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sgtgrey Special user Austin, TX 839 Posts |
Product: Totally Crazy Bands (TCB)
Released by: Rasmus Magic Creator: Rasmus (Rasmus Haunted Deck, etc.) Price: $30 First things first – Disclaimer: I have received this effect for free. I have no financial connection to this project nor have I known the creator, Rasmus, outside of the café. I will do my best to give an honest, impartial review of this DVD. There has been a fair amount of comparison between TCB and Hondo’s Infinitum. I have a review for Infinitum here for comparison: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......m=109&22 What is TCB? It is a collection of rubber band effects that Rasmus has added his own variations and handling to improve the magic of the effect. Most of these effects are ungimmicked. There is also a gimmicked effect, similar to Souvenir Linking Rubber Bands (SLR), Infinitum, Linking Loverbands, etc. where two rubber bands are magically linked together and then given away as a souvenir. Rasmus’ handling is different than these versions, however. Most importantly, he teaches you an economical way to construct the gimmick yourself rather than requiring refills to be purchased. What you get: A bag of rubber bands is included so you are ready to practice and perform at the start. This is great since not only are the type of rubber bands important for the impromptu effects, but imperative for the linking rubber bands gimmick. I think it would be a nice touch if all rubber band DVDs included at least a small sampling of rubber bands to get you practicing with the proper props from the start, but that may just be my opinion.... All rubber bands are golden #19 type rubber bands of high quality. The next paragraph is a disclaimer about a previous experience of these rubber bands. Please feel free to skip it! I want to make an important clarification here: Rasmus has previously posted on the café a source to purchase these rubber bands, which are included in TCB. Prior to receiving this DVD, I had purchased these bands as he suggested, and was greatly disappointed with the quality. The bands broke easily and did not retain form well and were simply inferior to the bands I had purchased online from magic dealers before. HOWEVER, when I received the DVD, I was pleasantly surprised. The bands included in the DVD set were just as good (identical, as far as I can tell), to those I would buy from my regular magic dealer! I took one from the DVD and compared it to the ones I had purchased, apparently the same rubber bands, and they were vastly different. My only possible explanation at this point is that I had previously received a bad batch of rubber bands, and I will have to get another one just to be sure. Overall point is: the bands included are of the highest quality, and despite my bad experience with a previous purchase, I have concluded I need to make another purchase of these bands as it is possible I simply got a bad batch and thus gave a poor review of them the first time around in a different thread. DVD: Quality: The quality is good. The DVD is broken down by each effect. Within each effect is a set of live performances for real people in real environments (not just in the studio) and a visual/verbal explanation as well as an occasional over the shoulder view when necessary. My only complaint here is I wish there had been a “play all” button and then put the rest under a “chapters” heading so I could drill down to specific moments later as needed. Just a future suggestion to upcoming releases, Rasmus. Instruction: Rasmus does a great job explanation each effect clearly and showing the effect on video in multiple views. He also explains carefully the specific subtleties on each effect that are important to take the magic to the highest level. I felt that the routines were easy to learn and follow along as Rasmus teaches, so no issues there. What’s on the DVD? - Introduction – includes the type of bands to order, preview of effects, etc. - Perfectly Linked Rubber bands (and PLR bonus move) - Crazy Man’s Handcuffs - Rubber band through wrist - Rising Ring on Rubber band - Jumping Rubber band - Torn & Restored Rubber band - Rubber band through ring - Dan Harlan’s Crazy Twist Vanish. OK, here are some thoughts on the effects included. Please note that my experience with rubber band magic is extensive as I have performed with bands for years and have learned from many sources. Crazy Man’s Handcuffs is, as I understand it, Rasmus’ original and primary reason for this project. He was frustrated by the way in which many magicians perform this effect, and wanted to share his ideas, handling, etc. on this classic effect. While I can’t say I learned much here, I do agree with what Rasmus suggests in the DVD. The subtleties on this effect make or break the effect, imo, so I was glad to see someone teach it well. There are few times I’ve seen an explanation of CMHC that covers it to the necessary depth, but I feel Rasmus does it justice and then some. Well done on this part, especially for those who may not have as much experience with this effect. Rubber band through wrist, Rising Ring, Jumping band, Torn & Restored, Rubber band through ring, and the Crazy Twist Vanish are all effects I’ve known before, so I learned nothing new here, although Rasmus does offer some neat ideas/subtleties here that some may find useful if they haven’t already thought of them or learned them. I will say that as a collection of effect, these are all very good, powerful rubber band effects, so if you aren’t familiar with them, they are definitely worth learning, either from TCB or from other DVDs/Books that have been on the market. The real highlight here for me was the Perfectly Linked Bands, or PLR for short. Most particularly, the construction of a good looking truly linked rubber band gimmick was something I had wanted to take the time to figure out, but never really sat down to do. Rasmus gives a really easy way to construct the gimmick, which only takes a minute to do. This information along with Rasmus’ PLR handling, for me, would be worth the entire $30 price of the DVD. What I also liked in PLR was the various ways Rasmus suggests to ring in the gimmick and perform the effect. There were some great ideas here that I will definitely use and had not thought of before. Final Thoughts: This is a well-made DVD. Personally, learning how to make linked rubber bands and the ideas behind that easily justify the admission price. Rasmus also has a lot of good effects on here with his handlings. If you don’t know how to do these effects already, or wonder how you could get more impact out of one of these effects, Rasmus has some nice ideas here. If, however, you are a rubber band junkie like me, you may not learn as much in those parts. Regardless of skill level and experience, however, the PLR portion of the DVD is invaluable. Some people may ask for a direct comparison to Infinitum. I would suggest reading the review of that effect first (link above), and then asking any questions you have below. I see these two DVDs as slightly different, however, so it is hard to compare apples to oranges. Personally, I’m glad I have both. I like the ideas Hondo gives in Infinitum, plus the PLR handling and how to construct the gimmicks from TCB. If you have the funds, I would recommend both. If you don’t, I would suggest reading reviews on both and consider which one gives the most value to you personally. Please let me know if you have any questions. |
ncsteve Veteran user North Carolina 313 Posts |
I believe Infinitum is by far the best looking rubber band effect I've ever seen. I also think it's by far the most difficult rubber band effect I've ever tried to learn.
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TCB Loyal user I am so happy to be promoted because of my 210 Posts |
If souvenir linking rubber bands are gimmicked how do you hand them out to the spectator?
There Is No Revolution Without Evolution
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