come accross before, and I like it, but there is part which I dont fully understand (can anyone help me please???) which the camera angle doesnt quite pick up properly. Despite that, its a well taught routine and would be a welcome addition to any workers repertoire, something which I will do when ive made the clothing modification.
Difficulty - 4
Out of ten - 6.5 purely because the DPS could be clearer, but I think this is more a filming issue than an issue towards James
MULTIPLE CARDS TO POCKETS - Up to six signed cards are lost in the deck and instantly vanish, appearing in every trouser and jacket possible including one in a sealed envelope!
This is basically an extension of the repeat travellers routine taught before. Same moves taught again. What I really like about this is the phase of having a signed card inside a matchbox, and from learning that, ive also learnt a new card fold which is always funky to me!
Difficulty - about a 3.5, but its what you make of it, you can do anything you want with this I suppose!
Out of ten - 7
CARD OVER/UNDER AND IN MATCHBOX - One of James' brilliant routines that will leave you table dumbfounded. A freely selected and signed card jumps under, over, and finally INSIDE a matchbox that is in full view the entire time. Simple, direct, and fiendishly clever.
The basic premise is that of the card to case routine, but using a matchbox. the routine climaxes with the signed selected card appearing inside the matchbox which has been in play for the whole routine - the beauty of it is that the spectator can open the box and pull out their folded signed card. I personaly dont like card under box routines, but I can see myself using the card inside matchbox
Difficulty - 3. A few basic moves and some jiggery pokery with the matchbox.
Out of ten - about a seven
CHOOSING THE RIGHT VENUE - James tells you how to select the best restaurants to work. Invaluable insights are given that are worth the DVD price alone!
As a professional, this is stuff that I already know about and a principle I use already when sorting venues, btu for the new starter, this information is absolutely diamond. LISTEN CAREFULLY to what James has to say, because he makes a lot of sense
RING IN PEPPER-POT ILLUSION - James' signature piece in which a borrowed ring vanishes and reappears INSIDE a clear pepper-pot that is sitting on the table. Visual magic at it's best and a brilliant illusion. James teaches you how to make two versions in complete detail. Make this a feature of YOUR show!
OH MY GOD!!!! This is absolutely beautiful, and so bold as well. I WANT to do this in my routine so much. James teaches the construction of the gimmick. Ok, it takes a bit of time to do (ive made one but I rushed it so ill be making another one when I find the perfect pepper pot. Its a really beautiful routine, and also very bold. I honestly cant wait to get this into my routine and it will be something I use at every table.
Difficulty - 2. Very basic moves used, the presentation is the secret to this routine working sucessfully.
Out of ten - deffinately a ten, without question
IMPROMTU ANNIVERSARY WALTZ - James Prince's take on this classic trick, but with a difference. Use ANY DECK and NO GIMMICKED CARDS to leave a lasting impression on your audience. Simply brilliant!
Hmmm, in my opinion, this is the weakest routine. I do an anniversary Waltz impromptu already, and I think James makes too much work out of the routine. I like the anniversary waltz, but this one just isnt for me!
Difficulty- 2.5
Out of ten - 5, at a push
VOLUME 2
TABLE APPROACH – Learn the correct way tot approach a table for the first time. What to do and more importantly, what NOT to do using James' tried and tested techniques.
Once again, as a professional, this is stuff that I already know, and yet again as before its the best advice for the new starter to restaurants. James clearly knows his stuff so please listen to what he has to say.
CUPS AND BALLS AT SPEED – Probably the fastest Cups and Balls Routine ever with a four phase multiple ending! The perfect lead in to the next routine that leaves you audience speechless!
I dont like the cups and balls, but this routine really made me pay attention. The beauty of it - no extra balls! The routine is very fast paced, and I think it could actually be performed a lot slower so as not to confused your already bevvied spectator. The climax to the routine is the production of kiwis and lemons underneath the cups, which is a beautiful segway into James' bill in Kiwi routine
Difficulty - 4. Cups and balls is something which takes skill to do correctly, so if you want to learn this routine, spend a lot of time learning it and perfecting it.
Out of ten - 8
THE WORLD'S EASIEST BILL IN KIWI – Probably the simples Bill in Kiwi ever! Easy and completely undetectable. This is a routine that they'll be talking about all night.
This live up to its title, it is the easiest bill in kiwi ive come across. James teaches effective set up of the kiwi which adds an extra convincer to the climax to the routine. I like this routine a lot, but anyone who knows me will know I absolutely love the bill in fruit premise in magic
Difficulty - 1
Out of ten - 8.5
KIWI FINIESE – A great finish to Bill Kiwi where you HAND OUT the kiwi to the spectator at the end to keep!
Yep, a nice little finish to the bill in kiwi which makes the kiwi examinable. Ok, I dont think I would personally do this, but its a nice idea
Difficulty - 1
Out of ten - 7
SHOOT THE KIWI – The ultimate Bill in Kiwi WHERE THE SPECTATOR CAN CUT, OPEN AND REMOVE THEIR BILL! A brilliant gimmick that will allow you to perform a real miracle is described in complete detail. Simply superb!
I simply let out a pleasure moan when I saw this. I LOVE this. This answers an age old problem to me, and I will be working on this for my stage routine.
Difficulty - hmm, id say a 3 because there is a lot of preshow work to do with this, but the handling is the same as the previous bill in kiwi taught.
Out of ten - 11!
FEES – A discussion about what to charge and how to get the best out of your chosen restaurants.
Hmm, not much to say about this, basically James explains that you shouldnt charge your friday or saturday fee for a monday or tuesday. Basic, but it makes a lot of sense, and I bet its a mistake that many have made before
BLUE CARD – A fast and amazing signed card in wallet with a kicker ending that you WILL use.
I really like this, its a quick effect and a really nice way to present the card to wallet. The move seems a little bit nacky, so this one will take a lot of practice to perfect, but I believe its a move well worth learning.
Difficulty - 4.5 I recon. You use a standard card to wallet move and one other move which will take a bit of work.
Out of ten - id say an 8
BRAIN FREEZE – The easy-to-do packet trick that James has been performing for over ten years! Multiple climaxes simply leaves the audiences in a state of complete Brain Freeze.
Sorry guys, i skipped this routine, as im going through a phase where I despise packet tricks!!
SIGNED CARD THRU WINDOW – James' classic version that takes the effect to a whole new level. A freely selected cards is signed and then corner given to the spectator with part of his signature still on it. The deck is then thrown at the restaurant window and INSTANTLY the SIGNED card is seen stuck to the other side of the window, Spectator takes his corner piece outside and removes the card from the other side. The corner matches exactly with their signature! NO CONFEDERATES AND SIMPLY GENIUS THINKING!
Ooooft, this is SO bold. Its nice, but very very bold. This isnt one to do all the time, maybe once a night. Like I say, its very very bold, and you will need to do this as a second performance at the table. I cant see me working this one personally, because I work in a lot of first floor restaurants, but if I have the chance, I will deffinately use it
Difficulty - 1.5 maybe 2
Out of ten - 9
Overall
These DVDs are absolutely fantastic and ideal for the working professional repertoire. As someone who earns a lot of money from doing restaurant work, I have found a lot of new routines here which I know will be in the routine in due course. The advice on the DVDs is absolutely perfect for the person who is just breaking into the restaurant scene.
I love thses DVDs, im so so glad I finally bought them.
Oh, by the way, if I catch anyone using the ring in pepperpot on my patch, then ill string you up!!!
Mark
James makes a lot of use of the DPS and the only failing I would say from the whole DVD is the explanation of this move. I had to pick it up from somewhere else but what a great move it is and I thank James for bringing it to my attention. Brilliant
