***There's no such thing as a "McDonald's Ace Card"***

Uh huhhhhhh.... I got one with my Happy Meal once along with a Ronald McDonald Secret Decoder Ring and Whistle!
I'm published in a journal of equine dentistry, does that count?

No, Darius did not publish Crystal Method, we did....and he's an idiot for passing comment on McDonalds Aces when he knows not of what he speaks. I'll be sure to slap him when I see him....

R.Dunn, with regards to your original observation regarding the gimmick in Genii, I can understand how you may feel you can look at that and ascertain the practicability of it and consequently don't need the DVD to make a full judgement. However I feel this attitude is misplaced as many of the ideas and routines on the DVD never bring the gimmick into open/blatant view of the volunteer and as such stand up as strong routines.

I would urge you to view me performing my "Think Outside The Box" routine on Youtube which uses a Crystal Method gimmick although it's never in view. The link is here (sorry for poor quality, filmed in the pub!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYXZfS7cq0k

PS: Mickeypainless - you published a journal on Equine Dentistry - perhaps you can put a smile on R.Dunns face once and for all!

I smile everytime I see a new post from the 2 guys ,nicos and that other chap who's not important enough to name

Haha- apologees for the MacDonald's comment- I was a kid when I bought it!
My point is that there is so much more that can be done with an entire deck or crystal method, and an excellent DVD full of effects and creative thoughts.

Dunn's comment that one card in Genii is all you need to comment on the trick is moronic!

Has anyone who has WATCHED the DVD got any useful magical comments or creative comments to add?

Wow, things got ugly since I last signed in...

On Darius' last comment I have the DVD and currently I'm performing a modified version of "The Autograph Collector" by Daniel Young. In my routine the spectator's signature end up in my wallet printed on an advertising card for an escort agency - this is in keeping with the audiences I perform for and the locations I perform, however I'm also looking at having the signature appear on a laminated contract in my wallet - just playing around with ideas at the moment.

I liked the DVD, but I wouldn't perform all the effects, not because I feel they will not entertain the audience but that they will not suit my style of performance. In considering new effects this is the first question I ask - "Will it suit me?".

I think that the vast majority of effects that are released are well intentioned and genuinely seek to create a magical effect - I don't think there are creators who intentionally release bad effects to the market - if there are I'm lucky to have not encountered them. In discussing an effect it would be good to take a step back and remember that despite the anonimity afforded by the internet other posters are still people and attacking them over a magic trick is ultimately redundant.

So in the spirit of magician's coming together, checking their ego's at the door...does anyone have any useful, practical applications for this gimmick?

Matt

All comments are useful mate.
This is a forum where magicians discuss any and all aspects of an effect without being told what is, and what isn't OK to say.

If you're looking for a rah-rah forum where nobody says anything negative about the effect, those types of forums are usually operated and moderated by the folks that are selling the effect.

Quite honestly, McDonalds Aces in its various forms is a cornerstone of card magic. I'd have to question your ability to enter into discussions whereupon you render a personal opinion on what somebody else posts in terms of their opinion on any card effect.

Back to the effect. Earlier I posted a comment whereupon I observed that when a single gaff is placed into a normal deck, it renders an easily seen pitch black line around the entire deck.
The response was along the lines of "oh yeah, but you just hide that with a mechanics grip".

Hide it?, what a load. This is just bad design.

I also pointed out that the gaff, when placed either on the back or face of a card is easily visible, and changes the color of the card it's placed against.
A photo was then posted, which despite the poorly (back-lit) lit, grainy scene, still renders the gaff easily visible.
When I pointed that out, some lame comment relating to that not mattering was all that came in retort. Apparently this "utility device" requires the performer to use a mechanics grip at all times, and make sure that the spec can't see either the face, or the back of the deck.

Perhaps this could be the worlds first effect where every effect using the gaff takes place inside a paper bag.

Sometimes, effects are interesting in their concept, but weak in their deployment.
This is one of those effects.

Now here's where all those posters (who, interestingly enough all live in the U.K. likely in the effects creators second bedroom) can post saying that nothing I've pointed out matters, and that they perform the effect every night to dropped jaws, and offers of friendship.

That type of response, although easy, does nothing to deal with things like the fact that the gaff renders a solid black line around the circumference of the deck.

Silver....the reason you could see the gaff so easily was because there were two dupes right next to eachother. My point of that picture was to show that yes, there is a difference between the two cards BUT I stated that they wont notice because they wont see a Crystal Method card on a 9 of Hearts and a regular 9 of Hearts like I showed. I did explain about the black line. There is one, but when the deck is being held in mechanics script, the two sides will be covered, and the front will be partially covered by your index finger. When you have the Crystal Method card in the deck causing the black line, the deck will not be infront of them. it will be down by your side. If you hold the deck in biddle grip, your hand will be in motion and you will be talking to the spectator. What really makes you think the spectator will be looking at the edge of the deck down by your side while your doing something with their card on the table. This wont happen. The only two effects that require the card in the middle is when they sign a card behind their back and then cut the deck and hand you the pack back. Now the crystal card is in the middle but you will be holding the deck in mechanics script as you patter. Now you spread the pack, tilting it towards the specs so they can see. This tilts the edge of the deck downwards, hiding the black line. This is the same for the second effect.

that's all I have to say for now.

Regards,
Nico Zottos

What do you guys think of this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYXZfS7cq0k

Wow!I'm even getting pm's from Mr. Macdonalds ace card now. its obvious now that you guys have some sort of reward -financial, you are the creators in disguise , or there is some exchange of "favours"

Can we focus on the effects on the DVD? (for those that have watched the DVD!!)

No,
lets focus on what the SPECTATOR SEES! which is the gimmick.

I imagine you don't use a thumb-tip for the same reasons? A wise move. I tried for ages without success. I showed my thumb to so many people but they always seemed to notice that it was a slightly different shade to my skin tone, or looked plastic or elongated. Why anyone thinks something so blatant has any merit is beyond me - you're a smart boy!

PS: Don't get me started on the Sanada Gimmick - totally crazy!

Yes - but the spectator doesn't sign your thumbtip

Which is precisely why my friend you should watch the DVD before passing comment.

Eight of the 11 routines on the DVD do not require the spectator to EVER stare blatantly at a CM card or sign one and those that do are managed in such a way that the presentation and handling allows for this.

But I want it to do whats on the box, impossible spectator signed effects.

To be fair Dunn, I think anyone who comments on a product they don't own, is like the blind leading the blind..

Same for any product, any person...

More interesting to hear comments from:
-Someone who has the product and has seen the routines
-Someone who has had successes within professionally peforming the effect
-Someon who brings creative input to the table..

Well we did get the sample in genii so do "own" the product. The whole point of the genii giveaway was so that peopole could try it and form an opinion on it.

Heck if it an excellent product, it will self itself without any needed hype...

If it is excellent, why bother with this thread trying to convince people who don't like it or are just shooting it down? Let people judge comments from the sources.

Excellent products get great reviews and a couple of nay sayers. For example Extractor... I got it at the beginning and you don't see any hype... just people scrambling to get it... my only chagrin, that now more North Americans have it ...

Good luck with this product! If it is excellent, it will establish itself as a must have!

I don't own this. And here's some creative input: I'm not going to buy it!