Price$19.95
Media TypeDVD
CategoryGeneral, Close Up
Date AddedSep 11, 2008
Ring Flight
Various
L&L Publishing
(Based on 1 review)
View Clip 1 View Clip 2Though conjuring effects with finger rings have been part of the conjuring literature for quite some time, it was British magician/mentalist Al Koran who first conceived of the notion of a borrowed finger ring vanishing and reappearing on one of the hooks of a key case. Ever since, this effect has been a staple of magicians' repertoires and dealer catalogs everywhere.
On this DVD, you'll meet five performers who have taken this very commercial effect to even greater heights. Steve Draun is up first with not only an extremely serviceable routine but also provides step-by-step instructions on how to make your own Ring Flight gimmick. Bruce Cervon's routine follows a very logical premise as the borrowed ring changes places with one of the keys while Dan Tong combines another classic - the Ring On Stick - with Ring Flight to come up with a hybrid routine that is uniquely suited for the strolling performer. Dan Fleshman follows with another combined routine, using the powerful Ring Flight finish as a finale for his signature Ring and String routine while Michael Close combines two concepts to create an effect with a borrowed ring that not only has a truly impossible ending but one that can be performed on the largest stage.
Ring Flight is truly one of magic's most commercial effects and performers new to this effect along with magicians who are already performing a version of this trick can only benefit from the creativity and real-world advice dispensed on this DVD.
- Ring Flight - Steve Draun
- Silent Flight - Bruce Cervon
- Ring Flight/Ring on Stick - Dan Tong
- Ring & String Flight - Dan Fleshman
- Ring Fright - Michael Close
Reviews
(Top ▲)
Ring Flight may be a modern classic of magic, but it's a trick I would never consider performing. The reason is simple, induce a group of magicians to tell you their worst "horror stories" about performing and you're sure to hear about a Ring Flight performance gone bad. Stories of lost or damaged rings are legion and should be enough to scare away any sensible performer.
Another reason I'll never perform this trick is that it brings out the worst in the magician. For whatever reason, magicians just can't seem to resist making tired and insulting comments about the spectator's ring. Even in this DVD, which otherwise features some of our best performers.
Finally, for the trick to play as intended, you need to borrow prized, personal, and valuable property. Then, you proceed to disrespect the property, and by association its loaner, by making it a mere prop in a silly, unmotivated display of your cleverness. That's exactly the type of person and performer and I try hard not to be.
But let's say that you're confident you can overcome the liability and social defects this trick offers. You, no doubt, can be the one who makes Ring Flight a true masterpiece of humane magic. If that's your goal, this DVD is a great place to start. You'll get a bevy of safety advise and good tips about handling. You'll also learn all those stock laugh lines and insults so that you can avoid using them yourself. (Right?)
In addition, Steve Draun will teach you how to make a more reliable Ring Flight case, Dan Tong teaches a nice ring-on-wand segment, and Dan Fleshman adds a short ring-on-string element to his version. The best segment is saved for last where Michael Close teaches his "Ring Fright" which is actually motivated, respectful, and avoids all of the safety problems by using a completely different method. Hey, maybe there's hope for this trick after all.
Another reason I'll never perform this trick is that it brings out the worst in the magician. For whatever reason, magicians just can't seem to resist making tired and insulting comments about the spectator's ring. Even in this DVD, which otherwise features some of our best performers.
Finally, for the trick to play as intended, you need to borrow prized, personal, and valuable property. Then, you proceed to disrespect the property, and by association its loaner, by making it a mere prop in a silly, unmotivated display of your cleverness. That's exactly the type of person and performer and I try hard not to be.
But let's say that you're confident you can overcome the liability and social defects this trick offers. You, no doubt, can be the one who makes Ring Flight a true masterpiece of humane magic. If that's your goal, this DVD is a great place to start. You'll get a bevy of safety advise and good tips about handling. You'll also learn all those stock laugh lines and insults so that you can avoid using them yourself. (Right?)
In addition, Steve Draun will teach you how to make a more reliable Ring Flight case, Dan Tong teaches a nice ring-on-wand segment, and Dan Fleshman adds a short ring-on-string element to his version. The best segment is saved for last where Michael Close teaches his "Ring Fright" which is actually motivated, respectful, and avoids all of the safety problems by using a completely different method. Hey, maybe there's hope for this trick after all.