The Double Lift Project
Montier, Liam
Big Blind Media
(Based on 3 reviews)
It is invariably the first sleight magicians learn once they decide to progress from entirely self working card magic, and for many magicians it is the ONLY sleight they need to unleash all manner of magic chicanery on their spectators.
And yet it is often performed clumsily, and in the exact same manner as it was first learnt. Indeed, many magicians spend a lifetime sticking to their initial method, and fail to take advantage of the numerous variations and context specific variants that exist.
On the Double Lift Project you will find thorough, easy to understand, in-depth teaching on fourteen different double lifts. With these moves in your arsenal you will be ready to perform a double lift regardless of the situation. From the top of the deck, the middle of the deck, from a packet of cards - you name it. You will also have the skills to 'get ready' for your double lift using a host of methods - thumb count (at the front or rear of the deck), a pinkie count, pushover and more. Then once you progress further into the DVD Liam will even teach you how to do triple, quadruple (or MORE) turnovers.
Make no mistake - there are a lot of techniques, tips and skills to learn and enjoy!
Regardless of whether you are just starting out in magic, or are a seasoned pro, there is something exciting to learn here. And 'The Double Lift Project' will provide utterly essential skills that will elevate your card magic to the next level.
On the second half of the DVD your host, Liam Montier, presents some of the greatest card tricks ever invented - all using just a double lift! Mindblowing routines from the likes of David Solomon, Alex Elmsley & Peter Duffie will arm you with material guaranteed to blow an audience's mind!
PRAISE FOR 'THE DOUBLE LIFT PROJECT' -
"I thought my double lift was fine. Then I watched this, improved my technique 100% and learnt loads of variations I never knew existed. Thank you Liam!"
- Mark Hanson, Merchant Of Magic
"Beginner or working pro - you need this DVD. It WILL improve your technique. Plus the tricks are killer."
- James Went (BBC's 'Help My Supply Teacher Is Magic')
"The most comprehensive guide to the double lift I have ever seen".
- Dave Forrest
"An utterly indispensable guide to an essential move!"
- Iain Moran
HIGHLIGHTS:Huge project spanning 3 hours on a dual layer DVD9 disc! Content for beginner's right through to performing pros. Features 6 get readies, 14 doublelifts and 7 amazing routines High production values and excellent in depth teaching. Part of the same series as the best selling releases THE ELMSLEY COUNT PROJECT and THE CULLFATHER.TRACKLISTING -
The Get Readies
Holding The Deck
The Lift Up
The Gary Ouelett Get Ready
The Push Over Break
The Lift Get Ready
The Thumb Count
The Pinkie Count
The Turnovers
The Expert Card Technique Turnover
The Book Turnover
The Upjogged Turnover
The Spin Double
The Larry Jenning's Snap Double
The Pages Of Time
The Triple Delight Turnover
The Crook
The Pushoff
The Floop
The LePaul Flipover
The Centre Double Lifts
The Forceps
The Bro Hamman Packet Double Lifts
The Tricks
Chicago Opener/Red Hot Mama
David Solomon's Fingerprint Trick
Peter Duffie's Two Card Transpo
Dave Campbell's Leapfrog
George McBride's Double Swap Sandwich
Alex Elmsley's Double Swap
Mike Skinner's The Mona Lisa Card Trick
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Sail Away by The Oak Ridge Boys
The Double Lift Project by Liam Montier Reviewed
One DVD, a whole bunch of tips, pointers, tricks, etc., Liam Montier, Big Blind Media and $35 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
Effect/Method
The method (Double Lift) is the focus of this project. You are taught the ins and outs of the Double Lift. This was another one of those projects where I thought it was going to be "a whole bunch of stuff that I already know." As is usual, I was wrong . . . again. Within just a few minutes of watching this DVD, I was exposed to simple things that I never knew when it comes to the DL: How to properly hold the deck, how to get a proper break, when to get it, different techniques for getting it. Things like the Pinky Count were demystified.
Further, there were multiple techniques taught for turning over the double. Many of these were ones I was unfamiliar with. However, I understand that just because I was unfamiliar with some of this stuff, it doesn't mean that you are. Yet, I'd be surprised if even the most advanced cardician did not learn something that would improve his/her technique.
Once you've learned how to hold the deck, how to get a break, how to pick up and/or turn over the double, etc., then it's time to apply your knowledge with some excellent examples of classic, powerful, stood-the-test-of-time effects that employ this sneaky sleight.
You'll learn classic effects from David Solomon, Peter Duffie, Alex Elmsley, Mike Skinner, and much more. This are all effects that are simple and powerful and use the DL. Once you master the DL, the methods are very simple and very doable.
All of the effects, grips, counts, turnover, techniques, etc. are pulled from some of the greatest magicians of our time and before. Larry Jennings, Paul LePaul, Brother John Hamman, and so many more will be channeled by your host Liam Montier. There's no question that the material is solid, and the presentation of the material by Liam is excellent to boot.
Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy, as is the standard for Big Blind Media, is absolutely accurate. The claim that the DL is one of the most essential sleights in card magic is true. The claim that the effects taught are some of the greatest tricks ever created is true. Granted a claim like this is an opinion. However, the high majority of educated card folk would absolutely agree with this claim.
Product Quality
Ahhhhhhh . . . Owen "The Man of Titanium" Packard . . . I'm sure I've mentioned before that I'm a fan of the famed goat-bearded wonder worker who is Owen Packard. His Big Blind Media team is a top notch team of brilliant artists who know how to make a solid product with proper lighting, audio, camera angles, easy to navigate DVD menus, etc., etc., etc. 100% top notch quality here.
Final Thoughts
I think most people would agree that the DL is one of the most valuable tools in a card worker's repertoire. So the question, likely, is not whether or not you do a DL, but rather, the question, likely, is how good is your DL? I dare say that no matter how good it is, it'll be better after you apply what you learn in this DVD.
The only question you need to resolve is whether you want to stick with your same old same old DL, or do you want to grow as a magician and truly master this powerful tool. If you fall into the latter category, $35 bucks is a small price to pay to achieve mastery. If, however, you fall in the former category, you should stop reading my reviews and start reading Dale Carnegie to improve your attitude.
Final Verdict:
5 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.
(Top ▲)
The double lift is probably one of the most used card moves in the world. This DVD takes you from ground zero and gives you a few approaches to the move, and a few tricks to use it in.
Montier is a wonderful teacher. He’s smart, charming, and energetic about what he’s teaching. His technical ability matches his teaching ability, and you really feel like you know Liam after watching the DVD.
The quality of the tricks are all over the map however. Some of the tricks are really simple and strong, while others are cluttered, and confusing. The two best tricks on the DVD are “The Fingerprint Trick” and “The Mona Lisa Card Trick” because both are simple, strong, and can be used at any point in a strolling set.
Whether you are a complete beginner, or a seasoned pro looking to brush up on the classics, I can’t think of a better resource of this move.
Montier is a wonderful teacher. He’s smart, charming, and energetic about what he’s teaching. His technical ability matches his teaching ability, and you really feel like you know Liam after watching the DVD.
The quality of the tricks are all over the map however. Some of the tricks are really simple and strong, while others are cluttered, and confusing. The two best tricks on the DVD are “The Fingerprint Trick” and “The Mona Lisa Card Trick” because both are simple, strong, and can be used at any point in a strolling set.
Whether you are a complete beginner, or a seasoned pro looking to brush up on the classics, I can’t think of a better resource of this move.
(Top ▲)
In the spirit of The Elmsley Count Project, Liam Montier and the gang are back with comprehensive course on the Double Lift.
I have being doing card magic for more years than I care to remember and the DL was one of the first sleights I learned (never got it right until Lee Grey at Kanter's Magic Shop in Philly walked me through it step by step). As I have gotten older, I found it more difficult, oddly enough, to do the DL. Maybe I am not as nimble as I was, maybe it is a lifetime of bad habits, but I looked at Big Blind's Double Lift Project as sort of a "Master Refresher Course".
I was thrilled with the results. This fabulous compendium takes you through the DL in detailed step by step (you'll learn more get-readys than you knew existed!). Once the foundation is laid (or re-laid), Liam takes you through 7 wonderful tricks that USE -- but are not dominated by -- the DL. I am a big fan of the Chicago Opener and was thrilled to see it here. "Leapfrog" will leaping into my set immediately. And I can't wait to try out the Mona Lisa Effect.
Great work, Liam and all at BBM. Your products continue to push the envelope of class, style and innovation by just doing things right and providing a huge amount of value.
I have being doing card magic for more years than I care to remember and the DL was one of the first sleights I learned (never got it right until Lee Grey at Kanter's Magic Shop in Philly walked me through it step by step). As I have gotten older, I found it more difficult, oddly enough, to do the DL. Maybe I am not as nimble as I was, maybe it is a lifetime of bad habits, but I looked at Big Blind's Double Lift Project as sort of a "Master Refresher Course".
I was thrilled with the results. This fabulous compendium takes you through the DL in detailed step by step (you'll learn more get-readys than you knew existed!). Once the foundation is laid (or re-laid), Liam takes you through 7 wonderful tricks that USE -- but are not dominated by -- the DL. I am a big fan of the Chicago Opener and was thrilled to see it here. "Leapfrog" will leaping into my set immediately. And I can't wait to try out the Mona Lisa Effect.
Great work, Liam and all at BBM. Your products continue to push the envelope of class, style and innovation by just doing things right and providing a huge amount of value.