I just bought some new stuff:
Joshua Jay's Close-Up, Up Close Vol 1-3
Ultimate Self Working Card Tricks Vol 1 and 2
Fan2c
Greg Wilson's On the Spot and Coffee House Conjuring
Pro-Flite
Nest of Wallets
I only had a short time to spend with each of them but they are all fantastic.
The Coffee House Conjuring has more set-up then I would have liked but the set-ups are fairly easy and take at most 10-15 seconds. If you prepare everything beforehand you could have a really charming close-up show.
Really all the DVD's are just stellar.
Also can I just say that even with the hype, Nest of Wallets is just too much fun for words? Pro-flite is also great but I have to practice more to get the knack.
I'm really happy with my purchase!
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Cameron Francis' Wallet Transformer
Can I just say how much fun the wallet transformer is? I'm not c2w guy, and I like performing casually, so this gimmick is just absolutely grand.
Friday, June 14, 2013
I'm super excited!
I just found out today that there's an IBM ring right in my hospital!
That's right, not near the hospital.
At the hospital. More specifically, it's at the PM&R facility, which is neat (apparently there's some meeting halls?).
And it's the "Frank Garcia" ring which is cool! Better bust out those spongeballs again...
Now I don't really have an excuse to not join IBM. But I do have an excuse to bring along magic props to the hospital now!
That's right, not near the hospital.
At the hospital. More specifically, it's at the PM&R facility, which is neat (apparently there's some meeting halls?).
And it's the "Frank Garcia" ring which is cool! Better bust out those spongeballs again...
Now I don't really have an excuse to not join IBM. But I do have an excuse to bring along magic props to the hospital now!
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
A short review
I have purchased only 1 download from Ellusionist before (Mirror Force by Patrick Kun, very good force for those who love the Hofzinser), and today I purchased 2 more. One was good, one was bad.
Bebel - An Underground Legend:
This, surprisingly, was the bad one. At 15 dollars and the words "practical" I did expect more. Bebel, as we all know, is an effing amazing card magician. There's no question about that. Watch his videos and be amazed. He is incredible in the download as well, performing the 3 switches very smoothly. However, the first and the third require lapping, something I often do not do because I perform most of my magic standing and do not have a place to lap. The second switch, while good, is just the Macmillan switch. That should have been obvious to me from the start, but I thought it would be a different method. No, it's LITERALY the exact same method.
So on top of being unpractical to me and the second being a switch I already know and rarely use, the download clocks in at 9 minutes long, with the first 3 minutes being an introduction. That means each of the switches only gets about 2 minutes. There's no translations even though Bebel speaks in French (though, to be fair, you don't need the translation, everything is shown slowly).
Disappointing. 2 switches that use lapping, and a Macmillan switch.
Now, on the other hand....
Ollie Mealing's Control
This is fantastic. I enjoyed Mealing's first DVD (Card Constructions) and I took a lot away from it. This is his third production as far as I know and I was not disappointed. This DVD is 11 single card controls + 1 multiple card control. It clocks in at 25 minutes and does not have any sounds except some ambient music in the background (the last 10 minutes are interview material). It's nice because there is NO INTRODUCTION. It just goes straight to the controls and doesn't bullshit. The controls are smooth and fun to learn and most of them don't have angle issues and if they do they are very minor (like only from directly behind you) with the exception of Poison which has a problem on the immediate sides. I like Ollie's previous work, and this only helps cement him as a great magician. The only downsides are that some of the controls (namely 2-3 of them) may feel overly "flourishy" than some would like. The trailer is also cheesy as hell. But overall, this was a great purchase.
Bebel - An Underground Legend:
This, surprisingly, was the bad one. At 15 dollars and the words "practical" I did expect more. Bebel, as we all know, is an effing amazing card magician. There's no question about that. Watch his videos and be amazed. He is incredible in the download as well, performing the 3 switches very smoothly. However, the first and the third require lapping, something I often do not do because I perform most of my magic standing and do not have a place to lap. The second switch, while good, is just the Macmillan switch. That should have been obvious to me from the start, but I thought it would be a different method. No, it's LITERALY the exact same method.
So on top of being unpractical to me and the second being a switch I already know and rarely use, the download clocks in at 9 minutes long, with the first 3 minutes being an introduction. That means each of the switches only gets about 2 minutes. There's no translations even though Bebel speaks in French (though, to be fair, you don't need the translation, everything is shown slowly).
Disappointing. 2 switches that use lapping, and a Macmillan switch.
Now, on the other hand....
Ollie Mealing's Control
This is fantastic. I enjoyed Mealing's first DVD (Card Constructions) and I took a lot away from it. This is his third production as far as I know and I was not disappointed. This DVD is 11 single card controls + 1 multiple card control. It clocks in at 25 minutes and does not have any sounds except some ambient music in the background (the last 10 minutes are interview material). It's nice because there is NO INTRODUCTION. It just goes straight to the controls and doesn't bullshit. The controls are smooth and fun to learn and most of them don't have angle issues and if they do they are very minor (like only from directly behind you) with the exception of Poison which has a problem on the immediate sides. I like Ollie's previous work, and this only helps cement him as a great magician. The only downsides are that some of the controls (namely 2-3 of them) may feel overly "flourishy" than some would like. The trailer is also cheesy as hell. But overall, this was a great purchase.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Just...
The whole fiasco at the Green Monster about Ellusionist's CTG is just...lol. Just nothing but lol.
Nothing against the creator though, the Elegy Shift is friggen great.
Nothing against the creator though, the Elegy Shift is friggen great.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
David's Cull
I'm a huge fan of the cull and I use it as often as I can. I typically stick with the Hofzinser cull.
So when word on the street about the new David's Cull came out, I was very intrigued.
First off, a few things:
1) It's a really good cull. It is fairly angle-proof even from the bottom (assuming you're good at it).
2) The cull requires a cut at the end. This may or may not be a turn off for people. Personally I don't have this issue because the spectator doesn't see much except a bunch of cards going from one hand to the other, and so the cut just becomes what appears to be a standard cut at the end.
3) Because the cull requires a cut at the end, it is NOT as good as the Hofzinser cull for a single card (in fact, it is terrible for a single card control unless, perhaps, you want to palm out the card, in which case there is some solid application). I like David's Cull for a 4-of-a-kind that is being returned to the deck more than the Hofzinser because with one easy Elias-esque cut you'll end up with everything on top, and the cut can look like almost half the deck. For cards already in the deck, culling with a cut can also put them on top, but you're still adding a move for what should normally look like you just looked through the deck quickly.
4) The cull is most useful for separating the deck into half black and half red. It has fully replaced the Hofzinser for me when it comes to Ortiz's Oil and Water and Out of this Universe/Out of this World and tricks of that nature.
So there are upsides and downsides to this cull. I really enjoy it and I'm continuing to find ways to make it more natural looking when I cull a 4-of-a-kind. It's not technically demanding though some practice is still in order. For a full color separation it's hard to beat. For a single card it's pointless, though, so don't buy it for that if you think you're gonna just cull single cards (which doesn't make sense, why would you learn a cull just for single-card culls?).
Now if you want to learn the a regular mix between the Hofzinser/Roadrunner culls, yeah there are lots of resources, but the cheapest and easiest way to learn is Vanishing Inc's download. Yes, I have the Roadrunner cull. Yes, it is very good. Yes I also have all of Card College. YES, Card College is amazing. And YES YES YES I have studied the prayer cull from Marlo. However, this download is only 10 bucks, is really good instruction, clocks at around 50 minutes, and comes with some nice effects along with some new cull-centered sleights.
So when word on the street about the new David's Cull came out, I was very intrigued.
First off, a few things:
1) It's a really good cull. It is fairly angle-proof even from the bottom (assuming you're good at it).
2) The cull requires a cut at the end. This may or may not be a turn off for people. Personally I don't have this issue because the spectator doesn't see much except a bunch of cards going from one hand to the other, and so the cut just becomes what appears to be a standard cut at the end.
3) Because the cull requires a cut at the end, it is NOT as good as the Hofzinser cull for a single card (in fact, it is terrible for a single card control unless, perhaps, you want to palm out the card, in which case there is some solid application). I like David's Cull for a 4-of-a-kind that is being returned to the deck more than the Hofzinser because with one easy Elias-esque cut you'll end up with everything on top, and the cut can look like almost half the deck. For cards already in the deck, culling with a cut can also put them on top, but you're still adding a move for what should normally look like you just looked through the deck quickly.
4) The cull is most useful for separating the deck into half black and half red. It has fully replaced the Hofzinser for me when it comes to Ortiz's Oil and Water and Out of this Universe/Out of this World and tricks of that nature.
So there are upsides and downsides to this cull. I really enjoy it and I'm continuing to find ways to make it more natural looking when I cull a 4-of-a-kind. It's not technically demanding though some practice is still in order. For a full color separation it's hard to beat. For a single card it's pointless, though, so don't buy it for that if you think you're gonna just cull single cards (which doesn't make sense, why would you learn a cull just for single-card culls?).
Now if you want to learn the a regular mix between the Hofzinser/Roadrunner culls, yeah there are lots of resources, but the cheapest and easiest way to learn is Vanishing Inc's download. Yes, I have the Roadrunner cull. Yes, it is very good. Yes I also have all of Card College. YES, Card College is amazing. And YES YES YES I have studied the prayer cull from Marlo. However, this download is only 10 bucks, is really good instruction, clocks at around 50 minutes, and comes with some nice effects along with some new cull-centered sleights.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Whitestar...
I know what a lot of you are thinking. You're thinking, "If you don't like this effect, it's because you're not presenting this correctly!"
That's probably true. It's the easiest effect in the world, since it's like OOTW. Actually, that's wrong. It IS OOTW with high quality photographs instead. Literally, the same exact thing. Whatever questions you have about the product, if you do OOTW or know how to do it, you already have the answer.
My problem isn't that this is a just a OOTW effect with a nice presentation (even though that's really all it is). My problem is that it's 60 dollars when you can spend less than 20 dollars on thick photostock and literally print out your own cards. You're definitely not paying 60 dollars for the method because the method is written in every Tom/Dick/Harry card magic book.
Sorry, I felt like I had wasted a lot of money on this. Luckily I traded it for something way better that's worth 60 bucks (just my opinion, folks, just my opinion):
Tyler Wilson's Reinventing the Real.
Now THAT'S 60 bucks you can afford to give away because this book is sexy. Difficult, but sexy.
That's probably true. It's the easiest effect in the world, since it's like OOTW. Actually, that's wrong. It IS OOTW with high quality photographs instead. Literally, the same exact thing. Whatever questions you have about the product, if you do OOTW or know how to do it, you already have the answer.
My problem isn't that this is a just a OOTW effect with a nice presentation (even though that's really all it is). My problem is that it's 60 dollars when you can spend less than 20 dollars on thick photostock and literally print out your own cards. You're definitely not paying 60 dollars for the method because the method is written in every Tom/Dick/Harry card magic book.
Sorry, I felt like I had wasted a lot of money on this. Luckily I traded it for something way better that's worth 60 bucks (just my opinion, folks, just my opinion):
Tyler Wilson's Reinventing the Real.
Now THAT'S 60 bucks you can afford to give away because this book is sexy. Difficult, but sexy.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Some other ideas
Even through sheer rehearsal I've found things I've liked but wanted to change in my own routines. Obviously nothing is groundbreaking but I enjoy putting my ideas on paper and maybe somebody will come around and help me out.
1) I like Ted Lesley's "The Spectator as Mindreader". I think it's an easy, direct effect. What I liked doing is not something I think is original but I can't remember where I've read this from. Instead of the spectator just picking a card, you "teach" them by splitting the deck in half and letting the spectator choose one half. Each person selects a card and you exchange them, shuffling them into the respective decks. Then you ask the spectator to find your card as you find the spectator's card. You reveal the spectator's card first which is nice because the shuffle and selection are genuine, but then I think it helps build up to the fact that the spectator will reveal YOUR card. I like the step-up approach to Mr. Lesley's effect because I think there is a nice anticipation that builds up.
2) I have been playing around with Psypher as a book test (which is what I always use it for) and then using a prediction (I like Vision Supreme because it's in an envelope) to reveal the page number the spectator took the word from (You will choose page ---). Though I think the word reveal is strong, I have been going back and forth whether the prediction, being pulled out of the envelope in a deliberate, slow, and clean manner, is a stronger way to finish the 2 part routine. The patter after I reveal the word would be something like "But, of course, I kind of cheated. Even though you think you had the whole book to yourself, I blahblahblah influenced you to think of the page you turned. Please name the page you used to take the word from. As you can see [pull laminated card out of envelope], I did indeed want you to choose that page." Something like that.
1) I like Ted Lesley's "The Spectator as Mindreader". I think it's an easy, direct effect. What I liked doing is not something I think is original but I can't remember where I've read this from. Instead of the spectator just picking a card, you "teach" them by splitting the deck in half and letting the spectator choose one half. Each person selects a card and you exchange them, shuffling them into the respective decks. Then you ask the spectator to find your card as you find the spectator's card. You reveal the spectator's card first which is nice because the shuffle and selection are genuine, but then I think it helps build up to the fact that the spectator will reveal YOUR card. I like the step-up approach to Mr. Lesley's effect because I think there is a nice anticipation that builds up.
2) I have been playing around with Psypher as a book test (which is what I always use it for) and then using a prediction (I like Vision Supreme because it's in an envelope) to reveal the page number the spectator took the word from (You will choose page ---). Though I think the word reveal is strong, I have been going back and forth whether the prediction, being pulled out of the envelope in a deliberate, slow, and clean manner, is a stronger way to finish the 2 part routine. The patter after I reveal the word would be something like "But, of course, I kind of cheated. Even though you think you had the whole book to yourself, I blahblahblah influenced you to think of the page you turned. Please name the page you used to take the word from. As you can see [pull laminated card out of envelope], I did indeed want you to choose that page." Something like that.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Real Secrets year 1 has come and gone...
I didn't subscribe to it, but the magic world is pretty up in arms and split in opinion.
Although I'm glad for the people who did get their money's worth, I don't know if I'd want to spend 180 bucks on something I wasn't sure of.
In my opinion (read: opinion), there are better things in magic that can be spent with 180 dollars or less especially since you will know exactly what you are getting. For instance:
1) Full year Magic Magazine subscription + full year Genii magazine subscription (56 + 58 = $114)
2) Any of the crazy Pick 2 or 3 of these 3-4 Volume DVD sets that are offered from the L&L Publishing email list ($80-$100)
3) Lorayne's Classic Collection volumes 1 and 2 (or 2+3, or 1+3) (90+90 = $180)
4) Ortiz's Lessons in Card Mastery + Strong Magic + Designing Miracles (55 + 45 + 45 = $145)
5) 6 Random Penguinmagic Live Lectures each ranging from 2-3 hours long - I'll even pick 6 for you: Osterlind, Roth, Wilson, Bizarro, Aragon, DaOrtiz (30 x 6 = $180)
So you see, my problem isn't spending 180 bucks. It's what I'm spending 180 bucks ON. I'd rather know exactly what I'm getting and not be afraid of the repercussions if I discuss how good the material is or what the material is on forums or on my blog. I'll always know that Dani DaOrtiz gives a ridiculously good lecture chock full of material to learn and use.
Like I said, if you liked what you got from Real Secrets, that's really awesome and I'm glad because what's good to one person isn't always good to another. As for me, I'm gonna stick with what I know.
Although I'm glad for the people who did get their money's worth, I don't know if I'd want to spend 180 bucks on something I wasn't sure of.
In my opinion (read: opinion), there are better things in magic that can be spent with 180 dollars or less especially since you will know exactly what you are getting. For instance:
1) Full year Magic Magazine subscription + full year Genii magazine subscription (56 + 58 = $114)
2) Any of the crazy Pick 2 or 3 of these 3-4 Volume DVD sets that are offered from the L&L Publishing email list ($80-$100)
3) Lorayne's Classic Collection volumes 1 and 2 (or 2+3, or 1+3) (90+90 = $180)
4) Ortiz's Lessons in Card Mastery + Strong Magic + Designing Miracles (55 + 45 + 45 = $145)
5) 6 Random Penguinmagic Live Lectures each ranging from 2-3 hours long - I'll even pick 6 for you: Osterlind, Roth, Wilson, Bizarro, Aragon, DaOrtiz (30 x 6 = $180)
So you see, my problem isn't spending 180 bucks. It's what I'm spending 180 bucks ON. I'd rather know exactly what I'm getting and not be afraid of the repercussions if I discuss how good the material is or what the material is on forums or on my blog. I'll always know that Dani DaOrtiz gives a ridiculously good lecture chock full of material to learn and use.
Like I said, if you liked what you got from Real Secrets, that's really awesome and I'm glad because what's good to one person isn't always good to another. As for me, I'm gonna stick with what I know.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Hm, good ol' magic
Now that the residency interview season is over, all there is to do is wait...and do magic!
I've begun cataloging all my books and tricks with a little more detail than the post-it suggestion by Darwin Ortiz in "Strong Magic" (I'm also adding impromptu/not, a brief description, and my own personal changes in handling if I have any at the time). It's really coming along great and even though it's a super slow process because I'm doing all the tricks as I pass along them (not well at all but to see what it feels like), it's helping me organize what I really want or hadn't considered before when putting a set together, and issues with certain tricks I didn't think about.
Also, about Osterlind's version of bank night...I'm sure it's been suggested before, but I never realized (despite the fact that I am Chinese) what a ridiculously good presentation it was to use Chinese money envelopes instead of key envelopes. I give a short spiel about why we give money to each other and why the holiday is important to us. Culturally cool and fun!
I also want to reiterate how awesome the Miguel Angel Gea DVD's are. Complex, but fantastic. That coin stuff's gonna take me years to do.
I've begun cataloging all my books and tricks with a little more detail than the post-it suggestion by Darwin Ortiz in "Strong Magic" (I'm also adding impromptu/not, a brief description, and my own personal changes in handling if I have any at the time). It's really coming along great and even though it's a super slow process because I'm doing all the tricks as I pass along them (not well at all but to see what it feels like), it's helping me organize what I really want or hadn't considered before when putting a set together, and issues with certain tricks I didn't think about.
Also, about Osterlind's version of bank night...I'm sure it's been suggested before, but I never realized (despite the fact that I am Chinese) what a ridiculously good presentation it was to use Chinese money envelopes instead of key envelopes. I give a short spiel about why we give money to each other and why the holiday is important to us. Culturally cool and fun!
I also want to reiterate how awesome the Miguel Angel Gea DVD's are. Complex, but fantastic. That coin stuff's gonna take me years to do.
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