Hey guys, so I picked up Syd Segal's Simply Sydney today, and I finished watching it a while ago. I've taken the time to try out all of the tricks, and here are my thoughts.
DVD Menu
There is only one menu, with a list of the tricks and the choice to either play all, play the explanations, or play the performances. Pretty simple, and easy to navigate.
9/10
Tricks
A Logical Lesson (JC Wagner & Syd Segal)
Combine a little bit of sleight of hand with mathematics and what do you get? A killer routine with a beginning, middle, and "logical" ending!
I love this trick. It requires an extensive setup, but the trick itself is so visual that it is worth it. JC and Syd have come up with a true masterpiece.
10/10
Triumphant Turn-Down
Another clean and fair Triumph routine that goes right by the most suspecting!
This is my favorite trick from the DVD. I have been looking for the perfect Triumph, and I think I found it! There is very little setup, and it is ridiculously visual. I will definitely use this.
10/10
Double D's and Aces
From a spectator shuffled deck, the 4 Aces are spelled to and located in this baffling 4 of a kind production.
This is not one of my favorite effects, not because of the actual method, but because it just doesn't fit my style. It's fairly simple, and only requires 2 intermediate sleights.
8/10
Indications
A multi-selection routine that climaxes with an ultra-clean double color change.
This is my second favorite effect! It is pretty simple, but incredibly visual. There is one sleight that doesn't seem to make sense to me, so I changed it, but other than that I love it.
9.5/10
Collector's Edition
Do I really need to put the description? Everybody has seen this ridiculously visual effect on the Simply Sydney trailer. It looks awesome, but can be a little tricky at times. You definitely have to practice a lot to get it to look as smooth as Syd, so get your cards! Syd offers 3 alternate endings, and it really shows that he put a lot of effort into the effect.
10/10
No Lap Reynolds
Varied from several routines of Steve Reynolds, this "ace assembly" starts off using Kings, but ends in a very unexpected way!
I don't normally like ace assemblies, but this is nice! There is a bit of a setup, but it's not so bad. The effect itself is very visual, and the ending really kicks the spectator in the nether regions!
9/10
G.A.F.T.
A sandwich routine that includes a visual "split" of the selected card in to the sandwiching" Jacks followed by a clean triplet of effects... A production, vanish and reappearance. This routine looks like real magic.
I didn't take the time to actually spend some effort on this effect, as it requires a special something. It's funny, because a few of the sleights resembled some of mine in the performance, but they had different methods. If you have this special something, it's a great trick. It's really visual, and fairly easy to learn.
9/10
Overall
I really liked this DVD, and I recommend that you go and pick it up right away. NOW! I like it because Syd's style is similar to my own, and this was worth every penny.
9/10
If you guys have any questions, feel free to post here or PM me.
Peace!
David
DVD Menu
There is only one menu, with a list of the tricks and the choice to either play all, play the explanations, or play the performances. Pretty simple, and easy to navigate.
9/10
Tricks
A Logical Lesson (JC Wagner & Syd Segal)
Combine a little bit of sleight of hand with mathematics and what do you get? A killer routine with a beginning, middle, and "logical" ending!
I love this trick. It requires an extensive setup, but the trick itself is so visual that it is worth it. JC and Syd have come up with a true masterpiece.
10/10
Triumphant Turn-Down
Another clean and fair Triumph routine that goes right by the most suspecting!
This is my favorite trick from the DVD. I have been looking for the perfect Triumph, and I think I found it! There is very little setup, and it is ridiculously visual. I will definitely use this.
10/10
Double D's and Aces
From a spectator shuffled deck, the 4 Aces are spelled to and located in this baffling 4 of a kind production.
This is not one of my favorite effects, not because of the actual method, but because it just doesn't fit my style. It's fairly simple, and only requires 2 intermediate sleights.
8/10
Indications
A multi-selection routine that climaxes with an ultra-clean double color change.
This is my second favorite effect! It is pretty simple, but incredibly visual. There is one sleight that doesn't seem to make sense to me, so I changed it, but other than that I love it.
9.5/10
Collector's Edition
Do I really need to put the description? Everybody has seen this ridiculously visual effect on the Simply Sydney trailer. It looks awesome, but can be a little tricky at times. You definitely have to practice a lot to get it to look as smooth as Syd, so get your cards! Syd offers 3 alternate endings, and it really shows that he put a lot of effort into the effect.
10/10
No Lap Reynolds
Varied from several routines of Steve Reynolds, this "ace assembly" starts off using Kings, but ends in a very unexpected way!
I don't normally like ace assemblies, but this is nice! There is a bit of a setup, but it's not so bad. The effect itself is very visual, and the ending really kicks the spectator in the nether regions!
9/10
G.A.F.T.
A sandwich routine that includes a visual "split" of the selected card in to the sandwiching" Jacks followed by a clean triplet of effects... A production, vanish and reappearance. This routine looks like real magic.
I didn't take the time to actually spend some effort on this effect, as it requires a special something. It's funny, because a few of the sleights resembled some of mine in the performance, but they had different methods. If you have this special something, it's a great trick. It's really visual, and fairly easy to learn.
9/10
Overall
I really liked this DVD, and I recommend that you go and pick it up right away. NOW! I like it because Syd's style is similar to my own, and this was worth every penny.
9/10
If you guys have any questions, feel free to post here or PM me.
Peace!
David
