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Rpascual Special user USA 667 Posts |
Hey guys,
Received a copy last night of Repertoire Volume 1 by Ben Williams. First of all I have not met Ben Williams although it could be cool one day to meet him so he could show me more of his stuff!! I promised to give a sincere and honest review so here it is, before anything I want to say that I have not performed these effects this is just an over-view of the e-book in it self. When I perform these effects, hopefully soon, I will tell you guys how it all goes out. Initial Review: So Repertoire Volume 1 is a collection of 10 effects of Mr. Williams. The title page looks great, especially if you are into graffiti and stuff like that. There are 33 pages and 49 pictures although I’m almost sure I skipped one! Everything in here is considered for the intermediate magician. The author assumes you know forces and things like that which probably a good thing is because we don’t have to be skipping instructions etc. Everything is easily understandable and easy to follow along. Get some popcorn, get a drink, sit down where your computer is at and read along. I want to give you some advice, I want you to know that reading this review will be like reading a book in the bible, long, very very long. I suggest, if you have to, take breaks when reading this review! Now onto the effects: First effect: Heartless What it says: Basically that’s what happens a card is selected (Ex. Three of heart) and lost in the deck. The magician brings out some paper (cough cough: flash paper) burns it and all of a sudden three heart pips appear the deck is checked and the only Three of hearts in the deck indeed has the three pips missing. What I say: It’s a cleverly structured routine. What’s so clever about this is that the spectator clearly sees the three of hearts will the pips intact and normal they see it go into the deck and all of a sudden after the paper is burned the pips appear there. The deck is looked back and the ONLY three of hearts is looked at in the deck without the three pips. There is some set-up and there is an optional sleight to be able to give the deck out for examination. I don’t think I would use this effect because of the flash paper involved and I don’t really like to use flash paper but magicians that like their routine with a little bit of fire will like this! Second effect: DBID What it says: This is an invisible/brainwave type effect in which any named card is shown to have a different coloured back to the rest of the deck. What I say: Nice routine, it has more of a brainwave rather then invisible deck feel to it. I believe to have seen something similar in the Gafftastic by Liam Montier DVD produced by Big Blind Media although I can’t quite remember and I don’t have the dvd with me, but I will look into it. Anyway this uses a gaff which most magicians should have and if not, very easy to make/get. I like how this effect is just not limited to this. Ben gives the reader different ideas which could be used with a little thought. At the end the card is not examinable but Ben gives a really good idea to convince the spectator that it is one card. Not really much set-up as long as you have your gaff with you. Very easy to do and you will have this down in no-time. There is again an optional sleight to have the deck examined but it is done totally in the off-beat. I will definitely be doing this. Third effect: IMITATE 1.0 - 1.2 - 1.3 (One effect and two handlings) Imitate 1.0 What it says: A card is selected and mixed back into the deck a coin is presented. It is rubbed and changes into a circular piece of playing card. The spectator looks in the deck and sees that the card they selected has a hole in it. What I say: This is very similar to Heartless in the way the effect is accomplished. The set-up is not really hard. I suggest you buy a “Compass cutter” to cut the hole so it looks more professional. There are two major moves in this effect and they are not hard. Deck is examinable. This is something that I definitely see myself doing. Although the only problem…. I don’t know if later the spectator is going to ask about the coin because the coin is not seen again, this is where handling 1.2 comes into play! Imitate 1.1 What it says: Basically same effect but at the end the coin appears on the playing card where the piece of card that is on your hand used to be. What I say: Same thing except obviously the coin goes somewhere… to the card where the center piece is taken off! This sounds good but the set-up will be a little tricky and you have to make the card almost perfect so the final revelation looks good. Again the two same moves as in the first variation. Deck is examinable at the end. This is the best handling in my opinion. Imitate 1.2 What it says: This is Imitate with a signed card. What I say: This variation is something I will not bother with. The deck in the end is examinable in the other variations so I don’t see the point in having the card signed. Plus the set-up is a little more time consuming. The reader should give credit to Ben for being able to come up with a handling of a signed card for those magicians that just need for a person to sign everything. Fourth effect: Your Card-My mouth What it says: A card is selected and lost in the deck, a second card is selected and signed, the magician states that the second card will find the first one. Before it is squared in the deck the magician asks if he would like the first card to appear on the top or bottom of the card. Whichever one they choose it is shown not to be the card. The magician coughs and a card is taken out from his mouth with the signature on the back and it is the first card! What I say: That is essentially what happens. Looks like a very good routine. It is impromptu. There are some moves used to accomplish this effect which require some practice to get it down. The loading of the card in the mouth is really simple and casual, the spectator won’t notice a thing (if performed right!). The signature at the end appearing on the first card in my opinion is very nice. Nice routine but a little to sleight heavy for me. If you already do a card to mouth this one will probably not make you want to change your existing one. Fifth effect: Steal What it says: This is an old use of the card box. This is a concept that has so many uses but the way Ben uses it here is as a signed card from closed box to pocket. What I say: This is a really cool concept that has been used before I’m almost sure of it but thankfully Ben has explained it on here. There are tons of different ways to use it and the author gives us some other ideas on how to use it. This is impromptu and any box works. Now the move it-self is not hard at all but there is a knack to it. Sort of like learning a color change. Your angles are not bad at all but you don’t want people right behind you as it would ruin the effect. Sixth effect: I DUB THEE – What it says: This is one of the best mentalism effects I perform with cards. A spectator writes down the name of someone close to them and someone else selects a card. Inside your wallet you have an envelope, inside that is a single playing card with a different back design to the deck you are working with. It is the spectator's selected card, on the back of the card there is a name written, the freely thought of name. What I say: Wow this is a very strong routine. You obviously need a way of obtaining the information from the spectator, Ben says that he will teach a simple centre tear but I did not find it. He points out to some other sources that you can learn better ways to do it. There is a sleight set-up but you can get into it at any point in your routine. You need a special wallet if you want to perform the routine as stated in the description but thankfully Ben gives other ideas so you don’t need to use a wallet. Something I might use. Seventh Effect: I Dub thee Mental What it says: This is my handling for I Dub Thee that doesn't require a deck of playing cards, this is a routine of principles that culminates in a prediction being found in your wallet with a freely chosen item and name predicted. I have lots of ideas to make this a truly memorable and AMAZINGLY ACCURATE prediction. What I say: I will not bother with this one. This is more for the mentalist than magician. There is a’lot more setup than the original routine. It’s a good routine I guess for a mentalist but I’m just not into it so I don’t know if a mentalist would like it or not. Eight effect: Watch my Predictions What it says: In this routine you manage to predict a spectator's selection and to prove it you show you had a corner from a duplicate selection taped to the back of your watch-face. When asked if you can repeat this feat a second selection is selected and again you prove it to be taped to the back of your watch-face. Of course this is 100% examinable the tape won't peel off. What I say: First, very clever name! This is a very nice routine. What is said is what happens word-by-word. A little set-up but once you do it you are set to go again for some time. It is examinable at the end. You obviously need a watch for this effect. I will definitely be performing this one! Ninth effect: Your Card (With one extra handling) What it says: This effect is as direct as it is amazing for lay people. It is a commercial piece of magic that is perfect for customizing to any situation. A selected card is signed and replaced in the centre of the deck. Some words are written on a piece of paper which is lit and bursts into flames. The deck is spread and one card has changed colour and has the same words written across its back in big black letters. It is turned over and it is the signed card. What I say: Cameron Francis has a similar effect. I think I saw it on Omega Mutation. Cameron’s plays out a little differently, A piece of paper with your card written on it is smashed onto the deck and when the paper is opened the words your card are not on the paper anymore and are at the back of the playing card selected. This one I consider it to be a step up to Cameron’s. (Sorry, Cameron if you are reading this) I like this one a lot. The author gives different ways of presenting it. There is a little set-up but no biggie and you can get into it at any point in your routine. I plan on using this. Extra handling for: Your Card What I say: It is sort of like a Chicago opener type of effect with two climaxes. You start out as in the normal Chicago opener and then ends with the Your Card routine. This uses some flash paper to make the paper burn faster but you can probably use just any paper to burn. I like this one also! Tenth effect: Chain (with one extra handling) Chain 1.1 What it says: This is a signed linking card effect. Two cards are selected and signed, these can be free selections. These have the centers torn from them and they are linked together. This isn't an illusion of a link, they are linked like a chain link. These are unlinked and the card rings can be handed out and inspected or even kept by the spectator. What I say: It’s true. Both cards can be freely chosen but it is actually easier if it is not. As in almost every examinable card link there is a gaff involved. It is super simple to make and just requires two household items which you should having lying around. The moves are not hard really and it is very convincing and it looks great. The angles are not to bad, again you don’t want people behind you. I plan on making the gaff later today and start practicing now. Chain 1.2 What it says: Chain 1.2 is the same effects but the signatures on both cards are seen before, during and after the effect occurs. What I say: The author claims that this is where Chain 1.1 left off but I really prefer the first handling. You will need to force one of the cards but there’s nothing wrong with that. You can only use some cards from a deck which is a weakness to the first routine but the cards can be signed so that is a plus. It looks really good if you want to cement the fact on your spectators mind that the cards were signed. Well guys that’s pretty much it. I really congratulate you guys if you were able to read all that. That has probably been one of my longest reviews. Again guys I have not performed these effects before but I plan on doing it. After I perform I will get back to you guys and tell you how it all went and what got the most reactions etc. The tricks in here I really like and I plan on performing at least half of them. Trust me guys you will not regret your decision when buying these set of tricks. Plus they are being sold for a low price! You cannot possibly go wrong. Can’t wait for Repertoire Volumes 2 and 3! You can buy these notes for a very reasonable price of 10 Euros at: http://magicfromtheunderground.com/ It has been my pleasure reviewing this, Rpascual P.S.: If you guys have any questions about the e-book just let me know or send a PM to Nechto (Ben Williams) at the Café and I’m sure he will gladly answer any questions you may have. |
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APC Inner circle Los Angeles 1213 Posts |
Thanks for the in-depth review! Appreciate your thoughts and look forward to more. For 10 euros I may have to pick this up.
Adam |
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Rpascual Special user USA 667 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-06-27 22:26, baskitboy5 wrote: Thank you for your nice comment Adam! If you like what you see in the review you will like these tricks. |
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AdrianKeller New user 87 Posts |
Nice review. I have just just bought the ebook based on it.
but one note ... it's 10 pounds, not euros, which is roughly 12 euros or $17 at the moment. paypal always has a slightly worse exchange rate. |
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Rpascual Special user USA 667 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-06-28 08:41, AdrianKeller wrote: Yes, sorry about that. I finished typing the review really late and was meaning to change that but forgot! Thank you for clarifying that. |
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Nechto Special user UK 871 Posts |
Hi Adrian,
Many thanks for your order, I have emailed you the PDF, let me know if it arrives safely. I'll eagerly await your comments! Rpascual, thank you for your honest review, I am glad that you liked the ideas and got something from the e-book. One thing I would say though is that I Dub Thee Mental isn't more set up than I Dub Thee, I only explained that you could set up a whole stack of prepped business cards (which would take 5 mins) so that you have an instant reset and can carry on performing it all night. I can understand where you were coming from though. Many thanks everyone, Any questions please pm me. Ben Buy it here: http://www.magicfromtheunderground.com |
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Nechto Special user UK 871 Posts |
Some nice reviews of Repertoire VOL 1 have been posted in the Latest and Greatest section here:
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......m=218&23 Thanks again, Ben http://www.magicfromtheunderground.com |
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Nechto Special user UK 871 Posts |
Hi everyone,
As well as Repertoire being available through me at http://www.magicfromtheunderground.com it is also available through Daniel Madison's site http://www.devilsadvocateproductions.com and http://www.magicshop.co.uk Many thanks, Ben Williams |
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Nechto Special user UK 871 Posts |
Hi everyone,
Many thanks for all of your orders so far, just a quick note. I have just checked the PDF file I have been sending out and it seems there is a problem viewing the titles on my apple mac, is anyone else having this problem? If you are please contact me and I will make sure I sort this out for you. Many thanks, please pm me if you have had a problem. Best, Ben |
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Rpascual Special user USA 667 Posts |
Hey guys, as promised I said that I would go out and perform some of the material and a couple of hours ago I came back from the gym and showed some people there.
Wow were they amazed. I tried out the extra handling for your card,watch my predictions, I dub thee, Imitate 1.1 and DBID and Identity by Richard Sanders. I was all week practicing this and did it pay off.Watch my predictions was really exciting and everyone liked it. Imitate 1.1 (the gaff is a little hard to make!)had a WTF!! reaction. I dub thee got pretty good reactions but I'm sure I did not present that correctly so I have to work on that one. I had my Chain (1st version) gaff with me but was a little nervous to perform it because I haven't quite gotten the 2nd card tear correctly. For those of you interested Identity also floored many people. Something I have learned a little from the e-book is proper presentation, without proper presentation these triicks don't make sense (some of them do) but I hope you guys get what I mean. Anyways if you guys have any questions on how the performances went and what-not let me know. Ricky. |
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Nechto Special user UK 871 Posts |
Hi Ricky,
Thanks for going out and performing some of my material, I really appreciate you taking the time and I am glad you found them to get great reactions. With I Dub Thee, if you would like any presentational points please pm me with any questions and I would be more than happy to help. Also with Chain I recommend that when you perform it for the first time, perform it just to one or two people, you will get a better feeling of everything and won't be so nervous about it. Did you really find the gaff for Imitate 1.1 hard to make? Maybe I have just done it so much I don't realise it any more????? Anyways Ricky, thanks again for actually performing some of the material in Repertoire. Best, Ben Get Repertoire here: http://www.magicfromtheunderground.com http://devilsadvocateproductions.com/ http://www.magicshop.co.uk |
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chriswebbmagic Regular user 140 Posts |
Hey guys,
again I receivd a copy of this booklet and I realy did love it! such a mix of mental magic to linking cards and pure card magic. For me the main section on the linking cards was a refreshing read and a great insight. now I'm constantly playing with this and as all the other guys said well worth the money. also as ben notes these are tricks that you can use live! (they realy are) and that gets twisted a lot in the magic mafia. but on a honest note its well worth every penny and doubt you can ge a cheap hooker for that price or a few beers. so reach in your pocket/paypal and buy this. In a few words GREAT READ, FANTASTIC IDEAS, WELL INDEPTH. |
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Nechto Special user UK 871 Posts |
Thanks Chris,
Cheers for your slightly twisted comments!!!!! All the best, Ben Buy Repertoire here: http://www.magicfromtheunderground.com http://devilsadvocateproductions.com/ http://www.magicshop.co.uk |
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Nechto Special user UK 871 Posts |
For a perfomance of Chain I filmed nearly two years ago check here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtPr7uS6juI Best, Ben |
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Steve Haynes Inner circle Southeastern United States 1119 Posts |
This ebook is filled with well thought out effects and I'm impressed with how well it is all put together.
Everyone has their own taste and based on my own, there are several effects that got my attention. Heartless is the first effect and it is something that can be done in such a fair and open manner and if presented well can be a show peice in anyones set. Steal is the fifth effect and is my personal favorite and as far as the card case idea goes, it has been around a very long time, but what impressed me, was the subtle touches and how Steal is put together from the selection, spectator truly shuffling the deck that does have their signed selection within and the fact, nothing else is used, but the deck and case, which is ungimmicked and the logical and very simple display of the cased deck, which naturally drives home how open and fair everything is to the spectator. I see the spectator coming to one conclusion on this...IMPOSSIBLE! Two other effects that stand out to me is I Dub Thee and Your Card and anyone with a fair amount of knoweldge can see how well thought out they are. Certain effects, that may be others favorites, but have never interested me and my style are the linking card routines, but that's not to say these are not great, as I would not know, as I skipped them completely, but if your a card linking kinda guy, I would imagine these linking effects are as well thought out as the rest of Ben's work, but I will leave that to the linkers to judge. This is my first introduction to Ben's work and I found it to be very well thought out and his comments and tips on the effects make this a well put together ebook and I was consistantly impressed with the thinking. Steve Haynes |
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Nechto Special user UK 871 Posts |
Thanks Steve,
I am glad you like it! All the best, Ben |
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Rpascual Special user USA 667 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-07-01 05:35, Nechto wrote: Hey didn't notice you had posted that! Anyway I will take your offer I'll pm you one of these days to tell you specifically but when I have a little more time. Yeah that's what I will probably do for Chain. I've been starting to practice this a'lot in the last couple of days and the tear has become a'lot more easier than before. The Imitate 1.1 gaff yeah it has to be a little precise... not to big or to small but I think I'm getting the hang of it. Do you suggest putting a couple of dots of glue on the card? Ricky |
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John Carey V.I.P. 1057 Posts |
This is a first class ebook with lots of variety. Heartless and your card-my mouth are my favourites. Well done Ben.
Best John |
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MagicOfT Regular user NYC 141 Posts |
I agree with the original posters statements about this product. Very well put together with strong workable effects. With the exception of the Chain effects, these are not the kind of effects that can be put on single DVDs and be marketed to "street magicians" world wide, but these are strong practical routines that will guarantee a strong reaction from your participants. My favorite routines are Heartless, both CHAIN effects, and watch my predictions.
Although I enjoy DBID, it is not original to Mr. Williams and the exact method has been explored hundreds of times in the past. Unfortunately I have not had the chance to ask around for the origins of the effect, but I do know it is not original. Heartless is a very practical, strong, hard hitting routine. I have combined aspects of this with DropShot from the Art of Astonishment series to create a mini routine. Your Card is reminiscent of Sankey's Red Hot Momma routine which can be found in Sankey Pankey or Sankey Unleashed (I believe, or it is on one of his many many DVDs). The CHAIN effects are for me worth the price of the ebook. However the case, I am still a purist and will continue to use Immaculate Connection for a 100% impromptu linking card effect. Overall a great set of notes that could of used a bit more crediting to make it near flawless. Good work Mr. Williams and I cannot wait for whats in store for Volume 2. -Tatanka Tan |
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Mercury52 Inner circle Kevin Reylek 2239 Posts |
Another vote of confidence here for this book. It's well-written, well laid-out, and has clear photos.
All of the routines involve cards, but they run the gamut from things that are basically impromptu, require a bit of arts and crafts, or go for mentalism approaches. Even in some of the ideas where I didn't love the execution 100%, there was a seed of an idea that made me like the effect and come up with some of my own ideas to adapt the presentation. Overall, I think is is a really solid offering, and it makes me interested to see Ben's next 2 ebooks as well. Those who enjoy the work of Sankey and Paul Harris will probably enjoy the material here. Really looking forward to putting a few of these ideas to the test. Kevin
Kevin Reylek
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