Price$29.99
Media TypeComputer DVD
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedAug 14, 2014
Hein's Catch Up
Karl Hein
(Based on 3 reviews)
The DVD also includes a BONUS one coin routine with a surprising Extra Large Jumbo Coin Production that will destroy your audiences in close-up environments.
"Hein's Catch Up is simply brilliant! It's hard to believe that I would even consider a new twist to a routine that I have been doing for so many years but I love it! The production of the coins is fabulous and the explanations are concise, to the point and easily understood. I especially like that it all happens in the open without pockets. I have to play with this!" - Doc Eason
"A brilliant approach to a classic effect! The subtle lighting effects on your Hein's Catch Up and Heinstein's Dream make them VERY easy to following along and learn. ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC... Honestly!" -Cody Fisher
"Wow...I didn't think I would ever try another approach but I want to work with a couple of the ideas in your routine. Thanks for sharing!" - J.C. Wagner
“We are talking about an in the hands, no table, highly visual coin routine with loads of audience interaction. I highly recommend this DVD. Definitely worth every single penny. If you are into sleights you will love it. If not, you will love how the coins do all the work for you.” - Jeremy Tan - Singapore’s Favorite Magician
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Until It Sleeps by Metallica
Karl Hein: Hein's Catch Up Review
One DVD, one routine, one bonus routine, 20 minutes and $30 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
Effect
Well . . . this is a 5 phase routine. It starts with the production of three different coins, a copper one, a brass one and a silver one. Then there are transpositions, a three fly and more. The routine ends with the coins appearing on the shoulder and the arm of the spectator. The bonus effect is a quick one coin routine with the production of a ginormous jumbo coin.
Method
The main effect requires that you own a Copper/Silver/Brass (CSB) coin set. They range anywhere from $50 bucks on up. This is a special set of coins with a special gimmick that makes all this possible. What you're purchasing is Karl Hein's routine for the gimmick. You'll also need to be able to do some standard coin moves: classic palm, finger palm, Spider Vanish, etc. The jumbo coin production requires that you own the jumbo coin. The one coin routine that goes along with it requires classic palming and muscle pass skills. No coins are included. You are only receiving the routine.
Ad Copy Integrity
While the ad copy is accurate, it does lack information. The written ad copy very clearly states that the coins/gimmicks/etc. are NOT supplied. However, the video trailer doesn't really give you any kind of real sense as to what the routine looks like. They show a few clips of the same change (a silver coin changing into a Chinese coin with a hole in it), the kicker ending (coins on their shoulder and arm) and a handful of spectator reactions. Unfortunately, for you, there's not enough information in the trailer to help you decide if you like the routine and therefore learn it (or not).
Product Quality
The DVD is very well produced. The explanations were very cleverly shot with slow motion footage, over the should angle and excellent narration by Karl Hein. However, there were at least two sleights not taught (e.g., Spider Vanish, Muscle Pass). Also, there was this moment where Karl Hein, during the explanation, was talking about that moment in the routine when you load a coin under the spectator's watch. However, nowhere in the routine does he load a coin under their watch.
To make even weirder, in the written credits at the end, he gives thanks to Apollo Robbins for his tips on loading the coin under the spectator's watch. I'm not sure what's going on there. It's a bit weird, but there was no place in the routine where a coin is loaded under the spectator's watch.
Final Thoughts
This is a hard product to review, or at the very least, it will be hard for you to decide if you should buy it. There is no place for you to see the effect, so you have no idea if you like it or not. If there was a way to see the routine, then it might be easier. I can try to explain it, but my words will nowhere near compare to seeing it. In the video review, I'll try to give more depth.
That aside, if somehow you know you like the effect, then the question is, how good is the method. The answer is that it's very good the CSB gimmick does a lot of the work for you, and the rest is your performance skills and basic coin sleight skills. Is the method doable/legitimate? Yes. As mentioned, the ad copy is accurate, and for the most part, the product quality is excellent as well. I do think $30 bucks is might be a little steep for a coin trick that requires you to spend another $50 to $100 or so dollars (unless you already own a CSB gimmick).
When you put together a few glitches/weirdness in the teaching segment and the price, along with the fact that you're only getting a 20 minute DVD (including the intro, performance footage, and bonus effect), you're not getting a whole lot of depth. Sure, you'll learn what you need to learn, but for the asking price, I think a bit more bang for buck is in order.
Final Verdict:
3.5 Stars with a Stone Status of gem.
(Top ▲)
The old Chinese Copper/Silver (Copper/Silver/Brass as it is more popularly known) is a long-standing classic among coin magicians.
There have been many great handlings over the years by various magicians, not the least of which are Scotty York, Bob Sheets and Doc Eason (whose handling is considered by many to be the 'standard' handling of this set). Hein's Catch Up will be up there with the best of them, given the proper amount of time.
Rather than a collection of ideas for the C/S/B set, this is a particular handling. The production quality is fantastic - the audio and video are clear and crisp, the menu is easy to navigate and like all of the other DVDs put out by Karl Hein, the instruction is second-to-none. It uses freeze-framing, highlighting and on-screen texts/arrows to further clarify his verbal instruction.
There are a few points in the scripting which are slightly illogical, but most people will not catch these if you keep the action going. There is a moment in the handling that requires a bit of boldness, but with proper scripting and timing, it can be a bit less bold than most would think.
Karl says at one point that he does not always do the coin on shoulder phase (as it depends on the venue, the spectators, etc.) that he teaches but he does not tell you what he would do when he does not use that phase. It would have been nice to hear/see what else he might choose to do in its place.
I have devised my own ideas for the C/S/B over the years and I have used the handlings of many others as well, in whole or in part. This handling, with or without the coin on shoulder phase, is one of the nicest I have ever seen. I have also done a lot of body loading work in the past and never thought to apply it in this way, which is something I have already begun to use.
There is an additional bonus idea presented for the production of a jumbo 7 inch coin. It will not work in every venue, but the method works very well and with the proper blocking, it is not inherently difficult. There are lots of things you can combine with this to make the production even more surprising/effective. Also note that the technique will also work with 3 inch and 5 inch jumbo coins if you like.
Overall this is a great DVD but I would like to have seen just a little more from Karl on this wonderful gaff, if for any other reason than his ideas and teaching are fantastic and inspiring. For the price, you certainly cannot go wrong with this.
Highly recommended!
www.roykueppers.com (Roy Kueppers)
www.cupsandballs.nl (Auke van Dokkum)
www.coingaffs.com (Jamie Schoolcraft)
www.toddlassen.com (Todd Lassen
www.johnsonmagicproducts.com
All of the above manufacturers can make the sets in both silver and non-silver coins, depending on your budget.
Check with various dealers such as www.tricksupply.com, www.hocus-pocus.com/magicshop, www.themagicwarehouse.com and www.wizardhq.com for the jumbo coins up to 7 inches.
There have been many great handlings over the years by various magicians, not the least of which are Scotty York, Bob Sheets and Doc Eason (whose handling is considered by many to be the 'standard' handling of this set). Hein's Catch Up will be up there with the best of them, given the proper amount of time.
Rather than a collection of ideas for the C/S/B set, this is a particular handling. The production quality is fantastic - the audio and video are clear and crisp, the menu is easy to navigate and like all of the other DVDs put out by Karl Hein, the instruction is second-to-none. It uses freeze-framing, highlighting and on-screen texts/arrows to further clarify his verbal instruction.
There are a few points in the scripting which are slightly illogical, but most people will not catch these if you keep the action going. There is a moment in the handling that requires a bit of boldness, but with proper scripting and timing, it can be a bit less bold than most would think.
Karl says at one point that he does not always do the coin on shoulder phase (as it depends on the venue, the spectators, etc.) that he teaches but he does not tell you what he would do when he does not use that phase. It would have been nice to hear/see what else he might choose to do in its place.
I have devised my own ideas for the C/S/B over the years and I have used the handlings of many others as well, in whole or in part. This handling, with or without the coin on shoulder phase, is one of the nicest I have ever seen. I have also done a lot of body loading work in the past and never thought to apply it in this way, which is something I have already begun to use.
There is an additional bonus idea presented for the production of a jumbo 7 inch coin. It will not work in every venue, but the method works very well and with the proper blocking, it is not inherently difficult. There are lots of things you can combine with this to make the production even more surprising/effective. Also note that the technique will also work with 3 inch and 5 inch jumbo coins if you like.
Overall this is a great DVD but I would like to have seen just a little more from Karl on this wonderful gaff, if for any other reason than his ideas and teaching are fantastic and inspiring. For the price, you certainly cannot go wrong with this.
Highly recommended!
Suggestions
If you are looking for Copper/Silver/Brass gimmicks, you can find them at:www.roykueppers.com (Roy Kueppers)
www.cupsandballs.nl (Auke van Dokkum)
www.coingaffs.com (Jamie Schoolcraft)
www.toddlassen.com (Todd Lassen
www.johnsonmagicproducts.com
All of the above manufacturers can make the sets in both silver and non-silver coins, depending on your budget.
Check with various dealers such as www.tricksupply.com, www.hocus-pocus.com/magicshop, www.themagicwarehouse.com and www.wizardhq.com for the jumbo coins up to 7 inches.
(Top ▲)
Popularized by Scotty York, Bob Sheets and Doc Eason (among others), “Copper, Silver, Brass” is a classic piece of close-up coin magic, with many handlings having been published over the years. Karl Hein has released his handling of the effect on DVD, called “Catch Up,” that retains elements of the standard routine, but adds some new twists.
Mr. Hein’s routine is quite a roller coaster ride. He begins with a coin production, segues into a transformation, a 3 Fly sequence ensues, several transpositions occur, and then it ends with a very unexpected and surprising finale involving body loading. The routine is packed with a variety of effects, begins with a strong opening and has a spectacular finish.
The instruction on “Catch Up” continues with the very high standards Mr. Hein began with in his prior release, “Heinstein’s Dream.” The explanations are clear, use multiple camera angles, freeze framing, as well as something new to magic instruction: the footage is edited to visually highlight onscreen the particular element on which the viewer should focus. It shows tremendous attention to detail and really sets the standard for magic instruction.
With as many handlings as there are for “Copper, Silver, Brass,” the question remains, does this handling bring something new to the genre? My answer is “yes.” While Mr. Hein’s approach doesn’t necessarily replace the classic handling, his version has many elements worth exploring. The scripting hook he begins with is fantastic, the initial coin changes are striking, and the ending is surprising and spectacular. It’s packed with such a variety of magic, it’s hard to imagine anyone who couldn’t find something worth adding to their existing routine.
The routine itself is practical, needs no table, resets easily and is designed for walk around magic. It’s a workhorse routine, and can be done in a variety of environments. It also requires a bold performer, as many of the phases (including the body loading ending) require strong misdirection as the magician is doing “secret stuff” openly and right under the audience’s nose. Boldness is also required because some of the phases are a bit illogical and discrepant, so the routine must be kept moving so this isn’t noticed. These minimal flaws aside, the routine is quite effective, as seen in the included real world performances that show the practicality and impact of the routine on actual audiences.
As a bonus, the DVD includes a one coin routine that ends with the production of a jumbo coin. While this is a solid, practical and effective routine, choreographed for maximum impact, it doesn’t really offer anything new to the genre. However, even if it’s not a new approach, it’s always useful to see someone perform a standard routine effectively and powerfully in the real world.
“Catch Up” is a practical routine for an established effect packed to the gills with magic, offering a number of new, interesting and effective ideas. Whether you’re a close up worker, looking to add a powerful routine to your repertoire, or a collector of methods, looking to add interesting twists to the “Copper, Silver, Brass” genre, this is a great resource. I’m biased in that I tend to favor practical, effective and novel releases. As “Catch Up” has all of those qualities, I recommend it.
Mr. Hein’s routine is quite a roller coaster ride. He begins with a coin production, segues into a transformation, a 3 Fly sequence ensues, several transpositions occur, and then it ends with a very unexpected and surprising finale involving body loading. The routine is packed with a variety of effects, begins with a strong opening and has a spectacular finish.
The instruction on “Catch Up” continues with the very high standards Mr. Hein began with in his prior release, “Heinstein’s Dream.” The explanations are clear, use multiple camera angles, freeze framing, as well as something new to magic instruction: the footage is edited to visually highlight onscreen the particular element on which the viewer should focus. It shows tremendous attention to detail and really sets the standard for magic instruction.
With as many handlings as there are for “Copper, Silver, Brass,” the question remains, does this handling bring something new to the genre? My answer is “yes.” While Mr. Hein’s approach doesn’t necessarily replace the classic handling, his version has many elements worth exploring. The scripting hook he begins with is fantastic, the initial coin changes are striking, and the ending is surprising and spectacular. It’s packed with such a variety of magic, it’s hard to imagine anyone who couldn’t find something worth adding to their existing routine.
The routine itself is practical, needs no table, resets easily and is designed for walk around magic. It’s a workhorse routine, and can be done in a variety of environments. It also requires a bold performer, as many of the phases (including the body loading ending) require strong misdirection as the magician is doing “secret stuff” openly and right under the audience’s nose. Boldness is also required because some of the phases are a bit illogical and discrepant, so the routine must be kept moving so this isn’t noticed. These minimal flaws aside, the routine is quite effective, as seen in the included real world performances that show the practicality and impact of the routine on actual audiences.
As a bonus, the DVD includes a one coin routine that ends with the production of a jumbo coin. While this is a solid, practical and effective routine, choreographed for maximum impact, it doesn’t really offer anything new to the genre. However, even if it’s not a new approach, it’s always useful to see someone perform a standard routine effectively and powerfully in the real world.
“Catch Up” is a practical routine for an established effect packed to the gills with magic, offering a number of new, interesting and effective ideas. Whether you’re a close up worker, looking to add a powerful routine to your repertoire, or a collector of methods, looking to add interesting twists to the “Copper, Silver, Brass” genre, this is a great resource. I’m biased in that I tend to favor practical, effective and novel releases. As “Catch Up” has all of those qualities, I recommend it.