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Premetheus37 New user New Hampshire 21 Posts |
I'm new here to the magic Café and don't know if this is the right place to post this but I was asked by a fellow magician to post this review here so, here it is;
SLAM! As Slammin' as ever! There have been both good and bad threads in the Ellusionist forums about SLAM so here's my review. Prepare for a long read. The Wait: It was a dark and not-so-stormy night (November 14th to be exact). My eyes were bloodshot. I was drowsy. I felt like I was in a dream. I looked at the clock; 11:30. It couldn't be. I was waiting for midnight and it couldn't come fast enough. At 12:00 it was too late. I couldn't stay up any longer. I was just about to sign off when someone on the forums said something along the lines of "It's midnight here and nothing's happened, can you pleeeeeeeeease tell us what SLAM is?" then, to my everlasting bewilderness, the creator of SLAM, Travis McPherson, said "hehe, you're funny. Ok, imagine Andrew Mayne's 'Ghost Bills' but with coins" I couldn't believe it. Suddenly I had a whole new reason for staying up. But to no avail. Eventually I gave up and went to sleep. The whole next day could not end soon enough. I kept looking at the clock, 11:30, 1:15, 2:28, 2:29...2:30! I went home. I turned the computer on, it booted up, ever so slowly. The welcome screen, the desktop, I clicked on "Internet Explore" and entered "www.ellusionist.com" in the web address bar. There it was! But SLAM it wasn't. It hadn't been updated yet. I had waited all day in vain. It was 3:00 and I was still waiting. There it was! SLAM! Right there! It couldn't be, but it was! I clicked and I saw but I did not believe. The Preview: I saw the coins. I saw the...nothing else. It was just coins. That was all there was. I was floored. When he said you could borrow the coins I was left breathless. Borrow the coins? That can't be right. And you can let them inspect it?!?!? Then how the???? After I watched it for the first time I couldn't believe it. I watched it a second time and was still wide-eyed. I had theories, of course, but many of them were too far-fetched to be believable. I knew immediately I HAD to have this. This was the perfect addition to my routine. I bought it almost immediately. The Forum: The forum is lead by none other than Travis McPherson himself. He is constantly posting thoughts on how to make SLAM better and even hints about new additions (Dang you Traviiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis!) There are already great thoughts from members about how to make the coins come apart and even how to spin one quarter and just hit it with the other to link it. The Product: SLAM is extremely well made. The look and feel of it is so incredible that NO ONE can tell how it's done. NO ONE! No matter how much they inspect they won't figure out how it's done. It's not idestructable of course. In fact, mine broke just today (a too skeptical spectator, oh well.) It may have broken but they didn't figure it out. The Video: In addition to the written instructions by Brad and Travis you have the option of buying the download instructional video. THIS IS NOT AN OPTION! I'M TELLING YOU NOW, YOU HAVE TO BUY THIS! Brad's teaching is as great as ever. He not only gives the moves clarification but, more importantly, he tells you how to get over the nerves it takes to do the trick, and the patter that's used to build SLAM up. Tornados, the effects of tornados, specific tornados. He talks about how reseaching is what makes the patter more believable and, therefore, more unbelievable. Once again, THIS IS NOT AN OPTION! The Performance: I recently had a perfect opportunity to perform SLAM. I'm sorry but SLAM MADE me BRAKE the magician's code. I absolutely HAD to perform it more than once. Because it's sooo easy. You borrow some quarters, put them together. Borrow some more, put those together. I must have performed SLAM fifteen times that one night. AND I NEVER GOT CAUGHT! It's just so easy. You're using their quarters so they know it CAN'T be gimmicked! Absolutely brilliant and completely undetectable. The Closer: If you don't have SLAM get it! If you have it, perform it! It's a definate reputation maker for any beginner and a perfect effect for a pro. I've had this for only a couple days and already it's on the top of my list. I'm NEVER going out again without my SLAM and if I do, it's because I'm not a magician anymore. To become a great at magic, you need a reputation. To get a reputation, you need SLAM. Get SLAM, or get out of here. (Not really) Premetheus You can get slam at http://www.ellusionist.com/order/Slam-Co......e=forums
"Like a man's character is his fate; ambition and conquest without contribution are without significance; immaturity is outgrown, ignorance can be educated and drunkenness sobered, but stupid lasts forever"
-Aristophanes |
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SOHartist Loyal user Ft. Myers, Florida 211 Posts |
The effect sounds pretty good. Thanks for the review.
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Chris Gold New user 83 Posts |
*yawn*
Next!
Chris Gold
TS Entertainment INC Hollywood, CA |
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Premetheus37 New user New Hampshire 21 Posts |
If you could, Chris, please explain why you don't nessesarily like the effect? Too small, too obvious?
Premetheus
"Like a man's character is his fate; ambition and conquest without contribution are without significance; immaturity is outgrown, ignorance can be educated and drunkenness sobered, but stupid lasts forever"
-Aristophanes |
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Close.Up.Dave Inner circle Behind you! 2956 Posts |
That preview is misleading the way Brad Christian ditchs the coins off screen and the way he gives a behind camera shot.
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Keith Yeung Regular user 140 Posts |
Premetheus its quite obvious you're new to the Café. Most magicians here, well quite frankly they don't think much of ellusionist or Brad Christian.
I guess he takes the "street style" thing a little far. Um it might appeal to the younger crowd like ourselves, but I actually don't think too much of Brad either. His black tiger decks are great though |
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Close.Up.Dave Inner circle Behind you! 2956 Posts |
Quote:
His black tiger decks are great though Just to point out, they weren't his idea. He of course just is there to make money off of other people's ideas instead of thinking them up himself. |
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Premetheus37 New user New Hampshire 21 Posts |
First of all:
Quote:
On 2004-11-23 12:18, Keith Yeung wrote: Quote:
On 2004-11-22 6:23pm, Premetheus wrote: I'm new here to the magic Café And secondly, I'm sorry to that you think that way about Ellusionist, Brad Christian, and SLAM but I myself am a loyal Ellusionist member and can say that this will most likely be my last visit to the Magic Café. There are rude remarks toward fellow magicians and blatant exposure here. Goodbye. Premetheus
"Like a man's character is his fate; ambition and conquest without contribution are without significance; immaturity is outgrown, ignorance can be educated and drunkenness sobered, but stupid lasts forever"
-Aristophanes |
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Staggerlee New user Chicago 61 Posts |
Calm down Premetheus! Just because everyone doesn't love Brad Christian like you do doesn't make us rude. We are all entitled to our opinions just like you are about Brad and E. If people think Slam is not as awesome as you do then let it rest. I thought your review could have done without the unnecessary story and pitches. This review is supposed to be objective, but instead comes off as if your a salesman for E. Don't get your panties in a bunch because someone doesn't share the collective E opinion everyone has over there.
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Premetheus37 New user New Hampshire 21 Posts |
I respect the opinions of other but saying that Brad is just there to take peoples money was not called for. Also, talking about ditching the coins off screen was, in my opinion, exposure of sorts. It may not have been exposure of the whole trick but it was still exposure.
I did this because a fellow magician that I respect suggested it and I can see that I have made a mistake in doing so. Premetheus
"Like a man's character is his fate; ambition and conquest without contribution are without significance; immaturity is outgrown, ignorance can be educated and drunkenness sobered, but stupid lasts forever"
-Aristophanes |
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Staggerlee New user Chicago 61 Posts |
Why have you made a mistake? You put a review up--although I think you should be a little more objective. Some will appreciate it and some won't.
With regards to Brad using the camera as his friend---unfortunately we don't have that in everyday life. We would like to see it where Brad does it without it causing suspicion. It looks a little deceiving to see his hand leave the camera. Of course I can hide it on my own, but why does he do that? |
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Premetheus37 New user New Hampshire 21 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-11-23 14:06, Staggerlee wrote: This of course is an effect for just about anywhere so you can do this without a camera. I can not expose how without exposing the trick itself. Premetheus
"Like a man's character is his fate; ambition and conquest without contribution are without significance; immaturity is outgrown, ignorance can be educated and drunkenness sobered, but stupid lasts forever"
-Aristophanes |
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Staggerlee New user Chicago 61 Posts |
I know I know, but why did Brad do it like he did on the video? It just doesn't make sense.
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Premetheus37 New user New Hampshire 21 Posts |
My guess would be that he figured that was the best way to do it.
Premetheus
"Like a man's character is his fate; ambition and conquest without contribution are without significance; immaturity is outgrown, ignorance can be educated and drunkenness sobered, but stupid lasts forever"
-Aristophanes |
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PasteboardPlayer New user 70 Posts |
I too must agree with the statements here... The ditching is completely inaccurate as to how it would be performed in "restaurants" and "walk around". I too also noticed the side/behind camera angle at the end of the video. This angle is nearly impossible to perform this effect to. It looks like some sneaky editing on the part of the E Crew or some amazingly quick handling of the Ramsey Subtlety...
Also, is there an un-fusing phase so you don't have to give the specs your new 22 dollar coin? |
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Premetheus37 New user New Hampshire 21 Posts |
There are ideas for un-slamming coins in the SLAM forum but usually you just give the spectator a couple of your coins first so they don't lose anything and you're using their coins.
Also, I have performed from that side angle and not been cought. Premetheus
"Like a man's character is his fate; ambition and conquest without contribution are without significance; immaturity is outgrown, ignorance can be educated and drunkenness sobered, but stupid lasts forever"
-Aristophanes |
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Kronos9326 Loyal user Toronto 229 Posts |
Wow.. magicians thinking like rocket scientists.
If you look at the page... look to the right of the video, and you'll see pictures from footage of the effect being performed by someone who is not Brad. The demo videos are shot the way they are to make sure that people get the most information out of the effect, without the video accidentally exposing too much of how it's done. And in all honesty, if you guys are complaining that the preview doesn't show me everything I want to know, (ie, how its done), then e-mail us. It's not that hard. Also, I work in restaurants a lot, and I ditch a lot of stuff, ALL the time. If you guys are complaining that camera editing makes the effect different than it really is, then you aren't really paying attention to whats going on with your spectators. If you want something selfworking, then you aren't going to find it here. If you want something that visual, then put some hard work into your efforts and learn the required skills in order to make your magic, magical. This is a classic case of magicians wanting an effect that can be used on other magicians, and not on laypeople. David. |
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Kronos9326 Loyal user Toronto 229 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-11-23 12:28, David Ranalli wrote: And to point out the obvious. I suppose Murphy's is there to make money off of other people's ideas instead of thinking them up themselves. Don't forget the magic store, they certainly aren't selling THEIR ideas, they're selling *GASP* other people's ideas. How dare they. The Black Deck, and SLAM and every other item that has been or is being considered for sale on the side is submitted by the person who thinks it's a good idea. Makes me wonder if everything you're performing is YOU'RE idea, and not someone elses. Sheesh! David. |
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Staggerlee New user Chicago 61 Posts |
Kronos,
I understand where you are coming from--it just looks a little deceiving when he could have made it without doing that. Also, you know magicians are the toughest critics out there. When a new product comes out it is like a bunch of surgeons are unleashed on it--dissecting it and so forth. |
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PasteboardPlayer New user 70 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-11-23 14:58, Premetheus37 wrote: Why? So they can hand you back the coins and say "do it again" ? Unless you have your pockets loaded with "SLAM's" then I do not think you will be in a very comfortable position. I would think "Un-Slamming" them would be the way to go. Quote:
On 2004-11-23 14:58, Premetheus37 wrote: I didn't say the side angle couldn't be done. Using this fingertip position for changes and penetrations has been done for a long time now, its called Spellbound. But, if you were to do it from the side angle, how would you cover the obvious? So you understand what I am saying, try doing a french drop vanish from the SIDE and tell me what sticks out... How would that be covered? Quote:
On 2004-11-23 15:39, Kronos9326 wrote: Thats great... so why wasn't that footage used in the demo video? Watching someone actually perform the effect in a real world situation is always better than watching some guy talking to a camera. Quote:
On 2004-11-23 15:39, Kronos9326 wrote: What? The demo should have been the one of the performance on a layman in the real world. If they felt that it may have exposed the method then maybe they should have reshot it till it was good. Quote:
On 2004-11-23 15:39, Kronos9326 wrote: In all honesty, neither is figuring out how this is done... Quote:
On 2004-11-23 15:39, Kronos9326 wrote: Really? I would like to see you get away with the Brad Christian method of dropping... I mean ditching. I guess you just go back around after the party leaves and clean up. I know, just like everyone else in this thread, that ditching comes with the territory for this effect. That doesn't bother me, but to ditch the "extras" by simply dropping them out of view from the camera is wrong especially if there was footage of someone (i assume the creator) performing this for a layman. |
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