Your Card Is
Maidment, Grant
MagicTao
(Based on 2 reviews)
Very visual and one you will be adding to your act.
Also comes with a bonus trick 'Chameleon Deceptions'. A trick where four of the same cards ie. four Jokers turn from face down to face up. Then by waving over the cards, the backs turn into different colours.
You are supplied with all cards needed plus a DVD with full explanations.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Losing My Religion by R.E.M.
Grant Maidment: Your Card Is Review
One DVD, four "special" cards and $20 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
Effect
There are two effects that are almost identical. They both go something like this: Four identical cards are shown (e.g., Eight of Diamonds). They all (apparently) have red backs. One at a time, the cards turn face up. At the end, the backs are shown and they all four have different colored backs. That's where it stops for Chameleon Deception. With the main effect, Your Card Is, in addition to the backs of the cards changing, three of them have words on the back. "Your" is on one, "Signed" on another and "Card" with an arrow on the third. The arrow points to the fourth card being held by the spectator who turns it over to discover that it has changed into her signed selection from earlier.
Both Doc Eason and Chad Long have explored, dabbled, used and created effects with very similar plots to the latter effect. The former effect is, certainly, nothing new. There are as many versions of that effect as there are magicians in the world.
Method
The methods is also a pretty standard method for this type of effect. It uses Elmsley Counts, basic sleight of hand and a gimmicked card (supplied). That's about it. It's definitely real-world approved, and the methods (as well as the effects) have stood the test of time.
The method for Your Card Is requires you to write on the back of the supplied cards. So if you choose that route, you won't be able to perform Chameleon Deception. However, due the focus of Your Card Is, you don't have to have the backs turn into multiple colors. You can simply have them all turn from blue to red. Then it's a simple matter of getting 3 red cards that are identical.
Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy is perfect. It represents exactly what you are getting with no fishy video tricks and no false text.
Product Quality
In the past, I've had audio issues with MagiTao products. However, it looks like they've figured it out. The audio was just fine, and so was the lighting. The video itself, however is not full sized. It didn't fill up my laptop screen. Rather, it was a rectangle in the center of the screen. I'm not sure what that's about. However, it didn't affect the learning experience.
The menu is easy to navigated, and the effects taught well. Further, there is a section that teaches the Elmsley Count and how to do a Half Pass. The cards are Bicycle Stock and well made. The DVD itself is Burned rather than Pressed which may be an issue for playing properly in some DVD players, but these days, it's rarely a problem.
Final Thoughts
If you liked what you saw in the ad trailer, this is exactly that. Nothing more, nothing less. You'll be happy with the method. It's also nothing new and unfortunately none of the predecessors were credited. If the performance felt a little familiar, then you probably already know/do something like this. Other than the lack of originality and lack of crediting, this is a solid product.
Final Verdict:
4 Stars with a Stone Status of gem.
(Top ▲)
REVIEW
When I first saw this, it just felt like I had seen this before. I think perhaps it just reminds me of the Gary Jones Shock Twist. However, the DVD references Gary’s moves and the two DVDs are from the same company. So, in my review, I’m going to just ignore that this routine looks awfully familiar.
I really liked the routines and the methods were solid.
The routines are easy to reset and pretty easy to perform.
In the Suggestions section, I am sharing my thoughts on delivery that makes this quite humorous.
CAUTION
Just a couple negatives:
First, the packet of cards doesn’t come with a card “wallet”. The cards come in a plastic sleeve. I just think that all packet tricks should come with one of those inexpensive plastic card wallets.
Second, every DVD should explain every move. In this DVD, at one point he says “control the card to the top using any method you like.” If the viewer doesn’t know a way to control the card to the top, they are left a bit high and dry.
VERDICT
Very nice routines and set of cards.
When I first saw this, it just felt like I had seen this before. I think perhaps it just reminds me of the Gary Jones Shock Twist. However, the DVD references Gary’s moves and the two DVDs are from the same company. So, in my review, I’m going to just ignore that this routine looks awfully familiar.
I really liked the routines and the methods were solid.
The routines are easy to reset and pretty easy to perform.
In the Suggestions section, I am sharing my thoughts on delivery that makes this quite humorous.
CAUTION
Just a couple negatives:
First, the packet of cards doesn’t come with a card “wallet”. The cards come in a plastic sleeve. I just think that all packet tricks should come with one of those inexpensive plastic card wallets.
Second, every DVD should explain every move. In this DVD, at one point he says “control the card to the top using any method you like.” If the viewer doesn’t know a way to control the card to the top, they are left a bit high and dry.
VERDICT
Very nice routines and set of cards.