DVD Review: Acting Naturally - Elemental Coin Magic by Allen Zingg

I know Allen Zingg from his “Master Billet Course,” a great series on mentalism. On “Acting Naturally - Elemental Coin Magic,” Zingg shares his in-depth thoughts and useful advice on performing coin magic. Unlike most instructional DVDs about coins, Zingg’s approach is far more methodical-he treats coin magic as a science that’s to be analyzed and dissected, as well as competently performed. While this is not a typical instructional DVD, I think that magicians of all levels can learn from Zingg’s approach.

In his coin magic, Zingg makes lots of use of the thumb palm and offers excellent variations on vanishes with the well known technique. He also delves into Downs palm and Tenkai pinch and offers some interesting acquitments-the ability to vanish a coin and seemingly show the hands are empty.

There are some acquitment gems here that would be an excellent addition to anyone’s arsenal of coin techniques and are superior to the usual show one hand empty, quickly turn the body and then show the other hand empty.

Zingg’s discussions on body language are among the finest that I’ve seen and provided lots of food for thought. I know that I’m now looking at my coin magic and all of my magic in a different way.

Beyond the moves and techniques, Zingg offers several routines. I like the way that Zingg always applies a compelling theme to his effects. He may be working with coins, but he shows that there are themes that a magician can apply to these routines.

Beyond effects where coins are produced and vanished, some highlights include a “Mini Misers” routine, a miser’s-style routine where the magician produces a series of coins; “Coins From Flame,” the magician produces coins from the flame of a candle and “Moonlight and Starlight,” Zingg’s “coins across” routine.

“Acting Naturally - Elemental Coin Magic” is not your typical instructional magic DVD on coin magic.If you simply want the mechanics behind a cool trick, this is not the DVD for you. But if you want to learn from someone who has taken the time to think about coin magic and improve your magic, you may like this DVD.

-Wayne N. Kawamoto

MSRP: (US) $35

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