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JimMaloney
Inner circle
1181 Posts
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Posted: May 21, 2009 1:15pm
Tom describes his latest offering, Fuzzy Logic, in his minimal ad copy as "100% padding, badly illustrated." Within the 12 page document, he calls it "a collection of notebook ideas, and loose thoughts" and "a bunch of...something." That is to say, don't get this looking for fully fleshed out routines. It's essentially a peek into Tom Stone's mind; we could do worse.
In all, there are twenty-eight items here, going from close up items with cards, coins and other objects, to more formal stage ideas. Also counted in that twenty-eight are six "essays", for lack of a better word. These essays range from a couple of short paragraphs to nearly a full page.
Of the "essays", I found the one entitled "Misunderstanding Meaningful Magic" to be most interesting. He seems to take a position opposite to the one taken by most who talk about "meaning". This also goes along with what he says in another of the essays, "Imaginary Spectator or Real Artist?"
Moving on to the "trick" items: There are two unique ideas for using Masuda's WOW that I found pretty clever, the first of which could be a pretty interesting effect once fleshed out.
"Orange Osmosis" is a good idea, but one I feel I've seen used or mentioned before, though to be honest I can't figure out where I may have come across it.
"Wooden Sign" is a very nice card transposition/to-impossible-location (sorry for trying to "classify" it, Tom) and is one of the more fully realized ideas in the ebook. So is "The Annoying Four", which gives some "meaning" to the 11 Card Trick.
I like "Open Cards to Pocket", which is a unique idea for Card to Pocket that's in search of a method. I may toss this one around in my brain to see what I can come up with.
Another idea that I really like is "Flying Fruit", though it's unfortunately not something I'd get to use in the types of performances I do. Someone should use this, though...it's good.
There was one item that fell flat for me, though was the "Knee Servante". I'm not certain how this would improve over other lapping/servante techniques, but perhaps I've missed something.
Tom ends with a funny gag with a camera, though as he notes, it'll be lost on younger audiences. Use it now, while you still can.
In all, I thought this was a good collection of ideas, and there's more in there that's worth checking out than what I described (such as "Prov.31.6"). I would definitely recommend picking this up if you're looking for some inspiration.
You can pick it up for a mere $10 at http://shop.tomstone.se/
-Jim
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Mark Elsdon
Regular user
172 Posts
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Posted: May 24, 2009 2:57am
A review.
One of the questions that all creative people regularly get asked is, “Where do you get your ideas?” The answers are many and varied, but for the last couple of years one of the answers I have been slyly giving is “Tom Stone’s notebook.” Generally, people look confused, nod vaguely and move on.
But now the cat is out of the bag. Whilst Tom has been including unfinished ideas, suggestions, brainstorms and creative ‘whacks’ (Google ‘Roger von Oech’, if you are unfamiliar with this term) in his releases for the last few years, this is the first time that the entirety of one of his ebooks has been comprised wholly of such material.
So what exactly is the material like? Well it ranges from brilliant to merely interesting and from fully-fledged tricks that you could perform right away to illuminating discussions of effect classification and other theoretical considerations.
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you combined a Ramsay classic with a Goshman signature piece? Or ‘Cards to Pocket’ with Roth’s ‘The Sleeve’, mutilating your pants along the way? Or questioned why some tricks play great for other magicians but get a yawn from laymen? No? Well Tom has, and that’s just in the first page!
Whilst some of his ideas are starting points, others are purely theoretical and still others provide the finishing touch to existing routines. If you perform card or bill to orange, Tom’s thinking is invaluable. If you perform Steinmeyer’s ‘Nine card Problem’ or use Masuda’s WOW gimmick, you will have a huge grin on your face when you read Tom’s work on them.
And I haven’t even scratched the surface! Fuzzy Logic contains 28 ideas in total and I think anyone who takes a remotely creative approach to their magic will find both food for thought and several effects and touches they will use. All for a bargain $10.
Highly recommended.
Mark Elsdon
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johncesta
Inner circle
The AMAZING and COMMERCIAL Chair Test
4192 Posts
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Posted: May 24, 2009 11:08am
I purchased a few of Tom's ebooks. I perform one of his ideas every show. Last night matter of fact I used it. Worth every penny!
J
The ULTIMATE Routine Series:
www.professionalmagicroutines.com
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