Product description : You have something written down on the back of a playing card, like a prediction or really anything you want. And, with a wave of a marker, you can change the writting on the card very visually. Of course, you can directly hand this card out because it's normal and there is no gimmick to it at all. That's one thing, you can go further by changing cut out shapes on the card and this is very visual, just check the trailer !
Price and where to buy it : This is sold at 29€ (between $30 and $35) and you can only get it from Arteco website : www.magicalement.fr.
What you get : You get a box, kind off the one which would hold glasses or pens. Inside, you can find 2 markers, one of them is gimmicked and the other one is a regular Sharpie M15 marker. You do get one additional item which is very useful for the trick, it's something you can run out of but I don't think you will, plenty if provided. Along with those, you can find 2 gimmicks specialy made out of red bicycle cards, ready to go and ready to be customised. You can access an online instructional video, well shot and easy to understand. For 29€, this is a really good package, happy with it !
The pros and the cons : Here is the core of my review, let's begin with the cons, as I will usually be doing, I prefer to keep the good things for the end.
THE CONS :
The marker may feel a little big at first but if they are the one you're using from the beginning of your show, that spectators have been handling them without noticing or saying anything, you will be fine doing the transformation.
I would say the angles may be a probleme, you don't want anybody to be on your right or left side. I would say the angles are 90° in front of you.
The marker can't be directly handed out after the transformation, you need a switch.
THE PROS :
It's a method which allows the card that have been written on to be handed out directly at the end. The heat will be on the card first so you can give it and have the time to do what you want with the marker.
It's very visual and quite easy to do. You have to get the knack for it but nothing really hard. The fact you can change cut out shapes instead of ink is a really good idea too and gives the whole thing more potential.
This is very very customisable, you are provided with 2 red bicycle gimmicks but you can make gimmicks out of everything, from business cards to notepad, the possibilities are endless.
The reset is quick and you can have the cards already prepared so you can add them to your deck while walking between tables and be ready to go again.
Except from the card which will be given out at the end, you don't have any gimmicks in your deck so you can decide to have this card in an envelope and present it like a prediction (meaning having a deck free of gimmick so you can perform your favorite routine) or directly having it in your deck and doing the routine.
It's cheap when you consider what you are supplied with.
Overall rating : It's a good trick, you can't deny it, very visual and easy to do. The fact the angles are a little bit limited makes it something I won't use in a close-up environement but rather in a situation where I know I can manage my spectators so they're not all around me. Definately worth checking it out but be aware of the limitations, 3/4 hearts.
As for the difficulty level, yo uwill have to practice before getting the move smooth but it's a matter of days if not hours. 2/5 stars.
Similar products : If you like this plot, they are many effects which can achieve the same thing, from Ink'A'Change to Frame, be sure to check those out !