Michael, I have to say that I don’t really like this version of a Torn and Restored. I especially don’t like having to post about two T&Rs in a row. All a spectator is going to think is “he never tore the card”, and he will not be able to rewind his brain to a point where he saw two pieces of card (which is what actually fries the brain). But I’m not going to give this effect a rating. I’m going to give the video a rating however. I’m impressed at the nerve you show by posting the video even with your mom yelling in the background, and you yelling back. Nice!

Rating: Two Big Balls

Ratings are completely arbitrary depending upon the amount of leftover stuffing in my fridge, and whether or not it’s still good. And whether or not I ate it anyways.

The 24 page booklet contains detailed instructions on how to perform the effect, a plethora of pics, the history of the effect, and a section called “the work behind it all” which really gets into the down and dirty details of why the effect works so well, and how to make it better. All in all it’s a worthy project that I believe adds value to the magic community as a whole.

The effect is on sale for $20 at Decks, Lies, and Videotape, and it comes with three bonus items that I will discuss in future posts. They are all valuable items. I believe that in this case, twenty dollars buys you thousands worth in knowledge.

A true master of the art. This video would probably have made it into my top ten if it were a presentation sans music. I don’t know if the music was added later, but I don’t like it. I’d have rather heard the speaking! It’s Fred Kaps!

Why in the name of magic did you start off the effect calling the cup a “chop cup”? Why even bring up the cup? It’s going to have enough heat on it already without adding suspicion by calling it by a name that the spectators have never heard.

Hint to all magicians: When you are using a gimmick – do not call the gimmick by name. This only works for me

(example: In my show, I say “you may think that the dollar vanishes into thin air. It actually vanishes into my thumb tip” – It’s a joke for magicians that is completely lost on the spectators. I digress. And I lied. I don’t really say that. Although, it’s funny so I may start doing so.)

Anyway, don’t name the gimmick.

Your movements look unrealistic and suspicious when you “dump” the ball into your hands. It needs to be done more casually. Remember, if you believe it, they will.

Your “ball penetration” at :49 seconds is not helping the effect. It looks clumsy and heavy. There is a point at :54 seconds that I see both balls. And I don’t think it’s just because of the video. I think that your high ball bounced out of the cup.

I see a lot of unnatural movements – when you take the ball away before the final production, you leave your hand in your lap when you say the words ‘put the ball away and it comes back’  This looks very scripted and odd. I’d find a better way to get a hold of the final load, if I were you.

Another mistake that I’ve been seeing in a lot of videos lately is the nonsensical use of the wand. Either you need it to do the magic, or you don’t.

The first two times magic happens, you wave the wand. The third and fourth time (cup penetration) you tell me that the wand was all B.S., and that it works because of a trap door in the cup. Then seconds later, you use the wand again. Then you tell me the secret is that you’re using two balls. You proceed to reveal the billiard ball without using the wand. It’s all just confusing, really.

Other than those five things and your apparent uncertainty about what comes next, this was okay. I guess.

Rating: One Milk and a swirl of confusion.

(Ratings are completely arbitrary, depending on how recently I’ve used my wand properly.)

Kent, thanks for your submission. I enjoyed your emails immensely!

At the beginning of this effect, I’m not sure if it was a joke or if you actually forgot the name. You seem unsure yourself. If it’s a joke, you need to make it a little more clear to me! You also sound unsure quite a bit, with all the “ums” and such. I sounds like you are recalling your script as you are performing.

A lot of your moves don’t seem natural. When you are holding out, I can feel the guilt pouring out you. I think that if you got rid of the guilt, and somehow started to believe what you were telling me, your moves would automatically have more flow. Relax!

Your moves get ahead of your script at 0:43 to 0:59, leaving me confused and not sure if you were telling me the truth.

At around 1:47, you say that the ball vanishes with the help of the magic wand, but you didn’t ” invoke the power of the wand” until after the balls vanished. This doesn’t make sense if the wand is necessary for the moves.

I would also recommend working on your finger palm. Your right hand looks unnatural every time you have a ball in this position. You LOOK like you are holding out.

One of the more important things that I noticed was this: When the three balls appear in the middle of the stack, that’s magic, even if they fall off the cup. You sounded very apologetic, like you were telling people “what was supposed to happen, but didn’t” – DON’T DO THAT! Take credit for it. You may be looking for the pretty picture, but I think that your audience would be more amazed that there were “so many balls that they wouldn’t even stay on the cup.” Kent, if YOU believe it’s a miracle, they will.

You will always, without a doubt, project YOUR feelings to your spectators. If you are holding out and feeling guilty, you will project that guilt. If you are unsure of your script, you will project that insecurity, BUT if you are confident, and believe that you are doing magic, that is what you will broadcast.

This is a really good effect, but your insecurity makes it a little confusing. Own this miracle, without apology. Thanks again.

by the way, your stage personality is much smoother in your “Breaking the Rules” video. You are more relaxed, thus more likable.

Rating: One Light Bulb

(Ratings are arbitrary until I no longer have to work a real job!)

The “psychic energy” emitted by the “invisible thread” must have “interfered” with the “camera audio.”

Make sense of that, Blog of Unnecessary Quotation Marks!

Anyway, as with all floating routines of this type, a little goes a long way, and a lot goes too far. That card didn’t look like it was floating, it looked like it was hanging off a string. Especially as it bounced and spun. He calls this Crazy Magic Trick. It is. Crazy. And boring.

Rating: One Milk. And as you can see, some invisible thread…

(Ratings are arbitr…my pizza’s here, gotta go!)

Okay, here we go… This was really nice to see. Just an old magic trick done properly. No scripted presentation, but still entertaining to watch. With the 70′s porn music playing in the background, I expected this to go in a whole different direction. Thankfully, it was simply magic.

Rating: One Light Bulb. Good magic, no presentation, but fast and enjoyable.

(Ratings are arbitrary, based on bom-chicka-wah-wah)

A masterpiece. If you care about your art, pay attention to this!

A perfect mix of comedy and magic. Well scripted, nearly perfect. The only thing I noticed is that he took too long to get to those sponge balls, which shouldn’t have happened since he only did two tricks – he should know where his equipment is!

We’ve all been shown up!

Let’s watch and learn.

Clarity of Effect: She makes the coin disappear, then she makes it reappear. Simple, perfect. 10 points.

Perfection of Script: She only says the words she needs to say. Nothing more, nothing less. 10 pts

Commitment to the Presentation: Pssssshhhhhhh! Need I say more? That’s COMMITMENT. She really looked like she was putting forth some magical effort. 10 pts

Commitment to the Character: She put on clothes that even Hermione would feel at home in. The wand has a star on it. Nice. 10 pts

Audience Reaction: She really knows how to work the crowd. 10 pts

Out of the mouths of babes… Truly, Tia, a wonderful job. Thank you for the video.

x 7

Rating: A Light Bulb (times seven!)

(Do these ratings seem arbitrary to you?)