The Elmsley Count Project
Montier, Liam
Big Blind Media
Most famously used to hide the face of one or more cards as you count through a small packet, the Elmsley Count is actually much more versatile and useful than many people realize.
Here in THE ELMSLEY COUNT PROJECT comes the first dedicated DVD set to teach you how to do this classic move correctly, regardless of whether you are just starting out, or are an old hand ready to take this sleight to the next level.
This is a collection of techniques that combine to give you the most natural and deceptive 'bomb proof' Elmsley Count possible. It looks natural, works smoothly and with cards in absolutely any condition.
And once Liam has helped you get a PERFECT Elmsley Count we can move onto the enormous section on related variations.
Learn the Opec Count, the Outjogged Elmsley, the Split Elmsley, the Pinch Grip, the Vertical Elmsley, the Outjogged Elmsley, the Underground Elmsley and the Twist Grip!
And there's even MORE! Next up we teach you the Siva Count, the Jordan Count, the Spirit Count and John Bannon's Discrepancy City Display and the AWESOME Bullet Party Display.
Finally, armed with your new arsenal of Elmsley Count techniques, you are ready for disc 2, in which we present a collection of classic tricks using this wonderful move from the best card men in the world, including Alex Elmsley, Peter Kane, John Bannon, David Solomon and George McBride. These are tricks you could be doing for the rest of your magical career!
So, whether you are learning for the first time, or you are a magician looking to advance the technique you have been using, join Liam Montier and explore all the possibilities within THE ELMSLEY COUNT PROJECT.
Disc One
Learning The Elmsley Count
- Start Position
- Count Of One
- Count Of Two
- Count Of Three & Four
- Recap
- Emphasizing The Packet
- Hiding More Cards
- Opec Count
- Outjogged Elmsley
- Pinch Grip
- Snap Count
- Split Elmsley
- Twist Grip
- Underground Elmsley
- Vertical Elmsley
- Jordon Count
- Spirit Count
- Discrepancy City Display (Bannon)
- Siva Count
- Bullet Party Display (Bannon)
- The Four Card Trick - Elmsley
- Twisting The Aces - Vernon
- The Odd Man Out - Montier
- One Too Many - McBride
- Que Sera Sera - Bannon
- Jacks In The Box - Solomon
- Whisperstition - Montier
- Jazz Aces - Kane
Reviews
(Top ▲)
I did not expect much from this DVD and I was very pleasantly surprised. This is a must have for any card worker learning the ropes.
Liam does a superb job of teaching, explaining, and demonstrating the Elmsley Count. (and other like card counts)
After you have masted the count(s) he gives you an ample supply of tricks to work your magic. I would find it hard to believe that you're not going to get your money's worth with this DVD.
Liam comes across as pleasant and fun. For such a young guy he did an excellent job of covering a sometimes forgotten and taken for granted move in card magic.
What you get in this DVD are two things. You get to really learn a card move. I mean really learn it. And then you get eight tricks to employ with your new knowledge. I really like how he laid out this DVD/teaching session.
I look forward to seeing more work from this well studied performer.
(Top ▲)
Really? Two whole freakin' DVDs about the Elmsley Count!? Really!? Snoooooooooozzzzzzzzzzzzze!
Or so I thought. I love it when I'm wrong about something like this. This DVD is surprisingly good. As much of a fan of Liam Montier and BBM as I am, I was just not sure you could really make a two disk set about the Elmsley Count, but it turns out, you can!
The ad copy is pretty much dead on, so I have no complaints there. The production value, of course - it's BBM - is incredible. So the only question is the content.
As I mentioned, I was quite surprised at how easy this was to watch. I consider myself a pretty knowledgeable card guy and I've used the good old Elmsley Count on and off over the years, yet there was still much to be gained by watching this DVD.
The title is slightly misleading because several other counts (e.g., Jordon, Spirit, Siva, Et al.) are covered as well, and, yes I know that's not the most proper use of "Et al." but it works. :)
In addition to the "other" counts, there were several variations on the Elmsley Count and its various handling positions (e.g., Opec, Outjogged Elmsley, Pinch Grip, Snap Count, Split Elmsley, Twist Grip, Undergorund Elmsley and Veritical Elmsley). This was an excellent addition covering different techniques for different venues and scenarios [Sleep]. (If you get that reference, I'll give you a nickel.)
And if all that weren't enough, there is a section covering in fine detail each point in the count: the start, the count of one, count of two, the three/four count, tips on hiding more than one card, etc., etc., etc.
That's all disk one. Disk two contains 8 effects using either the Elmsley Count or one of the other variations or counts taught on disk one. Of course a project of this title would not be complete without the two most well known effects using the Elmsley Count (i.e., The Four Card Trick by Alex Elmsley and Twisting The Aces by Vernon).
This material is essentially a compilation of classic material taught, of course, in several other places, but it's a wonderful thing to have it all in one place. And it's simple to access and navigate to boot. If you're new to card magic, this is an absolute must have. Even if you're a veteran and a frequent user (or abuser) of the Elmsley Count (and other counts of this nature), you'll learn something too.
Liam is extremely likable and laid back and does an excellent job of not only teaching the material, but he keeps what could be easily very dry material fresh and entertaining and very easy to watch.
I do think, however, that this could have fit onto one DVD and been sold for maybe $30, but even at $35 (which is more and more the standard price these days) it's a solid, solid deal.
Final Verdict:
4.5 Stars with a Stone Status of GEM!