The Session 2007

The Session 2007

Available: www.andigladwin.co.uk
Price: £20/$40
Format: DVD


Alright so this was a DVD from this year's Session Convention. It features 16 effects from 13 contributors that all went this year. Here are some of the highlights for me:

Triple Sandwich [Mike Davis] - This is a very quick sandwich effect with three phases, hence the name DUH! I really enjoyed it because 1) I love Sandwich effects 2) Its Quick 3) Impromptu. And best of all it is fairly easy, I think the hardest move may have been this weird control he uses to ge a card into a certain position.

Versatile Sandwich Move [Jon Armstrong] - Alrighty this is a neat little move, another Sandwich YAY. I guess at it's roots it is just a switch of a card that is sandwich between two cards for another. It requires a little bit of choreography to make it look nice, but thats not to hard. As a bonus he includes this effect Handy Sandwitch, a two phase sandwich effect were on the second phase the card "melts" throught the spectator's hand, and appears between two jokers that are in the spectator's hands. I will definetly be using that one!

Moving Pip [Rob James] - An ungimmicked, super visual moving pip effect, that literally takes 7 seconds to do. It is also pretty simple, especially for those that have mastered the OHTP, like Rob has. When I saw the performance of this I literally yelled at the TV screen, I was like DAMN thats HOT!

Inverted Elevator [Robert Moreland] - With out a doubt the BEST effect on the DVD, for me this was worth the price of the dvd, Robert Moreland just earned another fan! This is a supped up variation of Marlo's classic elevator plot, were at the end the entire deck goes from all face-down to all face-up. It even includes a brief explanation of his Cloud Change! I am in love with this one, marry me!

Slo-mo Collectors [John Carey] - I love the Collectors plot so I had to include this one. In this one the selections one-by-one appear inbetween the aces, and is not hard at all. I would love to see how fast Kostya Kimlat could do this, if you catch my drift.

Cut and Restored iPod Cable [Noel Qualter] - This is simply a modernization of the classic CnR Rope, I doubt there is even a change in method. But the reason I liked this was because TONS of people have iPods nowadays so this would make a great "impromptu" trick that uses an object that lots of people have, therefore it is beyond suspicion. Only problem is that once you cut the cable you have like 4 seconds to restore before you get punched!

Twisting Maxi Twist [Allan Ackerman] - This one is too hot to tip, IMHO. Tons of magic in one, easy to do effect, what more could you ask for! Thanks Mr. Ackerman

Also included......
Rubbish Trick [Dynamo]
Firewriter [Luke Dancy]
Mealarang [Ollie Mealing]
Queens Variation [Myles Nakouzi]
Switch Trick [Ollie Mealing]
Road Trip [Andi Gladwin]
Mealing Peeling [Ollie Mealing]
Flexible Shift [Jamie Badman]
6am Production [Rob James]

Besides effects the DVD there was also an interview with Wayne Houchin, which I found really cool. He gives his thoughts on Magic on the Internet, Criss Angel, Performing vs. Creating and some other things. He even gives you the story behind Sinful's name and why Indecent is called Indecent, which I found hilarious. Then there is an interview with the Session Convention founders: Andi Gladwin & Rob James by Tyler wilson. Gives insight on why they started the Session and such. Which was very interesting, and they gave a quick little plug for Tyler and Andi's new booklet Movers and Shakers. And finally there where two performances from Marc Oberon and one from James Brown, Brown's was downright AMAZING.

Overall I think this was money very well spent, I wish I was able to go to the actual convention, and maybe someday I will. Also just because some of the effects didn't make my highlights doesn't mean they were crap, it's just I liked others over them. So in the end I definetly recommend this!

Final Score / 9.1