Hey everybody,

I was wondering what everybody thinks of "mutanz".

I am just curious.


Thanks,

Peace_2_YA

I've seen "mixed reviews" for Mutanz, in that some [magicians] complain that by ending with gaffed cards that the spectators are allowed to examine, a trade secret is unnecessarily exposed; others say that because the gaffed cards are an inherent part of the effect's meaning and storyline, they do no harm.

I happen to side with the second group and have Mutanz sitting around here somewhere, but just haven't found the time to start working on it yet. It's no "self-working miracle" but I truly believe the effort required to master it is worthwhile.

Hope that helps...

Tim

Thanks, I just bought it today and I was somewhat disappointed. I really havent tried
working it though. and I too have seen mixed reviews. Thanks again.

Peace_2_YA

I agree with Tim. I think it's a fine effect, but I'm still trying to figure out what kind of presentation I'll give it. Using the double backers as an ending doesn't bother me in the least. In the past I did the Coins of Ishtar and would do a "fusing of the coins" bit that would leave a copper/silver coin in the spectator's hands. They saw it as a strange magic moment because they had never seen a coin such as that one. I would chuckle inside as they held onto the very gimmick that allowed me to perform the routine. I would end by taking the coin and splitting it back magically... but this time the half dollar was copper and the English penny was silver.
Greg

I think it is overly complicated and long for the effect created. But that is just my preference. I would love to see it performed well, which I have not.

Perhaps that would sway my opinion of it.

I believe Paul is a fan of the effect if my memory serves me. Even if I am mistaken, I am sure he knows about it as he is a packet trick fan.

Yep, it is a gem. I comment initially that playing cards are like people, they all have their own personalities, we get ambitious cards, nervous cards but for the next experiment I am going to use the most dangerous card in the deck. It is a mutant card.

It plays VERY strongly. It appears long because of the repeat phase, you do the same thing three times before heading off in another direction. I make a big thing of repeating it, saying have you noticed magicians NEVER repeat their tricks, because people know what is about to happen and watch like hawks,I then add, "as I was saying" and do it again as slow as possible, slowly turning the hands back and forth showing the situation of the cards.I then say I will do it one final time but they will not catch me doing anything because it is not me, it really IS the cards that are mutating. I do the down the sleeve bit referring to X-Men characters etc. then look at them saying, "I know what you're thinking, you're thinking WHAT is he on? Until I show you it REALLY DID come back to the packet."

I build up the ending."Now making a card come back to the packet whilst I hold the cards is one thing, but if I could make one come back while you are holding it that would be INCREDIBLE wouldn't it?" (they agree) Once they agree I get them to hold their palm out and place a card on, then I say I will make it EVEN MORE impossible and make TWO of the cards (naming the values)come back and show and add the second card and get then to place their other hand above trapping them. I clearly show my cards then place my other hand on top. I stand back and face the spectator, cautioning him to keep his hands tightly together. I recap I am going to end up with all four of the mutant kings (or whatever they are).

I move my top hand slightly. I ask if the spectator saw anything, I ask if the spectator felt anything. I show what I have, and tell him he can no longer have his, the cards are starting to mutate again. It gets a killer reaction! I have told them they are going to see something incredible and impossible and by golly they believe they have!

The cards have all been so cleanly shown back and front throughout the routine the spectator involved genuinely believes the cards have changed in his hands.

Anybody who performs this well will get a great reaction. I can only assume the people who have not given it good reviews have simply read it but not gone out and tried it on real people. I always carry this now when doing walk around.

It's quickly reset.
It's examinable.
The final magic happens in their hands.

Roy Walton's Cascade was a good effect anyway, but the subtleties and thinking of Bob Farmer lead people further down the garden path then remove the garden so their is no way back.

I would say never be disappointed with anything unless you've tried it. Well, except for sheep's eyes or something.

Paul.

Paul,

That's really some quality material you've shared there -- Thanks for being so generous with your creativity!

Tim

Thanks, Paul. Now you've forced me to think of my own routine since there is no way I'll use your creation.
Greg

Sorry to be completely ignorant, but can someone fill me on in the effect please?

Cheers

PT

Use it my way if you want, I have really added little except emphasis at certain points.

Paul Hallas.

PT, I'll PM you the stats on this effect. It's a pretty cool thing to do to spectators.
Greg

Thanks for sharing your presentation, Paul.

I love it, and I shall plagiarise it shamelessly.

Dave

The effect is beautiful. But I find that their are too many moves. I can't remember them all. Does anyone have suggestions for that?

Blurr

Too many moves and can't remember them all?
I think you simply need to practice more until you've learnt the trick. Once you remember the moves, THEN you've learnt the mechanics and can work on the presentation.


Let's face it, if you can't remember the moves for one trick how do you remember an entire act? It's mostly the same move repeated, you just have to remember the first face up count is an incomplete Elmsley.

Nobody becomes a good magician without a little effort, despite what a lot of the dealer adverts imply, stick with it Blur and you'll have a little miracle.

Paul.

A lot of moves. A bit confusing. And even though you end with examinable cards, they're still obviously magic props. Why not just do jumping gemini? Just my opinion.

I'll have to side with Paul on this one (as if he needs MY help). I've been playing with Mutanz for several weeks now and have found it to be a fun routine to perform.

My patter is that the red Queens are otherworldly, mutating shapeshifters. They are alien-like in their ability to influence other cards ("That's why I've removed these Queens from four decks. By the way, the other cards have expressed their sincere thanks to me for isolating these...mutants.")

My patter is delivered in a half-whisper and has a very "X-Files" feel to it. I look around nervously at the beginning of the routine as if government agents might be spying on me, ready to silence me for letting this heinous secret become public knowledge.

The "alien" aspect works quite nicely for the exceptionally-strange ending.

Have fun with it. I sure do.

Platt, there are not a lot of moves like in "a lot of different moves". The "effect" is not confusing, in fact it couldn't be cleaner or clearer. Suggesting doing Jumping Gemini instead is like suggesting stopping doing Gambler vs. Magician routine and cutting the four aces instead.

Paul.

Whoa, easy Paul. The fact that I think the effect is a bit confusing is a personal opinion, not a hard fact. I believe I even stated that in my message. And if you look at previous messages, I'm not alone in that thinking. I like crystal clear, short and sweet effects that can be summed up in one sentence. ie- The red card turned blue. Or the card kept coming to the top. To me, anything more is a bit less. As for my suggestion of Jumping Gemini, I think it's in the same basic camp- a packet of cards change in front of your eyes. Only IMHO Jumping Gemini is a much simpler and stronger premise. Something about leaving the spectator with examinable trick cards is more wierd than awe inspiring.

In the words of Dennis Miller:
"That's just my opinion, I could be wrong."

I think more credit to the lay audience should be thought about before performing this effect. Once you expose the cards in the final phase of this trick many if not all would merely have to think a bit on this to come to the right conclusion as to how many of the phases were accomplished. So don't be surprised if someone, and believe me they're out there, says "oh, so that's how they turned over." After all, you're the one who basically showed them how its done.

Actually, confusion is more than likely due to poor handling and presentation than the effect itself which can be summed up "What one Queen does, the others do likewise."

And "leaving the spectator with examinable trick cards" was also a common complaint (at first) with Doc Eason's "Anniversary Waltz" but anyone who's tried that can attest to the magical moment it creates. In the four years I've been performing AW, I've never had anybody say "Oh, I get it! Trick cards!"

Handled correctly and with a clear and concise presentation, "Mutanz" is a real stunning piece of entertainment.

Recommended.