Hi everyone
I did a search and couldn't find a review, (knowing my luck there probably is
) but here is my review and opinions on
The Sankey Sanders Sessions
Price - approx £33
Available from - Penguin Magic
What you get - 2 DvDs, volume 1 & 2 strangley enough
Rating out of 10 - 8 and a little more than a half
This is the blurb from the back of the dvds...
In September of 2002, Jay Sankey and Richard Sanders began video corresponding, sending rough magic ideas and handlings back and forth between Toronto and Montreal. During the next year and a half they included many of the routines in their professional performances while continuing to refine the handlings and swap ideas. Then in January of 2004 Richard and Jay met in Montreal for a series of intense marathon sessions during which they stopped only to grab a shower, some pizza, and buy more decks of cards. During this same 72-hour period they taped the material that makes up this very special double volume DVD.
The "Sankey/Sanders Sessions" features 21 astonishing close-up effects along with hilarious improvisations and thought provoking interview segments. It is also a fascinating, timeless document of two master sleight-of-hand magicians who have been close friends for over twenty years.
What I have to say about them....
Jay Sankey and Richard Sanders are two screwed up in the head guys
In a good way that is. The shine off each other, and its just the two of them using duelling videocameras.
The camera is not done proffessionally, bear in mind the two screws on the end of them
but it is good quality images. As the blurb says, the are 21 effects in all.
Some use sleights, and some do need extra bits, some you can make, some you buy, like coin shells, folding coin etc. There are no tricks where the gimmick does all the work for you.
There are some great tricks that are pure sleight of hand such as Hardcore packet... 4 Kings turn over one by one until all face down, but when they are turned up on the table, they are all aces. This can be done with ANY deck.
There are what I feel some weaker tricks, such as defective. I'm not sure if its because I know the technique, and its obvious to me, and in all fairness, I haven't tested it on the audience, but as with all magic, if you perform it well enough, it shouldnt matter how simple it is.
If you read the blurb, next to mix master, it says, we wont ruin the surprise. I too, for the sake of Jay and Richard, would like to keep it that way. It really is an awesome trick, and I'm sure you won't be dissapointed, I know its a review, but still. You'll understand.
Their explanations of the tricks are pretty good, they give a step by step guide on whats happening, and give you the exposed views.
However, some knowledge of bottom cuts, slip cuts, bill switches with TT, top card retaining will be required, and other various slights, RR2CM i'd say, (although don't own it myself)
They give a vague description on some, but you I reckon you could try slo-mo, the get them. The kind of lines... ok, lose the card, and get it to the top using your favourite method... you get the picture.
There is some bad language, in a couple of spots, not all the way through, the use of the F** word a couple of times, but not unneccessarily i dont think, you'll see
Value for money?
I think its a little expensive for the tricks on there, but they are in my opinion, two great magicians. The tricks are good, but you can get more on a dvd for the same price, but not with two masters of the art like this.
All in all, very happy with my purchase, and I will be buying more Sankey dvds, i tryuly believe dvds are by far the best way to learn, no dropping books and turning pages with your nose
but thats just me
I hope for those of you that do buy these dvds on my review, that you will not be dissapointed with your purchase.
Difficulty rating 2 to 4, out of five stars.
Look forward to any other comments or reviews, any other questions I'd love to answer them
Speak soon
Mark
