David Forrest's Card Thru Window
The acclaimed Card Thru Window effect that had everyone talking is now available on DVD by popular demand! Now perhaps this is a little over done but from what I have heard, this DVD is selling very well
This in-depth DVD walks you step by step through the construction of the very special gimmicks that will allow you to totally fry your spectators mind! visual, practical and mind blowing, CTW is an ingenious approach to the Card Thru Window plot that is as easy as it is visual! Now this is very true
The DVD includes live, on the street performances and includes vital materials required for the construction of the gimmicks inside the box!
Now this helps as you may not have some of the materials to hand, but these can be brought very easily
Their selection vanishes then it appears taped to a window and then you cause it to melt through the glass! And yes it does look like this, but under the cover of a fan of cards or your bare hands.
Special bonus: see how it all began !! the CTW DVD includes the original manuscript in pdf format
The PDF files have all the info and templates which make it easier to build
Missing Info: They forgot to mention the sneaky cut called the Cranes Beak Cut which allows you to false cut and peak the top card this was created and developed by Owen Packard..
Price £19.99
From
http://www.bigblindmedia.com
Basic Review
Ok I am not a great fan of Card Thru Windows effects, many that I have seen have been either too complicated to set up and use or too expensive to own.
When I saw the trailer of CTW I have to say it look great! Now having seen the DVD It looks fantastic!
The DVD 1 Hour and 20 minutes long and start with the performances by David with several people. The guys have used a tinted car windows and this really look good and also they do the effect on a normal windows and looks amazing! The expressions of the spectators really shows and help shows the effects effect!
The real part of the DVD is the explanation of the gimmick (which is very clever!) Also a list is shown and also where to find the PDF files on the DVD.
The gimmick which you make yourself has been explained in great detail on the DVD by David and Owen. The guys take you through each step in which much useful hints and tips is shown and talked about.
Also discussed is the work to the effect. Two versions of the effect are taught, the first is the easy version when the card is selected, the corner torn off and then the card is made to vanish. The other version uses more advance slights, but to be honest the easy version works better in my eyes.
Now the guys do have a chuckle on the way and this helps makes this DVD very enjoyable to watch. Its great that the guys entertain while they teach. Owen does a great job of asking David about the routine and the gimmick and asks the questions that we might well ask.
Now I cant see anything bad to say about this DVD. The sounds is perfect on this DVD and the sound track is also really good!. The camera work in the performances is really well done and shows just how a simple but powerful effect this is. In the studio the front and top angles allow to see everything needed to make and perform the effect.
My only gripe is the background which has a musical instrument in the background, I would have like to have seen a lighter background to help with the lighting, but you can see clearly what is going on
Creation of the gimmick
I have also tried my hand at making the gimmick, 45 minutes later I now have a working unit. A little word of advice, after you have printed the plans, make the measurements match, mine were a few millimetres out due to my printer. Once the gimmick had been made, I tested its operation and it work well. I think with more care on my part it would have been perfect.
I am sure the next time I can make it better. You do get enough materials to make 4 of these gimmicks, so if the first one is a little off, you can see what to do next time.
My Views of the effect
Now the set-up of this effect could be done in about 90 sec depending on the venue and the amount of time you worked on the effect. This effect would suit a street performance if you have access to a car. Also you could do this with a shop window, but even though the back of the set-up is hidden, its not totally hidden. In you own home or even a dinner party, this would work really well. Included is a extra template (also covered in the DVD) which will allow you to set-up the gimmick, but hide it before the performance. All in all this DVD was a real bargain and I was very well impressed by the information and details of the DVD. Well worth the £19.99 and with the DVDs from BigBlindMedia it just gets better and better.
Overview
The guys at BigBlindMedia are now really starting to make a name for themselves, they are providing great magic to the magic community. The guys are friendly and really put themselves out for their customers. The support is top notch and any emails I have sent have been replied to with speed and great information.
I can only look forward to the next DVD, David and Owen are two great guys helping the magic community with great magic!