Elixir of Life by Alvo Stockman
The Official Spam-
The Story-
Well, I won this pamphlet/booklet/manual in a contest over at the Penguin Forums (thanks Alvo!), and it finally arrived last week. However, I had it shipped to my Dad's house, and didn't realize it. So I would check the mailbox everyday, and then I would get disappointed.
Then I checked the order online and realized what I did.
The Pamphlet/Booklet/Manual-
After reading Poetry Reading (won it in a contest, too), I expected this manual to be the same size. However, it is much smaller. The exact dimensions are 5 3/8" by 8 1/2". It is 26 pages long, which is pretty short, IMO, but it goes over EVERYTHING very well.
The Teaching/Teacher-
From what I've read through E-Mail, forums, and through his writing, Alvo is a very kind guy, and fun to talk to. I like how he creates effect... or I should say why he creates effects. He doesn't create them to fool magicians, really, but to make an impact in the spectator's lives, and put a little "pep in their step" as they leave.
But the teaching in this manual is top-notch. It is written, so for some, that might get complaints because they're "visual learners". But it is very easy to understand everything, so you shouldn't have a problem there.
The Effect-
I really like this effect, but I don't hang out in too many coffee shops, so I may not use it. But it is a great effect, and it's obvious Alvo put a lot of time into it.
Gimmicks?
This effect does use a gimmick of sorts, but not like you would think. It's extremely deceptive, and although it's right under the spectator's noses the whole time (sometimes literally!), they will never see it, or know it's there. Oh, and you do have to make the gimmick, but it takes like 30 seconds at most.
Impromptuness-
Obviously, this effect isn't completely impromptu, simply because you need a gimmick. But Alvo carries several in his car, so that he can perform this on the fly. I guess if you were really bold you could make it under the table at the coffee shop, but I'd rather not risk it.
Reset-
Depending on how many gimmicks you make to start with, this effect could reset instantly, or you could have to take the 30 seconds to remake the gimmicks. Oh, and the gimmicks don't really cost anything to make, so don't sweat about that.
Extra Effects-
In the back of the booklet, there are many other effects using the "Elixir of Life" gimmick that Alvo generously shared with us. I won't give away descriptions, but here is the list of effects:
-Drink Switch
-Swirl
-The Twist
-Warning Warming Warning
-I'm Melting!
-Thermometer
-Pop Out Production
-Sweet!
-Double Out
-The Oracle
-The Ritual
And remember, those are all in addition to the original effect, and the psychology behind it, and all that jazz. Very awesome of Alvo to include all of them.
Overall/My Thoughts-
Not only is this effect great, but the presentation that goes hand in hand with it is equally awesome. I can see my trying this out sometime, but I don't know if I'll ever use it, since I don't hang out in coffee shops much. However, it is very apparent that Alvo spends a lot of time with his creations, testing them out, reworking them, that kind of stuff.
Thank you Alvo, for giving me this for free, and for releasing it- it's very good!
If anyone thinks I left out anything in the review, or need to add or change anything, please let me know!
The Official Spam-
The Story-
Well, I won this pamphlet/booklet/manual in a contest over at the Penguin Forums (thanks Alvo!), and it finally arrived last week. However, I had it shipped to my Dad's house, and didn't realize it. So I would check the mailbox everyday, and then I would get disappointed.
Then I checked the order online and realized what I did.
The Pamphlet/Booklet/Manual-
After reading Poetry Reading (won it in a contest, too), I expected this manual to be the same size. However, it is much smaller. The exact dimensions are 5 3/8" by 8 1/2". It is 26 pages long, which is pretty short, IMO, but it goes over EVERYTHING very well.
The Teaching/Teacher-
From what I've read through E-Mail, forums, and through his writing, Alvo is a very kind guy, and fun to talk to. I like how he creates effect... or I should say why he creates effects. He doesn't create them to fool magicians, really, but to make an impact in the spectator's lives, and put a little "pep in their step" as they leave.
But the teaching in this manual is top-notch. It is written, so for some, that might get complaints because they're "visual learners". But it is very easy to understand everything, so you shouldn't have a problem there.
The Effect-
I really like this effect, but I don't hang out in too many coffee shops, so I may not use it. But it is a great effect, and it's obvious Alvo put a lot of time into it.
Gimmicks?
This effect does use a gimmick of sorts, but not like you would think. It's extremely deceptive, and although it's right under the spectator's noses the whole time (sometimes literally!), they will never see it, or know it's there. Oh, and you do have to make the gimmick, but it takes like 30 seconds at most.
Impromptuness-
Obviously, this effect isn't completely impromptu, simply because you need a gimmick. But Alvo carries several in his car, so that he can perform this on the fly. I guess if you were really bold you could make it under the table at the coffee shop, but I'd rather not risk it.
Reset-
Depending on how many gimmicks you make to start with, this effect could reset instantly, or you could have to take the 30 seconds to remake the gimmicks. Oh, and the gimmicks don't really cost anything to make, so don't sweat about that.
Extra Effects-
In the back of the booklet, there are many other effects using the "Elixir of Life" gimmick that Alvo generously shared with us. I won't give away descriptions, but here is the list of effects:
-Drink Switch
-Swirl
-The Twist
-Warning Warming Warning
-I'm Melting!
-Thermometer
-Pop Out Production
-Sweet!
-Double Out
-The Oracle
-The Ritual
And remember, those are all in addition to the original effect, and the psychology behind it, and all that jazz. Very awesome of Alvo to include all of them.
Overall/My Thoughts-
Not only is this effect great, but the presentation that goes hand in hand with it is equally awesome. I can see my trying this out sometime, but I don't know if I'll ever use it, since I don't hang out in coffee shops much. However, it is very apparent that Alvo spends a lot of time with his creations, testing them out, reworking them, that kind of stuff.
Thank you Alvo, for giving me this for free, and for releasing it- it's very good!
If anyone thinks I left out anything in the review, or need to add or change anything, please let me know!
