Price$24.95
Media TypeTrick
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedDec 07, 2007
Emptied
Paul Kostrach and James Clark
(Based on 1 review)
Paul Kostrach has been using Emptied for over 10 years, often as an opener to his show-and it kills every time. When we first saw it, we simply had no idea how it was done; it really blew our minds.
After 8 months of working with a manufacturer who has patents covering the production of beverage cans, we were able to secure a professionally made gimmick that makes this and many more effects possible, which is included inside along with a superbly produced instructional DVD hosted by the creator of Emptied himself.
In keeping with our philosophy that magic is more powerful with everyday items, Emptied is much more than a single trick DVD, but rather it is a utility device that will help unlock your imagination on the kinds of effects you can now create with soda and beer cans almost anywhere in the world.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
What's the opposite effect of Anders Moden's HEALED AND SEALED? It's this. After shaking a full soda can, the magician instantly crushes it, proving it's empty. I can't say I was overly impressed after watching creator Paul Kostrach's presentation. He stands outside in broad daylight, next to an air conditioner, and plays to the handheld camera. His script wasn't polished, his moves were less than smooth, and the dirty work was done just out of the camera frame. One expects this sort of thing when watching the latest "street magic" special, but on a filmed demonstration for potential buyers, I think it's a little unfair. Mr. Kostrach says he's been performing this effect for over ten years. After watching his performance though, one begins to wonder.
Now the good news. It can be really effective in the hands of a polished performer. Mr. Kostrach suggests this plays best as an impromptu piece by having this ready to go in your fridge or cooler, but I feel that's a very dangerous idea. After all, the can has to be prepared. What is one to do if asked again and again at the family picnic, "Do it with MY can?"
If you decide to do this, you'll have to prepare a can in advance. You can prepare several, but you'll need the gimmick that comes with the DVD for each performance. With care, the gimmick should last a long time, but a word of warning, it can be damaged pretty easily. Hopefully Black's Magic has planned for this and will offer replacements. You'll also need to ditch the gimmick during the performance. Mr. Kostrach suggests palming it, but the gimmick is NOT easy to palm convincingly and is larger than any coin imaginable. At one point it is suggested that ditching into the pocket of your cargo pants is the best method. Yeah, I don't own any either.
As Mr. Kostrach shows, it can be the perfect lead-in to Anders Moden's wonderful effect, or the gimmick can be used in a spirit writing routine. I think that's where this trick is headed; as a gimmick to strengthen something you already do as opposed to a one-off street magic puzzle. So despite my reservations, I'm recommending this based on its potential. I'd love to see where someone like John Carney could take this. Mr. Carney, are you reading this? Of course not. I'll send you a letter.
Now the good news. It can be really effective in the hands of a polished performer. Mr. Kostrach suggests this plays best as an impromptu piece by having this ready to go in your fridge or cooler, but I feel that's a very dangerous idea. After all, the can has to be prepared. What is one to do if asked again and again at the family picnic, "Do it with MY can?"
If you decide to do this, you'll have to prepare a can in advance. You can prepare several, but you'll need the gimmick that comes with the DVD for each performance. With care, the gimmick should last a long time, but a word of warning, it can be damaged pretty easily. Hopefully Black's Magic has planned for this and will offer replacements. You'll also need to ditch the gimmick during the performance. Mr. Kostrach suggests palming it, but the gimmick is NOT easy to palm convincingly and is larger than any coin imaginable. At one point it is suggested that ditching into the pocket of your cargo pants is the best method. Yeah, I don't own any either.
As Mr. Kostrach shows, it can be the perfect lead-in to Anders Moden's wonderful effect, or the gimmick can be used in a spirit writing routine. I think that's where this trick is headed; as a gimmick to strengthen something you already do as opposed to a one-off street magic puzzle. So despite my reservations, I'm recommending this based on its potential. I'd love to see where someone like John Carney could take this. Mr. Carney, are you reading this? Of course not. I'll send you a letter.