Jamie Allan's claim to fame here is that he has figured out how to take a close up act and do it on stage in front of hundreds of people. Conceptually, he's basically set up a close up table with an overhead camera and a projector. In this DVD, you'll learn four effects that can be performed on stage. Plus you'll be treated to two segments that cover cameras and projectors.

The Concept

In the Cameras section and in the Projectors section, Allan covers a pretty broad scope of things to look for when purchasing this equipment. He gives his recommendations and what he currently uses along with what he used to use. There's a lot of good information here if you're looking to bring your close up magic to the stage. He also spends some time covering how to "direct" the show. You are the camera man. He shows you how to set up the camera and projector so that you can properly zoom in and zoom out at the right times, how to keep the show in frame, how to work the audience and the camera together. It's an excellent concept and well taught.

The only complaint I have about this section is that on more than one occasion, he referred to "the table" as if you've already watched the segment about the proper table and setup. Unfortunately, the segment is on volume 2, so unless you have both volumes, there will be a little bit of confusion and missing information that you'll need when watching volume 1.

The Effects

Four effects are taught on this DVD. One is his rope effect which is a pretty standard routine, and is performed on stage without the aid of the camera and projector, etc. You likely won't learn anything new from this effect. You're also shown his ambitious card routine. Again, nothing really new here. However, the big difference is that this one is performed on stage using the camera/projector setup. This is an excellent tutorial in the concept that Mr. Allan is pushing. You get to see how to take a traditionally close-up effect that's normally best for a few people and turn it into a big time production.

You'll see two live stage performances. From them you'll learn how to manage the entire routine so that the audience is engaged, the camera is engaged and the spectator on stage is engaged. This was the highlight for me. I'll probably never do ambitious card like this, but it was a very interesting case study for his concept. If you're looking to turn your close up magic into a stage show, you'll learn a ton just from this performance and explanation segment.

The third effect, Snap, is shown up close on an overhead camera. It's 2 extremely visual four card productions done back to back. The explanation is done with text on the screen and background music. There's really no extra commentary by Allan. However, obviously, this could be done on stage using the camera/projector setup.

Finally, you'll learn his effect, WTF, which is essentially an Any Card at Any Number (ACAAN) effect . . . a simulated one, anyway. Two versions are taught. In both cases, a very clever combination of principles are used to create a very free feeling effect that looks exactly like ACAAN. Both effects use a minor stack. The first version is clearly an easier stack and much easier to work with. But each version has it's advantages.

However, there is one big problem with both versions that is never discussed. He does not cover how to handle the effect if the spectator chooses either the number 51 or 52. Granted those are less-likely choices, but no out was given, so you're on your own on that front. Further, no discussion was had regarding playing this one in front of a stage audience.

Final Thoughts

Overall I think this is a worthy contender. However, I think it missed the boat on a couple of things. First, I think a better job could have been done by showing more than just Ambitious Card on stage. I think seeing WTF on stage using the projector and camera would have made for a much better product. Also, the table faux pas hurt the value of the DVD as well. So in the end you'll get a good introduction and some solid information about converting your close up show to a stage show. And you'll get one real world example of how that might look. Then you get three other tricks. Only one of which (WTF) really has anything new.

Final Verdict:
3.5 Stars with a Stone Status of gem with a medium sized 'g'