On the Spot by Gregory Wilson
Official Spam-
Video-
Picture-
The quality on this, being an older video, is obviously nowhere close to what you would get with a newer Penguin DVD or something from theory11 or Dan and Dave. However, I had absolutely no problems in seeing anything that Greg was doing. So no, the picture quality isn't the greatest, but it's not unwatchable by any means.
Sound-
Sound was the same as the picture; it wasn't muffled or hard to understand, but it wasn't crystal clear, either. No problems with hearing or understanding what people were saying.
Angles-
Unfortunately, I believe there's only one angle on the DVD, and I believe that's the front view. Maybe I missed a different angle, but I honestly can't remember one. But, despite the lack of multiple angles, Greg is always turning his hands and body to make sure that you are able to see exactly how the move works.
Teaching-
As usual, Greg is a phenomenal teacher, and I found myself cracking up the entire time. Always entertaining to learn magic from Greg.
Effects-
Ticker Taker-
I was fairly excited for this; watch stealing has always been one of my favorite things to watch, and pretty high up on my list of "things to learn before I die". The method Greg uses is extremely simple and easy. I have yet to try it, simple because I don't have anybody to practice on and I haven't had anytime to perform this.
Apart from the actual steal, Greg offers outs for if you get busted, misdirection and different handlings of certain "stages" of the watch steal, and presentations for doing the watch steal (i.e. a spoon bend). The outs were particularly helpful, because I have a feeling that I will be caught a large percentage of the time since I'm just starting out.
The other thing I want to mention is that Greg only teaches with this one type of watch: the ones with the clasp and band. The metal band ones (like you would see on a Rolex) and Velcro straps are not taught. Kind of like Ring Fright, you can't really just go out and steal any old watch; it has to be the kind that Greg teaches you how to steal. However, I think once you have performed this kind of steal many times, it may serve as a great base for learning other types of watch steals.
He doesn't really teach this, but he demonstrates throughout the performances different ways of revealing the watch after you have taken it.
Quick Silver-
Being a n00b with coins, I'm not sure how I feel about this one. Obviously, Greg does it to tremendous reactions, but as of right now it will be a while before I perform this. I can do a false transfer fine and all, but I don't pick up on the overall effect as quickly with coins as I do with say, cards.
Another problem I have is that apparently I have oddly shaped or sized eye sockets, because I cannot get the quarter to stay in my eye for the first part of the routine for the life of me. So if you have a problem doing that, or balancing a coin on your head or someone's shoulder, I wouldn't recommend this trick. Other than my own personal problems that affect my performance of the effect, I think is overall an awesome quick little trick that can easily be done "on the fly".
Sponge Napkins-
This one is pretty straight-forward; if you like sponge balls, you'll probably enjoy this. If, on the other hand, you dislike sponge balls, you'll probably have the same feelings toward this routine. The only thing that may sway your mind is that this is done with napkins. Before, I liked performing sponge balls, but napkins appeal to me more than sponge balls, so I may end up using this more frequently than actual sponge balls.
Open Palm Coins Across-
If I had to assemble a list of the best coin effects I've seen, this would be in the top 10. It's probably nothing spectacular to most magicians, but I love it; especially in Greg's hands. The three coins travel from fist to fist one at a time... and I believe it is the most clean gimmick-less coins across I've seen. Even after watching the explanation, I was still fooled.
Since you show your palms open constantly throughout the routine, I think it's obvious that this effect uses the Goshman Pinch. This kind of prohibits me from learning this effect as quickly as I would others. My pinky is oddly shaped, and therefore the coin is constantly falling out when I'm trying to get it out of the Pinch. However, I have been experimenting with different coin positions and what not. So if you have trouble with the Goshman Pinch, don't expect to be performing this one soon.
Head Trip-
This is your standard paperballs over the head routine, except Greg uses a partner, which I've only seen done a few times. He also offers a few tips that he has found useful on things like patter, misdirection, and timing. Not much to say on this one.
Glossy Finish-
This is the same ole' ashes through the hand trick that we've all seen. I believe Criss Angel did this particular version on one of his earlier seasons, but don't quote me on that. I really like the premise and cleanliness of this effect, but it requires you to either rub your finger on somebody else's lipstick, or carry your own; neither of which I care to do. So appealing as this effect is, I have to say no to it simple because of that reason.
Toll Free-
Since the description of this trick blows: Basically, you show a quarter in your left hand, toss it to your right hand, put it away, and it's back in your hand. Repeat numerous times and end with a silver dollar or jumbo coin.
Again, I'm sure this effect is great and solicits fantastic reactions, but it's really not my style. Coins just are not my friends.
99 Cent Trick
This is a coin trick from this DVD that I might actually be brave enough to attempt in public. :wink: Basically, you hand a spectator a handful of change, vanish three quarters, and then change the fourth quarter into a penny; the premise being that you vanish 99 cents.
This is fairly clean, and it all happens so fast that your spectators aren't going to catch on or observe anything that they aren't supposed to. I also like the fact that you use a bunch of spare change from your pocket. I don't know why, but to me, it makes an effect seem that much more amazing when you just dump a handful of change out of your pocket and start performing with it. Maybe it's just me...
Florida Keys-
This is one that I can't wait to get down so that I can go out and perform it. It uses a few keys on a keyring, and involves one of the keys linking on and off of the keyring. It looks extremely clean, and I think is more "modern" and definitely more casual than the standard linking rings routine.
Florida Keys is definitely a keeper from this set, and one that I predict most people who purchase this DVD will perform every chance they get. I believe this one is available to see on the Demo Video; go check it out!
Continued in Part II.
Official Spam-
Video-
Picture-
The quality on this, being an older video, is obviously nowhere close to what you would get with a newer Penguin DVD or something from theory11 or Dan and Dave. However, I had absolutely no problems in seeing anything that Greg was doing. So no, the picture quality isn't the greatest, but it's not unwatchable by any means.
Sound-
Sound was the same as the picture; it wasn't muffled or hard to understand, but it wasn't crystal clear, either. No problems with hearing or understanding what people were saying.
Angles-
Unfortunately, I believe there's only one angle on the DVD, and I believe that's the front view. Maybe I missed a different angle, but I honestly can't remember one. But, despite the lack of multiple angles, Greg is always turning his hands and body to make sure that you are able to see exactly how the move works.
Teaching-
As usual, Greg is a phenomenal teacher, and I found myself cracking up the entire time. Always entertaining to learn magic from Greg.
Effects-
Ticker Taker-
I was fairly excited for this; watch stealing has always been one of my favorite things to watch, and pretty high up on my list of "things to learn before I die". The method Greg uses is extremely simple and easy. I have yet to try it, simple because I don't have anybody to practice on and I haven't had anytime to perform this.
Apart from the actual steal, Greg offers outs for if you get busted, misdirection and different handlings of certain "stages" of the watch steal, and presentations for doing the watch steal (i.e. a spoon bend). The outs were particularly helpful, because I have a feeling that I will be caught a large percentage of the time since I'm just starting out.
The other thing I want to mention is that Greg only teaches with this one type of watch: the ones with the clasp and band. The metal band ones (like you would see on a Rolex) and Velcro straps are not taught. Kind of like Ring Fright, you can't really just go out and steal any old watch; it has to be the kind that Greg teaches you how to steal. However, I think once you have performed this kind of steal many times, it may serve as a great base for learning other types of watch steals.
He doesn't really teach this, but he demonstrates throughout the performances different ways of revealing the watch after you have taken it.
Quick Silver-
Being a n00b with coins, I'm not sure how I feel about this one. Obviously, Greg does it to tremendous reactions, but as of right now it will be a while before I perform this. I can do a false transfer fine and all, but I don't pick up on the overall effect as quickly with coins as I do with say, cards.
Another problem I have is that apparently I have oddly shaped or sized eye sockets, because I cannot get the quarter to stay in my eye for the first part of the routine for the life of me. So if you have a problem doing that, or balancing a coin on your head or someone's shoulder, I wouldn't recommend this trick. Other than my own personal problems that affect my performance of the effect, I think is overall an awesome quick little trick that can easily be done "on the fly".
Sponge Napkins-
This one is pretty straight-forward; if you like sponge balls, you'll probably enjoy this. If, on the other hand, you dislike sponge balls, you'll probably have the same feelings toward this routine. The only thing that may sway your mind is that this is done with napkins. Before, I liked performing sponge balls, but napkins appeal to me more than sponge balls, so I may end up using this more frequently than actual sponge balls.
Open Palm Coins Across-
If I had to assemble a list of the best coin effects I've seen, this would be in the top 10. It's probably nothing spectacular to most magicians, but I love it; especially in Greg's hands. The three coins travel from fist to fist one at a time... and I believe it is the most clean gimmick-less coins across I've seen. Even after watching the explanation, I was still fooled.
Since you show your palms open constantly throughout the routine, I think it's obvious that this effect uses the Goshman Pinch. This kind of prohibits me from learning this effect as quickly as I would others. My pinky is oddly shaped, and therefore the coin is constantly falling out when I'm trying to get it out of the Pinch. However, I have been experimenting with different coin positions and what not. So if you have trouble with the Goshman Pinch, don't expect to be performing this one soon.
Head Trip-
This is your standard paperballs over the head routine, except Greg uses a partner, which I've only seen done a few times. He also offers a few tips that he has found useful on things like patter, misdirection, and timing. Not much to say on this one.
Glossy Finish-
This is the same ole' ashes through the hand trick that we've all seen. I believe Criss Angel did this particular version on one of his earlier seasons, but don't quote me on that. I really like the premise and cleanliness of this effect, but it requires you to either rub your finger on somebody else's lipstick, or carry your own; neither of which I care to do. So appealing as this effect is, I have to say no to it simple because of that reason.
Toll Free-
Since the description of this trick blows: Basically, you show a quarter in your left hand, toss it to your right hand, put it away, and it's back in your hand. Repeat numerous times and end with a silver dollar or jumbo coin.
Again, I'm sure this effect is great and solicits fantastic reactions, but it's really not my style. Coins just are not my friends.
99 Cent Trick
This is a coin trick from this DVD that I might actually be brave enough to attempt in public. :wink: Basically, you hand a spectator a handful of change, vanish three quarters, and then change the fourth quarter into a penny; the premise being that you vanish 99 cents.
This is fairly clean, and it all happens so fast that your spectators aren't going to catch on or observe anything that they aren't supposed to. I also like the fact that you use a bunch of spare change from your pocket. I don't know why, but to me, it makes an effect seem that much more amazing when you just dump a handful of change out of your pocket and start performing with it. Maybe it's just me...
Florida Keys-
This is one that I can't wait to get down so that I can go out and perform it. It uses a few keys on a keyring, and involves one of the keys linking on and off of the keyring. It looks extremely clean, and I think is more "modern" and definitely more casual than the standard linking rings routine.
Florida Keys is definitely a keeper from this set, and one that I predict most people who purchase this DVD will perform every chance they get. I believe this one is available to see on the Demo Video; go check it out!
Continued in Part II.
Basically, Greg teaches you the very extreme basics of pickpocketing and putpocketing (sunglasses, placing items in coat jackets, etc.). If you want to do a full-fledged pickpocketing routine, DO NOT buy this DVD simply for that. Greg says himself that if you want to learn the finer details of pickpocketing and how to get different objects in different locations, to pick up a DVD that was meant for that. This just gives you enough to play around with the audience, and nothing more. Still fun, though.