Big Picture by Kyle Purnell

Created by: Kyle Purnell

Big Picture is a beginner-friendly, self-working mentalism trick that uses a gimmicked deck of cards to predict a spectator's chosen word, culminating in a playful drawing reveal. This close-up magic effect is perfect for those interested in light-hearted mentalism and is designed to be easy to perform, making it ideal for beginners. The trick includes a well-made, durable deck and a comprehensive tutorial, though some handling and shuffling practice is required. Priced at $29.95, it’s a great value for its entertainment impact and audience reactions.

Key features

  • Beginner-friendly and self-working

  • Uses a gimmicked deck for a foolproof prediction

  • Ends with a fun and visual drawing reveal

  • Comes with a well-shot and detailed tutorial

  • Best suited for close-up magic and light-hearted mentalism

  • Affordable at $29.95

Pros

  • Strong audience reactions and entertainment value

  • Easy to perform, great for beginners

  • Comprehensive and well-taught tutorial

  • Durable and well-made deck

  • Affordable price for the quality

Cons

  • Tight cellophane on the card case makes setup tricky

  • Some moves in the tutorial feel unmotivated

  • Requires practice for smooth handling and shuffling

  • Not ideal as a closer, better as an opener or middle trick

Effect

'Big Picture' is a mentalism card trick where the magician predicts a spectator's chosen word. The trick ends with a visual reveal, often a playful drawing, that matches the spectator's selection. The effect is engaging and leaves the audience with a memorable, light-hearted experience.

Full details

The trick uses a custom deck of cards with words printed on them. The magician guides the spectator through a series of choices, ultimately revealing that their selected word was predicted from the start. The method is self-working, meaning it requires no complex sleight of hand. The deck is gimmicked to ensure the prediction works every time. The tutorial is well-shot and easy to follow, though some reviewers note that certain moves in the routine feel unmotivated. The deck itself is durable and well-made, but the tight cellophane on the card case can make setup a bit tricky.

Who should consider the trick

'Big Picture' is ideal for beginners or magicians looking for an easy-to-perform mentalism effect. It works well in close-up settings and is perfect for those who enjoy light-hearted, interactive magic. The trick is also a good choice for performers who want a reliable prediction effect without needing advanced card handling skills.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The trick is beginner-friendly and self-working, meaning it requires no difficult moves or sleight of hand. However, some practice is needed to handle the custom deck smoothly, particularly during shuffling and card control. The tutorial is comprehensive, but reviewers recommend watching it fully before performing to ensure a polished presentation.

What magicians say

Fiddlinjonny praises 'Big Picture' for its strong audience reactions and entertainment value, calling it a good investment for close-up magicians. He notes the tight cellophane on the card case as a minor drawback but overall finds the trick easy to perform and great for beginners. RealMagicReview highlights the trick's originality and fun presentation but emphasizes the need for practice to handle the deck smoothly. He recommends using it as an opener or middle trick rather than a closer. Magic-TV describes 'Big Picture' as a clever prediction trick with a foolproof method and clean presentation, making it a reliable addition to any performer's repertoire.

What people are saying about Big Picture

fiddlinjonny says...

Performed live, the effect receives strong audience reactions, proving its entertainment value. [...] Priced at $29.95, it's considered a good value for the quality and impact of the effect.

magic-tv says...

'Big Picture' by Kyle Purnell is a clever prediction trick using a gimmicked deck, offering a foolproof method and clean presentation.

RealMagicReview says...

Steve Faulkner reviews 'Big Picture' by Kyle Purnell, a clever mind-reading trick where a spectator's chosen word magically appears as a visual prediction on a card.

Review videos