First Impressions by Scott Creasey

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First Impressions by Scott Creasey

Postby bananafish » Oct 27th, '05, 17:23



First Impressions (A utility Device by the Working professional)

Where to buy
Direct from Scott Creasey.
Approx £25 (this may have been a convention only price)

What Is It.
First Impressions is an Impression Pad, designed by working mentalist Scott "BIP Book" Creasey.

Impression Devices in General
It is no secret that in the past I have not been a huge fan of using traditional impression devices. In fact I even started a topic discussion this in the magicians only areas. However, as many of you do not have access to that area I will repeat my main concern here.

In my opinion (albeit a humble one), I feel that because your average spectator is all too aware of the existence of Carbon Paper, there is a very good chance that when given any pad of paper to write something down on they could feel obliged to flip through pages looking for such a method. If the notebook in question can’t survive this very basic of requirements then I would personally choose not to use it.

Now I suspect there will be those that say if the spectator chooses to do this, then it is down to the performer’s lack of audience management skills, to which I respond, "Fair enough". You have no argument from me about that, but nevertheless it won't make me any more inclined to use it. As far as I am concerned, even if I was to be caught out one time in every 100, that would be too much. I feel that if your credibility for one effect is blown, then your credibility for your entire act is blown.

Dimensions
The pad is a standard Red covered pad, as sold in Staples, the size approximately 11.5cm by 7.5cm.

As such page refills are easily obtained. (so it says in the guidebook)

Review.
Before I start I should admit that I have only had this pad now for less than a week and consequently I haven’t yet used it for a real audience (although that will change on Saturday). Having said that I have been playing with it quite a lot and my current impression is that I really do like it. It actually has me quite excited and I can see that it is likely to be something that will be in my pocket for whenever I perform.

It looks very innocent, and I doubt that anyone would find anything suspicious about it. The spectators won’t have it in their hands long enough to do anything but have a cursorily flip through anyway, from which they will find nothing. Even if they did still suspect an impression device I have no doubts that they would never see you get the peek you want.

The peek is really quite beautiful, and is so innocent that if done as described in the full colour A4 guidebook then is unlikely to ever be seen.

The reset is so quick and easy that in can be done right in front of the spectator under the guise of simply closing the pad. This really is a very nice item.

Comparisons.
The Janus Pad
The Janus Pad offers a smooth (and I have to say ingenious) peek, although perhaps it does need just a little more practice to use than Scott's Pad. The Janus Pad also resets fairly quickly, but unfortunately for me at least, I don’t think it stands up to that fearful of beasts, the over curious spectator, and for that reason mine was eventually relegated to the dreaded bottom drawer.

It has been reviewed here

The MindSpy Pad. (Mark Elsdon)
I can't say much about this as I don’t have one. It has been reviewed here though, where it was compared in detail to a Janus Pad.

Invisible Assistant Pad
Again, I don’t have one, but it was reviewed here

Difficulty. 2/5
1=Even I can do it, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)

I am not saying it can be used without practice, in fact I would recommend working with it until it is second nature before using it in a real environment, but there are certainly no difficult moves involved.

Current Rating.
Effect/item: 9/10, Quality of goods: 9/10, Value for money: 9/10

Bottom Line.
As mentioned I haven’t had it long enough to give it a definitive rating, but I promise update the review after a few months of use, but first impressions of First Impressions is that it is very good.

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Postby katrielalex » Oct 27th, '05, 22:23

This was demonstrated by Scott Creasey in his lecture at the IMS convention, and I must say that it was very good. The only thing that prevented me from buying it on the spot was that I didn't have enough cash left!

The pad was great - he flipped through the pad and so on, and I couldn't see a thing. The only comment I have to make was about the reset. I would not recommend doing this in front of spectators unless it is absolutely necessary, as it did entail some flipping through the pad and a rather suspicious ripping noise...still, it didn't give me any clue, so I guess it would be OK.

I must agree with the comments about the peek 100% - I really didn't see any way for him to have got it as as far as I could see, all the handling was perfectly natural.

I remember seeing you buy this ;).

Kati

In hibernation but half awake - will stick my nose in every so often!
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Postby bananafish » Oct 27th, '05, 23:58

Actually I think the reset is better than he demonstrated.

I don't think the reset he did is necessary everytime, you could easily get 2-3 (or possible more) hits just by apparently closing the pad.

I will have to experiment with that though...

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Postby bananafish » Nov 1st, '05, 14:08

I am now in a position to give some proper feedback as I (well Midas Kid and myself) did a wedding on Saturday. It was meant to be just an hour and a half, but due to popular demand (aided by financial incentives) we were asked to stay on, and we ended being there for over 4 hours.

The audience was great, the age group was mainly 30's , but there many older. I was hired for the mentalism and midas kid was doing the close up. It probably helped that they had all had a bit to drink but we seemed to go down very well.

Anyway - I digress. My point is that I had the Creasey pad, and was using off on on throughout the evening. It wasn't part of my main set, just because I haven't had it that long and for the most part I stuck with what I am used to doing, however it was really great for the impromptu stuff.

For example, if I had one or two people approach me and ask to see something, I would more often than not use the Cresey Pad to divine a thought. I varied the thought, and was just having a lot of fun with it, making it as believable as possible. Sometimes getting close rather than spot on, but ALWAYS getting immense reactions.

The bottom line is that when I am woring I will now always have this on me. It works and it works very well. No one gave the pad a second glance. Initially I was a little concerned as I had forgotton the duplicate pad, that I could switch in if someone demanded to look at the pad again, but frankly that just didn't happen, and is not something I will worry about in the future.

The quick reset I mentioned in the review was perhaps too risky in the end. By risky I mean the second impression after a quick reset wasn't as good as it may have been, and so I chose to fully reset it each time. I also chose not to do this in front of people, but it was easy enough to do on the move between different groups of people.

I still think this is very nice, and definietly worth the money.

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Postby bananafish » Feb 8th, '06, 11:06

Also reviewed here

One thing to point out that I have found is that the replacement pads can't be bought on line. Staples stock them though.

The actual pads have a holographic cover and not the plain red one as supplied. This of course is not a problem as you are replacing the pages anyway and not the cover.

I also have a contact with the company that make the pads, so if you wanted to buy replacement pads in bulk (they work out at about 60p instead of the 99p) then pm me for details. You have to buy a box though (either 24 or 48 pads, I can't remember exactly)

Since writing the review I have used this pad a lot and love it now even more than before. It's in my jacket pocket for anywhere anytime impromptu use. I always carry the spare, so if anyone did want to examine it closely theer wouldn't be a problem, but so far that has never happened.

And yes. I agree with the Nathan Howard. Scott Creasety is a very nice bloke.

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Postby Johnny Bravo » Sep 21st, '07, 16:53

Just got this myself a few days ago, is anyone aware of any videos of this being put to use.

I would really like a few clues on the handling as I don't always wear a jacket?

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Postby .:Ham:. » Sep 21st, '07, 20:19

Great in-depth review! I'm searching around for just the right imp pad for me....

.:Ham:.

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Postby HenryHoudini » Sep 21st, '07, 22:22

Great review! thanks, I might look into this. Im wondering if its worth the price if Im not very into mentalism though. I do occasionally use a boon writer and have 13 steps, but I would never call myself a mentalist. So is it good for magicians?

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Postby bananafish » Sep 21st, '07, 22:35

I'd have to say no. It's not good for magicians.

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Postby russpie » May 18th, '09, 19:22

Great review & thanks for posting the update after having used it in 'the real world' as it were. So many reviews are written on the day it arrives & then never reworded or updated. This has sealed the deal for me.

Having searched for something more everyday looking than the Thought Transmitter (albeit my modified one which does look less plasticy) & less cumbersome than the Pro-Folio. I have been in contact with Scott who does sound like a nice guy but having not seen any video footage of it in use I am always weary.

This should slip in nicely to my mentalism routines. Thanks again.

Russ

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Postby JGoodall » Feb 24th, '10, 20:53

Johnny Bravo wrote:Just got this myself a few days ago, is anyone aware of any videos of this being put to use.

I would really like a few clues on the handling as I don't always wear a jacket?


Hi just wondering please what the concerns were with jackets for this effect? I rarely (well, never actually) wear a jacket what performing! Thanks, Jack

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Postby bananafish » Feb 25th, '10, 08:38

You don't need a jacket, just put the pad away in the same place you got it out from (ie a trouser pocket).

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