Stealth Moves
The first part of the DVD serves explanations. “Stealth Dump” is an almost undetectable way to load a coin from a shell into a group of others that are being tossed into the other hand. It’s a great move that will allow you secretly add a coin to a group of coins that will be held by a spectator.In “Fingertip De-shell” Justice explains how to hold a shelled coin in the fingertips and secretly remove the coin, making it look as if a second coin magically appeared. And in the related “Shellswitch,” Justice demonstrates a variation on “Fingertip De-shell” that makes it appear as if you’ve taken a coin from the other hand.
Perhaps the most powerful move on the DVD, “Transwitch” allows you to hold a palmed coin as well as one that’s in plain view and transfer both to the other hand. Using this technique, you can effectively show both hands empty as spectators watch you transfer a coin from one hand to the other. The technique also allows you to switch a coin.
“Transwitch” accomplishes the same objective as a traditional shuttle pass, but the move occurs with the hands up so it’s more easily seen by audiences, and each hand can clearly be shown empty. This is a move that I want for my coin arsenal.
Subtleties
“Fly Out Production (FLOP)” offers a flashy means to produce a coin at the fingertips. This one takes practice. But if the results are anywhere near those that Justice gets, it’s worth the time.Justice offers a replacement for a traditional shelled shuttle pass with his “Toss Over Shell Switch (TOSS).” It’s a utility move that is more difficult than shuttling a loaded coin from a shell to the other hand, but it orients the shell towards the audience.
“Pursubtlety” allows you to seemingly remove a coin from a coin purse and show it empty when the coin hasn’t been taken. This one is fantastic. As the name implies, with “Muscle Pass Pitch,” Justice offers a continuous production that uses the muscle pass as well as a technique that is something of an acquitment-secretly springing the coin from one hand to the other.
With “Fingers Open Grip Subtlety (FOG),” Justice offers a method of seemingly placing a coin in the pocket and taking the coin back out and convincing spectators in a sly way that the hand is empty. The move looks great but I think there is another way of achieving the same results that’s easier and reduces potential angle problems. In any event, the idea and subtlety is fantastic.
Point Across
In “Covert Coins Across,” Justice explains a coins across routine that uses the various moves he has taught on the DVD. He offers an overview of the routine and explains different approaches to accomplish each phase. You can choose the method that works best for you or use only those techniques that you have already mastered.In the vein of Lee Asher’s classic “Five-Card Stud” instructional video where he played a spy in Las Vegas in between the performance of close-up tricks, Justice offers an excellent short film, “Covert Coins-Uncut Version." The production is set in 1934 and stars Justice as a character who has escaped from Alcatraz.
I was expecting a cheap, cheesy video, but was amazed at the high production values and the look and feel of the film. It’s truly good.
Charlie Justice’s “Covert Coins” offers some powerful coin techniques for experienced coin magicians. There’s lots here to like and the DVD is a bargain at under twenty bucks. I’m looking forward to part 2.
-Wayne N. Kawamoto
MSRP: (US) $19.95
Dealers can purchase from Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc.
