THE BLURB:
This is my current choice of method for performing
"Technicolor Prediction." The effect plays the same as my
full size version, described below, but fits in your jacket
pocket. It can be performed anywhere and anytime from stage
to close up with built in laughs and a surprise finish. This
version uses Mike Porstmanns "Double Decker" envelopes,
gaffed envelopes that have a wide variety of magical uses.
Updated version comes with 5 different envelopes (3 color
for Technicolor Prediction Effect, Security Envelope and
Manila Envelope)
In the accompanying Quicktime movie I show you how to
construct these Double Deckers quickly and easily and in a
variety of shapes, sizes and styles, including a Poker size
pay envelope and a most innocent looking drug store
"security lined" style. I then go over the Technicolor
Prediction routine in both performance and handling, and
also give many other ideas and routines for using these
versatile envelopes.
The Package includes pre-made envelopes and Acrobat template
files to allow you to print your own as required. You will
eventually need a computer with a color printer to take full
advantage of these files.
MY COMMENTS:
When Martin Lewis first came out with Technicolor
Prediction, it was a hit among magicians. It was one of the
few pieces of mentalism around with built-in humor.
Unfortunately, mentalists didn't like the odd plastic stick
that came with it. Many came up with variations of their
own that only used the envelopes. I know I used a variation
and Greg Arce published one of his, but we certainly weren't
the only ones.
Though the blurb claims there is a description of the
effect, it's not in the blurb I got. Let me explain it.
Three different colored envelopes are shown. A lady freely
chooses one. Say, it's green. She opens the envelope and
removes a slip. A gentleman chooses one. Let's say it's
yellow. Finally, the red one is left for the performer who
hands the slip inside to a third participant to hold. Now
the slips are read. The first two say, "I knew you'd select
this envelope," which elicits groans and laughs from the
audience. The final slip, which was left for the performer,
says, "The lady will choose green. The gentleman will
choose yellow. I will be left holding the red."
Martin Lewis now uses a non-plastic stick version too. The
method that he now performs uses just three envelopes (which
are gimmicked) that can be in one's coat pocket ready to go.
The only criteria is that you must have a lady and a
gentleman in the audience to work with. You could modify
this for two people with other characteristics (one with
glasses, one with a yellow tie, etc.), but the point is you
need to have the envelopes set in advance for the
performance conditions.
The envelopes are specially made envelopes that he calls,
"Double Decker" envelopes. They're very similar in function
to the Piatt envelopes, but the construction is different.
The package includes three that you'll need to perform along
with templates on the accompanying DVD so that you can make
your own. Besides the instructional video, the DVD also
includes templates for various size envelopes, too, along
with the templates for the envelope inserts.
I'm certainly not going to say that this version is any
better than the other non-plastic stick versions and I don't
think there is any significant advantage this has over the
others that I've seen and/or performed. However, it is
Martin Lewis' routine and this is the version that he has
been performing, which means it's a solid worker. I've seen
him "kill" with this. If you're not familiar with any
version of this effect, and it interests you, I'd start with
this one.
