Bizau and Andrei came up with a great looking effect. They make this look rather easy, don’t they? However, as one quickly learns, this trick requires prior ability at performing a card spring and some serious practice is required. Andrei did mention early on in his tutorial that this trick is best referenced as a demonstration of skill. Yet, it still is presented as a trick to be performed.
In addition, there is no reference to the level of skill required before purchasing this trick. That is disappointing. The sale of a ten dollar trick implies that it cannot be that difficult to master. Here one finds out that this is not the case. I see seven stages necessary to learn and perform this trick:
First, one must understand the mechanics behind doing a card spring. There is both the regular card spring and the altered card spring explained in the tutorial. Comparisons between the two techniques are necessary, so the student can acquire a better understanding of what is required.
Second, how the cards are being released needs further explanation. Are the cards being released from the finger tips or from the thumb? It seems that the spring can be accomplished both ways. However, cards sprung from the fingers results in mostly a clumpy result. Cards sprung from the thumb seem to flow a bit better, but getting the timing down and a smooth flow is going to take some serious practice. Or are the cards being sprung from both the fingers and thumb at the same time? This needs to be explained further in detail. When one practices this part of the trick they need to know what result to expect and to see happening.
If you look at the video posted by: NathanaelBergenMagic (See post #1 under “Balean Twist – Will I be able to perform it”), then you’ll notice a number of things: a) you’ll immediately see the difference in card spring technique being used from what is taught in the BT tutorial. b) You’ll wonder about the type of cards that are being used.
Third, what type of cards is recommended for this trick? Can any deck of regular playing cards be used, or is it better to use specific decks of cards? If specific decks of cards are necessary then which ones are recommended? What about the use of plastic cards: is it better to use plastic cards compared to regular playing card decks? Is it necessary to powder the cards before attempting to spring them to improve the flow during the actual spring regardless of what type of cards are selected?
When opening a brand new deck of cards and attempting to spring them, the cards are extremely stiff. This begs the question: Is it better to break in a deck of cards before using them for the spring? If “yes” then how bendable should the cards be before attempting to use them for the card spring? When should broken in and bendable cards not be used? Or is it better to use a brand new deck of cards to do the card spring? This is a very important point which is not covered in detail in the BT tutorial.
Fourth, let's say the cards are sprung from the thumb then does the special move described in the BT tutorial work with this method of springing the cards? Or is it better to perfect the special move using the finger spring release method? Or does the special move work best if the cards are sprung from both the fingers and thumb at the same time? Just watching the video leaves the student wondering about which way the cards are best released in the card spring.
Fifth, in the BT tutorial it seems that the card above the selected card is the subject of the special move. But that doesn’t make much sense! Yet visually in the BT tutorial this is what the student sees happening. Watch Andrei’s pinky. Which card is he touching at that point in the BT tutorial? Is it the selected card or the card just above it? Unless I am mistaken, it seems more appropriate to apply the special move to the chosen card before doing the card spring. More clarification is needed at this point.
Sixth, the student has to figure out how to do the card spring with at least seven to nine inches while executing it. Apparently, this distance is necessary in order to enable the actual BT effect to take place. So, on this note, Bizau and Andrei need to explain how to prevent the cards from falling all over the place or at least above ones practice area. How can the student achieve a smooth flow of cards during the card spring? What is happening with ones fingers during the process of springing the cards? If while practicing the card spring the cards are not flowing properly between the hands then how can we determine the actual cause of the problem?
Seventh, Andrei mentions in the tutorial to do a card spring a few times before actually performing this trick. That sounds like pretty good advice, since it will prevent being asked to do the spring again after you’ve executed the trick.
However, how reliable is this trick? The effect itself does not seem to be something which will work every time one tries to perform it. Here’s what I mean. If you are warmed up from a few practice attempts then he likelihood of being able to perform the card spring will most likely result in success. However, if one pulls out a deck of cards during a performance after doing some other effect using some other items then the likelihood of success seems more prone to failure. The timing of when to do this trick needs to be addressed.
Bizau and Andrei need to keep in mind that seeing a video presentation is very helpful indeed, but the finer points of what is actually happening is left to be determined by the one trying to achieve the same effect. Did Bizau and Andrei do a good job a presenting this trick? Yes, they did a good job. However, their tutorial needs improvement in clarifying the areas which I’ve addressed here.
It is quite troubling to one learning this trick to actually see these magicians making this trick look so easy. But if they can do this then we all can do it too. In order for this to happen more detailed instructions are necessary. You cannot make the assumption that a buyer of this trick has prior experience with certain other components the BT taps into. Every part of the trick needs clear and precise explanation.
Starlight!
In addition, there is no reference to the level of skill required before purchasing this trick. That is disappointing. The sale of a ten dollar trick implies that it cannot be that difficult to master. Here one finds out that this is not the case. I see seven stages necessary to learn and perform this trick:
First, one must understand the mechanics behind doing a card spring. There is both the regular card spring and the altered card spring explained in the tutorial. Comparisons between the two techniques are necessary, so the student can acquire a better understanding of what is required.
Second, how the cards are being released needs further explanation. Are the cards being released from the finger tips or from the thumb? It seems that the spring can be accomplished both ways. However, cards sprung from the fingers results in mostly a clumpy result. Cards sprung from the thumb seem to flow a bit better, but getting the timing down and a smooth flow is going to take some serious practice. Or are the cards being sprung from both the fingers and thumb at the same time? This needs to be explained further in detail. When one practices this part of the trick they need to know what result to expect and to see happening.
If you look at the video posted by: NathanaelBergenMagic (See post #1 under “Balean Twist – Will I be able to perform it”), then you’ll notice a number of things: a) you’ll immediately see the difference in card spring technique being used from what is taught in the BT tutorial. b) You’ll wonder about the type of cards that are being used.
Third, what type of cards is recommended for this trick? Can any deck of regular playing cards be used, or is it better to use specific decks of cards? If specific decks of cards are necessary then which ones are recommended? What about the use of plastic cards: is it better to use plastic cards compared to regular playing card decks? Is it necessary to powder the cards before attempting to spring them to improve the flow during the actual spring regardless of what type of cards are selected?
When opening a brand new deck of cards and attempting to spring them, the cards are extremely stiff. This begs the question: Is it better to break in a deck of cards before using them for the spring? If “yes” then how bendable should the cards be before attempting to use them for the card spring? When should broken in and bendable cards not be used? Or is it better to use a brand new deck of cards to do the card spring? This is a very important point which is not covered in detail in the BT tutorial.
Fourth, let's say the cards are sprung from the thumb then does the special move described in the BT tutorial work with this method of springing the cards? Or is it better to perfect the special move using the finger spring release method? Or does the special move work best if the cards are sprung from both the fingers and thumb at the same time? Just watching the video leaves the student wondering about which way the cards are best released in the card spring.
Fifth, in the BT tutorial it seems that the card above the selected card is the subject of the special move. But that doesn’t make much sense! Yet visually in the BT tutorial this is what the student sees happening. Watch Andrei’s pinky. Which card is he touching at that point in the BT tutorial? Is it the selected card or the card just above it? Unless I am mistaken, it seems more appropriate to apply the special move to the chosen card before doing the card spring. More clarification is needed at this point.
Sixth, the student has to figure out how to do the card spring with at least seven to nine inches while executing it. Apparently, this distance is necessary in order to enable the actual BT effect to take place. So, on this note, Bizau and Andrei need to explain how to prevent the cards from falling all over the place or at least above ones practice area. How can the student achieve a smooth flow of cards during the card spring? What is happening with ones fingers during the process of springing the cards? If while practicing the card spring the cards are not flowing properly between the hands then how can we determine the actual cause of the problem?
Seventh, Andrei mentions in the tutorial to do a card spring a few times before actually performing this trick. That sounds like pretty good advice, since it will prevent being asked to do the spring again after you’ve executed the trick.
However, how reliable is this trick? The effect itself does not seem to be something which will work every time one tries to perform it. Here’s what I mean. If you are warmed up from a few practice attempts then he likelihood of being able to perform the card spring will most likely result in success. However, if one pulls out a deck of cards during a performance after doing some other effect using some other items then the likelihood of success seems more prone to failure. The timing of when to do this trick needs to be addressed.
Bizau and Andrei need to keep in mind that seeing a video presentation is very helpful indeed, but the finer points of what is actually happening is left to be determined by the one trying to achieve the same effect. Did Bizau and Andrei do a good job a presenting this trick? Yes, they did a good job. However, their tutorial needs improvement in clarifying the areas which I’ve addressed here.
It is quite troubling to one learning this trick to actually see these magicians making this trick look so easy. But if they can do this then we all can do it too. In order for this to happen more detailed instructions are necessary. You cannot make the assumption that a buyer of this trick has prior experience with certain other components the BT taps into. Every part of the trick needs clear and precise explanation.
Starlight!
