Price$280.00
Media TypeDVD
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedAug 06, 2006
Advanced Card Control Series Set # 1-8
Allan Ackerman
A1 Magicalmedia
(Based on 1 review)
After guiding you step-by-step through the various sleights, Allan also teaches you a number of professional card routines so you can apply what you have learned - audience-tested foolers that have earned him a worldwide reputation as The Las Vegas Card Expert. Magic can be a lifetime hobby and card magic is considered to be the poetry of prestidigitation. So grab a deck of cards, sit back and let Allan Ackerman's succinct, laid-back teaching style guide you through the joys of professional card magic! You'll be fooling your friends and family in no time at all!
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Talk about commitment to a purpose -- I wanted every damned one of these DVDs. And you're right, I probably should be committed.
Seriously, I think these cards should be in the library of every serious card-worker on the planet. There were not intended to win awards for "most interesting magic video". They're an encyclopedia (and a pretty darned complete one). Yes, they're boring. Painfully so. But if you want to learn these moves and can't quite seem to get them from the literature, these tapes will be an invaluable tool.
There's simply too much content to write a complete review of each DVD, so I'll just point out some of the highlights.
Volume 1: Palming
I really enjoyed Allan's attention to detail on this topic. When there's a debate of the "correct" way to do things, he presents both sides equally. In addition, he's just as concerned with the blocking and timing as he is with the mechanics of the moves. If you're looking for some new material, there are a number of excellent routines at the end of the DVD.
Volume 2: False Deals
Again, Allan pushes the importance of the presentation over method. In particular with false deals, he discusses the rhythm of the deal -- one of the obvious giveaways. He also spends time discussing many of the typical mistakes with false deals (especially the bottom deal). One of the most important lessons of this DVD is that an entire new world of possible methodologies opens up once you've learned a couple of false deals.
Volume 3: Controls
Overall, I think this is the most directly useful video for the card-worker. Our audiences expect us to control cards and are usually looking for it. Once you've got a couple of well-rehearsed controls, you can put their minds at ease. Allan's work on such a basic topic as getting and holding a break is worth the price of the video (maybe even the entire set). Most enlightening to me was his discussion of a standard cull. This is one move that I never could quite master. Now that I understand the pacing, I think I might finally have it!
Volume 4: Flourishes, Lifts and Changes
This was like watching Bill Tarr's Now You See It, Now You Don't on video (one of my first magic books). If you're looking for cool cuts and shuffles, this video is for you. Allan also goes into depth with the double-lift (and the all-important get-ready for the lift).
Volume 5: Shuffle Work
If you've been having trouble with Expert Card Technique, get this video. Allan demonstrates all of the basic shuffles -- and then some. Enough said.
Volume 6: The Faro Shuffle
What can I say? If you want to learn the faro, or already know it and want to learn some new applications, get this video. Even though I've been doing the faro for years, I had never found a real use for it in my work. After watching the effects on this DVD, I've completely changed my thinking in this regard.
Volume 7: False Counts
Do you have a copy of Counts, Cuts, Moves & Subtlety? Well here are all of the moves (and more) in an easy-to-learn format.
Volume 8: Utilities
If you're looking for a move that wasn't covered on the previous seven volumes, it's probably here. Allan even discusses many of the subtleties of the tilt move -- one of my favorites and one of the moves that's consistently done poorly.
Seriously, I think these cards should be in the library of every serious card-worker on the planet. There were not intended to win awards for "most interesting magic video". They're an encyclopedia (and a pretty darned complete one). Yes, they're boring. Painfully so. But if you want to learn these moves and can't quite seem to get them from the literature, these tapes will be an invaluable tool.
There's simply too much content to write a complete review of each DVD, so I'll just point out some of the highlights.
Volume 1: Palming
I really enjoyed Allan's attention to detail on this topic. When there's a debate of the "correct" way to do things, he presents both sides equally. In addition, he's just as concerned with the blocking and timing as he is with the mechanics of the moves. If you're looking for some new material, there are a number of excellent routines at the end of the DVD.
Volume 2: False Deals
Again, Allan pushes the importance of the presentation over method. In particular with false deals, he discusses the rhythm of the deal -- one of the obvious giveaways. He also spends time discussing many of the typical mistakes with false deals (especially the bottom deal). One of the most important lessons of this DVD is that an entire new world of possible methodologies opens up once you've learned a couple of false deals.
Volume 3: Controls
Overall, I think this is the most directly useful video for the card-worker. Our audiences expect us to control cards and are usually looking for it. Once you've got a couple of well-rehearsed controls, you can put their minds at ease. Allan's work on such a basic topic as getting and holding a break is worth the price of the video (maybe even the entire set). Most enlightening to me was his discussion of a standard cull. This is one move that I never could quite master. Now that I understand the pacing, I think I might finally have it!
Volume 4: Flourishes, Lifts and Changes
This was like watching Bill Tarr's Now You See It, Now You Don't on video (one of my first magic books). If you're looking for cool cuts and shuffles, this video is for you. Allan also goes into depth with the double-lift (and the all-important get-ready for the lift).
Volume 5: Shuffle Work
If you've been having trouble with Expert Card Technique, get this video. Allan demonstrates all of the basic shuffles -- and then some. Enough said.
Volume 6: The Faro Shuffle
What can I say? If you want to learn the faro, or already know it and want to learn some new applications, get this video. Even though I've been doing the faro for years, I had never found a real use for it in my work. After watching the effects on this DVD, I've completely changed my thinking in this regard.
Volume 7: False Counts
Do you have a copy of Counts, Cuts, Moves & Subtlety? Well here are all of the moves (and more) in an easy-to-learn format.
Volume 8: Utilities
If you're looking for a move that wasn't covered on the previous seven volumes, it's probably here. Allan even discusses many of the subtleties of the tilt move -- one of my favorites and one of the moves that's consistently done poorly.