The Effect
Click here:
http://www.magictricks.co.uk/prodshow.asp?code=119
Opening magic (video clips of performances)
Ambitious four phase (ambitious card routine)
Coin under watch
Rapid fire chop cup
Think of a card
Bill in kiwi
Hints & tips
Bonus material consists of card spin, simplex boomerang and storm force 7
Cost
£24.99
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)
Overall, I’d give an average mark of 3 for difficulty. I’ve scored each trick individually below:
Ambitious four phase - difficulty 4, is more ambitious than it needs to be.
Coin under watch - difficulty 3
Rapid fire chop cup – difficulty 2
Think of a card – difficulty 2, some sleights but there easy and well taught, hence a 2 rather then a 3.
Bill in kiwi - difficulty 3
Boomerang card and storm force 7 -
Review
I was attracted to this DVD partially because of the sales pitch (CUPS) and because I’ve also had a few recent enquiries about performing at corporate functions. As an increasingly regular wedding reception performer I was particularly interested in any differences and / or subtleties, techniques etc. in presentation. Overall, I thought that Sanderson’s presentation and style was at times a little camp for my personal taste but there’s no denying that he’s a very slick and skilled magician.
The DVD begins with some video snippets of the included tricks being performed to real audiences and there is a scattering of clips throughout the DVD as well to illustrate particular moves or effects but some of these are repeats of the introduction and I would have preferred some different footage instead of repeats. It was the performance footage that interested me more than the tricks so I was rather let down by this and I didn’t feel that there was enough raw performance for a 2 hour DVD.
I would also point out to anyone else interested in this title; it’s definitely NOT one for the beginner. Also, don’t buy it thinking that you can perform the tricks exactly as they are taught with just deck of cards. Most of the tricks will require you to go out and spend some money if you want to perform them as they are on the DVD. An example of this is the ambitious card routine will require you to buy an omni deck and a gimmicked wallet and you will not see any change out of £90 for these two (combined price) unless you can make your own wallet or buy second hand (ebay instantly springs to mind). You also need some prep work before hand which is not what an ambitious card routine is about.
I’ll stick to my ambitious card routine that JUST needs an un-gimmicked deck.
Ambitious four phase – requires omni deck, prepared envelope (Copydex treated) & gimmick wallet (Jerry O’Connell). Sleights taught, Vernon’s depth illusion or Ed Marlowe’s tilt move, push off double L, push off triple L , card to sealed envelope and deck switch.
As stated already, in my opinion this ambitious card routine doesn’t quite work for me as I don’t like the use of the wallet. I do like the omni deck and the reaction of the specs, but this doesn’t work without the wallet and envelope. A catch 22 and I prefer other versions of ambitious card that don’t require the use of gimmicks.
Brainwave or ID presentations - some interesting suggestions that use mobile phone or wireless computing technology.
Think of a card – requires a Sharpie. Sleights taught, spread cull & top change. A nice little trick that’s not too difficult. Includes some nice teachings of some basic sleights. Possibly the most basic trick taught on the DVD.
Coin under watch – requires a coin unique (10p & 2p version used) or hopping halves and a duplicate coin. Sleights taught include the classic coin palm and finger palm.
Some very nice tips on technique and misdirection included with this trick and I’ll be adding this to my own routine.
Rapid fire chop cup – requires a chop cup (now there’s a surprise), a lime, lemon or similar fruit (kiwi if leading into the bill in kiwi trick) and 2 balls. Sleights taught, force explanation, French drop, and the required loads.
This is one of the tricks that most interested me as I’m learning cups and balls, and I want something to add to my routine. The hype for this particular trick places it on a pedestal and although it’s good and I’ll probably use it, in my opinion it doesn’t quite deliver what it promises. Yes, it will probably impress the specs but it didn’t make me go WOW which is what I was expecting (my 12 year old daughter even said it was boring). Maybe I’m being too critical and will change my mind later on. Who knows? Once again, a good tutorial.
Bill in Kiwi - requires some preparation, a knife and a TT. Also a borrowed bank note. Sleights taught, finger palm bill and load into kiwi, cross and gaze switch.
Fantastic. I’ve always wanted to know how this one worked and now I know. I will definitely perform this one – I just love it. The preparation is easy and the teaching includes some excellent tips, subtleties and attention to detail. Performance should not present a problem to an experienced performer. Great reactions appear to make the preparation worthwhile.
The only down side in my opinion is that a bill switch is required and Sanderson refers to the 100 dollar bill as his personal choice, but any other bill switch will do. The bill switch is NOT taught in any detail and although you can work out from the tutorial what’s going on, the subtleties of the switch should have been included.
Hints and tips - breaking into the trade show arena, grooming and presentation, business card tips. Does what it says on the tin,
Bonus material – Card spin is nice and easy and credited to Guy Hollingworth. Simplex boomerang, a nice routine based around a faro shuffle and a spread cull. Looks far more difficult that it is (according to Sanderson of course). Storm force 7, a cunning card prediction routine using the ‘one ahead principle’ and a cull (both taught). Virtually self working, easy to make up the deck and will get the specs, as well as other magicians guessing.
Overall
There are some nice ideas and some good tutorials including the teaching of the required sleights (basic to intermediate level sleights) that will get you thinking, even if you don’t add any of the tricks to your own routine. I thought that Sanderson’s teaching of the tricks and the sleights was done particularly well. There are also some nice one liners that I’ll probably use as well.
At a penny under £25, this DVD is a good deal more than some other ‘classic’ magic titles will cost you, particularly if you shop around. Many of these will teach similar tricks and sleights. However, this DVD stands apart in the quality of the production, presentation, the teaching and of course the tricks. Whilst there are bound to be some things that you will not like (particularly the ambitious card), there will also be material that you’ll find difficult to ignore. As I have said, I would have liked to have seen more footage of the performances to an audience and greater detail of the bill switch.
This apart, it’s a difficult DVD to dismiss if you’ve reached the level where you’re considering performing and / or want to add some variety into your routine. It’s up to date and includes some tips of the trade that you possibly won’t find elsewhere.
Overall I’d rate it at 8 out of 10.
Member of the Magic Circle & The 2009 British Isles Close-Up Magician of the Year
It's not really an optical illusion - it just looks like one!