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The Magic Review

JC Sum and I are in the midst of putting together a great contest. Where one of you readers is going to win a copy of The Event Illusionist! An 85 Dollar book available from http://www.illusionbooks.com/ only!

A review of this book will be posted in the weeks to come.

Update: JC SUM WEEK

JC Sum is one hell of a guy! He's also a brilliant mind and fantastic illusionist. When I mentioned to him that people voting on the site said they'd like to see more books reviewed he immediately sent over a copy of every book on his site all the way from Singapore and he sent his Perfect Coin Pail. I just received the package this weekend and I am very excited.

I was planning a JC Sum week but with this much stuff it is going to be longer than a week! Right now I think it is going to take a minimum of two weeks, and likely longer to review all this stuff!

JC and I have also agreed to a holding a little contest! More details will follow soon, the prize will be a copy of his book The Event Illusionist valued at 85 dollars!

Here is a list of all the books to be reviewed:

Illusionary Departures
The Event Illusionist
Urban Illusions
Beyond the Stage
Equilateral

Business Cardiographic

Continuing with our Out To Lunch Marathon is one of my new favorite things. I am a huge fan of Martin Lewis and his magic. Cardiographic is a staple in my stage show and when I first heard about this smaller business card rising card I was very skeptical. When I saw the DVD only I again was skeptical. Having watched the made the gimmick, I am very happy! The gimmick is a one time build and it will last for a long time if you are a decent arts and crafts person.

You will need to watch the DVD then take a trip to an office supply store. The DVD supports one practice which I don't agree with. Printing your own business cards. NEVER print your own cards. You likely don't fix your own car, deliver your own children or do your own dental work, well don't stop the trend, let professionals, professional print your business cards because that's what professional printers do best. Besides you can get cards printed for as little as 15 dollars for 1000 colour cards front and back. Zooprinting, sign up, its free and they don't bombard you with garbage.

Once you have constructed your gimmick you can use it with any business cards that have white on the back of them. Now part of the DVD explains to have a lot of business cards printed with the card already risen. For anyone who has their own cards already I suggest you do what I did. Go have 2 rubber stamps made for you. They are very small and very inexpensive. I had one for the deck to match the gimmick and one for the risen card. The risen card is red, the rest black, hence the two stamps. Now you an sit down for a few minutes and literally produce a stack of cards. If you are having cards printed for this great! Get the backs printed with the card already risen out of the deck.

The instruction on the DVD is fantastic, including HUGE examples of the components you require to construct your gimmick. There are digital files on the DVD for Winographic and Business Card-iographic. There is always a catch though. As this does require an Out to Lunch cover you need a big ugly Broccoli rubber band or a beautiful Out To Dinner Clip as is mentioned in my review on the Out to Dinner Clip. I highly recommend you purchase this clip for this effect. It's only 15 dollars and will last for years. My biggest problem with this business card rising card, is that the action of the card rising is not done with the cards held stationary, it is done with the cards being held some what awkwardly and moving in a circular direction.

You can see from the above video that the cards are held in a strange way and the motion used by Brian. You can also see the Out to Dinner Clip in action. I do think if you played with some finer points -like the thickness of stock used for the gimmick- you could make a gimmick that would require no motion to cover anything. I enjoy smaller effects that also I do in my larger shows, the main reason being that while in a close up setting I can perform something which is in my stage show and it leads into a very easy conversation about my stage show and how it can work well with the potential client's event.

Oh, and I almost forgot! The reactions are ridiculous! The downside is that everyone will want you to perform it over and over again to get a "magic" business card. Highly recommended from Magikraft for 30 dollars or for 40 dollars which includes Doc's Out to Dinner Clip.

Out To Dinner

Doc Eason has created a very simple, very efficient and very brilliant little utility device. It is a very strong and sturdy metal clip meant to be used to hold business cards and serve as a classy alternative to an elastic band for the Out To Lunch Principle. It is very rare that I have a hard time coming up with proper criticism for a product. This was the problem I faced with Doc's Out to Dinner Clip. This is a MUST have item for anyone considering Out To Lunch effects. Since this week is all about Out To Lunch, you would do well to purchase this item immediately!

The clip is very well made and very strong. It looks fantastic and it works quite well. There are a few downfalls though. First the metal can leave grey/silver marks on white cards -not a huge problem, it only leaves marks if you over stuff the clip. Second because the clip is so well made the clip will NOT bend. Meaning your cards need to be cut very accurately to fit in the clip. Other than those two small thoughts, I can't find much to improve with this device! It works great. It looks great and it classes up a previously unsophisticated idea in magic!

I only wish it were available in Brass or black enamel as well.

If you plan on doing any Out To Lunch magic (and I can't recommend it enough!) you will want one or two of these clips ready to produce classy miracles. Or you could pull your business cards out and hand a card out from that purple broccoli rubber band... A great impression before presenting your business information.

Highly Recommended. Available from Doc Eason directly. Check out Doc's Shop for 15 dollars... that's it, 15 bucks! It also comes with two tricks to do with it but I'd certainly put more emphasis on the beautiful clip. This week will be full of Out To Lunch products that you will want to have this clip for!

Pendragon's DVD Volume 4

The fourth and final volume of the Pendragon's DVD set. For those new to the site, I will first give a recommendation then follow with a more in depth review of the material on the DVD.

While the first 3 DVDs have provided some wonderful information and effects to add to one's repertoire there are also some that are simply out of most people's financial league. Fortunately volume 4 has a good selection of techniques and illusions for the wealthy and more modest performer. The illusions explored include, The Broom Suspension, 360 degree levitation, The Impalement, and The Election which is a Blammo production followed by a no trap person switch (Leg Drop Switch). There is also some discussion on Interlude, Steinmeyer's famous illusion seen on the cover of volume 4. If you plan on doing illusions this is be all means a wonderful volume to own. If you on the other hand do not plan on doing illusions I would suggest saving your dollars and cents for something else. That being said if you are looking to buy the other 3, it is worth getting the 4th DVD to complete the set and for the discount available from L and L publishing.

First we are presented with the Broom Suspension. A very difficult illusion to do well, it's easy to perform this poorly but to make it look like there isn't mechanical junk strapped all over the place is much more difficult. Again, this illusion is a million times better due to Charlotte and her fantastic athletic and gymnastic abilities. This will be a running theme for these illusions with strong emphasis on the person being levitated, suspended, impaled, etc.

The performance segment is quite good, and you will see why when Jonathan explains his workings. The mechanics of the Pendragon's suspensions are great! If you can get it made like that, wonderful! Jonathan takes us through a brief history of the illusion and where the name came from etc.

The best part of this is the harness explanation and the learning curve/process that Jonathan describes. While it's fun to get illusions and to play without planning to perform them it is much more difficult to recognize and realize what needs to be concentrated on and the most efficient way to go about learning the crucial steps to presenting a good illusion. Jonathan emphasizes a lot of wonderful points that need to be addressed but are often overlooked. For example, if you use a ratchet type, you will have a problem when you try to get the assistant "in place" if it moves at all you will start with a semi-suspension which shouldn't take place. Jonathan also discusses some beautiful thoughts regarding suspension vs. levitation and the strengths of both. There are many great attributes that a suspension has which a levitation does not. Presentationally speaking you need to emphasize different things in a levitation vs a suspension. This will likely be one of the most valuable sections on this DVD. If you want to do a suspension you will need a couple things, this DVD and the special design to Jonathan's harness which is fantastic! Don't get this built by an illusion builder unless they truly understand the Pendragon design. I'm not sure if you need permission from Jonathan to build this, I assume not given the depth in method and specificity of mechanics. If I am incorrect and somebody knows this for a fact please email me and I will adjust this accordingly (erdnasestudent@gmail.com).

I truly hope that more people adopt Jonathan's mechanics as I can't stand that "Click click click" we all know and love in bad broom/sword suspensions. If you perform this effect already you must own this and change your set up. It's worth the money.

Following the suspension, so fittingly, is the 360 levitation. As we have heard many times already, Jonathan consistently refers back to Richiardi and his performance of levitation effects. I have to emphasize once again, it is very important to have a dedicated Charlotte Pendragon as part of the show, otherwise you will never reach full potential. Also Charlotte is more important in these illusions than the magician posing and "acting" as though he matters. Of course he matters but your assistant will be doing the real work and is literally the living illusion. A great history of the levitation is given including a little bit about Alan Wakeling's hand playing a part. I'm a huge Alan Wakeling fan, and if you aren't familiar with him or his work I highly recommend you get his book, The Magic of Alan Wakeling.

When Jonathan explains the workings of things there is a lot of emphasis on presentation as there is in all of these DVDs I would highly recommend taking this advice to heart! Jonathan takes you through the different steps of the prop. For example, bringing the assistant to the prop, Charlotte then kicks in and starts to guide your assistant. It would be a good idea to purchase the illusions on this set and then watch these DVDs with prop beside you and work through it with your assistant.

Next Jonathan discusses the hoops and the variety of hoops you can use. A particular mention to Blaney's hoop is given. Which if you've see or used this hoop before, you know why! Jonathan teaches an original hoop pass using a solid hoop. One of my favorite parts of this DVD set is that many of the things I have only read about become very real. We see a real gooseneck and Richiardi's original hoop passing technique which is fortunately not lost to history as Jonathan feared. Jonathan recommends not stealing Richiardi's hoop pass. I would agree, but it is certainly somewhere to start learning. Try to make it your own and get a feel for the philosophy behind it.

Next we have The Impaled illusion, as I've mentioned already, it requires a very special assistant to make this illusion look as good as the Pendragon's make it look. You can love or hate the illusion itself but you would be hard pressed to say they don't do it remarkably well! It would be nice to have a performances only section instead of the lecture format, where a trick is shown then explained, performed then explained, etc. Jonathan provides a lot advice regarding the graphic nature of the impalement and the fact that it is NOT a good first illusion. Jonathan gets very artist on us here. A little over the top but his advice is sound. Wait 5-10 years before tackling this type of illusion. You require a lot of experience and as you can imagine being impaled on a stick while rotating is very scary for any assistant or magician. I'd relay my personal experience having performed it as the assistant but really that's not needed. Do NOT try this one without some experience under your belt. Being up there on that stick is very scary, it would be much better to concentrate on a broom suspension as explained earlier.

Jonathan explains some wonderful moments in the Impalement and explains that the magic moment is not the impalement it's the resurrection effect. If you dropped a melon on a knife blade and it got penetrated that's not magic, it's magic when you take the melon off and show it to be unharmed. A very good point that so many bad illusionists neglect. The effect is intense and you will appreciate it that way as done by the Pendragons. Jonathan continues to emphasize the requirements, sound acting ability, physically top shape, good flexibility, etc. You can tell this is an illusion that the Pendragon's are very passionate about.

Next we are treated to the technical aspects of the Impalement and a demonstration as well as a bit of Impalement origins. During the demonstration there is a very funny part when Charlotte releases her sword tip and you can't help but laugh at the remarkably phallic implications and the awkward camera close up. Jonathan and Charlotte admire this large phallic symbol and it's ability to wobble. Priceless! The harness will shock many of you and quite honestly your assistant needs to have very strong back and leg muscles to perform this illusion convincingly. You don't realize how much strength Charlotte has until after you get a chance to see the minimalist mindset that has gone into the body support for this and other illusions.

Nearing the end of this DVD we get to hear and then see the Blammo box, a Pendragon original based on the smaller dove to rabbit illusionette. It's truly remarkable to hear how much influence the Pendragon's have had on modern illusions as we know them today! Their music is a little dated in many of these illusions this one especially. They call this trick The Election, which is a production of a big fluffy puppy dog from a Blammo, and a switch of Charlotte and Jonathan. The switch is quite good although the audience reaction and Jonathan's "Oh come on!" would make you think it's less than grand. It feels like the timing is off a bit on revealing Charlotte. Too much time between the switch, the "come on" and the awkward call to Charlotte. Perhaps not the best clip of this but the components are wonderful.

The Blammo isn't anything new to illusionists. Jonathan doesn't explain the illusion quite yet, first, we get an explanation of where he gets his dogs and what kind of dogs they are. Thorough! The effect is that a large fluffy boa (neck scarf thing) turns into a large fluffy dog. A wonderful demonstration follows and some very valuable tips. How to handle the top and which way to move, pull the top, etc. Of course this dog production is meant to be a lead into the switch they use which involves a cape to switch Charlotte and Jonathan. They were trying to get away from that huge cloaked figure switch that always happens and telegraphs a switch and appearance of the magician. This is a very good switch in workings but you need to justify the cape. Very easy for the renaissance style of the Pendragons. A bit more difficult for you or I, but not impossible. The beauty of the switch to me is that there is no need for a stage trap, certainly a significant improvement from other switches like this. Lance Burton is another interesting switch to take note of in his now famous sword fighting vignette.

We get a good look at the Pendragons and how much fun they have so many years into being professionals. There are many people who might question the value of these DVDs but I personally have yet to find anything more in depth and up to date on the effects presented by the Pendragons. I highly recommend this DVD and the other 3. Purchase the set. If you are just working on 1 or 2 illusions then you would be silly to not purchase the corresponding DVD. While these won't be huge sellers in terms of Magic DVD sales due to their niche market, the lucky people who do choose to purchase these AND use the material in them will be light years ahead of the many hacks trying to reinvent it all and make all the mistakes along the way.

If you plan on doing a levitation or suspension, buy volume 4, if you are a hobbyist dabbling, save your money for something more fun and less practical. If you enjoy illusions and history these are invaluable. It's hard to justify NOT spending the 35 bucks on this and the other DVDs in the set. It's a measly 35 bucks! Buy it Here!

The Magic of the Pendragons Volume 3

Volume Three can safely be called the DVD on Classic Stage Magic vs. Illusions. We are introduced to The Linking Rings, Sands of Egypt (Sands of the Desert), The Kellar Rope Tie, Head Twister, The World's Greatest Feet of Magic, and of course an interview with Jonathan.

As usual, I will give my recommendation followed by a more thorough review. Volume Three is on stage magic, while the Pendragon's are remarkable at Grand Illusion, the Stage Magic I saw left something to be desired. I would recommend this DVD for specific purposes. If you want to learn Sands of the Desert, buy this immediately! Jonathan will fool you with it and it is a great method. If you aren't familiar with The Kellar Rope Tie, buy this DVD set. There is no doubt the material is commercial and works for real audiences, it is scripted and carefully choreographed.

Bottom line, while these might not be great effects for you there are lessons to be learned. Of the set, I would say this is certainly not my favorite DVD. If you do or plan to do paying shows, it would be in your best interest to see a few commercial stage pieces despite the fact that they might not be for you exactly. As for the close up trick... I'm sorry that was included.

Let's go in chronological order. The linking rings routine work for Jonathan. It's something he does often and enjoys. The best part to me was not the routine but the explanation. You would be hard pressed to be able to perform this routine as described and performed. Vernon's Symphony of the Rings would be a much better investment to learn a routine from, or the famous Jack Miller Routine. Whit Haydn's comedy ring routine would be another highly recommended source. If you are looking for how a routine like the linking rings can be choreographed to music then this will certainly be beneficial. The routine is very Jonathan Pendragon. As usual the explanation is thorough and Jonathan explains it very well. The scripting in the routine is well done too. The routine as a whole is a bit much for me. You'll have to see it for yourself. Not the best thing on the DVD, not the worst. There is no question that the safety aspects covered are great and Jonathan is full of stories. In the safety segment the height requirements and tips on how to throw and catch rings without killing yourself are all covered.

The second trick is the Sands of Egypt. This has got to be my favorite version of this trick to date. I am familiar with a variety of methods but this one in particular fooled me and appealed to me on a commercial level. Jonathan makes this an audience participation trick.... How you ask? A little girl comes on stage and pours the sands in her self! What a brilliant take on this trick! Each colour is poured in of course and as you all know Jonathan reaches in and pulls out each colour, dry. There area couple of changes from the usual routine. The blackening chemicals are added openly, and the water is not cleared up at the end. I find the clearing of the water at the end to be unnecessary. Similar logic to Vernon's Traveler's where 4 aces travel to 4 different pockets. There is no need to pull the last ace from an envelope in your inside pocket. That changes the effect. I think this same thinking can be applied here. There is no need to clear the water. The effect is removing dry sands, clearing up the water (which never truly clears up) is too much. Just my opinion mind you.

The explanation for this as I already mentioned is brilliant in method. Jonathan explains the trick very well. You can make the sand yourself but I would suggest a couple of google searches to find the sand you need. You DO NOT have to buy the expensive sand from magic shops. You can get similar types of sands from children's science stores. Jonathan also details the chemicals used to darken the water and how to clear it up again if you like. The explanation is very thorough and insightful, obviously the result of hundreds of shows. There is a lot to learn. Constructing the prop you need for this might be difficult to make at times. If you have purchased the DVD and want a bit of assistance please feel free to email me and I will let you know what to do. I would purchase this DVD for this trick alone, but that's because I will be adding it to my show.

Jonathan now performs the Kellar Rope Tie. There is a lot to learn from this piece. The audience member selection process, the careful words to ensure props spectators, etc. The fun they have on stage, the lines, etc. This is a great routine to learn from. Jonathan does forget their names but I'm not sure if that's on purpose, so it's covered well. The audience interaction is wonderful and the routine is good. Not what I'd expect from Jonathan, but certainly a well received trick. Real audience laughter, great moments, a good routine! Jonathan's routine is a prime example of how to make this routine play on a huge stage. If you are interested in doing this in a small setting, parlor perhaps, I highly recommend The Magic of Alan Wakeling and the Handcuff Escape. Otherwise this is a great trick for a large stage. I'd say it's a toss up between this and the Sands of Egypt for best trick on the DVD. Jonathan explains the trick well, but quite honestly there isn't too much too explain. You will learn more from the performance than from the explanation.

The Head Twister is on here, and I'm not quite sure why to be honest. It seems out of place compared to the other tricks presented. The explanation seems longer than you need. Jonathan truly explains how the effect plays in the stage show. It's a weak effect at best. A bit of apparent miscommunication leads into "Jonathan's head not being on straight" so they adjust him with the twister. It really looks like Jonathan just wanted this to be in there cause he likes the trick. The performance is accompanied by some useful advice but this was thrown in for the performers not the viewers.

The last thing on this DVD is quite frankly, terrible. Jonathan's seated performing a card trick. The greatest feet of magic is Jonathan catching a selected card in his toes. Why is this on here? His technique is sloppy, the trick is weak in his hands. That being said, it is an amusing trick to see live with magician friends. Johnny Benzais' book has a better method for obtaining the card as needed. The effect could be good just not in Jonathan's hands or feet for that matter.

While these DVDs have highs and lows the highs certainly outweigh the lows. Unfortunately the DVD ends on a low. The highs being the Sands of Egypt and Kellar Rope Tie. The lows being the Head Twister and Greatest Feet of Magic, The Linking Rings is the wild card. Might work for some, and not for others.

All in all, this DVD is good the to have if you plan on performing Sands of Egypt or Kellar Rope Tie. Certainly don't buy it for the other tricks. As always Jonathan's insight is interesting and the dialogue is entertaining to listen to. For 35 dollars, I'd suggest you pick it up, but not for the close up magic. Available here. From L and L Publishing.

Pendragons DVD Vol 2. The Sub Trunk / Metamorphosis

Volume 2 of the Pendragon's DVD set is quite honestly the DVD all illusionists thinking of tackling the Sub Trunk should own. It goes without saying that few in the world come anywhere near the speed to visual illusion that the Pendragon's accomplish.

(Side note: One who did have remarkable speed at one time was Criss Angel surprisingly enough, performing the switch with no curtain but a line of flash pots and the cover from the pyro alone. What happened Criss?)

As per usual I am going to give a straight answer as to whether or not this DVD is worth it then we will go through the DVD contents, commenting on the good and the bad as we go. As always I will post a lengthier recommendation at the end.

Alright! Here we go, first off I can't recommend this DVD set enough. To have the two most practiced magician's on the subtrunk, performing and teaching their specialty INCLUDING the amazing curtain throws and removals is priceless. For the measly 35 dollars this DVD is worth it's weight in gold.

We start off with a performance of the illusion it self in the midst of a larger stage show. It is very clear that the Pendragon's close with this piece. The performance is good although they did seem a little bit slower than usual. Since Charlotte has recently had knee surgery, I will assume that is why. Fortunately you will see the switch a number of times through out and they certainly do it with amazing speed! If you want a lesson and motivated actions take a look at their performance and notice how everything is in it's place. I particularly mean the rope for tying the bag, the lock, sword, etc. It's been meticulously worked out.

We follow this with a general discussion on the history of the illusion with Jonathan, nothing too new here. Houdini, being the first to make it a transposition, the assistants he used, anecdotes, Houdini's method, using a tent in the original versions, etc. If you really don't care for these stories and bits of information (I love them myself) then you could skip ahead.

Next we get into the trunk props. It would have been nice to start with the switch. Quite frankly that's exactly what people are looking for and that's what people want to see. We are made to wait for this unfortunately. Jonathan talks about an initial idea to have the curtain thrown up and switching before the curtain hits the ground, which worked! A brilliant beginning which caused some stir in the magic community! The method for this is revealed and how it worked exactly. We hear about the sub trunk they are known for with the beautiful rich burgundy. This was built specially by John Gaughan for the Pendragons!

With the trunk props section, the beautiful Charlotte takes us through the bag they use and problems you will face, how to set up all the props as they do. This includes space management in the trunk, costumes if you do a costume change, AND fabric, this is one of the most important parts of an illusion. Charlotte covers what ways to test fabric, how to find the right cloth etc. Later Jonathan will talk about the foulard they use and the fabric type the specifically use, etc.

As per the first DVD the sound has good and bad moments but for the most part the sound is good. Charlotte is full of great tips that you could only really come across through years of performance. You could stop the DVD here and get your money's worth. They continue of course and Charlotte even covers tying the top of the bag and how to get out of it and have it in place for a perfect switch.

Next, we get to see the famous Pendragon Foulard and how it works, what keeps it together, the type of fabric etc. A very important aspect being how Charlotte folds the foulard up and what to use as a top support for the switching parties to hold on to. You might be surprised! Charlotte goes into such depth as to explain how to hold the curtain and have it drape properly, the psychology they use behind where the curtain goes and why it's better to not have it covering the whole bottom of the trunk the whole time. Charlotte also covers the size of the trunk and how it changes based on the size of your trunk. Also your arm span and the size of your curtain.

Next Jonathan takes us through the trunks. The styles of trunks, the different ways to gimmick them etc. My one complaint would be the god awful trunk they use! L and L has significant sales, the DVD shoots are all catered, etc. Can't they put the couple hundred bucks together and get a decent trunk for the shoot! Perhaps something with a plexi glass cut away going around the trunk. This would make it very easy for anyone watching to see the action simultaneously going on within the box and on stage.

That being said we do get Jonathan's inside work on the box, custom modifications he has made to make the box the best it can be for him. Jonathan talks a bit about lighting the trunk and being able to drop the trap with people in a balcony and them not seeing anything due to his improvement. Unfortunately I have heard from people who were at a Pendragon show that they saw what they shouldn't have despite Jonathan's statements. I'd suggest not adopting the balcony drop cover. We get a great run down of the different trunks and after seeing the Pendragon's in action you will no doubt use their method for just about everything! The Pendragon trap is the most efficient, intelligent, and well thought out method I've every come across. You will also be disappointed in seeing their locking mechanism. Which goes to show how simple you can get. This is a great section of the DVD but I would have loved to see the gorgeous Gaughan trunk in the DVD explanation section. Jonathan talks about the big old fashioned pad lock at this point and gives a great resource for finding them. If you are looking for those big old heavy locks I highly recommend you take a look here.

Jonathan takes us through the inspection process and the different magician's choices, Doug Henning chose to do a very slow, Robert-Harbin-original-zig-zag presentation where everything is very open and examined. The Pendragon's opt to not examine the box as it just takes too much time for an effect that they are famous for being so fast at! The Moment of Magic is covered very well. Including speed and how it impacts the audience perception of the moment of magic. An escape, a penetration, a transportation, and idealy a transposition. While Jonathan leads into what you assume will be the switch section and the human mechanics, instead we have Charlotte doing the the costume change section.

I'm not complaining (by now I'm sure my Charlotte Pendragon crush is publicly known). The costume change segment contains some good information and some obvious information. for example, don't change from a black skirt to a black cocktail dress. You have to have good contrast between costumes. Now an important point is covered which is your audience. Audience and the costume changed into or out of share a direct relationship. Conservative audience = conservative costume change. Charlotte now demonstrates how she changes costumes out in the open. Which is wonderful and certainly good for any assistant or magician looking for a costume change. This is one of those moments where the sound gets rough. It would be nice to see L and L purchase a professional microphone that are used in movie shoots, the big fuzzy one's on sticks instead of all Lav microphones. Since the sound varies severely from their performance to the actual L and L footage you might have the volume cranked up high to hear better then get blasted with the loud sound of rummaging, or fabric going over the microphone. Won't leave you deaf but it would be nice to not have to constantly consider adjusting sound. This costume change segment seems more like an after the main event section instead of an introduction or precursor.

For some strange reason we have an entire segment dedicated to getting in and out of the bag. I'm not sure it needed this much attention but the information is certainly pertinent. Jonathan takes use through this tips and subtleties about being in the bag and Charlotte on tying it up etc.

Earlier Charlotte showed us the bag now we have Jonathan and Charlotte. Quite frankly, this is superfluous. Although this information is better than previously given one of the two segments should have been cut.

After ALL THAT the moment you've been waiting for! The Trunk Switch! Jonathan shows his part first without any foulard covering. Charlotte gets on top and pantomimes having a cloth. We now see Jonathan's exact hand/foot placement and timing. This is the slow thorough teaching. It would have been nice to see it done full speed leading into the explanation as we have seen so much "extra" stuff so far. The only thing we don't see is Charlotte drop. We also find out Charlotte jumped on Jonathan's head, just as a dangerous quip! It is slightly awkward watching Charlotte standing through the top and Jonathan on top as they chat. There is very good contact and communication through out the switch and the actions are explained progressively with immense detail. As this is clearly the section the majority of people are curious about, hoping to learn from, etc. You will be very happy. Following the explanation we see a behind the scenes view of a full speed switch being done on what I can only assume is the L and L building balcony? This is followed by a front on clip of the switch in full speed on the balcony.

Now the fun begins with the curtain and the reveals. We are all familiar with the toss up and switch. Jonathan gives us the good on his "hour glass" reveal. Appropriately named as the curtain forms an hourglass shape before it is whisked away! There is a lot of danger involved with this reveal and we discover how to determine who should be the one getting in the box or getting locked up and getting out of the box. This is also where Charlotte covers the drop! It's truly spectacular to see! She's just gone. It takes but a second and she's done! Amazing. We get immense detail throughout the entirety of this DVD including where Charlotte rolls her bottom when she gets in the box. The drop Charlotte performs is VERY dangerous and VERY advanced so you are shown a number of progressive actions and training exercises that will get you slowly more comfortable with "The Drop." We also get some great advice on the illusion of one person being super imposed and bringing the effect to it's greatest heights. Only now do we actually go through the Hourglass reveal. The actions seem very simple but it is quite clear how easily someone could get very hurt. Please be careful if you do attempt this reveal. The beauty of this 35 dollar DVD is that with it you have assumed rights for the information FULLY taught. (Clearly Impossible, for example is protected, as it is Jonathan's idea.) We now see the action and the step by step teaching of the curtain throw. It looks great but it's not for everyone!

Next we have the Split Switch. This is the switch that everyone loves so much! Jonathan takes you through the evolution of this split switch and all the research and development that went into something as seemingly simple as a curtain the splits. The detailed explanation is great! We also get a run down of what to do in a fabric store for all magic foulards, once again with more things to consider from Jonathan. The construction details are very thorough and should you want to do this reveal you should have very little difficulty understanding the concepts and applying them to your own split cloth. Again the detail in this split reveal is fantastic. To some this might be a little too much detail. Personally the more information the better. Often the explanation is repeated 2-3 times with various ways of explaining. Redundant? Perhaps, but sometimes you need to hear something a specific way to truly understand and comprehend what is happening.

The last section is on safety. This is also full of safe tips for your box and how to be as safe as possible in all your subtrunk endeavours.

Overall this is the greatest DVD on Illusion I have ever seen to date. It is a seminal work on the subtrunk and ANYONE even considering doing it should own this. The honest truth? 35 dollars for this DVD is ridiculously low. I would have priced the DVD at 100 dollars for the SINGLE DVD. You are receiving all the secrets the Pendragons have collected over the years for under 40 bucks. Stop reading and go buy this DVD.... Here