Figurine
Green, Lennart
Essential Magic Collection
Comes complete with instructional DVD featuring Lennart Green, figurines and bonus ideas.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
The DVD is exceptionally well produced, but I was a little disappointed that there's not very much there in terms of depth. Oh, there's enough there for you to learn the thing for sure, but if Green has been performing this for years (and it's not clear that he has) it seems like he might be holding back on the details. Similarly, while Danny DaOrtiz is present, his contribution pretty much amounts to laughing and reacting.
I like The Figurine a lot. It's quirky and unusual. It strikes me as a great texture piece, and it raises a lot of questions about what sort of feelings you're trying to evoke in your performances. I'm not convinced that your audience will think it's "real," but I am convinced that it doesn't really matter. If you're brave enough, and willing to experiment with such a delightfully strange trick, then The Figurine is worthy of your consideration.
(Top ▲)
For $35 you get a few little figurines, a well made DVD and an "ok" effect
I love Lennart Green, but I guess they can't all be perfect, right? The effect is that you sculpt some paper into a little figurine statue. Watch the video trailer and you'll get a sense of the effect. It comes with 4 figurines. I'm sure by watching the video, you've surmised that you're just switching the paper for the figurine. Several methods are taught, some better (much, much better) than others. With Green's quirky persona, a lot of this stuff works for him, but may not work for everyone else.
However, in addition to the effects with the included figurines, there are several bonus ideas using small "dime store" toys that are, in my opinion, much better effects and much cleaner looking. The concept has a lot of potential as these bonus ideas reveal. I just feel that much of it is a bit clumsy and messy. I will say, however, that upon watching it a second time, I realized that much of the clumsy and messy nature is just part of Green's presentation style and was mostly meant for comedy. As for the ad copy, the trailer says "anytime, anywhere." I'm not sure how true I would consider that to be. First of all, you have to have the figurines with you to do the effect. Secondly, many of the effects need more than just the figurines to perform. Though it's not an "anytime, anywhere" effect, it is very much suited for casual hanging out with friends at a non-magical moment.
If you can see yourself doing this type of thing, then go for it. The figurines are nice and sturdy, and there are quite a few bonus ideas that worth considering.
Final Verdict:
3.5 Stars with a Stone Status of gem . . . little 'g.'