by Demitri » Nov 20th, '06, 07:16
Coin to soda can - I may be way off here, but did you actually learn this by purchasing the dvd? Your handling of the effect makes me think you didn't. The way you handled the can after the penetration was highly unusual. Think about being natural with the display of the can. Every move you made screams out "I'm hiding something from you"! This effect can be flashy, but the beauty of it is that it doesn't have to be. Even with the most casual handling, this effect will kill. Try to be natural with it. If you already own the dvd - watch it again. If you don't - go buy it.
Paper rip - your left hand leaves the screen. Even if this move means absolutely nothing - all of the magic of the effect is immediately destroyed.
Levitation - Nothing is less magical than a levitation that shows only the feet. Yes, you said you can do these effects in front of a live audience - but that doesn't negate the fact that this was a completely non-magical levitation video. If it's not a fully body shot - why bother filming it?
The fork bend was nicely done. No comments here.
Disappearing Nail - This just didn't work for me. Your hands are way too close to the camera, so it loses some appeal there. Also - if you want to really sell it, you should show your hands to be completely empty (both sides). The fact that you never see the entire nail detracts from the overall effect as well.
Arm Twist - the effect was done well - but the finish was very anticlimactic. You just jump up and you're done. There's more that you can do with this from a presentational aspect. Keep that in mind while you're doing these kinds of effects. This is just a personal opinion here - but I think the effect plays a bit better when the twist is done slowly, and the spectator gets the feeling that it's kind of painful. Again - that's just what I like. Do the routine how you like.
Coin trick - Nicely done - but with some more practice and a bit more research you can look into ways of performing this with a more natural presentation (as well as learning ways to show more of your hand before the production). I don't know if others think like this - but the production of the coin pinched between your fingers in that way gives the effect away for me. It's an incredibly unnatural way to hold a coin - and I feel that causes a wary spectator to start thinking a bit too much.
All in all these are very good starts. Beyond just learning the effects and/or moves - try to think about how to present them. Natural motions, casual handlings, keeping your thoughts on these kinds of things can only help you. Great job. Keep up the good work.
