Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Marty Grams: The Art of Card Splitting


I found myself facing a dilemma when I decided to review this DVD. First of all, I am adamantly opposed to Magic Makers profiting from copying the intellectual property of creative magicians such as Lee Asher and Anders Moden. Their knockoff versions of Asher's Asher Twist and Moden's Healed and Sealed infuriated many in the magic community including myself. Still, if I am to provide honest reviews about the quality of magic products, I must first place aside any personal misgivings I have against the authors or manufacturers of a particular product. That being said.

Despite my reservations with the practices of Magic Makers Inc., I have nothing but good things to say about The Art of Card Splitting. First of all, the material taught on this DVD is not "lifted" from Marty (better known as Martini in the magic world). He signed on to the project and obviously put a lot of work into providing the viewer with his best tips and tricks for creating gaffed cards.

The material is based on Marty's book, Lickety Split, but contains information not covered in the book such as how to create acrobatic cards. Marty is not a newbie when it comes to creating gaffed cards. He is also not new to teaching other magicians how to do the same. His time spent lecturing shows. As a result, it seems nothing has been left out.

I should also mention that the title does not reflect the total content of the DVD. Marty does not just teach how to split cards; he goes through the entire process of creating the gaffs. Double Facers, double backers, split cards, acrobatic cards, and the Hofzinzer card gimmick are fully explained. However, the information can be used to create any number of other card gimmicks. There is no limit to what can be done. He even covers where to procure the needed items and mentions that the products should cost you around ten dollars. That is not a bad price for a new hobby that may keep you entertained (and frustrated) for years to come.

As far as the actual magic is concerned, the effects taught on the tape range from interesting to forgettable. Most of them are well known, classic effects, but I cannot imagine any of them fooling many magicians. Almost all of them have been improved upon tremendously since their creation, but it is nice to see how the original versions looked. At the very least they provide a start for those looking to find a use for the gaffed cards they worked so hard to create.

This DVD will be a great asset to beginning card splitters as well as those who have attempted splitting before but never really found success. Personally, I fell into the latter category. Other magicians had attempted to teach me their techniques for creating gaffed cards in the past. Unfortunately, I was never able to master the art; my final products always looked sloppy and the difficulties I encountered along the way made the whole process seem not worth it. Marty's tips gained from years of trial and error made all the difference in the world. Recommended.

-Available from www.MagicMakersInc.com

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Peter Duffie: England Up-Close


England Up-Close is an enormous e-book with over 70 routines from a long list of contributors including Jon Allen, Jamie Badman, Anthony Brahams, David Britland, Sean Carpenter, Harold Cataquet, Roger Crosthwaite, Wayne Dobson, Shiv Duggal, Nicholas Einhorn, Mark Elsdon, Kevin Fox, Andi Gladwin, Brian Glover, Paul Gordon, Paul Hallas, Justin Higham, Andy Hurst, Rob James, Lewis Jones, Walt Lees, Shaun McCree, Iain Moran, Andy Nicholls, Jack Parker, Mike Rose, Al Smith, Stephen Tucker, and Dominic Twose.

The book is put together in an easy-to-navigate format. Thankfully, there is not a lot of wasted space as in many other e-books on the market. The effects are organized by author and are preceded by a short biography and a website link (if available) for each magician. Since many of the performers were unknown to me, I found this very helpful.

There are 173 pages full of content ranging from self working material and mathematical principles to sleight-of-hand techniques and “workers.” If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be “variety.” Needless to say, there is something in this book for every card man. However, not all of the routines use cards. The book also contains non-card material including an effect with coins, one with bills, and some clever work on magic squares. Since there are so many routines, I’ll give you the highlights.

Trial Separation (Jack Parker)- Jack has created an interesting routine utilizing an underused Simon Aronson move in a very clever manner. The effect is straightforward even if the handling is a little convoluted. The magician places a joker outjogged face up in the middle of the deck. Two spectators freely select a card; one from above the joker and one from below. When the cards are turned face up and spread, the selected cards are seen to have vanished. When both spectator's name their card, it is discovered that they had impossibly chosen the same one. The joker which was placed on the table earlier is turned face up and seen to be the selection. Despite the potential for audience confusion, if the effect is performed smoothly, the routine is very powerful.

Insertion Techniques (Sean Carpenter)- This is one of the most commercial routines in the entire book. It is also extremely easy to do, meaning you can immediately add it to your repertoire. In short, a card is selected and shuffled back into the deck. The spectator inserts your business card into the deck randomly. On the back of the card is written a prediction: "12 Cards Away." The magician counts 12 cards down from the insertion point and the card is discovered.

Named! (Sean Carpenter)- Sean strikes again with another commercial effect. This time a spectator selects a card only to find that it is the only one in the pack with his own name on the back. What's clever is that Sean provides a method of performing this routine without ever knowing the spectator's name before the performance. Also, the magician never has to write anything during the entire routine. For laymen, this really packs a punch.

Progressive Jacks (David Britland)- This is a simple variation of the standard sandwich routine that elevates the effect significantly. Four Kings are removed from the pack. A card is selected and lost. The spectator decides which Kings will find the selection. Let's assume he chooses the red Kings. The red Kings are placed together into the deck and cut to the middle. The other Kings are also placed together into the middle of the deck. The cards are immediately spread. The black Kings have trapped the red Kings which trap one face down card. Of course it is the selection. This is another commercial effect that most will be able to immediately add to their performances.

CAAN (Stephen Tucker)- This is an unusual approach to the Any Card at Any Number problem. While the routine is a less direct than simply finding the spectator's card at the spectator's number, it is still impressive. I should warn you, however, that the effect is not exactly the same as the standard ACAAN. It is difficult to describe in print, but suffice it to say that Stephen is a very clever guy and this is a very clever routine. Still, those looking for the "Holy Grail" of the ACAAN plot would be better suited looking elsewhere (perhaps even Stephen's ACAAN routine for sale at his website www.stephentuckermagic.com)

A Freer Chance (Stephen Tucker)- Stephen's version of Bill Goldman's Free Chance routine from Goldman's Two For The Money DVD is a clever packet effect to carry around in your wallet. From the audience's point of view, a spectator selects two cards from a face up arrangement of six. The selected cards are then shown to have contrasting backs to the others. The routine is extremely simple and easy to do. Don' t expect any groundbreaking techniques, but laymen will be completely fooled.

Ring Flash 2 (Wayne Dobson)- This is a beautiful routine with a borrowed finger ring. The ring is placed into the magician's fist. When a lit match is waved under his hand, the ring is poured on to the table. It has transformed into a gold chain. For the finale, the ring appears linked to the chain in a flash of fire. Like most of Wayne's work, this is a good enough for a pro but easy enough for a relative beginner.

Kicked Forward (Iain Moran)- This is Iain's version of Ryan Swigert's excellent KickBack routine. The effect is basically the same, but this handling allows you to flash the backs of the cards at the end. Still, I prefer the original handling as it is a bit more visual and free.

Canceled Out (Andy Hurst)- Andy's first contribution to the book is a mentalism type routine that is designed to "cancel out" all of the methods laymen usually associate with card tricks. It is a deeply fooling effect using a clever stack that works without you having to memorize it. His thoughts could definitely be applied to other routines.

Three Willy (Andy Hurst)- Andy provides another use of his clever stack in yet another baffling routine. It is quite a fooler.

No-exchange Do As I Do (Walt Lees)- This is one of the simplest yet powerful Do As I Do routines I have come across. It is wonderfully direct with no wasted movements. The magician and spectator both peek at a card in each other's decks. Amazingly, they match.

The Eradicator (Paul Gordon)- This is a very bold version of a sort of Out Of This World effect. I say "sort of" because the red/black separation comes as a surprise to the spectator; it is not even hinted at until the spectator's dealing has been done. Surely, some will enjoy this offbeat version of the classic effect.

Stand Up For CATO (Paul Gordon) and Hum Drum (Paul Gordon)- Those not familiar with Bob Hummer's CATO (Cut and Turn Over) principle will be fooled by its use. Paul provides a few ideas that use the principle to good effect. These are not blockbusters but may inspire further thinking.

Impromptu Pokertell (Paul Gordon)- This is a neat routine that takes place entirely out of the hands of the magician. The spectator deals out four hands of six cards each. He pulls out one card from any one of the hands and memorizes it before placing on top of any one of the other packets. He then picks up the packets in any order he pleases and gives the completed pile as many cuts as he likes. Finally, he calls off the cards in the order that they appear. The magician announces the card.

KiLocator (Mark Elsdon)- This is the perfect routine to fry your magic buddies with during those late night card sessions. Your friend cuts the deck and deals the top five cards to the table. He selects one with your back turned. Next, he cuts off the top third of the deck, and shuffles his card into it. He then looks at the other four cards and shuffles them into the cut off portion. You turn back around, give the deck one shuffle, and table the pack. You ask that he name the card. When he does, you cleanly turn the top card face up revealing it to be his selection. For the finale, your friend's head explodes.

ESP Mental (Harold Cataquet)- This is a quick, commercial effect that could be altered to be used in trade shows if you made up the cards using the company's logo instead of the ESP symbols. In short, it is a mental routine that evolves into a nicely routined wild card effect. It also resets instantly, making it great for walk around.

Cream Tea(sed) (Mike Rose)- Mike has adapted Roy Walton's Oil and Queens to create a commercial routine that culminates in the production of a pot of jam. The effect is definitely better suited for English magicians rather than those in the U.S. since the cards have the words 'Scone' and 'Cream' written on them. Still, with a little thought, the idea could be altered to be relevant in the states.

Overall, the material is impressive and the instructions are well written. I cannot imagine anyone not being able to find at least a few routines to add to their act. Some may be put off by the thought of paying $30 for an e-book, but if you are the type that would rather learn usable material than of have a book sit on a shelf collecting dust, you should definitely consider making this purchase. Recommended.

-Available from www.Lybrary.com