[disclaimer: the title should read "Zippo-style lighter", but it wouldn't fit; though, you can PROBABLY fit the gimmick inside a genuine Zippo]
...
THE EFFECTHere's the official spam...
Full 52 Productions is proud to present 'The Light' by Chris Congreave.
At any time during your set you can cause a signed playing card, bill, business card or billet to appear inside the inner fuel chamber of this specially gimmicked petrol lighter.
'The Light' is a close-up magicians dream! The prop itself is completely above suspicion - it is the epitmoe of an 'everyday item'. It is small and convenient to use and it instantly re-sets. And, you are not limited to using just cards. The Light works equally well with money or business cards meaning the breadth of what's possible with this professional prop is limited only by your imagination!
Lay audiences go wild for 'The Light'. It just seems so impossible that you could have caused their signed card/bill to end up inside the lighter! They may even have been holding onto the lighter the entire time - yet their signed object still appears inside! This is a FOOLER!
You will love how it functions, providing an absolutely killer illusion that leaves the prop far from the minds of the audience when they go searching for an answer to how you could possibly have acheived the teleportation of their card or bill into the hermetically sealed inner chamber of the lighter which has been in full view throughout!
'The Light' also includes a full length DVD featuring no less than SEVEN complete routines! There is something for everyone, from beginner to amateur, included on this DVD and no stone is left unturned when it comes to the in's and out's of the specially machined prop itself. Everything you need to know is fully explained in minute detail so you can confidently go out and start frying peoples minds with your new weapon of mass destruction!
The DVD also includes 'in the trenches' performances where you'll see Chris absolutely destroy random strangers time and again with 'The Light'. These real life performances are testament to the power of the magic that is possible and will leave you in no doubt that 'The Light' is a solid gold worker that you won't want to leave home without!Here's the official video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCrjzMZLamQCost: £39.99 from Chris's website (buy direct!)
http://www.christophercongreave.co.uk/shop.htmRATINGSDifficulty: (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)
1-3: Some sleights likely if you use with a playing card, though this depends on your routine. More or less sleight free with a signed banknote, though again this depends on your routine.
Instructions: 5/5 (highly detailed DVD)
Presentation: 4/5 (loses a point for the annoying music on the DVD, though this is a trivial matter, and it's rare to find a magic DVD that doesn't play irritating music every few minutes)
Gimmick build quality: 5/5 (the lighter itself is a cheap Zippo knock-off, but the gimmick is as good as you need it to be, and I'm pretty sure it will fit inside a more expensive authentic Zippo; the lighter doesn't light but I doubt there's a way around that, I personally I think the effect is better with the lighter just sparking)
Reset: None required.
Angles: No significant issues.
Card restrictions: Any brand, as it's easy to alter the gimmick.
Pocket space: Minimal.
Nudist colony rating: Can be performed naked, but as to where you'll store the lighter, you'll have to use your imagination!
Mucky pup rating: Start and end with clean paws. "Good doggy!"
Overall: 10 out of 10. Loses half a point for the annoying music but gains half a point because Chris is quite possibly from Wolves, where I used to live.
REVIEWThis is now one of my favourite effects. It's easy to do, it's practical, it's instant resent, it takes up very little pocket space and it's high impact and highly visual. What's not to like?
It's also versatile. I already have enough card routines so I'll be using this with a signed banknote.
How easy is it to adapt the gimmick for a different brand of playing cards or a banknote? If you can stick a passport photo to a driving licence form, you can do this.
ANY brand of cards and any banknote can be used, from a $1 bill to a UK £50.
The lighter doesn't light, but personally I think this is a good thing. The lighter sparking but failing to light indicates that something has gone wrong with the lighter. It makes perfect sense to then open the lighter and look inside.
I've read elsewhere that it's possible to get the lighter to work, but that you'd only get about ten lights out of it before needing to refill. Personally, I intend to carry two lighters with me, this and a matching regular lighter. More pocket space, but pocket space is still fairly minimal. When I need a flame, I'll use the regular lighter.
The DVD includes:
SIGNED CARD TO LIGHTER
Performed live twice, with an ACR and pocket to pocket routine, then explained.
SIGNED BANKNOTE TO LIGHTER
Performed live twice, then explained.
THE FOLD
How to fold a signed card in your pocket, so you don't need to learn the Mercury Fold.
THE REVEAL
Four or five different methods of producing the banknote or folded card are explained, all of which look entirely awesome.
THE CARD ROUTINE
Chris's ACR. Various moves explained such as The Tilt and the Illogical DL.
BONUS IDEAS
Fun with flash wool (not instant reset). Gags with an engraved lighter (you can get the lighter engraved).
PURSE ROUTINE
Banknote vanish/appearance in more detail. Easy vanish with a purse (ungimmicked) and a TT.
WAND ROUTINE
A comedy banknote routine with a mini magic wand.
PHOTO ROUTINE
Inspired by Heirloom. You can download the photo from the full52 website.
ONE LIGHTER
Kind of a mentalism routine, perhaps more mental magic than mentalism. Relies heavily on equivocation, and you don't end clean.
IAIN'S ROUTINE
Banknote changes into another banknote and the original appears inside the lighter.
CARD UNDER LIGHTER
This routine is AWESOME. It's just so simple. And it's easy to do, almost sleight free. Relies more on misdirection than sleights. And it has three phases. Card appears on the lighter, under the lighter, then inside the lighter. Just beautiful.