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COLORFOOL – Victor Zatko – A Review

COLORFOOL – Victor Zatko – A Review

COLORFOOL by Victor Zatko – A Review

This is the Ad Copy:

“Very visual, very sharp, a gimmick that fits a lot of routines, adapt it according to your imagination.”
– Bernard Bilis

“Colorfool is very smart, clean and more importantly VISUAL. Don’t hesitate, this is very good.”
– Mickael Chatelain

“Wow only 3 letters to describe it WTF”
– Etienne Pradier

COLORFOOL is a precision hand-crafted gimmick for insanely visual magic. With this method you will be able to make a card change, appear, disappear, as many times as you want without any kind of reset. The gimmick has been designed to be used in real close up conditions but also works perfectly for social medias.

In a nutshell:
Visual
Ready to go out of the box
No flap
Instant reset
Full routine taught
Get ready to be COLORFOOLED.

My Thoughts:

This is an intelligent little gimmick. I like the basic idea, as it offers the performer the opportunity to perform any one of a number of different effects.

The basic handling is this… You remove the top card of the deck, turn it sideways and place it back on the deck, and wave it like a paintbrush.. which changes the card underneath from a blue back card to a red back card. This is how the gimmick is designed to work. Naturally, like any good color change, you should add a routine to the handling to create the magic.

I don’t think Victor Zatko, the creator, would object to me telling you the magic is achieved with magnets. It’s much more than a couple of magnets placed to pick up the second card. Actually.. you can see the top half of the second card is still blue as the bottom half begins to change to red. You are furnished with four Bicycle cards; three gaffed blue backers and one regular red back card. The additional cards allow the performer to ‘control’ the magnetism. The proprietary feature with COLORFOOL is the precise placements and the handling.

The gaffs are all quality made and will last as long as a Bicycle card normally last. If one of the gaffs should wear out.. the magnets, which are precisely placed, could be removed and attached to another card. I will say that one card contains an internal magnet that would be difficult to replace, but it is also a card not likely to be abused and is only subject to normal wear and tear.

The instructions, approx.17 minutes, are available in either English or French.. and also includes an interesting effect in which a card is chosen and put back in the deck.. and after the deck is ‘painted’ the deck is spread to show every card has changed to red backers -except- the selected card, which still has a blue back. Victor also teaches several tips to help you create your own handling.

The video and audio are quite adequate. This isn’t a slick production, but it doesn’t need to be. COLORFOOL is recommended for any skill level. It was my belief those who will benefit most are those with at least a basic understanding of card magic, particularly considering these custom gimmicks are designed for the performer to add to his current routines and/or create unique content.

The basic handling is a bit ‘nichey’.. until you get the feel for the color change. It shouldn’t be a problem for the vast majority of you guys. Victor suggest that each COLORFOOL is handcrafted, and as such, is unique. Some handlers need to add an additional ungimmicked card between the gaffs to minimize the ‘pull’. Just practice the move a bit.. and you’ll quickly determine what you need to do to make your gimmick most efficient.

Additional notes: In addition to walk-around situations, this is a very good effect for social media. Although I haven’t done so, I think the visuals would be very impressive on camera. Although not totally a head-on effect, you would want to utilize deck management during your performance, primarily by keeping the deck about waist level. When brushing the blue card over the deck immediately before the color change, you can hold the card approx. an inch off the top of the deck, giving the impression the top card is not touching the second card of the deck.

I suggest going to Murphy’s site and watching the demo video to get a true idea of what COLORFOOL looks like in performance. If you decide this is for you.. I honestly think you’ll have a tool in your toolkit unlike anything else you own.

$29.95 .. Available from Murphy’s Magic and their associates.
https://www.murphysmagic.com/product.aspx?id=68455

Review by Rick Carruth

Press Release: ‘Don’t Read My Lips..’ – New Book from April Brucker

Press Release: ‘Don’t Read My Lips..’ – New Book from April Brucker

LAS VEGAS, March 29, 2021 — Actress, comedienne and reality television personality April Brucker, the special guest star in the Las Vegas revue “BurlesQ,” is revealing the secrets to her success in her new book, “Don’t Read My Lips! — America’s Foremost Female Ventriloquist Reveals the Secrets of How to be a Successful Vent” (CFBP Bestsellers, ISBN 0984208585).

“When the pandemic shut down my Vegas residency last year after just two performances, I took time to write the book that I always wanted to write, but hadn’t due to tour dates, TV appearances and other excuses,” says Ms. Brucker.

Whether readers are interested in ventriloquism as a career, hobby or just a pastime, “Don’t Read My Lips!” provides practical advice, how-to instruction and timely tips for everyone from novices to professionals.

Ms. Brucker includes a history of ventriloquism, why ventriloquism continues to thrive as an art form, plus how to learn the craft, create a character and write a routine. She reveals how to pursue a career as a ventriloquist, including procuring bookings, performing on television and dealing with the unexpected.

The author also reveals anecdotes from her encounters with Mariska Hargitay, Chris Matthews, Jerry Springer and other celebrities, an incident at the 2016 Republican National Convention with her dummy Donald J. Tramp and an irate New York doorman threatening to have April and puppet May Wilson arrested during a network television taping.

“Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a card-carrying vent, I share the how-to of the craft, plus the excitement, fun and rewards of being a vent,” adds Ms. Brucker.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Seen on “Entertainment Tonight,” “Inside Edition,” “My Strange Addiction,” “Today,” “Videos After Dark,” “What Would You Do?” and many domestic and international television shows,  April Brucker started as a ventriloquist at age 13, had her own public access TV show at age 16 and was the only ventriloquist performing in Las Vegas in late-2020/early-2021. A former New Yorker, Ms. Brucker performed for more than a decade in Manhattan cabarets, comedy clubs and off-Broadway shows. She earned her BFA in Acting at NYU’s Tisch School and was awarded an MFA in Creative Writing & Screenwriting at Antioch University Los Angeles. Connect with April Brucker on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and at www.AprilBrucker.TV.

Isolated Red – Mr. Xuan – A Review

Isolated Red – Mr. Xuan – A Review

Skymember Presents Isolated Red – by Mr. Xuan – A Review.
(Gimmicks and Online Instructions)

The following is the Ad Copy:

In 1950s, David Berglas created the “Holy Grail” of card magic, known as “The Berglas Effect”. The Berglas Effect:

The performer shows a shuffled pack of cards, then a spectator is asked to think of ANY card in the deck. Next, the spectator is asked to name a random number between 1 and 52. Amazingly, the randomly thought of card is found at the exact number the spectator had thought of. In later years, this effect was known as “ACAAN” and is still regarded as one of the most impossible card effects in magic.

Skymember Presents is proud to introduce you to Isolated, the very first instalment to our PRO SERIES.

This ultimate version of ACAAN was created by Mr. Xuan. He will be going over every detail on not only how to perform this super-clean effect but also goes into the psychology, patter, and routine structure.

With Isolated, you can perform multiple imperceptible mind-blowing routines that under insane fair conditions.

PRO SERIES:

Have you ever wondered why; when some magicians perform an effect, they seem so professional? Or maybe they always get standing ovations? Or maybe they just have “that special thing”? Have you ever wondered how can YOU overcome these uncertainties? Well, now you can. Therefore we have decided to release our PRO SERIES!

Many things are to be taken into account when designing a professional routine. It’s not just about the moves and techniques… there’s psychology, patter, routine structure and so much more. We’ll shed light onto all the minute details from start to finish. Isolated is not just a trick, it’s a masterclass, come on inside for we have so much to share… in isolated.

Features:
3 powerful routines.
Designed for TV and stages.
Perform like a Master in no time.
An hour Masterclass. Taught expertly by Avi Yap, Ryan Goh and Zach Ng.
Available now worldwide.

My Thoughts:

Every now and again a new effect comes along that truly stretches the borders. I consider ISOLATED such an effect, and am very pleased to be in a position to review it.

No, everything is not perfect. It is not a 100% sure fire winner.. which, unfortunately, is true with most advanced Any Card At Any Number (ACAAN) effects. There is always an element of danger, as I group most ACAAN lovers/performers with sky divers and race card drivers. I think it’s safe to say most of the best ACAAN performances I’ve ever seen were on video.. (except Charlie Frye’s performance at a SCAM convention in 2008). Don’t take that statement wrong. It’s just that it’s much easier to ‘clean up’ a video.. and real time ACAAN’s can be finicky. I’ve seen more than one well-known magician have to back up an punt during performances.

Yes, there are a few performers with flawless ACAAN’s.. but they are not generally marketing their effect. Most of the effects that DO make it to market are not magician foolers, which shouldn’t be a consideration… but it is.

Enough negativity! I am a BIG fan of ISOLATED.. and it’s time for me to tell you why…

ISOLATED is complete with two video tutorials and four different effects. It uses a gaffed deck.. a VERY gaffed deck.. and a fair amount of psychology to accomplish about as fair an ACCAN, from the audiences’ perspective, as you’ll find on the market.

It is well taught, in a 50 minute tutorial, by Avi Yap and Ryan Goh (creator of Anarchy). Both are well versed and very articulate, and explain everything you need to know in an impressive manner. Unfortunately, the second video, which covers only one of the four effects, is not as clear, as it employs sub titles, fast sub titles, but provides enough clear visuals you should be fine. This isn’t a sticking point.. just an observation.

If you’re a lazy magician, ISOLATED probably isn’t for you. As with most well-constructed effects, the performer has to be able to control the deck AND the spectator. This is not an extreme.. just being able to prevent them from turning cards at the wrong time and maintaining your own deck orientation to prevent revealing moments that are unrecoverable.

ISOLATED has a number of gaffed cards and regular cards.. and requires a one-time setup. Despite the setup, the deck can be table spread and shuffled as a real convincer. After the spread and shuffle, the magician again spreads the cards, face down, and asks the spectator to point to any card. They do… but this is a moment that requires spectator control. There are two small areas, about 5-6 cards each, that the performer needs to block via the spread. If performed as taught, you should pull this off the vast majority of times. It’s a small blip, but a consideration, in an otherwise superb effect.

The performer shows the spectator the card they picked. It is buried and cut into the deck. The performer ask the spectator to name a number.. and the magi fairly deals down to that number. The card is turned… and revealed to be the spectators card. An acrylic card sleeve can be used to deal the cards in a super-fair manner. There are so many convincers used along the way, despite the construction of the deck, the spectator, (magicians included), are left to ponder the impossible..

A second effect with the same setup, referred to as a Russian Roulette type effect, is extremely effective in it’s own way. Six piles are dealt after the spec selects a card, and the spec slowly eliminates each pile, and is shown its content in the process.. until one is left. He then selects one of the remaining cards.. and it is his selection. Pretend the piles are potential spikes, and have the spectator slam their hand on individual piles.. avoiding the one ‘spiked’ pile that contains their card.. Good stuff…

A third effect also uses the same setup and a Mexican Turnover (taught) to again find the spectator’s card… which matches a card given to him beforehand by the performer. It is a very good prediction effect and looks quite good on video.

An additional portion of the first video is a masterclass type production, displaying various ways to use ancillary devices to strengthen the effects. Card dealer/sleeves and tweezers are the two primary examples.

The second video, the Lottery effect, stage version, is similar enough to the Russian Roulette effect you shouldn’t have a problem with the sub titles. I also noticed a commercial rights clause that prevents the effects from being used on TV and web shows without permission. I am not a fan of these clauses.. but it is what it is…

Quickly put… ISOLATED is roughly an hour and ten minutes of instruction . Both the video and sound are typical Murphy’s Magic quality. Everything works.. aside from the sub titles on the second video, which scroll too fast for these eyes to follow. (Again, I don’t mention this to disway you from purchasing Isolated..)

In all.. I think ISOLATED is a very sharp, very intelligent use of gaff cards to achieve one of the classics of magic. The additional effects are icing on the cake, so to speak, and add to the value of this specialized deck. I definitely recommend ISOLATED to all my readers and Roadshow subscribers. I realize forty bucks is a serious purchase, but I believe it is well worth the price if you, like me, are a big fan of ACAANs.

$39.95 .. From Murphy’s Magic and their associates.
https://www.murphysmagic.com/Product.aspx?id=66680

(Review by Rick Carruth for Murphy’s Magic and the Magic Roadshow. I am not paid to represent this, or any, product I review.. unless otherwise stated.)

The Vault – Card Animations by Patricio Teran – A Review

The Vault – Card Animations by Patricio Teran – A Review

The Vault – Card Animations by Patricio Teran – A Review
Video Download

This is the Ad Copy (short and sweet):

“This is insane! Patricio just changed the game!”
– Hanson Chien

“I can’t tell what l saw is fantasy or reality, maybe both?”
– Hondo Chen

Four ingenious close-up magic animations!

Patricio Teran teaches you step by step how to build your own special cards by applying the concept of the animated card one of the most original animation concepts in magic.

My Thoughts:

OK.. most folks who follow my reviews know I am not a big fan of DIY. I was hesitant to review Card Animations for that very reason. I’m glad I gave it a go, and I’m happy to have the opportunity to review Patricio’s wonderful little video.
(I say ‘little’, but it’s actually over an hour and twenty minutes) .. I couldn’t complain about the DIY aspect though.. as this is a video solely intended on teaching you how to construct four cards that would easily cost you north of eighty bucks if you paid someone to make them for you.

I came in with the notion this would be a flip book (deck) type animation. I was wrong. This is a detailed tutorial showing how to create four different mechanically animated cards.. each with a different premise. If you’ve seen Bob Solari’s mini rising card that rises from a King’s hand then you know what I mean by mechanical. Cards appear.. but they appear from the depths of a card when you decide they appear. maybe from a small slit in the card or from a small envelope that magically appears – with an even smaller card inside. My best advice is to go to the link at the bottom and watch the trailer. This will give you a very accurate idea of what happens.. but it won’t tell you specifics.

This video is not about effects. It is about the props (tools) to make YOUR effects unique. You are left to create your own routines using the cards you build from scratch.. and Patricio teaches you exactly how to build each card from scratch.
When I first opened the video, I couldn’t quite understand how it was going to take 80 minutes to create four cards.. but you are literally walked through each step, in real time, from inception to creation. Everything you need is listed, and almost everything is something you probably have around the house: Scissors, double stick tape, a straight pen, Sharpie, and the one thing you may or may not have.. elastic (silicone) thread.

Everything taught is easily within the skill set of the average guy. Although my hands are not as agile as they once were, there’s noting too hard for me. You need to be able to cut a straight line, lay tape, and cut out a couple of small cards you’ll use for your ‘hidden cards’.

All the production values are typical Murphy’s Magic quality. Sound is a cool jazz-funk as this is a voice-free video. Words aren’t necessary.. fortunately. The video is tight and clear, detailing each aspect. I can’t find nary a thing to complain about..

I recommend CARD ANIMATIONS to all my readers and Roadshow guys. It’s priced very fairly and, if you’ll make the props, is a true bargain. Again, check out the video and you’ll have a good idea of what Patricio can add to YOUR magic. This is great for close-up and walk-around performances and will provide you with a very personal tool that I guarantee will earn you amazing responses.

$19.95 … From Murphy’s Magic and Associates who carry their line.
https://www.murphysmagic.com/product.aspx?id=67762

Review by Rick Carruth for Murphy’s Magic & The Magiic Roadshow.