Price$29.95
Media TypeDVD
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedNov 01, 2014
On/Off
Lawrence, Nicholas
SM Productionz
(Based on 3 reviews)
Imagine asking your spectator "Have you ever had a ring on your finger for too long and had a difficult time taking it off?" As you try to take the ring off your finger, you accidentally pop the finger off along with the ring!! It is an absolute bizarre moment that gets CRAZY reaction.
Multiple versions with single ring, double ring, no ring, and gimmick taught thoroughly in the ON OFF project.
** Gimmick included.
Reviews
(Top ▲)
The basic effect of “On/Off” by Nicholas Lawrence is that the performer removes his or her finger in order to remove a ring. It’s a visual, convincing and unexpected effect. It’s also only a slight variation of an effect published almost 25 years ago.
The effect itself is fantastic and looks great. The plot of removing one’s finger to remove a stuck ring is delightfully absurd and surprising. And the idea of solving the problem of a stuck ring by removing one’s finger is just the sort of solution a real magician might come up with. It’s a far cry from the standard card and coin effects one typically sees performed. The method itself is clever, convincing and most of the handlings are impromptu. Either as a quick “one off” effect, or as part of a longer routine, this is a great piece of magic.
The instruction on the DVD is clear and well thought out, with good camera work and multiple angles. Many subtleties are shared, and a large number of variations are taught. Some of the instruction is a bit repetitive, but that’s far more preferable to instruction that’s made up on the spot with little rehearsal or preparation.
My main complaint is that no credit was given to David Harkey, who published the exact same effect using the same method (the only difference being that Harkey did the effect with the ring finger, not the little finger) in his book, Simply Harkey, in 1991. In addition to the basic “ring off finger” routine, Mr. Harkey explores a wide range of effects using the same principle, then goes on to explain another 59 or so effects in the book. I say this not because there is anything inherently wrong with single trick DVD’s. But I do miss the days of magicians investing time and energy into fully exploring and honing their repertoire and only after years of performance sharing them with the magic marketplace.
As it is, Simply Harkey is out of print, unlikely to be reprinted and is quite expensive on the secondary marketplace. At the very least, SansMinds should have done their research, contacted Mr. Harkey and gotten permission to teach a version of his effect.
Crediting aside, this is a wonderful, quirky effect that looks exactly like it would if someone really could remove their finger to remove their ring. If you like the effect as seen on the trailer, and don’t mind spending $30 for the addition of one effect to your repertoire, this is a great DVD.
The effect itself is fantastic and looks great. The plot of removing one’s finger to remove a stuck ring is delightfully absurd and surprising. And the idea of solving the problem of a stuck ring by removing one’s finger is just the sort of solution a real magician might come up with. It’s a far cry from the standard card and coin effects one typically sees performed. The method itself is clever, convincing and most of the handlings are impromptu. Either as a quick “one off” effect, or as part of a longer routine, this is a great piece of magic.
The instruction on the DVD is clear and well thought out, with good camera work and multiple angles. Many subtleties are shared, and a large number of variations are taught. Some of the instruction is a bit repetitive, but that’s far more preferable to instruction that’s made up on the spot with little rehearsal or preparation.
My main complaint is that no credit was given to David Harkey, who published the exact same effect using the same method (the only difference being that Harkey did the effect with the ring finger, not the little finger) in his book, Simply Harkey, in 1991. In addition to the basic “ring off finger” routine, Mr. Harkey explores a wide range of effects using the same principle, then goes on to explain another 59 or so effects in the book. I say this not because there is anything inherently wrong with single trick DVD’s. But I do miss the days of magicians investing time and energy into fully exploring and honing their repertoire and only after years of performance sharing them with the magic marketplace.
As it is, Simply Harkey is out of print, unlikely to be reprinted and is quite expensive on the secondary marketplace. At the very least, SansMinds should have done their research, contacted Mr. Harkey and gotten permission to teach a version of his effect.
Crediting aside, this is a wonderful, quirky effect that looks exactly like it would if someone really could remove their finger to remove their ring. If you like the effect as seen on the trailer, and don’t mind spending $30 for the addition of one effect to your repertoire, this is a great DVD.
(Top ▲)
Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Skyfall by Adele
Nicholas Lawrence & SansMinds: On Off Review
One DVD, multiple handling ideas, one gimmick and $30 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
Effect
The effect is simply that you remove your pinky finger.
Method
There are multiple methods taught. The basic idea, however, is that you have to get the knack for slightly contorting your fingers in just the right way. It's not hard. It will just take some practice, but it's very doable and definitely a legitimate method.
There are additional things taught on the DVD that make the illusion stronger. One method uses no ring at all and is 100% completely impromptu (assuming you have 4 fingers and a thumb on each hand). Another method requires only that you are wearing a finger ring on your pinky. Yet another method uses two rings, and a forth method uses two rings, one of which is gimmicked with stuff supplied with the DVD.
All of the methods are good and visual and will take practice. The one ring version, in my opinion, is the most visual, so if you wear a pinky ring, you're set to go any time. The non-ring version looks good, but it's nowhere near as strong as the ring(s) versions.
Regardless of the method you choose, you'll need to practice, but it's very doable unless you have arthritis in your hands, or something of that nature. If your hands are relatively healthy and even moderately flexible, you'll be able to do this with practice. Of course, you'll have to supply your own ring(s) unless you do the ring-less version. There are a couple of angle issues to consider, but Lawrence covers this in the DVD. The ideal is to have everyone (including you) standing. The audience would be a few feet in front of you looking down at your hands that are at waste-ish level.
Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy is very open and honest. In fact, they even make it clear that one of the methods uses a duplicate ring. The video trailer does a fair and honest job of portraying the effect without any editing tricks.
Product Quality
Gimmick
The thing you're supplied as a gimmick is for one of the handling options. It's basically just a black square of material that can be used for a black art version of the effect. Frankly, I don't think you even need it. The single ring version with no gimmicks looks great, and will likely be the best option for anyone who purchases this. Is the supplied material good quality? I suppose. It's just a square piece of cloth that looks like it might have been cut from a men's dress sock.
DVD
The DVD is well put together, well shot, well lit, well mic'd, etc. It's also very thorough. It covers everything you need to know about performing this effect. It gives the broad strokes and the finer details. Multiple camera angles are used to make sure you see it from every angle. Lawrence does a great job of breaking things down into digestible chunks that you'll easily be able learn from.
Final Thoughts
This is the kind of thing that does not rely on a gimmick or any special prop. It's simply your ability to handle your fingers the right way. Unless you have missing digits or unbending fingers or some sort of injury/damage to your fingers/hands, then you can do this effect. It will take practice — a lot of practice — to get the knack.
The question you have to answer is this: Do you think the illusion in the ad trailer looks good/convincing? If you do, then the next question is: Do you want to add this to your repertoire? If the answer is yes to both of those, then go for it. Just be willing to put in the time to master it. The illusion in the ad trailer is what it really looks like. It's just a matter of whether or not you like that and want to do the work.
Final Verdict:
4.5 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem
(Top ▲)
On Off is one in a series of recent Sans Mind products by Nicholas Lawrence. here, the performer places a ring on his pinky and then seemingly separates the pinky from his hand, pulls it away a few inches and then re-attaches it a second later. It is similar to the thumb removal trick that your Uncle used to do to you when you were five, but this is for audiences of all ages and it will really fool you. It is incredibly visual and when done with fluidity it will get a great reaction and often freaks out the spectators. Be expecting to hear “Do it again!”.
On Off is a 41 minute DVD which teaches you the two moves and finger manipulations necessary to be able to perform this cool effect. Nicholas Lawrence presents the effect and goes into to clear, easy to understand and very detailed step-by-step instructions. Lawrence teaches how to do several pinky removing routines, including without a ring, with one ring and also a version with two rings. This impromptu trick is great for close-up. The production quality, as it is with Sans Mind products, is excellent.
The DVD starts off with some live demonstrations, but mostly shows the spectators’ reaction, instead of the actual trick, although the trick is executed on camera a few times. This is done because the audience reaction is so fantastic – it is what you would expect from an effect that creates the illusion that your finger was removed from your hand.
Getting the moves into shape will take a bit of practice and Lawrence encourages you to practice and stick with it. It is only with a bit of practice that you will be able to present the effect perfectly.
The DVD also comes with some material that you can use to build a gimmick, which is not necessary to the effect.
This effect is very angle sensitive and positioning of your audience and your hands is crucial to avoid being burned and ruining the illusion.
The ad copy is accurate as well as the promotional video. What you see is what you can learn to perform. Lawrence accurately says that this trick will freak your audience out. The cover photo on the DVD of a finger levitating above and separated from the hand is not possible and may be misleading to some. My only criticism is that some may find the price tag just a bit too high for a DVD that basically teaches one effect.
This is a great instructional DVD to be used alone or in conjunction with a multitude of close-up ring routines.
On Off is a 41 minute DVD which teaches you the two moves and finger manipulations necessary to be able to perform this cool effect. Nicholas Lawrence presents the effect and goes into to clear, easy to understand and very detailed step-by-step instructions. Lawrence teaches how to do several pinky removing routines, including without a ring, with one ring and also a version with two rings. This impromptu trick is great for close-up. The production quality, as it is with Sans Mind products, is excellent.
The DVD starts off with some live demonstrations, but mostly shows the spectators’ reaction, instead of the actual trick, although the trick is executed on camera a few times. This is done because the audience reaction is so fantastic – it is what you would expect from an effect that creates the illusion that your finger was removed from your hand.
Getting the moves into shape will take a bit of practice and Lawrence encourages you to practice and stick with it. It is only with a bit of practice that you will be able to present the effect perfectly.
The DVD also comes with some material that you can use to build a gimmick, which is not necessary to the effect.
This effect is very angle sensitive and positioning of your audience and your hands is crucial to avoid being burned and ruining the illusion.
The ad copy is accurate as well as the promotional video. What you see is what you can learn to perform. Lawrence accurately says that this trick will freak your audience out. The cover photo on the DVD of a finger levitating above and separated from the hand is not possible and may be misleading to some. My only criticism is that some may find the price tag just a bit too high for a DVD that basically teaches one effect.
This is a great instructional DVD to be used alone or in conjunction with a multitude of close-up ring routines.