New Steve Draun DVD's

Standing Room Only

The new set of Steve Draun DVD's are out by L&L publishing. Over the past couple of years LL has unfortunately seemed to have been packing their 1 volume dvd's into 3 volumes. About 3/4ths of the material is not really worthy of being put onto plastic. But I have to say that about 80% of the Draun DVD's are viable and good material.

Steve Draun is one of the Marlo disciples but doesn't have to stand in his shadow. Steve has previously published material in Apocalypse and other venues, and had a complete book with his material as well. The DVD's do him justice. Here's a clip:



I'll review items as they are listed from the LL website:

VOLUME 1

Over the years, Steve Draun has gained a laudable reputation as one of the finest sleight-of-hand experts in the magic underground. By perfecting and re-perfecting his magic, magicians from around the world were invariably fooled, stunned and affected. Back in the day, Steve Draun's work was often discussed in hushed tones. However, as time went on, Draun's focus shifted from fooling the greatest minds in magic to performing for laymen. Now, his vast and varied audiences see only the best of the best of the best.

AMBITIOUS CARD - Anyone can construct an Ambitious Card routine. You just combine a number of different phases. However, constructing a routine that's magical from the instant it starts and builds upwards from there is rarely done. This is one of the best!!

$100 BILL SWITCH - A hilarious presentation which solves many problems - including the clean up! Nothing new here in the way of visual difference. But as the advert states, it is an interesting way to do the effect.

KNOTTED SILKS - New wrinkles added to Slydini's classic routine, including a surprise Vernon variation. This starts the DVD. What is important here is the effort Steve makes into making it appear that everything is on the up-and-up. The audience just can't seem to believe that he continually unknots those silks. My only criticism is that this is very similar in appearance to the previous DVD release by Potassy.

VANISHING CIGARETTE - A lit cigarette completely and mysteriously vanishes. A super-clean handling that leaves them shaking their heads! Sorry- I don't agree. One of the problems here is that the left hand and arm are so close to the body, Steve acts like he has been shot in the shoulder and it appears that something is wrong.

COLOR CHANGING KNIVES - Pocket knives repeatedly change color and then - get this! - are handed out for examination. You'll love the strong finish for this classic - and the fact that it automatically resets! I can't say that I like the opening for this. Anyone who has a set of these, or a hot-rod can make a better move out of the transformation. But the closer for this will knock you out. You're left clean and the audience can't figure it out.

3 CARD MONTE - A powerful routine that will leave the spectators rubbing their eyes in disbelief! You'll also learn a new and unique ending. This is a really nice routine. It opens with a classic series of changes.

CARDS ACROSS - A thoroughly professional routine with an original handling. You'll also pick up some valuable insights into palming, holding out and adding cards. The routine here is very similar to Mike Close's routine on "Power of Palming." Personally, I think Close's routine is better.

RING FLIGHT - The classic Flying Ring plot combined with information on how to construct your own gimmick that will rival anything currently on the market. Again, I don't like the arm close to the body.

LINKING RINGS - Vernon's Symphony of the Rings with the Draun touch. Also discussed is a flaw that occurs when the routine is performed close up to which a very clever solution is offered that reinforces the illusion that all of the rings have been examined.

Having done Vernon's routine since I was in high school, I don't think Steve's routine is that much of an improvement. The major switch in the routine, which comes after the "Odin" count is not done that well. There are some nice touches though.

VOLUME 2

Though long acclaimed as a cardman, Steve Draun has approached dice, coins, linking rings and virtually all substrates of magic with equal passion and perseverance. It's for this great effort, and for his long-time experience, that such a high degree of bafflement permeates the magic of Steve Draun. This is also why his material is so greatly worthy of study and appreciation by anyone who seeks to better their own performance of magic.

OUT OF THIS WORLD - If you could accomplish this classic effect by real magic, it might look very much like this - the clean-up is that good! This is a very nice routine with the Draun touch. The clean up is just that- VERY good.

FAN GLIMPSE - If you are not already familiar with this now-standard method of glimpsing a peeked card, you are in for a real treat. If you already use it, you'll find some interesting presentational ideas.

FACE-UP ACES - A quick, surprising trick taught to Steve Draun by Ed Marlo. Some original ideas were added and what emerged impresses all who see it.

TENKAI PENNIES - An impossible-looking technique is used to accomplish this standard, but still powerful, trick. I was not too impressed with this. There are some touches that others have used that are better. The difficult parts in this routine are the finger-pinch and the transfer. One has to be able to look like one is not keeping the hands from the audience or making such a large move that you look like a ballet dancer.

MEMORY TRICK - A long-forgotten plot is updated and you're going to love the results! This is likely one of the best tricks in the DVD. The plot is simple. You patter about how people memorize numbers in a clump, like a telephone number. Then with a small packet of cards you demonstrate the impossible- the Ace through King are shown to be in order as they are dealt out. I have to say that Draun will destroy you with this because you absolutely will not see him bottom deal this. In the video he gives away the bottom deal that he does and it is perfection.

DECK VANISH - A stunning trick that features several new palming techniques. Also, a well-kept secret move for showing your pocket empty is revealed that you will use all of the time. Personally, I prefer my own deck vanish but this is a good start if you are just moving into this area.

WEB SHUFFLE - A great method for simultaneously culling and stacking using the riffle shuffle.

UNEXPECTED LOCATION - The spectator is in control throughout. They shuffle, cut, remember a card, and then cut and shuffle some more. After all of that, the performer, after some amusing by-play, reveals the selection!

BONUS MATERIAL

BONUS TRICK: PORTENT ACES - One of Steve Draun's best items! An Ace-cutting trick par excellence! MASTER PASS CLASS WORKSHOP - Learn the moves that Steve Draun made his mark in the world of card magic with including his touches on the Classic Pass, the Table Pass, the Herrmann Turnover Pass, and his own remarkable Midnight Shift. You'll also learn Jack Sandwich, a strong trick that incorporates some of the powerful techniques taught in this special workshop. If you've ever wanted to learn, or improve, the Pass, you'll find this Workshop to be an invaluable resource.

VOLUME 3

In the foreword to Steve Draun's lecture notes, card legend Edward Marlo wrote, "Steve is very discriminating in his choice of methods and effects. All the effects he does are direct and their plots are easily understood by laymen or magicians but their methodology is skillfully concealed from even the most knowledgeable expert." Now, for the first time in front of a live audience, you will see Steve Draun, one of Marlo's best and most gifted students, at the top of his form.

PERFECT COIN VANISH - A silver dollar is vanished with both sleeves rolled up. Both hands are shown empty front and back - the hands are held out in front of the body the entire time - and then the coin is reproduced! This vanish is similar to the Harada hold, but in my opinion, much, much better.

ALL BACKS ROUTINE - A spectator is asked to select a card and is surprised to find that it has a back design on both sides. The performer fans the cards and shows that all of the cards have backs on both sides. Suddenly, the deck is returned to normal with backs and faces - and can be used for more effects as it is perfectly normal! Normally, I've not been a fan of all-backs routines. They haven't made much sense. But here Steve gives you a plausible plot that can lead to further routines.

QUICK CULL - After the spectator shuffles the cards, the performer finds the Aces with just a few flourishes.

CENTER DEAL - A bluff Center Deal with a setup that looks so real, you'd swear that the Aces were in the center of the deck!

COUNTING PUZZLE - Magicians will see an Elmsley Count but the results still don't seem possible! The ending even fools those who think they know the secret.

BLUFF ACES - Some brand new twists on Marlo's classic effect.

TRAVELERS - An updated version of Dai Vernon's timeless trick. The application of more modern palms and subtleties makes this standard even more deceptive.

COPPER/SILVER - A practical, efficient and deceptive handling for a great classic of coin magic.

ONE WAY DEAL - This is one of the tricks that made Steve Draun's reputation. An ordinary deck is shuffled by the spectator and the magician deals himself a full house in seven hands of 7-Card Stud Poker.

TOPSY TURVEY - This is Steve Draun's handling of a trick invented by Marlo and included in his Riffle Shuffle trilogy. Most agree that it's the best of the seven versions created since the original.

BONUS MATERIAL

CUT, PASS, CHANGE & SQUARE WORKSHOP - Learn advanced card techniques from the master. Though challenging, these moves, including work on running cuts, the Thumb Pass, the Mercury Change, and squaring a squared deck, will enable you to lift your card magic head and shoulders above the average card worker.

You can get the Draun DVD's directly from me via magicetc@comcast.net. Retail is 99.95 but only subscribers here can get them for 79.95 plus 5.50 for postage.