Paul Harris - Deep Astonishment

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Postby spurman » Mar 22nd, '05, 18:56



Ok so DA does have an amazing finish (I had one spec text me afterwards 8 times or more asking "How...how.....my brain melted!" :)

BUT.....I think that the 'pre-amble' to the big finish is long winded for an effect that can be done in a snip of the time using a rainbow deck. OK I hear you cry it isn't a rainbow deck in anyway shape or form - it is a means to an end of the wallet reveal....but if you consider that the trick itself is a jaw dropper maybe the first section of the trick is worth it.

I'm sure that all of you who have been performing will do the usual thing and adapt the trick with your own spin as the presentation in the instructions just shows you the basic workings of the trick. The 'sleights' used are sleights, but very easy to lick in minutes - so the 'self working' description is a bit off. Tom L is right on the money with a 2 out of 5!

On to the comment made earlier in this post that a new 'wallet' had been made...I think that if you have the time (or can buy a better quality one that does the same) to reconstruct the one that comes with the kit and you perform this trick lots then that is a sensible idea. As an aside, I find that putting a credit card and maybe some real money in the other side of the wallet makes the whole thing more convincing!

Without giving too much away, I found that the info on the Joker can be put elsewhere and therefore one of the Jokers can go altogether (ie if doing the routine as a one-off in a pub try the back of a cigarette pack inside the cellophane wraper if you re-print it on a piece of small paper etc.) so only you can see it.

Does anyone have any thoughts on losing the info bit altogether?? Some web sites make the whole idea of re-ordering the 'blue' deck to a better menomic method (a great idea!) but is there a way (maybe with juicing) to mark the fronts.........??? As I never have used or seen juice I don't know.....but hey!!

Overall I like this routine, it combines several principles that we all know to make one real good routine, but I still feel that (as ever) with hindsight that you are paying the money for the ideas - not the kit that comes with it. I would have been a lot happier to buy the trick without the gaffs and then make the gaffs up for myself later!

If you are still not convinced to buy this trick from what all the others have said in this thread then go and buy it anyway....I'm sure that you won't be disappointed - even if you do (like me) decide afterwards that the gaffs deserve to be re-made and a more 'personally finished' version is then had!

L8R

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Postby Mandrake » Mar 22nd, '05, 22:18

If nothing else, this thread proves that a great routine or effect will never die, it will simply go on being rediscovered and reinvented time and time again. Once you're comfortable with the feel of the effect you can start changing as much as you can get away with and it will be just as valid as the original.

It's very heartening to hear the little grey cells cranking into overtime doing everything possible to personalise and tailor such a classic effect into something even more relevant. Rock on TM and TM members! :D

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Postby pauleta2808 » May 2nd, '06, 11:51

I would like to buy this trick, but I'm not sure which version to take. Should I buy the Anything Deck, DA I or DA II ?

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Postby Mandrake » May 2nd, '06, 14:29

Anything Deck is the basic idea whereas DA is the full routine, cards, gaffs, wallet, patter (although do please use your own!) and reasoning. DAII is the same as DA but with a more 'spooky' theme. It's also slightly easier to divine' due to the nature of the props involved and tends to look a bit more 'classy'.

Nothing wrong with DA at all and still worth doing. I know that doesn’t help much but if I had to chose one out of the three then DAII would be the one as I like the fortune telling angle very much indeed.

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Postby shanester » May 2nd, '06, 20:08

I've had a bit of time to use this and I must say it gets good reactions. The one thing that I think is a bit weak is getting the audience member to suggest the envelope. I find that usually I have to do that bit.
However people are usually pretty fooled.

You must try however to make someone choose a name that isn't obvious (stress that it shouldn't be someone in the room, or their partner but someone that they have a deep attachment for, maybe someone who is far away..)

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Deep Astonishment

Postby lozey » May 3rd, '06, 23:54

I have this effect and have found IMHO that it cant be done quickly and that spectators often get bored if there are more than 3 letters to the word. A few times spec have even grabbed for the wallet and tipped the gaff, so its not one i regulary use unless doing a small show for family or friends

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If you have a quality,let it define you no matter what it is-Doug Bradley
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DA - gypsys curse

Postby simplymagic » May 4th, '06, 07:32

Hi. I've got the newer version of Deep Astonishment, the Gypsies Curse - better wallet, better cards - overall much nicer - but.... I still find it a bit time consuming getting the correct cards out during the "reading" stage, the effect needs a quick reset (which when I'm working is a pest!), the need to spread the cards on a table and place the wallet down is restrictive for small table hopping environments filled with food/plates/cutlery etc and to perform it I need to carry the cards and the wallet - since I work with no jacket on pocket space is a premium.

The end reveal is great, but the downsides for me outway this and so I have the effect "filed" away.

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Postby shanester » May 4th, '06, 15:53

Sorry, yes I was talking about DAII aswell.


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DO IT RIGHT

Postby tennyson HANBURY » Oct 5th, '07, 18:34

DO THIS TRICK WITH OSTERLIND CENTER TEAR AND USE A BLUE DECK !AND SHOW A FEW RED CARDS IN CARD BOX B4 TRICK EVEN BEGINS.MUCH STRONGER THAN A SUSPISCIOUS WALLET

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Re: DO IT RIGHT

Postby DrTodd » Oct 5th, '07, 19:16

tennyson HANBURY wrote:DO THIS TRICK WITH OSTERLIND CENTER TEAR AND USE A BLUE DECK !AND SHOW A FEW RED CARDS IN CARD BOX B4 TRICK EVEN BEGINS.MUCH STRONGER THAN A SUSPISCIOUS WALLET


That's a nice idea....I like the idea of spending more time on the reading aspect...these are le normand cards (ish) and present great opportunity to enhance the patter and presentation.

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Postby AndyRegs » Oct 5th, '07, 19:19

Wont getting them to write the name down, then straight away ripping it up and then going into a reading seem a bit messy? What would be the justification?

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Postby storm01 » Oct 6th, '07, 20:53

Looking back you have been talking about this effect for some four years now. I guess it must be quite something. I watched the vid on magicbox and admit it looks like its gonna cost me money.

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Postby storm01 » Nov 8th, '07, 12:37

Anyone got any advice on the tarot reading of the cards ?

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Postby ecafymnotis » Nov 10th, '07, 05:45

This is a gem of a trick!!!

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Postby magikmax » Nov 15th, '07, 22:27

storm01 wrote:Anyone got any advice on the tarot reading of the cards ?


depends how seriously you want to take it. Paul Harris' routine isn't exactly played for laughs, but it isn't entirely serious either.

I would probably be inclined to have a look at Black Hart's Tarot Made Easy for some guidence, I've been thinking of picking it up myself given other people's enthusiasm for it, and I beleive that Keith, the guy that runs Black Artifacts offers a 90 day money back guarentee if it turns out not to be your thing...

In general though, I would say keeping a lot of eye contact makes a lot of difference personally with this one, but it is really down to your own personality methinks.

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