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I have never seen this trick performed before and I found this while searching on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x81sEFjQMYM

What do you think?

By the way, its not me performing

Not a bad effect, but showing 3 jokers in the pack is a bit suspicious and the effect would be stronger if the envelope was 'shown' empty at the start. 6/10

I am familiar with this guy.

I agree with the above post. It would be most better if the envelope was shown empty before hand. If something is going to appear somewhere, that means it must not have been there before hand. The only way to really sell that illusion, is to show it wasn't.

I wasn't too keen on the presentation either.

That just gave me an idea though. What if the card was signed, and appeared in a sealed envelope burnt? I've got work to do!

Sorry I fell asleep 1 min into to effect I woke up towards to end and the finish looked great. Lot of thoughts need to go into the presentation to keep the spectators awake.

The most obvious method to improve the presentation is to dramatically increase the speed. Spend 10-20 sec to establish envelope is empty, while another spectator shuffles the card. Do the spectator peek (after possible having cut the corner***** to the centre). Instead of having a 5min effect that just drags, the whole effect can be done in just a bit more than one minute.

A slow presentation is in my modest opinion certainly also possible, however a lot of thoughts need then to go into the presentation. How is it possible to involve people right from the start? One spectator have envelop lying face up on his hand (suggest that he might prepared for a small burn).
Another spectator might be asked to be prepared to light the lighter. Then (and only then) a spectator is asked to examine the cards (the potentially most borring part should not be first). You might ask if any of the cards are burned or smell of smoke (I think this would not undermine but rather enhance the ending). Then go on to ask the spectator peek to identify victim card. A presentation along those lines can be much slower but might have a chance of being entertaining. The choice of presentation (and speed) obviously has to match the general style of you as a performer.

This is just a suggestion... You might of course disagree. And yes, I know that it wasn’t you performing.

I agree with Soren - the effect can very easily be tightened up and shortened - which would increase the overall power.

However, regardless of speed, I am failing to see the purpose of the "card to envelope". The storyline has a good hook with the voodoo curse aspect - but why would the card need to disappear and then reappear in an envelope? To me - I think a spectator would instantly conclude that the card in the envelope was never their card.

Since there is a force involved, I think the effect itself should act as more of a cover. One possible variation here, would be to table the card face down - have the spectator place their hand on top of it. Now - go into the voodoo storyline and burn the effigy. As Soren mentioned - ask if the spec's hand got warm and whatnot - then have them turn the card over to show the burn.

You have PLENTY of time to clean up - the method is ultra simple and the presentation is stronger (in my opinion). There are even ways to eliminate the force and still do this effect, even make it repeatable.

Demitri wrote:I agree with Soren - the effect can very easily be tightened up and shortened - which would increase the overall power.

However, regardless of speed, I am failing to see the purpose of the "card to envelope". The storyline has a good hook with the voodoo curse aspect - but why would the card need to disappear and then reappear in an envelope? To me - I think a spectator would instantly conclude that the card in the envelope was never their card.

Since there is a force involved, I think the effect itself should act as more of a cover. One possible variation here, would be to table the card face down - have the spectator place their hand on top of it. Now - go into the voodoo storyline and burn the effigy. As Soren mentioned - ask if the spec's hand got warm and whatnot - then have them turn the card over to show the burn.

You have PLENTY of time to clean up - the method is ultra simple and the presentation is stronger (in my opinion). There are even ways to eliminate the force and still do this effect, even make it repeatable.

I think its OK to have the card endup in the evelope, provided it is shown empty first (this can easily be achieved by standard preparation and it is even possible to endup fairly clean after the card has been found). It has to be avoided that the specatators reason that the card might have been there in the first place. Spectators are not stupid and this is the "natural" explanation the magician have to knock down. One idea is to gently lift up the envolope after the spectators card have been mixed into the deck opening up the possibility that you somehow place the card in the envelope.

Another idea is to sign the spectator's card ("just in case we forget what card was chosen"). If you perform for a larger group of people this can be done so only few of the people realise that the signature is made by you!
When signing you have of course to ensure that the signature match the signature on the burned dublicate. After the card has been revealed ask people to notice that the card is still warm (...well it has the temperature it has but this I am sure would pass), and turn to the person(s) who watched you sign and ask them to confirm that this is the correct signature!

Anyway I agree the card moving into the evelope does not really fit into the voodoo thing however potentially it could be very strong to have a signed card end up burned in an evelope. Maybe Derren Brown could use this idea in a future show?

i've not watched this (p.c. problems) but just an idea, instead of the same old signing a card thing...why not:

offer them a choice of symbols (you can make them up on a double blank deck) to write on their chosen card instead...

then once the card appears in the envelope, burnt...you could turn over the original symbol selection to reveal that it represents "fire"? play it all slightly odd and bizarre...just an idea anyway...

i think the dude has tried to make a cool effect. however, i agree. i got a bit bored. i feel it could have been made a bit faster and the storyline a bit better as well.

i wonder.. if there wasn't an envelope on the table...but the spec goes into their pocket at the end. and its there with their card inside. that would be cool.

abraxus wrote:i've not watched this (p.c. problems) but just an idea, instead of the same old signing a card thing...why not:

offer them a choice of symbols (you can make them up on a double blank deck) to write on their chosen card instead...

then once the card appears in the envelope, burnt...you could turn over the original symbol selection to reveal that it represents "fire"? play it all slightly odd and bizarre...just an idea anyway...

In the video, the card wasn't signed. I brought that aspect into it because I was trying to justify the card being in the 'casket'. I don't think a card or anything else should transfer locations without being marked or signed first. Atleast in this type of effect.

But I like your idea the best abraxus. Though everyone else gave a great deal of good tips for the trick. I wonder if this guy still comes around TalkMagic as I haven't seen him in ages.

hello guys, thank you all so much for your intrest in my effect.

I havent been on any fourms lately, i have been creating brand new effects.


I agree with you all that this trick really does need some work.

The patter, the handling needs a lot of work.

This effect is just in it's ruff stages, and i am working with it right now to show an empty envolope and get a signed card inside.

And by the way, I really dont no why their was three jokers. lol honestly.

but thanks a lot guys for your constructive critism.

I have work to do