by seige » Jan 16th, '08, 12:10
OK... firstly, never let the card be shown mid-transition for a great period of time.
When the transition took place (from HOT to COLD) I was waving the card. The effect was the blurred card slowly turned to black.
The fact that I showed the red 'version' briefly and immediately started waving it around was a great hide.
And... I had the selected 'real' black card on the deck face down, so a simple top change made it examinable.
The effect was basically this:
1. Spectator selects a card
2. Card is shown around to others, magician doesn't see it
3. Card is returned to deck
4. Magician (ME!?!?!) tells that I will reveal the card...
5. I produce a red card, definately not theirs
6. The spectator looks baffled
7. Until I wave the red card in the air, and it slowly visually becomes their card
8. I hand out their card
The method is simple...
1. Have the Alpha card tucked behind your neck, held in place by your collar, so that the face (sensitive) area is against your skin. This should be enough to keep the ink clear
2. Force the BLACK version of your alpha card from the deck
3. Have the forced card returned to the deck... secretly control it to the top, face down
4. Show empty hands and announce a reveal is afoot. Take the deck in your dealing hand, do the following with your other hand:
5. Pull the card from behind your neck—this for me was a comedy moment... you could secrete the card anywhere on your personage where it gets warm enough
6. Show the face QUICKLY while it's still red and say 'Ta-dahhh' or something else which implies smug correctness.
7. When the spectator doesn't seem impressed, turn the card to face you and say "So the xxx of hearts wasn't your card?"
8. Turn the face back to the audience and gently fan the card... just enough to get cool air around it, but NOT TOO VIGOUROUS in a way which will make it illegible to them
9. Gradually, the card will change to the 'black' version. Show this briefly before performing a top change, handing the card face-down to the spectator to examine
Not a bit of flash paper in sight. And no need to ruin the cards.
With utility gimmicks, you guys need to think outside the box.