It Was You
Bruno Copin
An original palming-free-card-to-wallet style effect with a romantic French touch.
Includes: Instructional DVD, 32 postcards, 2 envelopes, special box and Copin's I.T
Postcard Dimensions Approximately 3 1/2" x 2 1/4" (9cm x 5.75cm)
(DVD, Postcards, Props)
Reviews
(Top ▲)
You get a very nice little box that is used in performance. You also get a stack of mini postcards and some other items to make a gimmick. You get a very good explanation on DVD.
WHAT I LIKE
This is amazing, super clever, and a real performance piece. This is not just a trick, this is a beautiful piece of magic performance art. The methods are unique, clever, and so different from anything I have ever seen before. You will need to do a bit of Do-it-yourself work. I wouldn’t say anything is extremely difficult, but this is one of those pieces where you are going to need to put some thought into it to make it personal to you and your style.
WHAT I DON’T LIKE
This was a tough one, because I gave it five stars even though there were a few parts missing and the explanation was sparse. It is going to take you some time to figure out how to make it work, but I found it doable. I had to fill in some of the gaps in both parts that were not too difficult to get, and in the less than thorough explanation.This is not something you would likely perform in walk-around. I suppose you could, but this is more of a special routine that you might do on a special occasion.
AT A GLANCE
Skill level required: 3 of 5.
Audience management skill required: 3 of 5.
Performance angles: 360 degrees
Reset time required: You would need around ten minutes to get this set up again for your next performance. I wouldn’t suggest this one for walk-around.
DIY time involved in advance: around 60 minutes once you have all the parts.
VERDICT
Amazing routine, amazing method, and a masterpiece of magic theater. Be prepared that for the price, you get something amazing, but there are missing parts and not the greatest explanation. I probably should have given it a slightly lower rating, but I just love it as an awesome piece with a totally unique method.
If you are hesitant about the price, you might be dissapointed to not get something complete and thorough. If that doesn't bother you, then this could be one of your masterpiece magic theater pieces.
Suggestions
The only suggestion is that you need to put some time into this to both figure out the missing pieces and to make it your own piece of magic theater.(Top ▲)
For $95 (yup $95) bucks you get a 10ish minute DVD, some I.T., some wax, some post cards and a small cardboard box and a pretty incredible effect.
The Good News:
This is a brilliant solution to card to wallet . . . It's a signed card to nested envelope routine. It uses I.T. in a way that you would never imagine, and it's darn clever - maybe the most clever use of I.T. I've ever seen. The presentational hook is beautiful and even romantic. However, there are some issues.
Issue #1:
The DVD claims that a magnet is included . . . I found no such thing. It also talks about how the magnet will "stick to the mat thanks to the magnet inside of it." I'm not sure what mat he's referring to. He seems to be implying that there is a special mat that comes with the set . . . I got nothing.
Issue #2:
This method for this uses the I.T. but he never explains how to do the hook up. In the very brief description portion he is shown using some bright yellow yarn in the proper hook up, but you never quite get a clear view of the hook up. Then later in another section of the DVD, he briefly mentions a particular part of the hook up which is nothing like the hook up being shown in the description. So . . . the hook up is very unclear.
Issue #3:
You will have to buy refills for $20 bucks a pop every 15 to 20 times you perform because each time you perform, you use a postcard and have it signed by the spectator. This effect must be done with a signed post card. It just won't work without having them sign it.
My Dilemma:
While the DVD has enough information in the description that the method is very clear, the problem is that without knowing the hook up, I'm not sure how to recreate the method. I would think that for nearly a hundred dollars, you would get some more solid training out of the deal. Additionally, you'd think that the magnet would be included and this mysterious magnetized mat would be better covered. Frankly I'm not sure that you can accurately learn to perform this effect from this DVD.
So the method is clear, but the hook up is not. The concept is clever, and I could probably fiddle around and go back and look at still shots from the DVD and dink around until I figure out the hook up. But for $95 I shouldn't have to do that.
So the dilemma is that I think it's a great effect with a great method. Based on that, I would recommend it. However, if I can't do the hook up, what's the point of the method?
Final Verdict:
2 stars with a Stone Status of Grubble (gem idea, rubble explanation)