"Tac Tics" DVD by Jonathan Egginton
Suggested Retail USD$24.99
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 4 Out of 10

"Tac Tics", a DVD by Jonathan Egginton, is one of those routines that prove that simply because you can do something doesn't mean you should it.

In this case, this DVD should have never been made, but it was so we have to take a look at it.

To begin with, the effect follows the traditional "coin-thru-Tic-Tac-box" plot. You begin by showing an empty Tic Tac box on all sides. You take a coin (yours, from your pocket assumedly) and "slam" it onto the box, where the coin drops inside. Your hands are empty, the coin is truly in the box, and everything can be examined.

At this point, "Tac Tics" could be one of several ways of doing this one. After all, it's fairly cut and dried, that plot, and there're few ways of changing it dramatically.

Then you get to the method and the structure of "Tac Tics" and things begin going downhill pretty quickly.

First up, you've got the clothing requirement: sleeves are a must and you know what that means. Second, forget repeating this one: if you attempt it, you'll be making so many trips to the bathroom your spectators will likely take pity on you for your failing bladder. As a one-shot while trying to be "street", yeah, this works; as part of a professional repertoire? Forget it.

Then there's the whole framing of "Tac Tics". Frankly, it's weak compared to other methods out there. Your coin, your Tic Tac box (an empty one at that) , you do the work... All well and good, I suppose, but contrast that to other routines that use a borrowed coin or a more innocuous prop. For that matter, compare "slamming" the coin against the box with letting the coin appear to melt visually through the walls of the box.

No, "Tac Tic" just doesn't work as well as other methods on a few different levels. It presents more issues than other methods and solves nothing other than the burning question of what single trick to put out on DVD next.

Not that there's anything necessarily wrong with that. There have been some great "single-trick" DVDs put out there. "Tac Tic", with it's weaknesses, with it's lack of anything really new added to the plot, and with it's price tag, ain't one of 'em. This really is one that should never have been released.

Take the money and invest it in Paul Harris' "Art of Astonishment" books; he's got a great version of this in there. And if you want to go the gimmicked route, look around online; I've got a version that I put together that does the work with two coins in to phases, all nice and visual and built on Harris' routine. Or give the plot some thought and work out your own method of doing this one.

Just don't make the leap for Egginton's "Tac Tics"; you'll kick yourself later.

"Tac Tics" DVD by Jonathan Egginton
In a Blink: 4 Out of 10

Material: 1
Forget the over-the-top hype on this one: it does what it claims to do but beyond that? This is a combination of two old ideas, thrown together, to create an effect that is okay but inferior to other methods out there. As part of a collection of effects, this wouldn't be so bruising a hit; as yet-another single-trick DVD? Not worth it at all.

Practicality: 5
This one has a couple of problems. Forget repeating it without multiple trips to the bathroom (the set-up is easy, but you will need the privacy). You also have a clothing requirement to deal with. On the plus side, everything is examinable in the end. All in all, practically speaking, it could be worse but it could also be better.

Quality of Production: 5
Nothing to rant or rave about here: it is decently shot with no real problems to hinder your learning this one.

Quality of Instruction: 5
Same goes for Egginton's instructions: he gets the job done well enough.

Presentation: 8
The visuals look good, but the structure of the routine hurts this a bit. Go the extra mile (really, a small step) and do this one with a borrowed coin and you're talking powerful stuff.


Shane

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