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Name: Money Menagerie (Volumes 1 & 2)

Author: Sterling Dare

Price: $29.95 per DVD or a two DVD set for $49.95

Publisher: Copyrighted to Loomis Magic

Available From: Loomis Magic and Sterling Dare

Date: 2004

Length: ***

Difficulty: From easy to difficult

Out of 10: 10

Contents See Below

Comments When I was very young, I loved Origami. One model that was my favorite in particular, the paper balloon, I got very good at making. The basic idea was that you folded up the paper then blew into it and it would fill with air, just like a balloon. I got so good at folding this particular model, that I actually tried to create the paper balloon smaller and smaller, until I actually made one that was smaller than my thumb nail (I had to use a toothpick to open it up - I couldn’t blow into it, it was far too small). Yes, I really loved Origami.

As I got older, I tried to progress in this art, but, unfortunately, I could make neither heads nor tails of the more advanced folds, which I simply couldn’t translate from a book. So, I basically gave up, being happy to be able to fold the few items that I already knew. Still, I never got past the enjoyment of folding critters, baskets, boats and a plethora of other things from paper.

Recently, when I saw “Money Menagerie” (the book) on the market, I wanted to pick it up. The idea of knowing how to fold animals and such from dollar bills, as giveaways to spectators and for using in magic (birds with IT and the like), was irresistible. However, I knew that I would never be able to figure out half of them regardless of how well put together the instructions may be. So, I put the idea on the back burner for a while and waited until I had the extra money with nowhere to go before deciding to buy the book.

I can’t tell you just how ecstatic I was to find out that “Money Menagerie” is now available on DVD. Normally, I shy away from video and DVD style items, preferring books, but this is a BIG exception. Having someone right there showing exactly how to work the different folds is almost imperative when it comes to Origami. Some of the folds have to be folded one way, then reversed while simultaneously crimping in a specific way…Now how the hell do you show that in a book? No, in this case, DVD is the only way to go!

Before I go into the formal review, I just want to point out that I am a fan of Loomis Magic to begin with. The reason is simple. When you purchase from Loomis Magic, you know you’re going to get a quality product. How do you know? Because, if you order from Loomis Magic more than once, each time you receive your product, it is high quality and carefully made/packaged/put together. I have yet to find an exception to this rule.

Also, of worthy note here, just in case you don’t realize at this point, all the models included on these DVDs are for folding with bills (in general, American paper bills).

On DVD #1, we have the basic folds to start us off. These basic folds (which, when you start getting to the later ones, there is nothing basic about them!) are included on both DVDs, so you can buy them separately and still have the fold explanations. This will also come in handy if you buy both DVDs because you won’t need to eject one DVD to look at the folds on the other - makes good sense. Also, if you have recently started working on Origami, or have come to an impasse at one particular fold, this section is worth its weight in gold for you. The folds are as follows:

Mountain, Valley and Tuck
Inside Reverse
Outside Reverse
Pleat and Accordion
Squash
Petal
Rabbit Ear
Inside & Outside Crimps
Fish Base
Double Fish Base
Water Bomb Base & Sink Fold

While the work on both DVDs uses only these folds, there are other folds that aren’t covered for those who are into advanced Origami. However, if you know these base folds, then you will find that getting into advanced Origami is much easier. Also, with the way that the DVDs are set up, this index of folds (which is listed in the root menu of the DVD) makes for ease of reference while you are trying to work through one of your creations.

DVD #1 has the following items for folding:


Bow Tie
Sea Horse
Striking Cobra
Money Tree
Seal
Water Bomb (made with plain paper)
Camel
Parrot
Dragon
Elephant
Penguin
Bonus Item: Rabbit (made with plain paper)

Of those items on this list, I like the Bow Tie and the Dragon the best! Also, the Water Bomb is the same thing (exactly the same) as what I call a paper balloon. The Money Tree is kind of nifty and looks a lot like a classic Christmas tree (which, with the season just around the corner at the time of this writing) and would make for an excellent giveaway for your spectators, or even as a gift to a niece or nephew. I found that the Elephant was excellent with a British 10 pound note, as the extra thickness made for a good body. The Parrot and the Seal are pretty cool, too! Also, the plain paper Rabbit is really cute (and will make your girlfriend melt if you fold one up for her - this I guarantee!).

Also included in the table of contents on the DVD are the following:

Introduction
The Final Fold
Credits
The Sterling Dare Biography
Origami Books (24 suggested)
Origami Web Sites (7 suggested)
Contact Us
Other Loomis Magic Products

This set of indexes are the same on both DVD Volume 1 and 2. Of particular interest is the section titled, “The Final Fold,” which has a Michael Close routine using an Origami folded bill as the finale. While the explanation is not given (it can be found in Michael Close’s “Workers” series) it is important to see the value that Origami bills can have in your own work. It should also be noted that Michael Close has only good things to say about the “Money Menagerie” book and DVD set.

DVD #2 has the following items for folding:

Money Modular
Shirt
Pair of Shorts
Beating Heart
Dachshund
Giraffe
Lizard
Crocodile
Standing Cobra
Money Bunny
Dolphin
Bat
Bull
Bonus Item: Dime in Ring

Of these items, by far the coolest, is the Bat. Yep, a little IT and a good hook-up and here you have the perfect item for a bit of Halloween Bizarre magic! The Dime in Ring is the perfect giveaway to that barmaid who takes care of you so well. Also, if you combine the Bow Tie (volume 1) with the Shirt and Pair of Shorts, you have the best money ensemble you’ll ever see! The Dachshund is kinda cool and the Beating Heart is perfect for a giveaway to that really hot chick you’ve been performing for (also, with a bit of creativity, the Beating Heart could make for an excellent Bizarre presentation, too). I’m also rather partial to the Crocodile and the Seahorse, both very creative and expressive pieces. Also, with some creativity, you could use the Lizard in an interesting presentation by giving him a name (Larry Lizard, maybe?) and a good IT hook up have him running up your arm and such - if that doesn’t get you some interesting looks, nothing will!

One terrific item on these DVDs is, when Dare is folding the models (the camera is mounted directly overhead, it is not an over the shoulder view - this makes following his instruction so very easy) there is a spot, in the top, left corner, that shows the fully made model in slow rotation. Balloon modelers know that when creating a balloon model it is important to have a picture of exactly what you are trying to achieve in your mind. So it is with folding paper. At times, the model that Dare is working on is moved around as it is folded, and a bit of it gets hidden behind this rotating model. However, the hidden spot is not where the folds are happening at that very second, so nothing is lost. Being able to look at the completed model while following Dare’s folding makes the over-all job much easier. This was a truly enlightened move on the producer’s part of these DVDs.

Another interesting idea used on these DVDs was to have Dare use jumbo bills for folding. While these creations are intended for regular sized dollars, some of the folds are minute, in regards to a regular sized bill. By using the jumbo bills, it becomes very easy for Dare to show you exactly how to do the tiny folds without his fingers getting in the way of this detail work. Again, an enlightened move on the part of the producers!

Overall, I give these DVDs a 10 out of 10 because I am completely fascinated by Origami and this has brought making Origami models to being completely within my ability. However, this is something that is going to be personal since not everyone will be into folding paper. Nevertheless, even the casual performer will find something of use in these DVDs that delivers an excellent audience reaction when you give one of these folded bills away. Michael Close points out that putting one of these on his business card to hand out is a highly effective way of promoting himself and his wares. If following the advice of successful people helps to be successful yourself, then this is advice not to overlook. So, using Origami models as handouts is certainly something that should be considered for its power to entertain and drum up more business. It’s these little things that mean so much when showing professionalism.

The quality of this product and the content, I believe, bears the weight of the cost of these DVDs. On the surface, this may not appear to be an equal value to the money invested - it IS just folding paper, after all. Still, considering the promotional value behind these models (and a willingness to put using these models as promotional tools into practice) will more than pay for itself in the long run. Further, if you are like me and get a pleasure out of folding paper, then the price is certainly worth it! This is a quality product produced by a quality company - Loomis Magic.

Mike.

Thanks for the review Mike. I too have always loved origami, and I firmly believe that it has it's place in magic, however even if it's just something you do to amuse yourself these dvd's look great fun and great value for money.

If anyone is not convinced about using origami with magic then I suggest you check out Michael Close's excellent Worker series of DVD's.