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.