Cameron Francis' REHAB

Read exclusive online reviews of products and discuss them.
Kent Gunn
Posts: 753
Joined: May 15th, 2008, 2:05 pm
Location: Florida
Contact:

Cameron Francis' REHAB

Postby Kent Gunn » September 6th, 2008, 2:35 am

REHAB (DVD) by Cameron Francis $30.00
This comes with six, count 'em six different tricks. Woo-Hoo!

This is produced by Big Blind Media. You can check out their wares here. http://www.bigblindmedia.com

REHAB is apparently their latest release, you'll find it as the first choice in their catalog.

You can download the contents of the DVD online for about twenty dollars, US. The website is easy to navigate and very well done.

Now, finally the review. Cameron Francis is a charming affable guy. He does the snot out of six card tricks. He teaches them to you in a clear and concise manner. Especially for the price of the download it is a good deal. This is easily the very best product I've reviewed for Genii so far. The production values on the product are miles above anything else I've seen and reviewed. It was literally a breath of fresh air.

(The music made me think naked people would soon come on screen. This did not happen. Note to our friends at BBM, 70's funk/techno sounds like theme music from a porno to old people. If that was intentional, you guys rock!)

Cameron Francis credits sources. He is competent with his sleights and has a strong performing persona. The performance pieces have him performing, in a tent, to a mute wearing anti-contamination clothing and a gas mask. The whole thing was tongue-in-cheek and not cloying. I liked the theme!!

The signature piece REHAB is a signed on both sides torn and restored card. I won't be using the routine, but I already have a routine I like. Who the hell am I to say his is not your cup of tea.

I think you should go read the magic books you already own. If you're reading this, you have at least twenty card magic books you've never cracked the spine on. Push away from the computer, you lazy so and so. Go get that third volume of Giobbi or that Ortiz book you keep meaning to read. Got it. Good, now go learn a card trick!!!! That being said:

I really liked Cameron Francis. I won't be doing any of his stuff. The product is above average. You might like some of his routines enough to add them. I found most of the effects VERY derivative and did not think there was a single groundbreaking idea. If you are well-read in card magic or, like me, just think you are, you will probably not find the material earth-shattering. If you are just getting into card magic and like to learn from video, this guy has solid enough chops. He can explain a raft of false counts well and gives you a GREAT example of how to perform with a self-deprecating sense of humor. You could emulate far worse performers.

I give this a solid thumbs up. It's worth the download price. Watch the trailer if you like the guy, send him some dough.

Dealers purchase from Murphys Magic Supplies, Inc. (916) 853-9292 www.murphysmagicsupplies.com (That is an awfully declarative sentence. Please don't take that as a direct order from me.)

Oh and just as part of my anal-retentive personality, I'd like folks to know I watch the entire DVD. The other five effects, quickly summarized, a couple sarcastically, are:

Striking backs small packet turns from four jokers to four aces the four aces then find the selected card.

A strange visit a card is selected. It jumps from between the red jacks to the black jacks. The Jacks then turn into the three mates of the selected card.

Warped Fusion Two signatures join on a single card. Think anniversary waltz with no charm.

Prophetic One of four business cards are chosen, it is then pushed into the deck. The other three cards all have one card written on them. The chosen business card has a different card. The point where the spectator jabs the card finds both predicted cards.

X marks the spot Four Xs drawn on four different cards jump to the selection.
Last edited by Kent Gunn on September 6th, 2008, 2:44 am, edited 0 times in total.
Reason: Their not there, darn it!

Steve V
Posts: 642
Joined: January 20th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Silver Springs, NV
Contact:

Re: Cameron Francis' REHAB

Postby Steve V » September 7th, 2008, 2:25 pm

You may want to check the download as I do not believe it has the bonus effects the DVD has. The material is all solid and the reason they have the guy in the hazard suit is they show this at the same time as the Omega Mutation and carried over the theme.
Steve V

cfrancis
Posts: 8
Joined: September 10th, 2008, 1:04 pm

Re: Cameron Francis' REHAB

Postby cfrancis » September 10th, 2008, 1:07 pm

Hi, Kent. Thanks for the review.

I will say one thing, though. Warped Fusion is not meant to emulate Anniversary Waltz. They may both be fusion effects but that's where the similarity ends. Their plots are very different. Warped Fusion is not supposed to be charming. It's supposed to have more of a Sci-Fi feel to it.

Just wanted to clarify. :)

Kent Gunn
Posts: 753
Joined: May 15th, 2008, 2:05 pm
Location: Florida
Contact:

Re: Cameron Francis' REHAB

Postby Kent Gunn » September 10th, 2008, 7:04 pm

Cameron,

I was just being snotty. It is very similar, you definitely have a different take on it though.

I had gone through a bunch of DVDs, when I finally hit yours. The fact that you taught six times as many tricks as any of the others and actually looked like you'd been doing magic tricks for more than a month helped tremendously.

Then I started watching the disc and discovered this whack job of a magician, with a solid, funny delivery. I enjoyed your performances. Thanks for putting out a decent product.

Don't take this the wrong way. I realize you can make money putting out decent stuff like you do. I don't know why anyone buys DVDs of card tricks. Six tricks in a good DVD, if you're lucky and find one like yours. One good book, dozens of tricks . . . way better deal to the Kentster.

Brad Henderson
Posts: 4547
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: austin, tx

Re: Cameron Francis' REHAB

Postby Brad Henderson » September 11th, 2008, 3:15 am

Stick to your guns, Gunn.

Kent Gunn
Posts: 753
Joined: May 15th, 2008, 2:05 pm
Location: Florida
Contact:

Re: Cameron Francis' REHAB

Postby Kent Gunn » September 11th, 2008, 2:19 pm

Brad,

You're right. I do better as a jerk.

Cameron,

The Anniversary Waltz is a great trick. I saw Doc Eason do it in a lecture. He selected me and my then wife as his spectators. That woman . . . dont' get me started . . . was as jaded a magic spectator as exists on heaven or earth. When the trick was over, my ex had tears in her eyes and said, "That was wonderful!"

The version on your disk, pales in comparison. I actually think your sci-fi version is derivative at best, and just awful in general. It's not just That Doc Eason would shoot your heart out in a magic tete-a-tete, it is that I really think your version is not an improvement.

You have a better performing persona than me. You have come up with some ok stuff. It's all derivative. Can you let me know why people should pick your video over a magic book?
Last edited by Kent Gunn on September 11th, 2008, 2:21 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason: Back to basics

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27056
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Cameron Francis' REHAB

Postby Richard Kaufman » September 11th, 2008, 4:59 pm

Some folks who have difficulty learning from books find learning from DVDs much easier, so that's one reason right away.

I really should republish my effect "Fusion" so "Anniversary Waltz" doesn't keep getting all the credit for fusing cards together.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

Steve V
Posts: 642
Joined: January 20th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Silver Springs, NV
Contact:

Re: Cameron Francis' REHAB

Postby Steve V » September 11th, 2008, 9:10 pm

I almost commented on Anniversary Waltz getting credit for the fusion effects. Fusion, by you sir, was the first published version and Wes James has work going back, dang, almost 35 or 40 years as can be found in Enchantments, can't remember the name of the routine.
Steve V

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27056
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Cameron Francis' REHAB

Postby Richard Kaufman » September 11th, 2008, 9:14 pm

I've never found anyone who can vouch for Wesley James performing a version of the Fusion effect--someone who will state without equivocation that he or she saw Wesley do a Fusion effect--prior to my publication of the effect in 1982 in CardWorks (an effect not entirely of my own devising--Gene Maze and David Arthur also collaborated). I don't care what he claims in "Enchantments." It's like Marlo claiming to have invented this and that and the hundreds of other things that were in his "private" notes and were only published after other people had established their ideas.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

cfrancis
Posts: 8
Joined: September 10th, 2008, 1:04 pm

Re: Cameron Francis' REHAB

Postby cfrancis » September 11th, 2008, 10:42 pm

Kent, if you don't like my effects, I totally understand. I'm sorry you find the material too derivative. I thought I put enough of a spin on some existing ideas to warrant their release. Perhaps I haven't. But I will tell you this, I never meant for Warped Fusion to be anything like Anniversary Waltz (lovely effect that it is!). It wasn't an influence. I've seen many other Fusion effects that look nothing like Anniversary Waltz. As Richard points out, the Fusion effect doesn't belong to Doc.

The dvd is really about the main effect, Rehab. I think I have created a piece by piece T&R that is more practical than most and will be of benefit to a walk around or table hopping performer who wishes to perform this kind of effect.

Richard, I don't credit Doc on the dvd. In fact, I think I credit Wesley James. I do apologize for that. If I ever teach the effect in a lecture, I will certainly give you proper credit.

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27056
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Cameron Francis' REHAB

Postby Richard Kaufman » September 11th, 2008, 10:48 pm

Cameron, we're in a learning mode with "Light from the Lamp Online," and that means our reviewers are learning, too. I advised all of them to respond as little as possible after their initial reviews were posted. It's very tempting to respond, but ultimately futile. Once you put your review out there, it's done.

What I'm more interested in hearing, rather than a back and forth between the reviewer and artist who made the DVD or trick, is from other people who've bought the item and what they think--not only of the item itself, but also of the review.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

cfrancis
Posts: 8
Joined: September 10th, 2008, 1:04 pm

Re: Cameron Francis' REHAB

Postby cfrancis » September 11th, 2008, 10:50 pm

Got it. Sorry about that. It's very tempting to respond. I will respect your wishes and sign off of this thread. :)

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27056
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: Cameron Francis' REHAB

Postby Richard Kaufman » September 11th, 2008, 10:54 pm

Don't apologize, Cameron, the reviewer is equally "green" in this situation.

I often hear people say, "That got a bad review but it was great." I'm waiting for that to happen in "Light From The Lamp Online" because I want to hear other opinions.

And this also provides a good forum for people (other than the post-starting reviewer) to ask the creator or artist questions. So, I'm glad you're here! At the moment, however, this is just the type of back-and-forth between reviewer and artist that I was trying to avoid. As I said, we're all learning. :)
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

Steve V
Posts: 642
Joined: January 20th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Silver Springs, NV
Contact:

Re: Cameron Francis' REHAB

Postby Steve V » September 11th, 2008, 11:01 pm

When in doubt give credit to me.
Steve V

Tyler Wilson
Posts: 11
Joined: October 15th, 2008, 1:00 am

Re: Cameron Francis' REHAB

Postby Tyler Wilson » October 15th, 2008, 1:11 am

Richard,
Rest assured, you were not the first - in print or otherwise - to do the fusion plot.

Neither was Wesley James.

Tyler Wilson

Steve V
Posts: 642
Joined: January 20th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Silver Springs, NV
Contact:

Re: Cameron Francis' REHAB

Postby Steve V » October 15th, 2008, 1:46 am

See, Tyler knows it was me.
Steve V

User avatar
Ryan Matney
Posts: 978
Joined: January 18th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Location: Abingdon, Va
Contact:

Re: Cameron Francis' REHAB

Postby Ryan Matney » October 15th, 2008, 2:33 am

Well who was then, Tyler?
Get the Dirty Work - Available now at http://www.ryanmatneymagic.com


Return to “Light from the Lamp ONLINE.”