Childsplay
Chris Congreave; Gary Jones
RSVP - Russ Stevens
Featured on the DVD are five different versions for presenting Childplay:
The Basic Routine: Using no gaffs and just your pockets, this routine packs a punch!
The Wallet Routine: Childsplay using the revelations from a wallet. If you own ANY type of card in wallet, this routine will work for you!
Lee Smith's iPhone Childsplay: Using your iphone to display your photograph, makes this an even more personal effect to your audience. Can be combined with the above two routines.
Business Card Fooler: Using your business card as part of the predictions, this will make sure your contact details get kept by your audience. Brilliant stuff!
The Magic Picture Frame: The go-to routine for Chris Congreave and Gary Jones!
We are currently supplying this product as a pre-release version on DVDR due to the interest shown by our customers. This is 100% the same as the official release version except that it comes on a DVDR (which will play on all computers and most DVD players). Comes with Bicycle Cards and PDF photos. This will ensure that you get it before anyone else!
Running Time Approximately: 1hr
Reviews
(Top ▲)
The product description is correct, and the overall routine is effective. The two gentlemen on the DVD go thru several different options and versions of this effect, so you can do it no matter what your performance style or skill level is!
If you’ve got any kind of ‘card to wallet’ this certainly enhances the effect, but it certainly is not required.
The materials supplied allow you to make whichever version you want. The DVD itself does a good job of teaching, but in some cases, it over teaches, giving information and personal choices of the creators that is not of relevance to the home viewer. Also, the performances include flashes of certain key moves, and quick, unnatural movements brought on by guilt while the performer is trying to ‘do something sneaky.’ That said, this does not prevent you from learning from their mistakes, and still presenting the effect in a deceptive way.
In closing, I think if you are a fellow worker, you’ll be charmed by this clever, dare I say, cute effect that really packs a punch!
(Top ▲)
For $40 bucks you get a fun (though a bit pricey) effect with with a solid emotional hook, a stack of blank cards and a PDF with the photographs you need.
Basic effect: You claim that your child is learning card tricks. Two cards are chosen (one is a totally free choice). You show a photograph of your child holding a homemade playing card that matches one of the "selections." You then produce from your pocket (wallet, picture frame, etc.) another card that your child made. It matches the freely named (no force) card. Good effect; good emotional hook; good method;
I only have two complaints about this product, and they're minor. The first is a very common thing I'm seeing from RSVP videos. It seems to be more and more common to have the main person (the creator of the effect) teach the effects with a side-kick or co-host if you will. That's not a new idea, but what seems to happen on the RSVP videos more than others is that the co-host is more of a hindrance than a help. While Congreave is trying to explain and teach the effect, it would seem that his co-host would talk over him, interrupt him and cause minor distractions that made the learning a bit more complicated. I think it would have been a bit cleaner and more efficient if Congreave would have been by himself, of if the co-host were a bit more passive. It distracts from the learning, but no to the point that you can't learn.
Secondly, I do think the effect is a bit on the pricey side. You're essentially getting one trick with multiple ways to do it. The extra cards and pdf that you get don't quite justify the $40 price tag.
However, having said all that, it is an effect that I think is worthy of consideration. As Congreave correctly points out in the explanation, the premise that you're teaching your child (or niece, nephew, etc.) a card trick breaks down barriers.
The ad copy is honest and accurate. You learn methods for beginning and advanced level magicians, methods with load wallets, regular wallets, no wallets, palming methods, no palming methods, methods with the photograph, methods without, etc.
Considerations: For all versions, you need at least one (some versions require two) deck of cards that is specially prepared. It's a one time preparation that'll take you about 30 minutes. The deck cannot be examined and cannot be used for other effects.
I really believe that this effect is exactly what it claims to be and that the method is within the reach of pretty much any level magician. If you like the effect and the considerations listed above don't bother you, then you'll be happy with your purchase. The DVD is well made; the photos are sharp; the 26 cards are standard bicycle stock (rider back); the teaching is clear (barring the few distractions by the co-host). The product is solid all the way around. If the DVD were about $10 cheaper I likely would have given it a full 5 stars.
Final Verdict:
4.5 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.