This is a terrific close-up routine that brings a classic effect into the hands of even a beginner in magic. An envelope is placed on the table. A card is freely selected, signed, and returned to the deck. The card vanishes and, after a quick gag, appears in the envelope on the table. There is no palming required and it can be
instantly repeated with no reset required. There is a slight variation in which the envelope is sealed (which has nothing to do with the method), then ripped open to remove the card, after which everything can be examined. Both versions require no sleights other than your favorite card control.
You are supplied with several sample envelopes and two 52-on-1 cards. (Now you know the gag.) The gag cards are a different design than the typical ones, and have been used by Nick for many years. Additional envelopes can be easily prepared in seconds, because they can be purchased at any office supply store. There is some printing on the outside of the envelope that can be done by hand, but it looks better to do it on your computer and printer. The in- structions are a six-page photo-illustrated booklet that is clearly written. Mr. Lewin provides you with all of the details, tips, and nuances gained from years of live performing.
This may be dismissed by some as just another card-in-some- thing effect, but I can’t speak highly enough about this trick. The routine is clever and engaging. It is so practical for the working performer. Plus it’s not a wallet trick, so I can carry another type of gaffed wallet effect! This one is going right into my close-up set. I’m sure if you check this one out, you might do so as well. Very highly recommended.
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REVIEW BY MARC DESOUZA
Imagine borrowing a spectator's cell phone and balancing it on the very fingertips of both hands. Then you remove one hand. The phone stays impossibly balanced on the fingertips of the other hand. The phone can even be balanced on the tip of one finger. You can then hand the phone back to the spectator, none the worse for the experi- ence. This is the effect by the very creative British magician and mentalist Mark Elsdon.
A number of years ago, Elsdon created an effect called Balance, which he sold at his lectures. The effect is the same as the one discussed in this review, done then with a deck of cards. The basic method of this new routine is the same, but the gimmick has been refined to the point of being unrecognizable to the original. With this specially machined gimmick, you can borrow any cell phone and perform the effect. Yes, you have to add the gimmick and get rid of it at the end, but it is so tiny that it can be concealed very easily and then disposed of.
The DVD, featuring Paul Richards (owner of Elmwood Magic and master demonstrator), does a great job of covering all of the details and will get you up to speed quickly. He discusses different variations in handling, how to adjust to different types of phones, and how to most easily set and get rid of the gimmick.
This is not a “do it right out of the package” type effect. You
will want to practice it sufficiently to gain comfort with all aspects of the routine, but it certainly is not difficult to perform. Doing magic with borrowed objects is very strong. Anyone can borrow a coin from someone and do a trick with it, but to borrow something like a cell phone, that is both personal and valuable, and do magic with it, really impresses. This is something that you will carry with you; with it you will be prepared to blow minds anytime, anywhere. Recommended.
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REVIEW BY MARC DESOUZA
For the last forty years, the gold standard of Torn and Restored Newspa- pers has been the Gene Anderson version. Most recently, Axel Hecklau’s brilliant version has served as the newer choice by many, but about fifty years ago Alex Elmsley (yes that Alex Elmsley) created a wonderful, very different version of the classic effect. This version took the opposite tack from the path followed by Anderson’s and Hecklau’s flash restora- tions. The Elmsley version had the effect of a slow, piece by piece restoration of the newspaper. This is the version chosen by noted pro Nick Lewin as the basis of his routine.
My favorite products are real working routines out of an ex- perienced performer’s own working repertoire. It is even better when it is a proven classic effect that can be easily tailored to fit your own working style. As would be expected from a performer of Lewin’s caliber, he has fully researched and experimented with the original. He has performed the routine in his own shows for over thirty years. In that time, he has tweaked Elmsley’s method, and perfected the setup and handling. In addition, he has created a presentation that has made this routine the closer of every show he does.
This DVD gives you detailed instruction in both the setup and performance and will have you up and running in no time. It is a no-frills shoot, but the camera work and sound are more than adequate for the purpose. In addition, you get to see Nick perform this in an actual show, so you get a real sense of his style and timing. It will be up to you to tailor it to suit your own per- sonality. I have seen Nick perform this in his shows in front of laymen and magicians and I can vouch for the impact it has on every audience. The slow-motion restoration has a far different effect than the flash restoration. Which you prefer is your choice, but this certainly bears consideration. I fully intend to try this one out myself. This one gets my highest recommendation.
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REVIEW BY MARC DESOUZA
the pleasure of meeting him in 2007 at FISM in Stockholm. The last evening he took
me aside in the bar and blew my mind for over an hour with his miraculous magic. Copin’s concepts are brilliant and captivating. His effects look and feel different than most. Copin eventually released a large body of his work in two DVD packages titled Friends. These were very high priced, and as such, did not get the wide range of acclaim from the general magic populace they were due. Bruno has chosen two of the finest effects, one from each volume, and released them on this DVD.
Essentially, they are very similar animation effects using playing cards. In Butterfly Effect, Copin tells the story of the concept of the Butterfly Effect and demonstrates it by handing a participant a pack of cards and asking her to shuffle it. She places it on the fingers of her palm-up hand and cuts the pack. The card cut to is placed on the palm of her hand. The other half of the pack is fanned toward her hand. Slowly, the single card turns over and lands on the other cards, and then spins in a circle. The participant may handle all of the cards immediately.
In Ripples, a pack of cards is placed on the table. The tabled pack is cut in half. A single card is placed between the two halves; another single card is placed behind one half. The magician gestures and both cards turn over onto their respec- tive halves, and then spin merrily. Again, all of the cards can instantly be examined. Both effects are startling and have great audience impact.
The DVD is beautifully shot in a studio setting. There are multiple split screens showing the explanations from several angles. There are alternate audio tracks in English and French. A sample packet of both the thread and putty used by Copin are supplied. On the DVD, Copin explains very clearly how to prepare the thread and how to perform the two effects. In addition, he also explains his ITS system, which allows him to easily place his thread setups into position for use, as well as quickly replacing broken thread setups. The ITS is something sold separately, but the clear explanation will demonstrate its operation and help you decide if it is something that will suit your needs.
I really like Copin’s work and hope that this DVD will serve as a sampler and encourage others to delve deeper and acquire his larger bodies of work. Thread magic is not for everyone, but if you like working with it, you owe it to yourself to check out Bruno Copin’s work. Although a little high priced for two quick tricks, I found it well worth the price asked. Recommended.