Inexplicable by Steve Shufton

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Re: Inexplicable by Steve Shufton

Postby dazlogic » Oct 15th, '13, 10:30



I too had purchased this effect on a pre-order,

I must say the effect will be very strong if performed correctly with some management. I will not be performing this effect personally just yet, but may re-visit it at some point in the future.
I was intrigued as to the method used, it sounded too good to be true and when I read a couple of reviews I could only think of a couple of ways to achieve this effect. Turns out all the ideas I could think of to achieve this are all rolled into one.
I get ideas like this a lot for card effects, but wouldn't have the guts to approach a retailer and ask to market as I'd have never of thought they would run with the idea after hearing the method.
It seems obvious (but I think I'm thinking too much from a performers view rather than the spectator)
The method is good and I can see how it impresses when performed correctly. Just a bit ballsy for me!

just my 2 cents

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Re: Inexplicable by Steve Shufton

Postby RNK » Feb 4th, '14, 14:56

It is a bit Ballsy. Though, after finally performing this- I have found it works beautifully. I have performed this many many times and have had a 100% success rate. A lot of people ended up not liking this- I feel it's because they did not give it a fair shake. I was worried, thinking there is no way this will work all the time. And it may not- but if you follow Steve's instructions- it will work. And the reactions are really great by the specs.

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Re: Inexplicable by Steve Shufton

Postby artychris » Jul 10th, '14, 23:56

I bought this on a bit of a whim a while ago, and it went straight in to the box of tricks that'll probably never be used!

Not that there's anything particularly wrong with it...

I'll explain why I don't use it, and also try and clear a couple of things up about the issues with it.

Firstly, It's certainly NOT an open prediction. There is an envelope in play from the outset, but what is inside is hidden away till the revelation at the end.

Secondly, the revelation card can't be freely shown.

Thirdly, and for me the most impractical part of the routine, is the deck requirements. It's not a fully s*****d d**k, but there is a top s***k that will need to be retained. This could be set up on the fly, but the instructions don't talk about that, and as it's over a quarter of the deck, I think that expecting to set it up in front of your audience is a little to much. Quite simply, when it says an ordinary deck, it is, but not a borrowed shuffled deck!

Fourthly, the spectator stops where she wants. This is sort of true, as long as it's within a b**k of cards. There is guidance, and having used "Knock 'Em Dead 2" a bit, this will work fine.

On the back of the packet you get it says this trick is... A single card (true), in an ungimmicked envelope (true, but not any envelope), She will deal the cards face up (true) from a normal deck (true, but set up) and stop whenever she wants... (True, but...)

Ah! The no sleights bit. This is true. There is no sleight of hand needed... And it mentions instant reset. This bit is true.

This isn't a bad trick, but I do feel the ad wording is misleading at best, and at a crucial point, wrong. (The OPEN prediction bit)

So, although I don't use this trick, and the advertising isn't quite right, providing you don't mind carrying around a deck just to do this trick with, it is a usable trick, and one that will work very well.

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Re: Inexplicable by Steve Shufton

Postby Mr_Grue » Jul 11th, '14, 16:11

I've performed this twice and got good reactions on both occasions. Most gratifying was with a magician who twigged there was something up with the card, but could not figure out how it would have helped me.

I agree with Chris, though. Open Prediction it is not. In performance, though, it seems to be a very clean prediction, nonetheless.

Simon Scott

If the spectator doesn't engage in the effect,
then the only thing left is the method.


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Re: Inexplicable by Steve Shufton

Postby Shufton » Mar 19th, '16, 09:05

Here is an excerpt from a post I made elsewhere:

Inexplicable was indeed very controversial. I still get emails, at least once a week, raving about what a great trick it is - how strong, and how the ad copy is spot on. I also continue to read complaints that there was disappointment, and some feel that it was "miss-sold."

I can tell you a bit about my thoughts - not that it will change any minds.

When I first came up with that trick, and started performing it for two years before I thought about releasing it, I truly thought it was, and still do, one of the strongest effects in my arsenal. I still perform it frequently, it still "knocks-'em-dead," and I still believe in it. It plays exactly as the ad copy states, and if the directions are followed carefully, it should play that way for you, too. I know of many professional performers who use it in their act, and are happy about it.

At the same time, of course I am not happy about the complaints. I can respect that some might not like the trick - but most complaints (perhaps all of them - I don't know) have come from folks who never gave it a real study, never practiced it and certainly never performed it. I haven't yet received a complaint from anyone who has given it a fair trial - but that doesn't mean there aren't those who have, it just means I haven't heard it. Meanwhile, I don't think there is an effect that suits everybody, so I don't think it would be fair for me to expect everyone to want to use it - like any other trick. That is normal.

The effect, however, is something I continue to stand by. I spent many months working on bringing it to market. I made, by hand, each prop - carefully. Due to the controversy, I have not profited off of it - but being the first effect I released in some years, it will hopefully be obvious to all that I don't think about getting rich off of my releases. I feel that if I create something worthy of YOU, that is where most of my satisfaction lies. If I don't lose money - that is great. If I actually make money, that is icing on my cake (I make a living without marketing tricks - if anything, it is supplemental). Of course I like money! It is, however, my love of magic that keeps me in this game - I have much easier ways to make money! Especially since I am partially retired and get a check every month.

The plot and idea behind that trick is simple: What if I could do a Koran-5-star-prediction effect, but without a special deck (using a completely normal deck), without a special wallet (no wallet used), with an envelope that could be handled by the spectator, with only a single prediction card ever in play. I wanted the prediction to be on the table, or in the spectator's possession from the very beginning, not in my pocket. With all of these qualifications in place, I couldn't imagine a stronger effect (and still can't). The result is "Inexplicable." I feel as good about the result as anything I have ever produced. It works, and at least for me, it has never failed.

No one ever bothered to write to me to ask a single question about it or get any form of help, especially if their was any doubt. I had already included in the instructions other ways of making it "sure-fire" for the weak-hearted or skeptical (no insult intended) because it does take a little bit of boldness and performance ability. So, one way or another, you would have a solid effect - at least as strong as the Koran effect (one of my favorites!) and often even stronger, if it is performed well.

I had it out in the field being tested by others for more than a year before I ever started production. I wanted to be sure it would live up to any claim I made. Even though I have received some criticism about my ad, I can assure you that the last thing I would want to do is rip anybody off. I don't need to, I don't want to, and my life is fine without producing this stuff to begin with. I truly believe in that effect, I use it all the time, and I still stand by every claim I have made.

What were the "controversial" claims? There were two strong ones, and one other that still held some weight:

One was that the envelope doesn't look like other envelopes. That is true. However, it has never raised a suspicion for me or any other person performing this effect - after all it is completely examinable, not that anyone has ever asked. It is obvious to every spectator that only a single card is in it - only a single card could be in it, that it would be impossible for any other cards to be in it, they can see in it and touch it. That is more true in this case, than it would be with any "normal" envelope - because of the envelope, it becomes immediately obvious to the spectator that nothing more could possibly be hidden, that there is only one card in play, and it could be no other way. Because of this fact alone, I have fooled countless magicians with this effect. Mission accomplished. It is not the only possible outcome or revelation you can use, by the way! I have, and use, a couple others, but the one that I produced (meticulously, I might add) is the one I use the most. The envelope can be discarded completely in favor of other solutions - no one has EVER asked me, or written to enquire - to legitimately complain, enter into discussion, and see if there is a solution they would like better. My email address is known (steve@shufton.com). I am available to any customer, and there is nothing I want more than your satisfaction with any product you get of mine. My name is on it, and it means something to me. So does my integrity. To date, no one has legitimately asked a single question, asked for help or any clarification - any other possible solutions. There are three other possible solutions that I have come up with over the years, which I would be happy to share with any owner of the product. Those solutions were not in use when I released the effect, and as I said, I still do it, most often, in the original form. So, I couldn't include in the original trick that which had yet to be developed - that would have been a great trick in itself! Not to get off topic - the envelope was one cause of complaint. It has never been an issue with any spectator over years and thousands of performances - just with a handful of very vocal magicians. It doesn't need to be used at all - you can certainly use a normal coin envelope that gets torn open, as one alternative solution. The envelope I provide can be used until it goes bad - and I am still using the same one for years now. But there you have it. Some don't like the envelope.

Secondly, my ad copy clearly states that she will deal cards, face-up, from a normal, examined deck, and will stop whenever she wants. The part that caught flack: "Whenever she wants." In the instructions, the very last words said to the spectator are, "Stop whenever you want." When it is performed in real life, the very last words to the spectator are, "Stop whenever you want." She is truly told to do that, and she truly does just that! Is it possible that she could go too far? Yes. For me, and others performing this in their professional repertoire, it has never happened. But, could it? Yes. Is there a remedy? Yes - provided in the instructions. However, I must tell you that it has never failed me, and others will tell you the same thing. What if you have a spectator intent on messing you up? Well, then you didn't pick a good spectator to use as a participant. Doesn't matter - if you aren't good at that sort of thing, you can resort to any of the solutions outlined in the instructions, so that you will have a sure-fire outcome every time without exception - and she will always, and truly, stop whenever she wants, even if she is the worst spectator on earth, and you will still have a positive outcome. That is why Koran invented his lovely deck! It can still be dealt, face up, and the spectator will always get a predicted card. I do it with a normal deck, and if you have any skill with spectators at all, you can too. So, as controversial as it is, I still stand by the ad copy - she can truly stop whenever she wants. Everyone I know that performs this effect uses a normal deck - not a Koran deck, or even a "partial" Koran deck. But, if you are nervous, you can resort to other solutions as outlined in the instructions.

Lastly, and truly the least of the complaints, was that I called it an "open prediction" even though the prediction is in an envelope. The rules for "open prediction" as outlined by Stewart James, have NEVER been fulfilled. How could they? We are talking about something that is not possible - it must be accomplished with trickery. So, there is ALWAYS a compromise in any "open-prediction." style of effect. For example, one rule is that the magician never touches any of the cards being dealt, or the prediction once put on the table. This rule is often compromised - the magician has the prediction in his hand the whole time, the cards are dealt into his hand, or at least one of them is, etc.. Another rule is that the deck must be normal. This rule is also often compromised, as you know. The idea that there is a prediction card which is never changed or switched has also at times been compromised. There must be some compromise somewhere, because the ideal is just that - an ideal, which has never truly been met. In the case of Inexplicable, there is a normal deck which the magician never touches. There is a prediction on the table from the beginning which is never switched. The envelope is, of course, a compromise - yet there are other effects on the market, and have been for years, that use this type or other types of compromises and still are called an "open prediction." I guess the classic definition and set of rules has not really been broadened, yet no one has yet to create a practical method that follows all the rules, so in that sense, the solutions have been broadened, indeed.

So, there you have it.

I do not, and have NEVER attempted to deceive a soul in my ad copy. I still stand by it 100%. I will change it when I hear a very good and respectable reason (from my point of view, of course!) and that has yet to happen. I prefer to keep my integrity intact. I hope, from what I have written here, that you can sense my own transparency. I have no need to rip anyone off.

I know that there is nothing I can say that will change the mind of some, but there you have it.

Very best wishes to all -

-Steve

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Re: Inexplicable by Steve Shufton

Postby Boris » Mar 19th, '16, 13:49

After reading this entire thread, slowly and carefully, I wouldn't order this trick even if it was free. I see the people who bought it don't like it, while the creator and vendors sing its praises and/or defend it. The quotes from other performers and professionals are to be taken with a grain of salt, simply because that's all a lot of back scrubbing (favours owed/friends/etc.).

"Whenever she wants." In the instructions, the very last words said to the spectator are, "Stop whenever you want." When it is performed in real life, the very last words to the spectator are, "Stop whenever you want." She is truly told to do that, and she truly does just that! Is it possible that she could go too far? Yes. For me, and others performing this in their professional repertoire, it has never happened. But, could it? Yes. Is there a remedy? Yes - provided in the instructions. However, I must tell you that it has never failed me, and others will tell you the same thing. What if you have a spectator intent on messing you up? Well, then you didn't pick a good spectator to use as a participant. Doesn't matter - if you aren't good at that sort of thing, you can resort to any of the solutions outlined in the instructions, so that you will have a sure-fire outcome every time without exception - and she will always, and truly, stop whenever she wants, even if she is the worst spectator on earth, and you will still have a positive outcome. That is why Koran invented his lovely deck! It can still be dealt, face up, and the spectator will always get a predicted card. I do it with a normal deck, and if you have any skill with spectators at all, you can too. So, as controversial as it is, I still stand by the ad copy - she can truly stop whenever she wants.


Of course it's controversial; it's an abject lie. Defend it as much as you want, your ad copy is a lie. Twist the facts and use clever word play, it doesn't change the fact that it's a lie.

All that being said, I'm not fully sure as to why we are belabouring this point when the thread was started nearly 3 years ago.

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Re: Inexplicable by Steve Shufton

Postby Mandrake » Mar 19th, '16, 14:22

Whilst I'm similarly intrigued as to why the thread has been continued, I must advise caution in terms of any criticism – bear in mind that TM's stated policy is to encourage constructive comments and discussion, not destructive ones. I may be wrong, I often am, but as someone who doesn’t have this trick, it seems to me that only those who have bought it can offer genuine opinions, good or bad and any others are just speculation unless they have some solid evidence which shoild be offered.

I’ve also read the threads through at some length and my thoughts are that, like many other effects on offer, this one needs work and practice, not to mention a degree of boldness, to perform properly – it probably isn’t one of those which can be done two minutes after the postman delivers it. This is not an unusual feature of our art.

Steve is perfectly entitled to address comments made about his work and routines and, as he has mentioned several times, he can be contacted directly by email where he will answer individual queries and where, no doubt, any particularly sticky aspects can be discussed openly. To balance this, we are happy to see contrary posts and comments here as long as they are within the spirit of TM – polite, courteous and factual. In other words, let’s all be reasonable. It would be a pity to have to lock and/or remove threads on such topics – we can all learn a lot from these discussions.

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Re: Inexplicable by Steve Shufton

Postby Shufton » Mar 19th, '16, 15:05

Thanks, Mandrake. The reason I replied after so long is that I had no idea about the more recent posts on this thread, and when I saw them I felt the need to reply (they were getting a bit nasty - unnecessarily in my opinion). Sorry if it was bad form - unintentional. Obviously, there are those who will not like everything I produce. However, I have heard many good things from those who have actually procured and performed this effect, including those who believe the ad copy has integrity. I know that there are those who did not think the ad copy was good, and they are entitled. It's hard to respect an opinion from someone who has never seen or held it, though. There are many full time professionals who have now been using this effect for years, and they have also written their comments (obviously they like it). They have no problem with the ad copy, and are now earning part of their living performing this effect. I appreciate the educated comments, both pro and con, and the other negative comments I only take as being a bit mean-spirited, mostly from folks who don't know much about this effect.

I'll continue to post here from time to time (on this site), but sometimes I need a break, especially when there is a beating involved. I mean no harm. Sincere best wishes to all.

-Steve

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