Magic Tricks

As a "utility device," Stellar is the least useful.

Let's think of some utility devices:

Topit
Pull
IT (thread)
Loops
Reel
Swami
TT (thumb tip)

Entire acts can be created using just one of the above utility devices. Hence the name UTILITY device (useful device).

Stellar is one trick that has the following cons:

1. Cannot be repeated

2. The gimmick (utility device) can be used for only one function--to reveal the 7D

3. Takes up as much pocket space as a deck of cards.

4. The "prop" is unfamiliar and thus draws attention to itself. Unlike a TT, IT, Loops, Swami, Topit (all of which are invisible props, so using them you can just borrow an ordinary object from a spectator and apparently perform "propless"), this novel-looking prop (not a good thing) does the trick.

5. None of the magic happens in the hands of the spectators. This is huge. They will remain spectators and not participants. The most powerful tricks are those that happen in the spectator's own hands. This includes mentalism, since mentalism performed well has the same intrusive effect. Yes, Stellar is technically mentalism, but it still feels like a spectacle rather than divining private thoughts of a participant...so it's basically a "pick a card, there I found it" plot.

6. It's a card trick. This is a con if you, like me, have 10 other card tricks that are better than Stellar (and do not require a deck-sized gimmick). If you don't know many card tricks (or are not very good at them), but you do know a good force (not an obvious force like the back slip force), then Stellar might be for you. Even then, why not just get an Invisible Deck? It's a better trick and can be performed again with a different outcome.

Pros:

1. Odds are, your spectators will remember this trick (and not the ACR that you spent years practicing). This is because laypeople do not remember card tricks UNLESS there is another prop involved (this is why I do card under drink...they remember their signed card appearing under their cup of coffee).

They enjoy the ACR, of course. They just don't remember it.
That means they don't tell a story about you.


I suppose if they are wearing a black shirt, you could project the 7D onto their own shirt--that would be way better than this demo video.

If you think this should not be regarded as a con, then your magic could be ten times better if you changed your criteria for what makes a great trick.

There are beautiful tricks I refuse to do, because the trick happens in the performers hands. If I can't figure a way to make it happen in my audience's hands, then I will not perform the trick. There are enough great tricks to choose from. We can discard these "spectacles" and choose tricks that actually move the audience.

Stellar DID have potential. The concept is great. Unfortunately, the creator had the option to REVEAL ANYTHING. Any thought (a force of course), a PIN code (you could've used Stellar for a PIN code divination, despite needing to force the PIN...just needs some justification for not using their real PIN, which is easy enough), a zodiac sign, a dog breed, a hotel room number, ANYTHING.

Okay, maybe a word is too difficult to spell out with the holes. But numbers.

With Stellar, you had the ENTIRE UNIVERSE of options, an ocean of possible reveals.

And the creative inventor of Stellar settled on...

wait for it... a reveal of the 7 of diamonds.