Price$35.00
Media TypeDVD
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedOct 24, 2014
Hidden Hand
Fields, Sean
Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.
(Based on 3 reviews)
From the mind of Sean Fields, Hidden Hand is a brand new utility device that allows for stunning vanishes and productions. With NO sleights necessary, you will be able to manipulate items within minutes of learning this secret.
Roll your sleeves up, show your hands completely, unmistakably empty and from out of nowhere produce a small object. No suspicious moves. Just pure magic.
Multiple vanishes including one handed and drop vanishes Multiple versions of Ring to Anywhere straight from Sean's own working repertoire How to install, modify and repair your Hidden Hand Bonus moves, ideas and routines by special guest Eric Jones Nearly two hours of instructions will give you a complete arsenal of moves, routines and ideas that will stun your spectators.
"Brilliant! It's amazing and opens up so many possibilities!!!"
- Dynamo
"If you were ever looking for the most incredible, amazing, versatile, practical way to vanish a small object, you've got to give hidden hand a try!"
- Eric Jones
"When Sean Fields first showed me the effect I freaked out. When he revealed the secret to me, I couldn't believe what I saw. The method is utterly astounding and so creative."
- Shin Lim
"This will get you laid... Just kidding... Not really."
- Chris Ramsay
"Hidden Hand is one of the most beastly things he has come out with yet!"
- Chris Wiehl
'This is something every magician can use in their own way. The possibilities of this gimmick have yet to all be discovered.'
- Tom Elderfield
"I'm a big Sean Fields fan, but my God, that looks like real magic."
- Chris Kavanagh
Reviews
(Top ▲)
The “Hidden Hand” by Sean Fields is a utility device that, in its most basic use, allows the performer to very cleanly vanish any small object with his or her sleeves rolled up. The vanish is a complete vanish, which is to say that once the item is shown to have disappeared, both hands can be cleanly shown empty. It’s not a version of a topit, pull, or ring flight, nor does it use the pendulum principle, and the effect is as clean as it appears in the trailer.
The “Hidden Hand” comes with an instructional DVD as well as the components needed to construct the gimmick. Construction is simple and enough material is provided to replace anything that wears out, should that ever occur. The DVD is produced by Murphy’s Magic and is of extremely high quality. Multiple camera angles are used and clear close-ups are shot when appropriate. The instruction by Mr. Fields, and his guest Eric Jones, is clear and well prepared, if a bit repetitive.
The gimmick itself is extremely clever. Mr. Fields describes it as “irreducibly complex,” which, while a bit dramatic, is an accurate description, as no part of the gimmick is extraneous and several elements provide multiple benefits. It can be used with a variety of objects, from cards to coins to billets, the main restriction being nothing larger or heavier than a silver dollar. In addition to vanishing an object, the “Hidden Hand” can also be used for productions, transformations, switches and the like. It’s of particular note that retrieval of the vanished item is simple and quick, delivering it directly into the hand, essentially unattached to anything (unlike vanishing an item that ends up being attached to a pull, ring flight or needing to be retrieved from a topit).
The method itself is marvelously counterintuitive. Just as audience members would never believe the performer would memorize the position of every card in the deck, the method at play here is nothing a viewer would ever imagine. While it employs elements of other methods and approaches that have come before, the particular combination of ideas at play with the “Hidden Hand” is unique.
While not completely angle proof, with proper audience management and rehearsal, the “Hidden Hand” can be used in close up and walk around. Which isn’t to say all the effects taught on the DVD can be performed in every situation. The performer will have to choose an application that will work in their particular circumstance. Fortunately, the gimmick is very flexible, and one can jump from one application to another quickly and easily while performing. Additionally, the gimmick is very easy to ring in and out of play, and can be used with most types of clothing, both casual and professional.
Mr. Fields covers a number of basic techniques, including several one handed vanishes, a couple of two handed vanishes, a production, plus ideas on quickly retrieving the vanished object. Effects include coin to sugar packet, a coin bend, coin in pen cap, ring to necklace and ring to keychain. It’s of particular note that Mr. Fields also teaches a quick way to make an ordinary key ring work as a simple, impromptu ring flight gimmick. This bonus was offered with little fanfare, but is extremely effective, clever and simple, and frankly could have been marketed separately.
Eric Jones also teaches some techniques and ideas he has come up with, all of which demonstrate his trademark soft and fluid technique. In his hands the effects look shockingly good. Some of the ideas he offers are refinements on techniques Mr. Fields taught, and some are brand new. He teaches vanishes, productions, a transformation, and a lovely object through table routine where the viewer can see the hand below the table is empty right up until the penetration.
Additional content includes instruction on how to build the gimmick, as well as simple modifications that, while not necessary, can add to its deceptiveness and flexibility. There is also a section on troubleshooting, covering angles, psychology, management and how to avoid flashing. The producers and Mr. Fields clearly devoted a great deal of time making sure all the information needed to successfully utilize the “Hidden Hand” is provided.
The “Hidden Hand” is a very clever, very deceptive utility gimmick that can accomplish a variety of effects. It’s one of the more counterintuitive methods I’ve seen. Beyond being deceptive, it’s also simple to ring in and out of play, and takes up very little space in terms of pocket management. While the user has to be sensitive to angles, its flexibility does offer options for less favorable circumstances.
In the end, the ability to cleanly and completely vanish and reproduce an object is one of the more basic and fundamental magical effects possible. The “Hidden Hand” allows the performer to do this, essentially impromptu, in a very magical manner, and with a minimal investment. It’s by no means self working, but with practice this device can produce absolute miracles. Highly recommended.
The “Hidden Hand” comes with an instructional DVD as well as the components needed to construct the gimmick. Construction is simple and enough material is provided to replace anything that wears out, should that ever occur. The DVD is produced by Murphy’s Magic and is of extremely high quality. Multiple camera angles are used and clear close-ups are shot when appropriate. The instruction by Mr. Fields, and his guest Eric Jones, is clear and well prepared, if a bit repetitive.
The gimmick itself is extremely clever. Mr. Fields describes it as “irreducibly complex,” which, while a bit dramatic, is an accurate description, as no part of the gimmick is extraneous and several elements provide multiple benefits. It can be used with a variety of objects, from cards to coins to billets, the main restriction being nothing larger or heavier than a silver dollar. In addition to vanishing an object, the “Hidden Hand” can also be used for productions, transformations, switches and the like. It’s of particular note that retrieval of the vanished item is simple and quick, delivering it directly into the hand, essentially unattached to anything (unlike vanishing an item that ends up being attached to a pull, ring flight or needing to be retrieved from a topit).
The method itself is marvelously counterintuitive. Just as audience members would never believe the performer would memorize the position of every card in the deck, the method at play here is nothing a viewer would ever imagine. While it employs elements of other methods and approaches that have come before, the particular combination of ideas at play with the “Hidden Hand” is unique.
While not completely angle proof, with proper audience management and rehearsal, the “Hidden Hand” can be used in close up and walk around. Which isn’t to say all the effects taught on the DVD can be performed in every situation. The performer will have to choose an application that will work in their particular circumstance. Fortunately, the gimmick is very flexible, and one can jump from one application to another quickly and easily while performing. Additionally, the gimmick is very easy to ring in and out of play, and can be used with most types of clothing, both casual and professional.
Mr. Fields covers a number of basic techniques, including several one handed vanishes, a couple of two handed vanishes, a production, plus ideas on quickly retrieving the vanished object. Effects include coin to sugar packet, a coin bend, coin in pen cap, ring to necklace and ring to keychain. It’s of particular note that Mr. Fields also teaches a quick way to make an ordinary key ring work as a simple, impromptu ring flight gimmick. This bonus was offered with little fanfare, but is extremely effective, clever and simple, and frankly could have been marketed separately.
Eric Jones also teaches some techniques and ideas he has come up with, all of which demonstrate his trademark soft and fluid technique. In his hands the effects look shockingly good. Some of the ideas he offers are refinements on techniques Mr. Fields taught, and some are brand new. He teaches vanishes, productions, a transformation, and a lovely object through table routine where the viewer can see the hand below the table is empty right up until the penetration.
Additional content includes instruction on how to build the gimmick, as well as simple modifications that, while not necessary, can add to its deceptiveness and flexibility. There is also a section on troubleshooting, covering angles, psychology, management and how to avoid flashing. The producers and Mr. Fields clearly devoted a great deal of time making sure all the information needed to successfully utilize the “Hidden Hand” is provided.
The “Hidden Hand” is a very clever, very deceptive utility gimmick that can accomplish a variety of effects. It’s one of the more counterintuitive methods I’ve seen. Beyond being deceptive, it’s also simple to ring in and out of play, and takes up very little space in terms of pocket management. While the user has to be sensitive to angles, its flexibility does offer options for less favorable circumstances.
In the end, the ability to cleanly and completely vanish and reproduce an object is one of the more basic and fundamental magical effects possible. The “Hidden Hand” allows the performer to do this, essentially impromptu, in a very magical manner, and with a minimal investment. It’s by no means self working, but with practice this device can produce absolute miracles. Highly recommended.
(Top ▲)
Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Desperate by Vixen
Hidden Hand by Sean Fields Reviewed
One two-hour DVD, one gimmick and $35 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
Effect
Making small objects vanish and/or reappear is the main effect here. You can also do switches as well. The number of effect possible are pretty broad.
Method
A clever gimmick, potentially, makes all this possible. The gimmick, for the most part, hides in plain site sort of. It is a little bit angle-sensitive, depending on how you're using it. However, if your audience is in front of you and not to your sides, you should be just fine. The method requires that you are wearing a long sleeve shirt that can be rolled up. It won't work in a short sleeve shirt.
Also, the method is much, much, much, much more effective if you're using an object like a ring (i.e., something with a relatively large hole in it). The DVD shows several effects using a coin rather than a ring. However, this is nowhere near as effective as using a ring. In fact, when we get to the "product quality" section below, you'll see that there are some serious issues with the non-ring effects.
The method requires involves a gimmick that is partially hooked up. Then before you do the effect, you have to finish the hook up. Then after performing the effect, you have to partially "un-hook" it again. The problem with this is that when the gimmick is in its partial hook up state, it's not a simple thing to retrieve it. Further, there is a little "thing" that you stick to your arm that is supposed to help with the management of the gimmick.
Unfortunately, it did not do its job. It would not stay stuck in place, so this ends up being something that you have to kind of fish out and hook up before you walk up to a table. Which means you have to use it as an opener because it's too awkward to hook it up in the middle of a set. They teach you how to hook it up in the middle of the set, but it relies on the aforementioned "thing" that sticks to your arm — the thing that doesn't work like it should.
However, once you are hooked up, and you are using a ring, the vanish and/or appearance is very easy to do. You just have to watch your angles.
Ad Copy Integrity
The ad copy is mostly accurate, but it's only accurate once you've loaded the gimmick on your hand. Even while the gimmick is in place, you can still show your hands empty before and after the vanish of the object. I will point out, however, that it says that you can produce "small objects." Well . . . not really.
The little thing that was supposed to stick to my arm (mentioned above) is also used when doing effects with objects that don't have a hole in them. I feel the claim that you can do this with "small objects" is a bit inaccurate when you consider the fact that the portion of the gimmick needed to make this happen doesn't work.
Also, it says "no sleight of hand." Well . . . in the DVD, Sean Fields very clearly states that Hidden Hand is not meant to replace sleight of hand, but rather to help it. You will need some basic sleight of hand for many of the effects on the DVD.
On the video trailer, there were a couple of issues as well. First, the key vanish shown is not taught on the DVD, and knowing the way the gimmick works, I don't see how you could possibly use the Hidden Hand gimmick to perform that vanish. Next, the vanishing ring that reappears on the key chain was a bit misleading. With their little speed up the camera business, they conveniently left out the fidgeting needed to load the ring onto the key ring in his pocket.
Lastly, the coin bend shown in the trailer was not taught on the DVD. There was a version of a coin bend taught, but it required two hands. The version shown in the trailer was done between his teeth and with only one hand. That was not taught on the DVD.
Product Quality
The DVD quality was excellent. It was well shot, well lit, well mic'd, easy to navigate, etc. The problem comes in with the teaching of some of the effects, and the gimmick itself. First, let's address some of the teaching issues.
In one segment Sean Fields said that (paraphrasing) there is nothing cleaner than showing a coin and vanishing it then showing both hands empty with no toppit. Well . . . the toppit would actually be a much cleaner vanish than this. With the toppit, there really are no angle problems and you are totally clean at the end. With Hidden Hand, however, the coin is still "out there" and could be seen.
The following is a method issue, but it fits under product quality as well. On some of the effects taught where the object was not a ring, Fields, just walked through the explanation without showing an actual performance of it. He would walk through it exposing everything. Then say, "Here it is a performance speed." Then he would proceed to walk through the exposed explanation again.
This is due to the finicky nature of some of the routines. They're just not as clean and angle-proof and reliable (due to the stick gimmick thing problem) as they should be. Further, he had a reappearance method called the "Slingshot" that he demonstrated with a ring. Not once was he able to do it without serious flashing. Further, he said that you could use the "Slingshot" to reappear coins. Nope. You cannot use the "Slingshot" to reappear coins.
This "thing" that you stick to your arm was supposed to have the adhesive already on it according to the DVD. However, it did not. Instead it came with a small square of adhesive that you had to apply yourself . . . a little bit of a pain, but the real problem is that the stuff only sticks to the "thingy" and not your skin and not to the other small objects that you might want to do the tricks with. Without its sticky-ness, you cannot use this to do non-ring tricks.
Also, without the sticky-ness, you have less control/management of rest of the gimmick. This is where retrieving it from its hiding place becomes much more tricky. Without it, you have to fish around and get the gimmick in place which is not a quick or smooth task that can easily be done in front of your audience. It's doable, but much more trick without the sticky thingy.
Once the gimmick is in place, then making a ring vanish and reappear is very easy to do, and it looks great. But to add more fuel to the fire, the entire segment with Eric Jones was done with him keeping the gimmick in place at all times. That's just not practical. When you are done with the effect, you need to disconnect the gimmick. He never connected the gimmick or disconnected during his performance/teaching session. He also was not wearing the sticky thing. That being the case, he couldn't disconnect the gimmick and reconnect it between effects. This does seem to support my concern about the sticky thing not working.
There were also several cases during Fields's sections where he was supposed to be setting up the gimmick secretly, but it wouldn't "get in place" with the one hand secretly. So he reached over with his other hand and openly adjusted the gimmick. This is not something you would be able to do in a real performance environment.
Final Thoughts
I've been getting a few products like this lately where the final rating is a tough call. The concept for this is good, and it's doable. However, there are quite a few issues. Part of the gimmick does not work at all. This means that any effect that is not using a ring will not work, so it's not "small objects," but rather "just rings." This problem also makes getting the gimmick in place a lot less smooth.
Some stuff shown in the trailer was not taught on the DVD. Some of the methods taught are very likely to flash and not work well. However, if you are looking for a very clean way to vanish a borrowed ring and make it reappear then this will get the job done. However, there are so many other issues with inaccurate claims and gimmick issues that it's very hard to give this a solid rating.
Final Verdict:
2.5 Stars with a Stone Status of Grubble (somewhere right between gem and rubble).
(Top ▲)
REVIEW
This is a simple device and Sean starts out by apologizing for how simple it is. The ad copy describes what it is not, and some may be a bit disappointed in finding out that it is something that is just slightly different from one of the items in the list of what it is not. OK, getting past that, let’s talk review. It is a simple device, but I can only speak for myself in saying this is not something I have seen before. I would say it combines a few principles to come up with what for me, is a new mouse trap.
I think it is a very effective way of making any small item seem to just disappear like pure magic. It is a very clean vanish. You can also reproduce the small item easily.
It is easy to install and easy to use. It is very practical for any setting.
CAUTION
One word of caution is it is NOT invisible. However, I would say it is only slightly angly, as are many effects. You can control it’s visibility watching your angles. I would say that it would likely not be seen to people up close if they are within about a 70 degree radius in front of you. I would say that is should be totally invisible from a distance of several feet or more, perhaps 8 feet or so.
Also, it comes with a limited supply of what is needed to repair the gimmick. However, it is pretty sturdy, so it should not break easily. I don’t know where you might find a couple of the needed items. Perhaps they are out there, but I can’t say if you would find them easily or not.
I figure that should mine break, and I ran out of material to fix it, I could create a version of this that would work just as well with commonly available materials.
VERDICT
A very nice little device. I am definitely planning on using this.
This is a simple device and Sean starts out by apologizing for how simple it is. The ad copy describes what it is not, and some may be a bit disappointed in finding out that it is something that is just slightly different from one of the items in the list of what it is not. OK, getting past that, let’s talk review. It is a simple device, but I can only speak for myself in saying this is not something I have seen before. I would say it combines a few principles to come up with what for me, is a new mouse trap.
I think it is a very effective way of making any small item seem to just disappear like pure magic. It is a very clean vanish. You can also reproduce the small item easily.
It is easy to install and easy to use. It is very practical for any setting.
CAUTION
One word of caution is it is NOT invisible. However, I would say it is only slightly angly, as are many effects. You can control it’s visibility watching your angles. I would say that it would likely not be seen to people up close if they are within about a 70 degree radius in front of you. I would say that is should be totally invisible from a distance of several feet or more, perhaps 8 feet or so.
Also, it comes with a limited supply of what is needed to repair the gimmick. However, it is pretty sturdy, so it should not break easily. I don’t know where you might find a couple of the needed items. Perhaps they are out there, but I can’t say if you would find them easily or not.
I figure that should mine break, and I ran out of material to fix it, I could create a version of this that would work just as well with commonly available materials.
VERDICT
A very nice little device. I am definitely planning on using this.