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Doctor D Special user 563 Posts |
Cameron Francis’ SNAPPED! DVD – a Full52 production
As I promised in a different topic, here’s a formal review of Cameron and Dave’s latest offering. The blurb: Quote:
Bring a Photograph to Life and Removed a Signed Selection from Inside! One receives the DVD (obviously), and inside is a ziplock baggie containing one set of gaffed cards (though nothing unusual to us magi folk) and two sets od SNAPPED! Stickers. Two?! Yes, and the reason why will become apparent later. A worthy mention are the PDFs containing the same set of photographs, giving you an essentially endless supply of gaffs. SNAPPED! – Cameron’s handling This versions is relatively easy and doesn’t require a table. Depending on the clean-up you use, reset is either really quick or almost-as-quick-just-not-quite. Very practical for walkaround or tablehopping performers, obviously. Cameron mentions you can have the selection signed, but doesn’t come across as if he sees the need for it; neither do I, frankly. I don’t think it would significally enhance the effect, and it would also limit me to 12 performances before needing to change decks. Big SNAPPED! The exact same effect as SNAPPED!, but done with slightly bigger pictures (included as PDFs for you to print). The advantage, obviously, is that there’s no interference with your deck of cards. This employs a quite cheeky, and deceptive, switch envelope to make the magic, and this is where Full52’s dedication shines. Cameron clearly shows and explains how to construct the envelope from a regulation size coin envelope. Dave noticed, however, that that particular style or size of envelopes isn’t as common in the UK (or Europe, for that matter). He has therefore included a PDF containing the template for the envelope, and then explains how to easily construct it from there. It’s literally a matter of print-cut-glue, and you’re done! OK, there’s some folding as well. BONUS EFFECTS MCM Smackdown - Long description, here we go: The performer tries to explain the difference between a mentalist, a card sharp, and a magician. The mentalist, he explains, makes a prediction on a business card ( he does so), has a card selected (he does so), and then reveals that prediction and selection match (they do). The card sharp, then, proceeds to cut to the mates of the selection (he does). The magician, finally, puts each of the mates in a different pile, and makes them vanish from those piles and join the prediction ON THE BUSINESS CARD! I found this a rather mixed bag: though clever, the routine is quite long, and I didn’t find the presentation quite as engaging. Reds – the performer pulls out the four Aces from the pack, but there appears to be a problem: all four are black. The magician the proceeds to turn two of them into red Aces. Obviously a great lead-in to any four Ace routine. A packet trick at its core, and quite a clean one; a normally discrepant count becomes copasetic by the very nature of the effect (i.e. two sets of the same card). Clever, and undoubtedly commercial. The Bridge – As Cameron says, another approach to the Hofzinser problem on the same DVD. In order the selection (Ten of Spades), the performer uses the Aces to divine its suit. Naturally, the Spade turns face up. The remaining Aces are then cut, reversed, into the pack and trap the selection. Finally, in order to better the connections between Ace and Ten of Spades, the other Aces are turned into the King, Queen and Jack, producing a Royal Flush in Spades. I have always considered the Hofzinser problem a trick for magicians. At some point in time, we all go looking for the most logical handling, or the one without duplicates, and a free selection is possible. I consider none of them to be very commercial, however, and I found this one a welcome change. Rather than a transposition (which makes little sense), a triple change occurs, concluding with a strong image – literally. I may just give this one a try. ADDITIONAL HANDLINGS *Confession: At first, I wasn’t able to find the hidden menu containing these three versions of SNAPPED!, and so I cheated by popping the DVD into my computer. Suffice it to say that the menu isn’t that difficult to find, you just need to try all your options.* And now, for the unveiling of the three mystery performers (drumroll please): Dave Forrest (jee, didn’t see that one coming), Iain Moran and Steven (Stephen?) Tucker. These apparently have been shot at the end of the shooting day for Stephen Tucker’s Twister Continuum DVD. After being shown the stickers by Dave, both Iain and Stephen came up with different versions of the effect. SNAPPED! - Dave’s handling Combining Iain’s setup (more on that later) and a move of Steve’s, Dave came up with a different way to produce Cameron’s effect. While still not very difficult, the production move appeared a bit angle sensitive to me (it also flashed quite a bit), and it requires a table (or other kind of surface). Although I liked the look of it, those conditions make it less appealing to me. SNAPPED! - Iain’s handling Both Iain (and Dave, as mentioned before) use a different configuration of the photographs than Cameron. This, I think, is the reason behind the inclusion of two sets of photographs: it allows the viewer to assemble his gaffs and get going right away without having to find stickers and print the photos first. The big advantage to this configuration is the fact that it ends clean (or at least the final photograph does). However, because the back of the first photo has to be a card back, one loses either the “photograph” feel, or the examinability at the start (should one opt to leave the backside of the final picture blank). For his handling, Iain uses Richard Kaufman’s Radical Change to pluck the selection from the photograph. Disclaimer: I am a HUGE fan of that move. The rest of the conditions is pretty much the same: no table required, and relatively easy to do. Schweeeeeeeeeeet!! SNAPPED! - Steve’s handling Sorry to say that I didn’t care for this version at all. In effect, a picture of four Aces appears amongst a packet of cards. Through several counts, the photograph changes, to where the Ace of Hearts (the selection) is face down, and finally into one where it has gone missing. To finish, the Ace of Hearts appears amongst the other – blank – cards. - It’s a packet trick, but should be done after a spectator has ‘freely selected’ the Ace of Hearts. So yes, it still requires a full deck as well. - It uses yet a third configuration. While not bad per se, I don’t feel that this version is worth the effort to make up another set. - It’s incredibly discrepant. It’s unclear what the amount of cards should be (though four are shown during several counts along the way). The packet can’t be shown to be ordinary, and – by consequence – the first photo doesn’t appear by magic. (I’d also like to mention that this ‘production’ takes away the “lucky aces” introduction.) At the end, when the Ace is produced (same problem as before: no exposition of just blanks beforehand), the packet now consists of the Ace, three blanks, and the photo. For those keeping track, that makes five. - The displacements of cards in between the counts come off as awkward. - The biggest irk I have with this, is its (lack of) visuality. The Aces in the picture are relatively small. While not a problem in itself, constantly obscuring the view of the photo before any changes happen takes away the visual impact of the whole routine. Compare this to the other handlings, where the photo is in full view when the magic happens. Steve calls it “a slight variation”. Sorry man, it’s entirely different altogether. FINAL WORDS A commercial routine, easy to do, fully in the hands, what more could you ask for? How about additional handlings and a lifetime supply of gaffs? Still not satisfied? Alright, we’ll throw in three additional effects! Gawd, this sounds like one of those terrible infomercials, but I didn’t mean to. Just get it already!! |
Cameron Francis V.I.P. 7025 Posts |
Doctor D! Thank you sooo much! Really glad you're enjoying this!
Also glad you enjoyed the bonus effects. "MCM Smackdown" is definitely an effect you want to do when you have a little time with your spectators. Not a quickie by any means. Although I'm sure one could come up with a different handling which is faster. Thanks again!
MOMENT'S NOTICE LIVE 3 - Six impromptu card tricks! Out now! http://cameronfrancismagic.com/moments-notice-live-3.html
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
I have to also give a short stubby thumbs up for this DVD and the routines. I do magic on 'magic mondays' at a casino and this is perfect because it is a photo of four aces. The routine is logical and the ending surprising and it leans itself to funny presentational ideas. I came up with a patter line that I found out Cameron, and likely a lot of people who have this DVD, already were using, good stuff. The instruction is very clear. I like both the 'from the deck' and 'from the envelope' methods, the envelope one going into my briefcase. The reset is no problem and this is a good table worker type effect and it is unusual enough to make it not a card trick but into a weird little world of its own. Very well shot video by the way.
The bonus stuff is good, MCM Smackdown is a really nice routine, a magician vs gambler vs psychic thing which is fun and story telling magic is good stuff. Cameron and those lil' UKers strike again! |
Doctor D Special user 563 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-08-23 13:44, Cameron Francis wrote: No problem, man! If there's a bad product on the market, people should know. I believe the opposite is also true, as long as not too many people buy it, 'cause I like to to keep things to myself a bit. |
Alan Rorrison V.I.P. 2494 Posts |
Thankfully some oen else reviewd this. I saw the first run of gaffs etc when filming night and day and I must say this is simply a must have
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Cameron Francis V.I.P. 7025 Posts |
Thanks, Alan! Yeah, I wondered if Dave had showed you this. I figured you'd get a kick out it.
Sorry I missed you while in the UK, btw.
MOMENT'S NOTICE LIVE 3 - Six impromptu card tricks! Out now! http://cameronfrancismagic.com/moments-notice-live-3.html
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Doctor D Special user 563 Posts |
Cameron, just for the record: you really need to work on your impressions of Dave and Michael Ammar.
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Cameron Francis V.I.P. 7025 Posts |
Really? I thought they wee spot on!
MOMENT'S NOTICE LIVE 3 - Six impromptu card tricks! Out now! http://cameronfrancismagic.com/moments-notice-live-3.html
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Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
I find that Ammar and Williamson need to work on their mannerisms as Cameron is spot on!
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
Cameron Francis V.I.P. 7025 Posts |
BTW, that should be "were". Weeing spot on is something else entirely.
MOMENT'S NOTICE LIVE 3 - Six impromptu card tricks! Out now! http://cameronfrancismagic.com/moments-notice-live-3.html
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Doctor D Special user 563 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-08-24 10:25, Cameron Francis wrote: And harder, too. |
Cameron Francis V.I.P. 7025 Posts |
I mentioned this in another thread but Donny Orbit sent me a super funky handling for Snapped!. If you'd like it, just PM me and tell me who the three mystery magicians are and I'll email the PDF to you.
MOMENT'S NOTICE LIVE 3 - Six impromptu card tricks! Out now! http://cameronfrancismagic.com/moments-notice-live-3.html
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jprace Inner circle 2209 Posts |
Cameron, not a good idea. The three mystery magicians are right in this review!
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Cameron Francis V.I.P. 7025 Posts |
Oops! Forgot about that! Thanks for the heads up.
In that case, tell me something that's not in the review and I'll send it over...
MOMENT'S NOTICE LIVE 3 - Six impromptu card tricks! Out now! http://cameronfrancismagic.com/moments-notice-live-3.html
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Doctor D Special user 563 Posts |
How about the name of the female spectator in the street performance, or the brand of booze you seem to be drinking?
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Cameron Francis V.I.P. 7025 Posts |
Hey. name of the female spectator! That's a good idea. Thanks!
MOMENT'S NOTICE LIVE 3 - Six impromptu card tricks! Out now! http://cameronfrancismagic.com/moments-notice-live-3.html
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james1234 New user 33 Posts |
I purchased this from David Forrest over ebay and I received a faulty dvd that would not play, I have emailed him and he told me he would send me another dvd about 2 months ago, I never received a dvd and I have emailed him about 3 times since and have not had a reply, is there anyway I could get another dvd sent off as I have given up trying to contact dave f
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Cameron Francis V.I.P. 7025 Posts |
PMed you.
MOMENT'S NOTICE LIVE 3 - Six impromptu card tricks! Out now! http://cameronfrancismagic.com/moments-notice-live-3.html
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james1234 New user 33 Posts |
Just got this today thanks a lot for sending me another copy. I would just like to say 'i love snapped' it's awesome It's so much fun to perform and people are baffled aswell as pleasantly surprised, the bonus effects and handlings are also excellent and the fact you get a lifetime supply of gimmicks and unlimited switch wallets this was on of the best items I have recieved all year Thanks a lot
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Cameron Francis V.I.P. 7025 Posts |
James, glad you are enjoying it! It was released over a year ago which is the equivalent of ten Magic Retail Years, so most people have forgotten about it. But it is a very cool effect if I do say so myself. And I am proud of the bonus material as it's good stuff and not just filler.
MOMENT'S NOTICE LIVE 3 - Six impromptu card tricks! Out now! http://cameronfrancismagic.com/moments-notice-live-3.html
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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Dvd, Video tape, Audio tape & Compact discs. » » Cameron Francis - SNAPPED! DVD (1 Likes) |
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