Why I Bought ProhibitionFirst I saw the preview. That right there got me excited. After talking with a couple people, it seemed as though everyone who bought the effect was happy with it. I was hearing what I wanted to--it was a practical cap in bottle effect that could be performed on a regular basis with virtually no set-up. As someone who is big on reset and practicality, and performs very little material that isn't impromptu, Prohibition sounded like an effect that fit my style.
I try not to jump into buying magic, so I thought about it for a week. During that week I found myself in three different situations--at a party, a friends house, and at a bar--where I could have performed Prohibition. I went back and looked at the video and the reviews again, and decided I had to have it.First ImpressionsPhenomenol effect. When I saw Charlie perform it in the demo, then got my DVD and learned the method, I loved it. It's so straight forward and clean looking, and there are really no difficult moves. It's more clever methodagy than it is sleighty. The DVD starts out with Charlie performing the effect, teaching it, and then going in-depth, giving tips and alternative handlings. The DVD ends with Charlie doing several live performances in bars and restaurants, and finally a close-up slow motion performance (and the method is still invisible!)Product ListingImagine being able to...
Openly, instantly, and visually penetrate a sealed bottle with a cap and immediately show your hand empty!
(That's exactly what it looks like. Watch the video and see.)Well imagine no more! With Prohibition you’ll be able to do this with:
No preparation to the bottle.
(True.)The bottle can be any color or transparency.
(True. I did it with a clear bottle and a brown bottle already.)The bottle and cap may be borrowed.
(Yep.)Everything is completely examinable before and after the effect.
(Absolutely. There's nothing to find.)As close to special FX as you can get... LIVE
You're going to LOVE Prohibition!
Impromptu or Gimmicked?Prohibiton uses a gimmick. I did my research and knew this going in. You can either buy the gimmick for about $30 (I recommend it) or make on yourself for about a buck or two.
The gimmick is more of a magician's utility device than a solitary gimmick for the effect though--something you can carry easily in your pocket and make plenty of creative use with beyond just this one effect. The one I bought even came with a few routines.
With the gimmick on you you can perform Prohibition anytime, anywhere. As someone who tries to stay away from gimmicked effects or effects that require set-up, let me tell you, the gimmick is nothing here. Definitely not something to fret over. So is it impromptu? No, but it's close to it. Teaching/DifficultyI'd put it somewhere between easy and intermediate. Definitely not a hard effect to learn. The first time I tried the effect in front of the mirror I nailed it. I had the moves down to performance level in just a couple days.
Charlie is an excellent teacher. I didn't have any questions about the effect after I was done watching the video. Nothing is rushed. First he shows you how the effect works, then he goes into great detail, giving you tips and handling advice. He teaches several alternative handlings as well. The teaching was top notch. Honestly, it couldn't have been better.ProductionGreat production. Clear video quality, nice menu and graphics. They did a fantastic job producing the video.My Experience With Prohibition So FarI had the chance to perform Prohibition a few times this weekend and each time the reactions were the same--speechless. I performed the version in the spec's hands--where the spec holds the top of the bottle and covers the opening. Then I took the cap and slammed it through the bottom and left them holding the bottle--still sealed by their hand. Nobody had an explantion for it. This effect just rocks people.
The first time I perfomed it was at a pool hall. My girlfriend and I ordered some drinks and I asked the bartender to leave the cap. When I was done with my drink I asked her if she could put the cap in the bottle. She couldn't do it. So I showed her how--by slamming it through the bottom of the bottle. Astonishment.ClosingI write reviews for one of two reasons--either because I am very happy with the product I bought or because I was very disapppointed with it. Either way, I write a review because I want to help other magicians make smart purchases. I wrote this review because Prohibition is one of the best single effects I've purchased in a long time. Genii reviewed Prohibition this month and said "This is up there with "Quarter In Soda Can," and I agree. This is close-up magic at its finest.
In short, Prohibition is an easy effect to perform, its practical, looks like real magic, and gets great reactions. I know this is something I'm going to get a lot of use out of for a very long time. I highlt recommend it.
You can buy Prohibition here.
