Controls by Andrew Frost

Card Magic Mastery: A Deep Dive for Serious Card Magicians

This analysis provides a detailed overview of Andrew Frost’s “Card Magic Mastery” course, designed to help magicians assess its suitability for their needs.

Effect:

The core effect of “Card Magic Mastery” revolves around creating the illusion of impossible card control and transformations. The course focuses on presenting seemingly impossible feats, such as having a spectator’s chosen card moved to the top of the deck, or a card vanishing and reappearing in a different location. A key element is the “Crosscut Force” variation, presented as a particularly deceptive method. The course also incorporates a range of routines, including card transformations and unique pocket effects, designed to impress audiences with seemingly impossible feats. The overall aesthetic is one of sophisticated, table-based magic.

Full Details

“Card Magic Mastery” is a nearly four-hour video course offered by Andrew Frost through Danny Goldsmith’s website. It’s positioned as an intermediate-level resource, not a beginner’s introduction to card magic. The course content includes:

• Move Instruction: A comprehensive exploration of fundamental card handling techniques, including double lifts, top changes, various forcing methods (with a standout Crosscut variation), palming, clipping, and multiple shuffles.
• Routines: Several complete routines are taught, including “The Traveler” (a card transformation), a Triumph routine, and a unique card-to-pocket effect where the chosen card and its mates appear in multiple pockets.
• Controls: The course features several “incredible” controls, notably a method where a spectator’s chosen card is secretly moved to the top of the deck.
• Presentation & Variations: A significant emphasis is placed on variations of classic techniques, designed to elevate the performance and create a more deceptive presentation.
• Practicality: The course is primarily geared towards table magic, with most effects designed for a seated environment. While some effects can be adapted for standing performances, the majority are optimized for a table setting.

The course is presented with live performances demonstrating the techniques and variations. Sebastian, the reviewer, notes that the routines require instant resets and are generally inspectable with a standard deck of cards, avoiding the use of gimmicked decks.

Who Should Consider the Trick

“Card Magic Mastery” is best suited for magicians who already possess a foundational understanding of card handling and are looking to refine their skills and expand their repertoire. It’s particularly beneficial for those who specialize in table magic and enjoy performing routines that require audience interaction and misdirection. The reviewer, Sebastian, suggests that the course is not appropriate for beginners, emphasizing the intermediate-level nature of the material. Magicians seeking to elevate their performance with deceptive controls and innovative variations will find the most value in this course.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

Sebastian rates the course as intermediate-level in terms of difficulty. He highlights that many of the techniques and routines require practice and dedication to master. The course isn’t a simple step-by-step guide; it demands a solid understanding of card manipulation and the ability to apply variations creatively. The reviewer notes that the moves themselves are often designed for table work, which may present a challenge for magicians primarily performing in other settings. The course emphasizes instant resets and inspectability, meaning performers need to be adept at quickly restoring the effect to its original state. The Crosscut force variation, in particular, is described as exceptionally deceptive, requiring careful execution to maintain the illusion.

What Magicians Say

Sebastian, the reviewer, expresses enthusiastic approval of the course, awarding it an 8.75 out of 10. He praises the high quality of the instruction, the innovative variations on classic techniques, and the practical nature of the routines. He specifically highlights the Crosscut force variation as “chef’s kiss,” describing it as “insane.” Sebastian notes that the course’s focus on table magic may limit its appeal to magicians who primarily perform in other settings and suggests a price point of $50 would have been more appropriate, given the $75 USD cost. He encourages viewers to leave questions and requests for future reviews.