Issue 27 - July 09
Killer Gaft Magic DVD
Cameron
Francis
Available from: www.bigblindmedia.com
Price: £22.99
Does
the magic world need yet another DVD devoted to card magic? Probably not. But if
there has to be one, Cameron Francis has provided enough good material to
justify adding to the stock pile! Killer Gaft Magic is a collection of 11 card
routines using fake cards. The good news is that 16 of the special cards
required are supplied with the DVD, although you will probably have many of the
cards already as they are mainly just regular fakes (blank faced, blank backed,
double blank cards etc). So let's take a look at what you get for your money.
Cameron
Francis has released a lot of material over the last couple of years or so, and
it wouldn't have been a surprise if he had chosen to market many of the effects
included on this DVD separately. The fact that he hasn't makes this particularly
good value. Essentially anyone who enjoys playing around with small packet card
tricks will find a really good collection of ideas here which will give you
variations on classic effects such as Triumph, Wild Card, the Anniversary Waltz,
Oil and Water, Travellers etc. The handlings are not for the absolute beginner
(although see my comments in the next paragraph) but there is nothing highly
complex here either, and in fact for the hobbyist the material is perfect - just
enough difficulty to make the learning and practice interesting, but not so much
that it becomes dispiriting!
One
big strength of this DVD comes with the inclusion of what BBM calls '
Cameron
makes a good job of keeping the performance parts of this DVD interesting and
upbeat. Helped mainly by a willing spectator Rachel, who deserves a medal for
apparently actually enjoying seeing one packet trick after another (I think the
girl needs therapy!), Cameron performs each of the 11 effects slickly and
entertainingly. Most of the material is not really for commercial work
as too many require a set up deck or re-sets or extra cards to be carried
around separately or cards to be dealt and and displayed on a table top, but for
using down the magic club or for inclusion in a more formal close up show, there
are loads of clever and pleasing routines.
Fans
of Nick Trost work or, from earlier, the ideas of Emerson And West, will no
doubt want to add this DVD to their collection. The material is accessible in
terms of difficulty, is performed and explained well by Cameron and will give
the hobbyist plenty of enjoyment. ML
What's
Hot: very good
value with all the cards and
What's Not: not much that the commercial performer would want to use
Star Rating: ****
To find a specific review, just click on the relevant letter for the product name
0-9 | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
RETURN to the magicseen homepage