Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Don't Wake Me by Skillet

Look by Limin Review

Ten disposable prop/gimmicks, one special gimmick to make it all work, one sheet of paper, a YouTube Video and $20 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.

Effect

A card is freely selected and signed and "lost" in the deck. You and the spectator do a brief arts and crafts project by creating a small card with googly eyes and a smiley face. You then take cards one at a time face-down from the top of the deck and "show" them to the googly eyes. When you get to the spectator's selected card, the googly eyes move thus signifying that the googly eyed drawing has seen the card.

The googly eyes are correct, and you can let the spectator keep the googly eye creation and the signed card.

Method

The method is simple enough. I requires some basic card control, and the patience to throughly test and try the gimmick out until you get the right feel/knack for it. Once you've got that — it took me about 5 minutes — then you're set to do a very simple and doable effect. With the package, you get enough stuff to make ten googly eyed pictures. If you want to do the effect more than ten times, you'll have to buy refills, or you'll have to not give out the craft projects you've made with the spectator . . . maybe make one in advance and use it instead of one you made with the spectator.

One last point regarding the method: as you "show" the face you've drawn the cards one at a time, the handling is very free and open on the "wrong" cards. However, when you get to the selection, suddenly the handling gets a little less clean for a brief moment, but you end clean. For the "wrong" cards, you pass the card over the eyes; nothing happens; you turn the card face up and toss it aside. But when you get to the "right" card, you still pass it over the eyes; they move; you then put the "right" card back on the deck, turn it over and hand it out. This can likely be justified with the appropriate scripting, however.

Ad Copy Integrity

The ad copy is 100% accurate. It makes no outrageous claims, and accurately describes exactly what you get.

Product Quality

The gimmick that makes this work is well made and works the way it's supposed to (assuming you follow the instructions). The instructions for using the gimmick are clear, but the written instructions for controlling the card are not clear. In fact, the way they're written, you'll end up screwing things up. However, if you watch the DVD — you'll have to use your phone to view the video via a QR code — then you'll be able to easily understand the card control.

Of course, you can always use your own card control to get the selection in the correct position. The googly eyes and the plastic cards that you create your little face are well made and durable. However, I do have a problem with the back of the cards. It says "Look created & designed by Limin." If you give the cards out to the spectator, then they'll have the name of the trick and the author (i.e, the ingredients for a YouTube search to find the method exposed).

Another issue I had is the fact that this is a disposable gimmick. You give it to the spectator. The instructions claim that you can buy refills. However, I couldn't find anywhere to do that. In fact, even on Magic Soul Production's website, I couldn't find a place to buy refills. Speaking of the instructions. They're scarce at best. However, between the very brief written instructions and the online YouTube videos, you'll have everything you need to learn this. Just keep in mind that the YouTube videos are spoken in Chinese with no subtitles, so you'll have to pay close attention to the actions.

Though it's a bit tough to get through, I still got through everything and was able to do the effect within 20 or so minutes of opening the package.

Final Thoughts

Remember, like the effect or hate the effect; I don't care. I care about method, ad copy, product quality. Method: works great with one or two minor caveats as pointed out above. Check. Ad Copy: does what it says. Check. Product Quality: a few issues, but nothing major. Check.

If you do this effect the way it's taught, you'll only be able to do it 10 times. Really, only 9 times — you'll need to use one for practice and rehearsal. If you want to modify it and not give the drawing away, then you can do this effect as many times as possible, but probably with less umph for the spectator because they won't be able to keep the drawing with the googly eyes. If refills were easier to find, this might not be an issue.

Couple the above with the hard to get through instructions and the slightly awkward handling of the "right" card, and you're left with . . .

Final Verdict:
3 Stars with a Stone Status of gem with a small g.