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ash2arani Special user 923 Posts |
I have had Jack Spade Story Deck by Stephen Ablett for a while. I got it as a review copy. I do not know Steve but I have seen (and reviewed) some of this other downloads elsewhere.
The ad copy for this download can be found here: http://www.lybrary.com/jack-spade-story-deck-p-559847.html Here are my thoughts: What you get is a 78-minute video that details a full Story-Deck routine. Quality: The video quality is great. Not HD but clear and the camera work is very good. Sound is clear and instructions are comprehensible. Content: I was not happy with this routine. The story is not as engaging as I would want it to be and the deck manipulation is distracting and exagerrated. The story is sometimes forced and the card revelations are forced at other times. This routine lacks a smooth flow. Stephen does teach different false cuts and revelations which are good for other uses in card magic. As you can see in the video, the ending is not only weak, but also anti-climactic. Conclusion: I did not like this at all. For a magician who has been into card magic for a while, there is nothing new here. For story-deck routines, there are others out there that flow much better both in story and revelations. A final bit of consideration is that the most important aspect of any story-deck routine is the persona of the story-teller. It is about the story-teller. The playing cards are just the aid to help make the story even more entertaining. So I suggest one work on their persona and if they can sell a story-deck routine, they should learn one. Again, I do not feel this is the best out there. |
Zuke Veteran user 353 Posts |
I tried this but got busted when my fake hand fell on the floor.
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Red Shadow Inner circle 1788 Posts |
Many thanks for your review. The full routine is shown in the trailer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03M1YSYiLcs&index=1&list=PLVDUBJpec3pWVT_eOF-mX7a-wn9d3ryyS) including the full story. So if you like the trailer, you know what you're getting.
I agree that the storyteller is what makes this trick. I know how I perform this in my own show to make it the most entertaining it can be. I actually use a piece of background music called "Cold feet" by Peter Skellern and have a detective theme throughout. The music is copyrighted, so I could not show my full live presentation on the tutorial video, just a studio performance. But it will teach you the mechanics of the trick, its then up to the performer to make it their own. If anyone chooses to do any storydeck, it will require a particular persona to make it work for you. That's one of the reasons why I decided to release the full routine as the trailer, as it will give you a good idea of whether this routine will fit your style before purchasing. Story decks in general are long and only suitable for a parlour setting. For me, I have ended many bar sets and adult cabaret shows with it. But other performers might not work in those enviroments. My routine is as much a demonstration of skilful card locating as well as the story, as I learnt after numerous performances it was what appealed to the majority of audiences and gets the instantaneous round of applause at the end. But others will find their own way of presenting such an effect. My routine works for me. I offer it (quite cheaply) for anyone else that believes they can find a place for it in their show also. Steve P.S. I gave the fake hand to the second hand shop, after Simon Cowell and his crew gave me a one-handed clap! |
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