by Bertoneski » May 27th, '10, 13:21
EXTREMELY AMBITIOUS DVD
What Sankey's own website says:
# most commercial card tricks!
# Over 2 HOURS of killer sequences, sleights and tips!
# "I started performing 'Ambitious Card' over 25 years ago and since then I've created many fresh handlings and approaches. Every single one of them is included on this project. I've held back absolutely nothing." -Jay Sankey
# Learn classic handlings, little-known underground techniques + many original handlings Jay shares FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME!
# In the "Essential Sleights" section you will learn ALL THE SLEIGHTS you need to know. As a result, the DVD is a complete and comprehensive mini-course in the Ambitious Card! Perfect for beginners!
# Brand new openers, middlers and crazy visual closing phases!
# Bonus:Learn the 'real work' on FIVE different passes!
# Also recommended: TRANZ4MR, LOCKDOWN, PAPERCLIPPED:SPECIAL EDITION, SLEIGHT-OF-HAND SECRETS WITH CARDS, FINAL FUSION, BIGGER FINISH, HIJACKED
From The Magicshop.co.uk website:
ESSENTIAL SLEIGHTS
Double Lifts (3 different skill levels)
Tilt
False Cuts
Top Change
Undercover Top Change
One Hand Turnover
Convincing Control
One Hand Top Palm
Distant Misdirection Palm
Tenkai Strip Out
OPENERS
Three Favorites
Name A Card
Center Reverse
Twirl Sequence
MIDDLERS
Paint Brush Change
Erdnase/Houdini Change
Splat Production
Something Else
Repeat Rise
Palm Off Rise
Imposters
CLOSERS
Vernon's Bend
Rubber Room Rise
Face-Up Finale
Top Card
Compact Closer
Through the Roof
Leather Bound
Round Up
Hammered Deception
BONUS: FIVE PASSES
Learn invaluable tips on the cover techniques, the timing, and the all-important finer points for a total of FIVE amazing passes including:
Sleeves Up Pass
Classic Pass
Turnover Pass
Spread Pass
Jiggle Pass
AN AMBITIOUS ANALYSIS
This is an in-depth exploration of why the Ambitious Card is so popular as well as an important discussion of the challenges inherent in such a REPETITIVE effect. Jay discusses tempo, rhythm, variety and muhc more! Jay also share his thoughst on alternatives to signatures, using questions and humor for maximum audience management and misdirection, avoiding performing the effect as a mere "challenge," building the effect and chosing endings that say 'IT'S OVER!'
The Effect
The Ambitious Card routine - naturally.... Many of them, the sleights and routine ideas
Cost
£29
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)
3,4 AND 5
Don't let the 5 put you off - there's plenty of intermediary stuff to get to grips with that don't require ninja sleights.
Review
Sankey - his usual ebullient self - has tips on misdirection - and real world sleights - his opinion on when to do stuff under the cloak of misdirection is invaluable. For example - asking a spectator what half the number of the cards in the deck - a simple mathematical question can shoot the spectators eyes to the ceiling and cover a multitude of sins. His tilt card cover move is absolute genius and I tried it under test conditions last night and it worked a treat.
Probably all of these moves and sleights have been seen elsewhere before but Sankey shows you how you can thread elements together so nicely that I have found this DVD to be a really stimulating collection of great ideas.
Sankey - being Sankey - has some wonderful routines/twists of his own - using paper clips, a nailed together deck and more
My only beef is the style of shooting - on a couple of the more advanced sleights it would be very beneficial to have some "backstage" views.
Also it looks like it's been shot in a an empty studio with a stainless steel kitchen counter - a bit cheap - considering the price of the DVD.
There's also no real world performance footage - which I like to see to gauge genuine reactions - although he has this kind of footage on another DVD him performing at a restaurant.
Overall
I know there is a huge following for the Ellusionist / Penguin magic cardistry with street dudes and their tattooed flesh displaying hundreds of bizarre flourishes - but I'm a bit old and tattoo-less for that.
Sankey is a little more my age group (30s-40s) and he shows only one little flourish - which becomes a talking point. He is an enthusiastic teacher with an easy style of teaching and fun can-do attitude.
8/10