| Go to page 1 ~ 2 (Next) |
|
|
mediamonk
Regular user
Walla Walla
103 Posts
|
Posted: Oct 19, 2009 6:03pm
I haven't seen a review of Pointless up, so I thought I'd post one. Here goes--
The effect-
The performer shows a Bic pen. After telling the spectators to follow the point, they proceed to move the point of the pen from one side of the pen to the other.
Value--
Yes, the effect is $40. Yes, it's worth it. I have heard the this effect can generally be performed with a pen-through effect. Having never owned a pen-through effect, I can't speak to that, but I am more than happy to have spent the money on this. The pen is well made, everything fits together well and looks...well...like a Bic pen.
Teaching--
This is my first Greg Wilson routine and I'm very happy with the DVD. Greg has a number of performances on the DVD, by himself and others. Including a performance by Christian Grisier (I hope I spelled that right), who showed the effect to Greg. The teaching moves quickly, but the effect is not really complicated. Just spending a few minutes with it should give you plenty of ideas. Also included are a couple of additional handlings in the form of a bar bet.
Impact--
I love this trick. I always test out new stuff on my wife and love being able to make her jaw drop. She's always observant and skeptical. Makes for good training. Her jaw dropped. The handling is natural, no funny moves and just looks like magic. I handed her the pen and she spent the next couple minutes shaking the pen and looking for a secret, but there's none to be found. I perform a lot for teenagers in our youth group (my wife is the youth pastor) and this has gone over very well. They're not going to run screaming, but the look of astonishment is worth it.
Other thoughts--
In my opinion, this is totally worth it. Some people won't want to spend the money but that's okay, less competition for me. For those of you that may have Greg's lecture notes on this, it was called pre-cap before he changed the name.
"There are two ways of living life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is." -Albert Einstein
|
Wizard of Oz
Inner circle
Most people wish I didn't have
1780 Posts
|
Posted: Oct 19, 2009 8:43pm
I love this too Mediamonk. Yes, you probably can perform this with a "pen through" pen, but Greg's prop has some special, albeit subtle, features that make it unique, and perfect for this effect. Don't underestimate the power of this trick. It's super easy, and therefor perfect for strolling or street magic. It's a frickin' Bic pen for Heaven's sake. How innocent can you get?
Greg Wilson is a joy to watch. Down to earth, natural, and a great teacher. I don't know him, but he seems like the type of guy you could just hang with. So far, he seems to be the type of performer, creator, who only releases an effect after he's totally tweaked it out and proven to himself that it's a winner. That's something to be admired.
|
tbaer
Inner circle
Pennsylvania
1621 Posts
|
Posted: Oct 19, 2009 10:59pm
He explains on the DVD he doesn't recommend using it as a "pen through" effect because of the way the gimmick is made.
It's one of those effects you can always carry in your front shirt pocket because to the spectator it's just a normal bic pen, which it is. When the timing is right you can go into a routine with it or if the timing isn't right just keep it in your shirt pocket. But it's always there ready to go whenever needed.
|
CdnAndrew
New user
Toronto, Canada
94 Posts
|
Posted: Oct 20, 2009 10:16am
I also picked up Pointless and it arrived yesterday. It's exactly what I expected to find, and it's incredibly fun to play with. I agree with the above statement that it's not a "run away screaming" effect, but it's astonishing, and people will enjoy it. Plus, since it's just a Bic pen, having it in play through out your routine as a writing instrument, wand, etc. makes it that much more impressive.
I found the instructional section of the DVD to be a bit dark (as in, more light could have been provided).
The explanation was quick, as mentioned, but not a lot of instruction is really required to get things going. Plus, you can always re-watch the DVD many times until you've picked up what you wish.
I also enjoyed the "extra features" section sharing ideas from some other minds in magic.
I think this purchase was worth what I paid for it, and look forward to sharing it with many around me.
Andrew
|
Irfaan Kahan
Veteran user
346 Posts
|
Posted: Oct 22, 2009 5:51am
He was explaining a few finesses on his recap routine to me, then he proceeded to fry me with pointless. My jaw was literally hanging when he handed the pen to me for examination.
That's what you call a set - up and kill.
I'm a Magician playing the part of an Actor
|
RNK
Inner circle
1818 Posts
|
Posted: Nov 17, 2009 2:58pm
Pointless was definately worth the money! The pen is made VERY well and will last a long time. People are very fooled with this item! I highly recommend it.
RNK
|
ferryascanio
Loyal user
Jakarta - Indonesia
241 Posts
|
Posted: Nov 18, 2009 12:10am
So it means the trick (pointless) can be combine with re-cap? and it can be examined after the routine?
what a great trick ...
|
rockthemike
Special user
Seattle
694 Posts
|
Posted: Nov 18, 2009 10:03pm
I think it just screams "I'M NOT A REAL PEN!"
Michael Wong
Wizard
http://michaelwong.says.so
|
Joe Mauro
Inner circle
1133 Posts
|
Posted: Nov 18, 2009 10:14pm
I couldn't get the hang of it. That's my shortcoming, not that of the trick.
~Joe
|
mediamonk
Regular user
Walla Walla
103 Posts
|
Posted: Nov 19, 2009 1:06pm
Rock,
I'll argue a bit here that the pen looks every bit like a Bic pen, as far as I can tell they're identical, which I'm sure is not what you meant. I have found that the solution most people have in their minds is the only possible solution that presents itself. I ran into a co-worker two weeks ago that after the first move her jaw was hanging open, but by the end of the routine she was starting to formulate an idea. It wasn't correct, but it was on the right track. I should've stopped right after the first move. I found that sometimes less is more with Pointless.
"There are two ways of living life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is." -Albert Einstein
|
rockthemike
Special user
Seattle
694 Posts
|
Posted: Nov 20, 2009 7:44am
I think that (and btw, this is just goes along with my whole philosophy of the magic I present) if you pull out a pen and say, "Watch this" and you perform some crazy, mind boggling effect like this, the only solution for the spec is the right one: it's a gimmick. Unless this is an examinable pen, I have a problem with it. Now, this would be killer if you pulled it out a draw full of pens, or a bookbag, etc. That'd be cool. But that's not what I think is happening for the most part.
Just my thoughts! I definitely have no problem with anyone that performs this, as I too would like to. But personally, this is what keeps me away unfortunately.
Michael
Michael Wong
Wizard
http://michaelwong.says.so
|
emyers99
Inner circle
Columbus, Ohio
2090 Posts
|
Posted: Nov 20, 2009 10:34am
The pen is completely examinable. They will find nothing because there is nothing to find. But I do agree with some of the posts above that the longer the routine goes on, the more likely spectators are to suspect something. That's not a flaw in the trick...it's really just because the effects are so visually impossible. The nice thing about the dvd is that it shows multiple routines. Greg's demo routine is great but I personally feel it is a bit too long (ie, the spectators will start to suspect a gimmick). But there is a really good routine on the dvd from the guy that first came up with the idea. It's short, super visual and not repetative to the point where spectators will suspect anything...and as will all the routines, the pen ends up in the spectator's hands and is completely examinable. That is the routine I prefer.
Eric
www.ericmyersmagic.com
|
CdnAndrew
New user
Toronto, Canada
94 Posts
|
Posted: Nov 20, 2009 12:15pm
I agree, that "less is more". I don't know that "Pointless" needs to be some routine on its own, as if you've planned to do it. I envision using the pen through out my routine to sign things, make notes on a pad of paper, wave as a wand, etc. If presenting the magic as more of an afterthought about the pen, then a stand alone effect, it might be more powerful. It would present the idea you can do magic with anything, and you don't' need your special props. "I noticed something strange about bic pens the other night", perhaps mentioned as the spectator is signing a card with it, or writing down something for a (fake) mentalism bit.
This way, it doens't appear as you've removed an 'ordinary pen' from your pocket, that you can show to the spectators, and have them "notice it's normal". Just have them use it through out the routine; get them to use it like the wand, etc. Then, when you take the pen back from them, before putting it away, you can perform a small magical interlude before carrying on with the original presentation.
Just some thoughts.
Andrew
|
RNK
Inner circle
1818 Posts
|
Posted: Nov 25, 2009 9:00am
Quote:
|
On 2009-11-18 22:03, rockthemike wrote:
I think it just screams "I'M NOT A REAL PEN!"
|
|
It looks EXACTLY like a real pen!
|
billfromoregon
Special user
594 Posts
|
Posted: Nov 25, 2009 12:11pm
I agree with some of the above comments, as far as the spectators suspecting a gimmick, even though they are allowed to handle the pen. I have been practicing combining this with David Williamson's 'Rebate' - I feel that by starting with 'Rebate', the spectators will be less likely to come to a hypothesis, as there are two separate effects going on. I will let you know how this goes once I start to perform this.
|
BAGWIZ
Regular user
116 Posts
|
Posted: Nov 27, 2009 4:55pm
The situation where I've really found "Pointless" to shine is when you are at a restaurant paying with a credit card. It is easy, when the bill comes, to switch out the server's pen for the pointless pen. This is particularly true when the bill comes in one of those book-type holders. In any event, no one is typically paying much attention to what you are doing so you could probably switch an elephant for the pen at that moment. Then, as if I just thought of something fun to try, I go through a couple of phases of the "Pointless" routine. It kills every time, especially when I let them handle the pen once I'm done.
Otherwise, I agree with previous posts that simply pulling out the pen and saying "hey, watch this" is about as dead a giveaway as you'll ever find.
|
Joe Mauro
Inner circle
1133 Posts
|
Posted: Nov 27, 2009 5:13pm
Quote:
|
On 2009-11-27 16:55, BAGWIZ wrote:
The situation where I've really found "Pointless" to shine is when you are at a restaurant paying with a credit card. It is easy, when the bill comes, to switch out the server's pen for the pointless pen. This is particularly true when the bill comes in one of those book-type holders. In any event, no one is typically paying much attention to what you are doing so you could probably switch an elephant for the pen at that moment. Then, as if I just thought of something fun to try, I go through a couple of phases of the "Pointless" routine. It kills every time, especially when I let them handle the pen once I'm done.
Otherwise, I agree with previous posts that simply pulling out the pen and saying "hey, watch this" is about as dead a giveaway as you'll ever find.
|
|
Servers use all types of pen's, so to get one that match pointless is limiting. How often do you eat at a restaurant and do this? You do this for the server?
~Joe
|
rockthemike
Special user
Seattle
694 Posts
|
Posted: Nov 28, 2009 1:44am
Quote:
|
On 2009-11-25 09:00, RNK wrote:
Quote:
|
On 2009-11-18 22:03, rockthemike wrote:
I think it just screams "I'M NOT A REAL PEN!"
|
|
It looks EXACTLY like a real pen!
|
|
Guys, what I mean by saying that the pen screams, "I'M NOT A REAL PEN!" is that I think specs would automatically think that the pen is gimmicked, a trick pen. Folks aren't oblivious to the fact that there are magic shops that carry gimmicks that look like real things..
BUT
What is this I hear about the pen being examinable?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Michael Wong
Wizard
http://michaelwong.says.so
|
Jamie D. Grant
V.I.P.
as seen in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
2008 Posts
|
Posted: Nov 28, 2009 3:58am
This was a good Magic Friday effect- less is more, though, in this instance (in my opinion):
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=334565&forum=175&0
jamie
  
|
NexusMagicShop
Elite user
Sunny California
432 Posts
|
Posted: Nov 28, 2009 9:37am
Quote:
|
On 2009-11-18 22:03, rockthemike wrote:
I think it just screams "I'M NOT A REAL PEN!"
|
|
I have to agree with this statement. Although if prior to pointless you levitate a ring to land on a spectators finger. They will pretty much think you are a God. So then busting out pointless they will believe you can do anything. It all about presentation and how you structure your set.
- My thoughts
 Jason of NexusMagic
www.NexusMagicStore.com
"5 suppliers & 10 thousand products online"
www.twitter.com/Nexusmagicstore
www.BackroomMagic.com/| Mobile friendly magic blogs
|
rockthemike
Special user
Seattle
694 Posts
|
Posted: Nov 28, 2009 2:54pm
Very good point NMS, although I don't think I'd ever do Pointless after Tarantula LOL. I'm looking to purchase a Pointless now, if it is indeed examinable which I hear it is.
Michael Wong
Wizard
http://michaelwong.says.so
|
tbaer
Inner circle
Pennsylvania
1621 Posts
|
Posted: Nov 28, 2009 8:31pm
Yes, it is examinable and also writes.
|
NexusMagicShop
Elite user
Sunny California
432 Posts
|
Posted: Nov 29, 2009 9:19pm
Quote:
|
On 2009-11-28 14:54, rockthemike wrote:
Very good point NMS, although I don't think I'd ever do Pointless after Tarantula LOL. I'm looking to purchase a Pointless now, if it is indeed examinable which I hear it is.
|
|
Yeah now that I think about it... I don't think I would either. lol
My point really was that if you organize your set properly you can lead an audience into believing nearly anything is possible. Tarantula is more of a closing effect.
- My Thoughts
Jason of NexusMagic
www.NexusMagicStore.com
"5 suppliers & 10 thousand products online"
www.twitter.com/Nexusmagicstore
www.BackroomMagic.com/| Mobile friendly magic blogs
|
Joe Mauro
Inner circle
1133 Posts
|
Posted: Nov 29, 2009 9:24pm
I had this and the pen is examinable.
~Joe
|
mediamonk
Regular user
Walla Walla
103 Posts
|
Posted: Dec 2, 2009 2:05pm
It's definitely examinable. I've been trying to think of a way to show all of the pen at the beginning, but I haven't played enough with the handling lately. You can hand out the pen at the end with no worries.
"There are two ways of living life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is." -Albert Einstein
|
ferryascanio
Loyal user
Jakarta - Indonesia
241 Posts
|
Posted: Dec 2, 2009 10:33pm
Yup, it is better if using the pen at the begining. like to sign the card, or may be an effect using this pen as a writing tools (prediction,center tear, etc.) ...
after all of above, the final is use the pen as an effect of his own/pointless ...
that can make strong impression, because the pen is use before, it's look normal pen ...
|
taller8
Special user
Tumwater, Washington
740 Posts
|
Posted: Dec 19, 2009 12:07pm
Pens are often used as make shift wands. Wouldn't that be a nice way to have the Pointless introduced in a casual manner?
|
Steve Travis
Regular user
109 Posts
|
Posted: Dec 20, 2009 1:07am
EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If we are creative just a little the pen should not be suspect. Use it as a wand, put it away, bring it out again to sign a card, prediction, etc., put it away again or use it to do the pointless routine(short version I agree).
Just my thoughts : )
|
amedica
Regular user
109 Posts
|
Posted: Dec 20, 2009 5:52am
They have a handling on the dvd that lets you end clean. I'm still working on that, bu twondering if I should use this as an opener.
Looking to BUY: Penomenon Writer (Black version), Ghost Cap (Porper), CAPtivated, Glass Mirage, Just a Key (Porper)
|
mediamonk
Regular user
Walla Walla
103 Posts
|
Posted: Dec 24, 2009 12:32pm
I like it as an opener. It's something quick, they can inspect the pen at the end and while they're doing that you can ring in your next trick.
"There are two ways of living life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is." -Albert Einstein
|
| The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Tricks & Effects » » Pointless-Greg Wilson |
|
|
| Go to page 1 ~ 2 (Next) |
![[8]](/forums/images/digits/8.gif)
![[1]](/forums/images/digits/1.gif)
![[6]](/forums/images/digits/6.gif)
![[2]](/forums/images/digits/2.gif)
![[5]](/forums/images/digits/5.gif)
![[0]](/forums/images/digits/0.gif)