Tricks That Will Get You Paid by Gary Norsigian

Gary Norsigian's "Tricks That Will Get You Paid" offers a strong premise. Instead of simply offering a series of tricks from the arsenal of a pro, Norsigian offers effects, many of them typically performed close-up, that play to bigger crowds of up to 25 round tables with ten people each. This two-disc set offers a series of good close-up and stand-up routines.

I was not familiar with Norsigian prior to reviewing this two-disc DVD set, but understand that he is a long time performer in the Las Vegas area. His 26 years of experience show in the varied and visual routines that he presents here.

"Cigar Routine" is a stand-up cigar manipulation routine that Norsigian performs to music. He pulls cigars out of a tiny coin purse, continually produces cigars, shoves the cigars up his nose and out his ears, does a gag with a lighter that has a twist in it (the "Mind Twister" prop, click here to read our review). In the second phase of this routine, Norsigian blends elements of Meier Yedid's "Finger Fantasy" and pretends to cut his finger off with a cigar cutter and restore it.

The Cigar Routine offers visual productions and effects and has built-in humor that makes it commercial. Of course, smoking themes are not welcome at many venues, although in this routine, there is no actual smoking.

"Tower of Power" is a card trick that incorporates Paul Harris' “Pyramid.” The magician has a card selected and forms the "tower of power," a structure of cards that show three different cards. From that point, the magician performs several phases where the three cards appear to turn into the selected cards and then back into the indifferent cards.

This one uses the intriguing "pyramid" structure, but Norsigian's presentation is often frantic and fast. However, I think that this routine can play strong. It's too bad that the DVD doesn't offer a performance segment with a live audience so we can see a reaction. And this is a complaint that I have with most of the performance segments here.

A no-gimmick rising card routine, "On the Up and Up" is based on a concept by Richard Kaufman. Since there's no gimmick and you can make multiple chosen cards rise in sequence, this one is quite strong. However, it’s going to take lots of work and practice.

As the name implies, in "The Travelers," four selected cards travel to four pockets in the magician's coat. And Norsigian also offers a good "Triumph. If you're into traveler effects, this is a good one. Norsigian says that "Fickle Card" is the effect that he relies on when performing for people who are waiting in lines. Two cards are selected by two spectators and the magician identifies a third card that quickly changes into the selected cards, one after the other. This one is fast and visual.

Just as the name implies, "Spellbound" is Norsigian's take on the classic coin routine where a copper coin turns into a silver coin and changes back. At the end, Norsigian ends with “Karate coin.” It's too bad that the lighting doesn't allow us to clearly see the copper and silver coins in the video segments. I like this ending with Karate Coin, where the magician drives his finger through the coin.

"S.W. Elevator" is an intriguing effect where a card is placed about three cards from the bottom of the deck and sticking out. As the performer talks, the card incrementally changes position, rising up the deck until it's on top. This effect was completely new for me and I see the possibilities of including it as a segment in an "ambitious card" routine.

“Impromptu Invisible Deck” is just that, “invisible deck” without the traditional gimmicked deck of cards. While Norsigian says that “invisible deck” is rather “contrived,” his approach requires the magician to look through the deck first before the revelation, which I think weakens the impact. It is nice, however, to not have to carry an extra deck of cards should one want to perform this effect.