talkmagic.co.uk

The Effect

"Kenton has called this method by Ben Highway “One of the great breakthroughs in magic and mentalism” and “the most exciting new concept I have seen in years”.

You are about to find out why.

A deck is spread face down between the hands, and then face up. A freely selected card is pushed through the deck. The selected card changes color instantly! No moves, no nada.

Just a pure and direct color change.

The card is rubbed against the deck and the rest of the deck is now seen to have changed color too.

Now get this: The deck can be entirely examined, and there is NO SLEIGHT OF HAND. The deck changes color not by trick props or maneuvers but rather by mental influence!

We know that sounds impossible, but it is true.

Is it real or is it instant hypnosis of the most novel kind?"


Cost

25 Dollars at Wonderwizards


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)
2/3 the shuffle is technically a sleight, but it really isn't.


Review

I was disappointed after seeing the performance video on the DVD because the method was quite apparent from watching it. However, when I went out and used the method, it absolutely killed.

After a demonstration of the routine to a spectator, Knepper asks the guest (apparently, a fellow magician) to try to guess the method. After the guest gives up, Knepper gives a brief description of the method and the guest's reaction to the method is almost as strong as to the routine itself . The method is very ballsy and does, in fact, rely on psychology, so Knepper understandably takes time to make it clear that the method works.

He then goes into an in-depth description of the method (starting off by saying, "You won't believe what I'm going to tell you.") and credits the creator (a 'long distance student' of his, Ben Highway [edit: our very own Renato!]). The technique is simplicity itself. It literally takes seconds to master the moves involved. Knepper's teaching is very solid, everything you'll need to know, including some of the justifications, subtleties, and most importantly, attitude is taught clearly.

The DVD also has a section with a couple scripts for the routine. Though I never used them myself, I can see how it's a good idea to stick relatively close to it to get the maximum impact.

It's somewhat angle sensitive, but unless you're completely surrounded, you should be able to find a way to make it work out. Reset is as simple as putting it back in the box. However, it is not repeatable, so if you anticipate requests for repeats, have another method at your disposal.

Overall

I bought this almost a year ago and have used it at school and at friends' parties for almost as long. I can vouch for its effectiveness. The method is more than clever it's absolutely devious and it feels like getting away with murder.

9/10

But but but...

I watched the demo vid once and thought "wow".

I watched it a second time and thought "OK - I now see exactly what he's doing and how I can do it too". So what is there to buy? Isn't this one of those trick that would kill in a live demo but putting it on YouTube just gives it all away due to the repeat viewing factor?

I understand the points about learning the best way to use this "technique" and so on, but I don't see the £15+ DVD adding another £15 of value to what the demo vid gives you for free.

Just my personal opinion on this.

TheStoner wrote:But but but...

I watched the demo vid once and thought "wow".

I watched it a second time and thought "OK - I now see exactly what he's doing and how I can do it too". So what is there to buy? Isn't this one of those trick that would kill in a live demo but putting it on YouTube just gives it all away due to the repeat viewing factor?

Unfortunately, yes. I have no idea what Kenton was thinking putting it up on youtube. Trust me though, live, it's fantastic and worth buying to get the full details and to pay the creators.

That is possibly one of the best colour changing decks I've ever seen. Very surprised Kenton Knepper posted the video up, though; in effect, he's also given the explanation away. But I think it's worth purchasing for the extras, not to mention paying the creator for his creation.

you should buy this, regardless of finding out how its done...

cos you'll learn all the subtleties and audience management you'll ever need with his explanations...

It's interesting to see a thread on this - thanks for the kind words chaps, I'm glad it's being well-received and used! When it was released I was initially worried that some might dismiss it upon hearing the method and never actually perform it so I'm happy to hear that doesn't seem to be the case.

I'm biased, of course, but to my mind it's how the colour-changing deck should look (I've had some fantastic mis-rememberings with this as well!). It's certainly one of those things which you really have to perform and work with to truly appreciate.

With regards to the Youtube demo, when I first saw it uploaded I got in touch with Kenton (thinking that, as demos of all of his DVDs had gone up at the same time, it might have been a simple oversight) but he's happy to have it up, and it's his business which means it's fine with me!

Wow. All this time, I just knew you as Cardza...

I had no idea that THE Ben Highway* was a frequent of TM...

*as raved about by Kenton Knepper

Reverse engineered this from the demo video and have ordered the DVD as a result. Not sure yet how I would present it as mentalism, but it's a fascinating method - virtually more amazing than the effect itself!

Had an inkling of the method in the back of my mind on the first time round, got it in full second. It's a very nice effect, but I doubt i could be confident enough to get away with it, so won't buy.

spooneythegoon wrote:Had an inkling of the method in the back of my mind on the first time round, got it in full second. It's a very nice effect, but I doubt i could be confident enough to get away with it, so won't buy.

The DVD covers "outs" of sorts; Kenton gives ways of re-framing the effect in case the full effect doesn't take place to the spectator. That said, as long as you follow the key points of psychological manipulation, I see no reason to worry about failing. The method is much easier than pretty much all of Luke Jermay's suggestion material, and much more reliable as well. It's worth buying if you ever want to do a miraculous color changing deck.

One other comment: It might just be me, but I've been having trouble using this in a routine. It only feels appropriate as an opener, but it's too strong for most other routines to follow it. From the perspective of the spectators, it's a magic trick (though to us magicians, it really feel like Derren-esque mentalism) so it's not particularly appropriate to follow it with anything but "card tricks". Even after following it with triumph (the strongest card trick I do), peoples' attention jump back to the color change.

That said, Mr_Grue, I think OOTW might be able to follow it if you want a mentalism-flavored routine. The theme of perception and colors can be used to tie them together somehow.