Magic eBook Review: Lost Luggage by Stefan Olschewski

Lost Luggage is an e-book written by German mentalist Stefan Olschewski. The concept behind the book is similar to Max Maven's Nothing DVD: what happens if you need to perform a show but don't have any props. Maybe they were stolen or maybe they were lost by the airline. In any case, you need some material that can be prepared quickly using materials that are easily borrowed or obtained. I will describe the act as seen by the audience.

Intro- The performer directs the audience's attention to an envelope hanging from a string. He says that this is a prediction of things to come. He promises never to touch the envelope, but that the audience will get to see what's inside at the very end of the show.

Sensitive Silverware- The performer introduces four glasses, each containing a different object (spoon, fork, knife, and napkin.) He asks everyone in the audience to concentrate on one of those objects, one of which he has secretly predicted in advance. As he walks around the room locking eyes with a series of spectators, he supposedly looks for someone who is thinking of his predicted piece of silverware. He finally settles on one woman and invites her to the stage. He has her pick up the object she is thinking of, but before she does, he shows his prediction to everyone in the audience. Amazingly, the woman picks up the predicted object.

I really like this effect. It has the feeling of the classic Open Prediction card effect without cards. I must mention, however, that this will not work in every venue. The method, while clever, requires certain conditions that won't be present when performing in most impromptu situations. I can't reveal the exact conditions for fear of tipping the secret, but suffice it to say that this isn't something you could perform in a small parlour setting. Unfortunately, this means that it won't be of much use to many performers. That being said, the effect is a good one in the right environment.

Intermission 1- This isn't really an effect in itself; it is used to help set up the final prediction of the show. The performer borrows a bill from an audience member. After some byplay where an old gag is used for something sneaky, the lender signs the bill and seals it inside of an envelope. He is instructed to hold onto the envelope until the end of the performance. Some people won't like the bold method used here. However, those experienced in magic and mentalism should be able to easily think of alternative approaches.

Win Win Situation- This is a new presentation for an old principle. The performer calls 10-12 people to the stage to participate in a simple game. The winner, he says, will win a prize contained in an envelope (free dinner, cash, etc.) Another spectator is invited to help be the judge for the proceedings. The performer and guest judge take turns eliminating people from the game until there are only two players remaining on stage. The spectator makes the choice for the final elimination, and the winner is asked to open the envelope. Besides the prize, the envelope contains a description of exactly what the winning spectator is wearing. Apparently, the performer knew who would win from the beginning.

I must say that this is what happens only 50% of the time. The other 50% of the time, a slightly different effect occurs where you describe the person who won second place in the game. The presentation and wording cover this adequately, but it does seem a bit "off" to predict the person who almost won instead of the winner. If you are interested in this effect, be sure to check out Michael Weber's "The Laying on of Hands" from his book Lifesavers. It uses a similar idea to really great effect. Weber's routine is also impromptu.

Intermission 2- Again, this is not an effect in itslef. It is just used to set up for the final prediction. The performer introduces a copy of that day's newspaper. Someone selects a page and it is torn in half. The audience selects which half to keep. This is again torn in half and the audience chooses which piece to keep. This is continued until only a small piece remains. This is sealed inside of an envelope and handed to a volunteer to hold until the end of the show.

Magical Chairs- The performer places an envelope on the table. A paper ball is tossed into the audience. Whoever catches it tosses it to someone else and comes up to the stage. This is continued until four spectators are selected. Each person is handed a piece of paper labeled 1-4. Also on stage are three chairs. They play a game similar to musical chairs where, instead of playing music, the performer reads from a book. Stefan reads from the Bible which is an odd choice but does satisfy the conditions of bein able to obtain the props from your hotel room. At any rate, each round one person and one chair are eliminated until a winner is declared. The performer opens the envelope and pulls out a piece of paper that predicts the winner of the game.

This is the weakest effect in the book, both in method and effect. I won't give away the details, but if you saw the routine performed, I don't think you would have any problems working them out for yourself. The revelation of the prediction is certainly not as fair as it could be. Since the performer is only predicting something with a one in four chance of happening, the revelation needs to be completely above suspicion. Unfortunately, this is not the case here.

Wrap Up Prediction- The performer reminds the audience of the prediction that has been hanging from the ceiling since the beginning of the show. The spectators that have been holding onto the envelopes, remove the signed bill and torn piece of newspaper. Another volunteer is called on stage to open the envelope and read the prediction. The prediction reveals the text on the newspaper as well as the serial number of the signed bill.

There isn't much to say about the final prediction except that you are way ahead of the game by the time it is revealed. All of the dirty work is taken care of long before the final moment. In theory this is a strong closer to the act, but its strength relies completely on the fairness in which the bill and newspaper piece were selected. That means that when the final predication is being read, the audience is going to think back to when those objects were first introducted. In this case of the dollar bill, I fear that some astute spectators may be able to reconstruct the method if performed as written. I'm not discounting the method used completely. I have no doubt that it could be used in certain situations, but I don't like the idea of the most important part of my show relying on it.

So there's the act. There's nothing earth shattering about it, but there are a few strong pieces of mentalism included. The procedures employed in this e-book are very straightforward, but may not suit the style of every mentalist. Due to the nature of having to come up with this act on the fly, most of the methods are carried out with brute force rather than subtle techniques. The biggest problem with the act is the fact that each effect is a prediction. While I don't think this is the best approach, it would have at least been better if the odds of each  prediction would have become more and more impossible as the act progressed. The first effect is a one in four prediction. The odds grow to one in twelve for the second routine, but then shrink back down to one in four for the penultimate effect.

There are a couple of times where the author comments to the effect of "nobody will be suspicious, because they are not expecting anything sneaky" or "you're a mentalist, not a magician, people don't expect you to switch things." While I agree that in many tricks, the method is as much about attitude as it is secret moves, I think it's a bit naive to believe that the audience isn't fully on guard against suspicious actions. This is especially true in mentalism, where the presentaiton stresses how fair you want everything to appear.

The layout to the book is straightforward. There are pictures when necessary and the descriptions are clear. If this act sounds like something you would like to perform or to simply have handy in case of an emergency, you may want to check this out. Most performers, however, will be better served spending their money on a DVD or book that will provide more bang for your buck.

Not recommended.

- Available from www.stefanmagie.de/shop.htm and http://www.lybrary.com/lost-luggage-p-79124.html

Magic e-Book Review: Second Storm by John Guastaferro

Ok, here's a breakdown of some of the effects in Second Storm. Let me start off by saying, however, that I think this is money well spent. It's not as good as the Brainstorm DVD's, but then again that's a pretty high standard to set. First the production of the lecture notes is very professional. It's spiral bound and printed on high quality paper. The 57 color pictures that accompany the text are exceptionally clear and helpful; they really add a lot to helping the reader understand exactly what the magic should look like. The only problem I have with the notes is that the binding should have been done a little differently; it's a little difficult to flip past pages as they get caught up in the binding. At times this is a little frustrating. Of course this is a minor detail that doesn't distract from the outstanding material enclosed. (UPDATE: This is now available as an e-book at John's website)

Teeter Totter Aces- The presentation to this effect is good, but I don't care for the effect all that much. In my opinion, this is the weakest effect in the notes, but some may find a use for it. I like the fact the spectator does the magic, but I just think there are better ways of producing four of a kind.

Fair Trade- This is a nice impromptu quickie that would probably be better suited to be an addition to an already existing routine rather than standing on it's own. Some may like it because the fact that it only uses the four aces and four jacks (or queens or whatever.) This makes it a perfect mate for Paul Harris's Reset or John's own Intuition from the Brainstorm DVD's. I personally don't like it as well as the similar effects on the Brainstorm series.

Jokers To Go- In this effect, two jokers change places with a selected card. Darwin Ortiz has a similar effect in Cardshark where four cards change places with a single card. In my opinion John's version in better. In short, you place two jokers in a the card case. The selected card is then placed in the center of the deck. Upon spreading the deck, the two jokers are discovered face up in the middle and the selected card is found in the box.

The Stress Test- This is a commercial card revelation that many performers will definitely find a use for. I probably won't use this is paid performance (although it's strong enough to be used), but I will definitely carry this around in my wallet for impromptu settings.

Here, There, & Everywhere- I've seen very similar effects like this in other books. Basically a selected card is found in different parts of the deck. Each time it is found, it is deposited on the table. At the end, the cards on the table undergo a magical transformation and the selected card ends up in the only place it couldn't be. This is something I'll perform often. I've already tried it out on a few lay people over the last couple of days and recieved great responses. It's not entirely impromptu, but the setup is easy to arrange in front of your audience.

Turning The Tables- This is absolutely great. This is probably my favorite effect from the notes. Basically you give the deck to a spectator and walk them through performing a magic trick. They hold the cards as you place the four jacks into different spots in the deck. They square the cards and snap their fingers. Immediately the four jacks rise to the top. This is the kind of killer magic that your assistant will not forget. You give them the credit for the magic, and the presentation leaves room for a lot of audience interaction. It's pure entertainment for everyone involved. The fact that this is easy to do makes this it an instant addition to my performing arsenal. Don't understimate this gem.

The Box Illusion- This is a great idea. It's something I'll definitely be playing around with for awhile. I don't think it's reached its full potential yet. Basically you show a deck of cards in the case. You pull out a card, show it's face, and announce that you'll attempt to make it fly into your pocket. You place the card back inside the case and reach into your pocket. To your surprise the whole deck traveled to your pocket except for the original card which is found inside the otherwise empty card box. This is something you'd expect to find in a Paul Harris book.

Googly Eyes- This is a spelling effect with a clever presentation. In fact, I like the presentation much more than the effect itself. I've tried it out on a few spectators and recieved good reactions. For some reason though I suspect this will be an effect that I like more than my spectators do. I love it, they like it. Don't you just hate that.

Ultimate Fate- You saw what Jaybs thought of this effect in the post above. It's definitely very strong magic. It's similar to Aldo Columbini's Contact Colors. I remember the first time I saw Aldo's effect I thought to myself, "Wow, that's impressive, but I wish there was something that would make the ending more magical." John did just that. It does require a setup, but a simple deck switch would set you up for a killer closer for your act.

Time Will Tell- This is a simple mentalism effect that will surely be well recieved by lay audiences, but it's not something I see myself performing too often as it doesn't fit my style. In the words of John: "The handling is very simple and the reactions you'll get will far exceed the work you put into it." He's right.

Double Trouble- This is a card effect that I predict will be used by many performers. The cards change from all backs to blank, to a regular deck. The only problem for me is that I have never been able to master a reverse fan. Unfortunately that means I won't be able to perform this no doubt outstanding effect that would make a great opener.

Tricycle Cards- This is a cute packet effect that has it's roots in Darwin Ortiz's Jumping Gemini effect. It's logical, easy, and features just four cards going through a series of magical transformations. I like it a lot.

Constellation- "Dots made by a spectator on your business card visually move and rearrange themselves to spell a message." This is a simple handling for a very commercial effect. I'll try this out at my restaurant tonight. Seems to be a very nice way to hand out your business card that will increase the likelihood that your spectator will actually keep it.

Bonus effect: Silkworm- This is a silk/sponge ball routine. The routine is well structured: you seem to start with nothing and end with nothing. Here's the effect as the audience sees it: "Beginning with your hands empty, you produce a silk; change it into a sponge ball; split it into two; and cause them to travel invisibly. You then cause the sponge balls to change into one, then into a silk, then back to nothing." It's a nice routine that can be done completely in the hands. Most likely you already have a sponge ball routine in your arsenal. If you don't, this is a great way to start. If you do, you may still find some useful items in this routine. Of particular interest is the clever holdout for a spongeball he explains.

You can tell that the material was not created for the lecture notes, but rather for John's use in the real world. This means the material is commercial, relatively easy to do, creative, well structured, and magical. The notes are a pleasure to read. The instructions are clear, and the photographs are exceptional. Although the price may be more than other lecture notes, the material is definitely a step above and the notes aren't just thrown together. John is a true professional. He is careful to explain each effect clearly and credit other inventors for their contributions to his effects. I recommend this set of lecture notes without reservation.

-Available from John's website