talkmagic.co.uk

Jay Sankey - The Real Work on Restaurants and Bars

Price:
$30.00
£22.99

Where to get it: Quite a few places. Here are a few links to get you started.

http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=8321 - Hank Lee
http://www.magictricks.co.uk/prodshow.asp?code=597 - Magictricks.co.uk
http://www.magicshop.co.uk/ - magicshop.co.uk

Difficulty:

2-4

Most of the material on here is not knuckle-busting sleights, and with a strong knowledge of basic sleight of hand, you can pick up on almost all of the effects. The higher difficulty comes into play in a few effects as far as sleights go (not many, but a few that will require some practice). Mostly, the difficulty comes in presenting the effects well. The mechanics are only one facet, the presentation is where you live or die.

Overview:

This is a collection of effects and insights from Jay Sankey, centered on work in bars and restaurants (Thankfully, or the title would have been REALLY out of place). The layout of the DVD is a simple 1 and 1 process - you get an effect that Jay has used in all of his restaurant gigs, then you get an inside look into his thoughts about all aspects of this style of magic. He discusses how to approach and build up a rapport with your audiences. It also goes into how to sell yourself to a restaurant - how to work with in a team environment with other employees, and how to honor regulars. He even gives advice on how to charge for your services. As far as the behind the scenes business aspect of restaurant/bar work - he leaves no stone unturned. This alone makes the DVD worth a purchase. If you've ever thought of breaking into this venue, but don't know where to start - now you know. Remove the tricks from this DVD and you're STILL getting every dollar’s worth with this DVD.

But it doesn't end there. Interspersed with the insights and information, are 16 of Jay's favorite effects for this venue of magic. They range across the board - from cards and coins to ordinary objects that would be found in any bar or restaurant. If you're looking for variety of magical effects, this DVD has it in spades.

Not all of the effects are 100% impromptu. Some require a bit of set-up (none of which are difficult or time consuming), and others will require some gimmicks and props that must be purchased separately. Having said that, I can honestly say that most people here will already have the necessary props/gimmicks on hand, so it shouldn't cost much more to get everything you need.

Here's a rundown of the effects, plus a brief description:

1: Permanent Press - Magician can borrow a bottle cap from a spectator, and offer a demonstration of the differences between quick hands and strong hands. With quick hands, the bottle cap vanishes right before their eyes, only to be produced from the magician's pocket. Now, the magician demonstrates the idea of strong hands, and with a loud bang, slams the bottle cap down onto the table. Lifting his hand, he reveals the cap is now perfectly flattened.

- A very cool, quick effect. Most of the effects on this DVD are quick-fire effects. These are the perfect kinds of effects for this style of work. You don't get much time in front of each table or group, so you need to get in, hit hard and fast, and get on to the next group. This effect works perfectly in that environment. It's a fast effect that works really nicely. It's not an overly difficult trick - but you'll need basic knowledge of coin magic and coin sleights to pull it off. Needless to say, the effect is explained in detail.

2: Hot Wax - A broken and restored crayon effect.

- Jay offers two handlings for this. One uses a bit of fire magic, but obviously that is not the optimum handling for all situations. With either handling it's a great bit of magic for children. The adults should be impressed by it, too.

3: Guaranteed - Magician offers to gamble with the spectators' money. Taking any bills from one spectator, he bets a second spectator that he can find a selected card from a shuffled deck. To seal the deal, he writes "guaranteed" on the face of the card - and since it's a 100% guarantee, he writes 100% on the back of the card. This "guarantee" is placed on the table, with the money. Spectator selects and signs a card. After the SPECTATOR shuffles - the magician cuts to the wrong card. Although he seems to lose the other spectators' money, the magician makes good in a surprising climax.

I didn't want to reveal the entire effect here, it's just that good. This is one of the highlights on the DVD for me. Sadly - I watched this with an all too knowing feeling. I had been developing an effect for a few months that turns out to use this EXACT handling. The presentation is entirely different (and not surprisingly, Mr. Sankey's version is far superior to mine). So, I must give up my own creation and forget ever releasing it. That's ok though - because I already know how to DO the effect, so now I have the Sankey version and its right in my repertoire.

4: Picture Perfect - Two cards are selected, and the magician attempts to catch the thoughts of the first spectator - and draw their card on the back of a business card. The revelation shows the magician was wrong. In an instant, the drawing changes into a drawing of the selected card! The business card is then signed (for authenticity) and placed onto the table. With a cut of the deck and a fan of the cards over the card - the SIGNED drawing now turns into the SECOND SELECTION.

- This is yet another Sankey effect utilizing a powerful method. On first sight, many people will instantly know what the work is. This is another powerful piece of magic. Among my favorite effects are those where a signature or mark is made to change. To me, it's among the most powerful things you can do. This effect does that twice. The handling is smooth and super easy to pull off. But don't let it's ease of use fool you - it will kill.

5: Cut and Restrawed - Magician threatens to cut a straw (still sealed in the wrapper) if anyone moves. Of course, someone moves and the straw is cut. The straw is SEEN in both sides of the wrapper. Telling his audience not to worry, the magician magically fuses the straw back together and hands it out for examination.

- This is one of the effects where I found myself wondering if it would really be as strong as Jay said. I humbly admit that my worries were unfounded. This is an effect where the simplicity of it can fool you into thinking it's not worth trying. It is definitely worth trying.

6: Airtigher - A card is selected and signed, then placed back in the deck. The Spectator shuffles the deck to prove the card is completely lost. The magician then brings a few balloons out of his pocket. Taking one, he pushes the deck inside the balloon and blows it up. He gives the balloon to a spectator, asking them to shuffle the deck. Upon taking it back, the magician pulls the signed selection through the balloon, leaving an awesome souvenir.

- This is an updated version of Sankey's Airtight effect. As he mentions, you lose the effect of the deck magically appearing in a balloon - but the effect has also been streamlined to make it easier to do, while not at all detracting from the power of the effect. This version requires no set up, and the inclusion of the balloon effectively covers all of the work you need to do. Great piece of magic.

7: Four Seasons - The magician walks by and "picks up" a button lying on the floor. He asks if anyone has lost a button. When no one says yes, he tosses the button into his hand, opening it to reveal a half dollar, asking if anyone has lost that. Squeezing his hand shut, he opens it revealing a Chinese coin, asking if perhaps they lost that. Finally, he tosses the Chinese coin into his hand, giving a little squeeze, then opens to reveal an English penny - which of course, no one has lost.

- Sankey's coin work is always great. This takes an older routine and adds the idea of a "found object" into the mix. Aside from that, it's a standard coin changing routine. Not too difficult to pull off, but still incredibly magical.

8: Population Explosion - After an earplug or sponge ball routine, the magician places his two sponges into a playing card box and hands the box to the spectator. Pattering about what's going on in there, the magician takes the box back and shows that the sponges have multiplied, pulling 7 or 8 sponges out of the card box.

- Not the strongest effect on the DVD. However, it can work as a nice closer to a sponge routine. While it can work well, I just don't think it's something I'd use. It has given me a few ideas to build a routine around, but as just a standalone climax, it doesn't suit my tastes.

9: Paper Mache - Two paper ketchup cups are shown to the spectators'. They are placed mouth down on the table and the spectator is asked to choose one. The "loser" cup is chastised and crumpled up like garbage. Suddenly, the unwanted cup vanishes - only to be found underneath the other cup.

- Easy but still cool. It probably won't kill your audience - but it is a great "middle" effect.

10: Merger - Two business cards reveal the identity of two selections.

- For me, this was the weakest effect on the dvd. I can't really nail down the reason why, but it just doesn't "hit" me. My biggest gripe with it is that it can lead your spectator to believe that no selections are really genuine. I don't mind forcing - but this effect kind of shoves that down the audiences' throat. For that reason, it loses some strength in the climax.

11: Sweet Bread - A transposition between a borrowed bill and a sugar packet - in the SPECTATOR'S hand!

- This is a really powerful, quick effect. Even Jay notes how he was surprised by how this seemingly impossible effect (you'll have to watch the video to see why it was considered impossible) works perfectly. You need a good knowledge of basic sleights. Nothing too difficult, but your technique HAS TO BE solid. If it is, this is an absolute stunner.

12: Amphibean - A borrowed and signed coin appears inside a sealed creamer.

- While not exactly Sinful - it's a still a cool effect. What I like about it, is that it's a magical effect that can be done with something that is on the table of nearly every restaurant in the world. I have always wondered what kind of magic I can do with those little creamers. Now I finally have something! Not hard to do - but it will take practice to get it smooth. Also - don't ask me why amphibian is spelled incorrectly, but that's how it is on the dvd, so I kept it.

13: Sugar Coated - Torn and restored sugar packet.

- Exactly as the description says. Simple and direct. This is the best variation I've seen of this kind of effect, so it's definitely one to watch.

14: Freezer Burn - A few ounces of the spectator's own drink is frozen into an ice cube.

- Messy little effect, but I think it can be good. I haven't tried it yet, but the idea behind it sounds great.

15: Corker - Two halves of a broken cork are instantly and visually melted back together.

- Of the effects using coin worker sleights, I find this the most difficult. That's only because I don't have as much experience with coin magic. The one move in this effect requires a good deal of practice to make it look good. I think it will be worth the effort to learn though, as the effect is pretty cool.

16: The Blackpool Effect - Incredibly direct magic and mentalism.

No websites actually describe this effect, and I know why. Even I won't describe it. Just know that it is an incredibly easy effect to pull off. You need to know how to do two moves, and in truth - you don't even have to know how to do one of them well. The presentation covers any problems or hiccups you might have. The other move is one that almost everyone who practices magic knows how to do. It is bare bones as far as "work" goes. It's instant, direct - and it looks like pure mind reading. It finishes with a great bit of magic to really drive it home. At the end of the explanation, Jay finishes by shouting "CLOSER!" Indeed - this is an ultra powerful closer. Quite a few people I've talked to about this dvd have said this effect alone is worth the cost of the dvd. I find it incredibly hard not to agree with them. This is a killer. Take my word for it - this effect WILL slay your audience.


Final Thoughts:

So there you have it. Jay Sankey does it again. I'm constantly amazed by the sheer amount of powerful material he puts out. If you put time and effort into this dvd, you can start a career in restaurant and bar magic on this stuff alone. You wouldn't need anything else to get going. After watching this, you'll not only have an arsenal of powerful effects that can be done in any restaurant or bar, but you'll also have a wealth of knowledge on how to get a job, how to keep that job, how to get money, tips - and build a relationship with both your patrons and co-workers.

On the business side - he covers every question I've ever had about this line of work. He covers things I never even thought of. As I said before, if there wasn't a single trick on the dvd, I would still consider it an excellent purchase.

On the magic side - it's Jay Sankey, people. Need I say more? The thing I love most about Jay Sankey's material, in any form, is the thought process involved. Mr. Sankey is a world-class talent. His technical mastery is unquestionable - but what elevates him above others, in my opinion, is his ability to think beyond just sleight of hand. He scales down and refines his handlings to a point where he doesn't always need the insanely hard moves and techniques. As a result of his endless tinkering and refinements, he delivers hard hitting magic that is straight to the point and without filler or unnecessary movements or handlings. It's direct, simple, POWERFUL magic. In my opinion, Sankey has very few peers in this category.

I can't recommend this dvd enough. Get it for the magic - get it for the information and knowledge. Just get it. If you're serious about getting into this line of business, you can't pass this up. Even if you're not looking into restaurant/bar work and just want a few effects you can do with family and friends while out to dinner - you can't go wrong.

Value - 10/10 - As with every Sankey product - you get more than what you paid for. The DVD is packed with effects and information. After studying this, you have everything you'll need to get paid gigs.

Instruction - 10/10 - Jay Sankey is, without a doubt, one of the best at explaining and instructing his effects. Every detail is covered; every thought and move is laid out in a manner that is easy to follow.

Effects - 9/10 - Two of the effects on here just weren't to my liking. However, I'm sure there will be plenty of people out there who love them both. Strong magic that is, for the most part, not difficult to do. Who could ask for anything more?

Overall - 9.99/10

A fantastic review and a very good DVD. I also highly recommend getting this. The routines are great

Great Review. I love all of Sankey's work. This DVD sounds really nice. But alas, I am broke...as always...

Thanks for the review. I was interested in this before, now I really want to get it . And for the price, it seems really great too.

top review thanks
i have the dvd too, its great!
blackpool effect or storm force 7?
mmm, i wonder which one to stick with?
benifts to each i guess,
i may make up my own combining the two effects?
if you know what i mean.........

Oh dear, another one added to the list.
I think I will be picking up a copy of this very soon.