[IMG]http://forums.theory11.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3852[/IMG]


Title: Digital Disolve
Performed & Taught by: Dan White
Artist: BJ Bueno & Steve Dusheck
Producers: Theory11
Link: http://www.theory11.com/tricks/digital-dissolve.php
Retail Price: $44.95
Learning Difficulty: Easy
Notes: Unlike the previous version, this gimmick is made by Schoolcraft.
Features:
• Play All
• The Name
• Steve Dusheck’s Original Handling Manuscript in PDF format
• Scene Selections
◦ Opening
◦ The Effect
◦ Performance
◦ Explanation
◦ Core Move
◦ Basic Routine
◦ One Hand Toss
◦ Final Thoughts
◦ End Credits

A silver coin is placed into the spectators hand, a copper coin rests on the back of their closed fist, and visually, stunningly, and immediately the coins change places, which can then be handed out for immediate inspection! The effect resets in seconds, and can be performed again. This is Digital Dissolve.

Before I get into the review let me just go ahead and say this for any of you people that may be on the fence about this product. This is a Jamie Schoolcraft gimmick for under $50 bucks. Period. That in itself should be the entire review. Do you honestly need any more reason to buy this product? But since I don’t do one sentence reviews I’ll go on. Digital Dissolve is a very visual bit of coin magic that takes the classic copper silver plot, and streamlines it. The original gimmick was created by BJ Bueno, and Steve Dusheck. While I wasn’t around to handle the original gimmick, I’ve spoken with a lot of people who have said that this version is hands down better than the previous. You’ll have to take that second hand information for what it’s worth to you. The DVD is produced by Theory11 and taught by Theory11 artist Dan White.

Dan does a great job teaching the effect. There really isn’t much to say about this, as the tutorial is very complete. Dan breaks it down, and teaches you step by step what you’ll need to know to perform this effect with ease. He also teaches an alternative move credited to Aaron Fisher, and Lee Asher which allows you to toss the copper coin from one hand to the other before handing it out to be held.

At the close of the DVD Theory11 credits Steve Dusheck and covers the history of Digital Dissolve, which was a nice touch.
The name section of the DVD simply explains how the product got its name Digital Dissolve. This apparently involved a paper-rock-scissors contest between Theory11 CEO Jonathan Bayme, and Theory11 artist and instructor Dan White. It was curious to say the least.

The Gimmick is well built, as I would expect from a Schoolcraft coin, but I wish it would lock. Sadly it doesn’t, which requires a bit of finesse while handling to prevent accidental exposure. It’s nothing that a few hours in front of a mirror can’t fix.

Overall I’m very satisfied with the product. It’s a very visual transposition, it’s a great gimmick, the DVD is well taught, and fairly priced, and it’s a Schoolcraft coin! This is easily one of those effects you can (and should) carry with you at all times. You can’t go wrong with this one!



When I give my product scores below I am measuring them on a scale of 1 to 10. 1 Being absolute the worst score possible, and 10 being the absolute best, making a score of five average. The four points that I grade upon is Product Quality, Teaching Quality, Sound & Video Quality and Over all Quality.

Product Quality: 8
I think the product quality is great, and the price is very reasonable.

Teaching Quality: 7
Dan can be a bit dry, but he’s complete in his teaching. You don’t feel like anything was left out.

Video & Sound Quality: 8
The sound and video quality are both excellent. Theory11 really has been stepping up the production quality, and it shows.

Over All Quality: 8
Digital Dissolve takes home not only a solid 8 on the Draven scale, but also the Draven Seal of Approval. This product is certainly one you should own, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for something that is portable, visual, and stunning. Well done Theory11!

Excellent review Will. Would like to get this in Sterling currency.

Steve Dusheck has been credited with the gimmick. B.J. Bueno updated/improved the routine only.



If you are referring to British coins you could contact Mark Mason/Bob Swadling for custom and keep (or sell) the Schoolcraft coins as a spare. My gimmick is Lassen.

Excellent Review Will. Good work.

Regards,

Alan

I've just bought a copy of Steve Dusheck's Coin Magic, and I have to say I'm impressed with his creativity, and his elegant, simple ideas.

Real genius is about imagining things in their most straightforward and efficient way. Mr. Dusheck has a knack for creating miracles from extremely simple gaffs.

If you think that book is great, you really need to get his 1982 video lecture. It is still only $10 (including shipping) directly from Steve, but worth a lot more. You can actually see the routine that Digital Dissolve comes from (Steve called it C/S Transposition) and how he invented the gimmick. The DVD is packed with great routines and ideas along with how to make many of the gimmicks yourself (something rarely provided nowadays). Steve is one of a kind.

regards,

Alan

Very nice review, Wayne. Thanks!

As many here are aware, there was quite a stink over crediting and permissions when T11 originally released this routine. However from what I understand all has been resolved. Besides Steve Dusheck getting his due credit for the gaff and routine, buyers now get the added benefit of Steve's original script for his Copper/Silver Transposition included with Digital Dissolve! That is pure gold itself! I also have heard that since Schoolcraft mass-produced the gimmicks for this effect they are not quite at his usual level of quality. However he does sell custom-made gaffs for this but naturally at a much higher price. Also as Alan mentioned Todd Lassen also makes a gaff that can be used with this effect. (Please note that I have not seen either of the custom gaffs and so my comments on quality are based on reports I have heard and/or read by others).

Either way this is a fantastic routine that was created by the most prolific coin magic gimmick/effect creator of our time, and it is available at a very affordable price! Who could ask for more?!

Thanks!

Jim

Just ordered this yesterday - the review and comments pushed me over the edge. Many Thanks

I'm very impressed with Theory 11's Digital Dissolve - this will **definitely** be something I will use.

The Schoolcraft gimmick is very sweet - no complaints, only smiles.

I guess you could order fancier gimmicks from your favorite coin craftsman, but why really? I also like that the brass was aged with a nice patina.

The extremely visual nature of this effect makes it something (that with some moderate practice) that will be a stunning close up miracle.

The DVD with Dan White gives you everything you need to know. There is only one single complete Vegas Strip demo performance, and the explanation and teaching are just right on. Apparently Wayne Houchin helped put the DVD together god bless him

I also found the history of the CS effect developed by Steve Dushek to be interesting.

Overall 4.5 out of 5.

Mine is a very shiny '64 Kennedy with an Irish copper coin with a harp (made by Lassen) that lends itself to several patter ideas. I guess I didn't need to get the Lassen, but I love it nevertheless.

Alan

I have a strong idea as to how one of the gimmicks works (which could be wrong) but this looks *really* interesting anyway. I already do a coin switch in a spectator's hand. It seems like this could be used to add visual punch to that...

I saw a picture on Schoolcraft's site, that showed the new batch of Digital Dissolve...but the picture looked like foreign currency of some sort. What coins are these? What coins come with the set?

My Theory 11 set has a 1963 English Penny - exquisitely Tarnished + The Half Dollar.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

If anyone HAS this and has been using it for awhile - could you please PM me as I have a question regarding an idea I have. Thanks.

Having played with this for a few days I am far preferring the alternate "one handed toss" move credited to Lee Asher and Aaron Fisher.

This seems like it will be much cleaner for those who own this - as putting coins in the palm of the spec and then pulling the copper out feels like it may invite problems because of the variables - and the fact that the g**f doesn't lock.

Brett, have you tried Steve Dusheck's routine yet? You don’t put both into the spectator's hand at all.

I personally don’t like the "both in spec's hand and one pulled out" for any effect where it doesn’t contribute to the magic. Notice that it is also used in the base routines for CSB and Hopping Halves, and I have never liked nor used it for those either. Takes too long, draws the effect out longer than it needs to be, and IMO doesn’t add any visual magic to the routine at all. I generally dislike and avoid all movements and actions that don’t directly contribute to the visual magic, which is really all the spectator wants to see from us anyway! And this placing both coins into the spec's hand and then trying to pull one out through what sometimes is a very tight opening is just setup stuff that doesn’t really make this particular effect appear any more magical.

The only effect where this action seems to work is Lethal Tender (or Mark Mason's version of Lethal Tender, Metamorphosis). And even there I am looking for another method!

Thanks!

Jim

No I haven't tries Steve's routine but I really relate to your way of thinking. Can I buy the routine from Steve's web site?

When I do CSB or HH I never put the coin in the specs hand either. I saw Doc Eason did it that way but I just never dug it - and I also felt that it invites the spec to pay closer attention to the feel of the coins.

Thanks Jim.

Here is a post from last year that (although a bit fired up!!!) gets into the history of this classic:

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......m=202&16

Just for everyone's information. I did try the gimmick on my walking lib silver half dollar and it DOES work the same as with the supplied half. The only minor note is there is a very small (but noticeable from the wrong angle) copper ring around the silver coin. BUT a Silver lib CAN be used!

Great tip Mr. Draven and many (many many) thanks for answering my questions a few days back. Extremely helpful indeed.

When I saw your review I somehow mistakenly thought DD was a new product - but obviously this has been around in a number of incarnations for many years. I read Steve Dusheck's included PDF last night and his insights were very interesting - ideas that would apply to CSB or any of a number of coin effects.

I guess there was quite a stir some years ago - but now that the dust has settled it looks like this effect - whatever it's name(s) - is a genuine classic.

Yep, and it is the best bargain in Magic:
http://www.stevedusheck.com/dvd.htm

The production quality is nothing to speak of, but the content is huge: Steve goes into his creative process, showmanship, routining, possible modifications, and even how you can make the included effects yourself. He completely explains C/S Transposition, but also explains many of his best effects, including Confounding Coffer and Coin/Card (unfortunately, no Lethal Tender).

Steve is selling this for $10 including shipping.

Alan

How do pepole get into this? You take the coins from your pocket, then - how do you adjust without saying "Hold on a minute" and turning your back?

Thanks