From Wayne Kawamoto,
Your Guide to Magic & Illusion.
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The “Laser Anywhere Volume 1” DVD offers a complete course in CD stage magic using manipulation CDs, special props that look like real CDs-the kind that you stick into your computer to burn-but are designed for magic. (Click here to read our review of the manipulation CDs).

Manipulating CDs

While the DVD presents three palming techniques, the bulk of moves rely on the classic Tenkai Palm, which is effectively adapted for use with the manipulation CDs. There are several vanishes that are taught. Interestingly, the vanishes aren’t the traditional style where a CD is seemingly placed into a hand. The vanishes occur mostly in plain sight with some movement from the hands. The DVD teaches single and multiple CD productions and vanishes, as well as transfers and acquitments.

Beyond the basics, the DVD explains several production and vanishing sequences. Some are barehanded while others employ a silk for cover. While some vanishes and acquitments resemble those used in Gary Kurtz’s “Flurious” jumbo coin routine, and even seem to be adaptations of some of the moves to CDs, the CD effects are different in execution.

Sequence CDs

Beyond the basics, the DVD explains several production and vanishing sequences. Some are barehanded while others employ a silk for cover. While some vanishes and acquitments resemble those used in Gary Kurtz’s “Flurious” jumbo coin routine, and even seem to be adaptations of some of the moves to CDs, the CD effects are different in execution.

The DVD explains a way to perform card-style “split-fans” using CDs where you appear to fan CDs and drop them into a hat and then produce more CD fans. The DVD also presents some segments that use specialized gimmicks for performing color-changes and turning a regular-size CD into a mini-CD.

Good Instruction

The instruction is visual and easy to understand. Instructor Adrian Man takes the time to show each move from different angles and at different speeds. Many moves also come with slow-motion segments for additional study.

The video segments were recorded in what I assume was Cantonese. You don’t actually hear Man speak, but listen to the voice of a narrator. Some of the English translations are “creative,” but I had no problem understanding what was going on.

Last Track

Both CDs and jumbo coins reflect lots of light and look great on stage. But as I mentioned in my review of the manipulation CDs, Man’s special CDs are far easier to hold and manipulate than jumbo coins. And because you can effectively Tenkai palm a larger CD than you can a jumbo coin, CDs have the potential for being seen from further away.

With his “Laser Anywhere Volume 1" and manipulation CDs, Adrian Man has created an effective system for manipulating CDs in a stand-up or stage routine. If you’ve been wanting to come up with something different, this could be it. The only downside is that at $44.95, this DVD is rather expensive.

-Wayne N. Kawamoto

MSRP (US): $44.95

The Manipulation CD Box set comes with 15 CDs, MSRP: (US) $45

Magic-Anywhere also sells a Deluxe set that comes with 30 CDs. MSRP: (US) $75

To watch a video, click here.

Dealers can purchase from Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.