This is more of a comment than a question and feedback is appreciated. I'd like to see what others think of this.

I got a chance to see the Sheridan manipulation dvd about a week ago and was very surprised/intrigued at his splitfans/backpalming technique.

I noticed that his hand does not extend very much after he's "Split" the fan. It doesn't seem that he "fully" backpalms the "stock"! It is interesting...Not that it matters much for him, since it looks great!...I just remember how I used to kill myself to build muscle in my hand to fully backpalm the stock of cards I used so that I can extend my hand out a bit.

Not that I necessarily think it is necessary to fully extend one's hand out while backpalming cards.

Also, I think Sheridans' technique in his splitfans/backpalming look very natural! I like it. Notice how is hand is curved. It looks like he's simply holding is hand out, so natural! It drives me crazy after working so hard to build strength in my hands.

I wonder if he does it with the intention to look natural since he doesn't necessarily have small hands, LOL! What do you guys think of this? Do you guys know what I'm talking about(Have I explained myself well?)

I think that being and looking "natural" is the key in any manipulative sequence. Things must look and appear natural as if no cards were ever in the hand until a card comes into view.

Too many manipulators tend to over compensate. They have a fear of flashing or bad angles that the tend to stretch the hands out way too much. It becomes an awkward look to an audience. The audience may not know exactly what is going on, but they do realize that something does not look right.

It is always a good practice to study your hand in a natural and relaxed state. You should really study how the hand falls down to the side and how the fingers cup inwards. Studying and understanding this will help the student to achieve a similar look and feel in his or her manipulative routine.

Roy

You must keep in mind Sheridan was/is a Street performer. He spent all day in the New York City Parks and tourist spots to make a living for money thrown into a hat.

He was constantly performing, all day long in his chosen spot at a park or in front of a monument. If you performed the same thing over and over for years you would have this same style of being casual.

Secondly, he is not performing formally, but in a casual setting. The same rules do not apply to this style as with a stage performance. I have his DVD and noticed the same thing you did.

Lately, we are all created equal but not made idential, some people are double joined and some are not. So, his large hands and long fingers gives him the ability that someone else will not be able to match.

Just pick up any card book and you will read different way to perform a double lift. This has to do with the persons ability to adapt.

Did you notice he was using the most difficult type of card to use for card fan production, Poker Bike cards!

I have use the methods to break in this type of card and you wind up with a limp cars that looks bad.

Start practice 1 hour a day, and while you are watching television and you can develop that casual appearance also.

Bill

Bill, you've made a good point. No, I did not notice he was using bikes. They looked like Bees or PGC to me. don't know, it is just a matter of style.

I just placed a rule on myself, when I was beginning, that said I had to extend my hand fully(look in the post before this one, titled "opinion"; I just recently replied there about how I don't want any such rules anymore.

Please read and tell me what you think) I simply admire the way he does it. Although, he keeps his fingers really open, which bothers me a lot, though it doesn't matter since he has a brick wall for a background.

I've spent too much time doing it "my" way, if you will, to put any practice time into that slightly different way. Like you say, it was just a different way of doing it, that worked best for him. Amen.

I have not seen the new DVDs yet but I just saw a video of him in the park performing. (Chinese Magic special) I was surprised as to how FAST he was. Very little time between producions wow!

Fitz

He has been doing that brand of magic on the streets for many years. Amazing stuff and he has learned to adapt.

Is it worth getting then, even if you have all of the McBride DVD's? Sounds like there's some interesting stuff in there.

Well, probably not worth geting if you have the Mc Brides...Really all the same stuff, though I think McBride gets deeper into it in his videos;Sheridan seems to breeze through it a lot quicker...Although, Sheridan does have a couple of interesting productions,moves,ideas that are not included with the McBride set.

I agree with Roy. I think most have been saying that most of the information is rleady been presented in the McBride tapes. Sheridan does have a few nice moves and ideas though.

Jeff uses the Crusader brand playing cards. They don't make them any more unfortunately. They are the best cards I’ve ever used. Jeff was the first person I ever saw doing card manipulations and, needless to say, knocked my sox off. A really nice fellow and he can do all kinds of magic-- really well. He also can back palm lots of cards at once and makes it look very natural, as noted.

Al