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Nicholas Lawrence & SansMinds: On Off Review

One DVD, multiple handling ideas, one gimmick and $30 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.

Effect

The effect is simply that you remove your pinky finger.

Method

There are multiple methods taught. The basic idea, however, is that you have to get the knack for slightly contorting your fingers in just the right way. It's not hard. It will just take some practice, but it's very doable and definitely a legitimate method.

There are additional things taught on the DVD that make the illusion stronger. One method uses no ring at all and is 100% completely impromptu (assuming you have 4 fingers and a thumb on each hand). Another method requires only that you are wearing a finger ring on your pinky. Yet another method uses two rings, and a forth method uses two rings, one of which is gimmicked with stuff supplied with the DVD.

All of the methods are good and visual and will take practice. The one ring version, in my opinion, is the most visual, so if you wear a pinky ring, you're set to go any time. The non-ring version looks good, but it's nowhere near as strong as the ring(s) versions.

Regardless of the method you choose, you'll need to practice, but it's very doable unless you have arthritis in your hands, or something of that nature. If your hands are relatively healthy and even moderately flexible, you'll be able to do this with practice. Of course, you'll have to supply your own ring(s) unless you do the ring-less version. There are a couple of angle issues to consider, but Lawrence covers this in the DVD. The ideal is to have everyone (including you) standing. The audience would be a few feet in front of you looking down at your hands that are at waste-ish level.

Ad Copy Integrity

The ad copy is very open and honest. In fact, they even make it clear that one of the methods uses a duplicate ring. The video trailer does a fair and honest job of portraying the effect without any editing tricks.

Product Quality

Gimmick

The thing you're supplied as a gimmick is for one of the handling options. It's basically just a black square of material that can be used for a black art version of the effect. Frankly, I don't think you even need it. The single ring version with no gimmicks looks great, and will likely be the best option for anyone who purchases this. Is the supplied material good quality? I suppose. It's just a square piece of cloth that looks like it might have been cut from a men's dress sock.

DVD

The DVD is well put together, well shot, well lit, well mic'd, etc. It's also very thorough. It covers everything you need to know about performing this effect. It gives the broad strokes and the finer details. Multiple camera angles are used to make sure you see it from every angle. Lawrence does a great job of breaking things down into digestible chunks that you'll easily be able learn from.

Final Thoughts

This is the kind of thing that does not rely on a gimmick or any special prop. It's simply your ability to handle your fingers the right way. Unless you have missing digits or unbending fingers or some sort of injury/damage to your fingers/hands, then you can do this effect. It will take practice — a lot of practice — to get the knack.

The question you have to answer is this: Do you think the illusion in the ad trailer looks good/convincing? If you do, then the next question is: Do you want to add this to your repertoire? If the answer is yes to both of those, then go for it. Just be willing to put in the time to master it. The illusion in the ad trailer is what it really looks like. It's just a matter of whether or not you like that and want to do the work.

Final Verdict:
4.5 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem