talkmagic.co.uk

I'm interested how does this trick look like? I've heard many people who say it's one of the best routines they've ever seen, but i don't want to buy something i haven't seen before! Please, describe it (not reveal), so i can get a general picture of the effect! thx

You can find a description of the Dead of Night routine on the Alakazam web site at http://www.alakazam.co.uk

It is a very strong routine but as to it being one of the best - that's a matter of opinion .

If you go to Google, search for "talkmagic dead of night" (minus the quotes), the first result you get is this little beauty...

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ntopic8372.php

You'll find that Google is usually more effective than the TM search function, which can be somewhat hit and miss depending on what you're searching for. Hope this helps.

Thank you very much, lads! In the end do you think this effect is worth the cost? And, is it necessary the spelling effect? can it be used differently? I'm having doubts of whether to buy a mind-power deck or this one... Any thoughts on that?

If you give us a bit more information about your background and experience, it will make it easier for us to advise you.

Well, I've been doing magic (cards) for 6 months now. The reason why i started doing it was Derren Brown, who simply fascinated me with his mentalism and card skills. I'm certainly not a pro (maybe someday in future), and I'm lacking experience in front of real audience (got to work on my presentations), although i perform every time i have chance to do so. I got really good reactions, but i definitely feel there's a lot more to it.
Lately I've got interested in fantasio magic, and atm i am waiting for my apperaing cane and flash paper and wool to be delivered, but I'd like to continue working on card magic (so far I've been using darly's encyclopedia, born to preform, ninja 1 & 2, crash course etc.)

Well, you gave us the additional information, so someone should reply!

My honest advice to you is that you shouldn't (at the moment) buy either 'Dead of Night' or a 'Mind Power Deck'.

With DoN, the effect is the effect. As spelling tricks go, it's an absolute cracker, but from what you've said about your current magic, I don't think it's right for where you are at the moment. I wasn't entirely happy with the marketed version, if I'm honest, but can't explain too much here.

The Mind Power Deck is perhaps a little more versatile, but only slightly. It's more that you can dress it up in slightly different ways than that it's good for a wide variety of effects.

If you haven't done so already, I strongly suggest you look into one or more of these with your money (sticking to cards):

A good quality Stripper Deck (if you buy the DVD by Jon Thompson - Tomo on this forum - you get a deck with it).

A Boris Wild or Ted Lesley marked deck, plus a resource for some marked deck routines, such as 'Hidden in Plain Sight' (a book, but there's apparently also a DVD), or Boris's book on the subject.

A Rama Deck.

All of these are much more versatile than the two decks you mentioned, and are likely to serve you better at this stage. Of course, some people will say that you just need to sit down with 'Royal Road to Card Magic' and a few new decks, but once the magic bug bites, all but the strongest (and poorest) have to feed our habits!

I would be inclined to agree with the above. At this stage, you should steer clear of both the decks you mentioned; if you absolutely must get one of them, I would recommend the Mind Power Deck.

If I were you, I would get Tomo's Stripper Deck DVD (with free stripper deck!) as I reckon this is a good one to start with. A stripper deck is much more versatile than Dead of Night or the Mind Power Deck and it also presents less of a challenge at this stage (but not easy by any means!)

Dead of Night is a lovely routine, but it is, quite literally, a one trick pony.

And it's such a well put together routine from the start, you may find it hard to put your own stamp on it.

I loved the routine when I saw it performed on the Get Nyman DVD. And I've often been tempted to buy the deck, because life's too short to make one from scratch.

But I've already spent money on the Octopus Deck, Radar Deck and Cardiologist Deck - as well as an ID, Svengali Deck, Stripper Deck and R&S Deck... And although I love the routines they offer, I quickly realised that you can have too many trick decks.

I ended up selling my RAMA deck.

Before buying, consider:

Does Dead of Night fit so perfectly into your act that it merits the expense and a deck switch?

Is the routine of more use to you than the many brain-melting effects that can be done with an unprepared deck?

Are you earning with your magic? Will the investment pay for itself? If not, the price of Dead of Night could be more effectively spent on books that will give you a much broader repertoire than this single routine.

Just an opinion...

Pete

Thank you all very much!!!! You've been a great help! In the end, I'll probably buy the rama deck - I'm not quite familiar with it but i understand it is a mix of few other gimmicked decks (am i right?).

pcwells wrote:But I've already spent money on the Octopus Deck, Radar Deck and Cardiologist Deck

I am not alone! I agree about having too many trick decks. I've barely used my Rama Deck, not because it's no good, but because I'd pretty much reached trick deck saturation point. I think someone with a few months' experience would get more out of it.

Does Dead of Night fit so perfectly into your act that it merits the expense and a deck switch?

Actually (and it's one of my gripes with the marketed effect), that isn't really an option, unless you're doing card work on stage without a camera. The backs are unique to the deck.

Dikobraz wrote:In the end, I'll probably buy the rama deck - I'm not quite familiar with it but I understand it is a mix of few other gimmicked decks (am I right?).

Yes, although you'll need to do part of the work yourself. I have a vague recollection of fully prepared Rama Decks being available somewhere, so you might want to do a bit more research before buying.

I am not keen on this. I would do John Bannon's Dead Reckoning instead (see his book Dr Mr Fantasy) and Trilogy Streamlined is more bang for the buck any day.

to be totally honest i have dead of night and never ever performed it for anyone. I find the effect ok but don't think it would fit my style. The cards however are superb!!

thank you so much You saved my 20 pounds... (or more, I'm not sure right now)!