Close-Up Illusion +

I believe that somewhere there should be a rule in magic that sates this: “Effect must precede Method, always.” You have to start with what effect you want, and then figure out a way to make it happen. If you come up with a really cool method, and then say “What effect can I use this for?”, you end up with something like the above video. My apologies if this is not the case.

Still:

Is this supposed to somehow add to Larry Jennings beautiful, magical effect? Because if so, the only thing that it adds is awkward card handling and some odd “card covering” technique that screams “I’M HIDING SOMETHING.”

It is my educated guess that this is an attempt to be able to show all three cards (back and front) freely before and after the effect. So, I guess the premise here is that you make one little thing better… but in doing so you ruin the rest of it. You steal the beauty of the effect. These things should not be.

What I’m saying here is that it is a noble thing to attempt to perfect something…really it is. But you need to be able to recognize when the result of your attempt actually creates more problems than it solves.

Clever is not clever unless it achieves. No magical effect is perfect, and I will always admire attempts at perfection. But when it doesn’t work, move on, try again, keep striving. Don’t publish the junk.

Rating: Two packets of Ketchup, because I’m out of milk, and need to go to the grocery store. I’m out of light bulbs, too. Not that you would have gotten one.

(Ratings are arbitrary, especially when my fridge is empty)