Al Schneider (DVD) Vol. 3 – Rare Earth Series

In this set of experiments, we are looking for odd and novel methods and effects. The goal is to locate more effects that are cerebral. We want things that twist the mind. Who would think of a broken and restored potato chip? (The method is weirder than the effect…!)

Here’s what’s contained in this confidential file:

Diffusion – One person picks a card from a face-up deck. The other person picks a card from the same deck but held face down. Both selections are absolutely free. The cards are placed back to back and the molecules from each diffuse into each other, melding them into a single card.

Back & Forth – An oriental coin and silver half dollar are shown. The silver dollar is openly dropped into a coffee mug. A spectator covers the opening with their hand. The performer holds the oriental coin which changes in his hand into the silver coin while the spectator dumps the oriental coin from the mug. This is repeated but this time, the oriental coin is put into a coin envelope. Although the spectator controls both coins, they still change places.

Sly Cross Card – Two cards are crossed on the table. Three coins are also lying on the table. The performer picks up one of the coins and causes it to disappear. Both hands are shown empty. The coin in found under the two crossed cards. This is repeated twice more. This is a sophisticated coin routine and with its flowing motions, would look very pretty performed to music.

Goo Go – The performer shows a silver dollar which is slowly placed into a closed hand. The hand is then opened and the coin is gone. The hands are shown on both sides. Then the hand is closed and the other magically extracts the coin from it.

Universal Card – A spectator selects three cards. Several blank cards are shown. One is used to show Marlo’s Universal Card concept. The blank card brushes the packet of three cards three different times. Each time, the blank card takes on the value of one of the three selected cards. This is a cerebral trick and there is no sleight of hand involved.

Eight Dollar Matrix – Four dollar bills and four silver dollars are placed on the table. The bills are used to cover the silver dollars and a Matrix routine is performed. The different handling of the bills enhances the cleanliness of the routine. For a finish, the bills are placed in the middle of the table and the four silver dollars vanish from the hands and appear under the dollar bills.

Diamonds and Coins – An oriental coin and a silver dollar are shown along with a large acrylic diamond. The diamond is placed on the oriental coin while the silver dollar is held at the fingertips. The coins change places several times.

Broken & Restored Potato Chip – The performer pops the lid on a container of potato chips. A chip is placed into the left hand and is crushed. The right hand covers it for a second and then moves away to reveal that the chip has become whole. With this technology, the king’s men could have put Humpty Dumpty back together again!

Synchronicity – A spectator cuts a deck of cards and then deals a number of cards into two equal piles. The performer picks up one of the piles and deals the cards on the table. However, the spectator can dictate when any two cards can be switched. This is repeated with the other pile. The top two cards of each pile are then turned over to show that they are the same color and value. Then, the rest of the cards in each pile are turned over to show that they match as well.

Twentieth Century Yarn Yank – Two small pieces of red yarn are tied and placed into a small coin envelope. A piece of yellow yarn is placed on top of the envelope. A hand is waved over the yarn and envelope and the yellow yarn disappears. The envelope is opened to reveal that it is now tied between the two red pieces.

Out of Control Ace Collection – A spectator is given a deck of cards and asked to run through it and find the Aces. As they’re found, the Aces are placed face up in the performer’s hand. Then, the spectator is given the deck as the performer turns the Aces face down and deals one onto the table. The spectator is then asked to deal three cards on top of the tabled Ace. This is repeated with the other three Aces. The spectator is asked to select one of the piles of four cards and the Aces then gather at that location.

No Slide Envelopes – This is an experiment to test using self-sealing envelopes with a slide. In this experiment, a coin envelope is shown. A coin is then vanished and appears inside the envelope.

Shadow Coins Across – Three silver dollars are lined up on the table. A copper coin lies to the right of the silver coins. The performer moves slowly and covers the silver coins with one and the copper coin with the other. Without any moves, one silver coin joins the copper one. This is repeated slowly twice more.