Ideas Volume 1. by JDENredden

[LuseifHo]

JDENredden was nice enough to let me and few others read his PDF, Ideas Volume 1. Heres a short review of it.

Quoting the PDF:
"
'Ideas' is a series to PDF’s I plan to release to kick start your creativity. Today magic tricks are spoon fed to you. The patter is given to you word by word. Most of us won’t change the effect at all. So I’m going to do something different, I’m not going to give you patter, I'm not going to give you the effect, I’m going to give you the idea behind the method and how I came to the method. This will make you create an effect around the idea and patter around the effect.



Part one is magic with everyday objects. This is the magic that perform. All the ideas require a very small gimmick, set up or are impromptu. Not all of the ideas are 100 per cent original, many people have inspired me to create version that fit my style."

Contents:

"Deo- A way of ditching a coin with deodorant

L1NKED- Linking rubber bands with ONE rubber band.

Time- A prediction using the computer.

Hot- A completely clean blister effect.

Sharpie- Instant re-cap of a Sharpie Marker.

Stuck- A stupidly simple coin vanish."

Teaching:
As this is just a draft, I doubt it is finalized. There are no pictures or anything so I can only review what is there. The teaching isn't top notch but is definitely understandable. Simplistic english, just visual wording, easy to understand.

Effects:
Deo:
Quite an interesting concept. Can't say I haven't thought of using Deo for an effect before but J has done it. Not mindblowing awesome but still could come in handy to know. Basic effect is that you vanish a coin using the mist from a deo can. You can show both hands clean afterwards. Very easy to do. Maybe it's just me but there aint much deo round my life. There are cans here and there but most of my friends barely use it all that much. I guess its more of a oppurtunity trick. How often do you have a can of deo around you?

Linked:
A follow up or finale to any linking rubberbands routines. Though it wont work on its own... it will definitely add a kick to any routine if the build up is strong enough. The effect is basically taking two rubberbands, trying to link them, they "accidentally" link into one whole rubberband. The visuals itself isn't strong enough to work as a single, but it will probably act as a very strong follow up. It is like a subtle add on which makes the audience blow another fuse. The method is easy to learn, practice, and perform.

Time:
A very interesting concept which I might try out in the near future. Similiar effect to that of Post Mentalism by Alvo Stockman but digitalized. You make a prediction about any event and send it off as an email. It is dated way before the happening and is proved to be 100% correct. Very easy to do, has a lot of potential. J has thought about the effect, but there is probably so much more possible than what is written. This may just be a point of the PDF as well, to let the reader create their own routine with the concept.

Hot:
A simple blister effect.
I'm not sure if it was inspired, but the basic effect is a... cheaper home made version of Tim Trono's branded. Exact same concept and effect. J teaches you how to make the gimmick. As always, blister effects are flexible and easy to perform. Nothing original but then again always good to know how.

Sharpie:
A adaptation of Dan Hauss' Redline. It doesn't have the simplicity of Redline, but J makes up for it with the use of a simple move you probably already know. You take the cap off a sharpie, it vanishes and is seen to have jumped back.

Stuck:
Just a coin move that I'm sure a lot of people have seen before. It is quite obvious to watching magicians but does work nicely for laymen. As he says, "The idea for hiding the coin is not mine, but I believe is a very under used concept. Many magicians have used the concealment such as Daniel Garcia, Apollo Robbins and Steve Fearson. " Just one of those things that everyone has played with. Still... good to hear his thoughts on it.

Though this definitely isn't the best PDF I have ever read, it is still interesting to see how other's interpret ideas and concepts. I have found Deo, Time, and Linked the most beneficial to me during the read. I hope to see more from J in the near future.

 

[JDENredden]

Thanks for the review man.

I knew some people wouldn't be happy with the teaching style. But I believe it will be beneficial in the long run.

J.

 

[LuseifHo]

My pleasure.
Always fun to read up on the ideas of others.

 

[JDENredden]

Now available for pre-order at http://JDENredden.com for $6.28.

J.

 

[mschulte]

Another Review

I was privileged to get an advance copy, so here goes my review.

Firstly, regarding the general review I agree with my predecessor. The style is nice to read, only a picture here or there would have been beneficial, especially, if like me, you lack the expert knowledge of the quoted effects as LuseifHo has.

With respect to the individual effects:

"Deo- A way of ditching a coin with deodorant
I like the idea, even though not entirely new, it is nicely applicable not only to deodorant but to vast number of objects, whatever your setting for the effect is.

L1NKED- Linking rubber bands with ONE rubber band.
Very nice idea, here a picture would speak to the masses.

Time- A prediction using the computer.
This effect will strongly depend on where you do it. I work in an IT company...and it would not fly. You need a somewhat less IT sophisticated audience.

Hot- A completely clean blister effect.
Cool. I do not know about other effects like this, but I like it. Easy to do.

Sharpie- Instant re-cap of a Sharpie Marker.
Again, I do not no Redline, but this works like a charm. The move is simple to learn, even from the text desciption and it is a nice and round effect.

Stuck- A stupidly simple coin vanish."
Stupid is good. Again something I started to use immediately after reading.

Overall, given the now available price I think it is a fair deal. The pdf could use some pics and metadata (I read on a Sony Reader, and it NEEDs Title and author in the pdf metadata, otherwise it labels the book gibberish).

Thanks for letting me try it!

 

[TheatreHead]

Thanks JDEN for sharing, I've just audience tested some of these effects.

DEO
A vanish of a coin using a deodorant can.

Technique wise, it's nto hard at all. If you have knowledge of basic coin handling, this should be a breeze.

It has a great feel to it, and my audiences loved it. I played it up with a smoke machine fel, and how the stage meets with close up, blah blah.
However, the audience looked at me a bit strangely when I asked if they were asthmatic.
Plays out like most completely coin vanishes, but incorporating the mist element into it really adds another level. I personally wouldn't use it, but audiences love it.
Great patter can be applied to it, I only tried one approach, but I can see others working well.

LINKED
A linking rubber band effect.
Has a pre-requisitie, which I have no knowledge of, so I can't comment.

TIME
A prediction effect using a computer.

In the right environment, this kills. The only thing is finding the right environment. I'm a student, so I have my laptop, and other people always have their laptops, and there's computer labs everywhere, so I'm usually in the right environment. I went from EI to this, and since I'd already established myself as having mental powers, showing those mental powers manipulating technology really played big.
This kills. It's one of those concepts that is pretty basic, but if you take it and run with it and go as far as you think you can, it destroys.
The only limitation is the environment.

HOT
A revelation idea.
Plays out like stigmata. The set up is easier. Way easier.

SHARPIE
An ungimmicked Redline-esque effect done with a sharpie.
Very, very organic. Can be done literally impromtu. Something I will definitely use.

STUCK
A coin vanish.
I like this a lot. Angly, but workable. I don't do much coin work, so I won't be using this, but it has application.

CLIP
A paper clip on rubberband effect.
One of those effects where the audience is like "give me that", then they spend literally 2 minutes trying it. It's great. I'm definitely going to be using this.

BYE
A vanish of certain small objects.
This one requires a bit of use of off beats to set up, but it's great. Plays like most vanishes, but for all purposes, you end clean. It's like a mini "Gecko". Not something I'll actively add to my set, but if there's an opportunity where this can be used, I'll be doing it. Worth practicing.

TENKAI
JDEN's handling of a Tenkai palm.


While the effects in this book are great, the focus is stimulation of creativity. JDEN gives ideas, but no patter or ways to present, and no other applications. He gives you the raw concept, and the idea is that you yourself are supposed to find ways to make it work for you.

I feel privileged to have been able to review this.

Unless you're happy with copying patter and routining word for word straight off the DVD, then this is definitely worth looking into.

Thanks JDEN, looking forward to what else you'll be releasing.

 

[JDENredden]

Thanks guys. I have had really great words about this. Im very glad everyone likes it. Everyone seams to like different effects which is great, everyone is getting stuff out of it.

mschulte: You have the pre-release version which was on GoogleDocs, so no meta data. Send me an email and ill send you the release copy with a few more ideas. ;-)

Thanks,
J.

 

[Ashrei]

This is my review.

I do not put numbers to the reviews. I see them as they are what they are and sometimes numbers are rather difficult to place on concepts. Enjoy.

Deo

To put it simple, it is very clean vanish. It is a very interesting idea that can be applied to a lot of different things. To describe the basic effect, an object is placed on the hand. Magician takes out/picks up Deo, spray it on the hand for smoke like effect, the object is gone, very cleanly, you don’t need pocket, sleeves, none of that. It’s a very clean vanish. However, I did not like this that much. I felt it left out an innate problem, which will be PM’ed to JDEN. With that being said, it was a very good idea, it’s a very useful idea, I just felt it wasn’t quite finished, although it was very close. Don’t get the wrong idea of thinking “JDEN is trying to sell something that’s not worth my time” it is worth your time, if you are willing to work with this. Considering the price, it’s more than worth it.

Linked

Linking rubber bands with use of only one rubber band. Very interesting idea, using one band to be displayed as two. I played with that idea long ago till I got bored off of it. This is far more composed idea than my own thoughts, and this has more potential. With all of those being said, it’s a very interesting concept, a daring concept even. Since my persona nor personality does anything daring when it comes to magic, this will be placed on to back of my mind until I find it to be more comfortable than now. I liked reading it and I really liked your thinking with this. Great work.

Time

More than any other ideas in this PDF, I absolutely love this idea. It is a prediction revealed in computer (any prediction) and the prediction was made very long time ago. Let’s say you are performing this effect now, but the prediction was made in 2007/01/13 (or any other date to be honest). Set up takes few minutes and you are ready to go. Granted that I do not do mentalism for the most part, I would love to play with this idea, can’t wait to come up with my own variations for this. I dare say this alone can easily top the price of the PDF.

Hot

Blister effect. I can’t comment much on this due to the fact that I don’t play around with this all that much so I’ll leave this part blank. I thought it was pretty cool though.

Sharpie

Think Redline by Dan Hauss, except using Sharpie. I wouldn’t say that this is extremely original, but it is rarely (if ever) presented in this manner. I give JDEN more props for presentations than the sleights used. It is more difficult than Redline, I think, some may disagree, but it’s totally workable. If you get this down, you got a killer impromptu effect that can be done at anytime and anywhere.

Stuck

I love this concept. Such a bold move to hide a coin. No new sleight here. It utilizes a coin sleight that generally leaves your hand in an awkward position. Once the summer comes, I believe I will be playing around with this idea. It looks like a lot of fun.

Clip

Though I disagree with most of his statement regarding ring penetration, he does have a valid point. Ring is rarely THREADED onto the band, it somehow goes through both. JDEN plays around that almost innate dilemma by using something that is less limiting: Paper clip. I will say this, though the logic is correct to say penetration of one band is more ‘realistic/logical’ because it is paper clip, the effect isn’t as strong as the ring but it’s not a bad idea. However, it leaves much to be desired. It is by no mean a standalone effect. I can see it as in between effect for rubber band routine or routines using everyday item, but weather I will use it or not is up to debate at this point.

Bye

A vanishing idea that’s been explored for a fair bit. However, it’s rarely used nowadays, if ever. That was due to complicated gimmick that was required along with rather complicated set ups. This has more limitations compared to that, but for the most part, this is practically impromptu. I like the idea, but I also hate the limitations… I would like to see this develop into far more potent utility tool.

Tenkai

He goes over how he does his Tenkai with everyday objects. I really didn’t read it thoroughly as I developed my own way to do so, I am sure some people will find this to be useful.

---------------------------------------------------

JDEN states over and over that it is meant to get you started and put your own spin into these, and it does just that. I was somewhat dissatisfied that the ideas felt very… raw. However, his PDF filed Idea Vol. 1, so I suppose it’s fitting. Do not get the idea however, that it’s not worth the price. This is cost effective PDF on the buyer’s behalf. Many of these have potential to becoming very strong effects and can become more marketable at even higher price. I also think these are good ideas to play around with. Good jobs on coming up with these ideas, JDEN. I enjoyed reading them, sadly only few of them are what fits my style. I will PM you some ideas that I’d like you to think about. Thank you for giving me the chance to review this.

 

[oldavid1]

Simple Review

I had the honour to have a free look at JDEN's PDF -- Ideas Vol.1
These are truly "ideas" that can be incorporated and branched off into different areas of magic, including effects that uses deodorant cans, rubberbands, hands, computers, sharpies, coins, and paperclips. Some are impromptu, others not quite so, but the preparation at most (for only 1 trick) would take up 10 minutes. Easy.

DEO
A simple idea that can be applied to create effects many times more powerful; easy in execution, simple in preparation, visually stunning. I have a variation that will allow you to borrow any deodorant can and perform on-the-go. PM me if you want it.

L1NKED
I wanted to learn this one, but the teaching was quite an obstacle to my learning process. Pictures would have helped quite a bit. It may be because my first language is not English, or perhaps I lack the skill to learn by writ, but whatever the reason, I'm sure many will love to add this to their rubberband routines. Not a stand-alone piece, I'm sure.

TIME
Quite an old concept. Any computer geek would figure it out for sure, but it could fool certain audiences. If it hits, then it will hit HARD. If not, so be it. You will learn to choose your audience well. Another aspect of TIME that will be risky is the fact that it is solely a prediction effect; predictions have to be made BEFORE an event takes place, thus the time factor is of essence in any spectator's mind. Once he takes that into consideration, he will make 100% sure that the time you made the prediction is when you say it was, therefore putting the focus on the most fragile foundation of TIME. Not my favorite.

HOT
This is my favorite idea in IDEAS. Very simple in preparation (will take probably 10 minutes to make the gimmick, maybe more, depending on what you want your blister to look like -- that sounds really cool doesn't it?) I hope to use this one in the future. Very original and smart; I like it.

SHARPIE
Once again, the old saying "A picture speaks a thousand words" could be put into practice here. I was a bit lost following the description of the method. Nothing new here, but a nice variation of another trick, with a more common item: the sharpie.

STUCK
A bit confusing on the teaching, again. The idea for hiding the coin is not JDEN's, as he mentions, but his main goal is to drag this underused idea into the coin magic world again. Perhaps coin magicians would enjoy this more, and understand the procedures.

CLIP
I like the thinking behind this effect. A paperclip links to a rubberband. Two of the most common objects in school, married to create a small miracle. With an hour of practice, anybody could get this down. Impromptu.

BYE
This is THE reason I wanted to read this PDF; JDEN posted a video before on BYE, and it was love at first sight. Although I figured it out later on, it was still nice to see the exact procedures. What I will say is this: there'll be certain angle issues, and depending on the materials you use, it might not be preferable to perform. When done flawlessly though, like JDEN did in his video, it looks like nothing less than pure magic. No sleight of hand needed, no gimmick needed, just 2 common items you have on your desk.

TENKAI
Nothing new here; I perform the tenkai vanish same as JDEN. A nice introduction if you don't know what to do with your tenkai (who wouldn't though?)

Conclusion
Overall I was quite pleased with this PDF; it really is a collection of JDEN's ideas, based on others' or purely his own. The two that I liked the most are DEO and BLISTER. The teaching could be clearer, but nothing too hard for English majors out there, and those who are used to reading instructions.
I am pleased with this piece of work, and with the cheap price, any budding magician will be recommended to get this as a stepping stone into casual close-up magic.

Hope you enjoyed my review.