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Shapeshifter and Other Moves.

The Effect
“In a blur of motion a different card.”
“The blinding move that transforms one card into another.”
Simply put, it’s a colour change and a very visual, quick, clever and startling one, at that.

From the back cover…
Marc De Souza and Brad Christian get together to teach the blinding move called Shapeshifter. Marc invented the sleight and talks about its development and applications… Brad delivers his own method of performing Shapeshifter, his “ins and outs” and unique applications. In addition, Marc teaches more of his killer moves which you may find useful. Get in here and let’s get going.

Play Feature
Brad Intro
Marc Intro History
Dribble Double
Cover Change
DeSouza Routine
New Theory Change
LePaul Side Steal
Erdnase Palm Shift
Marc Wrap-Up
Brad Teaching Intro
BC Instruction
Anatomy of SS
Getting Out
Reverse Angle Shots
Gypsy Burn
Learn It Gypsy
Final Wrap-Up

Cost
$24.95 For Dvd. (I have the dvd version.)
$22.95 For Download.

http://www.ellusionist.com/order/Shapes ... esouza.htm

Difficulty
(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)
For the Shapeshifter, ’d say 3 out of 5, because it is a sleight, but once you’ve worked it out, and got it in muscle memory, you’ll be able to do it anytime.
The other moves, the card controls, I’d rate as 4 out of 5. They are harder to do.

Review
The Shapeshifter change is amazing to learn and has many applications, but would you want to pay so much, for just one move?
For starters, the Shapeshifter is taught very well, and Marc’s Dribble double, his way of getting in to Shapeshifter, is also really helpful.
Brad teachers a small hands version of Shapeshifter. I tried both, but am more comfortable with the first one.
The extra moves include two more colour changes –
Cover Change – a very bold move, that I wish to try…it just seems like someone will notice, surely…?
New Theory Classic Change – What was wrong with the old one? Well, this creates a smother change just by passing the hand over the deck. – quite nice.
…and two card controls –
LePaul Side Steal – A clever move to get the card, to the bottom – Marc also teaches how to use this to get a card to the top.
Erdnase Palm Shift – A clever move to get the card to the top – Marc also teaches how to use this move to get a card to the bottom.
I know that sounds strange to reverse the moves…but there is a clever principle which could be applied ion other places, too.
…and an apllication of Shapeshifter by Brad Christian –
Gypsy Burn – A card is selcted, inspected and signed. It is returned to the deck, and the cards are squeezed. The cards are spread out and one card is seen to have a different coloured back – it is the signed card.
This one’s good, it’s a nice magical effect – I like it.

Also given, as a bonus, is a preview of the levitation Aliun, but it’s just a preview and I don’t think it looks that good anyway. I’m not that into my levitations.

Overall
So, there is more than one move, but it does not contain as many as say Daryl’s dvds or a comprehensive all round dvd but it is a bargain at the price, especially if you’re interested in this move, or colour changes in general. As has been mentioned there are many applications, for the move and you get access to the Ellusionist Special Discussion Forum (not as good as this one though) and it is a great move to add to your arsenal. There’s a discussion currently about American Magic Dealers, and if it’s worth it, because of high shipping prices, and customs…etc, so if you have a fast connection you might like to consider the download, which would save you a lot of money.

Agree, this is a good move, i doubt very much i would pay that for a dvd, I'm sure there are plenty of books with these sleights in, did you buy this from ellusionist?

Yeh, i got it from Ellusionist - like i said, It teaches the one move in detail, and but the other moves (two changes, two card controls, two routines) are added extra.
You could save a lot, by getting it as a download,
or the Shapeshifter is also taught in Marc DeSouza's book, 'DeSouza's Deceptions'.

Shapeshifter is also in David Acer's excellent book 'Random Acts of Magic' which also has loads of great effects and tons of sleights explained including Tilt, Flippant and Flipswitch.
I have never seen this DVD, but it does seem pricey to learn a few moves which you could learn from any number of decent books which have ten times as much material in them.

i agree completely... great move, not worth the price for a whole dvd... get desouzas deceptions instead...

I bought this DVD and agree with the "poor value for money" themed posts. Yes, it teaches "Shapeshifter" well but has excess detail as to how to get ready etc.

The Erdnase Diagonal Palm Shift and the Side Steal should really be in a serious card workers arsenal of sleights already and the DVD teaches very little new work on these moves.

I would suggest any of the Allan Ackerman Card Control series or Daryl's Encycolpedia of Card Sleights as being much better value for money for someone looking to learn some moves.

I actually got this from an Ebay store on a whim for about £15 and still thought it was overpriced.

Nothing on this DVD that I hadn't learnt from a book age ago. Sadly with these DVD's people pick up the dull intonation of the people presenting it.
See youtube for further evidence.