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Flown Away by Jasper Blakeley and Paul Romhany Review:

One book, 76 pages, 1 burned disk, 3 live performances, 2 .jpeg files and $40 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.

Effect

This a stand up/stage/parlor style effect where you take a volunteer on an imaginary flight to one of 50 different destinations. The spectator freely chooses a destination. After a bit of fun and byplay with the spectator, you reveal that you predicted in advance which destination she would choose. In fact she's been holding on to the prediction pretty much the whole time.

Method

The method for this is very simple and is nothing new. It's a clever combination of principles that we all know. When brought together they make for a squeaky clean method that is within the reach of any skill level. There's nothing fishy, difficult or awkward about the method.

The spectator is given a stack of 50 large postcard-sized cards with a different destination on each one. The spectator (while your back is turned) decides on which destination she wants. The rest of the cards are placed back in the envelope (all while you're still turned away). The final destination card that she selects is placed into an envelope that you hold for the spectator (but your head is turned away). The envelope is then closed and a bull dog clip is placed on it to keep it shut and so you can hand it from a hook on your table in plane site.

You then give the spectator an insurance document for her to hold on to. There are some bits o' business and gags here while you sign the insurance form to "protect you in case things go wrong." She (the spectator) puts the insurance form in her pocket/purse/etc.

The two of you then goof around on stage as you take your mock journey/flight. At the end, you predict where she went. Then she removes the insurance form from her pocket and she reads it. It predicted the location.

That's exactly what the audience sees, and it's very clean. If you like the effect and want to do it, you'll easily be able to do so.

Ad Copy Integrity

The ad copy is pretty solid. Take a moment to read the claims. They're pretty bold, but they're 99% true. There are a couple that I feel need some clarification, however. Below is a copy and paste of the bullet points in the ad copy. Take a moment and read them. Let that sink in for a moment.

  • All 50 cards & place names are genuinely there, only 50 cards no more no less
  • Unmarked cards - nothing to see or find by spectator
  • Completely and totally free choice by spectator
  • The spectator can handle the cards in any way
  • THE PERFORMER NEVER sees the place name on the card until it is taken out of the envelope at the end
  • The volunteer can hold the envelope throughout
  • The volunteer can take the card out of the envelope at the end
  • Longer & funny 'kicker ending' version available
  • Takes less than 15 minutes to make and costs less than the price of a packet trick
  • Plays to small dinner parties, cabarets, or to large stage audiences
  • Can be played straight or for laughs - full script and routining included
  • Nothing to find at all
  • Adheres to cliché 'packs small plays big'
  • Limitless presentational possibilities
  • Corporate, trade show and children's show applications included

Look at #5. That's true. You don't see the name of the country on the chosen card until it's removed from the envelope later. However, you do see "something" that let's you know what the country is. Numbers 6 & 7 are close. The claim that the spectator can hold the envelope throughout is true once the card has been placed in the envelope. You must hold it while they place the card in it, and you must put the bulldog clip on it. But from that point on, the spectator can hold the envelope for the rest of the effect.

The claim in #7 that they can remove the card is also true, but you'll need to "help" them do so. But I think the point of number 7 is that there are no funny moves, switches, etc., and that is true.

Product Quality

You receive a book and a DVD. On the DVD, is three performances and the two .jpeg files needed to create the insurance document that you give to the spectator. The performances are pretty grainy and the audio is pretty bad. I think they used hidden cameras in the back of the room. Either way, you still get a good sense of the routine and how it plays and how Kockov (Jasper Blakeley's "Russian" alter-ego stage character) performs it. Be warned that there are a few f-bombs and some risqué (bordering on crude) behaviour and dialogue in the performances.

The book is very well written and organized. It covers everything in depth. You'll need to by some envelopes and card stock and the bull dog clips, but these are very inexpensive things. The only issues I really had with the product quality were related to the DVD, not the book. The DVD is an unlabeled white disk that's been burned (rather than pressed). It plays fine, but it's a bit tacky looking. This isn't enough to impact the star rating, but again . . . just making sure you have all the info.

The other thing was a bigger deal, however. On page 7 of the book, the claim is made that on the DVD, you'll be able to see " . . . several other working professional perform the . . . effect." This is simply not true. You only get Kockov.

On a more positive note, the book also includes several variations for just about any venue you can imagine from kids to corporate venues.

Final Thoughts

If you perform this, take some time to choreograph it better. Kockov's stage choreography is a bit messy and disorganized. That doesn't affect the review star rating, but it's information you should know/have. If you like the effect, you'll definitely be happy with this product.

Final Verdict:

4 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem.

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