Price$28.00
Media TypeOne-Trick DVD
CategoryClose Up, Mentalism
Date AddedOct 22, 2010
Impossible Envelope
Stockman, Paul
Alakazam UK
(Based on 2 reviews)
Confabulation, multiple outs, publicity stunts and headline predictions are just a few of the effects possible with this unique take on the "prediction chest" plot. Paul's version is aimed at the working pro that wants to achieve the same with everyday looking objects.
With a load so quick and easy that it feels almost automatic, the "Impossible Envelope" will open up a wealth of possibilities for the creative modern performer; your mind will be filled with endless possibilities.
Please note that there is some construction required with the IMPOSSIBLE ENVELOPE but it is thoroughly explained on the tutorial DVD.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Overview
The Impossible Envelope is a prediction routine in which a spectator in your audience takes any newspaper, tears out any page and picks any word on that page and tells the entire room the word and the page that it is on. The performer then takes an envelope that has been in plain view the entire time and opens it. Inside there is another envelope. That envelope is opened to reveal another envelope as well. This can go on for as many envelopes as you want and the end result is that the final envelope has a torn piece of newspaper on it and when another spectator reads it, the page number and the word match exactly the word and page that the original spectator stated to the audience.After the word is spoken and the page number is revealed by the original spectator, the performer writes it down on a pad, which is not really explained and may catch some more magically sophisticated individuals' attention.
The routine requires some arts and crafts, but it is not too bad. It is easy to make what you need to make. You will also need to buy whatever envelopes you need or want to use.
The envelopes cannot really be inspected by the spectator before the performer hands it to the spectator empty.
The second spectator that is on stage (this routine is really best for stage) may see something different than what the audience thinks she sees.
The end result is total astonishment, but there are some minor issues with this method as described above.
The performer can do this trick with a newspaper, or lottery tickets, or anything that can be thought of and spoken.
Effect
The effect is simply that the performer pulls out an envelope out of a series of envelopes and in the final envelope is the freely chosen word that was spoken at the beginning of the trick.Method
The method of course is a secret and requires the performer to make sure that the unknown word and page end up in the final envelope. You will need to load a little something into something else. Sorry, can't tell you more than that.Product Quality
This product, although discontinued by Alakazam Magic, comes with an instructional DVD and some bits of material that you need to create the secret thing that makes the magic happen. The DVD production quality from 2010 is not great by today's standards. There was no live audience demonstration and there should have been. The bits and pieces that you get with the purchase are top quality.Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy from this discontinued product says:Direct from the professional repertoire of Paul Stockman, the "Impossible Envelope" is an innovative new prediction effect that can be used for stage or close up work.
Confabulation, multiple outs, publicity stunts and headline predictions are just a few of the effects possible with this unique take on the "prediction chest" plot. Paul's version is aimed at the working pro that wants to achieve the same with everyday looking objects.
With a load so quick and easy that it feels almost automatic, the "Impossible Envelope" will open up a wealth of possibilities for the creative modern performer; your mind will be filled with endless possibilities.
Please note that there is some construction required with the IMPOSSIBLE ENVELOPE but it is thoroughly explained on the tutorial DVD.
"I have already made up a set of envelopes and in short Paul's idea is Absolutely Brilliant."
- Jeff McBride
Final Thoughts
Because this product is discontinued and because of a few minor nits I have downgraded this rating to a 3.5 stars.(Top ▲)
Paul Stockman's IMPOSSIBLE ENVELOPE allows you to do a prediction in a nest of envelopes. It's a very simple idea and if you've wanted to do a Malloy Master Prediction System ending without spending $3000.00, then this may be for you.
Essentially what happens is that the audience is asked to name some objects or places in the style of a Q&A routine. These are noted by the performer on a notepad. That same information gets loaded into the nest of envelopes right out in the open, which you can reveal immediately or much later in your show.
I thought Mr. Stockman and Mr. Nardi did a great job of going through the construction of the gimmick. What I would have liked to have seen is Mr. Stockman doing this in front of a real audience. I love it when creators really sell the idea and convince me to go out do a routine, either through the energy of a live performance or with natural enthusiasm during the explanation. One sees none of this on this very dry DVD.
But at this price, it's a clever idea that I'm sure many will find a use for.
Essentially what happens is that the audience is asked to name some objects or places in the style of a Q&A routine. These are noted by the performer on a notepad. That same information gets loaded into the nest of envelopes right out in the open, which you can reveal immediately or much later in your show.
I thought Mr. Stockman and Mr. Nardi did a great job of going through the construction of the gimmick. What I would have liked to have seen is Mr. Stockman doing this in front of a real audience. I love it when creators really sell the idea and convince me to go out do a routine, either through the energy of a live performance or with natural enthusiasm during the explanation. One sees none of this on this very dry DVD.
But at this price, it's a clever idea that I'm sure many will find a use for.