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Nutshell

For $20 bucks you get a digital download (or DVD) that is part of a set in the Paul Harris Presents line o' product. This is volume I, The Thumbtip

Generally speaking, you learn some basics about a variety of thumbtips; you learn some basic handling tips and pointers, and then you are taught a handful of standard, yet powerful classic effects that can be done with a thumbtip. And don't worry, there wasn't a red silk handkerchief as far as the eye could see.

Minor Annoyances

Let me point out a couple of annoyances, and then we'll move on to the ad copy. First, much of the teaching segment was taught outdoors in an extremely windy environment . . . this was very noisy and very distracting while trying to watch the video. Secondly, when discussing the different variety of thumbtips, Joshua Jay shows us a "sixth finger" and refers to it as a "finger tip." Just to be clear, a sixth finger and a finger tip are two completely different things, and they are handled, used, etc. in completely different ways. What a sixth finger is and how it works, etc. was not discussed. Further, there was at least one effect shown in the trailer that was not taught on the video. It was, what appeared to be, a penetration of your finger through the spectator's shirt.

Ad Copy

The ad copy claims that this is "perhaps the greatest assemblage . . ." of tricks possible with the thumbtip. While that may be pushing it, it's hard to argue too much. The effects were good, but how good an effect is is so subjective that I don't usually let it impact the review. I'll just say this, there are some extremely easy and extremely powerful effects taught on this DVD.

The next ad copy claim is that it's a perfect primer for the newbie and that there are also some brand-new unpublished routines for the working pros as well. I would say that that's true. Though the tone and approach seems to be much more geared toward the beginner, there certainly is stuff here for the working pro . . . mostly tips and handling points (an especially powerful Garrett Thomas subtlety is taught). Also, there is much to be learned from the performance and effects taught. I think the pros will feel they got their money's worth for some of the ideas and tips taught, but I still feel that this is mostly for a newbie.

One last comment on the ad copy: the claim that Joshua Jay teaches everything in "meticulous detail and clarity" is a little bit of a grey area. For example, with one particular loading of the tip, he doesn't actually show you how to properly get the tip in place ready to use. He just shows you how to secretly get it in your hand, but it's in your hand not quite ready to use yet. No tips or pointers or explanations are given to help here. Further, there is an excellent bent penny routine that is taught, but he gives no tips on the proper way to bend the penny and prepare it for performance.

Some Things Covered

Joshua Jay spends a decent amount of time covering how to handle a thumbtip, how to customize it, how to maintain it; he covers the good, the bad and the ugly of "empty hands" displays; what's a good angle; how to load the tip, steal the tip, etc. There is a lot of really good information here.

Effects

This is where the DVD shines, but the catch, of course, is that you may not like the effects even though I did, so I'll simply give a brief synopsis of the effect and comment on the impact and clarity of the method.

METAL BENDING

So simple and so powerful. Borrow a penny have a couple of spectators hold it in their hands. It bends in their hands . . . they actually feel it bending . . .

It is that clear and direct. You'll learn a simple little subtlety that lets the spectator apparently feel the bend happening. Further, the handling and choreography of this is so clean . . . there is no possible way that a thumbtip will be detected . . . very clean and very clear.

SALINE SOLUTION

A spectator thoroughly examines a paper coffee cup . . . it's empty. Pour some sugar in your closed fist . . . it vanishes. The spectator looks inside the cup again and the sugar is found in there. The cup never leaves their site. As impossible as that sounds, that is exactly what happens. It's very clean and very easy. It's all about structure and timing. It's very easy and needs no advanced preparation (as long as you have your TT on you).

DOLLAR BILL

A quick vanish of a dollar bill that reappears inside of a sugar packet that the spectator picked and has been holding from the beginning. The bill can be signed. This one will require a bit more practice, but it's pretty straightforward and the illusion is very good and very clear

SALT AND PEPPER

Close your right hand into a fist . . . spectator pours salt in the top opening of your fist . . . it vanishes. Close your left hand into a fist . . . spectator pours pepper into it . . . it vanishes. A moment later, they reappear in their respective hands. This is a bit of a different way to use the thumbtip that's pretty clever. However, those of us with bigger thumbs than the average Joe may not as easily adapt this technique. Still, it's very simple and very clever.

FORTUNE COOKIE

You predict what the spectator's fortune will be in a fortune cookie. The downside to this effect is that it requires you to open the spectator's cookie for them. That's just not normal. Next time you go out to Chinese food with some friends, try it . . . don't do a trick. Just simply ask them which cookie they want. Then pick it up break it open; read their fortune and hand it and the broken cookie to them. It's just not normal in my opinion. However, if you have no concerns with that handling, then you'll appreciate this effect.

The only other complaint I have about this effect is that it's almost identical in just about every way to Jay Sankey's effect from his Hemispheres DVD. They should have credited him. That he was not credited was more of a shock to me when you consider that Joshua Jay spent several years compiling and combing through EVERYTHING Jay has ever created or published when he (Joshua Jay) compiled the 3 volume set, The Definitive Sankey. Not to mention that in general Joshua Jay is a bit of a magic history buff and credits guru, so this was a bit of a surprise to me.

That aside, if you don't have a problem with the handling of the cookie mentioned above you'll have no problem adding this right into your repertoire.

Final Thoughts

The effects are easy and very impactful. The information about the uses for this fun little gimmick is solid. The methods and handling are very simple and straightforward. I do feel that that ad copy was a little bit overstated particularly the following phrase that I haven't yet mentioned: "this is Tarbell in the digital age." Not really. It's good, and I would HIGHLY recommend this to anyone who is new to magic and/or has never really worked with a thumbtip. I would also recommend it for anyone who is more seasoned. There are enough simple little tips on the DVD that you'll likely feel you got your money's worth. Again, the Garrett Thomas subtlety was so clever . . . you can look right at the thumbtip and not see it.

Final Verdict:
4 Stars with a Stone Status of Gem