Hi Guys:


I have just had an experience of performing one effect in Ultimate Card Through Window. Basically I used one of the versions in the DVD and performed it for my elder cousin.

Here is how it goes:

My elder cousion came to my house with his parents.

In the dining hall, I first performed Card on Ceiling.

However, due to some reasons which I have yet to find out, the signed card just could not "appear" on the ceiling.

Nonetheless, I have pre-arranged my patter in such away that even though the signed card does not appear on the ceiling, it will still look magical because the signed card was inserted into the middle of the deck, securedly bound by the rubberband, and yet it came off from the deck after tossing it to the ceiling

Of course I was a bit disappointed with myself because I did not manage to achieve my objective of making the signed card "appear" on ceiling

Then my cousin was about to leave.

I thought,

"What can I still perform before he leaves"

An idea struck my mind. Since I am in my house, why don't I perform the Card Through Window Effect which I learnt from Eric James?

I then opened the main door, approached my car, and did a little setup.

I came back, told my cousin that I would like to perform one trick for him.

I said however,

"It is pretty hot in the house now, why don't we go somewhere outside?"

He followed along, and I led him to the side of my car.

There were some lighting shining from inside my house, and the pip and numbers of cards in the deck could still be seen clearly.

I got my cousin to select a card. Card returned to deck and lost.

I then said,

"Please look into my eyes now as I want to see though your eyes, to get into your mind, and catch a glimpse of what card is now in your memory"

At this point, he was looking at my eyes - a perfect misdirection for me to perform the m****** c*** f***. I prefer to do this so as to avoid "double coincidence" at the end of the effect (If u know how generally CTW works, you will know what I mean)

I then said,

"Sorry, I can't see through your mind. Can you tell me what is your card? I will use a very special way to reveal your card"

He then said "4 of Hearts".

I sprung the cards onto the driver's window

All cards were splattered around. Some cards fell on the floor, some were on the wind screen, some were outside the driver's seat window, and of course one card -

- the four of hearts,was sticking on the window

My cousin said,

"...the card is inside the car?"

He reached out, scratched the window to retrive the card and to no avail.

I opened the car door slightly, and let him retrive the card.

He reached over, but somehow, he just could not peel off the card and retrieve it.

I then opened the door wider, I reached in, peeled off the corner and passed the card to him.

Without any doubt, he was speechless. Before he drove off this card, he looked at me and smiled. He just could not believe what he saw.

This is a testimony of how powerful card through window effect can be.

If you have no idea on how it is performed, and would like to learn it, you can purchase the "Ultimate Card Through Window" DVD.

I learnt this awesome effect from the aforementioned DVD.

As Brad Christian has said in one of his DVD:

"Simple Hits Hard"....

The setup only took me less than 10 second, and I have achieved a miracle.

If you want, you can even add in the torn corner act (which was performed by David Copperfield).

Nonetheless, for me, the above was more than enough.

I recommend this DVD highly if you have no prior knowledge in Card Through Window. For laymen, it kills.

Thank you

Inherently, performing UCTW requires certain form of setup, and even in the basic version, you would need to be able to manage the audience well so that the audience stands at the "right" spot.

Back to how I perform for my cousin, I did not manage to find a suitable place in the dining hall because there is no "suitable" spot for doing the necessary setup because of the "wide angle view".

Hence, I moved out from the dining hall, and I noticed that the small mirror on every car can be used as a "barrier" - which I think would help the setup considerably.

Because of the "barrier", I have less worries of spectator management because the "barrier" helps the "view".

However, what motivates you to perform magic outside the house instead of in the dining hall? I used the room temperature as a motivation, and hence performing out of house would be legitimate for the cousin.

What I would like to point out is that, even for the basic (classic) version, one needs to motivate performance of magic at a certain spot. The reason being that sometimes, performing CTW effect may require you to perform at certain location where some specs may feel awkward.

Imagine how my cousin would feel if for no good reason I asked him to go out of the house just because I want to perform card trick for him. This is where, I think, motivation comes in.

In order to condition specs to be station at the "right spot", and "right view", I think this is where spectator management comes in. This is something which I have yet to learn if I intend to perform CTW effect in an open environment...

One word, even performing the basic (classic) version is not easy.
So imagine the difficulty one would face if you were to perform the Ultimate version.

Nonetheless, I think in some cases, the Ultimate version may be more superior.
Reason:

a) For the classic version, you need to condition specs at the "right spot" and at the "right view", whereas for the ultimate version, as long as the "dimension" is right, other things being equal, it is merely a time factor before a miracle is achieved.

B) For the classic version, spec must not be allowed to see that "thing" before the performance, or else, your performance is will have to end before you can even start (though you can give some weird reason why that "thing" is there, eg. favourable decorative method, etc....)

On the other hand, for the ultimate version, spec can see that thing in full view, even under broad daylight. And if performed right, the specs will see a card sticks on the wall after all the cards are sprung towards the window. To me, this creates a very visual impact because the specs get to see "before" and "after".

Now, here comes the tricky part. For the ultimate version, the specs cannot retrieve the card, whereas for the version that I used, the specs can retrieve the card.

Although Eric James mentions something about using some sort of "cover", if the specs are critical, the specs can still find "something" if he wants to look out thoroughly.

I think there are a couple of solutions to this problem:

a) Know your specs. If your specs is a critical person, you can still perform UCTW, but you may want to modify the location. eg. perform on a 10th floor building - that could ensure that he does not retrieve the card by himself.

Or what you can do is, you first prove that the card is on the other side of window, then you retrieve it in a very slow manner.

If your specs are not critical, then you should expect that he would not go out and retrieve the card by himself. Or you can go into the next routine to be safe, or you can plant an assistant to clear the gimmick.


B) Perform it at night

c) Add in the torn corner act so that the next thing in specs mind will be "the torn corner does match!!!"

But one thing is for sure, the number of times that ultimate version is performed should be less than the classic version. Nonetheless, it is still worth a try, but most often than not it is more practical to be performed at home, and to ease that "thing" in your body, you might need an assistant....

So this is my view la....please feel free to post your feedback on what I think

[ Note: For the moderator - due to the fact that my post is extremely long, I have broken up into 2 post. Please do the necessary as you see fit. Thanks ]


Hi Guys:


I have received an email which asked about UTCW.
Based on the email, I have preseted some FAQs for UCTW, also I have included a bit of my purchase story:

======================================== ==

Before I bought Ultimate CTW, a couple of things were already in my mind:

1) It requires setup generally, thus not impromptu

2) It requires finding the right window, and right location

3) The setup can be lenghty, but the effect is worth it

4) You may need an a********/s***** to help you. Or else some effects will be very difficult to perform, or some effect just cannot be performed without an a********/s*****

(eg. the 3 girls scene in UTCW)

5) There are pros and cons in every idea presented in UCTW. It is up to the buyer to select which idea is the most appropriate one given the prevailing circumstances

6) I will modify the ideas presented with my handling if need be

-------------------------------------------

Because I had all these in mind minds, buying UTCW is satisfying for me because it fulfills my requirement of wanting to know the brainstormed ideas of performing CTW effects.

------------------------------
No doubt:
Some ideas may not be practical
- but one can overcome it by setting it up before hand

---------------------------

No doubt:
Some ideas may not allow the spec to retrieve the card
- but one can select a venue where it is inconvenient for the specs to retrieve the card so that you can retrieve the card and pass to spec

---------------------------
No doubt:
Some ideas may not seem to produce great impact because the card appears directly on the window facing you
- but isn't impromptuness a power form of magic?
- and you are free to add the torn corner act which will increase the impossibility of the effect, right?

---------------------------
No doubt:
Some ideas may require you to only "apparently" pull the card out of the other side of the window
- but illusion - when done well, isn't it amazing to the specs?

---------------------------
No doubt:
Some ideas may require you to travel to a store to buy a "thingy" and open up the "thingy" and patch it with other "thingy" and setup on the correct spot, very time consuming right?
- but for this version, you can get the spec to see the window before hand (and the window is clean thouroughly), then when you perform the effect, the card stucks on the other side of window.
- before? No card
- after? You spring the cards to window, one card sticks on the window, and it is on the other side, isn't this a miracle?

---------------------------

Coming back to your question:

1) The set up, does it come with the DVD
YES

2) is it something that can easily found and not too expensive
DEPENDS ON WHICH VERSION

FOR THE BASIC VERSION, YOU NEED W**/ART S**** ONLY

FOR ULTIMATE VERSION, YOU NEED AN EXTRA "THINGY" WHICH IS AVAILABLE EASILY IN US

FOR THE 3 GIRLS VERSION, U NEED S*****

3) can it be used over and over

DEPENDS ON WHICH VERSION

BASIC VERSION - YES, OVER AND OVER AGAIN

ULTIMATE VERSION - YES, OVER AND OVER AGAIN

3 GIRLS VERSION - DEPENDS ON AVAILABILITY OF S*****

4) how long is the MOST BASIC set up? you say 10 seconds... but literally 10 seconds?

YES, IN FACT IT CAN BE DONE IN LESS THAN 10 SECONDS. I WAS A BIT SLOW

5) how long does the set up last (basic setup), is it detectable? breakable?

I HAVE NOT TESTED HOW LONG IT WILL LAST, IT DEPENDS ON THE QUALITY AND THE AMOUNT OF
W**/ ART S**** YOU USE

DETECTABLE? DEPENDS ON HOW YOU CONCEAL THE SETUP, HOW YOU MANAGE THE SPECS. AS LONG AS YOU FIND THE SUITABLE WINDOW, THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM, HENCE AS MENTIONED EARLIER, YOU NEED TO FIND SUITABLE TYPE OF WINDOW, SUITABLE TYPE OF SPOT AND SUITABLE TYPE OF SURROUNDING.

BREAKABLE? NO

6) say I want to do this in a classroom, can I set it up before anyone comes and do it maybe a couple hours later?

BASIC VERSION: POSSIBLE AS LONG AS YOU FIND THE SUITABLE TYPE OF WINDOW AND SUITABLE SPOT IN YOUR CLASSROOM

ULTIMATE VERSION: POSSIBLE BUT THE SURROUNDINGS MUST BE THAT THE SPECS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO RETRIEVE THE CARD BY HIMSELF, OR ELSE HE WILL KNOW THE SECRET - MOST LIKELY

3 GIRLS VERSION - POSSIBLE IF YOU HAVE A S*****

7) assuming its not broken, and if the set up is messed up could I know before I get into the effect without too much obvious examination

YES, YOU WILL KNOW IF THE SETUP IS MESSED BY ANYONE. HOWEVER, IF YOU SETUP PROPERLY, CHANCES OF MESSING UP BEFORE PERFORMANCE IS SLIM

NONETHELESS, IF IT GETS MESSED UP, THERE ARE MANY OUTS. ONE GOOD OUT IS TO "NOT GET INVOLVED"

8) basically I just want to do this in school somewhere, so is it something that's do-able in a public situation with people walking around all the time? or should I set it up right before I do the trick

PUBLIC: POSSIBLE - AS LONG AS YOU HAVE THE CONTROL OF THE WINDOW, OF THE RIGHT SPOT

USING BASIC VERSION FOR PUBLIC
- POSSIBLE AS LONG AS YOU SELECT THE SUITABLE WINDOW AND SUITABLE SPOT

USING ULTIMATE VERSION FOR PUBLIC
- STILL POSSIBLE AS LONG AS YOU HAVE CONTROL OVER THE WINDOWS AND THE SURROUNDINGS OF THE WINDOWS, AND YOU CAN CONTROL THE SPECS NOT TO RETRIEVE THE CARD BY THEMSELVES

USING 3 GIRLS VERSION
- POSSIBLE IF YOU HAVE S***** TO HELP YOU

9) as for the DVD, teachings? is the classic CTW taught well, beause I'm really just into that effect because I heard that many other effects are not realistic

TEACHNIG IS ADEQUATE. ERIC IS VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS DVD, AND THE IDEAS PRESENTED - HENCE HE IS VERY ENERGETIC IN TEACHING - ALTHOUGH SOME MAY FEEL THAT HE IS OVER ENERGETIC. TO ME - IT REPRESENTS HIS ENTHUSIASM IN THE EFFECTS PRESENTED IN THE DVD

OTHER EFFECTS? I ONLY FOCUSSED ON CARD THROUGH WINDOW SO I CAN'T REALLY COMMENT ON OTHERS.

ONE POINT - CARD TO TV IS GREAT AND IT CAN BE MADE PRACTICAL (EG. TREATING THE REMOTE CONTROL AS MAGIC WAND)


10) I realize its requires some practice, but how much exactly? and what kind of practice?

ALL EFFECT REQUIRE PRACTICE.

HOWEVER I DID NOT PRACTICE EVEN ONCE BEFORE I PERFORMED FOR MY COUSIN BECAUSE, IF YOU WANT TO, YOU DO NO NEED TO USE ANY SINGLE SLEIGHT.

I JUST DID THE SETUP BEFORE HAND - WHICH DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY SLEIGHT

YOU SPRING THE CARDS TO THE WINDOW - WHICH DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY SLEIGHT.

AND THE NEXT THING THE SPEC SEES - THE CARD IS THROUGH THE WINDOW.

WHEN U/THE SPEC RETRIEVE THE CARD, YOU DO NO NEED ANY SLEIGHT.

THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO:

A) FIND THE CORRECT WINDOW
B) FIND THE CORRECT SPOT
C) ENSURE THAT THE SURROUNDINGS IS SUITABLE FOR YOU TO PERFORM CTW

===========================

Thank you

This is another real story of me performing Card through Window, but this time it is different from the previous version (where I performed for my cousion). The version that I used for this case is a "signed, and torn corner card to Window".


Here you go:


Date: 9 Jan 2006, Lunch time
Venue: Office room
Particants: Me and my cute lady team member

-------------------------------------------------------

I have always dreamed of performing CTW for my little cute lady team member.
As mentioned, she is cute, pretty, and cheerful.
Having her at work is really a pleasure.
Our booking for the job was 2 weeks, so for these two weeks, I was alone with her during working hours. I am her senior and if she needs to clarify anything, she will check with me.

She is Lin, and she was seated at the same table with me, just opposite of me.

After lunch, we went back to the room, and she received some phone calls.
Based on the conversation, I came to know that that very same day was her birthday.

I look at the surrounding behind me, it was a huge curtain, with a window behind.
The window was glued to the wall, hence cannot be opened. An idea strucked my mind, and when Lin went for the restroom, I performed the necessary setup.

When Lin came back, I asked if she would like to watch a "single" card trick.
The reason being that:

- 2 days before that day, I performed Ultimate 3 Card Monte for her [ 3 cards ]
- 1 day before that day, I performed 2 Card Monte for her [ 2 cardss ]

and I promised I will perform a 1 Card Monte for her.

She happily said yes, anxiously waiting for me to perform for her a "One card Monte" trick.

I told her that doesn't require her to use so much of memory power, but it is not easy either.

I had her select a card (Queen of Diamond), card was returned to the deck and lost.

Then, I took out an "invisible" card from the deck, placed it on my palm and asked,

"Can u see the card on my hand?"

Of course she said no. I then blew the "invisible" card towards my laptop on the table, and told her,

"I think one card was blown to my laptop, can u please check it out?"

Lin took my laptop, searched for it but to no avail.

I said,

"No worries, I will get my assistant to help".

I then activated my "Power DVD" software (told Lin that it is my assistant to help me to reveal the card). I then pressed the "eject" button.
The DVD-ROM ejected, and there lies a card, with its back showing.

Then I said,

"Would u like to check it out?"

Lin slowly reached her hand to pick up her card, and was pleasantly surprised that it was her selected card.

"How can this be possible?" - she said with a smile.

So Part 1 Done.

-----------------------------------------------

Here comes Part 2:


I then told Lin that the magician will most of the time follow up by signing the card and present the card as souveniour to the specs at the end of the performance, there I took out my sharpie from my pocket, and wrote on the card,

"For you" (at one corner) and "Choo" (my surname) - at another corner.

Before I continued, I asked her to check every single card in the deck to make sure that the signed card (signed by me) is the one and only card in the world.

She checked and no exception noted.

I subsequently went into my ambitious card routine, and amazed her every single time the card appeared on top of the deck. This is the middle part of the routine - the built up of the final climax - the Card to Window

So Part 2 done.

----------------------------------------

Here comes part 3:

I then, very slowly, torn away one corner of the card, and passed to her as a receipt, telling her that the last bit of this performance is a receipt trick, which requires the specs to hold on to the torn corner - for purpose of verification

Next, I inserted the torn corner card into the middle of the deck, placed the whole deck into the card box, and wrapped the card box with a rubber band.

She saw every bit and was convinced that the card box was thoroughly wrapped up by the rubber band.

I stepped towards the curtain, and again, took out one "invisible" card, and placed it on my palm.

Lin knew what happened earlier and was anticipating where the signed and torn corner card was going to appear.

I looked at her for a few seconds (to built the tension), smiled, and blew the "invisible" card towards the curtain.

I asked Lin,

"Did u see that?"

Of course she said no. I said, "check this out".

Very slowly I pulled the curtain from one end to another end - only to reveal that one card, with signature and corner torn was stucked to the window.

Again she said excitedly,

"How can this be possible?!!!"

I said,

"Would u like to come over and check it out?"

She came to the window, and matched the card with the receipt (torn corner). Both the corner and words aligned perfectly.

She smiled and just could not believe what she saw.

I then took a stapler, stapled the torn corner to the card, and wrote on the white border,

"Lin, Happy Birthday to you"

and handed this card as a birthday gift/souveniour for her

Without doubt, she was very delighted and I think this should be her first time receiving a magic performance and card memento as birthday gift.

===========================================

I would not be able to perform the above without watching "Ultimate Card Through Window" by Eric James. So if u are remotely interested in CTW effects, and u have no prior knowledge in this field, I urge you to check out this DVD....

No doubt this effect requires setup, but for both the versions that I used (performed for my cousin and Lin), the setup was very easy and took less than 1 minute.

Thank you :D

Zhuanan,

heheheh...smooth. ;)
I am assuming you DID follow up to those effects by buying her dinner ...

That Was Smooth!!!

A sheer smooth move . Bravo.

Note fot the beginners!: please..please don't try to learn magic only because you want to pick up chicks. I strongly disagree.

i second that.

I didnt wanted to buy CTW but after this experience zhuanan had.i think i shud change my mind. :D