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BatsMagic
Special user
New York
937 Posts
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Posted: Apr 2, 2012 6:36pm
I hope you don't mind, but I've decided to start my first thread. This is NOT for speculation about "Real Secrets". It's finally here, and I have it. Please DON"T post here if you want to speculate about what might come next month- do that in the other forum. This will be my review of the effect without going into any detail about the workings. I'm not sure how much I should say, so I will be quite careful. I mean, I actually don't see why I couldn't describe the actual effect, but I won't. Not yet, at least. So here is a review.
First of all, my envelope arrived earlier than expected. I was counting on Thursday or Friday delivery, but here it is on Monday, April 2nd. I was very pleased and excited about that! It was not a package, though. It was a standard #10 envelope, about 1/4" thick at its thickest. Inside was a single page of instructions, 3 separate plastic sleeves containing enough material to do the effect 30 times (10 in each plastic sleeve), and another "something" which must be for future use. The instructions indicate that refills will be available from their website. The effect is one that we probably ALL know how to do, but using a different medium. With one page of instructions, you can imagine how easy it is to do- and it is SIMPLE! I could teach a novice how to do it in no time at all. But, of course, PRESENTATION is everything!
The supplied material is a printed item, but you COULD NOT do this at home on your computer, even if you are prolific with In Design and Photoshop. If you want to do this effect you WILL have to buy refills when you run out. They spent some money to produce this, that's for sure!
The trick itself is a decent one, using something that you ALL must already own, but one that I have not done in a long time. I will use the 30 that I have. Will I buy refills? I'm not so sure. Why is that? Well, the original trick seems SO FAIR (although, of course, it's NOT!). The way that this effect is crafted, there appears to be more of an element of luck involved (although, again, luck is NOT involved!). The original trick really can only be done once per spectator; this is crafted so that it is a two-part effect- you do the same thing twice for the same spectator, in two slightly different ways. I rather like the original feeling of fairness over the feeling of luck in this effect, but being able to do it twice makes it twice as good here. If this convinces me to use the trick again, I just may go back to the original.
Let me also say that this is not really a "Magic Effect", but more of a "Game".
Overall, I give it a 7 out of 10. A decent effect and very easy to perform. Is it worth the $12 that I spent? Yes it is. I'm satisfied for the money that I spent.
I tried to post a photo, but I had no luck- file was too big and I couldn't figure out how to make it smaller! Sorry!
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Tom Jorgenson
Inner circle
LOOSE ANGLES, CALIFORNIA
3758 Posts
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Posted: Apr 2, 2012 6:56pm
To whom would you be addressing this thread? The ones who got it get it, and the others do not need to hear about any of it.
imho.
A Compendium of John Well's excellent Mentalism effects,and Card Work:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/jorgenson
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BatsMagic
Special user
New York
937 Posts
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Posted: Apr 2, 2012 7:27pm
I'm not sure I agree, but if you or others feel that way, I'll request to take it down. I mean, it's the same with any other trick discussed here. Those who have it, get it. Those who don't want to know something about it. Look, I did not reveal anything about the trick, and I don't think that the trick itself needs to be kept secret. It's just the method that needs to be kept secret. What did I say wrong? We can't talk AT ALL about it? I'm not trying to be a wise guy, but the SECRECY OF THE METHOD is the thing. And when I said that I was going to post a photo, it was only going to be of the envelope, not the devices. I can't rate it a 7 out of 10? I can't say it's an old effect with a new hat? Somebody else already said that- I wasn't the first. If I am wrong I will humbly apologize and immediately ask for my thread to be taken down. Any more comments from owners of the effect?
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writeall
Special user
Midland, Michigan
515 Posts
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Posted: Apr 2, 2012 7:37pm
Link to demo?
(Oh, sorry, I forgot.)
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Zombie Magic
Inner circle
I went out for a beer and now have
6939 Posts
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Posted: Apr 2, 2012 7:46pm
MINE ARRIVED 5 minutes ago!!!!!
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MaxfieldsMagic
Inner circle
Instead of practicing, I made
1976 Posts
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Posted: Apr 2, 2012 7:50pm
Nice props. I agree, though - not really sure it's a "magic" effect so much as a stunt, or game. There has to be an element of the impossible to call it a magic effect - this doesn't have that.
I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.
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saysold1
Inner circle
Recovering Cafe addict with only
4233 Posts
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Posted: Apr 2, 2012 9:16pm
Thanks for posting and the great review Batsmagic!
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Dave V
Inner circle
Las Vegas, NV
4710 Posts
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Posted: Apr 2, 2012 9:18pm
I like it. It takes a common effect and tweaks it in a way that makes it fresh and timely.
No trees were killed in the making of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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bugjack
Inner circle
New York, New York
1502 Posts
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Posted: Apr 2, 2012 9:33pm
Is this first Real Secrets effect credited to a specific creator?
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jkvand
Special user
Johnstown, PA
643 Posts
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Posted: Apr 2, 2012 9:53pm
I agree with BatsMagic about the trick, and appreciate the review. I performed it for my son today after he had a bad day at school, and he really enjoyed seeing something new to take his mind off the day he had. The fact that it was more of a game than a trick per se worked out fine in this setting. And I think that is key - this will play very well in the right setting, but there are certainly some situations where I would not use an effect like this. I think it is a clever use of an old principle, and very well thought out. Definitely feel it was worth the $, and I love the surprise element of not knowing what's coming next. To me, this Real Secrets adventure is well worth it!
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BatsMagic
Special user
New York
937 Posts
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Posted: Apr 2, 2012 11:05pm
Quote:
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On 2012-04-02 21:33, bugjack wrote:
Is this first Real Secrets effect credited to a specific creator?
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Under "Background", it credits Buckley, Trost and Weber for past influences; and ends with "This version developed by Real Secrets". That's it!
Quote:
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On 2012-04-02 21:16, saysold1 wrote:
Thanks for posting and the great review Batsmagic!
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Thanks, Brett- I saw my post was moved, and I thought that it was deleted, which got me a little upset. I thought that the Powers That Be ended this thread. Even though I've been reading the Café for about 4 or 5 years, and only posting for a half year, I'm still not sure how to find things around here. If I get an eMail from a magic dealer touting a product that he is selling, I just google "Magic Café, (product)", and that takes me to where I want to be. Any time I've used the Café search engine, I can't find anything!
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Chris Miller
Loyal user
Rochester, NY
241 Posts
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Posted: Apr 2, 2012 11:35pm
Thanks for the review. Even without the specific details, it helps those of us who were on the fence about the real secrets project decide if we'd like to jump in. Thanks for taking the time!
-Chris
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BatsMagic
Special user
New York
937 Posts
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Posted: Apr 3, 2012 12:23am
Hello, Chris! That's what I'm trying to do here, for better or worse!
And when next month's surprise comes, I'll do the same thing, unless I am banned from the Café, or shunned like a leper by my fellow RS members. And, please understand, I will do nothing that I believe will cause that to happen; but one never knows, do one?
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BatsMagic
Special user
New York
937 Posts
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Posted: Apr 3, 2012 12:37am
I just read my original review, and I found a minor error.
Here is my original statement: "The trick itself is a decent one, using something that you ALL must already own, but one that I have not done in a long time."
What I meant to say was: "The ORIGINAL trick etc etc etc."
The NEW trick uses just what came in the envelope! Hope that clears it up!
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Max Krause
V.I.P.
I should be creating magic with my
943 Posts
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Posted: Apr 3, 2012 1:44am
Just a little note to all who are part of or considering becoming a part of RS. When I opened my package my first thought was what a CLEVER use of a classic plot/effect. I appreciated the out of the box thinking and it inspired me to look at other plots and effects as just a canvas in which to create my own art.
As a creator/performer myself I strive to do this with every effect that I release/perform. I applaud the opening release and I look forward to seeing what other new and exciting ideas, methods, plots, and effects are in store for us down the road.
Take what they are giving you and use it to find the hidden gems in your own repertoires. We all see the same painting through different eyes. This to me is what RS is really about.
Best regards,
Max
Announcing MACAAN for the iPhone,iPad and iPod touch and.... Android!!!
Max's Magic Shop is now open for business! Come experience a whole new way to buy your magic.
Follow the shop on twitter @maxsmagicshop
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BatsMagic
Special user
New York
937 Posts
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Posted: Apr 3, 2012 10:55am
Boy Oh Boy- I was just given an UNASKED FOR refund from the people at Real Secrets! Apparently you cannot say ANYTHING even remotely unkind about them at all! And what did I say? Did I give away the secret? No, I did not! Funny thing is, I'd still like to get it. And I can, IF I still want to. IF is the key word here- I will have to think about it now. What I can do is have a friend pay for and receive it for me. I know enough people in other states to make it easy to do. It really is pretty amazing, if you ask me, how these people try to control any negativity. Well, more negativity is sure to come!
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newguy
Loyal user
259 Posts
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Posted: Apr 3, 2012 11:31am
Bats,
I do not think attitude had anything to do with it.
I don't think what you said was particularly negative. I would say that Maxfields was far more "negative" than yours. Did he get kicked out too I wonder? I bet he didn't.
Any chance it could be because you gave TOO MUCH information when a big part of the project is the focus on secrecy?
My guess is they are trying to please magicians who think and care about the magician's basic ability to keep a secret.
Between the two threads on here I can find many magicians who are capable of expressing their approval, disapproval, sense of value, opinion about product quality and personal usefulness for them without getting so specific as to listing names of creators. I truly wish you could have done the same.
You publicly stated
" That's what I'm trying to do here, for better or worse!
And when next month's surprise comes, I'll do the same thing, unless I am banned from the Café, or shunned like a leper by my fellow RS members. And, please understand, I will do nothing that I believe will cause that to happen; but one never knows..."
I think you got your answer.
Why do you want to suddenly rejoin if you have to be dishonest to do so?
All of us, like you, who joined, explicitly agreed to secrecy. You clearly did not mean it.
Why would you want to belong to a club whose basic principles mean nothing to you? Why would they (and now WE) want someone who wants to ruin it for all the others who paid, just to get some attention on the Café?
I hope you do the honest and respectable thing and do not try to sneak back in just to feed your ego or to prove you are a rebel and the rules do not apply to you.
I like what they are doing, please do not work so hard to ruin it.
Please.
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BatsMagic
Special user
New York
937 Posts
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Posted: Apr 3, 2012 11:36am
Newguy- I'm at work, so I had to just skim through your post- but can you tell me exactly what I said that was against the rules? I did not reveal what the trick was, or how it was done. What was wrong?
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newguy
Loyal user
259 Posts
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Posted: Apr 3, 2012 11:37am
TMI
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BatsMagic
Special user
New York
937 Posts
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Posted: Apr 3, 2012 11:50am
Excuse me for being so dense, but I just don't see it!
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Dave V
Inner circle
Las Vegas, NV
4710 Posts
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Posted: Apr 3, 2012 12:31pm
Neither do I. If we're to be silenced for even mentioning it, I hope someone has plans in the works for a private discussion group for RS members.
No trees were killed in the making of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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BatsMagic
Special user
New York
937 Posts
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Posted: Apr 3, 2012 12:36pm
Quote:
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On 2012-04-03 12:31, Dave V wrote:
Neither do I. If we're to be silenced for even mentioning it, I hope someone has plans in the works for a private discussion group for RS members.
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Thanks, Dave- I really do appreciate it!
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Tom Jorgenson
Inner circle
LOOSE ANGLES, CALIFORNIA
3758 Posts
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Posted: Apr 3, 2012 12:36pm
Bats- What part of SECRET was vague to you? The first thing you did was climb on the Café, open a NEW thread and start blabbing about what you got. Started describing it all, effectively dropping hints, just like every thread on here does when it eventually reveals everything to everyone. And then you promise to do it every month? Think real hard!
Secret. Secret! SECRET.
You broke the first and foremost rule immediately, got bounced just like they said they'd do to anyone...and now you can't figure out WHY you got bounced?
It's because you can't keep your mouth shut about RS and it's mailings.
You're a good guy, and I'm sorry you got bounced, but you immediately started undermining everything RS is about. Can you see that?
Good luck.
A Compendium of John Well's excellent Mentalism effects,and Card Work:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/jorgenson
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Tom Jorgenson
Inner circle
LOOSE ANGLES, CALIFORNIA
3758 Posts
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Posted: Apr 3, 2012 12:39pm
Quote:
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On 2012-04-03 12:31, Dave V wrote:
Neither do I. If we're to be silenced for even mentioning it, I hope someone has plans in the works for a private discussion group for RS members.
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That's probably a point they haven't missed....all we have to do is STHU until then. Then we can talk, share, discuss creatively all we want.
A Compendium of John Well's excellent Mentalism effects,and Card Work:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/jorgenson
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newguy
Loyal user
259 Posts
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Posted: Apr 3, 2012 12:40pm
Bats,
In my opinion Tom Jorgensen's questions to you were spot on.
You are clearly an intelligent person who is good with details and enjoys communicating his views to others.
You would make a fantastic reviewer for a magazine like Magic or Genii.
Your writing also conveys a sense of personal power. Someone who likes to test the limits of the constraints and restrictions of others.
You make it clear that you are someone who makes his own rules. Real Secrets made theirs.
By my understanding, as of this moment, no one who does not already have the first trick can get it.
So is this truly "consumer protection" or is it just pointless exposure?
And since you have positioned yourself as "The Guy Who Tells" - Did they ask for the magic to be returned?
Did they give you a pro-rated refund?
Or did they return all of your money?
THAT is something everyone might actually like to hear about.
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BatsMagic
Special user
New York
937 Posts
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Posted: Apr 3, 2012 12:50pm
They returned ALL of my money. Thanks for the compliments, but apparently I am still too stupid to see what I did wrong here. Yes, I said I would come and talk about it every month (don't remember my exact words), but not to REVEAL anything. Come on, someone here who is NOT a member- PM me and tell me what the trick is! PLEASE!
And I could now talk about EXACTLY what the trick is now, but my lips are sealed!
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billmarq
Elite user
but still a novice after
414 Posts
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Posted: Apr 3, 2012 12:51pm
Bat - I believe you were technically within the boundaries of their vague rules, but you "pushed the envelope" so to speak. Perhaps they speculate you tend to be too open. For one thing, you revealed that the effect requires refills. It may be part of their strategy to keep that unknown. I am speculating.
I regret that a person with so much enthusiasm for this scheme is now left out.
As my own level of enthusiasm never went beyond "cautious optimism" as stated in one of my original posts, I can deal with the rejection. I am very excited about some of the effects I am learning and practicing now. Just got a Duvivier coin box and it is great fun.
Good luck, my friend. Don't let something like this bother you too much.
So much magic, so little time.
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BatsMagic
Special user
New York
937 Posts
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Posted: Apr 3, 2012 12:53pm
Bill- refills were already brought up, and not by me! Thanks a lot- I won't let it bother me TOO much, but I will have to vent for at least a little while!
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Tom Jorgenson
Inner circle
LOOSE ANGLES, CALIFORNIA
3758 Posts
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Posted: Apr 3, 2012 12:54pm
"Good luck, my friend. Don't let something like this bother you too much." Agreed. I'm personally sorry, and we'll miss your enthusiasm and your thoughts.
A Compendium of John Well's excellent Mentalism effects,and Card Work:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/jorgenson
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newguy
Loyal user
259 Posts
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Posted: Apr 3, 2012 1:02pm
Bats,
Someone like you would have been of great value to me and all the other members on the inside of this thing if you had just been a little less specific about names, numbers and other details.
I hope you sign up again on the 6th and channel your energy and enthusiasm towards the other RS members.
Please let us know what happens with you - those are details we all want you to share.
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