Magic Tricks

While each and every one of the tricks Michael explained were gimmicked, this was a great lecture (my favorite lecture along with Dan Harlan's second one).

He explained:

Mental Parano: This was one of the few gimmicks that was very easy to make. I've already started making it. A cool mentalism effect with some other applications if you think about it. Unfortunately, you can only use the deck for this trick. 7/10

Painting card: Aother relatively simple gimmick (if you have a little bit of knowledge about gimmicks). He explains 3 effects with it. I especially liked the super clean and visual version of paul harris' trick "illusion". I might decide to make and use this. 7.5/10

In air: This is a very hard gimmick to make for such a quick effect, albeit a very visual one. I might buy it (probably not, though), but I for sure won't make it myself. 5.5/10

Bill Flash Card: Oh my God this is visual! With some presentation, you could turn this trick into a showpiece. The bill just morphs into the card with no cover. The gimmick is so well made, and I will definitely order the trick, rather than make it myself. Bravo. 9.5/10

The Lane: I also loved this. This fooled me (and David Copperfield) badly. The method is so clever, and I'll definitely use a modified version of this (the vanish is pretty gaffed). Another stunner. Gimmick is easy to make with some materials you can find at an office store. 9/10

Hole: I like it, but I don't think I'll order it or try to make it. It looks fun to perform, but I don't think it's as impressive to spectators as it is to magicians. It is fairly practical, however. 7/10.

Exit: This is super cool. A "chosen" card melts through the card box and appears under the cellophane. An alternate handling allows the card to be signed, although I don't think I'll use that method. Perfect finale to a routine. The box is not examinable, but since this is a closer, it isn't necessary with some audience management. Gimmick is also relatively easy to make. 8/10

Escape: Watch the demo and you will be floored. No real nasty surprises. I probably won't use it because it's a lot of effort for one moment. Gimmick is easy to make with one gimmick that is found at most magic shops. 7.5/10

Watcher: Didn't like this one. Very unmotivated and suspicious. The gimmick is clever as always, but I sort of had an idea as to how it works and I'm sure a spectator would want to look at the box (which they can't). Meh. 4/10

Cello: Really neat. With some presentation and some sleight of hand, you can make this effect even cleaner. Everything they would want to examine canbe examined. With some effort, the coin can be signed (spec signs one card, magician signs the other) or (as I prefer) the date could be remembered. Pretty cool and very makeable. 7.5/10

Speed: Wasn't wild about it. I just think it looks fishy and I think the spectators would also think that the credit card is vital to the method. I wasn't fooled by it, and it didn't really excite me. 5/10

Ink: If you want to perform this, you definitely need to order the dvd and get the gimmick because it is very complicated. It's clever and I like it, but I prefer other, less visual methods of making ink change on a card box (see Shawn Farquhar's lecture). 6.5/10

Rewind: Another gimmick that is nearly impossible to make. If youlike the method, get it because it is super clean and visual. I don't like one moment in the routine (right before you reveal the restored card to be their card), but I still might go out and get it. 7/10

Michael's methods are devious. Although the explanations aren't great, the lecture does not suffer. Put in the work and you'll love the end result.