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Rus ANDREWS Inner circle 1451 Posts |
Hi all
Just an update Numbers re-run has now been released http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......um=159&2 Available at http://www.mentalshocks.com All the best R |
phillsmiff Inner circle UK 1794 Posts |
Numbers Rerun review:
Numbers completely passed me by the first time round, so NRR was quite a surprise. Briefly then on Numbers itself: Numbers is a really nice simple method for performing a Card at any Number effect. People who know me know I am a fan of principles over sleights or gimmicks, and Numbers satisfies that desire in me without making compromises that spoil the effect. Here's what the spectator sees: You make an unchangeable written prediction and hand the punter a deck, they pick a number and deal to that number in the deck and deal down the card at that number. They open the prediction and it matches the card. You never touch the card or the prediction. At it's simplest, that's it. The method is procedural, and there is of course a bit more to it, but nothing that will arouse the suspicions of the audience. So that's the core method then, what else is in Numbers Rerun? Basically it is an exercise in taking a method and showing a ton of different ways it can be presented, via contributions from a bunch of performers and thinkers that twist the presentation inside out, as well as a few rethinks from Rus himself. I love this kind of thing, both as an intellectual exercise and as a way of taking an effect and personalising it, or fitting it into a specific presentation or premise. Some of the creative thinking in NRR definitely sparked some real nice ideas in my brain. In particular I thought Chris Piercy's Partners in Crime unpacked the effect in a very nice direction by engaging the punters and creating a cool little scene with them. Forget about how close it is to this holy Grail of ACAAN, and look at it instead as a great stand alone effect PLUS a solid utility method to help you build your own effects. With the added bonus of a whole load of pointers that show you just how far it can be stretched.
The new Elysian Duets, marked cards featuring my unique Optical Marking System:
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Rus ANDREWS Inner circle 1451 Posts |
Thanks for the great review.
Glad you like the material All the best R |
LLL Inner circle 1574 Posts |
Some really great material in this follow up, I especially liked Gamble and Concealed.
I only picked it up last night so haven't had chance to try it out yet, but like Phil, my mind is already starting to whirl with ideas. I was also happy to see a 50% discount for owners of the original, bargain at just over £10. Definately worth picking up. No complicated setup, very workable stuff. Andy
The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words.
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Jonathan C Regular user 117 Posts |
When it comes to ACANN, I've only ever really trusted two methods, 'Any card At Any Number' as described in 'Mind and Magic of David Berglas' and 'Affected by Berglas' by Mark Paul. However they both suffer the same flaw, and that is that in most cases they require me to handle the deck before the spectator can count the cards. Rus has produced an excellent solution to the problem, allowing the performer to be 'hands-off' in every single performance.
Now ok, yes technically 'Numbers' is 'A CARD at any number' so it might be slightly misleading to compare it against 'any card' plots. However, the 'hands-off' nature of the method more than makes up for the technical discrepancy, and besides, I would argue that with the right presentation, 'a card at any number' can get an equal reaction to 'any card at any number' (unless you're trying to impress a bunch of stone-faced magicians of course). The PDF itself consists of a forward by Mark Paul (no less!), a clear explanation of the method followed by collection of ten applications of the effect by various contributors. Personally I was more than satisfied with the basic effect, however I quickly realised that 'Re-Run' takes what is already a great effect and turns it into a show-stopper. I was particularly excited by 'MNUMBERS' for its use of Tamariz stack and 'NIL' is truly outstanding. 'CONSEALED' and 'GAMBLE' both bring excellent twists to the presentation and 'HEAT' offers a nice way out of the normal set-up. I was slightly disappointed with 'LOTTERY' and 'OBJECTION' as they require blank cards with numbers/pictures drawn on them and I find that all a bit tacky. Something else I will say, is that the method might not be for everyone. It requires a set-up (although re-set is easy) and performances require a certain amount of adaptability and quick thinking, this isn't like running through a well honed ambitious card routine *spits* which plays the same in each performance. That said the thinking-time is minimal, and any mentalist worth his salt will be well used to adapting to any given performance anyway (in fact I prefer it that way as it keeps me on my toes). Overall, this is excellent. As always, if you are looking for the holy grail of 'ACAAN' then move along, however if you appreciate the benefits of being 'hands-off' and can look past the fact that this technically 'a card at any number' then you will love it. Great method, great ideas and a whole world of possibilities! Thank you Rus! |
Rus ANDREWS Inner circle 1451 Posts |
Hi
Thanks for the in depth review, funny how different performers like different effect presentations? As devin knight thought lottery was one of the best routines in te ebook. That was my main aim with rerun to have routines that reached out to all styles of performer. Thanks again for he honest review and I hope numbers serves you well in your work. All the best R |
Jonathan C Regular user 117 Posts |
No worries Rus.
To be fair, 'lottery' is a good routine, I just have a pet hate for anything drawn on playing cards. That said though, they are perfect for pre show work. |
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