Foundations 2 by Jason England

Review area devoted to Magic Downloads, DVDs, Videos and similar non printed formats.

Moderators: nickj, Lady of Mystery, Mandrake, bananafish, support

Dude That's Cool Magic Aeternum Servare Secreta Visit Magicbox for all the latest and best effects! A web site set up to sell my book, THE STRIPPER DECK, and future magical/mentalism titles. Manufacturer of modern & unique magic apparatus! Playing Cards for Magicians

Foundations 2 by Jason England

Postby kevmundo » Aug 19th, '12, 20:55



The Effect

Jason England, that insanely talented yet humble cardician, presents volume 2 of his Foundations series. There are 7 card handling techniques included in the DVD. Whereas the first DVD focusses soley on gambling moves, the second DVD discusses card sleights of a more magical nature. The moves are not progressive so you don't have to watch them in order, or buy the first DVD. Included are the following techniques:

The DL (36 mins)

The classic pass (28 mins)

Riffle stacking (41 mins)

The pinky count (14 mins)

The gambler's cop (20 mins)

The push off second deal (28 mins)

The zarrow shuffle (35 mins)



Cost

£40.00 (Ooouuuchh!)


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)

As someone who's classic pass has always been, well, passable, I would say that if you want to get to the level of skill shown by Jason England, then this is off the scale. It's actually quite diffict to gauge properly since unless you try to learn the sleights then you'll never become experienced. If I had a gun to my head I would mark this as a FOUR.

Review

In my opinion Jason England is a geat teacher. He's clearly an amazing card manipulator, but has none of the self assured arrogance that usually acompanies such a level of ability. He begins each technique by discussing a little of it's history and where it first began to appear in card magic. He also gives clear references so you can go directly to the source if you want to. Jason breacks down each move into clearly definable chunks. He is clear, concise, and at least to me, he comes across as genuinely wanting you to learn the move to the highest possible standard.

For those (like me) that read things like RRTCM and find that they've read the same page fifty times and are still none the wiser, this sort of instruction is invaluable.


Overall

3.5 hours of history/demonstration/explanation. The instruction is clear and detailed. The sleights are difficult - no quick fixes here!! Practice practice practice. My only criticism is the price. But if you can't afford it, I guess that aint Jason England's problem.

I have always struggled to deconstruct card sleight explanations in books - the old "the right hand curls around the upper left thumb pad whilst under the c cupped portion of the right outer edge the....noooooooooo" If this sounds like you then you'd benefit from a DVD with this level of detailed insruction. I like it, and I'm certainly glad I bought it. I watch it regularly and I've learnt alot from it. I've even tidied up a few bad habits.

kevmundo
Senior Member
 
Posts: 651
Joined: Aug 16th, '12, 22:04
Location: Huntingdon & London

Re: Foundations 2 by Jason England

Postby Lenoir » Aug 19th, '12, 21:28

Both the original Foundations and the V2 are fantastic for anybody who is interested in learning the detailed sleights from somebody who has not only mastered them, but has studied under many, many people who have had their own intricate thoughts on the moves. What you get then, is a whole heap of knowledge from the best of the best condensed into a very well shot production.

"I want to do magic...but I don't want to be referred to as a magician." - A layman chatting to me about magic.
Lenoir
Elite Member
 
Posts: 4246
Joined: Dec 31st, '07, 23:06

Re: Foundations 2 by Jason England

Postby CArlight1958 » Aug 20th, '12, 08:12

kevmundo wrote:I have always struggled to deconstruct card sleight explanations in books - the old "the right hand curls around the upper left thumb pad whilst under the c cupped portion of the right outer edge the....noooooooooo"


This is one of the reasons why I prefer the dvd format way of learning Kevmundo.
Trying to duplicate, & learn some of the slights illustrated in books for me personally, is a little
like trying to build a flat pack wardrobe from Ikea :(

Thanks for the review.
As you say, pricey, but worth the investment.

CArl...

User avatar
CArlight1958
Senior Member
 
Posts: 459
Joined: Jun 3rd, '11, 08:52
Location: Leeds


Return to Reviews - Electronic media format

World-Of-Magic, Suppliers of quality Magic Worldwide UK's Online Magic Tricks and Jokes Shop offers kids and beginner magic tricks and jokes. MagicWorld Magic Shop for Magic Tricks Best prices around! Web Design for Magicians Best prices around! Sorcery Shop - Home of the ITR

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest