Magic Tricks

Marcus Eddie and his team did a fantastic job. The effect is very cool and looks just like it does on the video.

Pros:
Simple to make gimmick, but Marcus really takes his time to explain it in detail. Thank you for that, Marcus. You are a joy to watch and you're an excellent teacher.

Several variations are taught to suit every style and most situations.

The bill can be examined thoroughly after the effect is done.

Although this is not pointed out on the video, for a special situation, the bill could be signed and kept as a souvenir. But you'd probably have to make another gimmick since they are made to fit each bill specifically.

Cons: (none of these are deal breakers, but should be pointed out)

You must not be back-lit. The gimmick will show. Note that most of the video was shot at night and heavily front-lit. Marcus points this out in the video and explains that if you are performing in sunlight, just face the sun. Don't let it backlight you.

The promo indicates a "borrowed bill". It's a switch. Marcus explains several very good ways to do this, so the audience will be convinced the bill really is borrowed.

At the end of the effect, the gimmick must be palmed away. Again, Marcus demonstrates this in fantastic detail and has really thought through the clean up. I'm emphasizing this because there's a close up shot in the promo where Marcus quickly heals a bill and immediately sets it into the hand of a spectator (looks like Nicholas Lawrence's hand :) and shows his hands completely empty. The spectator would have to be in on the secret for that move to look exactly like it does in that section of the promo. It was partly why I practically broke my arm trying to get my credit card out to buy this trick. Right when I watched it the first time ;) I was a little disappointed when I saw the gimmick and realized that specific detail wasn't possible without an accomplice. Even so, I give this effect 5 stars.

I'm very excited to use this principle to create my own effects. I plan to work this into a torn and restored bill effect I've been performing since 1991 that was taught to me by Baffalo Bill at the Cucoo's Nest in Pittsburgh PA. It's extremely visual and I think Deposit can be added to the end as a "wait, one more mend..." moment.

Thank you again Penguin and Marcus (and crew), for a beautiful effect that I'll use for the rest of my life. Money well spent!