"Fan2c" DVD by R. Paul Wilson
Suggested Retail USD$20.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

"Fan2c", the latest release by R. Paul Wilson, is a nice little idea that translates into a striking, eye-popping transformation that is as flexible as it is gorgeous.

The ads are spot on with this one, and the video shows it pretty well. "Fan2c" all begins with five cards held at your fingertips, spread in a fan. The edges of the cards are riffled and, with that single, simple action, that cards have changed, without the cards being covered, turned over, or the like and can be tossed out on the table right then and there for examination.

That's good stuff right there, sure, but it's also only the start of "Fan2c". Wilson has an idea here that is incredibly flexible and fits right in to many an existing card routine with a little a little thought and a tad more imagination. Simply put, any card routine that has a packet of cards changing from one to the other may have the amperage upped a bit with "Fan2c".

Think of a packet transposition, like say "Reset", with a visual kicker at the end courtesy of "Fan2c". Or maybe an "Ace Assembly" with a sudden, instant, climax. How about another classic -- "The Princess Card Trick" -- being made almost perfect with Wilson's tool? Yeah, there are things to do with "Fan2c" beyond "just" changing a few cards from one to the other.

And really, beyond the visuals and the easy handling, that was what got me about this one. The mind starts reeling pretty quickly with ideas that make this well worth the very modest price.

If you're not up for all the brain work, though, don't sweat it. Wilson has included a PDF that is packed with ideas that are well worth exploring. This 40-page ebook is crammed with additional handlings, ideas, and more thoughts about the gimmick to make sure you get the most out of the "Fan2c" gimmick. Honestly, between the DVD which teaches the construction of the gimmick and the more basic handling and the ebook which goes into other avenues for the construction and use of the thing, all the bases are covered here and learning and using this is a pleasure.

Things I should mention for the sake of completeness:

The construction of the gimmick is easy, but you'll likely need to make a "set" or two before you get it down perfect (not that this is an arduous task: I made my first one in about five minutes). All you need are very basic items you've already got, so a trip to the store for extra pieces is not necessary. Once you've got the thing assembled, it'll last for a good while with a little care. Some of the additional construction ideas in the ebook will take you longer and at least one will require "extra somethings" to complete. Still, even for the craft-challenged in our number, like yours truly, this wasn't a hard thing to put together at all.

Second, "Fan2c" is a damned clever gimmick, but that's half of the story: don't get "gimmick" confused with "self-working" because "Fan2c" is definitely not that. In even the simplest version of this, there's a sleight you'll need to learn and get down pat before taking this one out for a spin, and in some of the other handlings the sleights get a little trickier. The biggest part of can't really be singled out as it should without tipping things too much, but let's say that there's a little thinking and working in your future to make this one perfect, but it's not a Herculean task at all.

Really, at the end of the day, "Fan2c" is a slick piece of work with a lot of thought behind it and a lot of thinking yet you come with it. For the money, and for the slough of things this little gem can do, this is a solid keeper.

"Fan2c" DVD by R. Paul Wilson
In a Blink: 10 Out of 10

Material: 10
A strikingly visual, quite simple change of a packet of cards that is entirely examinable? If you can't see the value in this one, you need to apply for a "living/dead" test because this is simply brilliant work on Wilson's part (and you'll kick yourself for not thinking of it yourself).

Practicality: 10
Angles are extremely forgiving, reset is relatively quick, ending clean is a huge plus... this is a very practical piece of work.

Quality of Production: 10
This is a very good production, as you'd expect from the Buck brothers, but it would have been nice to see some more fleshed-out routines here. Still, they are contained in the enclosed ebook and that more than makes up for the slight ding in quality.

Quality of Instruction: 10
Wilson does a fantastic job of teaching his material and gets a big thumbs up for a special section or two that really brings the handling of this gimmick home. Likewise, the ebook is fantastic as well. Shoot, Wilson just does great. Period.

Presentation: 10
This is very much one of those "it's all in what you do with it" things, but the easy handling, the almost shocking visuals, the cleanliness all add up to a very powerful piece of work.


Shane

Available direct from your favorite dealer. Dealers, please contact Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc. toll-free at 1-800-853-7403 or visit Murphy's Magic Supplies website.