Magic for the short sighted by Pipo Villanueva
Available here: http://pipovillanueva.com/products/

Initial review – these routines have not yet been worked so take this review at face value.

Bias/impartiality:
I have never met or talked with Mr Villanueva. I purchased this after seeing the performance of ‘mini cup and balls’.

Cost/value:
I purchased the Vimeo download for about £16. There are 6 routines plus thoughts on theory.

Crediting:
I’m not a magic historian or super knowledgeable, but at the start of each explanation, Mr Villanueva takes times to talk about the origin of the routine, with various moves and ploys credited throughout the explanations.

Production quality:
The video is filmed in HD with good clear sound. The camera angle is changed through the explanations as required to enhance the learning. There are some graphics (e.g. credits) which appear on screen from time to time (but are not distracting).
Most routines are performed to ‘spectators’ (Mr Villanueva’s friends?) but not to a live audience in a working setting. This is still good as you get to see the direction of attention, timing and pacing.

Teaching:
English is not Mr Villanueva’s first language, but yet he is very clear in his verbal delivery and teaching. The instruction is well paced and easy to follow. Moves are shown at a gentle pace and the mini-cup & balls routine is taught at first as a shorter routine to make it easier to follow. Well done Mr V.

Skill level:
I would not recommend this for beginners. Not every sleight is taught in detail (for the card work), but an intermediate or reasonably experienced student should be fine. Some routines are much easier than others, but there are no knuckle busters.

The routines-
Coins to the mug:
This is a stand up (which could probably be done seated) coins through the table using a glass mug to add an audio aspect. This is a very well routined 4 coins through the table which does not use gaffs, and yet is not that hard. I like it but I am not a fan of the coins through the table plot, as to me, the table hides much. I am tweaking my coins to glass routine (a plot I prefer) and suspect that some of the ideas from this routine may find a use in my work as I am always seeking to tweak & improve what I do. For example, some extraneous hand to hand coin transfers found in some routines have been routined out of this effect.

Quantum Monkey:
This is a variation on David acer’s effect ‘Cheap Labour’. It requires a small set up (no non-standard gaffs required) but delivers a big pay off in an amusing and ‘logical’ presentation. Not the easiest routine to perform smoothly, but I plan on practicing this and may just use it.

The Atomic Coin:
This is a variation on/inspired by a CSB routine by Jeremy Pei. This is a standing wild coin routine using the CSB gimmick, with a kicker ending. Mr Villanueva has also come up with an ingenious gimmick to address pocket management which if you like, will require some basic arts & crafts (but is not needed for the routine).
I have practiced and performed CSB routines in the past but despite the power of some of the transpositions etc. I ended up passing on the CSB gimmicks and sticking to other coin stuff e.g. one coin, coins to glass, coins across. I have to say that I really, really like this effect. It is simple, direct, interactive, can reset between groups and packs a punch. I will have to pick up another CSB set as I want to add this to my working repertoire.

Cutting 3 Aces:
This is an effect where the participant selects a mystery card then another participant cuts 3 piles of cards. The top card of each pile is shown to be an ace, which then matches the ‘freely’ chosen mystery card, which is also an ace.
This is a simple and direct routine. It would be easier with a table, but could be worked in the hands. My first thoughts were that I probably wouldn’t use it, but because of the fairly straight forward handling and direct effect, I may well experiment with the handling and give it a go as I can see it going over well for real people.

Reset 180:
A variation of the PH classic effect:
This looks good but not something I will be working on, for no other reason than it would require proper practice to get down smoothly and I don’t see it fitting in my repertoire. At the moment..
I have played with Caleb Wiles version in the past but have not given this version enough attention to make a proper comparison.

Mini cups & balls.
Here’s a demo (note: the download I am reviewing here is performed and explained in English).:
https://vimeo.com/139344887
Considering that this is a C**p cup routine and I have seen many, this knocked my socks off. The first time I watched it, I was just taken aback. It was one of those performances where you find yourself not looking to spot the method, but just enjoying the show.
This really is a creative departure from 99.9% of the c**p cup routines. As previously mentioned, Mr Villanueva teaches a shorter version as well.
I regularly use a one cup routine both strolling and at tables. I doubt that I would perform this exactly ‘as is’ but plan to spend a lot of quality time learning from this, so that I can perhaps develop a variation for use over time. At the very least, I’m sure that some subtleties will find their way into my own efforts.

Overall:
While there are no or few completely brand new effects/plots as such (although some of the cup work is new to me), this download is one of the best purchases I have made in the last couple of years. I tend not to vary the material I use when working much, but as a hobbyist, I still buy a fair bit of magic. As an overall package, this is such a fresh breath of air, with real world workable material.
Mr Villanueva shows (to my eye) a real respect and passion for the art. It was also good to see Alberto De Figueiredo on the DVD – an artist I only discovered via his Penguin lecture (which by the way was one of the best lectures I had seen in a long while).

I’m not a fan of scores out of 10 as it is subjective. I am also happy if I can pick up just a few touches or bits of business from a purchase which find their way into my repertoire. I believe that I will get a lot from this download. To use the well used expression, ‘in an era of one trick downloads’, this is a real bargain. What you get are six solid routines, theory and a lot of respect for the art. Moves are used to make the magic stronger, not just for the sake of it (or for YouTube performers).

Recommended.

Charlie

I got it yesterday!

I rarely write theses days on the Café, and I don't know if Pipo is a member here but this really deserved a comment.

Ok, this DVD is truly awesome!

Six solid routines, real workers. You can really feel the amount of work and love that Mr. Villanueva put into this.
I think that the most important and enjoyable aspect of the whole project is the level of detail in the explanations: we get to know a little of the history behind each effect and why he chose and/or created each move and the reason behind the structure. In the tradition of the Spanish school of magic everything has been thought of and then thought of again.

I'm so glad I made this purchase, totally recommended.

Big Thanks to Pipo Villanueva!


Nicolas.

Pipo is one of the most talented magicians of the new Spanish generation, do not lose him sight, even if you are "Short-sighted" hehe

by the way, Mr. Rubiales is another incredible Spanish magician. I bought his Opongo box back in 2011 and it truly is an amazing and versatile tool!

Pipo is one of my best friends, besides, he is the best young magician I have ever met. Clever mind and soft hands, perfect constructions around classic routines. Everyone in this DVD is a little jewel. I want to thanks Puggo for this review. Good taste

Thank you very much for your nice words gentlemen!! It is just me on a video, everybody relax about it!

Seriously, thank you all and especially Charlie for his wonderful review!

Best

Pipo

Pipo, will this also be released as a proper DVD?

Sorry I am afraid it won’t be released. I am the one producing the thing and it implies too much logistics. I released proper DVDs in Spanish language but in English I thought it made no much sense. DVDs are not romantic anyway! Eventually I’ll release this and more routines in a proper hardbound book.

Best

Pipo

I haven't watched through the whole video yet, but I can say I like the coin thru table effect a lot. Not only it is an excellent effect, the teaching is one of the best I've seen. Besides step by step instructions, Pipo also talked about the reasons behind the effect construction and almost every move. Can't wait to finish the rest of the video.

Hi everybody!

I just finished watching Pipo Villanueva's "Magic for the short sighted" and it is wonderful. Perfectly structured routines, devilish thinking behind each move and crystal-clear effects for the spectator. I have been lucky enough to see Pipo perform live in several ocasions and this DVD makes full justice to his work.

Although each of the six effects that the dvd contains are pieces of well thought magic, they are at the same time practical and commercial. As Alberto de Figueiredo said, every routine is jewel. In these days, where tons of tricks, dvds and books are released every few minutes, most of them containing magic of dubious quality, we have to thank Pipo for avoiding "fillers", for publishing some of his most cherised routines and for being so respectful with the art.

Not only the routines are awesome, but also the explanations. Pipo tells you the how and also the why behind each move, technique and decision. Whether you’re going to use the routine he teaches you or not, there is a lot of magic to learn in every trick: Sructure, timing, misdirection (both mental and physical) and clever thinking. Pipo is without a doubt one of the greatest magicians in Spain. He is nonconformist, perfectionist and talented.

The influence of great thinkers such as Ascanio, Gabi Pareras and Vernon is evident in Pipo's magic but you can also notice his profesional approach and how he always has "real people" in mind, when developing his routines.

Thank you Pipo for releasing one of the best DVDs I have ever seen, for respecting the magic community and above all, for respecting magic the way it deserves.

Has anyone else picked this up yet?
I'm surprised that there has not been more buzz. Anyhow,I've ordered the coin set for the 'Atomic Coin' routine now..

I stumbled onto the mini cup routine on Youtube. I found the performance one of the most magical routines I have seen in a long time. Searching for more by Pipo I found that the instructional download was available and immediately purchased it.

The download is beautiful. It is a very large 3.9 GB and runs 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Each of the routines are top notch, well constructed and quite entertaining.

So far I have gone through the explanations of the mini cup routine and Quantum Monkeys. I plan to work on both of them.

Teaching is very good. Most was superb, a couple of areas I needed to replay to be sure what the sequences were, but this was minor.

The moves will be easy for those with intermediate level skills, but an inspiration for beginners to strive towards.

Indeed, as puggo says above, the only question is why not more buzz.

Magic for the Short Sighted is a superb video download. Highly, highly recommended.

Oops. The video is a full 2 hours and 40 minutes!

I have not purchased or downloaded much in the way of dvds/downloads recently but was struck by the trailer for 'Short Sighted'.

It was refreshing and had a 'Stars of Magic' taste to all of the performances. I also enjoyed listening and thinking about Pipo's explanations and thoughts about each performance and the credit he provided.

I thought I heard or read where he will be in the U.S. in 2016 (the Castle?) but can't be sure. I did everything I could to try and make The Session in January but it won't happen. I certainly hope I'm right that he'll be here in 2016 and didn't imagine it.

Thanks a lot Tony! I am very happy you liked it!

Yes I'll be in USA in 2016 at least a couple of times, I'll be performing in the Magic Castle from May 31th to June 5th, also I'll be doing the lecture on Sunday with Alberto de Figueiredo (he will also perform in the close-up gallery those days) Hope to meet you there

Best!

Pipo

Thanks a lot for the review jcroop!! I'll eventually release more things but for now I'll relax a bit, it was a lot of work to do the that video!

Best

Pipo

Looks great! I might be picking it up to check it out.

I bought the download of the video back in January just a few days before my mom passed away, so I'm only just now really having things calm down enough where I was able to sit and watch the entire video all the way through.

Pipo, your thinking in the routines is quite brilliant. I particularly enjoyed your section of theory towards the end of the video...beautiful thinking that can be applied to almost any routine.

Oh, and I thoroughly enjoyed the 2 cup C&B routine in the extras...very nice. Is that one that you're planning on releasing an explanation for in the future?

Again, very nice routines, and great thinking that shows in your work.

Rick

Thanks a lot Rick! I am glad you liked it. Eventually release the 2Cup routine but I don’t know how or when.

Hope you are feeling better now and everything is fine with you.

Best

Pipo

I'm obviously late to the party (what is the idiom in Spanish, I wonder), but I have to come out of lurking mode to say how exciting/impressive/inspiring this download was. Apparently, everyone has known this for years, but I'll repeat that his performance, teaching, structure, routining all deliver a mild shock of pleasure. Of all of the top shelf magicians I have any experience of, he reminds me most of Tommy Wonder. Low-key, classy, engaging -- amusing as a performer but very serious as a teacher -- and just very smart and thoughtful about magic. Should I send him another $25?