by jittrbug » Feb 10th, '06, 04:25
Hi, I'm a newbie, first post ever on these boards...
I just bought this DVD at a meeting of our local IBM Ring. I had been contemplating buying it from Ellusionist, but I much prefer to support our local magic store, so I did. I have not bought many tricks yet, since I am just getting into the whole magic scene after a life long interest, outside looking in. Anyway, to the point: the trick couldn't be easier. I don't really have any real experience in sleights, but after watching the video and doing TWO dry runs through the moves with a coke can (but WITHOUT a coin in my hands) I performed it for my wife and mother-in-law. It worked fine... a little slow, but successful. After a few dozen more dry runs to get the handling down and to get the speed up, I was able to do it for some people at work and blew them away. For the guys on this thread who are saying they need to practice this for hours, you might want to watch the video a little closer to see EXACTLY where Wayne's hands are going as he demonstrates, do it at a snail's pace about 20-30 times, exactly the same way every time, except to fix whatever is not working. Once you have it right, then keep doing it exactly the same way but speed it up a little at a time. This is exactly the same way a musician would practice a difficult piece. The trick could not be simpler, it almost works itself. I'm not disrespecting this effect at all, it's a dynamite trick and it deserves to be performed well, so whatever it takes for YOU to do it well, is worth the effort. Also, I have learned to do it right handed and left handed so I'm able to compensate for the angles wherever I am when I am performing it. I like to block off the angle on one side of me (with a wall, a bush, some chairs, whatever) when I am doing this to help control the audience's position relative to where I am standing. My favorite thing to do is back myself into a corner so I don't need to worry about people looking over my shoulder. That way, no matter what trick I am doing, I don't need to worry about those angles.
For those who are fishing for details as to how it is done, have you thought about getting a soda and a coin and actually going thru the moves as shown on the demo? It almost explains itself if you try it. I'm not saying that you shouldn't buy the trick.... Wayne Houchin is an amazing technician and deserves to profit from his creations. Even if you do figure out the secret without buying it, the DVD will give you important tips for the handling and for SELLING the effect to your audience. It's also a great lesson to listen to Criss and Wayne talking about their differences in the way they perform it. Yeah, it's a lot of money for one trick, but it's a heck of a lot cheaper than some stage props that pack a LOT less impact. Add in the fact that it's totally impromptu and reasonably angle friendly, and you have one helluva trick. I say "Buy it", or better yet, DON'T buy it so I can be the one doing the mindfreaking while you are still fishing on the boards, trying to figure out how it's done... ( :