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Darrin Cook Special user 621 Posts |
Concerning this DVD, there is good and not-so-good news.
The good news is that the video quality is excellent, as far as sound, lighting, clarity, etc. It is filmed with two spectators in an after-hours restaurant setting. There is some good material on here, such as "Four the Hard Way," a strong twisting trick that can be performed impromptu. "Three Indicators" is also strong, in which a packet of cards assumes the identities of two different (forced) selections. "Mexican Poker" is an interesting trick, but I have reservations about the presentation and the handling of the last two cards. "Full Face Universal Card" is the best handling of this plot that I've seen. A card assumes three different identities, and in each case the full faces of both cards are shown (hence the name). The force (from Marlo) is a great one, the displays look magical, and the thinking and construction are genius. However, if you want to do the ending as explained, you'll need to get a gaff from Mr. Solomon. Which leads me to the not-so-good news. Several of these routines require gaffs, and not just your garden variety gaffs, but specially made cards that not only are not in your magic drawer, but can't be picked up at your local magic shop. "Double Surprise Rising Card" is clever, but needs a gaff, as does "Odd Back Aces to the Fourth Power," "Technicolor Oil and Water," "Full Face Universal Card" (as previously mentioned), and "Printing on Demand," which is a gaffed packet trick that will be available in the future from Meir Yedid. Since gaffed cards reduce the need for difficult sleights, there's really no need for video instruction, and if you have to order the tricked up packets, the video is really an advertisement for the effects, and in fairness to Mr. Solomon, evidence of his clever thinking and ability to construct solid routines. I wish he had included ideas as to how to make gaffs, or find them, or find substitutes for them. (For instance, if you perform "Full Face Universal Card" by having the card revert to a joker at the end, then you don't need to order the trick card.) What about including a gaff or two so that the viewer can perform some of these effects, and feels like he's getting greater value for his money? Note: DVD pirates can copy video, but they would have a harder time duplicating cards, which would create a greater incentive to buy the DVD rather than copy it. I was also frustrated when he referred viewers to his book in order to get details as to how to do or make something, like a gaffed envelope. If I am buying effects on a DVD, I expect to see those effects completely explained. I know Mr. Solomon wants to promote his book, but I think a better approach would be to give everything and then some on the effects, leading the viewer to think, "Man, if this is the stuff this guy comes up with, what else is in his book?" My advice is to skip the DVD and get the book instead. You'll find more routines in the book, and will be able to decide if you want to purchase the gaffs. |
RC4MAG Special user 563 Posts |
Darrin, Thanks for the review. I was tempted to buy this but now will wait. I agree the gaffs should be included even if it increases the price of the DVD. Aaron Fisher's Bicycle Thief as an example, buying that without the included gaffs would be ridiculous.
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Tom Cutts Staff Northern CA 5925 Posts |
I was not as put off by the "gaff discrepency" of this DVD.
Some of the material on Solomon's Mind is dynamite, making the purchase well worth the investment. "Aces to the Fourth Dimension" is a killer routine. I don't think it would read as well as it plays. I hate to say it but I would likely have passed "A4D" up if I had not seen it. For the most part making the gaffs is a simple matter for anyone who splits cards. Nothing like the stuff in "Gaffed to the Hilt". Some of the gaffs are more elaborate but I think there are better methods for those routines...or should I say that routine. I found the card rise to be the weakest link. But I might incorporate one of the subtleties of Solomon's into Henry Evans' card rise. As Darrin noted, getting around some of the gaffs is not difficult and will lead to a more personal presentation. I think we should expect to put a little thought into making any routines work for us. That envelope is really rather obvious don't you think, Darrin. And didn't you make the necessity of it vanish in your adaptation of the finale? (I must admit I've only viewed the DVD twice as of yet.) Lets face it; for years we have had books that use gimmicks and don't include them, or they are extra. I don't think this detracts from the strength of the tricks on Solomon's Mind the DVD. When those four different colored back aces materialize in the leader pack one by one, you get an instant pay off and reaction. The ONLY caveat I have is that there is really no presentation beyond describing what is happening. Knowing what a stickler for presentation I am, everyone should take note when I say the material on this DVD is worth it just for the methods. Heck, if "A4D" was $35 for a DVD with cards, that would be worth it!! Now I can make the set (and the ONE gaff) out of cards of my choosing to fit my presentaion...AND I get all the other routines to boot. I'll just say it one more time. There is some killer material on Solomon's Mind the DVD. Some of it you will have to make a simple gaff for and some is totally impromptu. If killing lay-people and magicians with cards is your desire, this is good DVD to search. :xmastree: Tom |
Darrin Cook Special user 621 Posts |
I can see your point --certainly everyone who buys magic should expect to put in work to adapt it. I think I've figured out the envelope, but I don't think I should have to work to figure it out. Work to adapt the presentation? --Yes, that's my responsibility. Struggle to figure out how to build a gaffed envelope? --No, I think that is the instructor's responsibility. A person who bought the book (as I suggested) would supposedly get clearer and more thorough instruction as to how to build the envelope. I'm not certain, because I don't have the book.
I just recently tried my hand at splitting cards, and wasn't happy with the results. Again, I'd appreciate some help in either making or getting the gaffs. Solomon mentions a post-it glue, but I'm not clear exactly what it is or where I can get it. Compare this with David Regal's new book, where clearly identifies a certain tape, where to get it, and provides product numbers. The DVD is $35 and Solomon is selling a complete gaff kit for something on the order of $80. You may feel that sort of investment is worthwhile, but I think the purchaser should know that he made need to make a greater investment than $35 for the DVD. Solomon has paid his dues and is a very clever man. I agree that his methods and the thinking behind them are ingenious. I certainly found good material on the DVD, but I also felt that in honesty I should share those aspects of the DVD that frustrated me. |
Tom Cutts Staff Northern CA 5925 Posts |
Post it glue should be available from a warehouse office supply store. It is the actual glue used for reusable post it notes.
Double sided tape will work too but you have wear down the side that is supposed to stick lightly and removably. Oily fingers are good for that. This information I gleened from Brent Braun's Torched and Restored. Card splitting is definitely a practice till you get the knack thing. But once you get it, you got it for life. |
Kurtis Chin Regular user 131 Posts |
I wished I had read this thread prior to my purchase. I was at the magic shop over the holidays and this was one of those purchases on a whim and boy was that a mistake. I have to agree with everything Darrin had to say in his review. The DVD reminded me of lectures, where explanations are somewhat terse, no close-up shots, reference is constantly made to his book (if you want actual details) and lastly the gaffs can be purchased at the end. Most instructional videos/DVD's will show you the details on constructing the gaffs, but will always give you the option of buying them from the author.
In reference to Tom Cutts' post, prior to US Playing Card Co gaffs, I've tried my hand at making my own double backed/double faced cards via methods of Derek Dingle. It was difficult to say the least and I attempted only double back/facers...I couldn't get those perfect, so I did not even attempt split facers. I eventually bought cards from Cards by Martin. The only card that would be easy to make is the multiple pip card needed in his finale for his version of Universal Card (utilizing rub on pips from Haines on a blank card). I don't have the book, and having bought this DVD, I don't plan on buying it. This DVD should have been called a "Companion to the Book" and priced at $20, then it might have been worth it. Anyone want to buy this DVD?...let me know. |
roguemagic New user bizarre iowa 96 Posts |
I purchased Soloman's Mind, the book, a few years back and I was sorely disappointed. I could not do most of the effects without the gaffs. I went to his lecture a few months later and purchased all of the neccessary gaffs, and again I was disappointed. Each effect came with the necessary gaffs AND the directions for the effect. I never needed to purchase the book in the first place! It always left a sour taste in my mouth. The material is definitely top-notch, but in a small way I felt as though I had been misled.
Take care, Craig Wilson |
Steven Leung Inner circle found the Magic Rainbow after 1614 Posts |
It is too bad for me to read this thread, because I just purchased the DVD from my local magic shop.
Frankly speaking, I just watched most of the performance side of DVD. So I can act as a spectator's point of view. Yes, it is true, those effects do kill laymen and magicians. I have not been watching a magic DVD for months and have a 'wow' astonishing feeling before watching this one. So, you can see how strong the effect is. I do not know whether those gaff cards are ready for sale or not. For those who watched the video and wanna check the gaff cards, you may try solomon's web page (see the cover of video) or http://www.mymagic.com
Most memorable moment - with Maestro Juan Tamariz & Consuelo Lorgia in FISM Busan 2018.
"Being fooled by a trick doesn't always mean they are having a good time" - Homer Liwag https://hhpresents.com/ https://www.glitchstudiohk.com/ |
Andi Peters Inner circle 1330 Posts |
Sorry to resurrect an old thread but I just bought the SM book and went to his site to order the gaffed cards. There's a message saying they're sold out! grrrrr
Anyone know where to get them? |
Christopher Williams Inner circle Portsmouth, UK 4464 Posts |
Printing on demand is now a marketed item, as is his Oil and water, which I think is the most Magical oil and water created. A few of his items are now available, but you are going to need to either spend some time searching or put some ads up here or on Magic Week or something
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Andi Peters Inner circle 1330 Posts |
Thanks Chris
I suspect he's marketing the effects individually to make more cash??? I think I'll email him and find out. Andi |
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