|
|
Donny Orbit Special user 944 Posts |
Hey guys,
I have been sitting on Jeff Stone's new ebook for a few weeks now. I wanted to have a chance to test out the material before jumping into a review. I feel as though everyone deserves honesty in product reviews, as opposed to positive reviews for a friend regardless of material. I think Jeff is an awesome guy and I know him on a somewhat personal level, but I have not allowed that to cloud the integrity of my review. On with the Show! Price: $6.99 That's not a typo. 7 bones for 76 pages of material. Extremely well priced in the competitive market of ebooks. There is a catch 22 however. There are 9 items in the ebook, all of which appear on the Stone Cold Magic dvd. This is a very inexpensive way to decide if this is the type of magic that will appeal to you without having to drop the money on the dvd. Also, this is a super sweet way to supplement the dvd material. I personally prefer to learn from reading, so this is a great way to aid in the learning process. The book itself starts with an introduction that was originally in the Stone Cold Magic book (no longer available). Then there is an update as to why the book is no longer available as well as a little bit of history with Jeff and the Stone Cold Magic dvd. Even though the effects are the same as the dvd, there are additional tips for practicing and theory not found on the dvd. I would have paid the 7 dollars for the tips alone. Tricks: The trick section starts off with explanations of a few rudimentary sleights. Pinky break, thumb break, dealers grip and biddle grip are explained. For advanced magicians this might seem like unneeded information. I for one agreed with the inclusion and feel it is a great idea to not assume everyone starts off with Dai Vernon knowledge. Ace Bandage: 4 indifferent cards change into the 4 aces as they are pushed through the deck. This is an awesome effect that might read fairly standard. It is the subtleties that Jeff has added to show that the indifferent cards are not aces that add to the overall effect. Inspired by an effect of Le Paul. 8/10 Dethroned: 4 kings are shown and vanish one at a time. They then reappear in a flashy manner. This is a nice routine that flows from start to finish. It doesn't have any spectator interaction, so this would be a nice opener for a table hopper. No cards are picked, it is just a solid performance piece. 9/10 Keep your eye on the Joker: The joker turns into the 4 aces This is a nice, quick eye candy effect(pun intended) 4 Aces are cut into the deck and the joker instantly changes into the 4 aces. 8/10 Stone Cold Color Change: One card changes to another as a fan of cards is passed over it This is another fast and visual idea. I don't think I would ever do this by itself, but incorporated into a longer routine it would flow like water. 7/10 Counterfeit Cards: The spectator is shown a blank deck of cards. One card changes into the Ace of Spades. The ace is then split into 2 seperate cards with part of the ace on each card. Then another Ace of Spades is created, then the entire deck. This effect was my favorite on the Stone Cold Magic dvd(see end notes) The thinking behind it is solid and you have an effect that looks like it was done with complex gaffs and it is not. You make all the gaffs yourself(explained) 10/10 Ace Freely: Ace production There is a ton going on in this effect. To much to even begin to explain. There are 5 utility sleights taught in this effect that can be added to your arsenal. The effect itself is smooth and nicely paced. 8/10 Target Card: A signed selected card disappears from one packet and appears next to another signed selection in a seperate packet. This was my second favorite effect off of the dvd. It is totally impropmtu. I actually use this as a follow up to Ken Krenzel's Gun Trick. The two effects together make a nice performance piece with a theme. 10/10 The Secret WTC move: The Joker is sandwiched between the 2 aces. Instantly it changes into the other 2 aces and the joker is seen under your watch band. This is another nice routine that has a good presentation built around it that doesn't involve a ton of spectator interaction. I know I have mentioned that before, but for a restaurant worker, choosing the right effects are important. You don't want to start with a pick a card trick, so this is another awesome opener. 9/10 My Psychic Deck: 2 cards are chosen from a blue deck. The first is shown to have risen to the top and then is placed aside. The second is found face up in the center. The first selections back is now shown to be red. This has a Red Hot Mama feel to it. It is a nice effect for a couple based on the presentation. Another solid effect for table hopping. 7/10 The last 2 sections are on theory and tips and tricks. This is the section that the people who already have the dvd will probably enjoy most, so I won't spoil them. It is about 10 pages of information that is worth the cost of the e-book. End Notes: So I prefaced the review stating that I wanted to test the material out. Halfway through the review, you may have said, "What? He already has the dvd. Wouldn't he be familiar with the material?" Yes and no. I enjoyed Jeff's dvd very much. I used to perform some of the effects in my nightly rotation. I then started working on creating my own effects and using only my own stuff. Not really a purist, but there is always a certain satisfaction showing off your own kids and not someone else's. If that makes any sense. I studied the effects again and reworked them into my performing schedule. I rated them based on audience reaction as well as ease of execution and effect. "I wish I had 4 hands, so I could give the E-Book 4 thumbs up." Thank you Rick James. And many many many thanks to Jeff for offering this for such a low price. I look forward to future offerings from Stone Cold Magic. DO |
mormonyoyoman Inner circle I dug 5,000 postholes, but I have only 2440 Posts |
Donny, I have to admit that my opinions of Stone Cold Magic: the Book run pretty much parallel to yours. I especially love Jeff's color change (I think I've seen Daryl do something like it, but this is a bit cleaner...again, I'm running from memory.) Psychic Cards may be my favorite effect (You're seeing a lot of personal bias here.)
We should, however, let everyone know two VERY important facts: 1. This book should be studied in conjunction with the DVD. Period. 2. The DVD includes eight more effects that the book, so DO GET THE DVD. Don't feel like you're getting redundant material, folks. The approaches are not only significantly different, but (as Donny notes) the tips and subtleties in the book are more than worth the price. Plus, Jeff will discount the cost of the book from the price of the DVD if you buy the DVD from him. That's just crazy! But -- that's Jeff. *jeep! --Grandpa Chet PS: I am not a card guy. It takes a great card effect to make me look at all. Jeff is loaded with great card effects.
#ShareGoodness #ldsconf
--Grandpa Chet |
Donny Orbit Special user 944 Posts |
Anyone else pick this up yet?
DO |
M Sini Inner circle 1359 Posts |
I just picked this up a couple of days ago. I love that I can try out the book for $6.99 and then if I want the DVD, he'll deduct the $6.99 off the price. What a great deal! After reading over the book this weekend, I am very pleased with my purchase. It is very well written and goes into great detail. I haven't had a chance to try out every effect, but played around with Stone Cold Color Change and Dethroned. I'm glad someone can finally put out a high quality e-book at such a reasonable price. I have a feeling the DVD will be in my collection soon.
|
mormonyoyoman Inner circle I dug 5,000 postholes, but I have only 2440 Posts |
Herdman, try the Color Change on someone and see if they don't go nuts examining your hands!
*jeep! --Grandpa Chet
#ShareGoodness #ldsconf
--Grandpa Chet |
scarnecky Veteran user Utah 330 Posts |
I am quite impressed by Jeff Stones business practices,
This really is a great example of going the extra mile - combined with all of the free material included with the super cool stonecoldmagic news letter. Along with the customer satisfaction, Jeff is setting his sails toward customer loyalty - a fantastic focal point. Hats of Jeff- Great E-book... With greatest thanks Scar |
M Sini Inner circle 1359 Posts |
I recieved my first newsletter from Stone COld Magic yesterday....what a wealth of information! Unlike most newsletters that I only scan through to find little useful information, Jeff's is filled with great stuff. I am highly impressed!
|
SilentTuba New user New Jersey 65 Posts |
I recieved a copy of this book, and having read through it and tried some (not all) of the effects in the book, I am blown away. What a fantastic, inexpensive source or good, solid card material. Jeff Stone's style of writing is easy to understand, his explaination are thorough, and again, the tricks are top notch. I cannot wait to get the DVD!
"Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid." -Frank Zappa
|
Spinnato Elite user 429 Posts |
It's hard to come up with praises that haven't already been mentioned other than I totally agree with all of these post. Jeff Stone is a future magical hall of famer. Love this guy and his work!!!!
|
jstone Inner circle Someday I'll have 1487 Posts |
Hey guys. Thanks for all the feedback and the belief in my work. The ebook is now available in three other places (besides my own site):
www.ElmwoodMagic.com www.lybrary.com www.HiddenBookshelf.com Thanks again for all the support. |
muse Special user Scotland 925 Posts |
There's so much stuff that makes its way into my inbox, some good, some bad, some marked as spam and never seen again. Jeff Stone's newsletter is one I actually look forward to getting. (Now I think about it so is Jheff's one - I'm beginning to see a link here).
I read something on another topic by Jeff saying that he wanted to give something back rather than just do it as a marketing device, and I'd say he achieves that with a gold star. And I don't know the guy or owe him money (at least, to the best of my knowledge) but I'd recommend it to anyone who doesn't already subscribe. |
Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
The September Stone Cold newsletter is out with a new additon "Stone Columns".
The newsletter is free and is of tremendous value! http://stonecoldmagic.com
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
Airave Regular user Germany 137 Posts |
I'm checking this out.
Just ordered (and subscribed). |
michaelmystic2003 Inner circle 3092 Posts |
I ordered it two days ago and love it. Very Paul Harris'esque thinking and style, I love it! I can see Target Card, Dethroned, and Ace Bandage going into my repertoire.
Learn more about my upcoming book of close up magic and theory SYNTHESIS & SECRETS: A Magic Book in Four Acts: https://www.michaelkrasworks.com/synthesis-secrets
|
jstone Inner circle Someday I'll have 1487 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-09-28 08:36, Michaelmystic2003 wrote: Interesting observation about the writing style. I wrote the majority of the material in the book back in 1996 when I was really hard core studying Paul's work. I was very much inspired by his writing style. Thanks for noticing! |
Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
The Stone Cold newsletter is out with a great article "The Price is Right, or is it?" asking the age-old question: “How much do I charge for a gig?”
It's free, so sign up here: http://www.stonecoldmagic.com
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Ebooks, PDF's or Downloads » » Stone Cold Magic Ebook (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.06 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |