Price$25.00
Media TypeDVD
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedApr 27, 2007
Wrap It Up
Jay Sankey
(Based on 2 reviews)
View ClipAt any time during your show, remove a piece of gum from your mouth, place it onto an empty wrapper, gently toss it into the air...and both the wrapper and the gum impossibly WRAP THEMSELVES BACK UP into a perfect square, complete with AN UN-CHEWED BLOCK OF GUM INSIDE!
Super easy! Super visual! An incredible moment of hyper visual magic! Best of all, your hands are completely EMPTY and the wrapped piece of gum can be closely examined and even given away as the PERFECT SOUVENIR! You can even perform this reputation-maker and have a SPECTATOR catch the just wrapped-up gum!
Jay originally called this astounding effect "Sugarless Gum" and first shared it with magicians in his 1985 lecture notes MEMORABLE IMAGES. Since then, the routine has found its way into the repertoires of magicians all over the world.
Whether you perform close-up, walk around or even at children's birthday parties, this quick, easy, super visual stunner (that also instantly resets) is the PERFECT effect for you! Includes all the necessary materials plus an exciting instructional DVD featuring a marvelous collection of brand new alternative handlings and variations Jay is revealing for the very first time including:
SNAP PRODUCTION
It's as easy as snapping your fingers! Magic that needs no words!
MID AIR WRAP
This is the original, jaw-dropping "tossed in the air" handling!
TABLE DROP
A great way to prove that you can perform magic without having to actually hold onto the props!
IN THEIR HANDS
What's better than the magic happening IN THE SPECTATOR'S OWN HANDS? Nothing, that's what!
APPEARING WRAPPER
Two "off the hook" effects in one. Not only does the gum morph back into its original un-chewed condition, but the wrapper also appears FROM NOWHERE!
THUMB TIP HANDLING
An extremely clever and direct handling with a lot of charms of its own!(And again, darn easy!)
JC'S HANDLING
Inspired by a switch created by J.C. Wagner, you can perform this handling in your underwear (depending upon the gig!)
THE SLYDINI WAY
Jay once asked himself the question, "How would the great Tony Slydini perform Wrap It Up?" This is the answer!
TRANSPOSITION SEQUENCE
The paper wrapper and block of gum star in a surreal series of magic moments, each more impossible than the last!
IMPOSSIBLE RESTORATION
The wrapper is torn and restored in the most visually impossible manner imaginable, complete with a SURPRISE REAPPEARANCE of the block of gum. Start your own religion today!
LO-TECH HANDLING
Perfect for real-world workers, this down-and-dirty approach leaves you surprisingly CLEAN!
ORAL FIXATION
While chewing gum, you slowly tear the wrapper into pieces, ball them up and pop them into your mouth. A moment later the neatly wrapped block of gum appears from between your smiling lips. One of Jay's favorite sleight-of-tongue bar effects.
Running Time Approximately 105mins
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Ok many of you probably know that Jay Sankey and I are good friends and that we've worked together on a project or two in the past, and we also are consultants to one another.
I get feedback from him on my stuff, and he gets feedback from me on a lot of his stuff. Additionally, I do not receive any sort of compensation whatsoever for reviewing or "pitching" his products (I was not involved in this particular project).
I tell you that up front just to sort of clear the air and to let you know that when I give Jay feedback, I'm brutally honest with him. I tell him if I think he has a crappy idea or a good idea. He wouldn't have it any other way, nor would I. So I want to make it clear that Jay's products get the same level of scrutiny as any other products I review.
On to the review:
DVD Quality and Overall Value 10/10:
* The cost is only $25.00
* It comes with a few pieces of the gum
* It comes with everything you need to make the gimmick
* The DVD Includes 12 different handlings (one for just about every performance venue)
* The Quality of the DVD was excellent and the instruction was very detailed and thorough
There are several versions of the handling; some are ungimmicked and some use gimmicks. There are three different gimmicks. The one you use will, of course, depend on which handling you use. Here are the Various handlings and my rating and opinion of each. Also, note that my critique will be based on the venue that I perform in (table-hopping and strolling magic), so those that don't fit my venue may be given a bit lower rating than those that do:
The Snap Handling (10/10):
Uses the main/original gimmick from the 1985 lecture notes - we'll call it gimmick #1. This is very visual and very practical. You show the piece of chewed gum on the wrapper, close it in your fist, snap your fingers and open your hand to reveal a fully restored and wrapped piece of gum that can be handed out, and you are clean. There?s no ?funny? moves it looks like real magic. This would be most suited to table-hopping.
The Mid Air Handling (10/10):
This also uses "gimmick #1." This is the same effect as "The Snap Handling" however, the chewed gum and wrapper are thrown into the air. The restoration appears to happen in mid air. Although this handling would work well in strolling situations, it's perfect for a bit larger crowd where you're performing a set in front of a group. It would also be perfect for children's shows.
Table Drop (10/10) / In Their Hands (10/10):
Again we have "gimmick #1." This has the same illusion as "The Mid Air Handling," but rather than in the air, it happens as the piece of chewed gum and wrapper fall to the table (or audiences cupped hand). Both, of course is perfect for table-hopping. However the "In Their Hands" version is particularly well suited for working in a strolling situation like a cocktail party or something where people are just mingling and you really don't have a table.
Appearing Wrapper (8/10):
This uses "Gimmick #2" which is really a modification of "Gimmick #1." This is the same effect as "The Snap Handling" in the sense that the magic happens in the closed fist of the performer as the fingers are snapped. The effect is great, and I like the presentational idea of pretending to take the gum from the bottom of the table (granted you have to read your audience a little before using that presentational hook). The reason I gave this an 8 is because I think that the gimmick is not as convincing as "gimmick #1." It's still a killer effect, but I just like the other gimmick better.
Thumb Tip Handling (12/10):
This is my favorite handling and is the one I'll be using the most. It of course uses "Gimmick #3." You can figure out what the gimmick is by reading the title of the handling. This one is one of those, "Why didn't I think of it" deals. Plus the cool thing about this handling is that you really could use any kind of gum. Whereas some of the other handlings, you'd have to use the "bazooka" style hard bubble gum, with this one you could use pretty much whatever kind of gum you already chew. This is best suited for strolling in a bar, but would work in just about any venue.
JC's Handling (8/10):
Don't get me wrong; I love JC Wagner, but I never get to perform in that venue where you have a bar and the built in advantages that come with that kind of performing venue. I love this trick, and I love the handling, and best of all, it uses no gimmick. However, you must be either seated or working from behind a bar. I just happen to never perform this way, so I'd never use it. However if you perform seated or maybe do magic when your out to dinner with friends, etc, then this is actually one of the best handlings.
The Slydini Way (7/10):
If you're familiar with Slydini's work then, of course, you know his primary M.O. which is an M.O. that I don't use. Most big (that's code for fat) magicians don't use this technique. You know who you are and you know why. :)
That, however, doesn't mean that this isn't a good effect. It's just not as practical for me. It does not use a gimmick which is a plus, but you do have to tear up a wrapper which is a minor bummer. The effect, of course, is beautiful and was (as Jay mentions on the DVD) inspired by Slydini's torn and restored cigarette which is also a beautiful piece of magic. I gave a bit of a low rating because most people don't get the opportunity to perform under these circumstances, and it is a bit messy in the end.
The Transposition Sequence (6/10):
This was probably my least favorite handling. Even so, it's still a nice piece, but just not my style. Again, no gimmicks are used, but you must be seated or behind a bar. It does have a nice rythm and flow to it and is a bit sort of poetic in it's style, but it's not as practical as many of the other handlings.
Impossible Restoration (9/10):
This one is awesome. It combines one of Jay's way-back-when effects called "The Price of Admission," which I used to do back in the day, with the restored bubble gum. The effect is that the torn up wrapper turns into a fully wrapped piece of unchewed gum. The beauty of this is that you don't have to mess with the chewed up gum, plus there are no gimmicks (although a little prep work is needed on the wrapper). This is a very visual and clean vanish of the torn pieces which you could do naked if that's your thing. The only reason I gave it a 9 is because it's a little bit complicated to get in and out of the effect. But it's worth the time. It's especially good for when you're performing a set for an audience rather than strolling or hopping.
The Lo-Tech Handling (10/10):
This is my second favorite version. Again, there are no gimmicks employed and it's just a very straight-forward two phase restoration. First you take the chewed gum out of your mouth and change it cleanly into an unchewed piece of gum. Then another pass of your hand over the piece of gum and the wrapper suddenly appears around the gum. It's just killer, and it's instant reset and can be done over and over again all night. This is perfect for strolling and hopping venues, and of course would work well behind the bar and at most other venues.
Oral Fixation (7/10):
If you're a street guy, then this one's up your alley (get it, street . . . alley . . . get it . . . ). This is so far removed from my style, but I can still appreciate a good effect when I see one. The idea is simply that you're chewing a piece of gum, then you tear up the wrapper and put it in your mouth with the gum. After a moment or two of facial contortions, you spit out a piece of wrapped, unchewed gum. Very Angel/Blaine-ish. A little gross for my taste, but still a cool idea, and I'm sure that there will be a ton of street-style performers who will use this one.
I think that the best effects on this DVD are the ones where you simply take the gum and simply restore it to an unchewed wrapped piece of gum. Any thing more than that is a little bit more than I would want to do with chewed gum. You may notice, therefore, that the ones that stuck to that simple plot had the best ratings. Notice however, that even the ones with low ratings were still good effects, just not my style. Overall, I highly recommend this. There is a handling style for every venue. No matter where you perform, you'll be able to find a version that works for you. The majority of the handlings are instant reset and repeatable, and all of the handlings are very visual and very magical looking. Watching this video reminds me of how I felt years ago when I first saw the demo video for the "Raven." It was like watching real magic. It was like watching magic as a "lay person" again.
For the price and everything that you get with it, you can't beat it.
(Top ▲)
Dammit! I first came across this in the 1986 publication of Jay’s “Memorable Images” lecture notes (later in 100% Sankey) and I always wanted to do it. Now that it’s out on DVD (with the props) all of you shmucks will be doing it. Lesson learned.
It’s a great effect. The “main routine” does require that you’re wearing a jacket or open shirt. But that’s a small price to pay for such a lovely bit of impromptu magic.
Of course, you’ve got to analyze your audience before doing it. Playing with your chewing gum isn’t exactly considered appropriate for “polite society”. But if you’re in an informal situation, it’s one of the few impromptu routines that really makes sense in the real world.
There are a lot of additional routines and handlings if you don’t want to go for the full hookup. One of my favorites includes a handling borrowed from another effect in Memorable Images, The Price of Admission.
Bottom line: great impromptu magic.
It’s a great effect. The “main routine” does require that you’re wearing a jacket or open shirt. But that’s a small price to pay for such a lovely bit of impromptu magic.
Of course, you’ve got to analyze your audience before doing it. Playing with your chewing gum isn’t exactly considered appropriate for “polite society”. But if you’re in an informal situation, it’s one of the few impromptu routines that really makes sense in the real world.
There are a lot of additional routines and handlings if you don’t want to go for the full hookup. One of my favorites includes a handling borrowed from another effect in Memorable Images, The Price of Admission.
Bottom line: great impromptu magic.