Reviewed by Curtis Kam MUM Magazine:
New York Coin Magic Seminar Group
David Roth, Michael Rubinstein, Geoff Latta, Mike Gallo & Friends
“Copper/Silver”
2007
Each DVD is $35, plus P&H.
3 DVD set, approx. 120 minutes each disc.
If you’re not in the habit, read the fine print above. It’s pretty much the whole story. As this, the second project from the four stars of the New York Coin Magic Seminars hits the market, we’re getting a good idea what these discs are all about. They’re not “encyclopedic”, thank goodness, there’s already a series of videos by Dr. Rubinstein taking that approach. And they’re not “the basics”, thanks again, since David Roth and Michael Ammar have got that covered. What these discs most resemble is a session, in this case a six-hour session, with four of the men who have defined the look and feel of coin magic today. There’s a broad general topic (tricks with coins that are different) and an intimate, informal, free-form, “ever try this?” feeling to the material and the presentations. In the time it would take to fly from California to New York to hang out with these masters, you can get a pretty good idea what the marathon session would be like when you got there.
As in all really good sessions, you’ll get some new ideas and concepts to play with, you’ll see some classic pieces you’ve only read or heard about, you’ll learn a few things that have been kept quiet for decades, and you’ll experience stuff you wouldn’t have believed if you hadn’t seen it yourself. Unlike a session, however, just about everything here is explained, and you can pause the action when fatigue sets in—did I mention it’s six hours long?
In the “stuff that you’ve always wanted to see performed” category, there’s Geoff Latta doing “Fisted”, an uber-clean and magical handling of the classic Copper-Silver transposition in the spectator’s hands, and Cop Sil Brass, his groundbreaking treatment of Scotty York’s approach to the Copper, Silver, Brass effect. Or how’s about David Roth performing “The Planet”, “Purse and Glass” and the original “Wildcoin”? And also Michael Rubinstein performing his “Triple EG Spell” an extremely visual and eccentric application of edge grip, as well as Rubinstein and Roth each performing routines based on the classic “Copper or Silver Extraction” and “Copper Penetration”. (a.k.a. Vernon’s “Expansion of Texture”) There’s more, including Mike Gallo’s handling of a dazzling Fred Kaps routine he calls “Gold Kaps”.
The “new paths to explore” include Geoff Latta’s Copper Silver Coins Across, which is a coins across using three silver and one copper coin. The devious structure allows you to do a squeaky clean coins across capped by the passage of the odd copper coin into the spectator’s hand. This is as clean as the more common method using a shell, and yet seems stronger because the coin that travels is different from the others. Of course, before or after, you’re in position to do the copper/silver transposition in the spectator’s hand, so this excellent routine will fit right into your working repertoire.
Fans of devious and efficient routining will also find gold in Mike Gallo’s Wild Coin routine which uses a gaff that’s not often seen, but it might just be the perfect one for this trick. It allows him to set each coin on the table after it changes, which greatly aids the illusion. And in the third version Mike eliminates the cup and has the coins change back to silver while the spectator is holding them. That alone is a definite step forward for this effect, but the whole routine is hearty food for thought.
If you think that Gallo offering stretches the envelope, consider his “Which Way Wild” in which the following happens: Mike produces three silver coins, and then three copper coins from a purse frame. He vanishes the silver coins one at a time, and then finds them in the purse frame with a dazzling production sequence. Dan Watkins asks “what about the copper coins?” So Mike causes the three copper coins to travel all at once from one hand to the other. He puts the silvers away, and then changes the coppers to silver one at a time. Then, just by adding a Chinese coin to the group, all the coins become Chinese. The coins are examinable, Mike is clean and the audience is exhausted.
One of the sub rosa moves tipped for the first time is Geoff Latta’s one-handed retrieval of a coin from deep back clip. Geoff has held onto this technique for twenty years or more, and it’s precise and efficient. Serious students will want to compare this to David Roth’s technique detailed in Expert Coin Magic. Another technique taught here, although less of a secret since he has done it in lectures, is Michael Rubinstein’s “Matting”. I have to admit that this method of ditching coins silently while standing, without jacket or sleeves, fools me every time. Finally, David Roth discusses the finer points of the palm-to-palm change, a move that has recently drawn a lot of attention.
The closely held secrets don’t stop at just moves. “Worker’s Wild Coin is an entire routine that David Roth has kept under wraps for years. It’s a simplified handling of Roth’s own “Favorite Wild Coin” in which three silver coins taken from a purse become copper, and then all change to Chinese. The “new” routine is, in my opinion, somewhat less deceptive, but requires no table space, has few sensitive angles, resets instantly and you can do the moves in a hurricane. In other words, it’s designed for work in the real world.
Finally, as to stuff you wouldn’t believe, there’s Geoff Latta’s routine for the Sun and Moon. This has only appeared previously in his lectures, and it contains a moment that reads like outright exposure, but plays like magic. In effect, you’re holding a silver and a copper coin at your fingertips. The silver slowly dips behind the copper, and vanishes completely. Just when the audience is convinced that it’s gone, the silver reappears in the same way. If you know the gaff in play here, you’ll understand my trepidation upon reading this. But seeing Geoff do it made me a believer. Don’t try this unless you’re seen the way Geoff presents and sells this moment. If you do it wrong, you won’t fool a chipmunk.
And speaking of presentations, Michael Rubinstein’s work on these discs stands out because of the obvious attention he pays to his scripts. He has crafted stories that lend meaning and sense to the Wild Coin plot, and an observation test angle to the copper-silver transposition. How well these stories work for you will, naturally, depend on your abilities as a storyteller, but Dr. Rubinstein’s presentations are an excellent starting point.
Before leaving the subject of presentations, I must also mention the guest appearance by Marc DeSouza, who has sadly been absent from the video and lecture scene of late. Marc makes a special appearance to perform a trademark effect that you may have heard about, but probably have never seen. It’s a “Spellbound” routine in which a copper coin changes to silver gradually, in phases, accompanied by a presentation that ends with Mr. DeSouza howling like a werewolf. Bizarre coin magic indeed, but worth the price of admission.
There is, of course, much more on these discs than I can mention here. The website will give you a better idea of the exact contents, something that you might consider if you’re thinking of just getting one or two of the three discs. The transposition of coppers and silvers is perhaps the strongest thing you can do with these coins, and the entire blue disc is dedicated to that effect. Even here, there is so much variation in technique, effect, and presentation between the four “coin czars” that you leave the disc with the feeling that there’s still much more to see. And, of course, there is.
It’s an open secret that there are three “Easter Eggs” hidden on these discs. Click your remote on the (not very) secret spot, and you’ll see additional footage. But there are also some surprises that are hidden in plain sight, appearing in the routines and the explanations without fanfare. I won’t say which is which, but hidden in one way or another on these discs you’ll find treasures like Geoff Latta’s legendary handling of the “Slow Motion Coin Vanish”; Michael Rubinstein’s clever new application of JW grip; David Roth relating the story of how Houdini almost met the mysterious Frickell; and Kainoa Harbottle performing his version of a routine of mine that fellow columnist Norman Beck made fun of in last month’s MUM.
Recommended viewing, and worth staying up late for. The best part is, after this session, you don’t have to worry about remembering what happened.
Reviewed by Dustin Stinett
GENII MAGAZINE 2007
New York Coin Magic Seminar Volumes Two, Three,
and Four: Copper Silver
David Roth, Dr. Michael Rubinstein, Geoff Latta,
and Michael Gallo $35 each
The four names behind these discs should be enough
of a review even if you are wondering how there could possibly be enough
different Copper and Silver coin magic to fill three two-hour discs and
keep your interest. Trust me, there is, and if you like coin magic,
you’ll love these discs.
You might recall that Volume One of the series was
on the Coins Across plot (reviewed March 2006). These discs follow the
same style, which has the effects well demonstrated and thoroughly
explained in a studio setting, while video from the actual seminars are
bonus viewing. (And what incredible bonuses they are!)
The subtitle, “Copper Silver,” refers to the fact
that this is a collection of effects that use copper and silver coins
that are magically changing or transposing or what have you. There are
four base plots: “Wild Coin,” “2 Copper 1 Silver,” “Spellbound,” and the
“Copper Silver Transposition.” Several versions of each are offered. The
various handlings are suitable for different performing situations,
skill levels, and have gaffed and un-gaffed versions. So as for tricks,
there is something here for everyone. But there is so much technique
discussed on these discs that it actually transcends the plots.
Volume Two starts off with the “Wild Coin” effect
as popularized by David Roth. There are two versions by Dr. Michael
Rubinstein, three by Roth, and three by Michael Gallo. The second
section of Volume Two is on the “2 Copper 1 Silver” plot, and each of
our four coin magic superstuds … err … superstars offer one version
each. The bonus section includes a guest appearance by Kainoa Harbottle
(superstud in waiting), and more from Geoff Latta and Mike Gallo.
Volume Three covers “Spellbound,” with two
versions from Rubinstein and one from Gallo. This sounds short, but you
are not shorted: These are terrific lessons in coin magic.
Section two is on various copper and silver
effects using props such as purses, purse frames, and Okito boxes.
Rubinstein has four entries here, Gallo two, Roth two, and Latta one.
The bonus section has more from Gallo, Rubinstein (a great “Spellbound”
idea with chocolate coins), an in depth discussion on one-handed
switches with Roth, and a guest appearance by Marc DeSouza with his
“Werewolf Coins” Spellbound effect.
Volume Four is all about the “Copper Silver
Transposition.” Dr. Rubinstein has five versions, Roth offers one, Gallo
two, and Latta serves up three renderings. The bonus section has more
from Roth and Latta and there is video from Dr. Rubinstein from a 1986
lecture where he covers his “matting” technique.
These are fantastic discs, with an incredible
amount of material. What would you pay for just six hours with these
men? Here is six hours of lessons you get to take home and revisit at
your will. And I’m going to be mean and not tell you how to find the
extras that are worth hunting for. Nor will I tell you which David Roth
contribution in this set has never appeared in print or on video! It
doesn’t matter, you’ll want all three of these discs anyway, so you’ll
find it.
● New York Coin Magic Seminar—Volumes Two, Three, and Four: Copper Silver ● Roth; Rubinstein; Latta; Gallo ● aprox. 360 mins., DVD only ● Available from www.newyorkcoinmagic.net or by writing to New York Coin Magic, 3616 Henry Hudson Pkwy. East, Suite 3 BN, Riverdale, N.Y. 10463 ● $35.00 each