Nice, can't wait for mine.

Glad you all are getting yours, I paid for a 5 day service and from my tracking number it still states processed, blimey your postal service is rubbish!! (USPS!)

Yeah Daren but at least you get access to the TA forum. I bought from Alakazam when they emailed the other day, not realising that by doing so I'd not get access to the TA forum. It's a big shame that some of us are buying the same product, paying the same amount (if not more) of money but not getting as much for our $$$ :-(

Jamie.

Some europe guy has received the set ?
I think mine is still on some ships on the ocean.

Dave

Got my TA box from Hocus Pocus today (sweden).
I had issues with my PayPal payment when I tried to buy it from the TA shop.
Sadly this means I cant participate in the forum (tears).

Somehow someway, I can see this happening haha! So today, I hope and pray, my TA set comes through my way!

Wait Peo, you got yours in Sweden from Hocus Pocus?!?!? They only shipped them on Tuesday and mine won't be here til NEXT Tuesday.

Well if its any consolation I think mine is still in the usa, I ordered on 13th dec, and it still states processed as per 2/2/09 and I paid for express mail, some express service eh!!!

I ordered on December 13th, and made the mistake of getting the parcel post. So no surprise I am still waiting...

I was wondering what the cut-off date was between Friday and Monday for shipping, yes I ordered from TAP.

-Alex

Yeah I know, wierd isn't it pepka.
Im not complaining tho.

I to ordered on the 13th express mail and have yet to recieved it here in the UK.....:{

So does mine, but where do you live? The tracking does usually not work outside the US so even if it just says that it is shipped I think.

I live in the uk, it normally states on the usps site when it has left the usa and still waiting

Angel Cake has a very nice bonus effect. The kind of thing magicians are often heckeled to do by participants in money magic tricks, now you can do.

I have posted a fairly thorough review of Disc 1 on my website. I have not fully explored Backlash 2 yet so I did not include it. It will be coming later along with some effects from all of the DVDs.

The website where you can view my reviews is http://www.trueastonishments.webs.com

I will not be reviewing the discs in order, I will be reviewing the effects as I learn them. I will post on here when I have new reviews up and what effects they are for.

Don't forget that if you have any performance stories or reviews, e-mail them to me and I will post them in the appropriate sections. If you have any suggestions e-mail those to me as well and I will see what I can do.

I got mine on Tuesday but no one was home so it came on Wednesday. Number 15 the problem Is I'm out of the country for 2 more months... I'll have to work something out. Oh dear, this is really unbearable...

I crashed about 3 a.m. I was so caught up in the set that time got away from me.

I watched the disk with the TA Pen.

When I first read about the TA Pen, I groaned a bit. It said " It's a new gimmick that makes immaculately clean bill changes, switches, and animations. Everything about the pen is self-contained and can even be handled and used as a normal pen by spectators".

I thought perhaps they went a step too far because it will be a goofy looking thing or you'll have to openly fold the bill up, unscrew the pen, put the bill in, switch the pen, etc.

I watched last night and was shocked. The pen is ordinary looking and does miracle switches. Magi will be coming up with routines for years using the TA pen. I would love to know the history and thinking behind the idea/construction of the pen. I hope they sell the DVD and pen for at least $100 when the time comes.

Magi that are single will be able to work with the pen and get it down. Those with families and significant others will have to get a hotel room for an evening so that they aren't bothered. Not that you need quiet, but you are not going to want to be interrupted.

The TA set is like the Grand Canyon in that you see photos and films of it and know how wonderful it is and then when you actually see it in person, you're overwhelmed by the vastness of it all.

Even though the execution of the effects on TA is broken down into the most basic form, there is probably two years worth of material here. Watching, learning, routining, etc. will be allot of fun.

I don't think you have to worry, mine had no uppdates at all until 5 minutes ago where it says it will be deliverd to me tommorow.

My package, which I pre-ordered from TAP the first week, is still in Richmond, CA and I'm in Pennsylvania. Getting kind of peeved

I've watched disc 1 though 5 as well as 9. I have yet to watch 6,7 & 8.

Some little thoughts on the experience so far... I will make this as brief as I can so not to bore you folks

As has already been stated many times, the wooden puzzle box is beautiful. It's amazingly crafted and the attention to detail is immediately obvious. I couldn't think of a better way to package the best set in magic. There's an inner divider that is removable. It could have easily been made of cardboard or plastic but they took the care and attention to make these out of the same wood the box is made from. They then finished the dividers with the same finish as the box and what you end up with is a very complete set, down to the divider tray
The lock is nice, as stated before it's not hard. Mine came locked and it took me about 10 seconds to open it, but it is a really nice touch.

I won't go into the props too much other than they come in a nice burlap bag and you get what you need to cover the effects that need specific gaffs, etc...
The TA pen is really nice and easily worth (in my opinion) $50.00 by itself. With proper care this thing will last forever and in the off chance that it don't, Paul was kind and thoughtful enough to include a second pen for spare parts.

Ok, on to the discs!

I'm not sure why, but I was expecting 3 DVD cases holding 3 discs each. I was very happy to see that each of the 9 discs have their own tri-fold case, and each case includes a great quote as well as some great photography.

Disc 1 -
I was immediately amazed by the level of production quality of the video. Once again going far and above the call of duty. This is really a nice set. You're greeted with a great intro from Paul that actually gave me goosebumps. It really puts into perspective the scope of this project.

Twilight Angels -
I have always loved the effect, but never thought of doing it with common everyday objects instead of a mirror. I have a really cool (in my opinion) idea for how I will be doing this from now on that will make this DEEPLY personal for each spectator. It may be a little too over the top though, I have to play with the idea a bit. This first effect might have already been worth the price of the set for me if my idea works out, as I would have never thought of it without watching Wayne perform this! I'm not going to into it right now, I don't know if it will even work or how it will be perceived by a spectator, but I let folks know in "secret sessions" if it works out.

And this is what this set is about for me. It is making me think in ways that I never thought before, about magic, about people, about relationships and experiences, outside of the box...

Backlash 2 -
I can see the power of this on an audience. It's extremely easy to do and it's pretty darn amazing. Leaves you a lot of room for letting the experience happen.

New Leaf -
I laughed out loud. I love it! You could fry someone with this. It'd have to be the right time and the right place and the right conditions... but you could noogie someones inner psyche with this one. I'm still giggling... the next day. I love stuff like this. All they will remember is that everything happened in their hands!

Cheng's Change -
WOW! This is really cool, and although it is knacky it is definitely doable! This could be used for so many different effects... it's crazy. This is a great utility move that when used at the proper moment will look like trick photography and will make your spectators question reality...

The Big Tiny -
This is great! Another really simple routine that will leave them stunned. I am a salesman by trade and have been taught by some of the worlds greats and although they all have their different methods for sales, they all have a common opinion about using the clients name as often as possible during a pitch. People LOVE their own name. That principle triples the effectiveness of this routine in my opinion.

Disc 2 -

LVL -
I have said before that I have used Las Vegas Leaper in almost every show since I learned it in the 80's. I do it close up in restaurants, strolling at cocktail parties, on stage and everywhere else. It's always been a favorite of mine. Well, I will now do this new version... without a second though. This is worth the price of the set for me. If you already perform LVL in your shows, this idea is golden. Don't be fooled by the simplicity of this one... this will stun them.

Tubular -
Another REALLY great effect. I will do this one. A lot. It's an amazing effect. Basically you sign a bill and they sign a bill, both are rolled up into a tube and both tubes are held by the spectator. When they open them, BOOM! One bill with both sigs. Impossible. Amazing. Easy. Great magic.

Cheng's Riser -
This guy Cheng is starting to give me an inferiority complex! lol
He's just incredible. And this riser is just incredible as well. I want to meet this guy... not to pick his brain, although that would be nice, but just to watch him work. He makes me feel like I am watching stop action photography. This one, like his change, is also much more doable than I had expected.

Seductive Switch 2 -
I really like this one as well. It's a great ride and you can have a lot of fun with this. I will take a slightly different path with the presentation, but it's a killer routine that will fry them. What they just saw a second before, in their own hands, changes.... still in their hands. Great magic here as well ( this is a common theme throughout this set!)

Growing Card -
Visual, different, quick, I love it! This will be a lot of fun to perform! A card, face uo between 2 face down cards, visually and slowly doubles in size and then visually returns to normal size. It just... grows... visually! This is a great little miracle!

Disc 3 -

Cassanova Inc -
I am going to have so much fun with this one that I would have paid the price of the set for this as well! lol (I feel that way about most of these routines!)
Steve is a genius and this one will fit just about anybody's performance style with minor alterations to the drawings. I will likely use it exactly as is for my style and I can see me getting millions of miles out of this one!

Halfmoon Trading Co. -
Another great effect using a clever principle! This will floor them for sure. Spectator picks a card and puts it back, then imagines their card and imagines writing their name on the back. They toss that imaginary card at the card box and low and behold... inside is their card with their name across the back!

Halfmoon Voodoo -
I love Bro's performance of this one. I laughed all the way through
Same principle different effect. This one is creepy! During the second phase I forgot I was a magician and actually felt the impact through the eyes of a spectator. That doesn't happen a lot for me. This is different than not knowing how something is done. This feeling is just one of "it's that good that I got lost in the moment".

Pack of Lies -
Vanish Deck redone! BRILLIANT!!!!!! Bro should get some kind of statue made of him for this one! If you can't freak EVERYONE out with this one... something is wrong! This is an incredibly easy way to FLOOR people. Lot of people. This is another that I will do everywhere that I go.

Solid with Happy Ending -
Very simple, psychological technology at work on this one. Doesn't seem like it should fool anyone... and yet it really messes with their minds. The new ending to this PH classic is awesome and makes a lot of sense.

*breath*
phew... this is longer than I thought! and I am staying very brief here!

Disc 4 -

Dr. Fun -
If you are one of those who are waiting until these things come out as single discs someday... I think you are crazy But if you must do that... buy #4!! Dr. Fun is PURE GENIUS!!! Jason Messina said he "added a little something" to it... he is being modest... he changed the entire thing to be an incredibly fun miracle. No kidding. This thing is amazing. Covet this thing as the miracle that it is guys... this is about as powerful as magic gets in my opinion. You will touch someone on a soul level with this one. Pay close attention to the Phootnotes here too... Paul makes an amazingly serious statement that is worth the price of the set to me. I had HUGE expectations for this one and I was nervous that I possibly over hyped it for myself. Not even close! This is SO much better than I had ever expected. out of 5 stars? 2 million. Seriously.

Name Dropper -
Another miracle with the spectator's name. This one is typical Paul genius and quirky I love it as much as the spectators, which is a lot! This will be fun!
You are basically, magically printing the persons name, one letter at a time onto the backs of cards. There's more to it, but that's the concept. There little nuances that make it very magical!

Lubor's Lens -
Another one that I will do and do a lot!! Reality Twister with some new ideas. Great ideas. This thing is so open for expansion... it;s one of those things that you could just constaly come up with things for.

Naked Strange -
Strange Travelers ungimmicked! Paul says here that there are some things that you can do with ST that you can not do with Naked, and he is right, but this is about as good as you will ever get in my opinion with an ungimmicked pack. To the spectator, I think it would appear to be the same... they will remember the same thing... strong ungimickked magic right here.

Stapled Warp -
Andrew Gerard's Card Warp. This guy is a genius as well! When we look back on magic in another hundred years, it will be stuff like this that pushed it forward... This is some great thinking. It's may seem minor to us as magicians, but it seals the deal for the spectator. I mean that literally. You take any paths they might ever have to a solution... and you shut them right down before they can even think of them.

Disc 5-

Transcendental Bar Bet -
Great visual "hands off" change of a card, and then reappearance in an impossible location. The change is great! I laughed for a while at it. I love it!

Extraordinary Proof -
Andrew Gerard is here again to share with us a masterpiece. Sometimes we overlook things because it seems too simple for us as magicians, but things like this will destroy reality for an audience. This is simple, effective and highly playable! I did this for my wife within 15 minutes of watching it and she's seen this stuff every day for 20 years... and this fried her... badly.

Tensegrity -
This is another that is easily worth the price of the set for me. This is an entire education on a principle that I know nothing about. This is like discovering magic for the first time for me... I am simply blown away by Patrick's thinking on this one. I watched the performance as the first thing that went through my head was "WHAT THE %$@&???". No joke. This is STRONG. This should be a box set by itself. Patrick is extremely thorough in his explanation and it's like he says, this is simply the brickwork for what is sure to become an entire branch of magic by itself. I don;t know how else to say this guys... this one, to me, is one of the craziest and strongest things you can do. It's like bringing the incredible feeling of witnessing a Copperfield Illusion or something... to the intimate venue of close up performances... and to steal a line from Patrick here, it's like you stop time. At one point it really appears that everything is mid-tumble and yet it's frozen in space and time. I shed a tear when I think about how powerful this is. Patrick, if you see this... you have completely outdone yourself on this one. If you or Paul ever put out anything else on this concept, count me in as your first customer please! I'll be working on this one a lot!

Reswindled - It's Reset, with a twist and fireworks for a finish Caleb has some great thinking on this one!

Have not watched 6,7 or 8 yet

Disc 9 -
TA Pen and Angel Cake

The TA Pen as I said earlier, would easily be worth 50 bucks to me, if not more. You get a second for spare parts as well. Paul really took care of us on this one. Jason is 100% right, watch the disc before touching the pen! There is a LOT to this thing...

The effects on the disc for the Pen are incredible and look like real magic, but it is like Paul says... this is just the beginning. They had tons of effects they cut due to time... you could easily come up with 15 effects within minutes of watching this and understanding the workings. I am deeply impressed with this item and thinking behind it.

Angel Cake -
LOL
LOL
LOL

EVIL!!!!!!!! So evil.

Not the method... not the effect... the after thought in the spectators mind. SO EVIL!!!!


Ok... guys & gals, there is so much more than this... not only do I still have 3 discs to go, but I didn't even mention the cookies and interviews. There's tons of them! And they are all really great! They could be an entire DVD set by themselves, I kid you not. There are some great performances, great thinking and great advice on these hidden cookies. The fact that this stuff was hidden and not used as a major part of the marketing specifically is an amazing testimony to all involved and the project itself.

I can't wait to watch the rest, and then go back and begin watching it all again... and again... and again... for the rest of my life.

EDIT*** I forgot to mention that I love the music throughout as well as this new method for teaching the routines! I also love the index that is on every disc and includes the index FOR every disc! Also, I needed Jason for something and he was amazing about it. His customer service is incredible! Above and beyond, just like this set.