talkmagic.co.uk

Jim's latest looks quite tempting. I've watched the demo video over at Alakazam, which is next to useless and doesn't tell me anything that the advertising blurb hasn't already made clear. (What's the point of producing these videos that are all style and absolutely no substance?) I was wondering if anyone knows what the actual effect is?

http://www.alakazam.co.uk/index.php?pag ... &Itemid=14

This is a pretty good effect, i was shown it at the last Tabular Mentis meeting.

(It was a pre release so things might have changed)

So without giving to much away It's a prediction idea using old photographs. The mentalist shows the spectator a series of old photo's of couples, and tells a bizarre story about there lives deaths and various other strange happenings, He then has the spectator narrow down the the photo's until he finally predicts that he knew what there actions was from the beginning.

The reveal at the end is nice with a bit of a twist. The spectator gets to do everything in this effect and they get to tear things up as well which is nice. And Its got an excellent plot all the way through that can be adapted for your performing style.

If there props released are anything like the ones i saw then they are well made, if you have white star you will know what to expect.

I really like this and think it will do well.

In short...

A series of photographs are shown of couples on their wedding day (10 photos I think), the photos range from about the 1910's to the 1960's.

An envelope is on the table, or given to a spectator to hold. The spectator is asked to select one, and to tear it up.

After this happens, the performer talks about how one of the couples in the photographs murdered their spouse shortly after the wedding. The envelope is opened and there is a photograph ther that was torn up and reassembled with sellotape.

Not only is the ohoto the same as the one the spectator chose, but it was torn in the exactly the same way.

I was at the DVD shoot, and met Jim - who is a very fascinating guy. The effect is very spooky, and when I saw it being performed, it actualy sent shivers up my spine.

The background story is beautiful, and can't fail to invoke strong reactions.

You could argue it is a little bit ballsy to perform, but actually I have performed it several times now (I was lucky enough to be sent a pre-release set of what was needed), and it is actually much easy than you may think. It is one of those things that just requires a little confidence.

If you like atmospheric effects such as The Titanic - then this will be right up your street. I love it. Really love it.

Thank you, gents. If the photos are going to be torn up, I assume they are not of the same quality as the White Star cards? Do you get any spares?

Replicant wrote:Thank you, gents. If the photos are going to be torn up, I assume they are not of the same quality as the White Star cards? Do you get any spares?

Yes, I'd be interested to hear about this too.

themagicwand wrote:

Replicant wrote:Thank you, gents. If the photos are going to be torn up, I assume they are not of the same quality as the White Star cards? Do you get any spares?

Yes, I'd be interested to hear about this too.

Ditto

From what i have heard it comes with a few photos and you get a pdf with the effect to print your own.

So i guess it would mean printing them on good quality photo paper.

Only one photo will get torn up so you will get a nice supply of them, but yes, the intention is you take it to get printed on proper photographic paper to print yor own refills when you need them.

Thanks again, Lee and Simon. I'm still in two minds about this one. I'm sure it's a great effect; I'm just not sure if it's for me or not. I guess I'll wait for a review to surface before making up my mind.

Replicant wrote:Thanks again, Lee and Simon. I'm still in two minds about this one. I'm sure it's a great effect; I'm just not sure if it's for me or not. I guess I'll wait for a review to surface before making up my mind.

Go on Reppy, you know you're the TM member who influences everybody else to part with their money (Especially now Robs not here!)

dont you get a set of alf garnett photos with it too as a bonus effect?

Silly Moo.....

I really want this one!

Having done White Star to death... I love the reaction it gets when it really hits big. To be fair, it can be a little hit and miss and some specs spot the method fairly quickly after the reveal but I keep it in because when it works.... My goodness it really works!!

I'd be very curious about the torn picture too. I've got no problem printing off further copies but I'm concerned that the stock will look different to the other supplied pictures. Do we get the image files for the other pics so that we can print those off too - to ensure we don't have one photo on different stock to the others....

questions...questions... questions.....

Just to follow up on this, I spoke to Chris at Alakazam the other day (over their live help thingy) and he said that the intention is that you should take the image file down to Boots (or another photographic outlet) to get the replacements printed on good photographic paper.

I guess this makes sense - if you printed it at home, it might look a bit odd if only only one of the pictures had "Wilkinsons Premium Paper" printed on the back of it... and if you get a decent enough supply of pics to start with, the effect might be good enough to pay for itself in the long run

I'm going to take the plunge and order it - Hallowe'en coming up and all that. Chris told me that they were hoping to ship them out by the end of the week. I will post a review ASAP(postal strikes permitting!)

Cheers,

Sean

got mine today - its a smart little routine - seems to play out well, obviously not had chance to test it yet...but its the usual standard of explanation/depth as you get on all alakazam dvds...

a nice interesting and dramatic routine...