Magic Review: David Stone's Window
Good afternoon, magic buds. Today I want to
provide you with the first in a series of new
trick reviews. A few weeks ago, ellusionist
contacted me and asked me to review a new effect
from David Stone called "Window."
Frankly, when I watched the introductory videos I
was quite astonished. There were several
variations on a theme, and each one looked more
and more like real magic.
The basic premise is a card taped to the back of
a window changes to another card. This can happen
in many different ways including with a pass of
your empty hand, by rubbing a handkerchief against
it, and by waving a fan of playing cards. Each one
looks distinctly magical in its own way. In fact,
when you watch the demos, you will be convinced
that it is trick photography or CGI, but the plain
fact is you can accomplish this new illusion
without anything quite so complicated.
My DVD and kit arrived last Friday and the effect
is quite ingenious. It involves a special gaff,
and when you play with it, you will smile to
yourself. It looks as good as it does in the
video. You will want to immediately show every
relative, friend and layman within distance what
you have learned, but do yourself a favor and give
this one the practice it deserves.
Stone and his colleagues are French, and so the
demo videos and the DVD teach by way of pantomime
and graphics to highlight certain things. That's
not a problem for me. In fact, I would guess that
all of the video doesn't run more than 15 minutes,
so if you can't get the hang of this effect in
that time frame then you are doing something
wrong. It's that easy. Tape the gimmick to the
window and watch the magic happen.
Now "Window" is not angle-proof. How many effects
are these days? Still, you can get away with this
one from some pretty wide angles with the right
performance and blocking. Obviously, no one can be
behind the window, or inside the car or telephone
booth unless they are a stooge. You need your
audience in front of the window, and preferably
dead center to see the effect head on.
This is something that does not require a great
deal of set-up and could be carried in your wallet
or pocket and set-up when the environment is
right. That by itself makes it a great trick. The
five performance ideas that are explained on the
DVD are quite good. My favorite is a version with
the revelation of two different selections in a
very clever and simple way.
Best of all, the clean-up is quite good, allowing
you to remove the taped selection from the window
and apparently hand it back out for examination or
as a souvenir.
I highly recommend David Stone's "Window". If you
would like to purchase this effect and receive an
immediate 5% discount on this or any other effects
from ellusionist, please click here.
Until next time,
Steven
provide you with the first in a series of new
trick reviews. A few weeks ago, ellusionist
contacted me and asked me to review a new effect
from David Stone called "Window."
Frankly, when I watched the introductory videos I
was quite astonished. There were several
variations on a theme, and each one looked more
and more like real magic.
The basic premise is a card taped to the back of
a window changes to another card. This can happen
in many different ways including with a pass of
your empty hand, by rubbing a handkerchief against
it, and by waving a fan of playing cards. Each one
looks distinctly magical in its own way. In fact,
when you watch the demos, you will be convinced
that it is trick photography or CGI, but the plain
fact is you can accomplish this new illusion
without anything quite so complicated.
My DVD and kit arrived last Friday and the effect
is quite ingenious. It involves a special gaff,
and when you play with it, you will smile to
yourself. It looks as good as it does in the
video. You will want to immediately show every
relative, friend and layman within distance what
you have learned, but do yourself a favor and give
this one the practice it deserves.
Stone and his colleagues are French, and so the
demo videos and the DVD teach by way of pantomime
and graphics to highlight certain things. That's
not a problem for me. In fact, I would guess that
all of the video doesn't run more than 15 minutes,
so if you can't get the hang of this effect in
that time frame then you are doing something
wrong. It's that easy. Tape the gimmick to the
window and watch the magic happen.
Now "Window" is not angle-proof. How many effects
are these days? Still, you can get away with this
one from some pretty wide angles with the right
performance and blocking. Obviously, no one can be
behind the window, or inside the car or telephone
booth unless they are a stooge. You need your
audience in front of the window, and preferably
dead center to see the effect head on.
This is something that does not require a great
deal of set-up and could be carried in your wallet
or pocket and set-up when the environment is
right. That by itself makes it a great trick. The
five performance ideas that are explained on the
DVD are quite good. My favorite is a version with
the revelation of two different selections in a
very clever and simple way.
Best of all, the clean-up is quite good, allowing
you to remove the taped selection from the window
and apparently hand it back out for examination or
as a souvenir.
I highly recommend David Stone's "Window". If you
would like to purchase this effect and receive an
immediate 5% discount on this or any other effects
from ellusionist, please click here.
Until next time,
Steven
posted by Steven at
9:18 AM
