TAM Reviews: Blackout! by Brian Platt

This is a quick one for ya:

Recently got a chance to play with the new Blackout! by Brian Platt. I’m gonna break down the DVD (without giving away too much) and what I think.

The DVD begins with an explanation of the gaff (that’s all I will say), it’s history, how to use it, and how its made. As with most DVDs about a single gaff I wonder why this section is here. It half teaches you how to make it but is half just convincing you that you couldn’t.

The Tricks:

Blackout comes with several routines from a simplistic one coin routine, to a devilishly good Tenkai Pennies routine. Overall the effect that the gaff lends is the same. You can vanish a coin.

Dont take this lightly. The ability to vanish a coin with clean hands (not clean LOOKING but actually clean) hands is priceless and Platt has thought of some good uses for it.

The downside? Platt himself is a slightly clumsy handling the gaff and I’ve already seen people do it live better than he does in the DVD. I dont think I give too much away when I say that after you vanish the coin you must be cautious of movement afterwards. If you want to keep working with the gaff UNTIL you can openly put it away then you’ll be fine.

All and all I think this DVD is a great product that you’re going to have to make your own way with. This isn’t the case. You buy DF’s for Mac’s Aces. You’re not usually going to “think of” a better routine. This is not the case with black out. You may get some IDEAS from the DVD but dont expect to have the perfect use handed to you. PLAYING with this is how you will get the most out of it.

As usual your best magic will come from when you DONT know.

-TAM

~ by fantasma2 on July 9, 2009.