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Richard Kaufman - On The Pass DVD
Running Time: 50 mins approx.

£25.96

Difficulty - 4, perhaps even 5
(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)

Review

Another title I never saw in the reviews index, so I thought I'd post my thoughts on it. Before commencing, here's the DVD chapters:-

Techniques:

The Classic Pass
Covers For The Classic Pass
The Riffle Pass
Covers For The Riffle Pass
The Jiggle Pass
Half a Jiggle Pass
Classic Pass False Cut
The Cover Pass
The Herrmann Pass (Stanyon and Roterberg Descriptions)
Merlin's Herrmann Turnover Pass
Jacob Daley's Improved Herrmann Pass
The Double-Lift Shift
Steve Draun's Midnight Shift
The Half Pass (2 Methods)

Routines:

False-Cut Ace Cutting
A Biddling Vanish
Every Every Where
New Cavorting Aces
Passing Along The Vanishing Aces

It's an old DVD... 1989 I think, so don't expect fancy graphics, cool editing or anything like that. It's very basic, just Richard showing you the moves, different angle shots, with Richard's voice-over.

That said, I think this works, especially for a move like the Pass. I'm sure there are many like me who are constantly working on their Pass. I still have problems, but it's nothing that practise can't fix. The Pass is one of those moves that merits a lot of practise, as the results, with a good, invisible Pass, can be astounding.

Kaufman's mastery of the Pass is apparent from the start. I like the teaching of the Classic Pass, and it's covers. He goes into details of where the fingers should be, what to be aware of etc... The pace is pretty quick though, but the advantage of DVD is that you can keep rewinding for as long as you want. VHS degrades when you do this, as I have found from previous magic videos on tape.

There are also 5 routines taught at the end, using the techniques on the DVD. Richard shows the trick, then goes through the moves involved. He's not the most exciting of teachers, but he does show you what's necessary.

Overall - 4 out of 5

For those Pass perfectionists this DVD is very useful. There are a lot of variations of Passes on here, which, once perfected, can be used in a variety of situations. Plus you can learn the routines taught for yourself too.

It is a basic looking DVD, but it does get the facts across. Sometimes I think we're spoilt with all the new DVD's and their fancy editing and groovy soundtracks. This, being about 15 years old, is all about The Pass.

This is excellent!!!

My friend lent it to me and told me to learn the "Half a Jiggle Pass", which has now become my standard, top control method.

Great!!

I have used this as well and agree with the members above - the pass is a very powerful tool - it is fun learning and practicing and Richard Kaufman gives all the basics here and some tips - not for the beginner - I still use this after three years!!!!!!


Best John

Really great movie!:D

have to agree, a fantastic tutorial. got mine from magicbox allong with a set of bikes 2nds at 99 pence a pack to practice with.

For someone who has Ninja 1 and 2 and who has no desire to master every single variation of the pass, just a few different ones, would you still recommend this in addition to the Ninja DVDs?

I have on the pass, although I don't have the ninja DVD, however, it is one of the best sources for learning the pass. I don't think the emphasis on this DVD is on mastering each and every pass on it, rather trying each one and seeing which suits your handling and ability best. Some of the passes are subtle variations of others which can make for either ease of execution or a more invisible pass.
As you progress, you may rewatch this as I have done if you buy it and refine your technique towards one of the other passes.

Also, the ninja DVD to the best of my knowledge is not taught by somebody doing a fantastic impression of Borat.

magicmonkey wrote:Also, the ninja DVD to the best of my knowledge is not taught by somebody doing a fantastic impression of Borat.

Oh well in that case I'm sold

The Ninja DVD's where sold as the official teaching for the pass from Brad. After watching them both however, he did not go very in depth and just showed the basic movement of a Classic Pass. You can still learn the pass from the Ninja DVD's as I have done but if there was a toss up between Ninja and On the Pass, then I would have to go with On the Pass.

kitaristi0, if you want to learn a few variations then On the Pass is definately recommended.

Hope this helps

Seconding all the recommendations on this one, the "Half a Jiggle" pass is one of the most invisible I've seen. And to be honest, it's nice not to have to watch all the Sankey-style editing that you get nowadays.

Kati

The Half a Jiggle pass is the business.

After all of the good reviews, I'm going to have to seriously look into this DVD. I know a lot of people prefer using other sleights to control cards, but ever since I've learned of the pass, I've been trying to master it (so far to no avail). Thanks a ton for the review(s).

Side steal for meh! LOL, I was planning on buying this, really good to vary your styles and keep them on their toes!

I think this is a great dvd as are most of Kaufmann's (it was his Basic Card Technique that really helped me to get started). However, I think that this is more a reference for different methods rather than a good trainer for someone trying to get to grips with the pass for the first time.

I think that Pass With Care by Peter Cassford is the best of the trainer DVDs giving a thorough breakdown of the move and giving the confidence to a beginner to realise that this move does not have to be performed at lightening speed to be successful.

Hope this helps someone!

James

Mr Toucan wrote:I think this is a great dvd as are most of Kaufmann's (it was his Basic Card Technique that really helped me to get started). However, I think that this is more a reference for different methods rather than a good trainer for someone trying to get to grips with the pass for the first time.

I would agree . Kaufman covers subtleties and a bunch of methods, as has been mentioned, but I think there are better sources for someone who is just starting with the pass and needs to know the very basic mechanics.