Director's Cut by Simon Shaw - NOW WITH PHOTO & REVIEW

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Director's Cut by Simon Shaw - NOW WITH PHOTO & REVIEW

Postby Replicant » Aug 19th, '08, 22:09



Got an email from Alakazam about this. Anyone got any thoughts on it? Looks good from where I'm standing.

Last edited by Replicant on Aug 21st, '08, 14:36, edited 2 times in total.
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Postby Replicant » Aug 19th, '08, 23:00

Dammit, I've only gone and ordered it now. I blame Rob for leading me astray.

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Postby lindz » Aug 19th, '08, 23:24

Well I eagerly await your review Replicant :wink:

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Postby Chris » Aug 20th, '08, 10:30

Yeh Me to PM'd the Big Banna man himself and he gave a great review of his own product, lol I sold

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Postby Rob » Aug 20th, '08, 11:06

Replicant wrote:Dammit, I've only gone and ordered it now. I blame Rob for leading me astray.


Always a pleasure to serve, my Reppy chum.

BTW - did you ever grab a copy of Digital Dissolve, as I see there's one up from grabs, second-hand? :wink:

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Postby Replicant » Aug 20th, '08, 12:56

robstanley1 wrote:Always a pleasure to serve, my Reppy chum.

BTW - did you ever grab a copy of Digital Dissolve, as I see there's one up from grabs, second-hand? :wink:


Lalalalalalalala...I can't hear you...Lalalalalalala!!







Er, got a link?

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Postby Rob » Aug 20th, '08, 12:59

Here ya go bud - our mate Taffy would - I'm sure - be delighted to fill your CUPS :lol:

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic22948-30.php

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Postby Jobasha » Aug 20th, '08, 14:38

I'd like to know a bit more about the routines possible with this as the product description doesn't give much away.

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Postby Replicant » Aug 20th, '08, 14:41

Alakazam posted my order this morning so hopefully I'll have it tomorrow. I agree that the product description is a little vague, but I will post details as soon as I am in receipt. Watch this space.

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Postby Tom Lauten » Aug 20th, '08, 14:50

I have been lucky enough to have one of "Mr. Fishes" hand made sets for over a year now and have eagerly awaited this release but I will put my two pennith in after you guys have a play and let us know what you think, looking forward to it.

I will say that you folks should seriously consider relaxing any clenched C.U.P.S. muscles for this one though! Sweeeeeet.....

If we can hit that bullseye then the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards... Checkmate!
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Postby Jordan C » Aug 20th, '08, 20:02

Anything from SImon is bound to be well thought out and a decent buy. Thankfully someone obtained my credit card details and just this week blitzed the hell out of it else I'd be CUPS induced... (hold on did I say thankfully... If i catch the little scrotes I'll magic them into the next life)

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Postby DrTodd » Aug 21st, '08, 07:58

Tom Lauten wrote:I have been lucky enough to have one of "Mr. Fishes" hand made sets for over a year now and have eagerly awaited this release but I will put my two pennith in after you guys have a play and let us know what you think, looking forward to it.

I will say that you folks should seriously consider relaxing any clenched C.U.P.S. muscles for this one though! Sweeeeeet.....


Ditto from me...I watched Simon do this for Andy Nyman at our first Tabula Mentis meeting, and have had the pleasure of seeing the prototypes...this is such a flexible product with so many different applications and the cards are just so cool!!!!

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Postby Replicant » Aug 21st, '08, 14:32

Right, received it this morning and first impressions are very good. I will hold back from posting a proper review, only because I don't like reviewing an effect before I've actually performed it for people. However, these are my thoughts on it....

First off, my thanks to the team at Alakazam for yet another speedy dispatch.

As with all my purchases from Alakazam, you get a very nice package containing 26 laminated cards; a well-known film features on each card, from The Wizard of Oz (1939) to King Kong (2005). The cards themselves are very well laminated in the style of White Star rather than Kioku. They have plain, white backs and handle very well. The cards are exactly the same size as my maxed out credit card :roll: but not on credit card stock. This is not an issue, however, as they are still of a high quality and should last a long time. They come in one of those standard black, plastic wallets. The cards are really a utility item, and with a little thought, you should have no problem coming up with your own routines. They make a nice change from playing cards and the subject matter is one that appeals to me very much. All the cards are ungaffed and can be freely examined.

Image

You also get a very well produced DVD (no printed instructions) which lasts about 35 minutes and features Simon Shaw, Peter Nardi, Looch and Marc Spelmann. The DVD begins with a brief introduction by Peter, followed by some history on the effect and how it came about. The method is then explained, followed by Simon performing and then explaining five routines which you can do with the cards. Some final thoughts then conclude the DVD.

The method is as old as the hills but it works. Anyone who owns Richard Osterlind's Easy to Master Mental Miracles DVD set will know there is an effect on volume one that is very similar to DC but uses different props. And I have no doubt that the method can be found in many, many other sources. The method does require some memory work, but nothing too taxing at all. The fact that DC uses film cards gives it a new and refreshing twist and I just know I will enjoy performing with them.

You also get a 29-page PDF file; this really is quite superb and goes into extensive detail regarding the cards and the routines which featured on the DVD, giving additional hints and tips on all aspects of the performance. After reading the PDF, you'll realise that the DVD is just the tip of the iceberg.

In conclusion (thanks for reading this far!), I am very pleased with my impulse purchase :roll: and can't wait to get practicing. If I had to find fault with DC, which is difficult, I would say that one of my cards has a small, black speck on the back that won't rub off. However, this is a really minor niggle and I honestly don't foresee any problems in performance. I just mention it because I'm a trouble-maker :twisted:

Anyway, if this sounds like your cup of tea, go out and buy it. Now. You won't regret it.

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Postby heronjester » Aug 21st, '08, 14:42

Awww Replicant, don't do that!! It's my pay day soon...

Now where is my maxed out credit card!! :lol:

PS That's pretty good for a non-review! :)

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Postby Jobasha » Aug 21st, '08, 15:14

Looks swish. I've been looking through this variety of effects with cards that aren't your normal playing cards. I think this could fit nicely.

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