Ponta the Smith - SICK

Review area devoted to Magic Downloads, DVDs, Videos and similar non printed formats.

Moderators: nickj, Lady of Mystery, Mandrake, bananafish, support

A web site set up to sell my book, THE STRIPPER DECK, and future magical/mentalism titles. Aeternum Servare Secreta World-Of-Magic, Suppliers of quality Magic Worldwide MagicWorld Magic Shop for Magic Tricks Web Design for Magicians Sorcery Shop - Home of the ITR

Ponta the Smith - SICK

Postby Yano » Feb 2nd, '10, 11:09



Ponta the Smith - SICK | ポン太 the スミス - シック
Image
If you've been watching French Drop magic videos ages go like me, you would've seen Ponta's magic hands and his coin magic he preforms (His Dice Illusion II video is great ^^). I've been eagerly waiting for his release of his coin magic, i died and went to heaven when i heard it was coming out ^^ haha.

After watching the DVD many times and playing around with coins i finally decided to write a in-depth review.[/i][/size]

< Coin Magic | Hard | Impromptu | DVD | http://www.frenchdrop.com | $34.95 | 30mins+ | 11 Coin Plots >
This is the coin magic video that garnered so much underground buzz that it didn't just break through -- it exploded onto the magic scene.

Ponta the Smith, a rising sensation in close-up magic from Osaka, Japan, is here to raise the bar in the world of coin handling. He makes coins smoothly disappear, reappear and change right in front of spectators' noses. His efficient, elegant moves make metal look like vapor.

DVD Content:
Ponta takes 11 classic coin plots with new handlings. All 11 tricks are gaff/gimmick free and are completely impromptu. Below are the list of the tricks that he teaches.
    Spellbound
    One Coin Routine
    Tenkai Pennies
    3 Coins Across
    Vanish
    3 Fly
    Winged Silver
    Matrix
    Backfire Matrix
    Quick Matrix
    Backfire Assembly


Teaching:
<10/10>
First thing's first this DVD is not for beginners, its for people that know basic/intermediate coin sleights. Ponta does not go over the basic sleights.

The teaching layout for the DVD broken into 4 sections:
    1. Demonstration of the trick, showing what it looks like in the eyes of the spectator
    2. Slowly done and broken down explanation
    3. Then slow motion of the trick done in realtime
    4. Performance Speed


The teaching method used in this DVD is a Visual/Silent teaching method, thus removing the language barrier and allows people of different languages to learn. However there are some english words that pop up now and then to name the move used or explanations on what to do. The DVD is meant to teach people that are already familiar with coin magic and it does exactly that, so i give it a 10/10.

Video Quality:
<10/10>
The quality of the video is top notch. You'll have no problems watching it and catching onto the details of the moves.

Music:
<9/10>
The music is very pleasant to the ears, i don't really know what genre it fits it though. Its got a variety as well its not all the same kind of music. I think its like a jazzy type thing, but i ye I don't know which genre really sorry. People have different taste, but all I can say is that I like the music.

Difficulty:
<9/10>
The difficulty is quite hard, especially if u wish to obtain the same elegance as of Ponta. However for someone that does coin magic already I would think most or some of the tricks shouldn't be to hard to pick up and won't that that long to learn. For a beginner then your pretty much screwed as it doesn't really help a beginner at all, read the overall rating section.

Life Span:
<10/10>
This DVD will last a fair while maybe a year and abit for people that know coin magic already. But for the elegance and smoothness part I'm sure that will take alot of time to iron out.

Camera Angles:

<10/10>
For the matrix's its mainly a Top down view and some Close up views of the hand, the cards used for explanation are clear cards.
The other routines are explained in a Over shoulder view with some close up sometimes as well.
The chosen camera angles are great.

Coins:
Ponta uses Chinese coins and some silver dollars and another type of coin I'm not sure of. I'll definitely recommend to get Morgan Dollars.

Overall Rating:
<10/10>
Teaches exactly what its meant to and goes over the routines with detail. For beginners of coin magic don't get discouraged, I'm not that great with coins however after watching this video over and over it gave me the inspiration to keep practicing coin magic, its worth the purchase for a beginner to that wants some inspiration. definitely worth the purchase for people that already do coin magic as well.
What are u doing!!!!~~ Go buy this now and buy a jumbo coin if u don't already have one ^^

ALSO CHECK THIS OUT スモーク by 水沢克也 
He doesn't have the hype Ponta has, and the material probably is not as extraordinary, A bit hard to tell from the preview video. However his he's just brilliant.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbTor_Qpx7M


Hoped you like my review ^^
Yano

Last edited by Yano on Feb 2nd, '10, 17:07, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Yano
Preferred Member
 
Posts: 153
Joined: Mar 31st, '09, 11:58

Postby Ted » Feb 2nd, '10, 11:44

I would have been better posted in the earlier thread about this effect. Good effort, though.

Ted
Advanced Member
 
Posts: 1878
Joined: Dec 4th, '08, 00:17
Location: London

Postby Lenoir » Feb 2nd, '10, 11:45

I would say that is very wrong.

The teaching isn't teaching, whether you are beginner or an experienced coin handler.

There is no talking, just slowed down footage from different angles. When a rare piece of text comes up to explains something, it is a misspelled move name with no explanation.

I think this is the Dan and Dave of coin work. No doubt Ponta is an absolute genius with coins, but it isn't very magical. It's very obviously sleight of hand. No misdirection, no real performance, just a series of intricate sleights to make very visual effects.

I would happily pay the same price just to watch him perform, but expecting to learn anything from this that you will perform is unrealistic.

"I want to do magic...but I don't want to be referred to as a magician." - A layman chatting to me about magic.
Lenoir
Elite Member
 
Posts: 4246
Joined: Dec 31st, '07, 23:06

Postby Yano » Feb 2nd, '10, 12:22

Ummm ...... wot? Just cause he doesn't talk doesn't mean he doesn't teach you. You ever watched Brian Tudor - Show Off Vol 3? After showing it in slowmo all he does is talk for 1min or less half the times its like 30 secs. And really, hes speech doesn't cover a whole lot, its basically wot u saw in slowmo. Anyways that's my opinion and i'll respect yours. Have a nice day

User avatar
Yano
Preferred Member
 
Posts: 153
Joined: Mar 31st, '09, 11:58

Postby SpongeBallSlight-of-hand » Feb 2nd, '10, 13:35

Yano wrote:Ummm ...... wot? Just cause he doesn't talk doesn't mean he doesn't teach you. You ever watched Brian Tudor - Show Off Vol 3? After showing it in slowmo all he does is talk for 1min or less half the times its like 30 secs. And really, hes speech doesn't cover a whole lot, its basically wot u saw in slowmo. Anyways that's my opinion and i'll respect yours. Have a nice day


I agree with yano. Going into it I was somewhat worried it wouldn't be clear. Obviously one has to come up with their own patter. But the teaching is easy to follow. Not to mention, I've been talking to ponta himself through youtube for a couple weeks now, he is a very kind and helpful person. He even looked at my private video of the vanish and gave me tips on it. Really nice guy, and well worth the money for the DVD in my opinion. Here's my review as well:

The DVD is currently available for purchase on ellusionist, and from what I heard will be sold at murphys magic in feburary. The DVD is produced by ponta the smith, as well as edited and filmed by him. There is no speaking in this DVD, but there are subtitles on which moves to do. The DVD assumes already you are an intermediate-advanced coin magician and the subtitle referenced moves are not explained. It may say "Muscle pass" on the screen and then, continues with the routine. The DVD is very hard, each routine has its own credits at the end. Not Surpringly, there are some people from the magic Café here who are on the credits. Eric Jones, Jonathan Townsend (3 fly), and one other person (jedoon) for his spell bound move.

So you may be thinking, there's no voice or sound on the DVD, is it clear what you're supposed to do? In a word, yes, because of how it's made, I've heard it is similiar to david stone's DVD's. First, the routine is gone through at speed, from the spectator's view. Then the routine is gone over once in full, and the moves explained. On the moves you need to learn it goes in slow-motion and up close shots. Then continues with the routine. After that, there is another video of the routine from the magician's point of view (once again) but this time it's in slow motion, the moves are not explained here. And finally, one more time it is repeated from the magician's point of view in full speed.

Regarding if any of the moves are new, I don't think they are new because they are inspired from other moves, but they are definitely in my opinion innovative ways to do moves, that I have not seen before. Getting it as smooth as ponta the smith will be a challenge, but not an impossible one if one truly wants to master coins. The DVD will test your patience, skills, and perservation, because of how difficult some of the routines are.

Some moves are inspired from others. For example the vanish routine uses Shoot ogawas vanish from his cultural exchange DVD with apollo, and a production called the silver star dust production, which can be found in Michael rubinstein's encylopedia of coin sleights.

The matrix routines are slightly easier in my opinion than others. You will still need to know how to do basic sleights such as the rentention vanish, clips, and holds. His spellbound routine is beautiful to watch over and over full speed from the magician's point of view.

I hope this review helps out people who may want to know if this DVD is right for them. I say if you are least an intermediate coin worker, and want some challenging work that will last you a lifetime this DVD is for you. Thank you for this DVD ponta, I'm sure it will inspire many magicians for years to come.

SpongeBallSlight-of-hand
Preferred Member
 
Posts: 151
Joined: Jan 31st, '06, 03:58

Ponta the Smith

Postby Taita » May 4th, '10, 16:52

I enjoyed Yano's review of this DVD. I have been working with it as time permits. It demonstrates the absolute beauty of coin work with Morgan sized dollar coins. IMHO it should have a SLICK rather than SICK title. It is a genuine inspiration to develop a flow in handling coins. Despite the fact that I am unlikely to attain the grace of movement demonstrated by Ponta, it shows me what can be done and causes me to examine my own moves and to work to enhance them. I do not expect to copy Ponta's routines but there is much to learn from him.

User avatar
Taita
Junior Member
 
Posts: 14
Joined: Apr 28th, '10, 21:51
Location: Toronto


Return to Reviews - Electronic media format

UK's Online Magic Tricks and Jokes Shop offers kids and beginner magic tricks and jokes. Best prices around! Best prices around! Visit Magicbox for all the latest and best effects! Manufacturer of modern & unique magic apparatus! Dude That's Cool Magic Playing Cards for Magicians

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests