Ning Cai's Blog
May 23, 2024
Review: All Out Magic by Steve Shufton
A regular deck is examined, mixed and handed to the participant. She deals the cards face-up, and stops whenever she wants. A second boxed deck, on the table the entire time, is immediately ribbon-spread. A single card is seen to have an “X” on its edge. It matches the card she freely dealt to! Once in her hands, the performer never touches the deck! Just you, and two decks. THAT’S ALL! Or a single face-up card is in the spread. It matches her card! IT COULDN’T BE MORE FAIR! It could be a premonition in an envelope on the table, or in your wallet, or in a participant’s hands or pocket the entire time. Instant reset! *** AS A BONUS *** My favorite, the Birthday Card Trick, is fully explained! It can feel so personal to your participant, the experience becomes emotional! Use this effect for any anniversary – creating an unforgettable moment: A small, examinable twelve-page booklet lists a different card for each day. She will be shocked when she looks up her own “birthday card,” and it is the only one that matches the card she randomly dealt to! Unique method! A trick requiring a skill you may already have, it will inspire you to push your mental magic further! Stunning mental magic. Ideas to use for a lifetime. Perform close up, walk-around, groups or one-on-one. Prepare yourself for a ride into profoundly strong, powerful and entertaining magic you will use!
Hello, magical friends! Today, I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on Steve Shufton’s “All Out Magic.” This little gem of a booklet is packed with innovative, hands-off mental card magic that’s bound to leave your audiences spellbound. With 42 pages of meticulously detailed routines and top-notch props, it’s a must-have for any magician’s collection.
Full disclosure: I received this directly from the creator with the agreement to share my thoughts uncensored. It took around a month to finally publish this review as I was inspired to actually perform what I learnt after finishing the very enjoyable read. Besides using the included card gimmicks Steve provided (you can use any air cushion finish USPC deck), I also took inspiration from some of Steve’s smart ideas like using tarot cards (NB: you’ll have to gimmick these unless you can find ready gaffed ones like the special cards produced by Thor) and himber wallets to achieve what truly seems as an impossible effect. I’m happy to report that it was a big hit all four times (an innocuous mem. deck was also used last weekend and it totally floored everyone at the table).
Read on to find out more if this one’s for you!
Key HighlightsInnovative Methods:
I must preface this by stating how I’ve been a fan of Steve Shufton since I first came across his work in the early 2000s. If you haven’t checked out some of his very clever creations like “Fobulous”, “PS: I Love You”, and “X-Ray”, do yourself a favour and do so stat! With his latest magic release, Steve has done it again with the clever use of well-tested principles that make this prediction effect both accessible and impressive. Taking a walk through the spiral bound pages of “All Out Magic” will make you appreciate his keen mind. Everything is clearly well thought out and impressive! There were several times where I found myself wondering: “Ah, Steve you genius… why didn’t I think of that?” Readers will find lots of reflective thought and magic philosophy to be gleaned from its 42 pages. I personally enjoyed Steve’s breakdown on what kind of presentation hits harder; an open prediction awaiting a match versus one that is later revealed after some suspense. Plenty of pros and cons for both, and Steve includes all the reasons why. “All Out Magic” is clearly a work of love… a passion project that its creator put much time into to perfect its concepts the handlings over the years, unlike too many of the flashy magic products released just for fast and easy cash these days, which have left me a little jaded.
Clarity of Instruction:
Now, to be crystal clear, “All Out Magic” is not a one trick effect. The booklet is practically like a Swiss army knife of sorts. One of the things I absolutely appreciate about the read is its clarity. I think it’s important because some magicians can be great at performing but aren’t necessarily adept instructors. Steve proves to be an excellent teacher and his writing is straightforward and concise, with no unnecessary filler. His step-by-step explanations make it a breeze to follow along. Also, if you’re like me where life makes it impossible to finish the entire booklet in one sitting, you won’t get lost because Steve’s written instructions are like patient baby steps gently guiding you along even if you may have forgotten earlier bits. I do appreciate how Steve takes the effort to communicate all foundational points and he doesn’t gloss over the details. Having said that, I honestly think it may be a good idea to produce a video version of “All Out Magic” with Joshua Jay helming the tutorial, especially since Steve did mention how Josh enjoyed it a lot years ago when he first showed it to him and was instrumental in urging Steve to publish this as part of his magic legacy… so can we expect a future Vanishing Inc production, maybe? 😉
Practical Effects:
The plot is a true classic audience pleaser and these effects are designed for real-world performance. With minimal setup and instant reset capabilities, the various ideas that Steve shares in “All Out Magic” is perfect for everything from close-up, parlour, restaurant table hopping gigs, and walk-around magic. Trust me, you’ll be ready to amaze at a moment’s notice. This is definitely something for the workers, and especially suited for quick hard hitting performances at a restaurant where spectator interaction is key. Besides packing super flat, it takes up very little pocket space too, which makes it extremely practical for the working professional. Having said that, I’d peg this one for the advanced beginner and above since audience management like timing and psychology play pretty crucial roles. One thing that I personally appreciate is how Steve also suggests various ideas for different presentation styles like for instance, the idea of using tarot cards, which I mentioned earlier. Once you understand the key concepts and how to apply them accordingly to your unique presentational style and original effects, the world’s your oyster!
Bonus Content:
I must give a special mention to the last effect, the “Birthday Card Trick.” This one is a serious game-changer! It’s not your standard diary card trick. Building on a key principle Steve teaches in “All Out Magic”, this particular effect creates a personal and emotional connection with your audience. Steve really understands the human psyche and how people’s birthdays and wedding anniversaries are special to them. While clear instructions are given on how to go about creating your own booklets, Steve also mentions that he can also make them to order on request… Just imagine the reactions you’ll get—it’s a serious reputation maker.
Versatility:
As I stated before, this is no one trick pony. Steve provides multiple variations for each effect, allowing you to customise your routines to fit your personal style and audience. This kind of flexibility is invaluable and something I always look for in a magic/ mentalism book so that’s why I really appreciate that he only gives suggested patter and not an actual script because if you’re performing, you don’t want to sound any anybody or everybody else.
Testimonials:
Plenty of professionals have sung its praises and there are lots of quotes from industry heavyweights like master magician Joshua Jay and celebrity mentalist Luca Volpe, et al. Anyone who has finished reading “All Out Magic” would agree with me that they’re all truthful testimonials and not inflated marketing hype to help a buddy sell stuff. IMHO Steve has produced a clever impactful gem filled with strong, refined mental magic using thoroughly tested methodologies and a seamless blend of principles to create impactful memories for the audience. On a personal level, I really appreciated the ease of learning and the deceptiveness of the various effects that Steve shared. The performance tips included are pure gold, helping the reader enhance one’s presentation and audience engagement.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking to elevate your mental magic/ mentalism routines, “All Out Magic” is an absolute must-read. Steve Shufton’s innovative methods, clear instructions, and practical effects will not only amaze your spectators but also enrich your performing repertoire. This book is a treasure trove of inspiration and practical magic and comes highly recommened. For more product details and to purchase, head over to the creator’s website. “All Out Magic” is also available from all good magic stores.
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July 26, 2022
Review: Mental Block by Dan Harlan
A classic piece of magic updated by a phenomenal magician/ magic creator and the dream team behind Penguin Magic, you may just find yourself adding this well-loved audience pleaser to your next performance repertoire. Read on to find out more about P3’s Mental Block by Dan Harlan.
Dan the Man shows us that A is for Awesome and Amazing and Astonishing!
DescriptionDan Harlan is arguably one of the most creative magicians on the planet. When he sets his mind to a time-tested effect, the result is nothing short of jaw-dropping. Forget everything you know about the color vision box because you are about to experience a revolution in remote viewing. Now in a handsome wooden finish, the Color Vision Box becomes one of the most beautiful props in your collection. This is Mental Block by Dan Harlan.
Here’s what happens: The magician introduces a small wooden box and block to the audience. Both objects are completely examinable. The magician has the audience place the block inside the box while remembering which color is face-up in the box. The magician is instantly able to tell exactly which color is face up. As a kicker, the block completely vanishes. In an encore, the magician is able to divine the identity of any object the audience chooses to place in the box. It’s an astonishing multiphase effect.
The Color Vision Box has earned a spot in nearly every magic kit because it’s easy to do and baffling for laypeople. Dan Harlan’s routine, based around the senses, not only brings an engaging presentation to the effect but also a gorgeous prop that you are going to want to perform with over and over again. The kickers that Dan has added ramp this effect up to be a true closer. The vanish of the block stuns audiences. Being able to use the box to identify other objects makes this a true worker. Plus you’ll learn some amazing techniques that make Mental Block a real fooler. The block has been designed specifically by Dan Harlan to give you number, color, letter, shape, and object revelations. The box and the block are a beautiful wood finish that makes it both a fascinating prop to perform with, as well as the perfect display piece. This is a modern classic that was born to perform. This is Mental Block by Dan Harlan.
Dan Harlan and Penguin Magic’s Mental Block is not made of plastic. Despite haters saying it wooden work, I think they totally nailed it 😉
Let’s talk USP (unique selling points)All right, I’ll stop with the puns and stick to my day job. Mental Block by Dan Harlan is produced by P3 aka Penguin Magic, so as always, you know you’ll be receiving a quality product where much effort and thought has gone into it. Top marks again to the folks at P3 for their usual high production quality standards; from the sleek packaging with a secure magnetic flap to the very lovely props rested snugly within.
As you can see from my picture above (Sharpie included to show relation for size) everything is crafted from wood, with the dice specially designed by Dan himself. The cube measures 3cm on all sides, a perfect size to fit in the hands of not just the performer but also the spectator(s) involved in this fun and interactive magic routine. So no worries there if your spectator is a petite girl with small hands. Even a child can cup the cube in their hands and everyone watching will think it’s fair!
Mental Block is made of far better stuff than the el-cheapo plastic dice version I owned when I first got into magic back in the late 1900s. Yes, I’m an old millennial who used to buy magic from actual mail catalogues 😉 The weight of this wooden cube is perfect and the bright paint against its smooth wooden grain is done very well so should stay on for a very long time. Having said that, while this gimmick is designed to look like a toy, one shouldn’t treat it as so. The Mental Block cube is solid but the box and lid may not fare too well if you drop them too often.
Everything pops into a pocket easily, making space management a breeze. This is especially helpful if you’re working a restaurant gig and doing table hopping. Kids and families will love this. It plays to all ages too, as you’ll see from Dan’s real life performance with a group who seem genuinely impressed and in no way appear to be buddies with the creator or paid actors with OTT squeals and reactions.
On that note, Dan does a terrific job in the online instructions that follow his IRL performances. The tutorial is filmed in studio and to the point. I think I’m with the majority who prefer short and sweet versus someone who rambles and goes off tangent. Dan’s wealth of experience and knowledge shows here. You’ll also appreciate his quiet confidence and expert audience management skills. I love seeing real pros handle difficult spectators and Dan’s a veteran at that.
Price wise, I think the RRP is very fair, considering everything you get— custom made wooden props that have been specially designed, as well as, Dan’s very professional online tutorial which breaks down all the very clever layers of magic down to sizeable chunks for easy learning. If you’re new to magic, I’d recommend you to get this. If you’re a worker, you’ll also want this entertaining bit of kit. While it isn’t the newest/ sexiest/ techie magic invention in the history of modern magic that promises to make you look like the coolest kid on campus, when performed well Mental Block will convince your audience that you have ALL SIX SENSES fully developed and they will never forget your face.
Everything can be fully inspected with nothing to hide or add, which adds to the intrigue as you’re performing with the simplest of props. The only criticism I can think of is that in poor lighting, folks with bad eyesight may have difficulty with pastel colours like the orange side which has C for Cat. So I’ve circumvented this by simply outlining the letter with a regular 2B pencil with wonky lines like how an age appropriate child might on their own toys. If you want, you may even deliberately “relic” the cube further like how some of us do with electric guitars… scratch up the sides or drag the cube against tarmac, maybe even use a few swipes of shoe polish on the box and lid. It’s yours so feel free to go wild with ideas that fit your presentation and performance character 😉
TLDRYou’re not just getting well made (and innocent looking) props when you purchase Mental Block. Dan Harlan’s multiple phases are extremely well thought of and this entertaining storytelling routine works well on people on all ages. Don’t be surprised if your adoring audience actually believe you’re the real deal after your mind-reading gig. Highly recommended for any performer looking for a fun and interactive mental magic routine with multiple layers that will astonish and amaze.
Mental Block by Dan Harland is available from Penguin Magic.
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November 26, 2021
Review: Omamori by Hanson Chien & Yao
Continuing with our theme of wood imbued with magical properties (ala our previous review of Holy Wood), we next explore another creative invention by Taiwanese magician Hanson Chien and his team. We’ve all heard the famous saying: With great powers come great responsibility. And it rings true for Omamori / 神御 …You could very possibly start your own religion with this!
DescriptionA CHARM THAT CAN REVEAL ANY MESSAGE. It took Hanson Chien and Yao three years in development and with the presentation and explanation by a rising-star magician of Taiwan – Sean Chou. Based on the “Omamori” in Japanese culture, it can reveal any message through the light.
BASIC EFFECT
By allowing the light to go through the Omamori, spectator’s message is emerged and revealed! You can allow a message to be changed, or even make it disappear. You decide what you want it to look like: A trick? Or a miracle? Omamori is easy-to-carry and can be attached on your bags or on a key chain. This Omamori will be the every magician’s must have!
FEATURES
No force. No doubt. No kidding. Any time. Any where. Any message.
WHAT YOU RECEIVE
Gimmicked charm/ Regular charm/ Fortune papers/ Goshuin stickers/ Online instructions
When this trailer first dropped, I thought it was a brilliant idea to incorporate something so Asian. It’s uniquely different, it’s mystical and exotic, and in the right hands it can really play HUGE. Savvy world travellers who have journeyed to culture-rich Japan would have visited a shinto temple at some point, and most shrines offer up unique lucky charms known as omamori. And if for some reason your gaijin audience don’t know anything about this beautiful aspect of traditional Japanese culture, it’s a great time to weave that into your patter and presentation.
As in the above picture, you’ll see the Omamori / 神御 gimmick once you slide open the box. Stacked above it is an ungimmicked copy. Lift the snug foam insert and you’ll gain access to the assortment of accessories; stickers, alcohol wipes, faux fortune slips, and a printed card with the QR code and weblink to the online tutorial.
Manufactured from acrylic with a textured bamboo sticker, the specially produced Omamori / 神御 gimmick (as well as it’s identical ungimmicked twin) really does look and handle like light-weight bamboo. You’ll need to take two minutes to affix the stickers yourself. The characters read along the lines of Bamboo Hall Shinto Shrine… a very clever choice considering the “material” and a generic enough name of a religious place. Although I half suspect the chosen name may actually be an inside joke between the food loving fellas of the Hanson Chien Production Company since it also happens to be the name of a popular chain of hotpot restaurants in Taiwan 😉
Anyway, here’s a picture of my own omamori from the centuries-old Shikichi-jinja Shrine (Wara-tenjin) in Kyoto, famously known for being dedicated to safe child birth (as well as accurately predicting the gender of your child). And in the foreground is the Omamori / 神御 gimmick with the vinyl sticker attached, along with its ungimmicked twin.
I found my gimmick to be well made and handles nicely; you can pass it out to a spectator and they’d never guess there’s a hidden button triggering a secret trap door! The special compartment slides out smoothly and goes back in securely once the deed is done. There’s no reason for people to not believe that this is exactly what you say it is.
To perform this you’ll need to use a black Sharpie. I tried using a non-permanent marker but it didn’t look as good. So be brave and use a regular marker pen. That’s what the included alcohol pads are for. And these days, such wipes aren’t hard to find or bring around. That’s pretty much the only “refills” you’d need.
Will I use the included faux lucky charm papers in my presentation? Most probably not. But it’s nice to have options. The quality of the clear stickers are very decent. I don’t see them curling out at the edges and the adhesive sticks well to the “bamboo” surface. Since bamboo is technically a grass and knocking on it wouldn’t sound anything like solid wood, this nifty acrylic shell easily passes off as the real deal. It’s so simple to operate and use; a clever little masterpiece!
Let’s talk USP (unique selling points)The Omamori / 神御 tutorial runs just over 40 minutes long and is crammed full of knowledge and information. The introduction and set up is presented by Yao (the same genius who engineered Holy Wood) and the performance parts are taught by Sean Chou, the performer featured in their official trailer above.
Several things are apparent to me. Firstly, Sean has a really good complexion and I’m envious of his “K-beauty glass skin”. He is also extremely eloquent and knowledgable in both mentalism and sleight of hand. Hanson Chien clearly chose the right person for the job because Sean is obviously a real worker and the best teacher in this case. With his expert handling, you can tell Sean has really performed Omamori / 神御 hundreds of times and not just for the sales trailer.
Many things which I’d learnt over the years in terms of mentalism and magic, including the psychological subtleties, are succinctly covered by Sean. So no worries if you’re a relatively new magician because you’re in very good hands. There’s a learning curve for sure, because Omamori / 神御 simply isn’t one of those quick magic tricks that you can bust out for likes on TikTok or Instagram. There’s a profound poetic beauty in this routine when done right.
Sean touches on this aspect towards the end of the video, where you need to decide where you want to take this. Due to the subject’s very nature, I’m not kidding that you may be able to start a religious cult with this incredible utility tool. So be careful how you perform Omamori / 神御 . Never toy with people’s hearts. Please do not become a charlatan!
Oh yes, I do need to mention that the entire tutorial is in Mandarin but you can easily turn the English subtitles on. The video is professionally shot with close-ups where needed, and the audio comes off great. All chapters are also clearly broken down into sections so you can easily go back to re-play what you missed accordingly.
I’ll say this: Performing this routine takes guts. There are covert moves to do and daring sleights to pull off, but it massively pays off. As mentioned, this is a routine with many elegant layers. Move slowly. Let the moment build. Don’t rush it. Channel your inner storyteller. And relish in the afterglow once your adoring audience reacts to the impossibility of their written prediction inside a bamboo omamori seen by backlight (or candlelight if you so prefer).
https://www.ningthing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ningthingOMAMORI.mp4TLDR: Omamori by Hanson Chien & YaoA novel concept supported by well crafted gimmicks produced by a creative team of magicians who love what they do, Omamori / 神御 is a worthy investment for the intermediate worker seeking to advance their magic. Especially recommended if you are a mature performer looking to present something different in the realm of mystery entertainment. With great powers come great responsibility, so please use this wisely!
Available from the creators at Hanson Chien Productions.
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November 25, 2021
Review: Holy Wood by Hanson Chien & Yao
Just before falling ill with a debilitating virus that rendered me pretty useless for well over a month, I’d made an order of magical goodies from Hanson Chien, one of my favourite Asian magic producers, during a recent sale on their online shop. The package arrived swiftly from Taiwan and so as I lay recuperating in my sickbed, I was thankful to have some really cool magic effects to tinker with. One in particular that stood out to me was Holy Wood… aka 神木.
Now if you speak Mandarin like I do, I’m confident that you’ll agree 神木 is a beautiful name for this magic effect, although in my humble opinion, a more accurate translation for 神木 would be Spirit Wood or Mystical Wood, even. But I digress. Holy Wood is an extremely clever effect from Hanson Chien and Yao, so let’s get to the usual introductions before I start the review proper 🙂
A DECK OF CARDS MORPHS INTO A WOOD BLOCK. This miracle is designed by Hanson Chien and engineered by Yao. Take a card push it through a solid deck of cards. When the card box is opened, however, the deck is solid…but a solid block of wood.
FEATURES
-No way
-No kidding
-Easy to carry
-Easy to perform
-A Self-Working Miracle
-An art piece rather than a prop
This art piece is proudly made in Taiwan. Each unit is individually fine-tuned by hand to ensure smooth and seamless operation. It’s produced in small quantities and availability will be limited.
Comes with beautiful handmade block + 2 boxes with slit.
Complete with detailed instructions by Hanson Chien.
NOTE: Playing cards NOT included.
It is evident that Hanson Chien and his team in Taiwan have plenty of pride and passion in what they do. The packaging for 神木 / Holy Wood is one of the most professional I’ve ever seen. Not only does the luxurious box look so good, every part of the elegant design is very well thought of to ensure all the gimmicks reach you safe and sound.
The single block of wood rests snugly in its dedicated foam insert, easily lifted from the deep recess of the bespoke box by a loop of gold ribbon— a far cry from when I first got into magic and magic effects came packaged in taped plastic bags— where you’ll find the two flattened red USPCC Bicycle card cases with slits in the middle (as mentioned in their marketing description), as well as, a small ziplock bag containing items to help with the maintenance and upkeep of the gimmick.
You’ll find the QR code and weblink to the tutorial printed on the inside of the box cover, along with a message of thanks from the creator that is printed on nice card stock in both English and Mandarin.
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I must say, the 神木 / Holy Wood gimmick is incredibly well made. The creators weren’t kidding when they called it a piece of art… it really is a remarkable engineering feat. I mean, just look at it! There is no other block of wood in the package. You have absolutely nothing to switch out. This really is THE gimmick that makes the magic happen. And if you zoom in close, you’ll further appreciate the finesse that went into the construction of the gimmick.
That is also why in the 45min long tutorial, much emphasis is made on the proper care and maintenance of the gimmick. You need to treat that wooden block with as much love and respect as you would give your expensive guitar, beloved ukulele, or any instrument crafted from wood.
The tutorial was professionally shot and extremely enjoyable to watch. I like seeing Hanson Chien shine in his element; he is so charming when performing and presenting in his mother tongue. No worries there if you’re not a native Mandarin speaker, however. There are English subtitles you can easily follow along to in the video.
The video tutorial covers all aspects of the trick so don’t worry if you’re just starting out and not particularly good with sleights. 神木 / Holy Wood plays well as an interactive magic effect and I appreciate how it engages all the senses. Your spectators not only see a playing card/ credit card/ knife blade/ business card pass through the very center of the card box, they feel it too when they do it themselves, and then you completely stump them with the unexpected reveal of a beautiful block of walnut fitted perfectly inside the card box, before inviting them to slide it out and feel just how real and solid it is. Your adoring audience can even sniff the wood if they want, but I wouldn’t let them taste it 😉
Interesting presentational ideas were tossed around after the important technique and handling topics were covered. And once I was done with the tutorial, I couldn’t help but come up with my own: Holy Wood x Chopsticks aka 神木筷子!
There is just SO MUCH to love about Hanson Chien’s 神木 / Holy Wood. He credits Spanish magician, Jose Llacer, the inventor of the Matchbox Penetration effect that was released back in 1995 which sparked the imagination of his own creation. I think Hanson and his team have not only given the classic trick a brand new spin but have really made it their own, and should be extremely proud of themselves for coming up with such a novel concept!
All too often magicians pull out the usual card tricks, if not coins or sponge balls. 神木 / Holy Wood is a very different kind of magic that will appeal to people from all walks of life. Everyone I’ve handed the wooden block out for inspection to have had their mind melt. Seriously, folks just go wild because they have no idea it’s gimmicked! Yao did a FANTASTIC job in this engineering marvel.
While there’s some prep needed before you can perform this, it is very minimal and easy. No complicated DIY origami. Performance wise, I would say it’s not difficult to do, with only some audience management required. And this takes up barely any pocket space! Reset would take you less than a minute and then you’re good to go. If you use Hanson’s presentation, you’d need matching playing cards. I’d encourage you to come up with your own patter though, something original that works for you 🙂
https://www.ningthing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/NingThing-x-Holy-Wood-Hanson-Chien.mp4TLDR: Holy Wood by Hanson Chien & YaoIf you’re a performer looking for an eye-catching magic effect that involves audience participation and is easy to do, 神木 / Holy Wood by Hanson Chien Productions would be a worthy investment to check out. This unique trick will boggle people’s minds and they will remember you for a long time to come. With proper care and maintenance using the included accessories, the gimmick should last a lifetime. It’s no wonder celebrity magicians like Lu Chen, Yif, and Eric Chien have said such good things about it. This gets a full 10/10 score and I would give more stars if I could!
You deserve good things. So go get yours now from the creators at Hanson Chien Productions.
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November 24, 2021
Biohacking with the new Sensate 2.0
As the last autumn leaves fall and the trees turn bare, our days begin to grow shorter. For many of us around the world, seasonal affective disorder starts to kick in. My first brush with SAD happened while I was pursuing my postgrad studies in the UK, where the grey Edinburgh skies didn’t quite help. While it’s nothing to be ashamed about, there are things you can definitely do to keep the winter blues at bay. Besides exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep, popping vitamin D, and investing in a light therapy lamp, I’ve also found a secret weapon that helps.
Meditation.
Those who meditate regularly would understand why the breath is such a powerful tool. Researchers have published many studies providing scientific evidence how meditation stimulates the vagus nerve and increases vagal tone, leading to positive emotions and promoting feelings of goodwill towards yourself. And when you’re deep in the zone, meditation can really help you relax.
But it can be a challenge getting there since obviously, not everyone is a Zen master like Thich Nhat Hanh. Some of us don’t have the luxury to steal away to Plum Village for a meditation retreat. We have the inevitable burdens of work, inescapable family commitments, stress and worries about the future, and are basically stuck in our busy (sometimes chaotic) lives.
So thank goodness for technology in the modern age, I say! A month and a half ago, I learnt about the Sensate 2.0, a nifty little device invented by Stefan Chmelik, a TCM practitioner and author of a very cool book called Chinese Herbal Secrets: The Key to Total Health. Essentially, the integrated healthcare expert and his team created a clever wearable that pairs with a specially engineered app on your phone (don’t worry the Sensate app is free when you download it from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store), and the synced music and gentle vibrations guides you towards a blissful meditative state.
It was an early Christmas present to myself and I’m so glad I got it! I’m going to share more about my experience with the Sensate 2.0 but first up, here are some unboxing pics…
As you can see, the device itself fits nicely in my hand and is very well made. Shaped like a smooth pebble you’d find along a river, the design is simple and uncomplicated. There is only one button to push to power on the Sensate 2.0, and then there’s a USB charging point at the base. Completely idiot proof and very Zen.
https://www.ningthing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/NingThing-x-Sensate-4.mp4Inside the sturdy box with a magnetic flap is the Sensate 2.0 wearable device, the illustrated user guide, a lovely soft case that reminds me of a coin purse, a nice cotton lanyard that is surprisingly comfortable, a velveteen eye pillow that has just the perfect weight to it, and the included charging cable (you’d probably already have quite a few of these standard USB cables lying around in your house).
The Sensate 2.0 arrived very quickly from the UK within a space of about a week. Being crazy busy with work while caring for our fussy toddler who’s just entered his terrible twos, it completely slipped my mind until the DHL delivery man came to our door! I was giddy with excitement when I opened the package and happy to discover that the device came pre-charged! That’s a very thoughtful thing to do, so mucho kudos to the team 🙂 I must say that their customer service was first class too, with their very helpful and personable reps answering all the questions I had.
So feeling rather impressed with the quality of the goodies that came out from the box (FYI the Sensate 2.0 is made in the UK not China), I decided to put the biohack wearable to the test the very first night since the proof would be in the pudding, so to speak. I’d read up on other similar devices prior but this appealed to me the most, so I was really excited to try it out once our little man went off to bed.
I had downloaded the Sensate app way before the package shipped out, and was enjoying using the different audio tracks to help me engage in breath work exercises to hit a target of six breaths a minute. There’s an animation on screen, called a breath pacing trainer, which enlarges and shrinks. Think of it as a guide for your breath to follow.
Anyway, you can imagine my surprise and delight when the device synced flawlessly with my android phone with a push of the button. At the first try! The entire process was instant and easy and completely fuss free, unlike my struggle with other Bluetooth devices that stubbornly refuse to be found or paired.
Now, there are four categories in the music library of the Sensate app: Nature, Space & Time, Sacred Spaces, and Breathe. At present there are a total of 13 audio tracks, all free to use even if you don’t own a Sensate device, ranging from 10, 20, and 30 minutes long. So getting comfortable and taking their suggestions of lying down, adjusting the lanyard so the wearable sits 3 or 4 fingers down from the center of my collarbone for it to effectively vibrate against the sternum (Sensate 2.0 works using near-infrasound resonance via bone conduction), plugging in my noise cancelling earbuds and using the provided eye pillow which made me feel like I was at a spa, I selected a 10 minute track entitled “Be Sensate” and started my first session.
And, whoa. By the end of that session, I was already feeling like I was back in a floatation tank blissing out.
I asked my spouse if the vibrations were loud because while I could feel it do it’s magic between my boobs, I couldn’t hear any noise over the ethereal music (if you’re a fan of Enya and New Age, you’re going to love the music library) playing in my ears. Turns out, the device is whisper quiet so I may just use this next time when I’m commuting on the bus or train!
The success of the first session made me want to do it again so I decided to try “Forest”, a 20 minute track this time. I was really very relaxed at the end of it and honestly felt like I may just fall sleep in the middle of a 30 minute session so felt it was time to end things on a high. To be crystal, I didn’t get a trippy feeling like I did with the Pandora Star; I was still very lucid but feeling calm and happy and very, very, very relaxed.
Would I recommend the Sensate 2.0? If you’re willing to commit to using it regularly, this nifty little biohacking wearable will be an EXCELLENT investment. But YOU need to put effort into using it. Sensate recommends at least 10 minutes a day to really activate the vagus nerve.
The device really helps if you’re like me… a regular person (i.e. not a monk sans screaming children, deadlines, and bills to pay) desiring to meditate for a better quality of life, who’s trying hard to tame that restless “monkey mind”. So far I am really enjoying the Sensate experience and have been cycling through the dozen or so audio tracks, and I’m quite impressed with how long the device holds a charge. The device and app still sync seamlessly without any issues, and more audio tracks will be added to their library very soon. All very good news!
I reckon if you are type who chooses to invest in a FitBit type device that helps you keep track on how many steps you take a day or how many hours you’re at rest, the Sensate 2.0 is a similar wearable that coaches you towards a healthier lifestyle too. All too often we put so much focus on the physical side of things but there are other aspects that we must remember to embrace.
Right now, Sensate is having a special offer of a holiday 2-pack bundle where you can save $60! Since Christmas is just around the corner, it would be the perfect time to start thinking which person in your life needs bliss as much as you do 😉 Namaste!
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September 27, 2021
Review: Razor Wallet by Dee Christopher
Since my recent review here on NingThing about one of my favourite mentalism wallets, I’ve been requested by readers to share another cheaper alternative that’s close to or equally as effective. One such magic wallet which comes close sprang to mind; it does nearly almost everything the Blind Man’s Wallet by Menny Lindenfeld is capable of (peek wallet + CTG) while costing just half the price and a lot less pocket space minus the bulk.
Read on to find out more about the very clever Razor Wallet by Dee Christopher.
Razor gives you a FULL PEEK of any business card, billet or index card that is placed inside it. And the best part? You can do it in FULL VIEW of your audience. They can literally watch you peeking and they won’t have a clue. All of this means that you can secretly learn ANY phone-number, name, word, pin number, shape, doodle or number someone can think of. Whether you’re a magician who likes to throw some mental magic into your set or a mentalist who is looking for a powerful way to access your participants thoughts, THIS is for you.
Crafted from the ground up by master artisans to Dee’s exact specifications, this is the kind of wallet that looks right at home in the front pocket of any modern mystery artist. Dee designed this wallet to be fashionable and unisex. It is made from cruelty free materials so that everyone can add Razor to their EDC, regardless of their gender and lifestyle. Not only will you get a powerful peek with this device, also included is a unique handling for a visual card to wallet where the audience actually sees the very moment their card appears inside the ID window. Very limited stock is available after a complete sell out at the Blackpool Magic Convention; don’t miss out – Add Razor to your EDC today!
I’ve been a fan of Dee Christopher’s work for well over a decade now and am glad to see the goth mystery performer now teaming up with Penguin Magic to produce gems like the Razor Wallet. This unisex wallet looks so innocent but in the right hands, it will melt brains! The wallet comes in two colours (both very classy so you are spoilt for choice) and after much consideration, I chose the crimson version since I usually wear black when I perform so it’s nice to have the prop stand out.
Crafted from cruelty-free vegan leather, it’s slim and modern looking, and fabricated from the ground up according to Dee’s specs. I love the feel of the Razor Wallet right out of its box (everything you need to get started is included in the box). While the red version is marketed as “crimson”, it looks a lot more like a rich shade of burgundy which works better for me 🙂
If you’ve purchased this P3 exclusive direct from Penguin Magic, you’ll receive a bunch of videos: five in total presented by the creator himself (Dee’s own demo and tutorial using it as a peek device and CTW), his friend Josh (clever close up handling without using the included screen, as well as, his stage handling incorporating a magic square), and Eric from Penguin Magic (a cheeky ID switch routine which sees an unsuspecting spectator’s driving license magically transpose with yours). There’s also a 9 minute performance of how Dee uses his Razor Wallet and I recommend you take time to study how Dee, who is a real worker and not just a magic creator, makes it all about his two spectators and not the prop.
Here’s a quick glimpse of the Razor Wallet in action…
As you can clearly see from my GIF, the Razor Wallet is such a brilliant piece of kit. The concept isn’t entirely new as I owned a notepad with similar qualities from over a decade and a half ago, but this is really so much better because you’ll never need to worry about refills and it is so versatile!
The built is razor thin (hence it’s name) and light, taking up hardly any space in your back pocket. There are no secret flaps to flip so you can sneak a peek of what’s written or drawn right under their noses, and I’m happy with the quality of the materials …and even happier with the price which is cheap in context for a custom made magic prop. It’s not difficult to slip your credit cards and business cards into the pockets (they slide in and out like butter), and to your audience the Razor Wallet looks just like any regular card holder.
Now on that note, it’s good to remember that less is more. So don’t try to shove too many cards into your thin Razor Wallet because at the end of the day, it’s only a magic prop. It’s not meant to actually store a thick stack of cards so just keep three to four in there to use every time you perform, then reset before bringing it out again to perform for a different group. I always keep a box of spare business cards (unlaminated with one side blank) in another pocket and top up accordingly as I go. Trust me, doing this— more so if you’re engaged for tablehopping gigs or strolling magic for groups— will help preserve your wallet for years to come.
As mentioned earlier, five video tutorials are included and all in all, their quality is just as stellar as the product itself. I found the instructions top notch. You’d be mighty inspired with the plethora of possibilities that can be done with this lethal weapon. Besides reading minds, you’ll have the power to make things appear and disappear, and so much more!
The Razor Wallet by Dee Christopher truly is a clever, well made peek wallet that you’d always want to have with you even on days you’re not working a gig. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised you’d get gigs because of it since this handy mentalism tool serves as a brilliant way for you to showcase who you are when you hand out your business card… much more than say, trying to give out a stinky/ charred/ half-melted/ sooty business card that caught fire in a place with overhead sprinklers.
In my experience, people always go nuts whenever I use it. There’s nothing suspicious at all when you bring it out since the audience sees both sides of the wallet (don’t draw attention to this, just flash both sides causally while talking) and one time right after a show, someone came up to me and asked for lottery numbers because they were utterly convinced I was a real psychic. So remember, with great power comes great responsibility 😉
TLDR: Razor Wallet by Dee ChristopherWith no sneaky moves, you can easily get a swift peek right under their noses in full view! A perfect audience fooler which can be performed as a powerful stand alone effect or incorporated into other routines, you can also use Dee Christopher’s Razor Wallet to house your favourite packet trick (I personally keep Max Maven’s B’Wave in mine)! Easy to handle with no flaps to access for the magic to happen (some audience management required due to angles but it’s not rocket science), this quality prop can be used with confidence in most lighting conditions (not a problem if you work in a restaurant/ pub with ambience lighting) with a regular Sharpie, and with so many variations and different ways to incorporate it into your set, I’m confident you’d be having this minimalist wallet in your back pocket every time 🙂
A modern masterpiece that’s obviously crafted by a true worker who uses it himself, the Razor Wallet by Dee Christopher comes very highly recommended.
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September 23, 2021
Review: Blind Man’s Wallet by Menny Lindenfeld
Just this morning I was chatting with a couple of buddies about some of our favourite gaff wallets and despite all of us coming from different parts of the world, the clear consensus was that we are utterly spoilt for choice with the wide range of magic/ mentalism wallets available today! Everyone’s got their own personal favourites and for good reason too, so that makes it tricky to pin down what’s exactly “the best wallet” currently out there but I was surprised my friends didn’t know about a particular pet favourite of mine which isn’t just a stealthy card-to-wallet, it’s also a clever confabulation device that also allows you— the mentalist— to covertly gain information from a folded business card. Read on to find out more about this brilliant peek device, the Blind Man’s Wallet by Menny Lindenfeld.
Professional mentalist Menny Lindenfeld has invented the mind-reading device of the year. The Blind Man’s Wallet takes mind-reading to a whole new level. Read what’s written on FOLDED pieces of paper. A game-changing new device.
“It’s better than a center tear. I’ll take 10!” -Bill Herz
“It instantly became my everyday wallet” -Nick Locapo
I got mine direct from Penguin Magic and the set arrived inside a sturdy black and silver cardboard box with the smooth black leather wallet wrapped in plastic. The password for the online instructions comes printed on a card and following the link gives you instant access to a video tutorial which runs just over an hour long, taught by the creator himself.
The outside of the Blind Man’s Wallet has Menny Lindenfeld’s initials in cursive subtly imprinted in a corner, and inside we have compartments to store cash and cards (just below the zipper are three card slots) so I understand why some performers would choose to use this as their every day wallet as it sure passes off as a regular one.
However I come from the school of thought where I like to clearly separate my magic props from the everyday stuff; my show boots and clothes (because they’re costumes) as well as the bags that I use in my shows are only used when I am performing at a gig. This helps to maintain their condition and keep their lifespan for longer …although in the case of such gaff wallets, I do make it looks like they are regular wallets that I actually use. I do so by glueing thin strips of carefully cut expired credit cards in both my Blind Man’s Wallet (as well as Stealth Assassin and other wallets) to make it appear like they’re just normal cards sticking out of the wallet’s inner pockets. Since I only open my wallet up for a casual flash during the removal of the business card and then then insert, no one has ever questions it.
With proper care and handling, this should last a long time. I like its small size as it’s just a little bigger than a deck of cards and slips into your pocket with ease. At its present price point, Menny has obviously targetted a certain demographic so his target audience wouldn’t be young tweens. It would be odd seeing a boy using a grown up’s genuine leather wallet anyway! With its sleek black unisex appeal, the Blind Man’s Wallet would be perfectly suited for strolling magic at a wedding or classy cocktail event, as well as, for table hopping at an elegant restaurant setting.
One more thing: I can tell for a fact that this is made of genuine leather, just like they mentioned in the ad copy. *sniff* Ahhhhh… Yep, it has that recognisable scent of real leather!
The Blind Man’s Wallet is a very clever 3-in-1 device so it’s no one trick pony. There are hidden plastic sleeves that help you to smoothly execute a card to wallet type effect, besides allowing you to perform an interactive confab routine where you remove a prediction from the inner zipper compartment of your wallet. What I use this chiefly for however, is as a peek device. It always warms the cockles of my heart seeing how people go absolute nuts once they see that I’ve uncannily replicated what they drew/ wrote/ scribbled on a business card that was folded up and put away.
No, you don’t need to be a pro to pull this off. In fact, this diabolical wallet may just make you look like a pro. Of course some practice is required especially if you intend to do a CTW routine that needs sleight of hand, and you’ll have to bust out the usual sneaky moves for the confab routine presented by Menny in the video which sees you pull out a small sealed envelope from the inner zipper compartment and reveal a matching prediction of all the choices made by your adoring audience. However if you’re just using this as a peek device, you’ll be good to go in 5 minutes after finishing the tutorial.
A couple of tips to make this work smoothly: I use thin unlaminated business cards which are completely blank on one side, and a quick dry ballpoint pen. For an added level of security, I’ve also modded my wallet with thin strips of magnets for the secret flap just like on the secret compartment of my SAW… but that’s completely up to you and isn’t a requirement at all. The Blind Man’s Wallet is something you can use right out of the box!
TLDR: Blind Man’s Wallet by Menny LindenfeldIf doing center tears make you feel nervous, the Blind Man’s Wallet by Menny Lindenfeld is a brilliant way to get information from a folded business card/ playing card/ piece of paper in what truly looks like the fairest way possible! People may just believe you have real psychic abilities so use this one with care 😉
Since these custom made wallets are produced in limited quantities, grab yours from Penguin Magic while stocks last!
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September 22, 2021
Review: Little Door by Roddy McGhie
Now that COVID-19 is thankfully under control and places are starting to open up again, I do get emails from magicians asking for recommendations and suggestions— specifically for good card tricks that they can perform for families in a table hopping scenario at a restaurant or bistro cafe. They are looking for something with a fun WOW factor which is easy to do, appropriate for all ages, and doesn’t require expensive refills. A cute card effect instantly springs to mind and if you haven’t gotten this already, read on to find out more about Little Door by Roddy McGhie!
Effect: You tell the story of a trick a magician once showed you. You explain that he was able to name your chosen card using a little secret door in the card case. You illustrate this by drawing a little door on the card case. Without any funny moves, you proceed to OPEN the little door showing the card within! Of course this was just a story so you close the door before slowly erasing the drawing and immediately handing the case out for examination! This incredible effect is not just a card trick but rather a magical, illustrated tale designed to entertain and enrapture audiences of all ages. It also looks really cool!
Unboxing Little Door by Roddy McGhieAt the expense of sounding like an ancient millennial who used to receive most of her magic purchases in plastic ziplock baggies back in the day, it always impresses me how much pride and professionalism Penguin Magic has especially when it comes to packaging their P3 exclusives. Like in this instance, there’s just three items in this bit of kit and they could have easily done away with the nice sturdy box with the magnetic flap so it doesn’t eat into their profits but the team chose to respect both the creator and their customers in ensuring that everything arrives nicely as they should without any damages!
You receive the same black marker used in the official promo video featured above, which you can easily replace at any office supplies store once the ink eventually runs out, as well as the two handmade gimmicks that will go on to a USPCC Bicycle deck from your stash. These gaffs come in mandolin backs but trust me, no one will notice if you’re using a regular red deck. Roddy apparently made these gaffs himself and they’re very well done, so with proper handling and care I think they should last a very long time.
The password and URL for the online tutorial are printed on the inside of the box flap, and we get not one, not two, but three videos! Two of them are by the creator (Scottish magician Roddy McGhie himself) but if you only have time to just watch the first one by Penguin’s very own Nick Locapo, you’d be good to go as it’s very clear and concise. Several different variations are taught in the online tutorial, including Roddy’s original handling, so depending on your skill level as a magician, you’ll have options on how you’d like to do your presentation.
Let’s talk USP (unique selling points)There are so many things to love about Little Door by Roddy McGhie… the ad copy for this highly visual close up magic trick is accurate; the audience see you use a dry erase marker to draw a small door on the back of your card box, then it stumps them when that door visibly slides open to reveal their chosen card, and just as your spectators are still grappling to figure out how you did it… their minds explode once you invite them to rub away the ink and examine the box. Talk about impossible!
I absolutely enjoy performing this one to muggles. It’s a very charming card effect that never fails to delight the young and old, and every time I get spectators to reach out and erase the magical door at the end, people can’t help but gasp in awe and astonishment when they inspect the card box. Remember when you were a kid and you thought magic is real? Yeah, you’ll see that moment twinkling in their eyes.
So if you’re big on personality and want to do an almost self-working card trick which will boggle the brains of your audience, this would be your golden ticket. I’m confident that once you’ve completed the tutorials, you’d be itching to come up with your own unique spin to present this gem. There are so many possibilities for patter when it comes down to a magical portal in your hands, so feel free to blue sky a little and be creative!
Now while you don’t need to be a card expert to pull off this cute card trick and get instant love from your adoring fans, the only caveat here is that you can’t perform this again to the same crowd. But that is the only limitation and all the positives far outweighs this. Oh yes, a wee bit of drawing practice is also required before you bust this one out for a show. Honestly, I think drawing that door may just be the toughest job required for this clever little trick 😉
TLDR: Little Door by Roddy McGhieKnock knock… who’s there? It’s just Ning telling you that if you’re searching for a solid opener, look no further than Little Door by Roddy McGhie. The custom made gimmicks for this audience pleaser are well crafted, the premise is fun and the motivations makes sense, plus the brilliant card routine is easy to do (you just need a touch of audience management) and practically resets itself. This highly visual card trick will make you seem like you do have real powers! Trust me, this is one modern day miracle that everyone will love. Very highly recommended!
Grab yours now from Penguin Magic while stocks last.
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September 20, 2021
Review: The Raven by Chuck Leach
Last weekend I got to know a spirited young boy who’s just starting his journey in the world of magic. He did an excellent job performing his spongeball routine in the middle of his living room. After we applauded and he took a bow, his parents spilled the beans that I was a grand illusionist who also performed death defying escapes and ate fire sticks on TV. I didn’t want to steal his thunder so I started asking about the first magic trick he’d come across which inspired him to become a magician. When he shared that it was the magic ball and vase, I showed him Penn & Teller’s hilarious routine and we started to chat up a storm.
When asked for mine, I found myself telling him all about the early 2000s (the span of two entire lifetimes for the little man) and Chuck Leah’s well-loved pull device called The Raven, which was popularised by David Blaine, the amazing magician/ endurance artist who singlehandedly spawned the genre of Street Magic.
“Whoa, that’s a long time ago.” His keen bright eyes grew large. “Is it still one of your favourite tricks?”
“You bet!” I grinned and promised to get him one as an early birthday present.
Thanks to the the efficient Penguin Magic delivery service, I was able to gift the young magician a starter set within a week and was he absolutely thrilled with his Raven! Quite a bit has changed since I purchased mine two decades ago so I thought an updated review of this nifty magic device was in order. Read on to find out more!
Imagine the power of this awesome effect: You show a coin and place it on your spectator’s hand. With complete confidence you wave your hand (fingers open) over the coin… The coin vanishes right before the spectator’s eyes in one of the most visual moments in all of magic. The best part is, your hands can be shown completely clean! No sleights, no odd moves. This is truly one of the best investments in all of street magic. It works with many different objects, not just coins. And in addition to vanishes, you can make one object turn into another object, or shrink a coin into a miniature-sized coin. Many additional effects are possible with bills, matchbooks, and playing cards.
Why we Love it
It looks like real magic.It’s a professional effect that’s easy to performWe love blowing away other magicians when we perform the Raven in short sleeves!It’s a great investment because many other effects become possible when you own the Raven.This is The Original Raven by Chuck Leach.
FAQQ: How long will it take me to learn to perform vanishes with the Raven?
A: It’ll take you about an hour of practice before you’re performing vanishes like a pro.
Q: Can I really perform it in short sleeves?
A: Yes, and your hands end up perfectly clean.
Q: Is any sleight-of-hand expertise required to perform the Raven?
A: No, the Raven does all the work.
Unboxing The Raven by Chuck LeachThe Raven starter set from Penguin Magic arrived in a black box with a reworked design on the front displaying a handsome bird in striking purple. I don’t have my old box anymore but I remember the original artwork on it was gold, using an old timey font, and the illustrated raven looked more like a magpie or crow. This new box comes with a sturdy magnetic flap and foam inserts to keep everything in place, with its (very poetic) password and link to the online tutorial printed on the inside. My old one from the early 2000s came with typed instructions folded into a square and that was that!
You do receive a bunch of accessories to use with your Raven gimmick and there’s some customisation to be made to fit it perfectly to you. I think the included gimmicks differ slightly from the original set I owned because I recall there was a trick where you could shrink a coin but with this new one, Penguin Magic has not just one but TWO video tutorials presented by Nick and Josh, which I sure wished I had when I was first starting out.
The online instructions are extremely well done. The first video clocks over 100 minutes of solid content and sees Nick walk us through the various set ups (there are different ways you can attach The Raven to best suit you), prep and handling, before launching into a series of ideas that you can do using some of the included items in the package (e.g. the vanishing coin) , as well as, others that you can easily get (e.g. the appearing salt trick).
The second video is about 20 minutes long and Josh dives deeper into a couple of details regarding set up for various body types before sharing his own creative ideas which you can use The Raven for. I really like the presentation for his Rubik’s Cube concept and would encourage you to finish watching both videos to gather some inspiration before going out to perform.
Let’s talk USP (unique selling points)What I’ve always loved about The Raven is that there are just so many possibilities with this sneaky utility prop: vanish, appear, restore, teleport, link, colour change, bend coins, use it as a holdout… the world is your oyster! The gimmick is clever, easy to set up and hide, not hard to use once you get the knack of it (yes there are angles to mind, a bit of noise, and a bit of a learning curve and audience management) but it is well worth the effort and it’s so fun to do!
I think the US$39.95 price tag is fair considering what you receive, as well as, the love and adoration you’d get from your audience. The main part of the gimmick’s body should last you forever and anything else is easily replaced with a visit to a craft store. The product’s ad copy rings true and you really get plenty of tips, ideas, and info from the two video tutorials. I wouldn’t be surprised if you get at least five different ideas in your head after watching the instructions. You’re only limited by your own imagination 🙂
After helping the young magician set up his Raven, he was up and running very shortly, making paperclips and safety pins vanish from his mum and dad’s outstretch hands. The little man was chuffed and so was I. He reminded me how it was like, being young and wide-eyed again, passionately excited about magic.
TLDR: The Raven by Chuck LeachChuck Leach’s The Raven may not be the latest magic effect out in the market but it sure is a golden oldie. There’s good reason why it’s legendary (arguably some magicians think it helped cement David Blaine’s career) so if you’ve misplaced your original gimmick from the 80s/ 90s or think it’s time for a brand new one, don’t hesitate to grab the updated P3 version. It might just make you fall in love with magic all over again. Snap yours up today from the good fellas at Penguin Magic.
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September 17, 2021
Review: Hello My Name Is by Cameron Francis
So a magician buddy shared that he’d just scored a much coveted gig at a restaurant and asked me to recommend a solid opener he could do. His needs were very clear: the close-up material had to be entertaining but foolproof (i.e. there is no way anything can go wrong like the classic Invisible Deck routine), impressive for spectators but easy to do (in other words no difficult or complicated sleights and moves), ideally audience interactive (easy for people to understand) and leaves a lasting impression where patrons would remember his name (so they’d ask the boss for him whenever they come back next time). With all the above criteria, one card trick in particular immediately leapt to mind. Read on to find out more 😉
Cameron Francis has created the perfect card to impossible location effect. A memorable easy to follow presentation, a visual card reveal and their SIGNED card is found in the most impossible way. All done under extremely close supervision. Then after all of that awesomeness you give the spectator an impossible souvenir. Here’s what happens… You introduce yourself and mention your name tag with your name on it. Then you have a card selected and SIGNED. The writing on the name tag visually changes into the name of their selection. Then as if that was not enough you peel the name tag off and their signed selection is attached BEHIND the name tag giving you the chance to give away the ultimate souvenir. Hello My Name Is has it all. A commercial presentation, visual elements and a huge impossibility factor. All combined in a direct easy to learn routine with expert instructions from a worker who uses this routine all the time.
Unboxing Hello My Name Is by Cameron FrancisWhen you purchase this (IMHO severely underrated) exclusive from Penguin Magic, you’ll receive the instructional DVD complete with the gimmicks required to do this clever routine. In this case, showing what’s inside the package would reveal the secret behind this card trick so just know that contents wise, you’ll be getting enough supplies for a few performances. This means that you can easily switch things up if the same bunch of people you performed for beg/ plead/ grovel for you to do a repeat.
Now in case you’re wondering about the inevitable cost of refills, you can easily get these supplies rather cheaply from your favourite magic shop and office supplies store. It would be a good idea to order these online ASAP since this may just be your new favourite card trick! Do note that to perform Hello My Name Is, you have to provide your own Bicycle cards and Sharpie. Some simple prep and assembly is also required before you can start performing this so get ready a pair of scissors and some sticky tape or glue. You’d be happy to know this one time setup isn’t rocket science and you’ll be good to go in a manner of seconds.
FYI when you buy this direct from Penguin Magic, you also gain instant access to the 26 minute video where the multi-talented Cameron Francis runs through everything in great detail. The man has created tons of good magic over the years and this one is still my favourite.
Let’s talk USP (unique selling points)It was seven years ago when I first knew of this card trick thanks to Satish Kumar, a dear colleague of mine who is not only a gifted actor and magician, the man is also the face of Colgate in India… seriously, you’ll see him in a white lab coat flashing his handsome smile on their toothpaste boxes! I used to manage a group of magicians at a now defunct Japanese magic bar in Singapore and Satish was one of them. He performed Hello My Name Is as his opener every night and it was clever because folks were conditioned to be familiar with his name before being suitably impressed that their signed card somehow ended up on his name tag which has been in full view since the beginning!
This presentation definitely adds an edge to the typical ‘find a card’ trick, making it a real audience pleaser. From what I have seen and experienced, the marketing copy ring true: Hello My Name Is makes a perfect party trick that seems totally impossible with all its multiple phases but is still easy to learn. Everything about it fits perfectly into the strict criteria which my friend requested for in a solid opener he could perform at his table hopping gig. And did I also mention this resets in a flash?
If you’re familiar with Cameron Francis’s work, you’d know that the man is a thinker. There are a few magical moments that are well thought out which strengths this already strong performance, and you don’t need to be a card expert to pull off the easy moves in this visual close up routine. The included magnetic tag should last you forever and as mentioned, restocking the card/ sticker refills required is easy and cheap (trust me they will last you for a very long time) so no worries there!
TLDR: Hello My Name Is by Cameron FrancisPractical, easy to do, a true crowd pleaser… If you’re looking for a real worker to perform at a restaurant/ bar gig, do yourself a favour and check out this cheeky opener from the brilliant mind of Cameron Francis. Hello My Name Is will cement your name in their brains and have your adoring audience wanting more! Get yours from Penguin Magic today 🙂
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