John Carney - The Master Sessions(1-4)The Master Sessions: Disc 1 - Winter
Here's what's you'll get on the First Disc:
Exchanged, Expanded and Extracted
John's amazing routine with a copper and silver coin and a handkerchief. It's a complete sequence of magic, inspired by Carlyle, L'Homme Masque, Robert-Houdin and Dai Vernon, and an amazing demonstration of powerful close-up magic.
Is That a Real Mouse
John's finish for the routine is a practical utility item that he's used for years to surprise audiences. He tells you how to make it, and how to use it.
Coins in the Mist
John's pure sleight two-coin vanish, in which the coins are invisibly "hung" in the air on imaginary hooks. Inspired by Ramsay, it's a masterpiece of coin handling.
Off Ring
John's impromptu version of the Ring off the Wand (using a borrowed ring and a borrowed straw). He explains all the touches that make this a memorable, astonishing piece of magic.
Current Classic
John's Sponge Ball Routine. If you've ever performed with sponge balls, you'll be amazed by his insights and efficient, magical routine. It's not like any sponge ball routine you've ever seen. After years of experience with this routine, John gives you all the tips about managing the spectator to get the perfect effect, and avoid common mishaps.
Versa Vice
An incredible card transposition using John's Versa Switch. He explains the move and details just how it's used in this four-card transposition. It'll become one of your favorites.
Finally, John talks a little bit about learning magic from DVDs and from books, offering professional suggestions about where to look for inspirations and how to develop your own routines.
It's over 80 minutes of material, fantastic magic that you'll use.
The Master Sessions: Disc 2 - Spring
Here's what's you'll get on the Second Disc:
Four Gone
John explains his unique approach to the problems of making four cards disappear. He gives you all the background, moves and insights about the audience you need to perfect this close-up miracle.
Four Gone Extra Tips:
John explains how the addition of a prop increases the possibilities of Four Gone even further.
Carneydo: Karate Coin
A powerful yet practical piece of coin magic that can be performed anywhere, updating an old idea that deserves to be reconsidered.
Ambitious Aces
One of John’s favorite card effects, he explains and demonstrates all the touches and details that he’s refined over years of performing. As well as showing the mechanics of the Versa Switch and Top Change, he also explains his thoughts on misdirection.
Matchless
John presents a complete routine, honed to perfection, which appears to be an impromptu version of the card in matchbox. Ideal for table-hopping in restaurants, it’s practical and surprising.
Slow-Mo Coins
A collection of coin vanishes, based on classics such as Leipzig’s Slow Motion Coin Vanish, Leipzig’s Right There and John Cornelius’ Coin Vanish. John shares tips he learned from masters like Dai Vernon, explaining every variation and move he’s developed to avoid flashing, so that you too can make coins melt into thin air.
To complete this DVD of more than one hour of solid, practical material, John shares his thoughts about practice and rehearsal. He explains how he approaches different types of preparation, offering some useful suggestions on how to focus your rehearsal to make it really pay off.
The Master Sessions: Disc 3 - Summer
Here's what's you'll get on the Third Disc:
Cards Undercover
A perfect piece to entertain a group of friends at a table, with surprising productions and vanishes of cards, culminating in the selected card penetrating a silk handkerchief. With practical explanations John demonstrates every move and explains the thinking behind each idea.
Revanishing
John’s been working on coin vanishes for years, and here he shows several of his favorites. He shares ideas and techniques that he’s studied, and shows you how he’s developed each one into a practical and beautiful effect. There are clear close up shots of each position.
Crystal Flash
A great piece of restaurant magic that John invented early in his career, after a night in a smoky jazz club. With a great story, a couple of small props you can carry in your pocket, and a deck of cards John demonstrates how to mystify an audience. He explains every step of the effect, along with the motivation for every move.
Hot Slot
Inspired by Dr. Sawa’s Slot Machine, Hot Slot is a highly entertaining routine with coins. John brings his own practical and insightful analysis to the piece, taking you through every step. A wonderful effect that will become a favorite in your repertoire.
In Hands Monte
In Hands Monte is a neat version of 3 Card Monte that you can perform in impromptu situations. Every switch is clearly shown in close up shots, while John carefully demonstrates and explains every move.
To round out this DVD of unique and practical material, John talks about the way he has kept notebooks throughout his career, and how this helps him to develop ideas. With clever hints and suggestions he explains how to nurture your creativity, improve your magical thinking and translate this into successful performances.
The Master Sessions: Disc 4 - Fall
Here's what's you'll get on the Fourth Disc:
Swingblade
John kicks off the final disc with a demonstration of Swingblade. Although this trick is often dismissed by magicians, John believes this is one of the strongest pieces of impromptu magic he’s ever seen. He shares the unique tips and insights that he learned from Charlie Miller, and shows you how to turn this apparently simple trick into a classic that will amaze your audience.
Muscade Magic
Muscade Magic is John’s own take on the cups and balls, that he’s successfully performed all over the world. John considers himself lucky to have studied with Dai Vernon, and he now shares the knowledge that the Professor passed on to him. He explains all his choices for the props, the moves, the patter and the whole routine. It’s a unique opportunity to study the cups and balls in depth, with an emphasis on practical solutions.
Foote Forward Rise
This novel rising card creates a spooky effect that is one of John’s favorites. He takes you through every step of this very practical card rise that is more secure than a one-handed rise.
Coins, Here to There
This is John’s own version of the coins across routine, with several variations. With his insights and tips, gleaned from years of performance, he explains how to amaze your spectator as coins invisibly fly from one of her hands to the other. Coins, Here to There also includes Old School Coins Across, which is a collection of John’s ideas about coins across, with demonstrations of how he achieves each effect.
Finally John talks about how he studies magic, and how this helps him to constantly improve his magic. Examining different kinds of magic, its history, magicians and their methods helps John approach magic from many different perspectives. John believes that this approach enhances his material and performances, and it can do the same for you.
Table of Contents
DVD 4 includes a full table of contents for all four DVDs in the set.
These four discs were initially offered as a subscription, spanning a year. Every season subscribers received a new dvd: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall. Now all four discs are available; when you order the set you’ll receive all four dvds immediately, four-and-a-half hours of invaluable and practical material.
The Master Sessions: DVD Project for Magicians
Carney - The Master Sessions大师课程" width="300" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: top;">TIME WITH AN EXPERT...
It’s a solitary art. Most magicians learn their techniques by themselves, in front of a mirror. They never have the benefit of personal instruction from an expert, or the thinking behind expert routines. That’s why great magicians credit the influential teachers in magic. It’s not about just instruction, but inspiration.
John Carney has earned a renowned reputation — including the recognition and respect of professionals and sleight-of-hand fans around the world. We recently watched him dazzle a small group of experienced magicians: first with an intricate routine, and then with a detailed explanation of each move and his thinking behind it. Over the course of his books, workshops, lectures and performances, there’s no question that John is the “real thing.” If you’ve seen John work, you know that his skill allows him to diagnose and perfectly integrate sleights, resulting in (seemingly) effortless presentations. With a conversational approach, John explains exactly what’s necessary, what isn’t, and how magic can always be made better. John makes great magic. And he helps other people perform great magic.
A UNIQUE CHALLENGE...
When we started talking about a DVD project, John had his doubts. He has strong feelings about why video is a good at certain things, but bad at others. Typically, his insights made the project more innovative. We were challenged to incorporate his ideas, and the result, we’re proud to say, is nothing short of remarkable. The “Master Sessions.” Imagine sessioning with John. He shares his thoughts about several routines. He offers some simpler effects as well as “knuckle-busting” sleight-of-hand. More important, he explains the thinking behind every aspect of the routines. John’s known for his detailed analysis, and his improvements for professional routines. He chats about his approach to magic and offers insights into your own magic. For over an hour, John shows you the “real thing,” and gives you some real things to think about.
AND HERE’S YOUR OPPORTUNITY...
If it sounds like a rare opportunity to experience a master class, that’s exactly what it is. And it’s now possible through the medium of video. John Carney picked the subjects, a deliberate mix of card, coin, and small prop effects that will always give you varied instructions and inspirations. Almost none of this material has appeared on video before; many of the routines have never appeared in print. You can get to know John, get to know his magic, and make your own magic better. These “Master Sessions” are not just steps up the ladder, but an opportunity to take quantum leaps. It is the “real thing.”
NOT JUST ANY VIDEO...
We knew that this project called for a different approach. We didn’t want a lecture on a disc, or mere lessons, with one trick after another. We needed expert camera work, professional editing and state-of-the-art production. And we’ve got it. Producer Frankie Glass (who has produced A&E Biography documentaries, science specials for Nova, and magic televison shows, including the innovative “Secret Cabaret”) started from scratch. The videos are produced in Hollywood, like television specials. The result is a DVD that you’ll be thrilled to watch, and happy to watch over and over again. Jim Steinmeyer, magic author and television producer, has developed the final product.
SO MUCH MORE...
And finally, here’s the best part. Like an old friend, John comes back again (with another DVD) and another completely new session in the spring. More magic, more inspiration. In fact, he’s back again and again: a total of four separate DVDs. It’s a full year of sessions, and expert magic. You’ll have four sessions — four DVDs of personal instructions for dozens of effects — with a renowned magician, one of the great innovators of sleight-of-hand.
NOT JUST TRICKS...
Is it worth it to you Are you interested in taking the next step with close-up Could you benefit from time with a great sleight-of-hand artist Or just ask yourself: Are you serious about improving your magic A GREAT OFFER...“The Master Sessions” consists of four separate DVD sessions, each over an hour in length. The first disc, Winter, is mailed to you in December, with a beautifully printed collector’s case to hold all four discs. Then, another disc follows every season (every three months). It’s a very special type of subscription. You’re guaranteed four discs, four incredible sessions. You cannot buy these DVDs separately. They are only sold as a set, and will be distributed as they are completed. The price is $125 for the four-disc collector’s case, and all four discs. All postage is included. (Please check this website for international postage.) It’s an amazing price for an amazing mixture of inspiring magic. In fact, over the next year, you might pay that much for just three or four individual trick DVDs. John’s goal has been to keep the quality of the material high, the quality of the production high, and the price low, so magicians can benefit from these sessions. We can do that because these discs are only available through our website.
Some questions and some answers:
What’s on “The Master Sessions ”
John has deliberately made each session a mixture of material. Almost all of it is close-up, with cards, coins or small objects. There’s plenty of sleight-of-hand, but also simpler routines taught with the important tips and touches. John also “visits” with you, discussing some approaches or attitudes towards magic.
How do I order the discs
Use this website to order the set; you will receive all four discs and the collector's case. Or you can order by mail by sending your check or money order to:
Hahne Books
514 South Parish Place
Burbank, CA 91506
What if I'm not interested in difficult sleight of hand routines
We actually think that anyone interested in magic will benefit from these examples of routine, sleights and psychology. They're lessons for any magician. And John is well-known for his ability to negotiate tough sleights with ease and artistry. But there are always easier routines included, so you have something to think about and work on right away. Those of you who are serious about their sleight-of-hand will find plenty of inspiration here. But John has never considered himself a "hard core sleight" fellow. His goal is great magic, using a variety of techniques.
Is this material from John's books
Only a few of these pieces have appeared in John's books. Almost none of the effects have been on John's videos before.