Invisible Thread

[Zen No Mind]

I have been a nut for this kind of magic ever since I first herd of it. I have purchased just about everything I can find on the subject and with this post I hope to go over the two major sets for thread work. For those who don't know they are "Who's afread of invisible thread" by Jon LeClaire and "Easy to master thread miracles" by Michael Ammer.

"Easy to master thread miracles" review

DVD 1/3: Ammar starts off by going into a very detailed history of thread magic and explains why he got intersted in thread work. This is packed full of history of people old techniques that were used in the past and major detail on the evolution of thread work. Next, Ammar covers how to make your own invisible elastic in great detail. Following this he covers some simple tricks to do with the Invisible thread. His teaching is very clear and he does not move very quickly.

DVD 2/3: Ammar starts off with some tricks that use IT and ITR that people would not guess is an IT trick. Hard to explain but the thread is not clearly used to the spec. Next, he talks about the differnet hook ups and explains their uses. There are quite a few hook ups including the LeClaire hook up. He ends the dvd explain how to best use the surrounds with the thread so it is not seen or broken by accident.

DVD 3/3: Revisits the making of your own IT. Ammar goes into very deep explination about the different threads on the market and his professinal opnion about them. He covers how to transport the IT and some very clever ways to have yourself setup so you can perform. Then lastly he shows a few more tricks.


"Who's afread of invisible thread" review

The video start with Jon performing for people in a live enviroment. Jon also covers how to make the IT but not in any great detail. Jon shows his hook up which he calls the LeClaire animator. This is one and only one hook up. All of his effects stem from this one hook up. There are about 6 effects in all show. I don't remember off the top of my head.

Compare and Contrast

Ammar Pros:
- Covers making the thread in greater detail
- Shows you differnt hook ups that work for different effects.
- Longer series of DVD's allows him to cover more
- Through history of IT and its development

LeClaire Pros:
- Every trick done from one hook up. You don't have to know another hook up ever, and you never have to worry about changing hook ups. Just one thing to master.
- Fast paced learning. He gets to the point and shows you clearly and easily.
- Comes with IT and Flesh putty in the DVD case to start learning while watching the DVD.

Ammar Cons:
- Too much history on IT for most people. I could watch it one but watching it again almost put me to sleep.
- Very long explinations. He gets the point across but he could probably cut back a little on the explination because seeing it done explains alot, atleast for me.
- Did not go into as much detail about LeClair hookup as he could have.

LeClaire Cons:
- He did not invent the hookup but has hijacked the name.
- His hookup only allows you to perform close up effects, no stage effects.
- Only lightly covers storange and breakage
- Rushed DVD. Just felt rushed to me.
- Does not teach anything that is not in the Ammar videos

Conclusion

In conclusion, I like them both. I would give Ammar a 4/5 and I would give LeClaire a 3/5. Ammar thought you everything you will ever want to know on IT. He was entertain but not exciting. LeClaire on the other hand was rushed but he kept it moving at a fast pace. I would recommand getting "Easy to master thread miracles" for the serious magician. If your looking for little effert, interest, and instant tricks then go with the LeClaire DVD.

[UKGareth]

Thanks dude, I am sure many of our thread reel owners will find this very usefull  

[Andrew]

Thanks for the reviews. The comparison was very helpful. You reminded me that I want to get those Ammar DVDs.

[Zen No Mind]

Ammar is the way to go for the serious reel owner.

LeClaire is more for the "gotta have the next trick" reel owner.

[Pepka]

I had the Ammar videos and found them boring.  I didn't get much use out of them.  I didn't think I had the patience to put in the required work in order to make it look good.  Then I discovered Yigal Mesika's loops.  These things are fantastic!  I perform the haunted pack and floating ring with them, and spectators freak out.  However, about a year ago, I stopped billing myself as a magician and now refer to myself as a sleight of hand artist.  Upon first introduction to someone I use the word magician, but during the course of my first trick, I change to sleight of hand artist, describing the difference.  This is just a personal preference because I was getting SO sick and tired of being compared to and asked questions about Cris Angel, Copperfield, Blaine etc. asking if I can do what they saw on TV.

[SportzFSU]

Wow Zen I love reading all of these great and detailed reviews you keep writing. It really helps me not to waste my money on alot of these products. Thanks!