Reviewed by Tom Denton.
As you'll have seen from the
trailer, this effect is a visual deck vanish from inside the card case,
leaving only a selected card.
Now, I have to be honest, my
abiding impression from this release is that it could have done with
some more time researching, developing and working it for live
audiences. This takes nothing away from the effect itself, which looks
great, and definitely achieves a very convincing vanish of the deck.
My problem with it is the little details around the edges. There's a
gimmick involved, which, of course, isn't a bad thing in itself, but I
think that Cody could have been clearer on his technique for introducing
it into play, and cleaning up after. It seems as though he thought a
lot about the actual method for the vanish to occur (with a lovely added
subtlety from B Smith), and rushed to get the effect out, without
spending as much time on the real world performance of it.
What
this means, however, is that the purchaser of this effect has a clean
sheet to develop the basic idea in whatever direction their creativity
dictates. The principle of the vanish is great, and not one that I've
seen elsewhere, and one which could have other applications.
So, to Cody Nottingham and Bedeceived, I'd recommend sitting on effects a
bit longer before releasing them, and to their customers, to buy this
effect and create your own routines for it.
21 Sept 2011
18 Sept 2011
Headroom, Cameron Francis
Once again I've had the pleasure of reading through an e-book from the ever creative & good friend Cameron Francis.
Headroom is a collection of eight self-working card based tricks & as always there's a lot of neat ideas here.
I tend to perform FASDIU, with that in mind, here are my highlights.
'Sublime Royale', a neat surprise predicition effect which takes advantage of the free advertising cards that come in Bikes. Not the best effect you'll ever come across but it's the presentation which is so strong, memorable & logical. I'll defintely be using this as an intro in my professional repertoire. Killer!
'On the table' is a nice, impromptu effect which includes two spectators & gives them the credit. I won't go into the effect, but you'll be sure to use this snappy startler!
'Coat' is a cool packet trick which you could easily make on the fly with your business cards to create an intersting five minute performance piece. Essentially the images of some drawings when placed together deviously spell out the name of a thought of object. I've seen something similar before with hieroglyphics but Cameron's presentation is much more justified, can't wait to start using this one!
'Super easy caan' - what it says on the tin! Again, some fresh thinking from Cameron has created a show piece which anyone could learn!
Also included are one of the best diary effects to date, a cool double predicition effect & first class presentations. These notes are well worth picking up. Recommeded.
Available from http://www.cameron-francis.com/Headroom.php
Headroom is a collection of eight self-working card based tricks & as always there's a lot of neat ideas here.
I tend to perform FASDIU, with that in mind, here are my highlights.
'Sublime Royale', a neat surprise predicition effect which takes advantage of the free advertising cards that come in Bikes. Not the best effect you'll ever come across but it's the presentation which is so strong, memorable & logical. I'll defintely be using this as an intro in my professional repertoire. Killer!
'On the table' is a nice, impromptu effect which includes two spectators & gives them the credit. I won't go into the effect, but you'll be sure to use this snappy startler!
'Coat' is a cool packet trick which you could easily make on the fly with your business cards to create an intersting five minute performance piece. Essentially the images of some drawings when placed together deviously spell out the name of a thought of object. I've seen something similar before with hieroglyphics but Cameron's presentation is much more justified, can't wait to start using this one!
'Super easy caan' - what it says on the tin! Again, some fresh thinking from Cameron has created a show piece which anyone could learn!
Also included are one of the best diary effects to date, a cool double predicition effect & first class presentations. These notes are well worth picking up. Recommeded.
Available from http://www.cameron-francis.com/Headroom.php
5 Sept 2011
26!, Caleb Wiles
Rematch is the latest top notch offering from cream of the crop providers Vanishing Inc. The creator Caleb Wiles is one of my favorite names in modern card magic, if your unfamiliar with Calebs's material, you should go search! NOW!
Rematch comprises of three different effects. The effect which this review explores is '26!'.
'26!' takes on the matching plot, famously tackled by such greats as Tamariz, Hartling & Ackerman to name a few. The plot involves selected cards matching mates in a corresponding packet & usually ends with a complete deck match, i.e. every pair of mates are in a matching position. For those who don't know the plot, the deck is believed to be undoubtedly mixed throughout - which is obviously where the magic element arises.
Unlike some of the previous versions (which use full deck stack), Caleb's relies on a small set-up which can be done on the fly (method taught) . The effect is split into three phases, each combining devious & apparently unintentional, nonchalent actions to cause each moment of magic to really come as a surprise and hit hard, of course making this not only fooling for magicians but totally bewildering for laymen!
In keeping with the ultimate finale, Caleb's version includes an entire deck match which is not only a wonderful act of magic, but a devilishly crafty piece of psychology too.
The method is practically free from sleights, a couple of back to basics moves, but nothing hardcore or illogical. All in all this a very well constructed effect, super clever, super commercial, super impact.. superb!
This one gets a highly recommended badge from me, sweet work Caleb, keep'em comin!
Available at http://www.vanishingincmagic.com/
Rematch comprises of three different effects. The effect which this review explores is '26!'.
'26!' takes on the matching plot, famously tackled by such greats as Tamariz, Hartling & Ackerman to name a few. The plot involves selected cards matching mates in a corresponding packet & usually ends with a complete deck match, i.e. every pair of mates are in a matching position. For those who don't know the plot, the deck is believed to be undoubtedly mixed throughout - which is obviously where the magic element arises.
Unlike some of the previous versions (which use full deck stack), Caleb's relies on a small set-up which can be done on the fly (method taught) . The effect is split into three phases, each combining devious & apparently unintentional, nonchalent actions to cause each moment of magic to really come as a surprise and hit hard, of course making this not only fooling for magicians but totally bewildering for laymen!
In keeping with the ultimate finale, Caleb's version includes an entire deck match which is not only a wonderful act of magic, but a devilishly crafty piece of psychology too.
The method is practically free from sleights, a couple of back to basics moves, but nothing hardcore or illogical. All in all this a very well constructed effect, super clever, super commercial, super impact.. superb!
This one gets a highly recommended badge from me, sweet work Caleb, keep'em comin!
Available at http://www.vanishingincmagic.com/
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