Hi! Welcome to the first ever Ash’s Magic Review where I take some cool Magic products, watch them and review them just for you!
The friendly people from Magic Boutique has graciously given me the opportunity to review Magic Items. Thank you Magic Boutique!
For today’s review, I will be taking a look at a local Magician and review 3 DVDs by him.
*Drum Roll*
He is Jeremy Pei! He has done quite a bit in the Singapore and International Scene and has produced DVDs as well as Magic Props.
“Ultimate Fire Magic by Jeremy Pei”, “Ultimate CSB Magic by Jeremy Pei” and “Powerful Rope Magic by Jeremy Pei” are the 3 DVDs that I will be reviewing today.
Review Of Jeremy Pei’s Ultimate CSB Magic retailing at US$35.00
This DVD by Jeremy Pei touches on 6 routines that he created to utilise the Copper, Silver and Brass gimmick.
A WARNING to magicians who are new to coin magic:- This DVD is NOT for TOTAL beginners. Most of the routines require a some knowledge of Coin Magic as he doesn’t not go in depth to explain how the sleight is done. He does show you but it is not really the focus in this DVD. Do brush up your Coin Magic first before watching this if you are at a TOTAL beginner’s level.
That being said, let’s review the DVD!
CSB Interchange
This is a fast routine that causes coins to change and vanish. It is nice to watch. The way he presents it is to music in a fast and furious manner.
In order to do this, you do need to be good in Coin Magic. It is not simple, but if you are able to do it, it is enjoyable to watch. One of my favourite routines in this DVD
CSB Transformation
The description of this effect is “A classic CSB routine with a surprising twist in the end”.
I wouldn’t really call it a surprising twist but I would say it’s more of an alternate ending. If I really wanted to perform something similar to this but have not the time to polish my coin magic and the money to buy the gaffs needed for this, I would actually go do Sponge Ball magic and I would get the same reaction (or even more) with a spectator.
That being said, it is still a good routine if you want to “upgrade” your standard routine with a different ending and I can say it is one of my favourites in this DVD.
CSB Fly
This is Jeremy Pei’s Three Fly routine using CSB.
It uses most of the standard moves in a Three Fly routine and I find that using a CSB is allows for more Eye Candy for the audience and you can see that all 3 coins are different and that they “fly” to the other hand one by one unlike the standard routine where all the coins are the same.
The only draw back is that he does not go slow in teaching and as such I recommend that you should actually learn a 3 Fly routine before learning this.
That being said, I like this routine too!
CSB Wild
This is a very short and straight forward routine where you place 3 coins, a Chinese Coin, a Copper (Mexican) Coin and a Silver (Half Dollar) Coin on a table in a straight row.
Using an additional coin, as the additional coin touches the Chinese Coin, it changes to become the Chinese Coin. Touching it again to the Copper Coin, it changes to become a Copper Coin. Lastly, it touches the Silver coin and it changes to become a Silver coin as well.
For the finale, all the coins are placed in his hand and all the coins changes to become Silver Coins.
I’m okay with this routine but it doesn’t really catch my eye in any extra-ordinary way.
This isn’t really my cup of tea. Don’t really like this one.
CSB Subway Matrix
1 Word. This is cool. It is a normal Matrix routine using a cards and coins. In this case, the coins are the standard CSB coins and an additional indifferent coin. The indifferent coin can be anything.
I like the idea where the matrix uses different coins under each coin cause this adds another dimension to the Matrix routine. More Eye Candy.
Difficulty wise, I’ll say it’s the standard difficulty of a Matrix routine.
Pretty nifty routine. I like it!
CSB Trio
This is a routine using coins, cards and a coin purse.
The coins are vanished 1 by 1 and they magically appear under the cards. For the finale, 1 of the coin vanished and reappears back into the coin purse.
I would say it is a decent routine. The only gripe I have with this routine is the way he presents it. To me, it was obvious that he was palming something in his hand as it seems unnatural. It is only my opinion and as many magicians would say, a normal layman would not notice it.
Err.. What else can I say? Not my cup of tea.
Overall Review:
This DVD’s name is the Ultimate CSB Magic and I feel it has done that well. This DVD does teach 6 routines using CSB that you can do besides the normal standard ones for CSB which is refreshing! All the routines need the magician to be familiar with Coin Magic and as such I do not recommend this to TOTAL beginners who is just starting his or her Magical Journey.
Besides the CSB gimmick, you actually need additional coins and also an Expanded Shell to do some of the routines. So if you really want to perform this, be prepared and willing to part with your money to get these. This was actually mentioned in his FAQ on his website.
This DVD will definitely improve and give you more routines for your CSB and allow you to do things that are normally not associated with CSB, eg. 3 Fly and Coin Matrix. Your CSB will no longer be a One Trick Pony with this DVD!
I give it a 4 out of 5 Ash-es!
Review of Jeremy Pei’s Ultimate Fire Magic retailing at US$45.00
Alright people! This DVD is suppose to be full of Fire Magic techniques and also an introduction and usage of Jeremy Pei’s Ultimate Fire Gimmick or U.F.G.
So let’s get the review started!
Jeremy Pei starts of the DVD by mentioning that “essentially it’s another hand flasher”. I have never used a hand flasher before so I can’t really compare his U.F.G. to any others. I’ll try my best though!
Candle to Torch to Cane
People who are familiar with Torch to Cane and Candles should be able to figure this out by just watching the demo. He gives tips on the props that you should use and how to store and prepare prior to performing it and the nuances he use to perform this. Pretty straight forward. This routine has nothing to do with the UFG.
UFG
Next up was a series of performances using the UFG followed by the explanation on how he developed and create his UFG. He goes to explain how to create the UFG. Surprisingly, it is actually easy to construct one using his guide. For those who are not craft-inclined, you can actually just buy the UFG from him. This was followed by how to use the UFG.
Flash Silk Production (Using UFG)
A simple production of a Flash Silk being taught using the UFG. Straight forward.
Flash Candle Vanish (Using UFG)
He goes to explain how to vanish a Candle and his own modification he does to aid him in vanishing a Candle. It is a good tip for those who do this in their act. Everything else, is straight forward.
Flash Candle Appearance (Using UFG)
Jeremy Pei’s method for appearing a Candle using his UFG. This one is actually pretty cool. I like the use of UFG here compared to the other methods.
Fire Magic Safety Issues
This section is talking about how he keep and travel around with his Flash Cotton, Flash Cord and Flash Paper. Nothing extra-ordinary here. Some are general knowledge. Eg. Standby a Fire Extinguisher.
The Vanishing Torch
This section is useful. Jeremy Pei goes to explain the many different Vanishing Torch available and the pros and cons of the various types. Very informative. It includes an idea by Shoot Ogawa on creating a Vanishing Torch.
Shoot Ogawa’s Vanishing Torch
Jeremy Pei then proceeded to show how to create the torch using everyday items.
Fireball (using Shoot Ogawa’s Vanishing Torch)
He goes to explain how to use the newly create Vanishing Torch and show a simple effect using the Torch, in this case, the Fireball effect.
Torch To Silk (using Shoot Ogawa’s Vanishing Torch)
An effect to transform a Torch to a Silk utilising the Vanishing Torch. Very straight forward and effective.
Flash String Spool
This is a “basic flash string to silk effect” as said by Jeremy Pei. This is actually a good idea as there is motivation when you are performing it. He mentions that the gimmick required can be bought from his website. This is actually clever!
Overall Review:
What do you actually learn in this DVD? 4 things.
1) A Candle To Torch To Cane Effect
2) Creating and Using the UFG
3) Creating and Using the Vanishing Torch by Shoot Ogawa
4) Flash String Spool Effect
All of these are useful for stage magic and I’m not exactly the kind to use Fire in my act. None of these things actually strike a chord with me and hence I’m not exactly thrilled with any of the materials here.
Is it worth a purchase?
If you are looking to create your own hand flasher? Why not?
If you are looking to create your own Vanishing torch? Go ahead.
If you are looking to perform a Candle to Torch to Cane or a Flash String Spool effect? I don’t think this is a DVD you should buy.
I’m giving this DVD a 2 ½ Ashes!
Review of Jeremy Pei’s Powerful Rope Magic retailing at US$30.00
I love rope magic and I’m hoping for great things in this DVD on Powerful Rope Magic by Jeremy Pei . His Eternal Ropes routine is, after all, pretty sweet. Let’s start the review!
Hyper Knot
A knot is added to a rope, moved up and down on the rope, removed, replaced and then jumped to another rope. The knot on the other rope is then revealed to be part of the new rope.
The DVD goes through on how to create the gimmick and the technique required to perform this.
Hanging Knots
Knots are made in a rope and removed invisibly into the air. The invisible knots are then thrown on the the rope where they re-materialise. As Jeremy Pei puts it, it is “Basically a series of knot vanishes and it climaxes with knot appearances”.
Professor’s Remix V.1 and V.2
3 Ropes of different lengths are made to the same length and then made into a Single rope.
This actually uses Jeremy Pei’s Eternal Ropes which he teaches to make later on.
This is a non-examinable rope routine.
Impossible Walking Knot
A knot is made on a rope and is moved from top to bottom and finally untied to make 2 ropes. It is finally transformed into a single rope.
This can be performed right after Professor’s Remix V.1 or V.2.
This is a non-examinable rope routine.
In Half
A rope is cut in half using a pair of scissors and visually restored a few times. Pretty smart routine but each time you perform this, you need to create the gimmick again! Recreating the gimmick just for this effect is not worth the effort if you are planning to perform this often.
This is a non-examinable rope routine.
Linked
3 Ropes are tied into 3 loops and then linked into each other. This routine is similar to that of a Linking Rings Routine except it is done using ropes. Quite a smart routine.
This is a non-examinable rope routine.
Rope Penetration
2 Ropes are used to penetrate through the magician’s neck. They are then used to penetrate through the magician’s waist.
This is a non-examinable rope routine.
Rope Gimmicks Construction
Jeremy Pei goes into how to create the various rope gimmicks for the different routines in this DVD.
Overall Review:
What can I say about this DVD? Is it worth it? Well, you do get to learn 7 Rope Routines. These Routines are quite good BUT, they do not transition to each other. What do I mean by that?
Hyper Knot uses 1 set of ropes. Hanging Knots uses another set of ropes. Professor’s Remix V.1 and V.2 and Impossible Walking Knot uses a set of ropes. In Half uses another, Rope Penetration has another set and Linked requires another.
You need 6 different sets of ropes!! On top of that, In Half requires you to remake the ropes every time you perform it. I do not enjoy making lots of ropes.
Prefer not to make the ropes? Well, you can buy them! You could at USD$124.95 for the whole 6 sets of ropes or around USD$25 for each individual rope set from Jeremy Pei’s website.
6 of the routines do not transition and you end up showing magic with the first set of ropes, then the second, then the third and so on. If you like performing short magic effects, I suppose this is nice but if you are aiming to do a proper show, this is not good.
In short: I do not like this! I am utterly disappointed with this DVD.
I recommend those who are interested to perform rope magic to look at Richard Sander’s Fiber Optics (Extended). Richard Sander’s routine flows from one to another and it uses ONLY 1 set of ropes which CAN be examined.
I give it 1 out of 5 Ashes.
And that’s the end of the reviews for this issue of Ash’s Magic Review! Stay tuned for more reviews!
They feel so nice! These coins are NOT LEGAL TENDER and have NO MONETARY VALUE. They are only souvenirs.
Get the coins for my Coin Magic. They are so nice, shiny, thin and big! So those Singapore Magicians out there, these are an alternative to US Half Dollars!
