I was definitely excited when I heard about this new release. I have studied a lot of Torn and Restored plots over the years and this one came in perfect timing for my current predicament. I needed a new method for my stage production that fit certain conditions.
Now, first off, I don't think this effect is going to be my miracle stage replacement. TnR is still going to be my effect of choice there. But REF4M is now going to be my close-up, carry with me effect.
This is a perfect example of a brilliant contemporary update to an old impromptu plot. I feel compelled to write a review because for the first time in a LONG time, I've found someone who "gets it." Blake Vogt gets it. He gets magic. It's no surprise Copperfield hired him.
Enough ego-building, haha. REF4M is everything it says it is. To clarify a concern I can already tell is going to be illuminated, there ARE some extra details to the story. As the trailer shows, yes, you do need to hand it out in pieces. If this were a bad thing, this would be the only downside to this effect.
What I really want to get at, is the theory behind this effect. In magic, especially in the market of magic, effects and illusions have followed a trend of putting the focus of the method towards the concept of "something extra." Effects and illusions have become more and more reliant upon a gimmick that creates the illusion or aids in the illusion. With this methodology, you are creating more work, and adding an extra step to the ideal structure of performing an effect. Make sure you are on the same page here.
Now, the reason that REF4M is so unique, is because the relying on "something extra" has been eliminated, and substituted with good thinking. Most magicians create an effect, but at a certain point, stop making it better. Blake has taken an effect and finished it. how many effects are there that you can truly say are finished to a point where improvement is extremely hard to imagine?
A magician who has come to rely on the newer structure of method, will not enjoy this effect. This effect is for magicians that understand magic theory and can appreciate the natural justification cleverly weaved throughout the method. EVERY MOVE is justified as much as it can be given the circumstances.
The truly unique part about this effect though, is the actual justification. The reasons why. I strongly connect with Blake on this. I feel that if you watch this DVD and then put some time into thinking your way through it, mentally, you will find a remarkable model for how to justify moves and actions, and how to create an honest, natural presentation for an effect. It is not spelled out in the DVD, but it's there.
One example that really sticks out to me, is in the performance that Blake has created for this effect. He performs the effect. The impossibility of the effect sinks in. This feeling stays for a bit until reconstruction attempts are made by the spectator, BUT, Blake gets there first. He takes the card and makes a continuing action, which instantly changes the "end" of the effect, totally dismantling reconstruction. Now, there are plenty of effects that do this, but there is usually a terrible, unjustified reason.
Blake openly shows the miracle and pauses. "But this is clearly impossible..." The audience mentally agrees. "So you know we have to undo it because something impossible really can't exist(paraphrased with subtext)." The spectator must also agree. Blake then finishes ripping the card into pieces, AGAIN. And look at the bigger picture here.
In Torn and Restored plots, the main issue has always been, what is the purpose of destroying something to only put it back together?
REF4M is completely different from that mindset.
In REF4M, your primary objective from the beginning, is to rip a signed card up into 4 pieces, and give them to the spectator. The miracle takes place in the middle of that process, instead of at the end. It makes sense. It's accepted.
How much better could this illusion be if you weaved in a presentational hook on the subtext of this effect? Or perhaps in the beginning, suggest a meaning behind giving them their card in pieces?
There's just a TON to work with here.
Blake, great work, and I would love to talk magic with you someday bro.
10/10 because it's intelligent magic.
|| sean ||
Now, first off, I don't think this effect is going to be my miracle stage replacement. TnR is still going to be my effect of choice there. But REF4M is now going to be my close-up, carry with me effect.
This is a perfect example of a brilliant contemporary update to an old impromptu plot. I feel compelled to write a review because for the first time in a LONG time, I've found someone who "gets it." Blake Vogt gets it. He gets magic. It's no surprise Copperfield hired him.
Enough ego-building, haha. REF4M is everything it says it is. To clarify a concern I can already tell is going to be illuminated, there ARE some extra details to the story. As the trailer shows, yes, you do need to hand it out in pieces. If this were a bad thing, this would be the only downside to this effect.
What I really want to get at, is the theory behind this effect. In magic, especially in the market of magic, effects and illusions have followed a trend of putting the focus of the method towards the concept of "something extra." Effects and illusions have become more and more reliant upon a gimmick that creates the illusion or aids in the illusion. With this methodology, you are creating more work, and adding an extra step to the ideal structure of performing an effect. Make sure you are on the same page here.
Now, the reason that REF4M is so unique, is because the relying on "something extra" has been eliminated, and substituted with good thinking. Most magicians create an effect, but at a certain point, stop making it better. Blake has taken an effect and finished it. how many effects are there that you can truly say are finished to a point where improvement is extremely hard to imagine?
A magician who has come to rely on the newer structure of method, will not enjoy this effect. This effect is for magicians that understand magic theory and can appreciate the natural justification cleverly weaved throughout the method. EVERY MOVE is justified as much as it can be given the circumstances.
The truly unique part about this effect though, is the actual justification. The reasons why. I strongly connect with Blake on this. I feel that if you watch this DVD and then put some time into thinking your way through it, mentally, you will find a remarkable model for how to justify moves and actions, and how to create an honest, natural presentation for an effect. It is not spelled out in the DVD, but it's there.
One example that really sticks out to me, is in the performance that Blake has created for this effect. He performs the effect. The impossibility of the effect sinks in. This feeling stays for a bit until reconstruction attempts are made by the spectator, BUT, Blake gets there first. He takes the card and makes a continuing action, which instantly changes the "end" of the effect, totally dismantling reconstruction. Now, there are plenty of effects that do this, but there is usually a terrible, unjustified reason.
Blake openly shows the miracle and pauses. "But this is clearly impossible..." The audience mentally agrees. "So you know we have to undo it because something impossible really can't exist(paraphrased with subtext)." The spectator must also agree. Blake then finishes ripping the card into pieces, AGAIN. And look at the bigger picture here.
In Torn and Restored plots, the main issue has always been, what is the purpose of destroying something to only put it back together?
REF4M is completely different from that mindset.
In REF4M, your primary objective from the beginning, is to rip a signed card up into 4 pieces, and give them to the spectator. The miracle takes place in the middle of that process, instead of at the end. It makes sense. It's accepted.
How much better could this illusion be if you weaved in a presentational hook on the subtext of this effect? Or perhaps in the beginning, suggest a meaning behind giving them their card in pieces?
There's just a TON to work with here.
Blake, great work, and I would love to talk magic with you someday bro.
10/10 because it's intelligent magic.
|| sean ||