The hype:
# Over 2 hours of insanely visual card magic!
# Rave reviews!
# Learn over 20 wild sleights and 10 startling effects!
# Includes 11 specially-printed Bicycle playing cards plus an instructional DVD with over TWO HOURS of magic and mental effects!
Many of the routines happen IN THE HANDS OF THE AUDIENCE and then the playing cards can be handed out for close examination!
Several of the very special cards can even be kept IN YOUR PACK at all times with very little chance of being discovered!
Many of the routines include SEVERAL different handlings and presentations, so one will be pefect for your skill level and style.
Learn how to obtain card breaks, make the most of card changes, incorpotate spectator initials and signature into gimmicked card work and which card changes work best in which performing situation.
Jay also discusses the effective use of time lapses, the power of confidence, buckling cards, the secrets of technical speed and the 'unbroken rhythm,' rare information on the Botop (Bottom/Top) Card Change the difference between magic and confusion.
As an added bonus, Jay also 'tips the work' on his DOUBLE Erdanse/Houdini Change, the Starfish Change, Flip/Toss Move, Shanghai Change as well as an indepth analysis of the One Hand Top palm (which many serious card workers believe to be one of the most valuable sleights in all of card magic.)
Plus a million and one testimonials that I edited out...
Cost:
$32.99 + S/H (USD) from http://sankeymagic.com/detail.aspx?ID=48153
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)
Practicality:
(1=One trick pony, 2=Advance setup needed, 3=Impromptu setup needed, 4=No setup needed, perform at will.)
Rating:
(1=ZZZzzz, 2=Needs improvement, 3=Filler/Fluff, 4=WHOA!, 5=Finisher quality)
Rating is based solely on the end result of the effect.
Review:
The sleights taught are:
TENKAI CHANGE, RISE RISE RISE, FLIP/TOSS MOVE, PALM OFF CHANGE, SECOND DEAL, ILLOGICAL DL, SNAP DOUBLE, ERDNASE/HOUDINI CHANGE, DOUBLE ERDNASE/HOUDINI CHANGE, RUBAWAY CHANGE, SHANGHAI CHANGE, FALSE TAKE CHANGE, BOTOP CHANGE, TWIRL CHANGE, PAINTBRUSH CHANGE and the STARFISH CHANGE.
All of the sleights and tricks are taught by Sankey out of character and in full teacher mode. I am forever thankful.
The above sleights are taught in order to perform:
LOCOMOTION:"The pip on a selected card is visibly PUSHED across the surface of the card and then the card is handed out for examination!"-Practicality: 2 Difficulty: 3 Rating: 4
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY:"A prediction written on the card case undergoes a startling transformation! And the case is handed out!" -Practicality: 2 Difficulty: 3 Rating: 3
SHIFT:"The back design on a selected card mysteriously 'shifts' 45 degrees! It then magically 'shifts back' in the spectator's own hands!"-Practicality: 1 Difficulty: 3 Rating: 4 Unfortunately a deck change will most likely be needed. It would be well worth going from this deck to a packet trick and then to another deck or vice-versa.
SLEEPING BEAUTIES:"The two faces on the Queen of Diamonds both "fall asleep" and the card can be handed out so everyone can verify that their eyes are truly SHUT!"-Practicality: 1 Difficulty: 3 Rating: 1
TERRA UNFIRMA:"A 'pretend hole' is stuck to a card and a moment later the hole becomes REAL!"-Practicality: 2 Difficulty: 4 Rating: 3+
UBERCHANGE:"A card visibly changes despite a sticker initaled by the spectator STUCK TO ITS FACE!"-Practicality: 2 Difficulty: 3 Rating: 3
OUT OF CONTROL:"This INCREDIBLE 3-climax mental routine might be one of the most mysterious versions of "Do As I Do" ever!"-Practicality: 3 Difficulty: 3 Rating: 4
Other notes:
*The 11 gimmick Bikes in my set were blue backs.
*While Sankey claims that he leaves some of these in his deck I don't know that I'm all that comfortable in doing it.
Overall:
Quality of material: 9/10
but...
Bang for the buck: 7/10
This DVD is wonderful for learning the sleights. This DVD is less than stellar in the way of performances. Most are ok but just a b***** to routine without so many deck changes. Usually this is a problem with gimmicked decks and one of the selling points of learning sleights in the first place- to avoid these hassles.
Most of the sleights can be found elsewhere. If not, there are sleights out there that accomplish the same outcome. If your goal is to learn sleights and you feel that you learn better from DVD's than books, I would recommend getting either the 4 or 5 disc versions of Royal Road to Card Magic (RRTCM) over Hypervisual.
