The original Screen Test used postcard-sized cards and featured online instructions. The Pocket Edition comes with cards which are more like ‘collectors’ cards’ approximately 6.5cm by 9cm – they’ve been designed to look just like the real deal and they fit easily in your pocket.  I think the original release was quite small enough to work as a close up effect (and big enough to play in larger venues too), but there’s no doubt that these will take up less of that valuable pocket space!

The teaching is actually exactly the same, but it has been put on a DVD which has certain advantages. The DVD version has an extra section which covers the ‘action pack’ release – an updated set of cards with action movies instead of ‘classic films.’ There are also a few extra ideas for ways of presenting the effect.

As Nardi suggests – you could actually add the Original set and the Action Pack set all together to make an even more fooling effect with twice as many choices. With the more or less playing card size of the pocket edition, you could even utilise a few card handling skills to enable other variations on the handling or even on the effect.

Alakazam, as with many of their releases, provide extra ideas, routines and tips etc. via their website. The DVD includes a code which enables you to access all that material for free (though you will need to set up an account with them to do that).

There’s not much more to say. I still think the combination of film and mind-reading is engaging, the original postcard size and this ‘collector card’ size are both convincing – that is, they don’t really feel like special props, but actually real things. The method is really subtle – and easy to do – allowing lots of room for you to focus on your job – which is entertaining.

Screen Test Pocket Edition is highly recommended and available direct from Merchant of Magic for £26.50 (at the time of writing).
(Or the Action Pack Edition is here for the same price)

Review copy kindly provided by Murphys Magic to whom dealer enquiries should be directed.

The post Steve Dimmer – Screen Test Pocket Edition – review appeared first on Bicycle Cards.

The effect

Screen Test is a very direct mind reading effect using props which make sense and will connect with most spectators given its subject matter of film. You display a pack of film postcards and allow them to choose one (free choice). They then read out the names of all the movies – in any order they like – and you are in the position to reveal their selected film in any way you so desire.

It really is that simple and that clean – and with a little bit of presentation could be made into an absolute miracle. You are supplied with a pack of nicely printed film postcards and an online link to the tutorial video.

The good, the bad, and the slightly ambiguous

This is an extremely strong effect and very easy to do. I love the quality of the cards, the simplicity of the method and the versatility of the presentation – it could work in a close up, parlour, or even stage setting. There are a good variety of films in different genres – and they are mostly classics of their kind – so are very likely to connect with a wide range of audience type. And there’s an ‘authenticity’ to the props – they are just the sort of thing that you might find in a cinema or film-fanatic’s shop.

As the advert states there’s no reset required and no peeks or fishing but the phrase ‘no memory work’ is potentially just slightly misleading. The memory work is very minimal (and could arguably be eliminated with the use of an ‘extra card’ which is provided) – but for the strongest and cleanest presentation you will need a little memory work. It is hard to say more without tipping the method. But in the grand scheme of things I think this is a TINY issue.

The teaching

The online teaching is about 50 minutes long and covers every detail you could need. The online format has the disadvantage that you can’t jump to particular sections on the teaching – but again, you’ll probably watch this once and not need to be watching it again – you will get the hang of this very quickly. A number of alternative presentational hooks and tips are given.

To be honest this is one of the strongest mentalism effects we’ve looked at in recent years. It is a brilliant combination of simplicity and cunning – allowing you to spend all your time on presentation and the reveal. It uses attractive props which take up little space and need no re-set. This is superb!

Please don’t go out and buy one – I want to be the only one performing this in my neck of the woods!  If you really do want to buy you can buy it at MagicShop.co.uk for £42.00 (at time of writing).

Review copy kindly provided by Murphys Magic to whom dealer enquiries should be directed.

The post Steve Dimmer – Screen Test – review appeared first on Bicycle Cards.