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Void by Skulkor Review:
One gimmick, one DVD and $35 bucks. Is it gem or is it rubble? Stay tuned to find out.
Effect
A card is chosen. Then it turns blank and so does the deck.
Method
A crappy gimmick that is awkward to handle and makes no sense to use. When the card is selected from the deck, the spectator cannot look at it. You have to take the card they touch and place it on the card box. Then while holding the card box, you lift up a small corner of the card to give them a small peek at what card they selected. Then they can take the card.
Ad Copy Integrity
You'll notice in the ad trailer that not once did they show the spectator looking at the selected card they chose. That's because if they showed that, then you would have a hint of the method and would realize how bad of a method this is. Further, the main touted effect (that of a deck and selection becoming blank) is basically brushed over as if it were an afterthought on the DVD.
Further, if the "effect" as claimed in the written and video ad is that you end up with a blank deck, it would seem to make some sense that a blank deck is included, but it's not. You get a card box (ungimmicked) and a gimmick that you attach to your card box that allows you to make it appear as though the spectator selected a different card from the one they actually selected.
Product Quality
Though the DVD is well produced, the overall quality of the product is not great. Sure, the thing they give you to make the effect work is made well enough, but then your card box looks gimmicked after you've put the gimmick together.
Final Thoughts
If you want the effect of a selected card going blank and the deck going blank, I can think of at least two or three better ways right off the top of my head. The bottom line is that in order to do the effect the way they're suggesting, first you'll have to buy a blank deck, and second, the handling makes no sense and is awkward at best. For leaving out way too much information, for claiming an effect that you can't even do with the supplied props alone, for awkward senseless handling, and for so much more, I cannot recommend this product.
Final Verdict:
Half Star with a Stone Status of Rubble.
11 Comments
It appears this has no redeeming value at all. $35 for one card trick is nuts, and have it be such blatant junk makes it even worse. I do Sankeys (Yeah, I’m a Sankey fanboy, sue me) Fade Away, where the deck goes blank front and back except the chosen card. A much better effect and one of 22 on his ’22 Blows To The Head’ DVD. Now.. that being said, I realize you were all fired up about how crappy this effect is, but I have to say that exposure of the method (regardless of how crappy the method is) is uncalled for and beneath your usual standards of professionalism. I say this with all due respect, you know I have been a fan for years…
@Jay – I agree. I didn’t realize that I exposed the effect. Where did I expose it?
Hi Jeff,
Agree with this 100% .Much to my disappointment i had already got this and even though i had a blank deck to use i felt let down and your right the whole thing is just clumsy and NOT a worker.
Best Wishes,
Steve
@Stephen – That’s a bummer. I’m sorry to hear that you wasted your hard earned cash on this. There’s too much crap in the magic market!
When you showed the odd ball angle you have to show the card it was pretty obvious what was going on.
@Jay – I just re-watched the video and saw what you’re talking about. I didn’t realize I flashed so bad when I was showing the card. Then afterward, I mentioned that I might have tipped the method and that I didn’t mean to. I then winked. The wink was just a joke in the moment. I really didn’t mean to expose it. I did, however, feel that it was legitimate to show the card box warped after doing the move, because that’s exactly what the audience would see. But you’re right, I exposed the gimmick, though it was inadvertent. What do you recommend? Would it be a good idea to reshoot it or edit it?
I think an edit would work, may just blur or pixalize the flash… I’m glad to hear it was accidental, you always treat our craft with such respect and class.
Well, I disagree. Jeff has saved a lot of people from wasting money on this crap
Lets face it. He has only shown what the audience would see anyway.
Do you honestly think they would not work it out ?
Jeff was spot on with this rubble !
@Martin – Thanks. I can certainly see both sides. When I first realized that I exposed it, that was my first thought . . . that you saw exactly what the audience would see. I’ll still, likely, blur it out, but you both make excellent points.
As a former owner of two brick and mortar magic shops, I am so glad that I got out ten years ago. Murphy’s was a small company then and their catalog was made up of pages which you three hole punched and put into a note book. Back then, you could purchase one of a trick to see if it were worth carrying. But now, you are strapped to multiple purchases at a high monthly rate.
Why am I stating this? “VOID” is a trick that should sell for $10.00 if at all by itself. Too many single tricks or packet tricks are now being marketed with a DVD for $24.95 and up. Audiences are set up on the demos. Vital elements of the trick are left out of the shoot. You do an admiral job and great service exposing the garbage that exists on the magic market.
Exposing the trick? There was only one way it could be done once the card was held onto the card box. And the deck never left the magicians hand. Give me a break. Again, you are doing a great job. Keep it up!
@Mike – Thank you so much for your comment. I just recently had some magic dealers complain that I exposed to much on another review, Spinnerets. They felt that I gave away too much and that it was “exposure.”
While I agree that there was some level of exposure, there was no other way to let you know how bad it is and why it’s a waste of money. So it’s good to hear from a dealer who appreciates the intent of my reviews. Thanks!