talkmagic.co.uk

Ok you fiends, I've just ordered mine.

The power of persuasion runs thick.

Just hoping it has the brilliance I'm xpecting

Hi YankeeTom,

The 'Epic flight' was a so-so kind of effect. It was certainly novel way back in '84. It wasn't self-working either, needed some manipulation of the brass keys.

Overall, the reactions I got were good to moderate. Personally I felt the overall premise was weak.

So, on to the 'Xpert'. To be quite frank, I am getting a little tired of people banging-on about the thing. It seems as though there is a mass hysteria surrounding it. Believe me, 'Xpert' is not all that it's cracked up to be. Especially with the issues of localisation. This is where the Harris effect beats the Tobin effort hands-down.


Frank.

yankeetom wrote:I’m not exactly sure what you meant by this, especially the "localization" reference...

The stealth gimmick is both seen and unseen. What the spectators actually see may not arouse suspicion - but when it does, what are you going to say...." er, yeah, well, I, er, just came back from the States, see, and, er...."

This is what I meant by localization.

Yes, as you say, the damn thing is getting up my nose! Well, not so much the device itself, but, as can be seen on another (non-uk) forum, the sheer number of fawning lackeys who contribute to the hype. People dare not say a bad word - and I think this is wrong. All this back-slapping has lead to the 'Xpert' being used almost everywhere and by almost everyone! Good for Mr. Tobin's bank account maybe, but bad for magic as a whole.

I'm willing to bet there is nobody on this board who has used the 'Epic Flight', let alone seen one.

There has been a kind of glasnost, or openness in regard to magic and mentalism over the past few years. There was a time when you wouldn't have been given a second glance from a fellow magician. Most of this 'openness', I believe, is from the advent of the Internet - which has been magic's saviour, and will ultimately be its downfall.

And if that sounds a little confusing for some, then to put it simply, if there was no Internet then the 'Xpert', like the 'Epic Flight' would be just a miracle for the chosen few....

Anyway, just my opinion.

Frank.

yankeetom wrote:As to openess, I guess it's a double edged sword.

...Yes, and twice as sharp as it rips through the corps of magic.

...And also wrote:Barry/Frank (sorry can't tell which it is)

Yes, sorry about that - it does confuse somewhat! My name is Frank, Barry Lekkar is my alter-ego. Just roll the name around in your mind awhile - your blurred thoughts will sharpen, and then behold! A true genius emerges from within the mental fog....


Frank.

Just to add to the confusion, the localisation thing isn't that much of a problem - we've been using them here at work for their normal purposes for several years - even the coloured and the larger versions. Sadly, it was only after getting more into magic 12 months ago that I realised what they were and how often they're used in magic effects or as part of a routine! ( I know what you mean about the 'hysteria' over certain effects on other forums though!)

So sad to see the effects of mass hysteria...

Anyway, I would probably disagree with Barry/Frank on this one - as I think the hysteria surrounding the effect is partly due to the 'It's right under your nose' part of the effect.

In honesty, there's nothing new in magic.

It is, however, a new twist on an old idea, and the sheer genius and 'why didn't I think of that' aspect of this is what sells it, for me.

Yeah, we are all guilty of raving about things once in a while - but in my own humble opinion, this really is worth raving about. It has all the qualities of mystery and magic - IT'S A DECEPTION - EVEN THE 'PACKAGING'.

And as far as localisation goes, it's not such a problem, as I ALSO have been using the non-gimmicked item for about 10 years prior to seeing Xpert - and it's a pretty common item in a card magi's toolkit.

And so the deception/scam/illusion is complete... and the reactions from some of the effects possible with this are unreal - and of course, EVERYTHING is examinable.

Yes, I appreciate that the method is old, and there is a lot of positive 'over-proportioned' hype, but is fairness, this is a great little device if used in the right circumstances.

Barry Lekkar wrote:I was using an effect over 20 years ago called 'Epic Flight' which was the transposition of an 'X' mark on a small brass key, to a BLANK key the spectator was holding.

So really, the 'Xpert' is nothing new.

You are absolutely correct on one point: I have made absolutely no claims that the principle used in the Xpert has sprung, full-blown from my brain. It is the evolution of a concept that can be traced through the work of Larry Becker, Terri Rogers, Ben Harris, Kenton Knepper and several others. What makes my addition to the principle unique is the layer of deception I have brought to it, and the effects to which I have applied it.

If you would rather use the old Epic Flight gimmick, that's fine. But you should know that Ben Harris, inventor of Epic Flight, recognizes The Xpert as an advancement to his methodology, specifically endorses it (as you can see on the product advertising), and plans to include it in future directions for Epic Flight upon remarketing the effect.

Regarding the mania surrounding the product, well, I wish I could tell you why it has sparked such a reaction. All I know is that it has gotten great reviews from people who have used it in front of audiences (I'm not sure who you are calling a "lackey" in this context -- I have no underlings to speak of), and those are the only reviews that matter, in my estimation.

If you have any questions or concerns about The Xpert, feel free to drop me a note anytime.

Best,
Neil

Hi Neil

Well my Xpert is arriving in the post tomorrow and I'm eager as a beaver.

I'm trying not to be too xpectant as this may lead to disappointment but it appears from many, some of whom are on this board, that there is no disappointment to be had.

It's a pity that the Xtreme views seem to be so critical - Xpert isn't just a trick it's a whole way of doing various effects. Perhaps this is why some folks are less than happy, to use Xpert fully you need to develop your own routines, adapt Xisting ideas etc - in other words, you have to think about it! Some of the nastier US postings seriously suggest that a brain is lacking somewhere!

I fully agree with Mandrake....

This is a UTILITY device - and certainly not a trick, or a 'one trick pony'.

It's uses are only limited by imagination (and the infernally elusive Xpertable bike cards!!!) and creativity. In fact, I would go as far as to say that if you just like magic that works straight out of the packet as a no-brainer, then you're probably not much of a magician.

There. I've said it. Controversial? Perhaps...

But it really gets on my nerves when ignoramuses buy class effects like the Xpert and dismiss them because they can't see further than the end of their own nose.

For sure, we all love simple effects which we can perform within 5 minutes of reading the documents - but come on, this gimmick is real mentalism ammo... and it's effectiveness is utterly dependent on your use of it.

I mean, you don't slam the petrol station because "I filled my car with your brand petrol, yet I still have to steer, brake and accelerate..."

Where's the sense in that???

Sorry in advance...
This is way way off topic but why do you never see ice cream vans fill up with petrol?

Don't answer, you will only encourage me
BaB

...or going through the car wash.