From the web site:
BUNKO
Jim’s new shortchange effect is a remarkable close-up routine. The effect is tremendous, writes Richard Kaufman. Bunko is a perfect example of close up magic theater. An intriguing story draws the spectators in and then wallops them with magic. Twenty dollars in change (five singles, three fives) changes to $19, then $14, back to $20… And at the end, the sucker ends up with just thirteen dollars. The routine is ingeniously arranged without any sleight of hand at all. A beautiful set of instructions, written by Richard Kaufman and illustrated with 48 full color photos, explain the routine in detail. Just eight bills. No folding, palming, flaps, switches or false-count sleights. The colorful, specially printed bills enhance the effect… Or perform it with real bills, as the instructions explain.
$25 Postpaid
As I have said repeatedly, reviews are only worthwhile after a substantial time period has passed. Has the product / DVD stood the test of time – is it something you still use – how does it play in the real world? This is just a 1st impression. Something to help you in making a reasonably informed buying decision.
Personally, I don’t think declining magic club membership is the result of fellow magi opting to attend a MENSA meeting rather then the monthly Mystic Poobahs gathering. I’m rather sure Jim Steinmeyer has that option, though. His stuff just screams GENIUS, no matter what it is. His Conjuring Anthology is the most important book of the last five years – maybe longer.
Bunko is a short change routine that is different than any I’ve ever see. and, get this, no steals, flaps or false counts AND you are clean at the end. It comes with phony bills, which are fine, but I think most will want to construct everything from real bills. This will cost you $26 plus the cost of laminating, so the total cost in not insignificant.
The instructions are written by Richard Kaufman and make it possible to learn the routine in short order. Even the suggested presentations are well above the norm.
Well worth your consideration.
Take care………
Confession – I’m a hobbyist magician
Cover your children’s eyes and ears. I’m coming out of the closet. I am a hobbyist and unabashedly proud of it.
This week I was working on John Kennedy’s excellent Translocation. I have the lecture notes and put John Mendoza’s DVD in the player to watch his variation on it. While this DVD set is excruciatingly tedious, Mendoza is someone that has an eye for good magic and has managed to go through life without a real job. This has my admiration.
Over the course of the DVD set he manages to deride the non-professionals several times. He’s not alone at this. Certain blogs continually whizz on the hobbyist and club magician. They only have interest, or tolerance actually, when they want to move some of their overpriced crud.
The truth of the matter is that a lot of the pros are not just so-so, more than a few of them are just plain bad. Just recently I was with a group that went to a lecture of a very famous magician. I’m not talking about someone that had a reputation and is now old and feeble, but someone that should be in their prime. One of the group asked to see his invisible pass. Honestly, it was so bad we thought he was kidding us. When it became apparent that he was just bad there was an uncomfortable silence and we disbursed as soon as possible. This wasn’t the only time, by far, I’ve seen this sort of thing.
Magic is a great hobby and there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Maybe we should have Hobbyist Pride Parades or put cool initials after our name like James Clark (Magic Hobbyist Anonymous?!?!).
Personally, I’m make a point of not patronising performances, lectures and products of those that look down their noses at us.
Take care………