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ORBIT by Mark Parker & Jonathan Fox – A Review

ORBIT by Mark Parker & Jonathan Fox – A Review

ORBIT by Mark Parker & Jonathan Fox – A Review

This is the Ad Copy:

This is exactly the type of magic effect that peaked your interest and served as the gateway to the art. Why? It’s super visual, super fun and pulls people in like a magnet. Even better it’s EASY to perform allowing you to focus on the most important aspect of any effect – the performance! It also has the advantage of quick reward – which makes it perfect for street magic, strolling. It gets right to the point.

Imagine making – Mobile phones, glasses, dishes, wine glasses, credit cards, CD’s any suitable object float between your hands! Orbit is a revolutionary levitation device!

-Super Visual
-Easy to do
-One size fits all
-No threads or magnets
-Completely self-contained
-Robust and heavy duty (THIS IS NOT A TT)
-No set-up, the gimmick is always ready
-Comes with special gimmick ready to go

Please note angle considerations during performance.
Every detail is covered in a step by step online instructional video. Nothing is left out.Now go out there and blow your spectators away!
Idea for Orbit by Illusion Designer Mark Parker brought to life by Jonathan Fox and Global Magic Shop..

My Thoughts:

ORBIT is a levitation gimmick device. You can ‘levitate’ almost anything with weight.. from cell phones to packs of playing cards to glasses of wine. Thankfully, Orbit does NOT employ threads or magnets, and can be brought in and out of play with almost a moment’s notice..

There was a time twenty years ago when I performed my ‘magic’ in a public setting.. for anyone who would watch. One of my favorite devices was a suction cup attached to a thumb tip. I would attach it to a cola can and casually wait until I thought someone was watching. The can would suddenly ‘get away from me’.. and I’d try to reel it back in, indiscreetly, as if I hoped no one saw my misfortune. I’ve had literally dozens upon dozens of folks walk up to me, perplexed, and want to know how my cola can ‘appeared’ to take flight.

I loved it…

Well.. it’s been long enough that it was time for someone to bring this cool little device back for a new generation. Illusion Designer Mark Parker and Jonathan Fox with Global Magic Shop have done so.. and I’m glad.

I’m not going to tell you this is a thumb tip, because, in the traditional sense, it’s not. But it does go on the thumb.

Orbit works on the same principle as the original device. Fortunately, Orbit is adjustable to fit different size thumbs, and comes with shims to make it customizable. It is NOT latex or soft plastic.. but a very hard plastic to last a very long time. It also features ball bearings between the connection points, joining the thumb holder to the suction cup. This is a very important feature, as it allows for hand movements far outside the boundary’s of the original.

Jonathan Fox goes into considerable detail in the almost 50-minute tutorial, teaching how to properly handle the gimmick to get the proper balance and appearance to make your performance ‘magical’.

Special sections are included for attaching to playing card boxes, cell phones and wine glasses. Quick note: To attach to a card box, you need a box with the cellophane wrapper.

ORBIT comes with a heavy-duty gimmick holder for easy retrieval and ditching. The holder has a clip to attach to your pocket or belt. The holder is also close-able to simplify carrying the gimmick.

The last two sections of the tutorial include a section on maintenance and a bonus section on early prototypes and the thought processes that went into designing the new version.

Jonathan doesn’t call ORBIT a stand-alone effect, but an enhancement device to add an additional level of sophistication to your performance. Knowing me.. I’m just a step away from 2002 all over again.

There isn’t a real skill level. Even a beginner, if you watch the instructions and pay attention to your positioning, will be able to perform in short order. Obviously, you cannot perform surrounded. So a little audience management will be necessary.

As I mentioned.. the tutorial is approx. 50 minutes and you can watch it online or download it to your desktop. The quality is good, the sound is good, and you’ll have zero problems with the video.

The performance visuals are something special, and ORBIT is definitely a device you need to give serious consideration to purchasing. If the price seems a tad steep, it’s not. It’s built to last. And once you’re comfortable with the handling, you’ll be glad you listened to me. You’ll find yourself using ORBIT over and over… I promise.

I recommend it…

$39.95 .. From Murphy’s Magic and their Associates..

https://murphysmagic.com/product.aspx?id=71843

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

Mental Dust – by Quique Marduk – A Review

Mental Dust – by Quique Marduk – A Review

Mental Dust by Quique Marduk – A Review

This is the Ad Copy:

The spectator selects a card and write the number and suit on a sugar envelope. The magician opens the envelope, pours the sugar on the spectator’s forearm and the selected card appears written on the skin.

It is the old and great “ashes on arm” trick but on the spectator’s skin, and can be done with ashes, salt, sand, pepper or any dust.

You receive a special gimmick and a holder to get the trick always ready to be performed.

3 patterns available: 8 of Spades, King of Clubs or Waves (ESP cards)

Includes a video download with explanations and ideas.

My Thoughts:

Mental Dust is a smart take on the classic David Blaine ‘Ashes on Arm’ effect. It was a sensation when it was first introduced.. and I can honestly say I’ve truly amazed spectators with this trick.

It is being offered by Quique Marduk.. creator of Osmosilk, Human Slot Machine, Portable, and A Bar Kadabra.. plus utilities like Triple Thumb Tip Holder, Harlequin Cigarette Holder, and Fake Egg.. among many other creations.

David’s Voodoo Ash was dependent on the magi being able to determine a name selected by a spectator, and then writing that name on his own arm with soap. Marduk’s method results in the magi placing the identity of a card on the SPECTATOR’S arm.

He has created a special ‘stamp’ that can be kept in the performer’s pocket until needed. A substance, provided, is placed on a small stamp which has one of three patterns.. 8 of Spades, King of Clubs or ESP Waves.. (one choice per purchase). This stamp is secured in a well-designed holder to keep safe until you’re ready to ‘stamp’ your spectator. Of course, this is accomplished in stealth mode.. following suggestions from Quique.

Once the spectator has been stamped, the magi can force any of the three selections, and eventually reveal the ‘prediction’ on the spectator’s arm by rubbing any one of a number of different substances over the unseen pattern.
The promo video shows the magi rubbing a sugar packet or salt over the pattern to make it visible, but you could also use darker substances for fair-skinned spectators, like ashes, when available.

Training is via Youtube video, about 9 minutes in length, and an enclosed instruction sheet with pictures. Also included is a Spanish video and written instructions.

Watch the Murphy’s video to get a good idea of the outcome.

Included are one stamp of your choice, a stamp holder, a substance holder to allow you to rub the coating on the stamp, and a special holder to hold the stamp in position as you ‘stamp’ the spectator.

The price is $35.00, which is not too much to pay if you’re excited about the possibilities. I don’t think many performers will purchase at this price-point out of curiosity. 20-25 may have been a better price.

This is a straight-up effect, adding a nice twist to a classic. Good thinking and fairly simple handling make it desirable for all those who remember the reactions they received from the original Blaine effect.

$35.00 .. From Murphy’s Magic and their Associates

https://www.murphysmagic.com/product.aspx?id=71388

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

The Vault – Moving Pen by DingDing – A Review

The Vault – Moving Pen by DingDing – A Review

The Vault – Moving Pen by DingDing – A Review
Video Download

The Ad Copy states simply… 

“This is a visual effect: a pen through a hole on the card and moves freely.

No magnets, no thread, easy to learn!”

My Thoughts:

DingDing is a young performer/creator who to date has created about 20 different effects for The Vault. This is his latest.. and definitely one of my favorites.

The magi shows two cards with a small hole punched in the middle of both cards. The two cards are shown front and back, and then one card is placed on top of the other with the holes aligned. A pen is stuck through the holes and, again, shown front and back. The magi then moves the pen up and down. As the top card moves with the pen, the bottom card remains stationary… which
-should- be impossible. Afterwards, the magi removes the pen and again shows only two small holes in each card.

DingDing has published about 20 Effects with Murphy’s ‘The Vault’, including…

Hijack
Hijack 2.0
Sink Coin
Ink Permeation
Amazing Straw
Dice Through Card

Each effect ranges in price from $6 to $12 and involves a bit of DYI.. but not too much DYI.. as I am not a fan of creating your own gimmicks and probably wouldn’t review Moving Pen if I were “put off”.. Actually, it’s not a bad idea to know how to create your own gaff from scratch.. providing it doesn’t take hours to construct.

The Moving Pen tutorial video carefully explains everything you need to know in about 13 minutes. You will need a hole punch, some repositional glue, an Exacto knife or razor blade, and a couple of playing cards. The tutorial uses two Queens and a blank card, but you do not have to use a blank.

The gimmick can be created in 20 to 30 minutes. DingDing does a good job explaining and demonstrating everything you need to know. The video is a single shot and not overly sophisticated, but it doesn’t need to be. No problems with the video or the sound.

Can you hand the gimmick out for inspection..? After your performance, you can openly show both sides of the gimmick.. but you cannot hand it out for close inspection.

Should you buy it..? Since this is a quick, visual effect.. I suggest you go to the Murphy’s link and watch the video performance. It gives you everything you need to decide whether this is something for you. If you perform effects like the pen thru dollar, you’ll enjoy performing Moving Pen. Remember, there’s NO threads or magnets involved, and you can easily create several of these gimmicks at a time and they should serve you well through many performances.

$12.00 .. From Murphy’s Magic and their Associates..
https://www.murphysmagic.com/Product.aspx?id=72180

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

ReWrapped… by Brandon David and Chris Turchi – A Review

ReWrapped… by Brandon David and Chris Turchi – A Review

Rewrapped.. by Brandon David and Chris Turchi – A Review
Gimmick and Online Instructions

This is the Ad Copy:

ReWrapped is the ultimate chewing-gum life-hack! 

Imagine this. You take your old, chewed piece of gum. You stretch it and snap it back into a brand new gum stick. Then, the gum stick visually wraps itself in its original packaging! Now you have a fresh, 100% real gum stick ready for you to re-chew or save for later!

Devised by the creative duo behind “Envy-Lope” and countless other amazing effects (Brandon David and Chris Turchi), ReWrapped allows you to take a familiar everyday object and perform a mind-bending visual chewing gum restoration! Your spectators will think you’ve discovered a real-life infinite glitch!
Customizable to assorted brands of gum across the world!

Detailed instructions with Brandon and Chris
Resets in seconds
Easy to perform
Takes little pocket space
Perfect for socials and professional occasions
Highly Visual
Restore your gum again and again and again with this refreshing take on visual gum magic!

This is ReWrapped, by Brandon David and Chris Turchi!

My Thoughts:

First… After creating my own gimmick and performing for both friends and strangers, I can say the ad copy is fully correct. There’s NO stretching of the truth to hook us poor magicians. That said.. here’s my thoughts.

ReWrapped is very strong transformational/restoration magic. A piece of gum is removed from the mouth. You stretch the gum between the fingers to display its malleability.. And in a blink of an eye.. you show the gum to be fully restored to its original stick form. Then, almost as quickly, you show the stick ReWrapped.. You can then unrap the gum and put it back in your mouth. Don’t believe me? Watch the video…

ReWrapped is a quick trick. You know… one of those tricks that’s over before you have time to realize you need to pay attention. There’s nothing wrong with that technique, and its suddenness certainly catches the spectator’s eye.

ReWrapped is a remake of Sticky Situation by Andy Leviss. I’ve seen Andy’s effect performed by both Justin Flom and Rick Lax with great success. The difference is ReWrapped claims to be a more advanced version. I can’t say for certain as I am not familiar with the handling of Sticky Situation.. other than the promo trailer, which on the surface looks very similar to ReWrapped. I’m making an educated guess when I say ReWrapped probably offers a more sophisticated gimmick and ‘possibly’ eliminates a switch. Forgive me if I’m wrong…

Everything is carefully and meticulously explained in the 44 minute video. A gimmicked piece of ‘gum’ serves as the base, and you are shown, step by step, how to create the finished gimmick. There IS some DIY involved.. although it’s primarily wrapping the gum with your favorite brand of chewing gum paper. Provisions are made to allow you to use different brands from different parts of the world.

I’m going to publish the table of contents from the instructional video. I think I can do this without giving away too much. It will give you a good understanding of what’s covered….

What’s in The Box
Dressing The Gimmick
The Gimmick
Different Handling
Performance
Explanation
Paddle Move Details
Angles
Patter
Toss Display
Mouth Stretch
Simplified Version
Snap-Restore Details

Again, the video is 44 minutes, and taught by Brandon David and Chris Turchi in an informal setting. There are close-ups of any critical construction, and you should only need gum, a pair of scissors, and a little double sided tape to complete any and all work.

If you like quick magic, I could almost say ‘startling magic’.. definitely consider ReWrapped. There’s no doubt you’ll have some very surprised and astonished
spectators.!!

$24.95 .. From Murphy’s Magic and their Associates..

https://www.murphysmagic.com/product.aspx?id=58256

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